We Can KNOW WELL...the FIRST NOEL

I've been having fun this season as I have shared with other believer/receivers just what a joy it is to be able to say "We CAN Know Well, The ONE of THE FIRST NOEL." I've always liked puns.. Just pause to think of this.. We ARE welcome in the presence of THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY! He calls us FRIENDS! Just as Adam and Eve walked and talked with HIM before making the wrong decision allowing themselves to be duped by that fallen angel, Lucifer, in a serpent's body, we can also WALK and TALK with the LORD directly.. He knows us intimately, and desires for us to KNOW WELL just how compassionate, gracious, merciful and wondrous HE TRULY IS!!  So, from now on, as you hear or sing THE FIRST NOEL, pause to be thankful that we can really KNOW WELL the ONE of THE FIRST NOEL!!

COME ON, RING THOSE BELLS!

This year, I am again loving the leading of a favorite Christmas song of mine.. It is 'COME ON RING THOSE BELLS' which goes on to say, "Light the Christmas tree! Jesus is the KING, born for you and me! Come on ring those bells, everybody say, 'JESUS WE REMEMBER THIS YOUR BIRTHDAY!'                            As I convey these lyrics to you, I am also thinking of the movie, THE POLAR EXPRES which seemed to assume one must 'believe in order to hear' the bell ring. I don't know about any of you, but I have come to realize it is JESUS who is the 'jingle' in my bell, and that I believe because I hear, not, vice versa! This believing takes the form of TRUSTING my Lord so I can thrive! I also thrive because I know it's not a matter of how many years I live, but of the quality of life I have in them. Welcoming the Lord's attention to, and intentions towards me as I seek to glorify Him, succeed in confirming my hearing of my Lord. The bottom line is there is no doubt whatsoever in my soul about the TRUE REALITY OF THE LORD'S EXISTENCE! Consequently, I BELIEVE because I HEAR. I pray you will all be able to identify with what I've shared.   Perhaps an altered version of the song I opened with could be sung as, COME ON HEAR THOSE BELLS,  let the LORD WITHIN, LEAD YOU IN HIS LOVE FLOWING FROM ABOVE... etc..! (You can let HIM write the rest for your life!)

GIANT YELLOW 'SNOWFLAKES?'

 I am taking this moment to share a picture of sheer ecstasy I witnessed this past Friday during Kindergarten recess at my school... It was a particularly breezy day with strong? gusts! A bank of large aspen trees next to  the playground was giving up its final foliage in a grand manor! With each sustained 'gust,' those of us out there were delighted to see it SNOWING? the seemingly large yellowish 'flakes!' The level of JOY in the students, and us staff, was wonderful! One boy even said, 'THIS IS THE BEST RECESS EVER!'  My joy was enhanced by seeing their reactions as they tossed leaves at each other, and even tried to 'bury' a gal in them!!! This caused me to wonder how we might delight our LORD when/as we recognize all HE does to provide extra special moments of JOY-producers in our lives...  Since Friday, I have thanked HIM  over and over again for the richness of expressions on faces as we sing of his marvelous love, mercy, grace, and, SO MUCH MORE!! My heart is filled to overflowing, as "Out of the fullness of  his grace, He pours out blessing upon blessing!" (John 1:16)  May we all remember to COUNT OUR BLESSINGS.. naming them one-by-one! (I hear a song!) 

SO.. HOW 'BOUT ANOTHER? (profound thought!)

This past week, I was blessed by meeting a new resident of a facility I lead the singing of hymns in. Of course, I constantly meet new residents since I am in 8 buildings which house assisted living, nursing care, or memory care individuals. (I only lead  the singing of 'HYMNSPIRATIONS' in 5 of those though, then make 'house calls' into patient/resident rooms at the 3 others.) At any rate, now that the 'F.Y.I.' is over, I want to convey my response to my new lady's comment.                 She'd sung with me on Thursday afternoon for my first time meeting her, then I got to make a 'house call' to her yesterday. She shared with me how she'd worked among the homeless for several years .... As I was preparing to depart, out came this comment.. 'I never knew which homeless one might be JESUS standing there!' Somehow, as she said this, it resonated deeply within me! Her devotion to these dear ones was 'cemented' in place by her awareness of our LORD'S presence with us. May we all see others around us today as being made in God's image.. BODY, SOUL, and SPIRIT. May we see all as being treasured by HIM! Somehow, it sure helps me to 'love the unlovable,' when I realize how ALL humans are intended to be led to true spiritual vitality and health of soul through the blood of our BLESSED REDEEMER! Now, may the 'God of the peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved unblameably in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.' I Thessalonians 5:23

