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Posts Tagged ‘Julie B Cosgrove’

Blowin’ In the Wind

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , on November 11, 2012| Leave a Comment »

It has been several blustery “Fort Worth” days,  with 20-30 mph winds whistling through my windows and flapping the cat door back and forth. As I drove my son to work, I noticed the trees.

They were being ruffled gently by the wind. Each limb was blowing in a different direction , bending this way and that. The wind’s gentle force was flowing through them and how one limb bent pushed the wind to the next, and the next. Yet somehow it was all in unison in a natural dance.

It made me think of all of us as the Body of Christ.  He is the trunk, we are the branches. His Spirit moves amongst us, gently bending us to His will, yet we remain firm in Christ and are grounded in God’s Love and Truth, which are the roots of our faith. Just like the trees.

I found God today blowing in the wind through the trees.

It reminded me that I must be flexible enough to be rooted in God’s love and yet bend to His will. I must also let others bend in the direction that God wants them to go, and to be part of the dance of believers as His Spirit moves amongst us.

And the cool thing  about watching these trees was my son’s comment. “That’ll get the dead leaves to let go.” The dead leaves were being shaken off and sent swirling end on end down the street – the way our old ways should be. When the Spirit moves through us, we can more easily cast off our burdens and the things that no longer are life-giving.

Which direction will you let God bend you? Will you be flexible enough to join in the dance, or snap? Will you release what is dead in your life, the things you may have still been carrying with you?

The answer, as the Dylan folk song goes, is blowin’ in the wind.

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In a Whisper and So Many Responses

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , on November 9, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Have you ever had a thought whisper through your mind that you know was not in your voice?  You know it is not from your own grey cells. Usually it is short, and a call to action. Go Here. Help Her. Do this. Don’t respond. Walk away.

Some call it your conscience and tell you to let it be your guide. Mine is not that wise.

I call it God. 

Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say. Isaiah 28:23

Yesterday I  heard that outside but inside voice. “Query them.”

“Them” was to a missionary organization for which I have been a spokesperson for several years. They had just developed a children’s  mission-minded study and they wanted me to promote it at an upcoming church convention.  What about one for the adults?  So, for once, I obeyed that whispered inwardly command and emailed the executive director. Within an hour I received a resounding YES!!

God has granted me the task of writing a Bible study for an organization I thoroughly believe in, support and trust. Yes, it will definitely increase my exposure as a Christian writer within my denomination something I have prayed for multiple times this year. But more than that, it is a way I can give back by encouraging others to support the needy in 32 countries, including my own. I emailed friends and family (and put the joyous news of Facebook) to keep me in prayer as I undergo this endeavor. The response has been overwhelming, heart warming and humbling.

Yesterday I found God in two ways – in a whispered directive and in the responses of so many of you who are near and dear to my heart. Thank you.  

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding  fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

How will you respond when you hear that whisper in your mind?

** picture is courtesy of Steven Shorrock

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On Facebook

Posted in Biblical, Christian, tagged , , , , on November 7, 2012| Leave a Comment »

From a dear friend Georgette:

“Nov. 6th:  I am grateful for all the service men and women who provide the blanket of liberty under which we live, sleep and vote.  Shall we never take for granted the liberties that have been paid for with blood, sweat and tears over generations!”

From another site –

And wise Biblical  advice for all of us  –

‎”If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.” James 1:26
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2

The best political position is on your knees.

 

 

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In Today in 2010

Posted in Christian, tagged , , , , , on November 3, 2012| 4 Comments »

This is my second anniversary – of being a widow. It hit harder than I thought. I awoke with a tight tug in my chest. Oh, yeah. It’s today, isn’t it?

Today in 2010, I heard the thud of my husband’s head on the bathroom tile and rushed in to see the life in his eyes fade in a death gasp.

Today in 2010, a dear friend just happened to be on the highway as the ambulance rushed my brain-dead spouse to the ER and followed to hold my hand until my pastor and family arrived.

Today in 2010, another woman from church was being wheeled into surgery at the same hospital so the prayer warriors were already gathered there to hold my hand and lift me up.

Today in 2010, my family gathered around his bedside to say goodbye and he looked more peaceful than I had seen him in years, so it was easier than I thought it would be. I thank God I had that last image of him when he been so depressed and so torn by sin for so long.

Today in 2010,  I am told 33 people got a bit of my husband because I dedicated his body to be a donor. It took them over four hours to harvest all they needed from bone marrow to kidneys. Even a man in Pennsylvania got his right hand, and we were in Texas.

