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Monday, April 21, 2008
Jonah and ME....
I have been reading Jonah this past week. Chapter 2 is his cry out to God. After reading this prayer of Jonah, I think about the BIG fish. Imagine Jonah falling deep into the "heart of the sea." A fish swallows him whole. He is tossed and turned and bound w/seaweed. As all this was happening, I would of freaked out!!!
But Jonah continued w/his prayer. He is not bitter toward God, he keeps his vows to God, He lifts up his voice in thanksgiving. (IN THE BELLY OF A FISH) Jonah admits that he needs to pay what was due b/c of his disobedience. He clearly states -Salvation comes from God.
As he lays in this yucky belly, God hears his crys and makes the fish to SPIT him out on dry LAND.
I may never see what Jonah saw, never feel that much helplessness....BUT did that fish come along at the exact time for PROTECTION?
Don't we sometimes find ourselves in this exact spot. My trials/storms ususally come from my making. (Just like Jonah)
I believe that the fish came as a purpose...a protection..a place where Jonah had time to think about his disobedience and the love he still had for his GOD!
WOW, I am always amazed at the depth of love God has for us!
I sat on my front porch, basking in the sun as I journaled today. I enjoy the warmth it brings but God once again showed me that basking in the Son brings so much more enjoyment.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Another Opportunity.....
....happened Sunday night at church. Invitation time came and the pastor was urging people to come down front to pray. Sometimes I go, not b/c the pastor is urging me but rather the Holy Spirit. This night was something different.
A young man (visitor) has been sitting behind or in front of us each Sunday for the past 3 wks. His girlfriend came w/him once. I could feel the tug of the Holy Spirit to turn around and pray w/this couple.
Now starts the conversation I had w/God...."God, are you sure I am to turn around, right here in the pew, and pray w/them?" 'YES", was the reply! "But God, what do I pray for? I mean, I don't know them from Adam and I would feel so stupid if I ask to pray w/them and they say no. What if, it makes them feel embarassed? Are you sure God?"
Again the reply was YES, in an even louder almost rushed tone.
So I turned around, looked them in the eye and said "God wants me to pray for you, will you join hands w/me in prayer? I have no idea what I am to pray for but if I don't, I will be disobeying God." Their reply...YES!
At the end of my prayer for them (note: I can't even remember what I said in my prayer) the girlfriend looked at me with big tears welling in her eyes, and said "Thank you."
ARE YOU MISSING OPPORTUNITIES? I sure hope not! Grace and peace to you today!
A young man (visitor) has been sitting behind or in front of us each Sunday for the past 3 wks. His girlfriend came w/him once. I could feel the tug of the Holy Spirit to turn around and pray w/this couple.
Now starts the conversation I had w/God...."God, are you sure I am to turn around, right here in the pew, and pray w/them?" 'YES", was the reply! "But God, what do I pray for? I mean, I don't know them from Adam and I would feel so stupid if I ask to pray w/them and they say no. What if, it makes them feel embarassed? Are you sure God?"
Again the reply was YES, in an even louder almost rushed tone.
So I turned around, looked them in the eye and said "God wants me to pray for you, will you join hands w/me in prayer? I have no idea what I am to pray for but if I don't, I will be disobeying God." Their reply...YES!
At the end of my prayer for them (note: I can't even remember what I said in my prayer) the girlfriend looked at me with big tears welling in her eyes, and said "Thank you."
ARE YOU MISSING OPPORTUNITIES? I sure hope not! Grace and peace to you today!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Open Opportunities...
...I just finished watching a "Chefography" show on Julia Child. She was one persistant lady back in the 1920'. She hated the kitchen! She desired to do something that would influence the world. She signed up for the Navy as a Wave, but soon found out that she was to tall at just over 6'. SO she started working at the OSS (precurser to the FBI) When a request for transfers to India came across her desk, she moved...to India, then onto China. This is where she met her husband. Although they were just friends, Julia found the way to his heart was food. (remember she hated kitchen work) Her opportunities took them to France and school, then her first book at age 49! Her life was filled with open opportunities.....