Oh, BTW, one other blessing this week was when I walked into our staff lunchroom at school and found a new 'guest teacher' who had a small paper booklet called OUR DAILY BREAD open by her. What a thrill it was to instantly connect to her.. Our time was limited, but our obvious bond in JESUS endeared us as though we'd known each other a LONG time!! (Welcome, newest reader!! C U soon, I hope!)

ANOTHER PROFOUND TRUTH!

Many posts, and many months ago, I wrote about the profound statement made to me by a dear senior saint. I'd told him just how much JESUS loved us, to which he replied, "So we must REALLY LOVE HIM TOO!' Recently, I had the opportunity to make a comment on a dear sister's blog in response to one of her reader's desire to be more compassionate and gracious in the presence of painful circumstances. I was able to realize how valuable a counselor’s statements to me in 1985 were. He simply taught me this truth.. HURT PEOPLE HURT PEOPLE and/or PAIN CAN CAUSE IRRATIONALITY/IRRESPONSIBILITY. I think I have a mature, ‘clean’ mouth and mind, but when I stub my bare toe, I utter an expletive which I don’t consider to be responsible or rational. This is just one teeny tiny example of how pain can lead to regretted actions/words!! Whether the pain is old or new, big or little, emotional or physical, addressed or unaddressed, it can wreak havoc with our best intentions and desires to glorify and enjoy our Lord and those around us. I hope this helps. OH! A later counselor helped me learn what to do with any pesky pain… HE said to literally picture myself nailing it to the cross or leaving it at the foot of it! Tell the LORD.. 'As I am in pain, I rejoice in knowing you will carry me as I receive your care throughout this period in my life.' It’s amazing how He brings relief! May we all realize when we are in pain, then remember to let Him take care of it so we can live lives more glorifying to HIM!

SOMETHING'S ROTTEN IN ....DENMARK??

Hello to all! I just have to share how amused I was recently as our LORD put 2 exclamation marks on a lesson HE was teaching me! Basically, HE was at work in me to identify and eliminate a source of rottenness which was 'hiding' in my life.. I had asked HIm to reveal unknown sin, and, 'Boy did HE ever!' As I was taken through this ferreting out of this issue, HE led me to discover 2 physical, rotting things in my world also... On the very same day that I had urgent dental care for a cavity next to a crown which was causing some decay beneath the edge of the crown, He also let me find a bag of forgotten, donated, rotting squash and tomatoes UNDER the driver's seat of my car!! I really love how our LORD can show his sense of humor! The dental care/rotten veggies day was the same one on which I 'let go, and let God' deal with the rotting factor in my life!! ISN'T HE WONDERFUL!? Now, I'll always have 2 visual pix of areas of sin in my life!! It makes me wonder what HE will reveal next! OUCH!             But who better to trust with surgery on my  soul's mind, emotions, and will???                              I Thessalonians 5:23  May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.      May we all welcome all He needs to do as He sanctifies us through and through!!!  Well, it's time to say GOD BLESS YOU  all for now... Until I write again!!!! Warmly, Sheila 

NO CUTE TITLE!

OSWALD CHAMBERS once said, 'THE MAIN THING ABOUT CHRISTIANITY IS NOT THE WORK WE DO, BUT THE RELATIONSHIP WE MAINTAIN AND THE ATMOSPHERE PRODUCED BY THAT RELATIONSHIP.' THAT IS ALL GOD ASKS US TO LOOK AFTER, AND IT IS THE ONE THING THAt IS BEING CONTINUALLY ASSAILED.'                                                                                     D. L. MOODY said, THE BIBLE WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A SUNDIAL BY MOONLIGHT and, THE LORD SENDS NO ONE AWAY EMPTY EXCEPT THOSE WHO ARE FULL OF THEMSELVES. 

        I just wanted to share these thought-provoking truths with all of you.           May the LORD bless and keep each of you in HIS perfect peace as your minds are stayed on HIM!!  (ISAIAH 26:3)    SORRY, I can't get this to look right on the screen today... Oh well... TAKE CARE!