And every day since today in 2010, God has walked with me, pulled me to Him when I needed a good cry, and brought dear friends into my life who have helped me down this new path of discovering who I am now that I am no longer a wife.

I’m still a bride of Christ, and that will be my role for eternity.

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In a tradition

Posted in Biblical, Christian, tagged , , , , , on November 2, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Today is All Soul’s Day.  The Hispanics call it Dia de la Muerta.  What is it and why is it commemorated?

William-Adolphe_Bouguereau_(1825-1905The Day of the Dead(1859)

In Western Christianity, All Souls’ Day is observed principally in the Catholic Church, although some churches of Anglican Communion and the Old Catholic Churches also celebrate it. The Eastern Orthodox Church observes several All Souls’ Days during the year. The Roman Catholic celebration is associated with the doctrine that the souls of the faithful who at death have not been cleansed from the temporal punishment due to venial sins and from attachment to mortal sins cannot immediately attain the beatific vision in heaven, and that they may be helped to do so by prayer and by the sacrifice of the Mass. In other words, when they died, they had not yet attained full sanctification and moral perfection, a requirement for entrance into Heaven. This sanctification is carried out posthumously in Purgatory. (Wikipedia)

Whether you believe in that doctrine or not, the fact is that Jesus understood the sorrow of death. He wept over Lazarus, not because he was dead, but because of what that death did to his sisters Mary and Martha. He felt their deep sorrow and mourning.

Two years ago tomorrow my husband died in the shower. He had a lot of issues that he was afraid to give to God. But he had been baptised and sealed as Christ’s own forever. I believe that in that time between death and eternal life, he and Christ came to an understanding about all of that. How long that period is can only be known by God. But I firmly believe He loves us so much that He does not want any of us to be lost forever. He will give us every chance to fall at His feet and proclaim Him as Lord. That is why He died for our sins. As Michael Card sang,  they didn’t need to nail Christ to that cross, His love kept Him there.

If it soothes your soul to pray for the dead, I think God honors that.  Scripture says –

We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

Jesus intercedes for all believers in Heaven. (Romans 8:34)

One day the dead will rise first, and we will all meet Him in the clouds. (1 Thessalonians 4:16- 17)

We will be given new spiritual bodies. (1 Corinthians 15:44)

There will be no more sorrow or pain.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning
or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”   Revelation 21:4

That is worth praying for.  Maranatha.

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In a Devo

Posted in Christian, Devotional, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , , on October 30, 2012| 1 Comment »

A devotional site I write for sends one to my email box each morning. They are free and many wonderful women write for this site. Today, Becky wrote about her observations watching Prince Caspian, the movie. She noticed how Aslan, the lion who symbolizes Christ for CS Lewis, doesn’t dash to the aid of the children in battle, but watches and lets them see they have it within them to win. By knowing he is on their side and almighty, it gives them the courage they need.

You can read her whole devo here – http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2012/10/30/buck-up/

She says that Christianity is not a spectator religion. We don’t lie helplessly waiting on God to fix it all for us.

I grew up with Mighty Mouse as my hero. He would sing as he zipped to rescue Pearl Pureheart from the clutches of evil, “Here I come to save the day.” She would helplessly cry out, more like a Pitiful Pearl, for her hero and each time he’d be there.

I also grew up with the idea that dads were supposed to be heroes and protectors.  Father Knows Best. Leave it to Beaver.

So it was easy for me to picture my Heavenly Father this way. When He didn’t rush in to save the day, I wondered if He was angry with me. What had I done?

What I had done is forget that He had already sent His Son to save me by dying on the Cross. He had sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in my heart as my Guide. He had trained me up through His Word so that I could do all things through Him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13).

I recall my Dad watching closely as I wobbled on my bike without training wheels. He was there to cheer me on, give me instructions, and when I fell, to brush me off, wipe my tears, and place me back on the bike. Had he not let me try on my own, I would never had learned.  I learned because I had confidence that he was there watching – just in case, as Alsan did for the children.

My Heavenly Father has already prepared me for the earthly battles of my life. I know He is there watching, just in case. Sure, He may swoop in and rescue me from danger. But He also loves me enough to let me grow in strength and confidence by discovering I can do more than I thought I could with what He has already given me.

My God is more than Mighty Mouse or a super dad. He is my Rock, my Guide and my Strength.  May I cry out more in praise than for help.

