Susan Boyle’s stunning performance

Tonight I found a post on Susanne Scheppmann’s blog, Dreams, on Susan’s Boyle’s stunning perfomance on Britain’s Got Talent. I encourage everyone to read Susanne’s short but potent blog and to watch the incredible You Tube video below. What a voice Susan has! http://susannescheppmann.blogspot.com/2009/04/dreams.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

Loneliness: God sees you and He cares

Fig Tree with figs

Have you ever felt all alone?

Loneliness is a pervading problem in today’s society. Kerby Anderson, president of Probe Ministries International, nationally syndicated columnist and author, says that in the 1950′s, about one in every ten households had only one person in them, who were mostly widows.

But today, because of the three D’s of social statistics (death, divorce, and deferred marriage), that number has changed to one in four. Sociologists estimate that if current trends continue, the ratio will increase to one in every three households by the twenty-first century. http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/lonely.html

“Living together loneliness,” which occurs most often in middle-aged, married couples, and “crowded loneliness,” that results from people moving a lot and not knowing how to reach out to others in a new city, are two examples of loneliness occuring, even when people are close to each other physically, but emotionally distant.

Yet Anderson says this increasing loneliness in society gives the church an opportunity for outreach, fellowship, and friendship.

God sees when we are feeling alone and lonely. Jesus had just been baptized in the Jordan river by John the Baptist, and had called Peter, Andrew, Philip, and Nathanael with Him to be His disciples.

John 1:43-51 says, “Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” Nathaniel said to Him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered and said to Him “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater than these. And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Jesus saw Nathanael even when he was under the fig tree. God sees everything. We are not just a dot on the earth, not just like a little, worker ant, but a very important person in God’s sight. We have great value and a great purpose. God loved us enough to send Jesus his son to die for us.

Nathanael was amazed that Jesus had seen him. He wanted to know how Jesus knew him. Because He’s God! God knows us, too. He is the one who made us. He knows everything about us, even the numbers of hairs on our head. He knows our every thought.

He knows about all our sins, too ~ and loves us anyway and wants an intimate relationship with us. Jesus told Nathanael that he was a man with no deceit in his heart. He was an honest, truthful man. God sees our hearts, beyond the surface.

Jesus also reassured Nathanael that the best was yet to come. Nathanael would see even greater things ahead. Nathanael was under the fig tree, when Jesus saw him. The fig tree is often synonymous with the Jews, and often represents abundance. The fig tree is among seven species symbolizing the bounty of Israel.

This is found in Deuteronomy 8: 7-10: “For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper. When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes, which I command you today.”

Proverbs 27:18 also says, “Whoever keeps (tends) the fig tree will eat its fruit; So he who waits on his master will be honored.”

Just as with Nathanael, Jesus sees us and He has blessings ahead for us, if we will believe, follow, and obey Him. He will be with us, and will not leave us alone and lonely. He is our dearest friend, who knows us intimately and has a wonderful plan for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11).

Africa: Waiting on God’s perfect timing

“I had seen the royal lion, before sunrise, below a waning moon, crossing the grey plain on his way home from the kill, drawing a dark wake in the silvery grass, his face still red up to the ears, or during the midday-siesta, when he reposed contentedly in the midst of his family on the short grass and in the delicate, spring-like shade of the broad Acacia trees of his park of Africa. All these things were pleasant to think of when times were dull on the farm. And the big game was out there still, in their own country. I could go and look them up once more if I liked. Their nearness gave a shine and play to the farm. Farah, -although with time he came to take a vivid interest in farm affairs,-and my old native Safari-servants, lived in hope of other Safaris…When you have caught the rhythm of Africa, you find that it is the same in all her music.” ~ Out of Africa, Isak Dinesen, pp. 15-16

Today my friend Ruth and I were talking about our longing to go to Africa. I have never been, but I cannot wait to go. Several years ago, Ruth was a missionary in Uganda, with her husband Dave and their children for a year. Their youngest daughter Abi, now 3 years old, was born in Africa during their time on the mission field.

This week, after seeing another missionary’s video at church of his work at an African orphanage, Abi said in her sweet, little voice, “Mommy, I want to go there!” She has heard the stories of Africa from her parents, but something in her heart remembers on its own.

Abi, I want to go, too! Ruth and I discussed God’s perfect timing ~ how He puts desires into our hearts, and then seems to make us wait forever! But God knows when is best. He is preparing the soil of my heart for Africa even now, primarily through praying for it. The needs are great there.

Ruth’s mom, Alma Jones, is there now, ministering, even while battling pneumonia and malaria. She is part of God’s wonderful work in Africa through the organization, House of Friends. http://houseoffriends.org/missionary.html.

I would also love to go on a safari when I go, seeing the lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, rhinos, buffalo, so many of God’s beautiful, wild creatures. I am not naive. No, Africa is not safe. An intense book on African safaris and Africa’s unpredictability is Dangerous Beauty: Life and Death in Africa: True Stories From a Safari Guide (Hyperion, New York, 2001).