MY WILL, OR HIS WAY?

Usually, the question to ponder would be, "My will, or his will?' Well, I've been realizing how considering his WAY can be more helpful to me... Even JESUS had to do this... Just what do I consider to be 'his WAY,?' you are asking yourselves.. HE is showing me at least two components to it.. OBEDIENCE, and ASKING IN HUMILITY coming to the forefront in importance! Moment by moment, I must choose to trust and obey, for there's no other way to be 'happy' in JESUS...For me, this obedience means 'having no other god before HIM!' Also, I must constantly be willing to ask for, and receive HIS POWER for overcoming, and being set free from the 'chains that seek to bind me!' In fact, I have been recruiting some prayer power from two sets of saints I fellowship with this week. The constant battle with 'my' flesh can lead me to discouragement at times but I am learning to 'ward it off' by humbly 'upping the amps' on prayer support for this matter...  I was reading 2 blogs yesterday when I noted how we all MUST humbly call on our LORD for even the most seemingly 'insignificant' matters... HE is always ready, willing, and certainly, ABLE to do all we ask, to HIS GLORY!!  Finally, I am reminded of Satan's garage sale where all of his 'goods' were for sale at the same price except for DISCOURAGEMENT.. It was priced higher because, "It's my most valuable tool since most don't recognize it as mine!" he says!                       I also realize I should be thankful for my battle being with an internal foe that I have seen defeated often, and not with the dilemma of a long-term illness threatening a loved one, etc.. I can testify though, to the way HE CAN, and DOES, carry us throughout similar times.. It's HIS WAY! (if we LET Him!)

Women of Fate or, Women of Faith?

Recently, I was with a group of ladies when something was said to the effect of us not being subject to 'fate.' I wholeheartedly agreed while saying something to the effect of, 'That's because we are women of faith!' Needless to say, I like to play with words so I couldn't resist turning these phrases into a blog title.. So, here you have it!! One key thought I've been 'sitting on' for awhile, is about how it bothers me when people say their faith saved(s) them, thus seeming to give the act of believing/receiving the actual power of saving them when, in reality, it is/was the redemptive act of Christ's shedding of his blood, thus sacrificing his life as atonement for my sins, that SAVES us. FAITH should not be personified. I've always comprehended FAITH as Forsaking All, I Trust Him. This states that it is an act of my will.. a determination to, and commitment to, trusting HIM, no matter what! I like an older chorus which says, "To hear with my heart, to see with my soul... to be guided by a hand I cannot hold.. To trust in a way that I cannot see... That's what faith must be!!" (In fact, I recall singing this as I drove a bus of campers around a tight horseshoe turn on a one-way mountain road!!!) Well, that's about all for now!! Join me each and every day as I count my blessings while TRUSTING HIM as entirely as I know how at this point in my walk with our Savior!! 

HE Did It AGAIN!

Being a blogger is SO MUCH FUN because it gives me somewhere to share some of the most interesting moments in, or aspects of my walk with my LORD JESUS CHRIST.. So, just what DID HE do for me (us) again? Well, these past 2 evenings we have needed to be a ferry-ride across Puget Sound in Edmonds, WA for our daughter's wedding rehearsal and the wedding itself! When the festivities ended, we exhausted ones headed down to the ferry dock in Edmonds. BOTH NIGHTS, we were the last car to get onto a ferry just as it was ready to depart.. ABSOLUTELY NO WAITING was needed!! Some of you 'out there' may not be able to identify with the life of ferry travelers, so let it suffice to say that we were truly DELIGHTED as we counted our blessings of having made it onto those 2 ferries with the obvious 'I'M GOING TO POUR OUT A BLESSING ON YOU,' coming from our wondrous LORD! I am becoming accustomed to watching HIM as HE 'pours out blessing upon blessing out of the fullness of his grace!' as is stated in JOHN 1:16. Many of us know JOHN 3:16 but way before that verse, JOHN recorded the LORD'S intention to give us reasons to 'COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS! NAME THEM ONE BY ONE!'   Finally, for now, I'd like to record one of the other expression of his love for us related to the wedding... More than a week or two prior to the wedding, the weather was looking like it would not be nice for an outdoor ceremony.. So, many dear ones began praying fervently, so you know HE answered! We has gloriously clear skies, warm (almost HOT!) temperatures, and a breeze to keep us from being TOO hot!! Isn't God great and good?! (ALL THE TIME!) BFN

COURAGEOUS ONES!

