A MOST PROFOUND STATEMENT!

While packing away my supplies after leading a HYMNSPIRATION at a nursing home yesterday, I received a HUGE blessing. It's really difficult to convey the thrill I experienced when a severly hearing-impaired gentleman and I were spending a moment in conversation. I was face to face with him, stooping down so he could really hear me.... I said simply, JESUS REALLY LOVES US... He responded with, 'AND WE REALLY NEED TO LOVE HIM!'

There really isn't a lot more to say at this moment, except to encourage us all to respond to the ONE who first loved us! I get so frustrated with myself when I willingly 'forget' this... For, if and when I do choose to remember just HOW MUCH HE LOVES me, I more readily walk away from matters which lead me to sin by putting them where my LORD should be in my life.. That would be, IN FIRST PLACE AT ALL TIMES!

One more 'quick' thought about all of this is, 'Why do I always want to please my earthly husband, John, yet not seem to care about pleasing my heaven-sent bridegroom who loves me so much more completely and profoundly!?'                                  For those of you who haven't ever seen or read about how HE loves, honors and cherishes you, I will include the poetic form of His message to us through my pen received in 2007. He speaks directly within the quotation marks.. I did NOT attempt to write this message.. HE did.  Warmly, Sheila  (It does not transfer onto this blog in the same format it is stored in my files..Sorry about the 'length' of it on this page.)

                          LOVED, HONORED, and CHERISHED

                                                   “by”
                                             Sheila Dean

Lord Jesus, you are making our story a LOVE story!

For this, I exclaim, “To You be the glory!”

I am your bride. You are my groom!

As I walk by your side, I know that there

will always be room!

You speak so tenderly to me as I dwell closely to you,

“Dear one, there’s nothing you and I can’t do!

My bride, I am committed to love, honor, and cherish

you forever--

You’ll never find yourself saying a perplexed,

‘Whatever!’

As your number of years on Earth will proceed,

please know you are free to speak indeed.

I’ll listen with ears that desire to hear

all of your frustration, doubt, and fear.

You’ll always know that I am faithful, righteous, and just,

while growing deeper in love with me as you yield and trust.

It‘s a joy to have sacrificed my life for yours,

so that you may gratefully discover many open doors!

So, come my Beloved as I take your arm.

The recessional has begun, the hymns have been sung!

The vows have been witnessed by those who are near.

Now it’s time to go forth as my bride, oh, so dear!”

DO YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THEM?

  As I sit, watching SEVEN DAYS IN UTOPIA starring Robert Duvall, I am filled to overflowing with gratitude for so many blessings! In the movie, he just prayed a table grace which deserves to be shared.


"For FOOD in this world where many go hungry-


For FAITH in this world where many live in fear-


For FRIENDS in this world where many are alone-


We give THEE thanks…"


I haven't done a post in a while since life's significant moments which inspire these just seem to 'buzz on by' without me having any time to write about them.. But, today, John and I are finishing up a delightful, one-night stay out at our favorite ocean resort at Moclips, so as the movie is coming to the end, I am quickly recording this to able to post later. Dear readers, I urge you to never hesitate to count your blessings, for often, looming despair will be 'headed off at the pass,' before it can even threaten you! Not only that, make it a priority to keep HIS song in your heart.. whether it be through audible music on radio, CDs, I-pods, etc. or, through humming aloud, or within, any of your most 'singer-friendly' praise choruses or hymns. Try this one on 'for size'… "I LOVE YOU LORD, and I LIFT MY VOICE, to worship YOU- Oh, my soul, REJOICE! Take joy my KING, in what you hear.. May it be a sweet, sweet, sound in your ear!" I am thinking of several others but I'll close with this one- "LORD, YOU are more precious than silver. LORD, YOU are more costly than gold. LORD, YOU are more beautiful than diamonds and nothing I desire compares with You!" What's your choice?      As I was reviewing this message before sending it, that chorus, "I love You Lord and I lift my voice.." came on my computer right as I read those lyrics on this screen..  HE LOVES to hear us declare our love for Him as well as listen when we acknowledge our many blessings. May you also be blessed by doing so.

