It's Friday... But Sunday's a Coming!

                              

Post #9...Tea, a Sandwich, Lemon cookies and Psalm 46:10

                             

                                     Psalm 46:10 New Living Translation (NLT)

                             “Be still, and know that I am God!
                                           I will be honored by every nation.
                                           I will be honored throughout the world.”

Today I am still.

           I woke up  early and even though my son is 17 I still like to wish him a good day at school and send Him off with a "I love you God bless you"sometimes he even has time for a bit of breakfast. Once he leaves it is still super early and in the stillness of quiet I sit and enjoy my cup of tea.

           I have not been feeling well lately. In fact I have been visiting a neurologist and had a bunch of tests done to see what is wrong with me. It could be anything. It could be nothing, all I know is that I don't feel right. I don't feel well.

It is very scary when you have all sorts of symptoms and nothing concrete to point to anything in particular. You google it and find it could be anything from stress to a serious illness.

So you wait for appointments with specialists, and you wait for tests.

You sit in waiting rooms trying to act calm.

You flip through magazines.

Catch up on texts messages.

scroll through Facebook.

But in the back of your mind you wonder ...what if.

This is not my first rodeo.

11 years ago I had cancer.

I became still.

My relationship with God became so close and so familiar that I felt His very presence.

It was then that I realized that I, a simple housewife and Mom was part of His plan. He knew me. He loved and Loves me and wanted me to Love HIM too. I realized that HE sacrificed His very SON for me. FOR ME. I had not ever felt that Love before. The only time I felt calm during that time was when I was still... with HIM.

I was still and knew that HE is GOD.

I knew that whatever happened I leaned on HIM and knew that HE would be with me every step of the way.

and now here I am.

Today I receive an answer. 

I'll drive to the doctors office.

I'll sign in 

I'll sit and grab a magazine and pretend to read an article.

I'll catch up on a text or two,

and go on Facebook or Instagram.

and whatever the outcome. 

Whatever the doctor has to say...I can be sure of one thing...GOD is with me. 

He loves me and if the news is bad...GOD will never leave me. He'll hold me through any storm until my last breath...Where I will in turn open my eyes and I'll be able to Hug HIM myself.

So if you are going through a trial.

If you are waiting for results...

Be Still and

Know that HE is GOD. 

Lean on HIM.

He will answer.

I will be praying for you.

Blessings, Joanne

Post 8...Fasting

 
Matthew 4:1-4
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

3 During that time the devil[a] came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,

‘People do not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”

                So this is different... 
        If you notice in the picture
                                   there is no tea..

                           ...and no yummy treat.

                           Why?

Well, the reason for the picture is because for most of January my Church took part in a fast; a 21 day fast. You may or may not have heard that a lot of christian churches are fasting primarily in the beginning of the year.  Why 21 days? This fast is based on the Daniel fast in the bible. Daniel 10:2-3  says Daniel fasted for three weeks.

Daniel 10:2-3
2 When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. 3 All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.

In fact people all through the bible fasted. 

Later the bible says about Daniel seeing the vision of a man

Daniel 10:10-12

10 Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. 11 And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.

12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 

When first I found out about the fast which was suggested by a dear friend who fasts every year...I thought " Aw man, another task I'm going to mess up"

You see the Daniel fast is staying away from anything that Daniel stayed away from. No meat, fish,butter, dairy ( this includes eggs) no sugars which means no sweet cakes or bread for that matter. Essentially, you eat beans, veggies and fruit and grains. 

On a side note...there are tons of cool Daniel fast recipes. My friend even made her kids cookies using creative ingredients in a recipe she found!

In our church the fast was voluntary and there were several fasts to chose from. 
There was the Daniel fast,
The Sunrise Sunset fast (where you fasted all day only drinking water until sunset), Thats the one I chose.
The Soul Fast was where you increased your prayer and bible time with God.
Then there was the fast which was abstaining from certain things like sugar, social media or TV, and lastly and the most brutal was the Water Only fast. My Pastor and another member chose this. and if you are wondering...yes, he had only water (with some vitamins added) for 21 days.

Now you might be wondering why? 
We did it to get closer to God. To listen, really listen to what HE wants. Fasting humbles us, it draws us closer to HIM and it can also reveal what we are doing wrong. It can reveal what is keeping us from doing what God wants us to do. 

Our church has undergone big changes in the last five years.

First we said goodbye to our youth pastor...
Welcomed a new youth pastor
Then our senior pastor left to be closer to his grown children
Then we welcomed another senior pastor
Then we said goodbye the second youth pastor and just recently welcomed youth pastor #3

That's a lot

and with that some members of the church left....OK, a lot of members

just poof...gone.

and the remaining members felt the growing pains. I read somewhere that it takes a new pastor two years to fit in and get into the groove of a new church and in turn in takes that long for members too. 

So needless to say everyone has been praying hard.

So back to the fast.

