WHO You Know is More Important than WHAT You Know!

The discovery of this article today was such a blessing to me that I wanted to share it with whomever would read it. So, I decided to share it here with the website for you to visit and to give credit to the author. You may visit the link to search out more about its origin and author.
http://www.created4health.org/devotionals/WHO_You_Know_is_More_Important_Than_WHAT_You_Know.htm

WHO You Know is More Important than WHAT You Know!
This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3)
As someone who spent many years studying language in school and abroad, and as someone who has earned a living at teaching language, one of my favorite activities is studying the history of specific words, and how their usage has changed over time. One word that has changed in meaning quite a bit since it entered the English language is the word “science.”
Our modern day English word “science” was originally a French word derived from Latin, and in the 1300’s its meaning was very similar to the word “knowledge.” It meant the opposite of “ignorance” and generally meant something obtained by “studying.” It was not originally restricted in meaning to any particular branch of study. In the 18th and 19th centuries its usage was becoming more restricted, referring to a “body of regular or methodical observations or propositions ... concerning any subject or speculation,” and was often linked to the study of “philosophy.” (science. Dictionary.com. Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian.)
From the 20th century up until today, the meaning of “science” is restricted even further, as can be seen by this definition found in a medical dictionary: “knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through the scientific method and concerned with the physical world and its phenomena.” (science. Dictionary.com. Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary. Merriam-Webster, Inc.)
This narrow understanding of “science” or “knowledge,” which only looks at what can be observed in the physical realm, is now equated with “truth,” and is considered by modern society to be more valuable than any other kind of knowledge. It has become the religion of modern man. But there is much knowledge in our world that cannot be observed in the physical realm, or “proven” by scientific discovery!
When we read the Bible, we get a much different view of “knowledge.” The most valuable knowledge is seen not as an accumulation of data, but in relationships. To truly “know” someone is not possible by simply using modern scientific methods. You can know “about someone” by studying a book written about them, for example, but to truly know another person is only possible by spending time with them. If the president of the United States walked into a place where I was visiting, I would recognize him because I know some things about him, including what he looks like. But I do not “know” him personally. There is a huge distinction in these two different kinds of knowledge. The kind of knowledge that only recognizes the president of the United States is not nearly as valuable as knowing the president of the United States on a personal level, where he would also know me.
So since there is valuable knowledge that can only be obtained via relationships (as opposed to scientific discovery or the observation of facts), which relationship is the most important? Obviously, man’s relationship to his Creator is the most important relationship! We know God by knowing Jesus:
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” (John 14:6-7)
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:27-28)
You can get to know about a person by reading a book about them, but you cannot really know a person that way. Imagine if you tried to build a marriage relationship by simply studying facts that were written about your spouse! You could read volumes and volumes of books (if they existed) about a person, but you would never really know them personally. You could never really love them simply by knowing things about them, and never having met them in person. To love someone requires a different kind of knowledge; a knowledge which is based on experience – subjective experience from spending time with them and developing a relationship.
But in our modern day culture which worships a narrow view of knowledge called “science,” a knowledge which only recognizes the observation of the physical realm, subjective experiences are considered “invalid” ways of knowing truth. So the accumulation of data, bolstered by the belief in evolution, becomes the most valued knowledge in our modern society. And what does God think of this “knowledge” which attempts to deny (or at least ignore) his existence?
For it is written, "I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE." Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. (1 Corinthians 1:19-21)
We cannot know God simply by studying his physical creation. Such knowledge may teach us some things about God, but it will do us no good when we die the physical death and then meet him face to face for the first time. The only knowledge that will lead us to eternal life is the knowledge that comes with a personal, subjective relationship with Jesus Christ: This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3)
When we know Christ, we come to love him, and to know his love for us. And this love is more valuable than knowledge, and more powerful than any knowledge on earth.
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-19 italics added)
Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. (1 Corinthians 8:1-3)
The Bible also makes it clear that the people who go around pretending to know Jesus, but really only know some things about him (maybe they read his book), and don’t know him personally, are NOT going to be able to enter the kingdom of heaven:
Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' (Matthew 7:21-23 italics added)
So in the end, it really is true that who you know is much more important than what you know! If you know the love of Christ first hand, and have experienced him personally, you don’t need to know anything else to enter the Kingdom of God!
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:7-11)
Do you know Jesus? Have you experienced his love first hand, the kind of love that led him to voluntarily give up his life as a sacrifice for your sins? Or do you only know some things about him, having simply an intellectual (“scientific”) knowledge about him? In the case of Jesus, the intellectual knowledge about him is not worth too much. The personal subjective knowledge, however, is much more valuable, both now and in the future. It is more valuable than anything else this life has to offer! So get to know Jesus and his love for you: your life depends upon it!