The author, Mark, was one of 31 people captured, with ten murdered by rebels, in the jungle along the border between Uganda and the Congo, as he and his safari group were looking for mountain gorillas. The story he tells is one of surreal terror, and yet compelling…and in the end, somehow, you still want to go to Africa, although with much more trepidation now.

He writes, “In spite of the brutal horrors and “forever” scars of the violent crimes at Bwindi, I still live in Kenya and still love being out on safari.” (p. 306). How is this possible, after what he and the others went through? There is just something about this continent that stirs your heart.

Another excellent book is Out of Africa, by Isak Dinesen (Random House, New York, 1937).

The movie Out of Africa with Meryl Streep is one of my favorites, although I object to Karen’s immoral relationship with Denys. Even after she is almost attacked by lions on safari, she tells Denys she is glad she came. As I watch Meryl portraying Karen Blixen at her desk, writing a letter, remembering the colors of Africa, I am undone.
Ruth did not face lions in Uganda. But she told me today how malaria is prevalent there. Workers who helped her at her house contracted malaria, but still came to help her, saying they would just move a little slower. They are “used to it,” they said. Sadly, many Africans are also very familiar with political unrest, violence, rape, murder, rebels, kidnappings, AIDS, poverty, lack of clean water and food, ethnical tensions, and war.

I will continue to pray for this place, hoping ~ despite all the dangers ~ one day I will go. “Here I am, Lord, send me.”

Friends and strawberry shortcake

Last night I went to our friends’ Kenny and Kelly’s friendship group, with my husband Ray. We all brought a dish, Kenny did a short teaching about dying to self and letting Christ live in us, and most of all, we had fun. I saw some friends I had not seen in months, and it was so great to see them! Now,THIS is church!

We sat around, eating hot taco soup, turkey-cheese sandwiches on Hawaiian sweet bread, triangle-shaped slices of tortillas spread with garlic hummus, fresh kiwi fruit and blackberries, and finally strawberry shortcake with whipped cream.

I thank God for blessings like these….friends and strawberry shortcake. It doesn’t get much better than that.

“Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, For God has already accepted your works. Let your garments always be white, and let your head lack no oil. Live joyfully with the wife (spouse) whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life and in the labor which you perform under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

God still does miracles today

Picture of Asian woman, on her knees, being “shaped” on the potter’s wheel…and the hands of God, the Potter.

I have blogged before about my friend Kelly, whose pap smear showed abnormal results and who recently had surgery for a biopsy.  Her doctor told her that unless a miracle happened, she was going to need a complete hysterectomy. Kelly was really scared, especially about the big “C” word. Yesterday, Kelly’s doctor herself called her, instead of a nurse, to give her the good report. She was not going to need a hysterectomy, and everything looked fine now. PRAISE THE LORD JESUS! God still does miracles today!

What about you? Are you in need of a miracle or an answered prayer? God will do the same for you, because He loves you. Just ask Him ~ God wants to do good to us, His children.

“O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! O God, behold, our shield, and look upon the face of Your anointed…For the Lord is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man (woman) who trusts in You!” Psalm 84: 8-12

Springtime: New growth

Yesterday I spent some time working out in the yard ~ mowing, weeding, and putting up a bird and hummingbird feeder. My neighbor’s yard man, Sam, is supposed to come over today to use his leaf blower to blow leaves out from the side of the house onto the lawn, shredding the leaves to tiny pieces. He said this will fertilize our lawn. That is fine, as long as the leaves are no longer like Mt. Everest on the sides of our house! He is also going to trim around our trees, and around our driveway pavement. We then will have a nicely manicured lawn.

I now feel eager to begin planting flowers in the beds, and will be able to enjoy the view of them, the birds and hummingbirds from our back deck. We have never had a deck before, so I am really looking forward to this ~ drinking coffee in the morning, feeling the warm sun on my face, and praying to the Lord.

Springtime is a time of growth, renewal, new life. This spring I want to meditate on the scripture in Revelation 21: 5 when Jesus said, “Behold, I make all things new.”

What are some old things in my life that I need to get rid of ~ familiar, negative thought patterns, bad habits, sins? What areas of my life need new growth ~ extended prayer and Bible study time, more times of fasting, improved relationships? Where do I need to be renewed and refreshed ~ having more quiet time alone, reading a good book, taking a hot bubble bath after a long, tiring day?

As I drink my coffee and enjoy my flowers and the birds from the back deck, I want to ponder on these important things, drawing closer to Jesus each day. May I walk in more abundant life and new growth this spring.

Sow your seed, morning and night

I love Proverbs 31 ministries, and Lysa Terkeurst’s blog. Today I read one that really touched my heart ~ about not ignoring people’s need for Jesus.

We may be having an ordinary Monday, when we hear that “divine whisper” that Lisa speaks of, and someone’s eternity is forever changed. Ecclesiastes 11: 6 says, “So you do not know the works of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper; Either this or that, Or whether both alive will be good.”

It’s my prayer that I will be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and sow His seeds of truth, in writing, speaking, blogging, podcasting ~ perhaps sharing a word of encouragement with someone at the grocery store, Walmart, the post office…giving someone a smile to brighten their day…thanking my husband for working so hard to provide for our home…giving my children a hug and telling them how much I love them…walking over to my neighbor’s house to just say hi or inviting her over for coffee…being bold enough to tell someone about God’s plan of salvation through Jesus’ work on the cross and praying with him or her to receive Christ as Savior.

