Her turn. His lead!

Posted on May 27, 2013 by

 “She did what she could.
She gave what she had.
Now, I believe, it’s her turn.”

~~~ 

I have learned a thing or two on this long journey. That there is good, bad, and sometimes really ugly times, along the way. I have also found the blessing, in that those times that are the hardest, the worst, & the ugliest, God sends an open window, that certain door, a well-timed lifeboat, sometimes even a crawl space, or… two special people I have never met before.

And so it was nearly 4 1/2 years ago, right before my world would take a dive like I never could have imagined, God sent Kathryn & Kellie-Jo into my life… like a memorial. As life would have it… & I would never forget it. I had no idea then how much of a memory and imprint these two would leave on my heart to this day. And may I say, the honor and privilege has been more to my gain & blessing, then it could ever have been the other way around. I am amazed at how the Lord instructs me on this long & winding road, and I just don’t always get it until He takes me out of the classroom and then shows me with [and among] His people… and sometimes on a dance floor.  And that is exactly what He did.

The first time I met Kathryn she had dropped her precious baby girl Kellie-Jo at the doorsteps of Smithville Baptist Church, a small country church that if you didn’t know where you were going you’d get lost, located not far from where she lived. She knew that there was nothing left that she could do for her daughter. She had tried everything. She had done all that she could, and was desperate for her child’s healing. She knew He could, where she couldn’t. What I didn’t know at the time was she herself needed a physical healing too. But she wasn’t making a petition for herself that day; she was a mother on a mission. She didn’t come for herself; she came for Kellie-Jo.

This just throws me! A woman, who doesn’t even go to this church or know anyone who does, drops off her youngest daughter on the doorsteps, feeling too unworthy to even enter herself [& this by-the-way, wrecks me more] and leaves her there, trusting the Lord with what mattered most to her, her child.  I thought ”WOW!”  ”Now that’s FAITH!”  She thought of Jesus and she just handed everything over to Him. To me, it’s like Kathryn looked up to Heaven on the doorsteps of SBC & said… “Jesus, I give you my baby, who You had given to me first. I know You love her. Just say the word and Kellie-Jo will be healed!”

What I had come to know, love, & find very refreshing about Kathryn, was her direct & genuine honesty. She told it exactly the way it was. She was a giver and she was “for real”.  Some people may say that she didn’t have much, but what she did have she gave it away. And that my friends, was the best part. She made no claims to being fancy or “all that”. What you saw, was what you got…

“Lord, I’ll take a hundred of her please!”

She did what she could
She gave what she had
Now, I believe, it’s her turn.

~~~ 

I loved that about her. And I see it too in her daughter Kellie-Jo. So the generational beauty continues…

The first time I saw Kellie-Jo, I had glanced just behind me at Smithville Baptist Church and I noticed a young lady I had not noticed before. She was seated not too far behind me. I could not take my eyes off from her. There was something about this girl. I had this nagging feeling tugging at me like I was suppose to say something to her but I had no idea what I was to say or where this feeling was coming from. The urgency to speak to her gained momentum the further into the service time went. Suddenly, a prayer request went out to the congregation, but instead of asking for prayer for herself, this young girl asked for her mother. “What is your mother’s name” they asked her. “My mom’s name is Kathryn” as she spoke out through her tears.  Like mother, like daughter!

Those urgent, heart-tugging feelings of mine, turned into in-depth conversations with God that consequently turned into conversations with Kellie-Jo & many others over the years, that prayerfully continue to this day… I pray even as we speak.

What started out as a word here and a prayer there, actually started to mean something to the people God would highlight to me. I think I was as amazed as they were when it happened, probably more. [I know how inept I am.] Kellie-Jo was one of those first few who saw that in me when I couldn’t [or wouldn't].

After a short period of time, Kellie-Jo had married and moved away. All seemed well until the next communication came by way of Kathryn. And this time, she had made it all the way into the church, as far as the altar, to tell me… Kellie-Jo needed HELP!