Not long ago, a movie called COURAGEOUS came out after being preceeded by the playing of it's theme song frequently on the radio..It still gets air time so it must be inspiring many out there..  I, personally, have had a moderately 'hard' time with this whole concept of the NEED to be courageous since my temperament simply TRUSTS my LORD to know what is best and how to bring it about.. Words like 'RISK' and 'COURAGE' have not registered in my soul until recently... Now, I will tell you what it took!! 

While camping this summer, I took a 'sneak peak' at the Gospel of MATTHEW since John and  I will spend 30 weeks in it with Bible Study Fellowship (Google it!) this school year... I was amazed at how familiar texts I've read MANY times in the past, were seemingly JUMPING right off the pages at me! This is truly a wonderful aspect of the WORD OF GOD.. It is LIVING and ACTIVE!! I finally saw COURAGE in action as I noticed 2 individuals early in the book.. One was a LEPER.. the other was a ROMAN CENTURION.. Talk about 2 kinds of people unwelcome near HEBREWS! Obviously, lepers were NOT to mingle near healthy people! Then, of course, there were the ever-present Roman 'watch dogs,' who were no Hebrew's favorite company.. WELL, they both desired 'the touch of the Master's hand,' so to say. THUS, when He came near, neither of them was intimidated, but both showed instant COURAGE and DETERMINATION in order to access JESUS! Neither showed shame at their need, and both TRUSTED they would not look like fools!! The 'BOTTOM LINE' to this lesson for me is.. THERE IS JOY IN KNOWING I AM WELCOME IN HIS PRESENCE!!  As they experienced his nearness, COURAGE  arose within, causing them to not care about being unwelcome, or seeming to be 'inaapropriate,' or, should I say in today's terms, 'POLITICALLY INCORRECT!!?' What area do you want to watch JESUS work wondrously in? Are you thrilled to be near HIM at all times?                                   Here is the text in case you have time to read it..    

MATTHEW 8:1When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2A man with leprosy^a came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

3Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

The Faith of the Centurion

5When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6“Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”

7Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”

8The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith...13Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.

One other principle I uncovered in this early preview was, AUTHORITY is awesome! The centurion knew it, Jesus had it, and we are children of his.. soldiers in HIS army.. AUTHORITY over the adversary is ours if only we appropriate it!!  I am still like a pre-toddler (a little shaky!) as I grow in my realization of this!! Spiritual 'muscles,' like our physical ones, only develop through use and practice!! Blessings to all.. Because HE LOVES US!! Sheila

"Down and out" or, LIFTED UP?

Two images come to my mind immediately as I type 'LIFTED UP'... ISAIAH 40:31 is the beloved verse which inspires us as we consider being lifted up on the updrafts which eagles soar in/on.. They make no effort to fly and seem peaceful as they are there!! We all love those times in life when we KNOW we are one of 'them,' experiencing the goodness of our LORD as HE is supporting us in times of peace, warmth, contentment, and more!  The other image I have is the initial one behind this post.. The well-known FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND delights us as we read, 'IT WAS THEN I CARRIED YOU,' as Jesus' response to our query regarding the single set of footprints as opposed to the two sets seen at first..! Yesterday, I shared with some of those I was singing for and with, just how we all have this choice daily!! Will we insist on being 'down and out,' (discouraged, frustrated, resentful, or other feelings) over whatever is causing us duress, or, will we welcome HIS desire and ability to CARRY US.. LIFT US UP ... so we may be freed from the morass our enemy sets to 'trap' us in?! CURRENTLY, on contemporary Christian radio stations like spirit105.3 (website) and KLUV? stations, the #1 song is HELLO, MY NAME IS... by Matthew West.. I absolutely love how it declares, HELLO, MY NAME IS  'CHILD OF THE ONE TRUE KING'... No more 'name' of REGRET or DEFEAT, which the song starts with!! Today, will you delight in being LIFTED UP and CARRIED as a CHILD OF THE ONE TRUE KING who DELIGHTS in doing so for you?? Hope so! I sure need to remember to welcome his doing so many times a day as I face battles with my flesh.... UGH! But, PTL.. He never leaves me or forsakes me! (HEBREWS 13:5)

'NEXT OF KIN'.. TO THE TRINITY!