Think of Excellence

This week has been one of those weeks when everywhere I turn and everyone I talk to is having the relationship issues to deal with. Grown children with their parents, parents with their grown children, spouses and significant others, grandchildren with grandparents, friends and many other relationship issues. I am serious, it is amazing how they have all "come out of the woodwork" and called or e-mailed me. My heart is overflowing with compassion and concern for them all.

I keep hearing "peace, pray for peace". Faithfully, He sends us comfort as we pray and make our requests know to Him. Remarkably, various scripture from Philippians 4 keeps coming up as well.

Phillipians 4:1-23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Think of Excellence

1Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.
3Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
5Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
9The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
God's Provisions

10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
11Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
12I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
14Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.
15You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone;
16for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.
17Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.
18But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
19And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
20Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.
22All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

For many years, there has been a relationship mountain range of trials in my life. I believe it is time to make some changes and as always it needs to start with me. To see change around you, first you must see change in yourself. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:3, "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Attitudes are contagious and I only want to catch a good one. I have found myself "boosting my immune system" with the word to stay out of the muck and mire. I have been fervently praying more. I have found peace in the answer I found. Distance changes perspective and silence gives us more opportunity to hear the voice of our Shepherd. Pray for healing and give it time to work itself out and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7)

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Dwelling on things is like reruns in your mind. Reruns should be selective with a pure motive to seek truth. What do you play over and over in your mind and what do you do about it the second, third, fourth etc. time you play it? Is it what you could have said or done differently? Or is it to ask the Lord what if anything you should have said differently? Or do you still play the victim which may give you a false sense of justification for your words or actions? How many times do you replay it before you just stop and pray about it? At what point do you seek the truth and base your actions on it? How long before you forgive? Oh, the road to change can be rough. It can be like riding in a buck board on a muddy dirt road in the spring. The ruts can be deep but I am determined to make it to my destination-no matter how many wheels have to be changed.

I was reading from on of my devotionals today, A Word for the Day by J. D. Watson and the topic was of all things, Lovely. He said, "Lovely means acceptable, pleasing and amiable. One commentator explains, its :fundamental meaning is 'that which calls forth love'...Thus, the Christian's mind is to be set on things that elicit from others...admiration and affection.' " He goes on to say, "What a challenge! The Christian is to think and do things that will express love to others but also inspire love from others. William Tyndale captured the thought in his 1534 translation with "whatsoever things pertain to love." So, how do we accomplish that? It seems pretty obvious, does it not? We certainly will not endear ourselves to others, much less to God, by lying, stealing, cursing, gossiping, losing our temper, or any other such ungodly behavior. Rather, we will elicit admiration and affection from God and others by godly behavior. And the only way we can do and say such things is to think about such things."

I have set my mind to dwell on lovely things. My precious friend, Frances, has said, "You only have 3 seconds to cast out thoughts from your mind that you shouldn't be thinking and the best way is to do that is to speak forth good things." Thank you Lord for all your blessings--especially all the people you have placed in my life for whatever purpose you have orchestrated.

LORD, I give you permission to work out whatever it is you want to work out in me. However painful the exfoliation may be, I trust you to bring forth something new and desirable in me so that I can be a blessing to everyone you place around me in my life. Thank you for loving me through all my growth. And LORD, please bless all my friends, family and loved ones with Your peace in their relationships as well. In Jesus' name. AMEN

Diligent Study

Hebrews 10:24 (Amplified Bible) And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,



As I read this the word studying stood out to me. My husband and I recently finished the Love Dare book. The day that really impressed me was the one that spoke about studying your mate so that you could be a better spouse. It is one thing to read an article or a book on a subject and it is a totally different matter to study it. You can read about what is involved to become a doctor or watch a few movies or TV shows to get a more personal view but it is a whole different matter to make a commitment to set apart twelve years of your life to become a specialist in the area of medicine that you have a special interest--one you plan to practice for the rest of your life.