SEASONS and REASONS...

I've often said, "Life has its seasons, and God has his reasons." I can't think of a time in my lilfe when it's been more important for me to truly believe and apply this truth than now. This past Friday, I was informed of a major change of  'season' coming in my life this week. As I said to my informant, "Who am I to question Him?" tears were forming. These came because at that moment, I was 'caught off guard,' and, I will admit, very saddened.  Only moments later, I needed to be able to re-enter my 'normal' realm of activity minus the tears and jittery insides!  So.. HOW did I do it, and how will I function effectively during this transitional week in my life as 'the season is changing'? ECCLESIASTES 3:1 helps me because focusing on the FACTS in God's Word is one way to help me 'cope,' for the moment. 'THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING, AND A SEASON FOR EVERY ACTIVITY UNDER HEAVEN', assures me my life is not randomly directed, or just plain 'happening..' This comforts me as well as verse 14 in that passage which says, "I know that everthing God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere Him." Since 1973, my purpose for living has been to bring glory to our Lord by living in such a manner as to draw good attention to Him. So, as I go forth today, I can let the 'fear' of my Lord enable me to respond to this changing season filled with peace, hope, and joy that can only come from HIM. By doing so, I desire for others to revere (fear) my LORD also.  SOLI DEO GLORIA! (To God Alone, be the Glory!)

DELIGHTED?

As I sit in my warm and warmly decorated living room early this morning, I am contemplating today's pending football game between the Denver Broncos and the New Orleans Saints. I'm tending to hope the Broncos will win mainly because of the Lord's obvious desire to display his glory through Tim Tebow. I don't know if you all are aware that he only completed 10 passes in last week's playoff game, but they yielded 316 yards which averaged 31.6 yards each. This brother in our Lord has always been upfront about his devotion to Jesus, but even in his quieter approach (except for kneeling to give thanks publicly), our Lord Jesus made himself very known through these delightful statistics (John 3:16 is Tebow's favorite Bible verse to share with the world!) as well as the unbelievable 80 yard, "Hail Mary" pass completion which won the game in 11 seconds of overtime last weekend! (NFL records!)

Interestingly though, the Saints' QB is also definitely the Lord's!(who happens to have a much more impressive season's set of stats as well as a Super Bowl ring already.. Who could want more?)  So, as I look forward to the game, I am rooting for both teams!                                                                      NOW, why in the dickens am I writing about football?   Well, let me tell you that I am also about to draft one of my weekly SOLI DEO GLORIA Bible studies I put together for the seniors I minister to in several facilities. I'd already pre-determined to teach on the topic of how our LORD intends for us to be DELIGHTED individuals! So, my 'bottom line' in this post is that no matter which team wins today, I will remain a delighted, maturing sister in our Lord Jesus, who is very secure in knowing HE grants all the desires of my heart.. To His Glory Only (SOLI DEO GLORIA!)  For, most of us are familiar with PSALM 37:4 which reminds us to 'DELIGHT OURSELVES IN THE LORD, so He can grant us the desires of our heart.'  HE knows our every need and has made provisions for them so his faithfulness, mercy, grace, goodness, justice, righteousness, and SO MUCH MORE can be displayed to his glory through us! HE never surprises me anymore, but constantly DELIGHTS me in MANY ways! I'm trusting this is your experience also.    (PS- Although most of you won't read this until after today's playoff game, I sit here wondering just which team the Lord has designated to win. Which way will HE receive the greatest glory? I know Tebow is uncomfortable with all the near worship of him and I don't think Drew Brees wants any glory either.. We'll see what Jesus  will do with today's contest!- Either way, I'll be delighted!)

WHAT A WAY TO END THIS YEAR!