AS of the arrival of the new prince in England, some of us may be thinking thoughts like.. “Well, he’ll never want for anything!”.. or, “ Will he ever have a normal childhood?,” etc.. I find myself being somewhat glad to never have been assured of full accommodations being made for my every ‘need.’  (and much more?) since that would come with many restrictions ‘for my protection and welfare.’  But, then again, I stop to remember that I am FULLY PROVIDED FOR, and that I am a daughter of the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!! What do I mean by saying full accommodations and arrangements may not have been made to meet all of my needs??? OOOOPPPSSS!  If I recall correctly, ‘My God shall supply all my needs according to his riches and glory in Christ Jesus!’(Philippians 4;13) The wondrous facts about this are how ‘My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest of foods,’ and ‘The LORD is my shepherd.. I shall NOT WANT!”(Psalm 63:5 and Psalm 23:1-2) Come to think of it, I am very glad to be HIS daughter on earth since I have not/will not be too overly protected/sheltered, except by the very BEST who KNOWS what I truly need!! Being one of the LORD’S children entitles me to an eternal inheritance, along with peace, hope, joy, assurance, mercy, grace, and SO MUCH MORE!! Are you one of the ‘KING’S KIN?’ HOPE SO!!

Titus 3:4-7 ..when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

If you’d like further info, read on as I share some confirmation of what I’ve stated.  Ezekiel 44:28 "'I am to be the only inheritance the priests have. You are to give them no possession in Israel; I will be their possession.” (Did you know we are all called priests?... YES! Some research I did yielded this information from The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia which totally concurs with how I comprehend this wondrous truth!  ‘In ancient times it was held that men in general could not have direct access to God, that any approach to Him must be mediated by some member of the class of priests, who alone could approach God, and who must accordingly be employed by other men to represent them before Him. This whole conception vanishes in the light of Christianity. By virtue of their relation to Christ all believers have direct approach to God, and consequently, as this right of approach was formerly a priestly privilege, priesthood may now be predicated of every Christian. That none needs another to intervene between his soul and God; that none can thus intervene for another; that every soul may and must stand for itself in personal relation with God-such are the simple elements of the New Testament doctrine of the priesthood of all believers.’ Of course, we all know this is because JESUS IS OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST so we can boldly approach the Throne of God!. HEBREWS is full of this truth! He is our intercessor FOREVER!! HEBREWS 10:19-25 presents this so well!

JUST BLOGGIN'!

I desire to convey to any/all of you ‘out there’ just how much it means to me to be one who has chosen to welcome THE LORD’S intentions for, and through me. As I spent hours this morning reading, and responding to a blog which shares a mother’s experiences as she watches her young daughter fighting against AML (leukemia of a really tough kind!) for her life, I realized there are some of you ‘out there’ who express gratitude for the times I do a  post. So, although I am not currently being carried in HIS  ARMS OF GRACE through any particular ‘threat’ to ‘my comfort zone,’ I can write as one who testifies to his wondrous ways of doing so since I have been graciously supported and sustained  through at least 2 major times of potential darkness. All I know is how GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS. I remember how a statement in a book about a very severely, and lengthily tortured believer in China contains a statement which still blesses me as it ‘blows me away!’ The suffering one relates how he wouldn’t trade all those times of torment for ‘better circumstances,’ etc.. The reason he gives is something like this.. “FOR, YOU SEE, IT WAS DURING THESE TIMES MY JESUS WAS NEAREST AND DEAREST TO ME!” The bottom line when it comes to suffering seems to be.. We will all face some of it so we get to decide how close to let Him be to, and through, us at these times..(I think of the time my family and I did a sand ‘sculpture?’ which showed the 2 sets of footsteps turning into only one.. The caption on the final picture/sculpture? said, “It was then I carried you!”)   My acquaintance with the AML-fighting daughter is really gifted of the LORD as she has continued to pour out her soul for over 19 months now via cyber-space! Today, I read how a medical student came across the blog while researching AML..(www.conglomerationofjoy.com) This student was moved to a renewal of her relationship to The LORD, which she’d believed to be lost forever!!! HOORAY! So, I just decided to return to the blog address HE’S given me to share the wonders of HIM through!! May each and every one of you rejoice greatly as you count your blessings and read some more posts I should be getting ‘out there’ to all of you…Because HE Loves Us! Sheila    BTW.. WELCOME, newer readers! Please let me know you are ‘out there!’

