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Posts Tagged ‘Where did you find God today’

I was bound to

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , on November 27, 2012| Leave a Comment »

This weekend my great-niece, Rachel, was christened. That means, before the congregation and God, her parents dedicated her to being raised as a Christian.

I became her God parent. God parents, unlike parents and grandparents, do not have to be blood relatives, but rather are related through the blood of the Lamb.  I vowed to help bring up Rachel knowing the love of Christ, to turn to Him and renounce the devil, and to lead a Godly life. I will also pray for her to grow in faith and that one day, when she is a lot older than 110 days,  she will make the leap from knowing about the love of Christ to claiming him as her Savior which dwells in her heart.

Rachel wore a christening gown that had been in the family for generations. But in the ceremony, she was clothed in the faith. Water from the Jordan River was poured over her head and she received an anointing of oils scented from spices as is mentioned in Exodus 30:24. She was sealed as belonging to the body of believers in Christ.

As I watched the water cascade down her head, His love flooded my heart. I saw my family standing there all smiles – my brother and his wife, my sister, my son, my niece who is Rachel’s mother, and my other niece with her husband.  We are bound by more than genetics or matrimonial law.

More of what is common binds us than makes us different.  We live in different cities but are all Texans.  We have different hair and skin tones but all speak English as our native language. We are at different economic levels but all are blessed to have roofs over our heads. Most of all, even though we may belong to different denominations, we are bound as one in the Holy Spirit.

Is that not true for the whole body of Christ? Should we not concentrate on that more than the importance of worship traditions and practices? Should not the fact that we believe in Christ as Savior bind us together more than how we express that belief keep us apart?

I saw God in the smiles of my family as a baby’s head was watered and oiled in an ancient ceremony steeped in tradition and purpose. I thought of all the other babies through the centuries who went through this ceremony as smiling congregations watched and God parents vowed to raise them up in the faith to be part of the family of Christ.

I felt so blessed to be part of a family where so many of its members have made that leap of faith to claim Christ as their Lord. I pray Rachel and her two sisters will make that same decision someday.  No pun intended, but with so many of us bound by faith, little Rachel is bound to catch on.

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Where I didn’t find God

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged , , , on November 24, 2012| 1 Comment »

Black Friday. I drove my friend and my son to their perspective retail jobs so neither of them would have to hunt for a parking space and walk miles from the car to the stores where they worked.  The mass of single-minded humanity astounded me. You’d never know the economy was in a slump! It reminded me of chumming shark. Drop a piece of raw meat in the ocean and watch them scrap for it.

People with “me-first” attitudes were everywhere. They walked out in front of you yakking on cell phones, dragging kids or balancing arms laden with shopping bags. I saw several “almost wrecks” within the few blocks it took me to travel at a snail’s pace.  I rolled down the windows to let the pleasant fall breeze into the car. As I waited in stalled traffic, I prayed for my friend and my son and the harried customers they would have to handle.  I shot up a prayer for me and everyone else to get to their destinations safely and for people to in some way, even if for a split second, remember the reason for the season.

Then, in the midst of all of it I heard the familiar tinkle of the bell and  turned to see a black kettle. An African American woman, all smiles and face glowing, thanked the customers who dropped in bills and change. To everyone who passed, she nodded and said, “God Bless You.”

I take it back. Maybe I did find God yesterday after all.

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In An Attitude

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , on November 22, 2012| Leave a Comment »

A dear friend of mine, Joy Brooks, writes a blog for Prayer For Freedom. This ferevent pray-er and supporter for anti-human taffficking and slavery has committed her life to this cause.  A daunting task, and when faced with such a huge calling, one prayer can seem like a drop of rain on a raging forest fire. Here is what she says –

Then one day God showed me something. I was looking through the problem of slavery with my own glasses, not with eyes that didn’t need glasses to make it completely clear. I was not able to see the power of God and how Christ can change all hearts and bring healing physically and mentally.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

Everything shifted; it became easier, the burden was no longer mine. Even when I cried out and prayed for the people that were trapped in terrible forms of slavery, it would end knowing that God is so good. That is what I was missing in my heart – the understanding that even when evil happens God is always good and deserves to be praised regardless of any circumstances.

I love her attitude. It is not so much that we are called to be given the power to change things, but to usher in the Power that can.

If we truly believe that God is good and He has power over evil, then we must let prayer be the catalysts that releases the situation from our control and lays it at the foot of the cross.

There in lies the power, and the glory forever and ever, Amen.

