Wednesday, December 26, 2012

our Lake City home


beautiful Sandia Mountians out our front door, Albuquerque
When I am gone to my new home with Christ and anyone reads this, I want you to know that I have had an adventure that I could never have imagined. I have never not known about the God- man Jesus. I can't remember a time I didn't know about Him.Then I began to know Him personally yet gradually day by day just like in any relationship. In the second grade I prayed a prayer to Him for an answer when my Mom told me to"ask Jesus what to do". I did and He answered in the most amazing way, a way a child could not miss. In the third grade , He answered a prayer to heal my sister who was 6 months old and very sick. I ask that she be home for Christmas and she was. There were years I left Him like a sheep going astray on my own way. But in the back of my mind He was always there and I did all I could to push Him back because I was ashamed but not willing to turn back. But the Lord kept on pursuing and drawing me. I met my husband who was also ready to come back to his first love and we began a journey that led us to the place of total commitment to Him. I had found the missing piece. He was the missing piece. I can tell you that the path He led me on has been filled with life more abundantly. I am not saying that there haven't been hard things to face, rough places to walk through, uncertainty, doubt,  but He built a foundation in me through His Word, through trials and tests , through  the teacher, the Holy Spirit, relationships I formed through this journey.  I have learned about His faithfulness and His grace. It was what I was born for. I never had ambition for a career, or an education , but the education I have received chasing Him has been amazing. I am still stirred up to know more of Him, understand more of His ways, to share what I have learned with others. I love His people I have met along the way. I love the Body of Christ. I love meeting new followers of Christ and hearing their stories of faith and victory. I know I have much more to learn but the life I have lived has been so worth it because He has walked with me all the way. And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own..and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.
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Monday, December 17, 2012

What I believe...
                                  I believe that life is to be experienced  and to be expressed because Jesus said He came to give us life and life more abundantly.
I believe that much of that is quenched in us  and that the truth of our DNA is tampered with by those who are more concerned in our lives with rules rather than relationship. Those who are more secure with putting us in a  box that can be closed up and put on a shelf rather  than taking the time exploring our worth, value and personalities because that requires time, intimacy and unselfishness.  I believe that the secrets of God's Kingdom belong to the children, the childlike, not the super intelligent or the pius .I believe that most people have trouble understanding a God who would send His only Son as a sacrifice for their sins, because they don't think they need forgiveness  and to suggest otherwise is an insult. I believe that most of those who are believers still have trouble receiving His love  and can't believe there is a God bigger than their problems and that He is willing to fight for us, intercede for us and has prepared a glorious place for us.They say they believe it until you get right down to asking them .They can believe it for others but have trouble thinking they are worth God's love. I believe that a senseless tragedy like we have experienced this past week where brave teachers and innocent children were gunned down should shake us up enough to count our blessings, rethink our priorities, repent and thank God everyday for life, but sadly even the Twin Towers seem to only affect those not closely involved just for a short time. I know God doesn't want us to live in depression and defeat and dwell on the past and sad events, but I believe we in this country and even some of  us who are Christians seem to have grown calloused, and cold . Matthew 24:11-13 says, Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because  lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. The Bible talks about the beginning of sorrows being one of the signs of the end of the age. I am not sure if this is  the age of sorrows but I am beginning to wonder. I believe that the Lord reigns and that theKingdoms of this world shall become the Kingdoms of His Christ and He shall reign forever and ever. I do know that that Jesus became real to me as a small child and He answered prayers that let a little girl in the second and third grades  know without a shadow of doubt that He had heard her. I believe Him, I believe His word and I am learning to trust Him more day by day..Joyce Meyers says You don't need to know the why behind everything if you trust God...I believe that! but then I find myself sometimes asking Him... Why?

Monday, December 3, 2012

Quietness..peace.  Forever grateful, forever thankful for the times of calmness ..Knowing that we can remain unshaken in a shaken world. It's  nice to experience His presence aside from the distractions outside. I cuddle up with coffee, listening to the hum of the dishwasher , eyes closed, but so  aware of His company. There is a line in a song..In the silence you are speaking. I have been in desert times.This is different.This is solitude; rest.. He is speaking. There is a Knowing in the stillness when there is no disturbance in my soul. As I savor this moment, I mull over last evening with a smile.  We gathered  for worship and reading of His word, with grandkid chatter and interruptions inevitable , that stillness of His company flowed into our midst, into our small intimate unit..We welcomed Him. Revelation flowed, encouragement was offered, joy returned.. healing was received..we dismissed with fullness and satisfaction ..sharing it with Him was the difference..sharing it together was community. We were left...Knowing.