No matter how far we happen to move away from home, the Lord does not miss a step.  Jesus was always on the case and Kellie-Jo would make it through just fine.

And just a month or so ago, I ran into Kellie-Jo at a local Arbor Day Festival. She looked great with that big smile across her face as she came over to my table to give me a hug. The darkness had lifted, the deceiver had departed, and I could see the sparkle of the young girl again that Jesus rescued the day her mom dropped her off to Him. And now, a little over a month later, I was just in time to witness Kellie-Jo drop her mother off to Jesus. Wow Lord, You sure know how to deliver a God-send.

And as I stood beside Kathryn as she lied in that hospital bed, with my eyes trying to deceive me as to whether she comprehended my presence there or not, I felt something from inside and I began to pray.

When the words leave me, they really do escape me.  I do not often remember.  But what I do know is this…  When I pray where He leads, He always gets it right.  So today I am so thankful, that instead of me, it was Jesus in my place.

When I looked at Kathryn one last time, I saw the dance floor.  It was her turn.  It was His lead.  She stated her intentions for Him the moment she gave Him her heart, and all the “precious” moments she had in it.   And when Jesus takes the lead, the next move is always right, even if everyone else doesn’t think so.  But in a little while, if Jesus takes their lead, they’ll think so too.

~~~

I know this post is a little different then my usual posts but I do hope you like it. It is my heart-felt desire to give it to you real, raw, and straight-up; like a direct hit to your heart, an honest word between your eyes, a finger that points to the things & the One that matter most, and if I need to… find a doorstep where Jesus stands at the door and knocks, and deposit you there.

~~~

She did what she could
She gave what she had!
She knew He could, where she couldn’t.

Now, I believe…

  It’s Kathryn’s turn & Jesus has the floor!
… jams4JESUS

During my visit with Kathryn & Kellie-Jo in the hospital [just two days before Kathryn's passing on May 18, 2013], I learned of Kathryn’s favorite song to her children… I hope you dance!

In honor of Kathryn, for Kellie-Jo…

As I was leaving the hospital that night, Kellie-Jo whispered in my ear “you are a God-send”… and I laughed out loud.

Here’s why Kellie-Jo…    “God-sends!” Posted on May 1, 2013

Thank You Lord for sending me “two special people I have [had] never met before.” ♥  Until that day… ;)  

LOVE YOU!!!  GOD BLESS YOU!!!

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If a tree falls…

Posted on April 16, 2012 by

If a tree falls in the forest and no one’s around to hear it,
did it fall?

And likewise, if a “Christian” acclaims to be “Christian” and no one around can hear ”HIM”, who’s s/he working for… really?

Faith and Works …

14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? …
26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. 

… James 2

A tale of two trees

This post started in a completely different direction yesterday [If a tree falls...], or so I had thought anyway.  As I had gazed out the kitchen window last evening, I took particular notice of two certain trees which struck me by their appearance, and I thought…

Here are two trees, both living and breathing in the Sun’s light, but one appears taller, fuller, and more pronounced in stature then the other.  “Lord, what does this say about the bigger tree and what does this mean for the lesser?”  I thought there was more favor for the bigger tree and how it showed itself strong for all the eyes to see, and less for the leaner and oddly shaped tree because it was different in its presentation and stature, appearing to deliver less fruit.  I found myself pondering on all these things and what they could mean.  So as it is the case with me, I held this thought up before God and found His answer in a direction I was not looking.  My question… “Does this shed the light on or speak to one’s witness Lord?”

‘Naturally’ I continued to see things in my own light, until…

Immediately my mind went to a recent picture I had posted of the two trees and the Sun rising between them, positioned and appearing like a candle flame…

  [When I see a candle, it speaks "unity"]

In my search to locate this certain picture in my picture library folder [or... for a better or more relevant one to post here], I found a treasure [at least to me]…

  Here’s the shift…
I could not take my eyes off this picture I had taken, and others from the same folder much like it.  At first I thought better of the fuller, bigger, more pronounced tree, until I saw the heart wrapped up in & embracing the Sun, in the now… ‘not-so-less’  tree.  And ‘more so’… how this tree in season, moves faster to the next, to fulfill its reason and purpose for living, breathing, & producing in the Sun.  Oh my God, “THANK YOU”, what a gift!

