Where were you GOD?

I asked the question and God answered:


I WAS THERE ALL THE TIME. . .

I've been there, where this Mother was standing. . .

Oh, it wasn't outside of a surgery unit. . .

No. .

We found ourselves standing outside the PICU. . .

in one of the top rated teaching hospitals in the world. . .

with the lead pediatrician in charge. . .

while our adorable, blonde haired, blue eyed, dimpled,

always smiling little cherub fought for his life. . .

and lost. . .

so yes, I know the agony this mother felt. . .

I was so very, very angry with God. . .oh I held it together in public. . .

everyone commented on how well we were doing. . .

but in the privacy of my own room. . .flinging myself out across my bed. . .

I would scream at God. . .how could you do this to me?. . .

HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?

It's not fair. . .it's not fair God. . .

I don't understand. . .

there is nothing you can say to me that is going to make me understand this. . .

but somehow, we survived. . .

we survived the grief, and the agony. . .

somehow our marriage survived. . .

and we kept what was left of our little family intact. . .

and slowly, slowly, began to rebuild a life for ourselves. . .

and God was faithful. . .and his promises were true. . .

and his blessings were abundant.

So many blessings. . .an adopted son who looks so much like us,

you won't be able to tell the difference. . .he is my joy. . .

sometimes I have to call just to hear his voice. . .

and adorable, precious grandchildren. . .four of them. . .nothing compares to one of their hugs. . 

So yes, God was there. . .

do I understand?. . .

NO. . .

but someday I will,

and until that day. . .I will keep pressing toward the mark of the calling of the Most High. . .

Falling In Love With Jesus–Go With God

For we know we are called according to His Purpose. . .II Timothy 1:9

Will you be willing to go with God until His Purpose and your purpose are the same. . .we are so willing to do what we think is right, what we think His Purpose might be. . .but then when He tries to redirect our path. . .we want to balk. . .oh no God, I don’t want to walk down that path. . .I’m not sure where that path leads Lord. . .I like it out here on this path. . .it’s easier to see my own way out here on this path.

Have you ever had that discussion with God?  Oh. . .maybe not out loud. . .after all that would be sac religious to actually say out loud what you may be thinking. . .but. . .in your actions.
 

What are you saying in your actions?

Abraham was given the instruction, “Take your son, your only son Isaac. . .”

I don’t know God. . .I just can’t imagine you ever expecting me to give up something that precious. . .surely, you would never expect that of ME. . .I mean Abraham. . .well, you know. . .he was just this PATRIARCH. . .this ANCIENT OF DAYS. . .I could never be any of those things God. . .oh God, please, just ask me for something easier. . .yeah, that’s it. . .I could definitely do something easier. . .thank you Lord. . .

Is that what God hears us saying by our actions?

My prayer: God, please let me HEAR your voice, and to be WILLING to follow YOUR directions. . .even when I don’t understand them. . .in Jesus Name. . .

For those of you who enjoy Pentecostal Praise and Worship here is the same song by the Alexandria Tabernacle Choir. . .yes, you can feel the Presence of the Almighty God as you watch this video

FOR EVERY MOUNTAIN – PENTECOSTALS OF ALEXANDRIA

Falling in Love With Jesus: What is Salvation?

It sounds so easy. . .Salvation. . .but really, what is it?

How do you ever decide when you have Salvation?

Is it when you realize your life’s not really that great. . .

and you turn to God for a solution?

Is it when you realize Christ lives in you. . .

and things need to change?

Did salvation become real when you were baptized?

or when you realized that you could no longer depend on Sunday School Teachers, parents or your Minister to spoon feed you God’s Word. . .and you began digging deeper on your own?

My prayer is that we will search our hearts. . .and cry out to God to alter our thinking so we will know all He has for each of us. . .

in Jesus Name. . .

MY FAVORITE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

MY FAVORITE ONE HOUR BIBLE STUDY

Falling in Love With Jesus: We All Have Our Egypt

When the going gets hard, we all have something we want to return to. . .we all have our Egypt.