'JOB' (with a long 'O')DAY, not, WEDNESDAY!

"Twas the day before Thursday, when all through the camp, the campers and staff were awakening to a day of...." Well, Let's just say it wasn't THE BEST DAY EVER IN THE LIFE OF SHILOH . The campers last week were in the process of learning a MUSICAL DRAMA about JOB!! Basically, there were 5 occurrences which 'would have, could have, or certainly should have,' disgruntled those of us in love with the LORD! 1.A teenage young man broke his arm and sustained a slight concussion... 2.The other teen 'boys?' needed to be quarantined due to a bad virus which had struck in their midst..(so ANYWHERE they had been and all they had touched HAD TO be disinfected... WHEW!) 3. Sadly, a couple of gals needed to go home 3 days early... 4. Someone else somehow ran out of a crucial medicine.., and finally, 5. My hubby and I had the afternoon/evening 'off duty,' as cooks at the camp so we headed to the ocean, only to accidentally end up STUCK in the sand as we turned to head off the beach. Our car was not going ANYWHERE! (BTW.. an FYI..for any of you whoever drive on a beach..something we DON'T usually do!, I'll let you know now that AAA does not provide towing service in these circumstances!!!) Soon, we all began to realize how Satan had thrown us his best 'curve balls' that day, but, of course, he had met with defeat as we all just praised God for his goodness to us and his glory all around us! (In spite of no visible other vehicles on the beach, a large truck with a towing strap 'showed up' just as we'd learned of AAA's lack of support in our situation!..The couple in it were the LORD's! So, we had no time to 'despair,' because, of course GOD had been there all along, and knew just EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED, WHEN AND HOW!! Philippians 4:19 confirms how our Lord 'shall supply ALL our needs according to his riches and glory in Christ Jesus! Because JOB remained humble, we all know how God restored his 'losses' at least two-fold! May we all remember to count our blessings even when those 'curve balls' are coming at us fast and furiously! (can you tell I like to watch baseball when I can?!)

Mad AT, or Mad ABOUT You???

Recently, my husband and I attended a Joyce Meyer conference just for the Saturday AM session. Her theme for that conference was, GOD'S NOT MAD AT YOU! How true! I am thinking though how she STOPPED SHORT of a second phrase which could have enhanced her statement.. How about this.. GOD'S NOT MAD AT YOU, BUT HE IS 'MAD ABOUT' YOU'!!? I can only imagine the depth of the JOY set before HIM that kept HIM on the cross. Nothing else could have!!(HEBREWS 12:1-2) His joy at the prospect of FINISHING the redemptive work necessary to reconcile us to the Father (Him!) must have been nothing short of exhilarating since HE is SO mad about us! We are created in his image!! No other created being is/was!! (nor are the rocks, trees, etc!) Having us living life on Earth in communion with Him and to his glory is truly a phenomenal reason for Him being mad about us!! (and all who respond gratefully to his plan/hopes/intentions for, and through us!!)

YESTERDAY, TOMORROW,... TODAY!

I saw a reader board that said something like 'YESTERDAY WAS ALREADY... TOMORROW IS NOT FOR SURE.. TODAY IS HERE SO USE IT WISELY..' but I revised it in my mind so it can be more to the glory of our LORD as He works in lives!!  I now say, YESTERDAY WAS...TOMORROW MAY NOT BE... TODAY, CAN BE LIVED IN GOD'S GRACE! We all have moment-by-moment choices to make as to whether we will allow/welcome HIS presence within us to empower living in such a manner as to please HIM.. I only 'wish' I'd remember to think of this every moment of every day!! Here's to a sharper, more intentional use of my mind so that 'my' will is more often his!! I know I Corinthians 10:13 says I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me if only... Well, you know what the apostle Paul says in Romans 7! (That's the chapter where he addresses the constant struggle with his flesh!! How well we all know of which he speaks.. )  May the LORD be glorified as we consider that new phrase I wrote about above! Blessings!

Wrinkle-free Eyeballs..

