GOTTA WONDER! or, GOD OF WONDER!

My husband and I were talking about the huge rally recently held by a certain, well-known, conservative, talk-show host in Washington D.C... While we spoke, today's title came to mind.. (At least the 'GOTTA WONDER!' part).. because the song, "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus," came on the radio. It made me wonder just how many people who think they are Christians, would be willing and able to sing, "I have decided to follow Jesus- I have decided to follow Jesus- I have decided to follow Jesus-- No turning back- NO TURNING BACK." Unfortunately, many today are enticed into believing that simply 'following rules and/or doing the things I'm expected to do religiously,' makes one a Christian. This is a cause for great concern since millions of sincere, God-fearing individuals are being robbed of what the LORD truly intends for them.They don't even realize they are clinging to worthless idols parading as the 'right religious thing to do.'- Thus, they forfeit the grace that could be theirs as JONAH 2:8 says.
Blessedly though, millions have accepted the truth that through the sacrifice of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, we can be, and are intended to be, living in an exhilerating, personal relationship to the LORD. We are the ones who have recognized the 'Prince of this world,' as a master of deception, who manages to disguise his 'versions' (the 'You need to do this, or that-- and, read books other than the Bible, etc. sort of 'Christianity') of being a 'Christian' as acceptable.(ARG!) Therefore- My question for each of you today is, "ARE you willing and able to truly sing, 'I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS,' as opposed to doing WHAT other religious leaders or groups may impose upon you as they offer the hope you'll have been 'good enough,' or have 'done enough,' to live forever in God's goodness and presence (or become a god yourself.. UGH!)
When one does decide to focus on, and commit to, following JESUS only, the discovery and revelation of the GOD OF WONDERS will delight and endear them forever! I speak from experience!! You can too!

Are We Believin' We'll Be Leavin'?

Hello, and blessings to all who may read this- This past few weeks has been sending myself and others around me one key question-- ARE WE living as if we are believing we could be leaving this planet Earth at any moment? It is so nice to be able to say I am assured that if I do, I KNOW for certain I'll be truly 'home' in the presence of my blessed CREATOR... After all- He created me to live in fellowship and communion with HIM.. YES! Direct, personal, intimate friendship with the LORD is what I already know while 'down here,' but I am fascinated by the prospect of JOY beyond measure when it's time for me to 'be leavin!' Hey! I just realized my assurance of this is because I AM believin! I don't believe based on feelings or wishes, but based on the facts of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If any of you readers doesn't know the ONE of whom I speak, use your phone to call 1-888-NEED HIM... A 'real' person is there to speak of my LORD to you.. Blessed wishes! Sheila

IT'S ALMOST A RELIEF--

CURRENTLY, WE ARE SHARING IN THE GRIEF DUE TO THE LOSS OF A MAN IN OUR CONGREGATION.. HE WAS 'ONLY' 53 YEARS OLD. BELIEVE ME- IT'S NOT 'ALMOST A RELIEF' TO HAVE HIM GONE FROM OUR MIDST!... BUT, THE FACT THAT MANY HAVE LEARNED TO NOT TRY TO MAKE GOD ANSWER THE QUESTION OF 'WHY?', BUT WILL INSTEAD ASK HIM, 'WHAT will you do as a result of this?' OR 'HOW can You be glorified through this?' IS THE RELIEF... YOU SEE- IT IS A PEACE-FILLED FEELING WHEN WE CAN TRUST THE LORD ENOUGH TO NOT NEED TO REQUEST THAT HE EXPLAIN HIMSELF TO US.. HIS WAYS ARE NOT OUR WAYS AND HIS THOUGHTS ARE NOT OUR THOUGHTS.. BUT, HE DOES PROMISE TO KEEP US IN PERFECT PEACE WHEN OUR MINDS ARE 'STAYED ON HIM.' HE HAS SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE ABOUT WHAT'S BEST FOR US AND FOR HIS GLORY OVERALL IN THE LONG RUN, THAT WE CAN REST ASSURED HE WILL BRING IT ABOUT IF WE WANT HIM TO... RELIEF FROM FRUSTRATION AND ANXIETY IS AVAILABLE TO US IF WE CHOOSE TO RECEIVE IT.. BLESSINGS TO ALL!

SUCH A DELIGHT!

I'd like to praise God for the joy I know as I am listening to my grandson's account of his youth group's mission trip to Twisp, WA. What a blessing to hear how the LORD is working in him as he approaches his junior year of high school. I am so glad to be his grandma as well as a prayer warrior for him and his family. The Lord loves to encourage me and HE has chosen this particular way today! May our Lord bless you all! Sheila Oh! In contrast, I am now listening to our daughter's account of how totally goofed up everything was today in the bookkeeping system where she works! Not a lot of delight there, except she seems to have taken it well... Thank you, Jesus!

WHAT IF YOU KNEW...?

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to pray over/for a lady whose body was just about finished living here on Earth.. This gal had no family present and had seemed to be very bitter during the time I was aware of her. You just 'gotta wonder' if she knew her days were coming to an end... (Her mind has been gone for over 3 years now.) I am sitting here wondering if I would change anything if I knew for certain that I'd 'pass on' within the next 48 hours or so... What about you? I am at peace with the LORD so I guess I'd just try to let others know I would be seeing them 'later' in the presence of Jesus! Other than that, I might take care of a little housework or call a few people I've not contacted recently.. And, of course, I'd spend a lot of time in my hubby's arms! Blessings for now!

Hello out there! Just in case anyone has time to read this, I am asking if you know how I can transfer my documents to these blog posts.. I'd love to eventually get all of my previous writings onto this blog so that I can just meet new people and give them this address so they can access whatever they'd like to read.. Is there any hope of being able to do this? Let me know what you know... Because He Loves You and Me! Sheila Dean

HIS GRACE STILL AMAZES ME!

Hello to all- As I learn to use this more and as I spread the word about this way to make the materials I write and have written available to more readers, I trust you will bear with me.. I've just returned from 10 glorious nights/days up at Deception Pass (renamed Reception Pass by us last year since the Lord always has something for us to 'receive' when we are up there.) Well.... I guess the 'best' thing HE sent us this time was the joy of the assurance of His grace and presence in our lives constantly. Several opportunities arose for Him to just let us enjoy being His children! I trust that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ will vitalize each of you day by day! I Corinthians 15:10 essentially says, "It is by the grace of God I am what I am- May that grace not be ineffectual.." Blessings to all! Sheila