Spiritual Discouragement and Neglect

Our natural Florida every-afternoon-rainstorm weather had caused my cucumber plants to mold. Over several weeks, I had spent considerable time tilling soil on a patch of earth covering approximately 75 square yards.

I tilled it, weeded it, planted it, hauled nearly 50 large wagons full of compost to it, watered it, and otherwise tended it. All the while, I prayed that the Lord would bless my effort. After all, I reasoned, I was doing important and useful work. I asked Him to send rain and a bountiful harvest.

And rain, it did. So much, in fact, my crops were drowning. The worms, on the other hand, were not. Nor did they respond in any appreciable way to the pesticide we applied.

As discouragement set in, I responded by grumpy neglect. The Lord has shown me again that my best efforts can do nothing to bring the harvest. Only the Lord of the Harvest can do that.

Today He led me, scissors in hand, to my cucumbers. They were a tangled mess of molded vines and soggy leaves. Slowly I began to snip away the dead leaves. This gave way to clipping entire branches. Ultimately, I uprooted entire plants. In the end, all that remained were the few plants which were actually bearing fruit.

I was reminded of my favorite section of scripture, John 15 where our Lord describes Himself as the vine and us as the branches. How like My Father to reveal Himself through a physical picture of a spiritual reality. When we allow the enemy to take a foot hold through discouragement and neglect, we are left with a moldy mess of twisted dead branches that are good for nothing. We do not reap a harvest and eventually bring forth no good thing and must be uprooted.

I noticed as well, the tendrils of the good plants had grabbed hold of the dead plants. When the dead rot was stripped away, the healthy plants suffered some damage. We must be careful to not become entwined in the sin, corruption and dead works of those closest to us. They will ultimately cause us injury.

It was truly a disgusting endeavor. Upon completion, my hands and clothing were covered with nasty grime. It was slimy and putrid and in all ways revolting. How good of our God to be our vine-keeper. How sweet of Him to tend to us in our corruption and slime. How marvelous that He would care to tend us and lift us up out of the muck and mire, clean us up and set us to good healthy growth.

Lord, please protect me from discouragement and neglect of my spiritual life. Please prune me Lord, so I may bear much fruit for the good and glory of Your Kingdom. Help me Lord to remember I have work to do, but only You can grow me and prosper me, only You can bring a harvest. I must do my part, but ultimately You are the vine. I am but a branch

A Life of Regrets

Live in such a manner that when you are old and looking to finish well, you will have no regrets.

But what do you do with a life of regrets at 45? How do you turn that bus around? What do you do when you have backed yourself into a corner hemmed in by consequences of life choices that preclude you from stepping forward into your calling?

I keep being told that nothing in life will satisfy me if I don’t live my calling. I KNOW!! Trust me! I know!

But what do I do now? I have made decision that cannot be unmade. I have put myself in a position where I am unable to do that which I feel called to do and I am unsatisfied. Now what?

Any ideas? Any suggestions? I know there are people reading these posts. I can see the numbers. I really covet YOUR advice… Please feel free to comment.

As a reminder, if you are reading this in an email, you need to click the link (the blue underlined web address) to get to the actual blog. If you comment or respond only to the email, it will not reach me.

A Prayer for Young Adults

If I may be so bold, might I please offer a bit of advice to those readers who are on the cusp of leaving the nest?

There was a time in the life of each adult that we were where you are. I think it fair to say, each of us made some mistakes along the way that we have learned from. I think it equally fair to say that we wish we had listened to those older folks who tried to warn us of the pitfalls before we fell headlong, but didn’t.

As I reflect upon those decisions that were life altering and filled with regret, I can say one thing with a certainty:

PLEASE prayerfully consider what the Lord is calling you to do and then do it, regardless of what you deem the cost to be.

From the bottom of my heart, I warn you that no matter what you do in your lifetime, if it is not what the Lord has planned for you, if it is not His perfect will for you, it will NEVER bring fulfillment to your heart.

“For I know the plans I have for you…plans for a hope and a future…”

Father I pray from the depth of my being that any young person reading this post will take it to heart. I pray that you would reveal to them in clear and certain ways what is Your good and perfect will for their lives. Lord, I pray that you would give them the strength and wisdom to follow where You lead, and protect them from the evil one who would try to steal Your best from them. I pray that you would guide them with Your righteous right hand and prosper them as they follow You in obedience. I pray that You would bring people across their path to mentor and guide and direct them to You.

I pray that they would pursue Your will and plan passionately all the days of their lives and turn not to the left hand nor to the right, Lord. Whisper in their ears, “This is the way, walk ye in it.” And grant them ears that are hearing and attentive.