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In a Face

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , , on November 20, 2012| 3 Comments »

courtesygirlpowerhour.com

You have seen it, too. People seem to ignore clerks. They chat on cell phones, jabber with the person they are shopping with at the time, or just respond with a grunt and a swipe of their debit card.

If you have ever been a check out clerk or a cashier, you know it is not an easy job.  I have never been one, but I empathize with them. Too often they are treated as nonentities, or they take the brunt of the negative comments and complaints. Why do they wear name badges? Because they are there to serve you and it is a common courtesy to know who is giving you assistance. Is it not an even better courtesy to acknowledge them as humans? They work hard for their living.

I was in the store and the checkout clerk looked glum. Her lips pressed into a thin line and she barely made eye contact.  She looked as if she was trying to hold it together until her break.  God pulled my heart string.  I called her by name and asked if her day was doing okay. A light flickered in her eyes and her face relaxed a bit.  She shrugged and said it had been a rough one but thanks for asking.  I smiled back and made an empathetic comment. As she checked me out, we engaged in light conversation.  I thanked her, told her that I hoped she had a better one for now on, called her once more by name and said I appreciated her help.  A smile broke through, and as I pushed by shopping cart away,  I heard her laugh and talk to the next customer.

It took no more time out of my day to be nice and engage a stressed-out clerk in conversation.  Later that day a friend called while I was in another store – yes, it as running errands time.  The conversation was important, but when I got to the check-out, another tug on my heart happened. I was  ignoring the checkout person as I had seen others do so many times and secretly chided them for doing so. I looked at the clerk and mouthed “I’m sorry” and then told my friend I would call her back in a few minutes. I gave him my full attention, called him by name and apologized for my rudeness. His eyes widened and he smiled. He told me no problem. Everyone did it and he was used to it now. Then he thanked me and helped place the bags into my cart.

I saw God today in the faces of both clerks. I also felt Him give me a stern lesson. Golden rule – do unto others. . .

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In a Tiny Bee

Posted in Biblical, Devotional, tagged , , , , on November 18, 2012| Leave a Comment »

© Scott Collis | Dreamstime.com

© Scott Collis | Dreamstime.com

The world’s tiniest bee landed on my windshield when I as waiting for the light to turn green. I could barely see its iridescent wings and miniscule antennae waving at me. Well, I  imagine they were really just feeling the direction of the breeze on a pleasant, sunny autumn afternoon.

The light changed and I eased ahead, slowly getting up to the 35  mph speed limit. My new little friend held on for dear life.  Around the curve, down the hill, and into the store parking lot, the tenacious little guy (or gal?) still clung tight.  Then, I pulled into the parking lot, found an empty spot,  and stopped the car.

I expected him to immediately fly off, glad that this harrowing experience was over. But he didn’t.  He stayed glued to the windshield and bent his antennae this way and that for a few seconds. Perhaps he was testing his surroundings. Was it safe? Then, in a blink, he was gone.

Like my bee friend, I want to land on the windshield of the Almighty. I want that tenacity, and the wisdom,  to stay put and ride with God wherever it is He wishes to take me.  I want to trust in His protection and be delivered from any danger my own thoughts and actions, or the world’s, would carry me.

Joshua schooled the Hebrews  to be wary in the new Promised Land where idol worshippers and the ungodly dwelled. He told them, “but you shall cling to the LORD your God just as you have done to this day.” (23:8)

I’m not saying the bee had faith in me, he was probably just reacting instinctually. He knew by the wind pressure on his antennae when it was safe to leave.  But that makes my point. I want a faith which is so solid that it is instinctual. Often I do have that, when things are calm. But if things begin to change,  the whispers of doubt try to tickle the corners of my mind. I wonder if I am in His will. Is this windshield that I have latched onto the right one? Should I bail off and try to find God’s will another way?

The answer is “cling” until He tells me I don’t have to do so anymore. May my spiritual antennae always vibrate enough to sense when I should hold on and when it is safe to let go. May I trust in the Lord fully and have the smarts to know it is not a good idea to let go and try to fly against the wind ( i.e His Will.)

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In Tiny Paws

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , , on November 15, 2012| Leave a Comment »

© Johnlric | Dreamstime.com

© Johnlric | Dreamstime.com

You either love them, or you hate them. Squirrels. Some see them as destructive pests, but I have had an affinity for them since I was a small child. Yesterday as I sipped my coffee, there one was! It  scampered across the lawns of my apartment complex. A grin stretched up my cheeks.  My heart melted. “Ahhh. How cute. Thank you, Lord. I needed to see that today.”