Oooookaaaay.... What's that title about? Well...today, as I am being hassled by my husband's new shirt which is definitely NOT 'permanent press,' I am reminded of how my face is also now NOT 'wrinkle free!' Recently, while lamenting this fact of my 60 plus age, my husband and I laughed aloud when I said, "At least my eyeballs can't wrinkle!!" Quite the contrary seems to be 'true..' For, the longer I am in love with the LORD, the shinier my eyeballs 'feel' to me! I'm just having a little fun with this as I go on to say I don't think I'd WANT to see shiny, wrinkled eyeballs!! My 'bottom line' on this post is, THE OLDER I GET ON THE OUTSIDE, THE YOUNGER AND FRESHER I BECOME ON THE INSIDE!! My soul (mind, emotions, and will) rejoices as the Spirit of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ dwells patiently and compassionately within!! In fact, years ago, I became fond of saying, "I love to GO, GROW, and GLOW!" (Wrinkle free!) All those who love the LORD can do so also! 

COUNTING COUNTERACTS!

Hello dear reading ones,  This is a truth I love to convey which is so well confirmed in PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7, and in the lovable hymn, 'COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.'  Simply stated, GRATEFULLY COUNTING our blessings is a great way to COUNTERACT despair, discouragement, fear, anxiety, and any other 'goods' the enemy might aim your direction!! (Have you heard that at his 'yardsale,' the devil had priced all his 'goods' like envy, hate, pride, lust, etc. at the same price, .. but, DISCOURAGEMENT was priced higher because he said that was his most valuable 'tool' since most don't recognize it as 'his!') Anyhow, we can rejoice in our LORD'S matchless provisions of peace, hope, joy, mercy, grace, purpose, and of course, irresistible pure love if we simply take time to recognize these and say a heartfelt 'THANK YOU!'  JESUS died so we don't have to accept the devil's 'goods!' (or 'pay the price' of 'buying' them!!)  I just thought of a great 'closing line' for this 'article..'.. IN LIFE, WE CAN BE PRO-ACTIVE, RE-ACTIVE, OR... COUNTER-ACTIVE!!! (How high CAN you count?.. PSALM 40 indicates it's impossible to give account of all He does for us and the hymn, THE LOVE OF GOD, helps us to realize there aren't enough resources to record the vastness of his great love!)   Blessings to all! Sheila   PS- An FYI.. PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7 lets us know to "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let our requests be known to God..for then the peace of God with surpasses all comprehension WILL guard our hearts and minds in CHRIST JESUS!"

SHEPHERD, OR LAMB?

Recently, I have been appreciating how our LORD JESUS CHRIST is truly the PERFECT SHEPHERD, yet was also the final sacrificial LAMB... As I lead HYMNSPIRATIONS frequently, I never cease to be amazed at how often THE LAMB OF GOD or the use of 'LAMB' is in the lyrics of a song. Yet, we all know well, the wonderful 23rd Psalm and John, chapter 10, which assure us of His wondrous ways as our shepherd! I won't elaborate at this point but just consider how it must have felt for our merciful, gracious, compassionate, faithful shepherd to face his coming crucifixion? Hebrews 12:1-2  records how 'for the joy set before Him, He endured the shame of the cross.' From perfect shepherd to perfect lamb.. without blemish, so, fully qualified as an atoning sacrifice for our sins... 

Along the line of thought regarding Jesus as our Shepherd, I was blessed recently when a speaker was answering the question of whether or not Jesus claimed to be God.. Think about this simple indicator of the fact that HE DID! Since Psalm 23 says 'THE LORD' is my shepherd and in John 10, JESUS says He is the good shepherd, how could He NOT BE CLAIMING TO BE GOD???

YAHWEH, OR MY WAY?

Wow! It's been more than a month since I wrote did a post.. Some of  you received these thoughts via a direct email recently, but I am posting it now for those who might be reading it who aren't on my email list. I've just had this SUBJECT phrase resounding within me for 3-6 months now, so I finally decided to send it to you this way... Simply put, many times a day, I need to make that decision.. WILL I DO THINGS AS YAHWEH WOULD DESIRE, OR WILL I CHOOSE MY WAY? I don't know about you, but it really helps me to act wisely if/when I stop to think of how I could be hurting my precious LORD as I refuse HIS power to act in way pleasing, and glorifying to HIM.. How about you?? What will it be today?  YAHWEH, OR MY WAY??                                                                             I CORINTHIANS 10:13 reminds each of us how He provides a way of escape for us when we are tempted so we are able to hold up under it..After all, the ones we encounter are 'common to man,' so we need not feel alone in our need for his care for us at these times!!