 May they walk with You and serve you every day for the rest of their lives, so that one day they may hear from You, Father, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” AMEN and AMEN!

God CAN Use Me!

My appologies ahead.... The word I is used in the message many times. But, please hear my heart. It points to Him...

I am SO excited! I never cease to be amazed at what a Mighty God we serve!

I so yearn to be of service to Him!

A few months back, I felt the Lord confirm to me that He would indeed use the least of these (lil' ole me). I felt He was impressing on me that, although I am in a season of life which requires me to be almost constantly devoted to family matters, He would show me a way to serve from home.

Very shortly after our "conversation," I was asked by our pastor to be the "Prayer Ministry Coordinator." How exciting! I am able to be involved in a ministry I believe is vital. I am so humbled and awestruck that the Lord would find me useful to His Kingdom in this way.

I love to pray for others and I LOVE to hear when prayer is answered. And what better way for a homeschooling mother of 4 under 9 to be involved than to begin interceding for the needs of others in the deep quiet of sleepless nights or in the middle of the day when I'm up to my elbows in dishsoap or over a load of laundry that needs folding? I AM USEFUL!

And THEN...

I recently (through a very convaluted set of circumstances) came in contact with a gentleman from a ministry called "Deliver the Difference." They are an AMAZING group who package food for the hungry. There programs are so very far reaching it would be difficult to list them all here.

Just a few examples:

• They have food packing events, where they assemble food in packages that contain 6 servings of nutritionally complete meals. In other words, one package gives 6 people the nutrition required for an entire day! These meals are provided for those locally with need as well as in countries all over the world.
• Further, they coordinate with local restaurants and food stores to freeze leftover food and distribute it to local homeless shelters and soup kitchens.
• They also provide weekend meals to the 3,500+ homeless children in the Central Florida area. These kids wouldn't normally eat from Friday lunch until Monday, except that this group packs backpacks of 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners and 2 drinks for each child to take home with them on Friday! Absolutely ASTOUNDING!

After 2 failed attempts to get there and physically help out, I explained to the man in charge that I so desparately want to be involved, but am finding it most difficult due to family circumstances. I further explained that I would love to pray for them.

Well... can I just tell you! He was so excited to tell me that just last night he and some other men were on a conference call regarding a new international program they are launching. While on the call, they began discussing that what they truly need is to pray for pray-ers! They prayed the Lord would raise up prayer warriors to pray over every aspect of their programs, the food distribution networks, the people with boots on the ground in some very dangerous places getting the food to the needy, and so forth!

I AM USEFUL!

Isn't He AWEsome?! Isn't He wonderful! Oh, I love Him so!

Love Does Not Look Away

Life lessons often come to us in the strangest of places or the strangest of ways.

I recall several years ago, I was standing at the kitchen sink up to my elbows in bubbles, when I noticed a bee trapped between the window and the curtain. After several minutes of struggle, it fell to the sill unable to fly any longer.  I remember thinking I should take it outside, hoping it would fly away and recover from its injury. But, the Lord impressed upon me, “No, I need for you to watch.”

I tried to avert my attention from the battle-weary bee back to the task at hand, but He said again, “I need for you to watch.” So I watched as he struggled.

After several minutes, I was again overwhelmed with the feeling that I should DO something. “Perhaps I should put the poor thing out of its misery?” I suggested. “No, I need for you to watch.” Again, I watched.

Over time, his movements began to slow. His intermittent times of struggle became shorter and the times of no movement became longer. My heart was breaking for this poor being on my window sill. I so desperately wanted his pain to stop and yet, I felt a higher authority staying my hand. And so, I watched, unsure why a loving God would require what I felt was an unloving response to the spectacle unfolding before me.

I felt horrified watching his final moments. I felt as though I were watching a sacred and personal moment when created prepared to meet his Creator. I felt as though I were intruding, as though I should have either some action to avoid the certain conclusion or given the bug his privacy. And yet, I was told no.

When it was finally over and the remains of the bee lay lifeless before me, I asked again, “Why, Lord? Why would you have me only watch such suffering and not DO something?!” And then came the gentlest of answers, “Because love does not look away from suffering.”

I heard very clearly and yet I did not understand.

A year or so following, a dear and sweet loving friend prepared to meet her Creator. She was delivered into His presence following her second battle with cancer.

During her battle, I had the privilege of spending a few nights by her bedside. I did not know the depth of her struggle, she hid it well. But through that time I was reminded that love does not look away.