 Can you see what I see?  Doesn’t it almost look like the tree ‘with heart’ is dancing?  … I DO!

♥

“When they entered, he [Samuel] looked at Eliab [a son of Jesse] and thought, “Surely the LORD’S anointed is before Him.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  [1 Samuel 16:6-7]“

“… Now he [David, the youngest son of Jesse] was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward.” [1 Samuel 16:12-13]

 ’At first I thought better of the fuller, bigger, and more pronounced, until I saw the heart wrapped up in & embracing [The Son], in the now, ‘not-so-less’ one. And ‘more so’ when one is seasoned… moves faster to the next, to fulfill its reason and purpose for living, breathing, and producing in [The Son]. Oh my God, “THANK YOU”, what a gift!’

There’s no barking up the wrong tree with God… ;)

 i am @ least!  Until that day…
…  jams4JESUS

Much to my delight this morning, my daily devotional & Scriptures from Dr. Charles Stanley and the InTouch.org ministry… appeared before my eyes.  I am confident in saying that 1 Samuel 16 was a gift from God for me… for today.

Now that’s a statement! 

1 Samuel 16

Samuel Goes to Bethlehem

1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? When Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 You shall invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for Me the one whom I designate to you.” 4 So Samuel did what the LORD said, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the city came trembling to meet him and said, “Do you come in peace?” 5 He said, “In peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” He also consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they entered, he looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’S anointed is before Him.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Next Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the children?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.”

David Anointed

12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward.

~

James 2
Faith and Works …

14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.


Love how the Sun’s light shines through the heart of the now ’not-so-less’ one. :)

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Passion Unplugged?

Posted on May 7, 2013 by

 ♪ If my heart is overwhelmed and I cannot hear Your voice I’ll hold on to what is true though I cannot see If the storms of life they come and the road ahead gets steep I will lift these … Continue reading →

Gallery | Leave a comment

“God-sends!”

Posted on May 1, 2013 by

Sometimes, “THANK YOU” just doesn’t seem to be enough.

Very recently, I found myself responding to people with “THANK YOU!  You are a God-send.”  And not that I haven’t thought of numerous people, experiences, & blessings in the past, as each one being sent from God, but I really felt the revelation of it, for such a time as this. 

So who or what is it that qualifies as one sent by God in my book?  I first have to take a step back and remember when…

Things can’t get any worse; I can’t go any lower, have so much less, or be any more alone; where the heart has cried “no more” & ”Lord, I have reached ‘The End’ of me”… that “God sends”!   

At just the right time, God sends life, hope, provision, comfort, love, & a life-boat… and often through His people.  And it is these that I call “God-sends”.   And “no” they are not all “Christians”.  Matter-of-fact, fewer then expected are, but I am thankful just the same. 

I’m not sure if any of the God-sends in my life, or even those of very recent, know exactly how much their acts [often random] of kindness has done for me, but I do know this- sometimes “THANK YOU” just doesn’t seem to be enough, sent from me to you.

And as much as I appreciate you for all you have done for me, it is so much more that I appreciate the HIM who sent you.  It is often & daily that I “Thank God!” for the little & big. 

If I had not experienced the worst of times, I would not have felt ‘His best’ of times.  If I had not gone so low and experienced the depths, I would not have chosen to seek His heights.  If I had not lived with less, I would never have come to see [& appreciate] the more. 

It is when I feel the most alone, that His Words speak volumes & His embrace the greatest.  It is when my heart is the most broken & can take not one more strike, that my cries are filled with laughter & my heart blessed… up-close and tight. 

It’s when I’ve reached the very end of me, when He shows UP His peace & rest!  And when I cry here, this side of Heaven, “Lord, I need You now!”  “I want to come Home & this isn’t it!”… is when He sends His best!!!