Some people would read that and say you are comparing apples to oranges. Some relationships are like comparing McIntosh apples to Granny Smith Apples. Others are like apples to oranges. It is like a man and his car. Have you ever noticed that some men clean their car and others don't. And with the ones who do there are varying degrees from just the outside or inside to a complete Q-tip detail including the tires. Women clean their homes in the same manner. You will find varying degrees from "get the bulldozer" to white glove test clean. And then there are the ones who are always consistent in what manner you will find it or you may never know what condition you will find it in based on their mood. You will find this to be true of relationships as well. Many have the idea that "it will always be there when I get around to it" or they may have a driving diligence to always work at it to keep it as "spotless" as possible. Somewhere in it all is truth.

When I think of a good relationship, I think of a diligent student.



Diligent 1. Quietly and steadily persevering especially in detail or exactness; "a diligent (or patient) worker" 2. Characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks



I you are in it for the long haul you are willing to put in the extra care that is required. I have had many relationships over the last half century. Some were complex and some simple. Some where short and required little effort. Others have had varied lengths of seasons. Some go on like years with changing seasons and others are like only visiting the same vacation spot every summer. Others, sadly, are like being stuck in a blizzard with no power or shovel to dig out of the snowbank. The relationships with parents, grandparents, siblings, children, and best friends leave the deepest impressions on our hearts and are the ones that tend to bring you all four seasons of blessings and trials. They are the meat, vegetables and desserts of life. The appetizers, snacks, treats, junk food and occasional ethnic fares are what round out and complete our relational buffet. It is all there for the tasting and enjoyment. But it can cause heartburn or "allergic reactions" and oddly we often come back to the same thing over and over again without making any changes expecting to get different results. That is where the studying comes into play. You may be able eat Mexican food or Italian food if you take an antacid. You may be able to have a clam or two with benedryl or you made need and Epi pen. It is important to study a relationship and know your boundaries.

I recently watched a TV show that stated a needy person needs needy people. Then it proceeded to show a very good example. A lot of things made sense to me at that point with some people in my life and myself. I could have chose to look the other way or study it out to see how a better understanding of the inner workings of myself and others may improve our relationships. I believe it is selfish not to spend the time studying to improve relationships. It is arrogant to say "love me or leave me--take me as I am--deal with it" etc.. Today, I humbly search my heart for ways to love better. I have been enlightened by the statement "hurting people hurt people". It made me want to add but "healed people love people". And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities. I want to be healed, whole and complete loving all God's people as He loves them. How do I grasp the concept of how much God loves us? It is a study I will be diligently continuing until I leave this earth. Then, and only then, will I begin to know how much He loves us. Then, the eternal study of worship will begin.

Focus and Spin

Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn't pleased at being ignored. Romans 8:5-8 The Message

I read a sad statement someone had commented on blog. They were confused about truth. They had put their own spin on it and said that is ok becuase truth is what you perceive it to be. It is thinking like that that will get you into deep trouble. The word of God is the truth. You may not understand it but it is the truth. I love the line in the movie City of Angels that says, "Just becuase you don't believe doesn't mean it isn't true." Many people choose to believe their version of the truth in many situations. Something that has been deadly to thousands. Think of a few scenarios for yourself. The teenager that chose to believe they could drive the speed they wanted instead of the posted speed and didn't make it around the curve. The people that ignored the warnings about severe hurricanes and flooding but decided to stay. The smokers that didn't believe the warnings on the packs of cigarettes. The list is endless. One of the saddest is the ones who despite the many nudgings of the Holy Spirit, choose not to turn their hearts towards God. Eternity is a very long time to regret not making Jesus the Lord of your life. But, they have free will and the right to choose this. The truth has been explained and yet they continue to ignore it or deny it. Just becuase you don't believe, doesn't mean it isn't true. They laugh and mock instead of bow and worship. Their focus is on self and they spin it to be their own truth that they are self made and are going to heaven just because they are good or maybe they believe that there isn't really a hell. But, Just because you don't believe doesn't mean it isn't true.