When one shares the love of Christ with people, one must at time look suffering in the eye. In order to be the hands of our Savior in a sin sick and dying world, one must not recoil or run. One cannot comfort the hurting unless one is close.

Take and hold someone’s hand in the depth of their most frightening moments. This is what Christ the Lord does for us. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” He promises us in His Word to be there in our darkest hour.

May we be His love to others even in the hard times.

Milestones and challenges

Several weeks ago, I was informed that my writing is neither engaging nor interesting. In fairness to the person who shared this, I did ask their opinion as they are what I hope to be, a professional writer. Over the weeks since, I have gone through moments of "giving up" and moments of "thank you for being honest so I can make efforts to improve."

It is my sincere goal to make what you are reading here interesting. I try to write about wat interests me most, which is Jesus Christ and things I learn from studying God's Word. My aim was not just another "surfacy" devotional, but real "meat." I love to learn new and deep things about our Lord and when I do, I can't wait to share it. Perhaps I am just a boring person, because what I write about is what I find interesting, and I am not sure how to make it more interesting, but I do promise to try.

Anyway, after much internal debate, I checked my stats (they tracks views to my blog) this morning and was humbled to see that my blog has hit a new milestone. It has been visited more than 1000 times (not including the people who read it by email)! This week alone it has been visited by people from The US, Australia, the UK, South Korea, Nigeria, Russia, and the Ukraine!

How very exciting! That means over 1,000 times people from all over the world have come to read what I have to share! That means that I have an opportunity to share with the world the things that excite me about God's Word!

Praise You Father for this AWEsome priviledge! Thank You for allowing me to share You with others! Lord I pray that as I move forward You will show me what YOU would have me share. May I speak (write) words that bring You praise and honor and glory.

Father, please bless each and every person who has visited this site, as well as each and every person who will visit. May each one find peace and comfort here and increasing knowledge of You, the One and Only Way to eternal Life! AMEN

A Hearing Heart

“Give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart…” (1 Kings 3:9)

Each time we are called by the Lord for a duty, it is wise to consider these words of Solomon.

When Solomon became king of Israel after the death of his father, David, the Lord asked how He might bless him. Rather than request great wealth or any other self-indulgence, Solomon remained keenly aware of the weight of the responsibility at hand. He was cognizant of and concerned about his lack of required experience. He acknowledged God’s hand in his position and humbly gave a fitting estimation of his ability. He willingly acknowledged his deficiency and correctly judged his need.

Often we read commentary stating the Lord was pleased with Solomon’s choice because it was selfless, which indeed it was. However, consider also the humility of Solomon’s request. He resisted the prideful temptation to suppose that he had received his position and associated duty based upon some intrinsic personal ability. Instead, his request was born of candid self-assessment.

And so Solomon requested what he needed most in order to fulfill his mission, an understanding heart. The Hebrew word rendered “understanding” in the King James Version, may also be translated “hearing.” In order to carry out his God ordained responsibility, Solomon needed his heart to be equipped to hear God. Accordingly, the Lord granted him wisdom.

From this passage we learn that wisdom comes from a “hearing” heart intent upon listening to the counsel of God when we are called to His service. In modern vernacular we acknowledge, “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.”

When Solomon lost sight of this important lesson, he made decisions from his own imprudence. As long as he remained humble and listened for the Lord’s leading, he was blessed with wisdom beyond that of any other man ever. Upon considering the wisdom to be his own, rather than being a gift of the Lord, he began to make decisions which led to the downfall of the unified kingdom of Israel. He chose wives who enticed him to worship false gods and he oppressed the people.

After his death, Rehoboam rejected Godly counsel and vowed to oppress the people even more harshly than Solomon had.  The people revolted and the nation was split into the Northern and Southern kingdoms. Clearly he had not been raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and sought neither Him nor His wisdom.

Perhaps, Solomon realized his need for the Lord in leading the nation, yet assumed himself adequately equipped to parent. Perhaps he felt, as do many today, parenting is not nearly as important as our “God-given” missions. Perhaps, like Solomon, we should be mindful that the children we are called to raise today are the leaders of tomorrow. And, like Solomon, we must first acknowledge our great need for wisdom and ask from the Lord, “who gives liberally and upbraideth not.” Like Solomon, we must continue in humble service to the Lord, relying fully on the wisdom that comes from above, and “lean not unto your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”

Lord, guide me today as I endeavor to serve You. Fill me with Your light and cause my heart to hear You. May I raise Your children to search for and hear You. Lord, I cry out to You like Solomon acknowledging “I am but a lad [in wisdom and experience]; I know not how to go out (begin) or come in (finish)…Give your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart…” so I may do Your work in my home. Amen.