The Weight of the Wait

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him . . . "
~Ps 37:7~

Waiting on the Lord is never easy. It requires diligence & self discipline on the greatest level. He requires this sacrifice of time to build our faith; faith to stretch our vision beyond what is seen with human eyes . . . "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." ~Heb 11:1~

He is more interested in the character He is building within us than what we attain.

What makes the miracle so sweet to receive? The weight of the wait. Only someone who has sat quietly in the stillness of great need, can shout when that need is filled. Only someone who has desperately cried out to the Lord, understands the power of being heard. Only someone broken, sick, and wounded knows the power of forgiveness, healing & restoration. Only someone who has lived the pain of lonely nights, will cherish sweet companionship once again.

Only when you have trusted God for something so big that only He could deliver, do you then realize His hand as your blessing begins to unfold right before your eyes. Stand in awe & wonder!

" I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord."
~Ps 40:1-3~

While I'm Waiting

"Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory."
~Eph 3:13~

This verse has held special meaning thru the many twists & turns of my life's journey over the last 3 years. But today, I think of Dylan.

On Thursday last week, our camp group visited a group of medical apartments on the 7th floor called "The Neighborhood". Patients & families who live more than 60 miles away from can rent these apartments to be close to the hospital. Each apartment has a kitchenette, couch, bath, & 1-2 beds. There is a common room on the floor (like a den) & kitchen they can also use. They have access to stocked food & linen pantries, pot& pans, etc. If they cannot afford the rent, area churches sponsor each room.

Many there are waiting for heart & lung transplants. A few have cancer. One 31 year old (mother with small children) caught her skirt on fire at a camp site & was severely burned. Another couple gave birth to triplets prematurely May 29- the first little boy & girl passed away earlier this summer, & the last little boy is finally gaining some weight, getting stronger.

It was a very emotional mission site for many in my camp group. One teenager in our group was Logan. She is a leukemia survivor. I watched her get down on her face in the doorway of a cancer patient, praying for their healing. It was a personal visit for me too, remembering our time spent in medical apartments with Blake in 2008 having open heart surgery at age 16. And also with Wade, my first son, who died in surgery with a heart transplant.

I rejoiced meeting one family as they were checking out. He had a heart transplant 6 weeks ago, all rejection tests were negative, & he was heading home! I was overwhelmed with joy at the prayers answered for this man, the miracle healing we are all witnesses to! . . . Yet I grieved for the many, like my Wade, that will never go home again.

Dylan is 21 & waiting on a heart transplant. Last week when we were there, doctors expected he could only survive 2 more weeks without a donor organ. And today, another week of his life has passed by. I wonder what life looks like thru his eyes? I wonder what changes we would make if we knew this was our last week to live?

I heard this phrase on a movie last night: "Life is a wonderful terrible thing, & none of us make it out alive"

This life is temporary, whether long or short, healthy or sick, ended by death or by Christ's return- it is temporary. . . .are we investing in what's eternal? Are we focused on the things that realy matter with what ever time we have?

As the song says: " While I'm waiting, I will worship. While I'm waiting serve Him".

"There is something about having endured great loss that brings purity of purpose & strength of character" (Barbara Johnson)

A Cold Cup of Water

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
~Col 3:17~

The last day on site at camp, we worked at a community kitchen feeding the homeless. I think every cold cup of water I handed out echoed verses of scripture in my ears.

For some in our group, it brought painful memories. One girl had been adopted & she remembered being in shelters like this. She stood strong as served them everyone, and then just broke into tears. But just look how God has restored her! Placed her & her brother in a home with loving parents & other siblings.

It was so humbling & heart breaking to watch men get plates of food out of the trash, & pack food into bags to sneak out just so they could have something to eat later.

We sat & visited with those we were so honored to serve lunch to. We listened to their stories . . .

Donald worked for Bama food company for 15 years until they closed the plant. Then, unemployed & unable to afford his medication, he suffered with uncontrolled schizophrenia. He now receives shots once a month to help the symptoms & a lady has graciously agreed to let him sleep in her spare room. He is excited to have a roof over his head & dreams of the day he will have a place of his own. We got to sing happy birthday to him! He had no other family to celebrate with. . . .

Willie was a blessed soul to talk to! He had surgery on his hip & leg and struggles to get around. He has a place to live but can't afford food. So he walks 2 blocks in the heat to have 1good meal a day. He was the most joyful person I've ever met, praising God every breath. He spoke with wisdom, knew the scripture, and grieved for past mistakes that landed him in jail. He has 2 grown kids he has good relationships with. He was so gracious & grateful. . .