MESSAGE RECEIVED!

Sometimes, a believer in, and receiver of, our LORD's wonderful, merciful, gracious love, is sent a resounding message from HIM! Today, I am joyfully proclaiming, "O.K. LORD, I 'get it!  Message received!"  A few months ago, I was musing on the term, 'beautiful' Savior.  (Somehow, it just didn't seem 'masculine enough' to consider HIM to be' beautiful!'.. although, I know He truly is, especially when I consider the completed 'work' He did and ALL THAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED AND MADE POSSIBLE AS A RESULT!) At any rate, YESTERDAY, our Lord Jesus began sending a confirmation of his beauty to me when one of the residents where I'd led a HYMNSPIRATION, told me I am beautiful.. I was blessed by this even as I deferred her indication directly to our Lord, by saying something like, "Well, thank you.. I trust you are seeing that JESUS in/through me.."   THEN, this morning, as I listened to the music on  MORNING DEVOTIONS on my radio station www.kcisradio.com , I was tickled to hear 2 consecutive songs declaring HIS BEAUTY! (and to think, 'BEAUTIFUL SAVIOR' wasn't even one of them!) I am no longer musing on using (Oh no!.. the dormant poet in me is emerging!) the term 'BEAUTIFUL' for my SAVIOR! Join me in considering all we know of his beauty, letting Him become more and more evident to, and through, you from this day forward to the Glory of God alone!                         Or, SOLI DEO GLORIA, as I love to say! 

FACE and FACTS

Recently, I spoke a new phrase I'd never said as such before.. Basically, I'd said to be certain to focus on facts, and, on the face of JESUS! The two words, FACTS and FACE had never been 'paired' by me as far as I know.. Anyway.. Here's what I am thinking... For over 42 years now, I've appreciated the 'FACTS, FAITH, FEELINGS train' diagram which pictures how we must NOT let our feelings be the engine which 'pulls or powers our train throughout life.' This is because they can really derail us if allowed to.. SO, a believer in Jesus can instead, focus on the FACTS of the gospel, as they fuel their life with faith in those facts and the SOURCE of them! This leads to a life that 'stays on track' since God's character can't change, thus, the FACTS DO NOT CHANGE, as feelings so often do! Take a moment to make a list in your mind of just some of the facts we know to be true! Look up JOHN 1:16, and PHILIPPIANS 4:19 for beginners! OH! How about LAMENTATIONS 3:23?!                                                                                                                                                            This need to focus also leads us to think of the apostle Peter when he stepped out of the boat onto the water.. As long as he focused on the face of JESUS as He bid him, "Come..," he was 'on top of the situation,' but as soon as he noticed the waves, etc., he began to drown!  HOW true for each of us!!  How often do you answer, "OK, under the circumstances.." to one who asks, "How are you doing?"  I am helped in trying situations, by remembering to sing aloud, or in my mind, "TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS... LOOK FULL IN HIS WONDERFUL FACE..and the things of Earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his GLORIOUS GRACE!"  (BTW.. His glorious graciousness is one of his attributes and it cannot change!) STAY FOCUSED!

'AND, AND, AND...!'

While presenting a devotional Bible study this past Wednesday, I was reading aloud through the central section of the NICENE CREED where  it makes statements pertaining to our LORD JESUS CHRIST. As I did, something suddenly struck me.. Here the text..

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father, before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end!

As I was reading, I realized all the 'ands,' resulting in my exuberant proclamation of, "And, and, and, and.. isn't HE GRAND?!" I was both amused, and amazed as I had experienced this spontaneous praise exuding from my being! The attendees in this session were refreshed as I had allowed our LORD to delight me!! How about you today? Will HE delight you in such a manner that you JUST CAN'T CONTAIN IT!?

PS- It had taken 7 sessions (7 weeks!) to present all of those statements about JESUS to the attendees in a devotional Bible study format!! They were awesome weeks, and so was this last Wednesday's 'study' on the statements about the Holy Spirit in the NICENE CREED. (BTW, this creed is recited weekly in thousands of churches all over the world during liturgically-based worship services. It is a corporate statement of faith..)

'And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.' In this study, I 'let' JESUS speak 'for me,' in  JOHN 14 and 16 as HE let his disciples know of the promised Holy Spirit and the joy they'd experience after his departure..