Yesterday, my life was opened to opportunities. I spoke to a group of our SBC associational secretaries at a luncheon. I have spoken before to groups but only to help in Bible Studies or talk about Acteens. Once I was the "first lady" (so to speak-wink) president of our choir in Arkansas. I have done solo's in church and worked hard in a city PTA council, been interviewed for the Mobile Register newspaper and been on TV. But nothing like this has ever been open to me.
I emailed my daughters, my sister Brenda, friends Donna & Denise and my dearest friend Lisa, who have done this alot....thanks sweethearts for praying. I was scared, but the open opportunity that was presented .....strengthened my resolve to look for more open doors, anywhere and anything that God has for me.
Revelation 3:20-21"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes , I will give the right to sit with me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."
Know this, that "coming in and eating" means relationship. So imagine Jesus knocking (not breaking the door down) EVERYDAY to give you open opportunities!! He gives us the opportunity to choose. And in giving us opportunities, He is showing us that He wants to live with us, sup w/us, enjoy life with us! How many times do we NOT ANSWER the door? How many missed opportunities? God is our Father. And like a father, he wants to share in our lives.
My mother-in-law (Dorothy) has choosen an opportunity to partake in a 4 day/night shut in of Bible study ..AT AGE 79! She even postponed back surgery to be apart of this indepth study weekend. She, like Julia, continues to make a difference in the lives of others. She mentors a high school girl, co-teaches a high school SS class. My other MIL, Annie, choose the opportunity at age 68 to receive a degree in gardening, something that she is already very good in. My mother, taught me by sight, that opportunities are nothing less that ways to strengthen youself as a person. She is about the strongest woman I know of and still going strong at age 77!
Don't miss open opportunities.....I am glad that I didn't yesterday. These ladies and their smiles gave this scared child of God courage to go on. The prayers of faithful family and friends, prepared me for the opportunity.
Below you will see the boxes I used as my theme for yesterday. Thank you honey, for making my vision come together. I am your biggest cheerleader! I am so glad that I didn't miss the open opportunity to be your wife! Kisses,Hugs,Joy
Yesterday, my life was opened to opportunities. I spoke to a group of our SBC associational secretaries at a luncheon. I have spoken before to groups but only to help in Bible Studies or talk about Acteens. Once I was the "first lady" (so to speak-wink) president of our choir in Arkansas. I have done solo's in church and worked hard in a city PTA council, been interviewed for the Mobile Register newspaper and been on TV. But nothing like this has ever been open to me.
I emailed my daughters, my sister Brenda, friends Donna & Denise and my dearest friend Lisa, who have done this alot....thanks sweethearts for praying. I was scared, but the open opportunity that was presented .....strengthened my resolve to look for more open doors, anywhere and anything that God has for me.
Revelation 3:20-21"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes , I will give the right to sit with me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."
Know this, that "coming in and eating" means relationship. So imagine Jesus knocking (not breaking the door down) EVERYDAY to give you open opportunities!! He gives us the opportunity to choose. And in giving us opportunities, He is showing us that He wants to live with us, sup w/us, enjoy life with us! How many times do we NOT ANSWER the door? How many missed opportunities? God is our Father. And like a father, he wants to share in our lives.
My mother-in-law (Dorothy) has choosen an opportunity to partake in a 4 day/night shut in of Bible study ..AT AGE 79! She even postponed back surgery to be apart of this indepth study weekend. She, like Julia, continues to make a difference in the lives of others. She mentors a high school girl, co-teaches a high school SS class. My other MIL, Annie, choose the opportunity at age 68 to receive a degree in gardening, something that she is already very good in. My mother, taught me by sight, that opportunities are nothing less that ways to strengthen youself as a person. She is about the strongest woman I know of and still going strong at age 77!
Don't miss open opportunities.....I am glad that I didn't yesterday. These ladies and their smiles gave this scared child of God courage to go on. The prayers of faithful family and friends, prepared me for the opportunity.
Below you will see the boxes I used as my theme for yesterday. Thank you honey, for making my vision come together. I am your biggest cheerleader! I am so glad that I didn't miss the open opportunity to be your wife! Kisses,Hugs,Joy
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