Deciding on today's title was very perplexing for me.. Other contenders were, "Just Gotta Tell You 'bout..," and "Mr. Right." The idea for these comes from a sweatshirt I saw on a 'tween' age gal recently. It said  I've met Mr. Right-- His name is JESUS" 

So, why the chosen title? It's because it dawned on me there is NO better way to end this calendar year than to be reminded of the thrill of having personal access to my (our!), 'MR. RIGHT!'   By no means do I intend to discredit earthly husbands or other receivers of our devotion, but I do desire to acknowledge how they can NEVER meet every one of our needs sufficiently. They are human so it's no shame if they can't! Only our LORD can 'be there' at all times, in all ways, for all our needs!
Related to this, several years ago, I found myself recording, "Lord! You are making our story a love story...For this I exclaim, 'To You be the glory!  I am the bride..You are the groom! As I walk by your side, I know there'll always be room!' Then, HE began addressing me(us!) as his bride.. "Dear one, there's nothing you and I can't do. I am committed to love, honor and cherish you forever.. You'll never find yourself saying a perplexed, 'WHATEVER.'
He followed with much more, but I'll close for now by reiterating the joy of ending my year as one who lives in the wonder of being loved, honored and cherished by the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! No ONE can even come close to caring for me as faithfully and sufficiently as HE can and does!

One MORE Gift!

It is highly likely most of you who will read this received 'more than enough' gifts on/near Christmas Day. So, I get to write about one that can't be wrapped and put under a tree! Those of us who know the LORD realize HE gives gifts of love, mercy, grace, peace, hope, and joy along with many others on a steady basis. Have you ever considered adding DIGNITY to that list of 'others?' As I scanned the last post I sent, I was reminded of Gracie's need for it.. Tomorrow, I will lead a Bible study for residents of an assisted living facility. It will be about how Jesus dignifies us!

I am using PSALMS 8 and 103 to identify reasons for our dignity so they can delight in being all HE intends them to be... Dignified individuals! May our Lord Jesus Christ increase your dignity receptors as you read these passages.

Psalm 8:3-5  When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

Psalm 103:1-5 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satifies your desires with good things so that your youth may be renewed like the eagle's. (YES!)

I don't know about you, but I like to think of myself as a princess since, as the daughter (and friend!) of the KING OF KINGS,  I am crowned with glory, honor, love, and compassion! I thank the Lord HE makes it possible for  me to  receive this gift of DIGNITY.

Come On, Ring That Bell

Yesterday, I stood with 95 year old GRACIE whom I was 'parking' back in her nursing home room in her wheelchair. We'd just finished singing hymns and Christmas songs together with others down the hall. Somehow, I could tell I needed to stay with her a little while longer. (I'd been told she'd been a little cranky earlier- very unusual for her.) At that moment, I realized I was wearing a medium/small sleigh bell attached to the necklace chain I wear a cross on. I definitely knew I was meant to give that bell to this dear lady. As I freed it, she asked what I was doing. I said I was going to give her the bell. To my utter surprise, she basically broke down bawling.. deep, deep sobs and lots of tears. I couldn't leave her for more than 5 more minutes. Why the tears? In her words, "You are giving this to me? Someone really cares if I live or die.. I feel so lonely all of the time.., etc." I assured her that her daughters do come see her because I've met them throughout the 7 years I've known Gracie. My heart just about broke though as I hugged her during these emotionally cathartic moments. Actually, I counted myself blessed to be the one who got to be there for her. It made me wonder just how many times we are feeling deprived of something we think we need when, in truth, our Lord Jesus IS there (here) for us at ALL times! His deepest desire is to be the ONE who shares all of those special moments with us. HE is the one who can/does 'ring my bell!' That particular bell I gave to Gracie, had been given to me yesterday with a note attached which said, "Ring the bell of joy." (referring to this Christmas season)  Of course, I always emphasize how true JOY (as well as true PEACE and HOPE) can ONLY come from our LORD JESUS CHRIST as He is welcome to dwell within our beings! So, dear readers.. "Come on, ring those bells!-- Light the Christmas tree.. Jesus IS the KING, born for you and me!"(opening line of a favorite Christmas song of mine..) It's our JOY to share HIM with all those around us as well as with ourselves! The Joy of the LORD is my strength!