James was not much younger than me. He has 4 children, 3 boys from 13 down to 2, & a little girl 1. Says he sees them every day. His eyes were blood shot, and I suspect he struggles with drug dependence. From our conversation, I'm not sure he has ever worked steady. I'm ashamed to admit at first, I wanted to choose someone else to serve, but just felt God leading my spirit to him. I almost missed a great blessing. Beyond the rough outward appearance was a gentle giant. His spirit was mild & tender, his smile warm & welcome. He looked at me & said,"I'm not a bad person, just a in-between-person". I thought in that moment how many times I've been "in-between" where God wants me & where I fight to have my own way? I wonder if this is the only life he has ever known? Did anyone ever care to tell him God has a better plan for his life? I desperately wanted to share the gospel with him in bold letters & wave my banner like the calvery to save this young man! Yet, God restrained me to just befriend him with love, without judgement; just to serve him a cold cup of water & a meal; just to treat him like Jesus would. I let him know I'd be happy to pray with him before he left, but all he left with that day was warm meal & a smile. God knows, only God knows what that man needed at that very moment. Hope I get to hear the rest of his story in heaven one day. . .

The Bible says some plant, some get to water, but God gives the increase. Which task has He given you today? Which blessing is He allowing you the opportunity to share?

"knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free."
~Eph 6:8~

One Mind

"These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers."
~Acts 1:14~

Another note from camp:

I was amazed to see the work our team accomplished. It's amazing how individuals from many different states who have just met can work together like the best of friends. I witnessed that Wednesday as our team of 28 folks organized clothes, food, furniture & baby items at a center for the needy. I saw it again today as Anna & Kayla ministered with our team to patients & their families in medical apartments where they live to be close to the hospital. Many await heart & lung transplants. Others battle cancer. And a couple has burried 2 of their premature triplets since their birth May 29; the last little boy continues to fight for his life.

Back on campus tonight, this same team won the camp mega-relay contest.

What is making the difference in this team's success in ministry & activities? What made the difference in our church VBS last week where 8 decisions for Christ were made?

One mind, one accord. They all continued in one mind & one accord. All were focused on the same common goal: the gospel of Jesus. No one stopped to ask what personal glory might be obtained. No one complained about their busy schedule, or how tired they were, or pointed fingers to someone else to do the task.

They just continued, united for Christ. I pray this the dawn of a new era for our church, our youth, our community.

Newly Purposed

"For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
~Esther 4:14~

Today our youth visited with residents of a personal care home. It's part of our M-Fuge Christian camp experience baced on missions of service.

The last lady Kayla & I visited today had many facinating life stories to tell about places she had lived & worked, & significant others in her life. But the most blessed story she shared is her current one. . .

She is 78 years old & one of the youngest residents. She fell several times at home, breaking many bones, & that landed her here, for safety purposesHer mind is sharp as a tack, make-up perfectly in place, & dressed really nice. She sits in a wheel chair on the patio, under the pravillion,reading a book.

When she 1st moved here, she cried for 3 months. She battled depression. But one day, God brought the needs of other residents to her attention. She began visiting them, making friends, meeting small needs in their life. Finally, her focus was off herself. She can meet their needs for a change.

She can tell you that God has placed her here to look out for the other residents.

Wow . . .God can re-purpose us at 78 years old. There is never a time our lives belong to us. They belong to God. And there is nothing more satisfying than fulfilling that purpose. Let Him use you, for such a time as this

Face 2 Face

"So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”
~Gen 32:30~

Where is your Peniel? When is the moment you came face to face with God? Do you ever remember a time that you stopped focusing on His hand to look up into His eyes. It is a very sobering experience, to come face to face with The One who holds our very breath in His hand. Look into His eyes, feel the depth of love like you have never known, feel time stand still as you look into Eternity Himself. See yourself so clearly in His eyes, even if the reflection is painful to face. Feel the thickness of His Spirit surround you. Listen to His heart speak to yours. Let Him reveal some things to you- He wants you to know them. He has been waiting for this penial moment, to finally have undivided attention, just with you.

Be Free

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
~Eph 4:31-32~

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to hold on to something that angers us? When someone offends us, we dwell on it, replaying the scene over & over in our minds. We find it hard to let go of the hurt.