I know I can’t hold a candle to thanking God for all He’s done for me.  And even as I sit to eat, I think… “How Lord, do I possibly give Grace to You & Thank You for all you do & send to me?” I don’t know what to say that I have not already said.  I want it to be fresh, Spirit-filling, & right.  And all I can come up with is this… “THANK YOU” just doesn’t seem to be enough! 

Lord, Your first God-send’s more than enough for me!  As for the rest…

Thank you.  Love you.  “God Bless” you!
…  jams4JESUS

 

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Just say The Word!

Posted on April 21, 2013 by

MIRACLES at New Life Christian Church [http://live.newlifenny.com/]…

I thought of YOU…

If this is you that needs a healing, a miracle, LIFE… “Jesus, just say the word!”

“JESUS HEALS!”

I just watched New Life Christian Church iCampus services this morning [8:30, 9:45 & 11:15]. In the second service Reggie Dabbs (#1 Inspirational High School Speaker) stopped half-way through his awesome message to pray & lay hands on a young lady who God said needed a miracle. This resulted in a mass altar call & the last half of the planned message ended & the mass healing began. Each service was AMAZING! There is still time to get the message, the healing, the miracle, Life… The last service starts now!  “Get Up” & “Go”! [John 5 &4] — One more service left with Reggie Dabbs & Brothers McClurg… Watch online …12:30 EST!

COME to Me [Jesus] all you who are weary & heavy burdened!

Today is the day!

“JESUS” I take You at Your Word!  “JESUS HEALS!”
…  jams4JESUS

“Just say the word Lord… and all will be well! Hear our humble prayer & help our unbelief. Thank You Lord in advance, “It is done!”

John 4…
Healing a Nobleman’s Son

46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.”49 The royal official *said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus *said to him, “Go; your son lives.”The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off. 51 As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living. 52 So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives”; and he himself believed and his whole household.54 This is again a second sign that Jesus performed when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.

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“So HELP me GOD”

Posted on April 17, 2013 by

Before we begin, keep this in mind… “We were born for this!”

“Greater love has no one than this,
that one lay down his life for his friends.” 
[John 15:13]

And I believe, laying down one’s life, may sometimes mean… laying it out for all to see.  And knowing how hard this journey must be, you want to help… “THANK YOU, I get that!”

BUT, in trying to help, you say…

“You have no one & no money to support you or your children [it's not safe where you are], and all that you have to your name is debt… get a job!  That’s the answer for your every-thing”  Or,

“You are not well, you hear God’s voice whisper in your ear and tell you what to do, where to go, and shows you how it all feels… “better” go to the doctor and he will prescribe what you need.  That’s the ticket out of the crazy hell your in.”  Or,

“You can’t just sit there, stand there, pray there, worship there, or wait there for God to do that special something.  You have to do something to help yourself.  He is certainly not going to do that for you.  That’s all you need to do & know to go forward.”  And, And, And,,,

… only serves to hurt & distract [me].  All this can’t be about us.  It has to be about Him.  And this I know… to “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” [Matt. 6:33]. 
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”  [Proverbs 3:5-6]  And, And, And,,,

And also, for your help & clarity, please read-  “WE CAN HEAR HIS VOICE TODAY” by David Wilkerson. 

So then maybe… we can talk.

 WE CAN HEAR HIS VOICE TODAY
by David Wilkerson | April 16, 2013
[May 19, 1931 – April 27, 2011]

“Millions have been converted because one man heard His voice. Saul “fell to the earth, and heard a voice” (Acts 9:4). And when he became Paul, he continued to hear the voice of the Lord. He knew his Shepherd’s voice.

Peter allowed the Savior’s voice to come to him. “Peter went up upon the housetop to pray . . . and there came a voice to him (Acts 10:9, 13). The entire Gentile race was welcomed into the kingdom, along with the house of Cornelius, because a man obeyed His voice. We, too, must allow His voice to come to us. “Today if ye will hear His voice . . .” (Psalm 95:7). What God could do with Christians who learn to hear from heaven!