Egypt is where the melons and the cucumbers are. . .life is easier there. . .yes, there are taskmasters, but we don’t have to think too hard about it, we can just go about our daily agenda, without too much thought or effort.

 

I could just go work at the church Lord. . .and be spoon fed Your Word on a regular basis. . .I wouldn’t need to go to all this effort on my own. 

But out here in the desert. . .Lord, I’m all by myself out here. . .this relationship is turning in to hard work. . .what are You thinking?  Are you sure this is what You wanted me to do. . .cause it sure would be easier to go back to what I was doing before. . .seriously.

I’ve committed now Lord. . .You are stuck with me in this forever relationship. . .with all my whining and crying, and wanting my own way. . . wanting this desert experience to be over already!
I won’t return the way I came. . . I know there are better things ahead. . . I’m sure my Promised Land is just over the next horizon. . .right?

My prayer is that we will always remember. . .You are always right on time. . . in Jesus Name. . .

Falling in Love With Jesus: You Can’t Stop There!

The minister’s thought this past Sunday has stuck with me.

As a runner, you are assigned a lane to run in. . .if you step out, or fall out of that lane. . .you are disqualified from the race.

I am so thankful God doesn’t do that to us as we run this spiritual race.  Instead, when we make a mistake, and step over the line, He redirects our steps. . .and gets us back in the lane.

When we stumble and fall by the wayside. . .He picks us up, brushes us off. . .and sets us back on the path. . .

As the minister said. . .In this race, it’s not most important to finish first. . .it’s most important to be sure you finish!

My prayer is that the Lord would order my steps in His Word. . .that I would not stumble and fall by the wayside. . .but that I would continue to strive toward the high calling. . .in Jesus Name. . .

Falling in Love With Jesus–Is HE Really in Control?

God really is in control, and just like Mom and Dad knew what was best for you growing up, God knows what is best for you now.

So. . .will you listen and obey, or will you rebel as you did with Mom and Dad. .

What kind of predicaments did those decisions get you in then. . .and what are the consequences going to be now. . .

It's worth thinking about. . .

My prayer is to not only know that God is in control, but to accept that His ways are not my ways. . .

Lord, I know that You know my future. . .and though you will not force my decisions, if I will listen to Your still small voice. . .and allow You to direct my paths. . .everything will be so much easier. . .in Jesus Name!

Your Contract With God

I love the New Living Translation of James 4:8
Draw Close to God. . .

and God WILL Draw Close to You. . .

I love that promise. . .
if you will. . .God will. . .
it’s as simple as that.

So. . .will you?
Will you stop long enough to actually be close to God?

 

You know it’s great to have a relationship with our family. . .
everyone together,
laughing and talking over a great meal,
sharing, and enjoying each other’s company.
That’s a great feeling,
but nothing, absolutely nothing can take the place
 of snuggling on the couch with one of your kids. . .
peaceful, quiet. . .
reading a book, sharing time together. . .

I think God might like that too. . .
just You and me, God. . .
quiet, peaceful. . .
my total concentration is on You God. . .
You’re the only one that matters right now. . .

In those moments with your kids,
 are the times you can tell them how special they are. . .
how perfect they are
(even when you know better, you still think they are perfect)
. . .how wonderful they are
. . .how blessed you are to have them in your life.

Maybe God likes to do the same with His kids. . .
write down the things God tells you in those moments. . .
those fleeting thoughts
when God whispers how special you are. . .
the plans He has for you. . .

Make it a contract. . .
a Mission Statement between you and God
. . .and in those moments that seem like failures
. . .go back and check your Mission Statement
. . .get back on track
. . .remember HIS PROMISES

If you will. . .I will. . .it’s a promise!

My prayer is that you will remember His promise
 to never leave you nor forsake you. . .
to comfort and to protect you.
Thank you Lord
for being an ever present help in our time of need. . .
we are nothing without You.