The truth will be found as we focus on God's word. I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God's great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we've been shown the mystery! I'm telling you this because I don't want anyone leading you off on some wild-goose chase, after other so-called mysteries, or "the Secret." Colossians 2:2 The Message If you take your eyes off the prize or do not turn your ears to hear what He is saying you may fall into a trap of the enemy. You may find a way to put your own spin on the situation and measure your actions to your own truth rather than the truth of God. Disobedience can cost you your life. Ignorance or darkness can cost you eternity and eternity is a very long time to be without the fellowship of your Father.

Love One Another

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:34 NASB

Forgiveness has been the main course of my prayer time and study lately. There really is a lot to say about it in the Bible. I was writing an e-mail this morning and this scripture summed it up nicely. Then I began to meditate on it. As I did, somthing was made clear. If you truly love someone with the love of God in your heart, how could you have anything but total forgiveness toward them in your heart. It doesn't excuse the behavior (love the man hate the sin) but it does remove the acid and bitterness that corrodes your heart. It may release that person to repent and move on as well.

A Good Day

I am having a very good day today. Started new herbs on Thursday and seeing a big difference today. Praise God!

Changes Reinforced With Hugs

Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see. ~Corrie Ten Boom

Today was a good day--not that it should be otherwise. I woke up with this in my spirit: There are always two ways to look at any situation--with an unthankful or a thankful attitude.

I am thankful for my best friend Jesus. We met for the first time thirteen years ago today. It was 10 days after my husband, Rich, and I were married. It happened at a three day motivational business seminar at the Sunday morning meeting. At this time I would like to publicly thank some very dear friends God placed in our paths--Ralph and Carrie Roeger--for inviting us to that meeting. It changed our lives for eternity. We are thankful and eternally grateful. We haven't seen them in years but they remain in our prayers. Their footprints are imbedded in our hearts. Their hugs are eternal.

My daughter and family just bought a house not far from us and moved my mother down from Virginia to live with them. They came to see me today. The woman who held me under her heart before I entered the world got to wrap her arms around me and hug me for the first time in almost three years. Priceless moments are easy to be thankful for. Being closer now they will not be so far between. I am thankful for that closeness once again. I had three generations of hugs today-my mother, daughter, and granddaughters. These times are so easy to be thankful.

When my husband and I are lying in bed tonight, I know our evening prayers will be extra special. We are thankful for our relationship with our LORD everyday but today marks the day I realized He had always loved me. I found out He first loved me. I didn't choose Him; He chose me first. Through all the mud of sin in my first thirty-seven and a half years of life, He loved me and showed me mercy. He had plans for me and the beauty of it all is everyday He enfolds a new page in the God story He is writing me into. Physically, the story is daunting. Spiritually it is beyond imagination. But He holds me in His hands. Gently, He hugs me and whispers (as I did to my granddaughter this morning) you are my precious princess and I love you with all my heart for all eternity. It doesn't get any better than that! Or at least not on this earth anyway.

The Grave Clothes Are Coming Off

The man who had died came forth, (BC)bound hand and foot with wrappings, and (BD)his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go." John 11:44 (New American Standard Bible)

(BC) John 19:40 (New American Standard Bible) So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews
(BD) John 20:7 (New American Standard Bible)and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself.

Remember all the times God brought you out of a past situation. Don't let your anxiousness over present situations rule your thankfulness for all that God has rescued you from in the past. Don't listen to the lies that whisper in your ear, "He may have done it then but will He do it now?" He will not break His covenant with you. He can't. It will not be how you imagine that He brings you out. Your thoughts are not higher than His. Your ways are not like His. Why try to figure it out? Just praise Him for doing it. Praise Him for what He has done, is doing and will do for you. Trust Him. No don't think about the storm raging around you. Forget it. Just thank and praise Him for everything He has done for you.