That is a trap, my friend, set for you by the enemy. He knows she power of unforgiveness. He knows it can entangle your mind forever if you allow it. He knows that it will occupy so much of your energy & focus, you won't be effective for Christ. It can destroy your testimony. He knows the power a root of bitterness can bring-it's a weed that can strangle every good thing in your heart&mind. It can destroy good relationships. It can alter your entire outlook on life & change your character. You can lose who you are.

Don't let the enemy of your soul steal another moment from you! He has already robbed you of enough! Take back what he stole from you & give it to God. Remember all Christ has forgiven you of, & keeps forgiving you every day. Now do this for the other person. Even if they never ask or even if they don't deserve it. After all, we don't deserve Christ's forgiveness either. Do this for YOU. Let this be the most powerful gift you have ever given yourself: forgive. Be free.

"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed"
~John 8:36~

Lay Down in Green Pastures

"He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul . . ."
~Ps 23:2-3~

Sweet peace, Lord Jesus. Send Your comfort to troubled minds tonite. Bring rest, bring comfort as You minister to our hearts, giving us each what we stand in need of. Send the rain, Lord - rain down Your presence among us. Lead us beside still waters, lay us down in green pastures as we slumber. Fill us with Your word of hope. Prepare us for Your planned future for us. Restore our soul.

Bubbling Over

" . . .You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness & mercy shall follow me all the days of my life . . ."
~Ps 23:5-6~

There is NOTHING in this whole life as rewarding as serving Jesus. Nothing. Being involved with your local church can be the most fulfilling time in your life. Volunteer for Vbs, or to be a camp chaperon. Attend the brotherhood breakfasts or ladies prayer group meetings. Get out, by yourself, go door to door, inviting others to come & be a part, too.

You never know when God will lead you right to the front door of a lost person that needs Jesus. And when they meet you at the door with a beer in hand or less than desirable language? Love them like Jesus. Assure them Jesus loves them & you would be excited to see them in church with you. . .

Then, when you see them walk in with their kids. . . Smile because God just used you to minister to a complete stranger, in just a 3 minute stop in their driveway with an open heart & open invitation. He does the rest.

Doesn't your heart just bubble over thinking about it???

". . .And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. "
~Ps 23:6~

Don't Be Afraid to Dance

"Then David danced before the Lord with all his might. . . "
~II Sam 6:14~

It's been a great couple of days. And I love to celebrate good ones. (I've known enough bad days!)

Had a great time with my 4girls-picnic, water fun, picking out new prayer journals & church songs. (The boys get their time too!) Wore ourselves out practicing song&motions for this week's VBS! (Vacation Bible School) I watched our church pull together, pouring countless late hours into VBS decorations, then show up early to learn the theme song (If you've never seen 15 grown women act like animals & perform in front of the entire church, it's definitely worth the time to see!) I watched 2of my girls sing a special in worship, 1 for the first time . . . saw tears fill everyone's eyes as we felt the presence of God. Then I watched our youth, staff & parents sling spaghetti as a fundraiser for camp the next week. I've seen God move in a mighty way this weekend. That's something to celebrate. Ministering to kids is always something to celebrate. Don't be afraid to dance!

I want to leave you with a quote from Barbara Johnson:
"We cannot protect ourselves from trouble, but we can dance through the puddles of life with a rainbow smile, twirling the only umbrella we need-the umbrella of God's love."

Don't be afraid to dance!

Reasonable?

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." ~Rom 12:1~

My life is not my own, never has been. The choices I make do not just affect me, they affect everyone around me. Those choices either take me closer into the will of God for my life, or take me further away from His chosen path for me.

He has plans for me, very specific plans that cross paths with people who need to be ministered to- sick, hurting, lonely people that need to hear the gospel of peace, people that need to be loved. He will bring me into direct contact with lost persons, headed straight for a devil's hell if I don't share the salvation gospel of Jesus Christ with them. .. .Me.

What is my reasonable service? To give Him my life, complete control, every area, total surrender.

What if He calls me to do something I don't feel qualified to do like Moses? . . Step out in faith, knowing The I Am goes with me, strengthening me to accomplish it, & preparing my way. And if He calls me to a place I'd rather not go like Jonah? Go anyway, believing that my obedience could lead thousands to the Lord.

That, my friend, is pretty reasonable in God's eyes.