I love the way they curl that bushy tail over their backs as the sun streams through it. I think it is precious when they stand erect like a soldier at attention, then in a split second they’re off, dashing across the lawn as if their feet didn’t touch the ground. I grew up with squirrels chattering and skittering through the  Texas Hill Country oaks and cypress which canopied the riverbank.  Each time the soft rustle caught my ear, or a cypress ball thunked to the ground, I’d look up to find the scampering culprit silhouetted by the sun.

My eldest cousin fed the squirrels. I’d watch as he stood on his wooden deck which stretched towards the ravine and tap a pecan three times on the rail.  Before I could count to ten, a fox squirrel would appear, his or her lean body stretching along the tree trunk with its nose twitching. Yep – pecan!  The little thing would scurry across the thin rail like an expert tightrope walker and grab the cracked nut from my cousin’s large but gentle hands.

My heart ached with desire. I wanted to feed the squirrels like that. My cousin told me it took him a long time to train the critters to trust him enough to realize he wanted to feed them, not harm them. I had most of the summer to try. Each day I’d tap the pecan, then leave it on the rail and back away.  Barely breathing, I waited in silence until I saw the squirrel. It would cautiously stretch across the tree trunk, eying me. Safe? Danger? Friend? Predator? Am I that hungry? I imagined the little wheels turning in its brain. Eventually, it would come, grab the pecan and leap back to the safety of its tree. I’d exhale and back away as its cheeks move rapidly, chewing its prize. Each day I would inch a bit closer. A few times I got too close to the rail. The squirrel would not come down. But I didn’t give up. My heart’s desire was for that squirrel to learn to trust me enough to take the pecan from my hand. With daily persistence, one day it happened.

I will never forget the flutter I felt in my chest as those tiny paws encircled my fingers and miniscule black claws brushed my knuckles as it grabbed the pecan.

The squirrel hesitated for a split second, then popped its bushy tail and leapt for the tree trunk.  It took everything in me not to squeal for joy.  I stealthily backed away in slow motion as tears of happiness trailed down my cheeks.

Is this how God finally got me to come to Him? In many ways, yes. He tapped on my heart over and over, yet I was so reluctant to respond. But His patience was eternal. His goal was sure – “Get her to trust.  I have so much to offer her.”

Dear Lord, the day I came and took what you stretched out your hands on the cross to give me , did you suck in your breath? Did you heart overflow with joy as my tiny hand first grabbed your promise and claimed it as mine?  Did tears of joy cascade down your chiseled cheeks?

Each time I see a squirrel, I remember.  Never stop tapping, Father.  Forgive me if I  hesitate, Lord. Do not give up on me, ever. Your Spirit reminds me of your goodness towards me.  I will come when you call.

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I Found God Today in WAR

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , , on November 13, 2012| Leave a Comment »

As many of you may know, I am an advocate for WAR – Women at Risk, International. 

This is a Christian based ministry to reach women and children in 13 countries and rescue them from human slavery.  The women make jewelry, hand sewn purses and cell phone covers, baskets and other items for people like me to sell in the U.S. and Canada. The cool thing is that 90% goes back to the safe house. It takes $250 per month in sales to keep a woman and her children in a safe house.

This weekend, as I was setting up my booth at a church convention and displaying the faces of the women who had made the items, I prayed for each of them. I saw God’s joy in their faces and the belief that Christ has given them worth shining in their eyes.

Praise  be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has
given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead . . . 1 Peter 1:3

How many thousands of women and children like them still need saving?  So many are trapped in the hopelessness and fear instilled in them by their abusers. Way too many.

I told people who wandered by my booth  about these women rescued from trafficking. Many took flyers and said they’d consider making this a church youth project or women’s ministry effort. Others whipped out their credit cards and checkbooks. Their purchases that day saved two women for a month, or four for two weeks, or eight for a week. The seeds I helped to plant that day by telling the people who took the flyers about this ministry called WAR have the potential to save so many more.

In two weeks I will have a booth at a three-day Christmas bazaar. I am praying to triple if not quadruple those sales. I have decided to display these faces in my bedroom and pray for these women each night until then. I am praying for the customers God will send, and the hearts He will touch.  I am praying for those last weekend who took the flyers that they will have their own WAR parties.

This Christmas season, or any season whether a birthday or anniversary, think about purchasing a gift for a teenage girl or woman in your life – a gift that gives twice. You can buy from their store online, or host a party at  your home or church. It costs you nothing. They ship it all to you in boxes that weigh no more than 10-12 lbs and even provide a postage paid box to return the items you don’t sell along with the checks and invoices on the  items you do.

You make no money off the deal, but the rewards are tremendous.

So I will rescue my flock, and they will no longer be abused. Ezekiel 34:22a

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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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