Once He brings you out-the moment you pray and receive, tear off those grave clothes and burn them. You no longer have the affliction. It may look like it in the natural but in the spirit it is settled, finished, complete and no longer binding you. Like Lazarus was resurrected but still bound in the wrappings. Some thing like people still saying you don't look so well. Your test results say this. But in the spirit you know you are healed. Everything happens in the spirit first. Before you can see it with your eyes it must be birthed in the spirit. So if it is born of the spirit it will grow int he natural. The Lord is trying to get us from "I am sick" to "I am healed." We limit His works by our believing. Do I believe that what I prayed for was heard and answered? Do I believe that I was healed by the stripes of Jesus on the cross or don't I? Do I believe the curse has been broken and I am healed? How long do I stand on this waiting to see the evidence? How long is that gestation period for it to manifest? It has been five years now. Actually, next week is the thirteenth anniversary of the day I got saved. It has been a roller coaster ride ever since. So what has taken so long? Disobedience? False teachings? Excuses! Flat out excuses for not believing the word of God that simply says I was healed. I were healed. I am healed. Is that picking out scripture to answer the prayer I fervently pray? If His word is truth, what is to doubt? It is like I have always heard if you believe you can't than you won't. If you believe you can than you will.
John 10:13 "But when He, (A)the Spirit of truth, comes, He will (B)guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

Praise God I'm not going under I'm going over! I am not in the wilderness. I am in the land of mercy!

Laughable

Proverbs 14:13a Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, ...

Isn't humor, after all, one way we cope with a tough situation? It's how I deal with tough situations best. I was hilarious in the labor room--or so the doctor and nurses kept telling me. I always have replied to that, "I would rather laugh than cry." And I'm thinking, "If I start crying, I'll loose it-I won't make it through this with any dignity intact." Lately, I let river of tears flow when the dam overflows. I'm just careful it only happens when God and I are alone. It is that fear of anyone knowing I haven't got it all under control. If it weren't for my relationship with Jesus, I would have given up long ago. "But, God.", has so much meaning to me. Regardless of how bleek the situation looks--But God! It makes me laugh. I laugh out loud when I think of all the times the devil tried to show me the circumstances and tried to tell me it was hopeless. But God came in and changed everything with the wave of His hand.

In Genesis 21:6 Sarah said, "God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me." I love that story of Sarah and Abraham. He was 100 and she was 90. They wanted children. The women around her all laughed when she told them God said she would have a child. Afterall, Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90. I have imagined Sarah may have snickered a little herself at the first thought of it. She was 90 and the desire of her heart seemed lost but God had not forgotten her or His promise; had He? The laughter at the thought of them having a child that swept through the village was turned to awe of God when Isaac was born. God has a sense of humor waiting until they were that age to bring forth a child and Abraham and Sarah did too--naming the baby Isaac which means laughter.

Job 8:21"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter And your lips with shouting.
This would make a perfect inscription on a Mother's Day card. The picture might have a boy fully clothed washing the dog in the tub with soap suds and water overflowing everywhere. A kodak moment where you are laughing and shouting all at the same time. Do you suppose God does that when you or I do crazy things? He is a loving Father so then He sent Jesus to help us clean up the messes we make. I am ever grateful He did that for me.

Psalm 126:2Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations,"The LORD has done great things for them."
Through the tears come shouts of praise. That could be my mantra over and over throughout the pages of the story God has written me into. Over and over I have declared that I will live and not die and that I will live to declare the wonderful works of the Lord. Yes, He has done great things for me. He continues to do great things for me. It may not always look like it to those around me. To those who forgot to put on their "God glasses" on before looking at the circumstances. Sadly, I must admit I misplaced mine for a while too. I found them again today while I was doing the Beth Moore bible study on Esther-It's tough being a woman. My laughter started slowly. You know how it starts--a little snicker seeped out. Then a slight chuckle. Then a laugh. Then the sparkling eyes belly laugh. The ridiculously loud until the tears run down your face and your stomach hurts laugh is next. I am working up to it. Jesus is filling me up again with that living water that flows forth. I am preparing for rain--a torential downpour. When we all see the way He turns this thing around, it is going to be a catagory 5 hurricane of laughter. What do you think we should name it?

Jesus Take The Wheel

28"Come to Me,

all who are weary

and heavy-laden,

and I will give you rest.
29"Take My yoke upon you

and learn from Me,

for I am gentle and

humble in heart,

and YOU WILL FIND REST

FOR YOUR SOULS.

30"For My yoke is easy

and My burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB)

I've been listening to this video over and over and it has been ministering to me. Jesus take the wheel. I can't do it on my own. But then He never meant for me to even try to do it alone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky4rfA_tebY

Thorns and Roses

A Thorn in the Flesh

7Because of the surpassing greatness of the (N)revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a (O)thorn in the flesh, a (P)messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself!

8Concerning this I implored the Lord (Q)three times that it might leave me.