Instead of waiting for God’s voice to come to us, we run to counselors and psychologists, read books and listen to tapes, hoping to hear from Him. We want a leader to follow, a plan for the future, a clear word of direction. But few know how to go to the Lord and hear His voice.

God wants to shake the earth once more. The whole universe is ready for Holy Ghost convulsions! “See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven”  (Hebrews 12:25-26).

He has promised, “Once again My voice will be heard. Those who hear will shake the earth. Heaven and earth will be moved. By the hearing of My voice, whatsoever is loosed on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

To the last church, the Laodicean church, the Lord cries, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

That is the last call of Christ to the church. “Open up. Let Me into your secret closet. Talk with Me and let Me talk with you. Let’s commune. That’s how I will keep you from the hour of temptation that is coming on all the world.”

~

I do believe you want to help me, to see me prosper, and know all is well with me. But I can’t subscribe to a self-help focus, ’cause I no longer see my-self there.  As of recent, I tried it your way.  Not because I thought you were right, but because I knew you were not. 

I applied for “those jobs”.   I went to the doctor & took what he prescribed.  I’ve looked forward to the future, even though I want to go Home & this isn’t it!  But, have found in all of this… no gain. 

Without the Lord in the first place, “I’ve got nothing & I can prove it.”  And more so, I suffer loss.  Where I relied on His Provision, His Word, His Healing, His Guidance, His Encouragement, I’ve now found deficit, silence, affliction, derailment, and hopelessness.  Where I once took the bad along with His good, now all that remains is not good.  I can’t feel the bad, or the good.  If you were to ask me “How do you feel?” I would say to you “Nothing!  I feel nothing!”  I would rather live through the bad with Jesus, then to live in the world’s “good” without Him.

I am convinced, having walked this way with Jesus for some time, that He often asks me to “walk through the valley of the shadow of death”, to connect with all those I see along the way… and walk them out with Him.  It takes one having been impoverished, hopeless, isolated, and defeated, to feel for the one who is bankrupt, without hope, alone, and “the failure”. 

I never would have signed up for this tour of duty or these painful assignments, but He has given me the choice to respond at the end of each with “Thank You Lord, may I have another?”  So you see, if I don’t live with Him through the valley lows, I can’t speak, reach, preach, teach, or see the way to the mountain peaks or show you the way up, either.  And more importantly, if I look to you, instead of Him, who do I call Savior, Counselor, and God Friend? 

Many “Christians” [matter of fact, only Christians] have said to me “Does everything have to be about God with you?”  On the outside I’ve said “YES!”  On the inside I get this sick feeling in my stomach & think, “Doesn’t everything have to be about God to you?”

~

I have set out on a journey to write a book.  What it is NOT, is a self-help book.  What it is… is a “God’s HELP” book, where I “lay out” my life for my friends.

Lost & Found in Mannsville
[And if you happen to write in to Lisa at Thomas Nelson & Westbow Press...
please tell her I said "Hi"!]

“Lord, You lost me!” And by His Hand, I found that~ From the unanswered prayers for release from abuse in childhood to the “Crazy hell” I’m living in now, I was born to show… There is a forest behind the tree, a future beyond the present, God’s Heaven above the hell!

As you can see from this post, the reasons why I must be “sold-out” to God… for all my “HELP” comes from the Lord!  I have tried it “my way” [and sometimes yours] and it has not worked for me.  I can testify of the extravagance of life with Him, and the poverty of life without Him.  I choose life… “so HELP me GOD!”

Join me won’t you?  He is BIG enough for all of us.
…  jams4JESUS

And they overcame him [Satan] because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.
[Revelation 12:11]

~

By the way… When I went to the doctor [a very good one at that], he told me to ‘focus on God and a ministry with Him, that’s what works for you’.  I do not know where my doctor’s faith lies, but I sure am grateful that he heard the Lord’s whispers on that day.  Oh I so love how the Lord works in His mysterious & wonderful ways. :)   And just so you know… I’m still “Crazy about Him!”