Seeds, morning and night, seeds of God’s love planted into hungry hearts. If I will just obey, God will do the rest.

It’s not about me

Today is Ray’s and my 16th wedding anniversary. It seems hard to believe it has been that long. Ray wrote me the sweetest thing on the card that accompanied my dozen, long-stemmed red roses: “We may not have it all together yet, but together we have it all.” I really liked that!

We have had our share of struggles through the years, but by God’s grace we are still married. One thing I am learning through the years is that IT’S NOT ABOUT ME! God created me to be Ray’s help-meet, his support, to stand by his side and cheer him on in his destiny and purpose. Woman was made for the man, not man for the woman (Genesis 2:18-25). That does not mean that women are not important or can’t be used by God – don’t get me started on that soapbox! But it does mean that the role of a wife is very important and precious in God’s sight. Our husbands need us, to love them, honor them, and help them.

We’re going out to dinner tonight, probably Mexican (my fave! He said it was my choice!). As I put on my makeup and get dressed to get ready to go, I am going to reflect on my God-given, blessed role. I want to be the best wife and mother possible. I want Ray to look at me proudly and think, “That’s my wife!” I want him to feel so blessed that he’s married to me, because of how good I am to him.

Proverbs 31: 10 says, “For who can find a virtuous (excellent) wife? For her worth is far above rubies.” Lord God, I desire to be “above-ruby-quality” for you and Ray. Help me to become that woman by Your power and Your word.

The Waiting Room

Waiting rooms are no fun. They are places of anxiety, uncertainty, sometimes sorrow and despair. But waiting rooms have a purpose. They are for containment, one’s own safety; sometimes they shield the person from too much trauma, such as when a loved one has been in a terrible car accident and the hospital E.R. staff is working to save a life.

Today is Good Friday. It served as a waiting room for all of Heaven, as Jesus the Son of God hung on the cross, dying for humanity’s sins. It was a heavy price to pay, especially for one who was completely innocent. He stood in our stead so that we could have eternal life and have a relationship with God forever, through faith in Christ’s redemptive work on the cross.

Angels watched intently as the Father looked away for just a moment from his beloved Son, so that He could judge all of mankind’s sin. He was the perfect, acceptable sacrifice to a Holy and Righteous Judge. And that is when Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” Even in our feelings of worst betrayal and abandonment, Jesus identifies with us. He suffered with us. He has been there.

Then heaven and hell listened in astonishment as Jesus stated with indisputable authority, “IT IS FINISHED.” Mission accomplished. The waiting was over. The waiting which had begun when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, and God promised a Messiah who would bruise the serpent’s head. Jesus, king of the Jews, had accomplished the work He was born and sent to do here on earth.

This coming Sunday is Easter, the day we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. He is no longer bound in graveclothes, but is risen. He ascended to heaven as his disciples watched, and He now sits at the right hand of God. And we His followers, His bride, are waiting for His soon return. No more tears, no more sorrow. Just spending eternity in the presence of God, who is Love.

Are you waiting for Him? Are you ready?

What would Jesus blog?

Today I was thinking about the blogging craze, and I thought, “What would Jesus blog?” Here are some random thoughts that sprung to mind about Jesus’ blog, in the form of a to-do checklist:

1. Was talking, but nobody was listening.

2. Saved hundreds of thousands of sinners today out of misery, depression, hopelessness, fears, unforgiveness, drugs, alcoholism, religion, immorality. Angels had a big party up here to celebrate. More work to do ahead; time is so short.

3. Protected Mrs. Hutchins when semi-truck swerved into her lane and she was so busy texting Nina, that she did not even notice she almost had a date with God.

4. I wonder why Gary won’t repent; he’s just making his life so much harder than it needs to be and I have such great things ahead for him.

5. Spoke to President Obama’s heart about the solution to the financial crisis; really hope he listens and obeys. I love America and want her blessed.

6. Dispatched angels in Aquila, Italy during earthquake to protect people; am ready to comfort the families of those who have lost loved ones in the quake. I cry with them for their losses.

7. Saved baby using a salesman bystander, from a car ignited in a blast in Baghdad, which killed the baby’s mother and eight other people. I love using ordinary people to do extraordinary things, for My glory.

8. The religion and hypocrisy in my church sicknes me. No wonder the world doesn’t want anything to do with Me, if this is the way Christians act. My children need to repent and reflect Me. Faith in me is not about rules or religion; it’s about relationship.

9. Sarah is the cutest little girl; I just love when she prays those simple little prayers and I love answering them so quickly.

10. Andrea needs healing; I’m going to do a miracle for her.

11. I wish the Mathis couple would knock it off and stop fighting so much. I want them to love each other, and just have fun.

12. I have all the answers. Why doesn’t someone ask me?

13. Kelly noticed how pretty the sunset was. I made it just for her tonight.

14. This blogging thing is pretty cool. It’s another way to get the Word out how much I love people and want to spend eternity with them.

Next Page »