9And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for (R)power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather (S)boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

10Therefore (T)I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with (U)distresses, with (V)persecutions, with (W)difficulties, (X)for Christ's sake; for (Y)when I am weak, then I am strong.

Think of a beautiful long stemmed rose. Picture the velvet petals. Imagine their softness between your fingertips. Smell the sweet aroma. What a wonderful loving gift from God of beauty to encourage our souls. But if you don't approach it carefully, with the respect it commands, the thorns will prick you and blood will flow.

O.2 Corinthians 12:7 : Num 33:55; Ezek 28:24; Hos 2:6

P.2 Corinthians 12:7 : Job 2:6; Matt 4:10; 1 Cor 5:5

Q.2 Corinthians 12:8 : Matt 26:44

R.2 Corinthians 12:9 : 1 Cor 2:5; Eph 3:16; Phil 4:13

S.2 Corinthians 12:9 : 1 Cor 2:3; 2 Cor 12:5

T.2 Corinthians 12:10 : Rom 5:3; 8:35

U.2 Corinthians 12:10 : 2 Cor 6:4

V.2 Corinthians 12:10 : 2 Thess 1:4; 2 Tim 3:11

W.2 Corinthians 12:10 : 2 Cor 6:4

X.2 Corinthians 12:10 : 2 Cor 5:15, 20

Y.2 Corinthians 12:10 : 2 Cor 13:4

Hallelujah Anyway

Hallelujah Anyway. A precious friend says that's what she had to say when she was so sick with a bad stomach virus. No matter what comes she just praises Him--Hallelujah anyway. Then it spilled over into other trials. When those difficult times come she just says Hallelujah anyway. No matter what the circumstances you are surrounded by you have to trust God. Today has been a Hallelujah anyway day.

I'm sure you have seen a movie scene or two with people sitting in a boat shivering and hungry on a dark body of water on a moonless night with fog as thick as pea soup in a dismall situation. All seems lost and hopeless in that circumstance. It is a Hallelujah anyway situation. I like it when there is one person willing to have faith that they will be rescued and encourage the rest. Just then when it looks like they are defeated, the saving boat comes along or the sun rises and they see land. The boat or land were there even when they could not see them. The situation was being taken care of without their help. God was in control and taking care of the situation. Hallelujah!

No matter what we are going through God will see us through. We have the victory. So why shouldn't our battle cry be Hallelujah! Jump up and run towards God. Why doubt that He has good planned for us? Are you looking at the fog and darkness? Are you shivering in the cold? Or are you looking to His light and basking in the warmth of His love regardless of how deep the mud you are standing in at this time. Shout Halleluja anyway!

Puzzled

The waters have been rough for over a week now. It is actually like being in quick sand. The more I move, the more difficult it is to breathe. When I find myself in the middle of the muck up to my nose, I find it helpful to remember testimonies of all the times He has reached down and pulled someone else up out of that mirey clay. Then, once again, I find the strength He placed within me rise up so that I can lift my arm up to Him and cry out--or at least my spirit does.

The Lord is good. Last week I had an appointment and my dear friend drove me there. I was lying in the the back of the van on the mattress propped up on pillows. I was wheezing. She began to talk about all the good things our Lord has done in our lives. She said He is so wonderful and His timing and ways are never what we think they should be. We always want it easy and instant. She told of her husband's example of this. One minute she was driving him to the hospital and expecting a third back surgery as the doctors said and then without the surgery he was qualifying for full duty again and passing the physical fitness test. This is something the doctors were calling a miracle. Of course it didn't happen overnight but in a few short months to the surprise of many people God healed him completely . She said one day I am driving my friend who can hardly breathe and the next I know you will be driving to come visit me. It is a prophecy I am clinging to with all my faith. He can do that for me just as He has done for countless others. He is no respecter of persons.