Psalm 42 (NASB)
Thirsting for God in Trouble and Exile.

1 As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;
When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night,
While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.

5 Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him
For the help of His presence.

6 O my God, my soul is in despair within me;
Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan
And the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls;
All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me.
8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;
And His song will be with me in the night,
A prayer to the God of my life.

9 I will say to God my rock, “Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me,
While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
11 Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

♥

John 15 (NASB)
Jesus Is the Vine—Followers Are Branches

1“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.  6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

Disciples’ Relation to Each Other

12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.  13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you.  15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 This I command you, that you love one another.

Disciples’ Relation to the World

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.  20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. 25 But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

26 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27 and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

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The Lord blessed us, equipped us, and sent us out… by twos!

Posted on March 14, 2013 by
“After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest… “  [Luke 10]
Re-Blogged Post from January 24, 2012 by

Upon reading the Scriptures in 1 Corinthians 12 once again, the wonderful Daily Devotional at www.intouch.org, and praying for spiritual fitness for the out-of-this-world ’body of Christ’ as a whole, I saw an elaborate gift in how the Lord blessed us, equipped us, and sent us out, by twos…

He gave us two eyes that we would seek to FOCUS on Him, WITNESS His greatness, and have FAITH for the things unseen. He gave us two ears to LISTEN and HEAR Him… to & from any direction, and RESPOND from the heart He gave us. He gave us two lungs to BREATHE Him in and EXHALE Him out… in UNITY. He gave two arms that we could choose to EMBRACE Him, along with two legs and feet, that we may learn to WALK straight to and with Him. He gave us two hands, that when we raise them, join them, and work to HELP OTHERS with them, we HEAL, ADMINISTER, and DEMONSTRATE the great MIRACLES of GOD in us… giving all  PRAISE, WORSHIP, & GLORY TO HIM. And when we fall, He gave us two knees that we may REST upon, without ceasing. He gave within both man and woman… two, that we may go forth and multiply; to SUSTAIN… life… He so graciously created.

And… even in the organs He called one, like the brain, the heart, a breastplate, our mouth, He gave two sides, that we may choose to operate harmoniously in PERFECT FAITH…  to KNOW & DISCERN WISELY, LOVE everyBODY, PROTECT & SERVE JUSTLY, SPEAK, TEACH and PROFESS HIM RIGHT… to CHOOSE LIFE because we would so LOVE TO!

Thank You Lord for all the gifts that You have given… for You have truly supplied all our need. And what a sweet smelling aroma, to both sides of our nose.

“Lord, I pray to look at life from both sides now.”
…  jams4JESUS

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When all else fails…

Posted on March 7, 2013 by

That you may see and have “Hope”…
To see the forest beyond the trees,
 A future beyond the present.

And no matter the circumstances…
“This too shall pass”
“It won’t be like this forever”
“A door will open”
“You have a whole future ahead of you.”

That you see the Hope beyond the Cross,
a future [with God]… beyond the present.

Yesterday, I had a phone conversation with the Executive Director of a not-for-profit agency where I use to work.  He was a Clinical Supervisor and I was a Student Assistance Counselor back in the day.  Our conversations of the past were always frank, humorous, and really real.  And for this present talk, it was again frank and really real, but as for the humorous… not so much.

It was still morning when I placed the call, having had this agency pop up in my heart and mind just hours before.  Yes, I do need a job and I really liked this one, but I honestly didn’t think there was one miraculously waiting for me.  And I was [sort of] right.  The Director was in agreement about me getting back into the counseling field [he knows my counseling record, he was my clinical supervisor], but as for encouragement and a position to speak from… he had nothing to give.   

He explained that he had just told his staff that due to the recent state budget cuts, that they all were to be on alert for lay-offs.  He being the Executive Director cannot even secure his own job.  The not-for-profits will have to merge with others or will have to scale back considerably to survive.  The future looks bleak at best for all.  And I think I can venture to guess that this area of employment does not stand alone. 