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In the Mountains

Posted in Christian, Devotional, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , on October 28, 2012| Leave a Comment »

A friend and I drove from Texas to Arkansas to visit a new church. It is one of our ministries as head of our denominational women to keep in touch with the ladies in each church and plug them into our programs and mission efforts. Besidies, we were told the fall colors were beginning to pop, so it was an opportune time.

© Yan Zommer | Dreamstime.com

© Yan Zommer | Dreamstime.com

Now, being a Texas Hill Country girl, I always have found  God in the mesquite and cedar laden humps on the horizon. But, these were mountains looming ahead. They reminded by of a child’s art project- as if God had taken green styrofoam and plastered Trix cereal all over it. The colors of yellows, oranges, red and a bit of purple bumps blanketing the mounts was breathtaking, even in a drought year. Each turn of the road led us to new oohs and ahhs, unable to decide which scene splayed before our windshield was the best.

I had seen the Ozarks in college, but it was on a bus driving through the middle of them on the way to a church revival. The saying, “you can’t see the forest for the trees” is true.

It makes me wonder, if I let God lift me up, could I see more than the roots and trunk of the blessings he has placed before me? What awesome marvels  would our souls see if we had a panoramic view the way I did driving  today?

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In a Psalm verse

Posted in Biblical, Christian, Devotional, tagged , , , , , , , on October 26, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Love the LORD, all you his saints!
  The LORD preserves the faithful
  but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
  all you who wait for the LORD!
(Psalm 31:23-24 ESV)

We have only two choices. Act on our own, or wait upon the Lord’s timing.  We can have the faith that God will keep His promise or strike out on our own to usher it along.

Abraham made that mistake with Hagar, his wife’s maidservant. He believed God’s promise that he would be a father of a great nation one day. But when Sarah, his wife, didn’t conceive in her old age, he thought he had to get the ball rolling.The result is he became the father of two nations and they have been at war ever since.

Now, I am not saying we sit on our hands and do nothing. Quite the contrary. We keep doing what God has called us to do, trusting that, in His perfect timing, the fruits of our labor will be revealed. God’s ways are often more like a crock pot than a microwave.

In this instant-result orientated world, that even more than ever it takes three things, as the psalmist says –

  • Swallowing our pride
  • Being strong in our faith
  • Having the courage to keep on keeping on

Wait for it. Keep believing – but keep at the task.

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In a Light Bulb Moment

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged , , , on October 23, 2012| Leave a Comment »

A dear friend, who is a fabulous prayer warrior  and prayer composer, emailed several of us to remember to pray for our clergy.  How often do we stop to do that?

Whether you call them Reverend, Pastor, Father or Brother, they carry a cross far more than many of us could bear. Because they are about the Lord’s work they face demons on a daily basis. We, as their congregation, put so many demands on them, and they give so much in return. They are at the job 24/7. Even on vacation, they are on duty for God. They need to be lifted in prayer – often!

Here is her beautifully written prayer. Thanks, Pam!

Dear Lord, We offer you thanks for our church leadership.  You have sent ___________ to guide us in worship, learning and service. We praise you for their ministry.  Be with them as they seek your will  and lead each of us in the path of righteousness.  Strengthen our clergy ,when they meet adversity, with even greater resolve to follow you.  These things we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen

 

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In NOT Being a Worry Wort

Posted in Biblical, Christian, Devotional, tagged , , , , on October 22, 2012| 1 Comment »

I found God today in a post of Truth Media’s Christian Women Today. I have been writing for them for years, but so do some very God-given talented women, and men. Today Kristi hit the nail on the head and it pierced my heart.  She stated that when we worry, it is stating our problems are too small for God. Wow. That put’s it into perspective, does it not?

You can read her whole devo by clicking here http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2012/10/22/worry-the-final-frontier/

One verse I always come back to, and have throughout my life, is Matthew 6:25 – Be ye not anxious about your life, what ye shall eat, or drink or about your body what ye put on.  We hear that worry will not add another day to our lives. In fact medical science shows it takes them away.

Worry stagnates us in a pool of inaction. We cannot move forward. It is similar to cud that a cow chews – over and over and over. It keep returning. The more we mouth it the bigger it seems to grow until it begins to gag us.  It can consume our moment, our day and our lives if we let it.

The opposite of worry is faith-filled peace. That is when we grasp a smidgen of an idea of how majestic our God really is. He is bigger than our problems. He is mightier than whatever evil is present. He is more aware of the present and future that we can ever be. It is as if He has the view from Mount Everest and us from an anthill.

Yet we all worry, don’t we? Perhaps that is why there are so many Biblical references to not worrying. What is your favorite “don’t worry ” verse?

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