We were talking about the big puzzle of life. That's what I call it. I was thinking about how I always wanted to know what is going to happen but now it is not so much a driving force in my life. I have become more trusting and patient. If I only have a few pieces of the puzzle and no picture to go by it is much more difficult to put together the million piece puzzle of my life. God has the picture. He knows which pieces go where and at what time to place them there. If I was left to put it together myself, I may make some wrong choices or try to force some pieces together that weren't meant to be and mess it up. When you are missing just one piece, it can never be finished properly. I am glad I have the most important piece--Jesus--in place. It is right in the center and all the other pieces fit tightly to it and build around it. Trouble is I seem to want to put the outside edges together first. Those clean cut edges that define the boundaries are tempting and easier to put together--much easier for me to put together by myself. Why is it so easy to slip into that fleshy way of doing things? It is so much easier to hand the reigns over to the Lord and let him drive. Yet, I keep trying to grab the wheel. It is such a foolish thing to do when only He has the map and knows my destination and all the stops I should be making along the way. What if I miss one of those important stops? How much different will the puzzle be? More importantly, how will it effect the lives of others? I don't feel my purpose is to just get out of life all it has to offer me. I feel my purpose here is to positively effect the lives of others. So, I get puzzled about a lot of things. Mainly, how can I be used by God lying here in this bed? Amazingly, He has and continues to do so in ways I never would have imagined. I don't believe it is His will that I be sick but He has worked out this "mess" for His good. Puzzled? Evidently, I grabbed the wheel and jerked my ship off coarse. It's time to let Him have complete control. Only He can set it all straight.

Are You Listening Or Are You Hearing?

It has been a long time since I made an entry-almost five months. Where have I been? Listening and hearing. There's a big difference between listening and hearing. One you do with your ears and one you do with your heart. Oddly, to hear you have to listen. What have I been focusing my attention on you ask. Changes.
I read something written by Jay Adams tonight that I found profound. He asked, "When is a liar not a liar?" and answers from Ephesians 4 "the liar is no longer a liar only when he becomes a truth teller." He talks about putting off and putting on. I want to throw off and jump into and skip the longsuffering. But, there is a season and a precursor to some seasons. Have you ever had cabin fever? You know that feeling that although you know in your heart the snow will melt and the flowers bloom once again--it sure doesn't look like it or feel like it and you are so tired of that stuck in the snow bank with no hope of digging out feeling. It is then that you dig out the seed catalogs and start planning your planting and dream of the harvest. Well, that's what my folks used to do.
So, I have been digging in the Word, praising and worshiping, praying and dreaming of the harvest. Not just planting seeds but cultivating them and BELIEVING that they will sprout, grow, bloom, blossom and bear much abundant fruit. It finally got from my head to my heart--the only place where it can grow. I was listening but now I am hearing.

Before moving to NC, I lived in Maine most of my life. I used to say that they had 6 months of winter. It really seemed like it to me. Seriously, we had the heat on at night from late August through June. The winters seem so long. I looked forward to the January thaw. It got up in the 40's and we through off our coats to play outside. Cruelly, it only lasted a few short days but it was our first glimpse of spring-a reviving of the hope of spring. This would continue on with colder and warmer until you were convinced spring was finally here. Then, we often got that spring snow storm. The one that often tried to cover the early spring blooms. But we could not be deterred this time because we knew that we knew that in a few short weeks all the trees would be budded out and all would be in full array of colors. Once again we would have made it through the long cold winter and like calves let out to pasture we would leap and dance in the sun's warmth again.

It sounds silly. How could you let yourself get that low when you know it is only temporary? How could you let depression creep in? How could you ever doubt? But when you are nose deep in a snow drift and the cold is seeping into your bones, it is easy to forget that underneath your feet are planted crocus bulbs and they will burst through the snow at their appointed time in all their beauty. It is good to keep a picture of them handy to remind yourself. Keep your focus on the beauty to come not the barrenness around you.

Lately, it has been like that slow awakening of spring. The thaw then the deep freeze. The warmer temperatures then the cold. The slow creep up from week to week. The snowstorms and the occasional freezing rain. The ups and downs of the long season that seem to last forever. But, I have a picture in my head of budded trees, green grass, azaleas, wisteria, magnolias--oh the sweet smell of the magnolias.

That is how I am progressing. Things were thawing nicely and then a 'snow storm' and today I was exhausted from trying to dig out again. But I got out my 'seed catalog' and made my heart hear once again how beautiful the garden will be no matter how much snow is on top right now. And, it will thaw, it may be muddy for awhile but it will dry up, the grass will green up and be easier to walk on. I shall reap the harvest if I do not faint. God will not abandon me in my winter season. He will bring me forth into spring and summer and eventually to the bountiful harvest.