He spoke of a prevention specialist position that has been open for a year, but he cannot fill it for the sake of the person who takes it and those who are already fighting for the position they already have.  I offered my assistance to fill in any gap that needed filling.  I am in a place [with God] that if you gave me a job and took it away in a month… I would still have provision.  He thanked me [I wasn't looking for that] and said he would consider it.

All this breaks my heart.  I so loved this job and this agency, despite some who did not share my sentiment.  Four days a week I was stationed at a city high school, in a position to speak into the lives of youth.  Making a difference for this one, and this one, and, and, and… was my mission statement.  [LOVE the Starfish Poem]  That they may have “Hope”… to see a forest beyond the trees, a future beyond the present.  No matter the circumstances, “this too shall pass”, “it won’t be like this forever”, “a door will open”, “you have a whole future ahead of you”, “Someday… “.

I will be honest and say this, it wasn’t until I truly experienced the power of God move and work in my own life, that I began to question…  ”How do I counsel them?”  “How do I guide them?”  ”How do I lead them?”  “How do I do all this without speaking of Him?”  I equate this now with telling a carpenter to build a house, and then taking away his hammer.

Now, I pray I am in that place of trusting God and walking with His confidence as a result.  So as I hung up the phone I thought, ‘maybe there is something I can do for you then’ and ‘who should I share this with?’  I did end up leaving a voice mail message for my pastor of the church that I have been a member of for several years.   [I qualify this because I have many pastors and churches I so love now.] And I’m not done sharing yet.  :)   Consider yourself warned.

I so desire to partner with people of like heart, mission, & vision.  And I believe this is an awesome opportunity to show that God is alive and has always been… here for us.  That when the world fails and falls down on its people, God never will.  That when His people call upon Him, and search for Him with all their [our] heart, He will listen to us and we will be found by Him.  God will restore us! 

“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you… ” [Jeremiah 29:11-14]

What an awesome opportunity to share God with those who have all but lost hope of a future.  He is opening a door that He, His Family, His Church can show up big.  How can the division of church verses state exist, if the state of the State ceases to assist?  No matter the drought & famine, God’s people will… thrive in the land, give with liberality, be that Light at the end of the tunnel, be a show of solidarity amidst the discord, shed a tear in compassion, share a familiar testimony laid out for the sake of another, or be that lamp on the stand in the emergency room.

“Lord, I believe this could be my first official mission trip.  I don’t care what others say.  Whether it is far or near, or as close as the pew next door, if You say “Go”, I go!  And if You say “Stay”, I stay!

Now I understand that this huge task cannot be absorbed by one small church or even a few, but as for the Local Christian Church Union???  I believe we can!  I am a huge fan of unity.  If the local churches as One were to take back the role it was anointed & appointed for, to meet the needs [counseling, prevention, , ,etc.] of its community & the people it serves… the volumes that would speak to the masses.  “Our God is greater…”  And if each Christian Community as His church were to join with the next, each bringing in one more to the fold… “Wow” how wonderful God’s World could be.

So today, in this very place of uncertainty in the state of our State, when all else fails…  I pray that you see “Hope”, in the forest beyond the tree [Cross], a future [one with God] beyond the present.

When all else fails… there is God!
…  jams4JESUS

The inspiration behind this post today is The Word of God.  This very morning I received in my daily devotional Scriptures… Lamentations 3.  Where “Jeremiah shares Israel’s afflictions” [which felt an awful lot like mine today] to “Hope of Relief in God’s Mercy”. 

From:

… My soul has been rejected from peace;
I have forgotten happiness.
18 So I say, “My strength has perished,
And so has my hope from the Lord.”

To:

… Surely my soul remembers
And is bowed down within me.
21 This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
22 The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I have hope in Him.”…

MESSAGE RECEIVED!

God’s chosen and anointed have Hope in Him!  Thank You Lord!
Let’s pass it on…

♥

An Offering…

Any schools, agencies, or businesses need a counselor?  If you don’t have one and would like one, let me know.  If I cannot help you, I’ll find someone who can.  I don’t have all the answers, but I know Someone who does.

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