Steadfast, Immovable

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" ~I Corinth 15:58~

Steadfast, immovable. The defination of steadfast is "unwaivering loyality". This should always describe our work ethic for the kingdom of Christ. Our service & gratitude to Him should always abound. But what about our relationship with Him?

Have you ever had a fair-weather friend? Has there been a relationship in your life- (mother, father, brother, sister, grandparent, boyfriend/girlfriend, fellow church member, co-worker, classmate, friend) - that started out strong but faded with time? Have you watched their attention to you wax & wane with circumstance? Have you felt the deep disappointment waiting for a call or visit that never came? Felt the lonely ache for their companionship? Cried over the lack of dedication to their relationship with you? Doubted they ever really cared for you at all. . .

Imagine how God feels. He watched us start out strong & at moments, fade away. He sees our attention to Him wax &wane with circumstance. He feels deep disappointment when we don't call out to Him in prayer or visit His presence in The Word. He feels the lonely ache for our companionship & grieves over our lack of dedication to Him. I'm sure He sometimes doubts we ever cared about a relationship with Him at all. . .

Steadfast, immovable- a daily relationship with Him.

Where Ever

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out not knowing where he was going" ~Heb 11:8~

God calls each of us to step out. Out of our comfort zone. That requires faith. Abraham went out, not knowing where he was going. Yet he knew the One who sent him, and he trusted The Sender.

Faith is hoping in the unseen, trusting in the One who promised it. Answer Him in obedience. Take the first step into the unknown. Your inheritance awaits you there.

Super Charge-Don't Lose Heart!

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" ~Gal 6:9~

Our journey here is filled with divine appointments. It's kinda like a video game. Each level has task assigned to us. And each mission successfully completed jumps us to the next level. Each new level has bonus points, & ways to super charge us for the challenges of that level. And each time we have access to higher levels of knowledge & of power, closer to the ultimate final victory over the enemy.

Don't lose heart on this journey. He will super charge you along the way. You will reap in due season.

The Plans of His Heart

"Rejoice in he Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. . .Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy. . . The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations. . .Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy. . .Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, for we have trusted in His holy name"
~from Ps 33~

Nothing in your life takes God by surprise. He has not lost sight of where you are. He has a plan for your life. You are in His eye. The plans of His heart are for you. Rejoice in Him in the meantime. Trust His holy name.

Smile in Quiet Strength

" . . .In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength . . ." ~Is 30:15~

You can be sure of one thing: when the devil is pulling at your spirit, and you find it hard to settle, God must be up to something good! In those moments? . . . Smile. Return & rest easy. In quietness, you show your confidence in His strength. You don't have to force anything into motion, or exhaust yourself preventing disaster. Everything is under control, HIS control.

The Best July 1st

"Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause to to know he way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You"
~Ps 143:8~

Dear Lord,
This is the best July 1st I've seen since 2002. Have I remembered to return & say thank You? I mean really Thank You.

I don't want to be like the 9 You healed that never returned to say Thank You Master. I want to be like the 1 who remembers, before oskipping off to enjoy the gift, to return to The Giver. . Return to look into Your eyes & remember You, hear the echo of the day You called me by name, told me that You love me.

I knew that day You were strengthening me to face something ahead. Today, I understand. Today we stand here on the other side of that great valley,. . . together, me & You, hand & hand. Because of You, I survived. I'm healed, whole, wiser, stronger. Just look what we did!!! We did it!!! We made it!!!

And today, You let me know, I'm ready to celebrate life again, ready to enjoy what lies ahead. I feel like a little girl letting go of Daddy's hand to play on the playground, trusting My Father is always close, watching over me. You whisper, "You're ready, now go" . . . .Stay close, Jesus, enjoy this with me. . . .I love You, too, Jesus.

Waiting for the Precious

"Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and the latter rain. You also be patient, establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand" ~James 5:8~

The enemy is a copy-cat. Whatever God creates, satan tries to create a similar diversion. He wants us derailed from God's best. He wants us to give up waiting, give up believing in God's promise. He wants us to impatiently select his imitation, a phony.

But God's children know The Father's fruit is precious. We have tasted of His goodness enough to know it's well worth waiting for. "He has made everything beautiful in it's time"(Ecc 3:11). We have received the early rains as the seed of His blessing was planted. Now just listen as the latter rains approach.

Wait patiently. Establish your heart. Watch as God comes to deliver His precious fruit to you.