Experiencing this fast with (as well as following a devotional) my church family would keep focused on God and what he wants from our church. 

At first I didn't get it. How could taking away my favorite foods or making me wait nearly 24 hours to eat keep my focus on God?

It does. It just does. Instead of diving into that cake or midday snack I would switch my focus to prayer and reading my bible more. I knew that the devotionals would make me ask hard questions of myself and I would have to answer them truthfully to myself.

The fast brought us closer as a church. 

And somewhere during that time I started to have hope. It was a feeling that I hadn't really felt for a while in my little church. I sat in service and I looked at some of the empty chairs and I knew that people will come and they will want to hear the word...I just do. 

The fast is over and It was hard, but I learned a lot and feel rejuvenated and I know my church family feels it too.

So tonight my prayer is that you feel hopeful

I pray that you know through Jesus there is ALWAYS LOVE and HOPE. He wants you to know that. 

and that is a great feeling.


PS. As with any drastic change in diet consult your doctor. Many of our older parishioners chose the Soul Fast. A lot of our youth chose to stay away from social media for 21 days.

Post 7... Tea, Fire and Romans 12:11-13

               

     

Romans 12:11-13 New International Version (NIV)

11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.         


When my family and I first attended our church I became happily on fire for The LORD. The feeling of utter joy from learning the WORD filled my soul. I looked forward to church throughout the week and when service was over I would ponder and go over the sermon and share the new information I learned. I  studied the word every chance I got. Church members became my church family.

Later on I attended women's bible study and happily did "homework" every night.  My eyes and (more importantly) my heart was opened and ready to receive and share. On Feb 5th 2012 I was baptized for the second time in my life. The first was a decision lovingly made for me by my parents and the second was my own decision to follow Christ for the rest of my life.

I volunteered my time. I wanted to show my church how much they meant to me and how grateful I was to them for embracing my family and I. More importantly I felt the pull from God to do more and I gladly did so. I felt a hunger to do more, to learn more about God's word and God filled my thoughts and heart.

Throughout the years I have seen that happen to a few other members. Recently a new family joined and the mom has that fire. She is happy and joyful. She and her family jumped right in to church and she even volunteered at the christian camp the kids attend. She LOVED it!!!

Every week I see her joyful and excited. She sings at the top of her lungs and I can tell that she looks forward to being in church every week. That makes me so happy... and if I'm honest maybe a bit envious.

I was that woman not so long ago.Where did my fire go? In the Bible verse above it states to" keep your spiritual fervor". That means keep that fire burning for God. Was I losing that fire? I LOVE God, but has it become like a marriage of 25 years? Comfortable and predictable? 

It happens...to the best of them...the fire starts to die down a bit....not out. The golden embers are still bright but the heat is not as high. We question..."wait, what happened?"

What changed?

Sometimes we blame others...Pastors, church members. Maybe there has  been a big change in your life and feel that God is far away.

He's not.

It just might be you.

Think about it....

When you have a nice bonfire and it crackles and rises. It's bright red and orange. It warms you and makes you feel good. As long as you feed it it maintains its brightness and warmth. When you stop adding wood to the fire; it dims.

So how do we get that fire back? 

                                    We feed the flame. 

We continue to go to church. We join a bible study... and like it says in the Bible verse above "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality."

 Spend time with God and His word everyday even if its just a a verse. Join a bible study and learn about and understand His word more. Share this love with others.  Help those that need a hand...volunteer (and nothing is too small a task).  We have someone who makes sure the tiny pencils are placed in the seat backs for church members to use on Sundays...that's important and so beautiful  because she does it in The LORD's name. And don't forget to share your heart and concerns. Have others pray for you. There is great comfort in knowing that others are lifting you up in prayer...and don't forget to pray for others too. Strength is often the result. 

If you feel that God is far...remember He didn't walk away...maybe you did. Its OK though...No matter how far you feel...all you have to do is turn around and He is right there....turn around.

God loves you.

Stay warm in HIS love!

Blessings, Joanne

        

   

Post 6...Tea, Sand and Matthew 6:25-27

                                   

                              

Matthew 6:25-27 New International Version (NIV)

Do Not Worry

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]? 


                    I'm a worrier, I have always been....so when I first really read this bible passage it was difficult for me to swallow.  I guess the "worry" came with the territory.  I grew up in a rough kind of scary area of New York City. I worried when my brothers were out. I worried about my Dad and Mom. When my Dad was laid off I stayed awake worrying about being homeless (though my Dad never missed a bill or rent). Later on I worried about my boyfriend (later my Hubby) who was in the army and was deployed several times.
My worrying went into overdrive when we had our children. The first day we had our daughter home from the hospital I called the doctor...

            "Hi Doctor, on the pamphlet I received from the hospital it says to call if the baby has really explosive gas...she does...is there something wrong with my baby?" I was seriously asking a doctor about my child's farts!"

         He patiently asked "Are you breast feeding?"

            "Yes" I answered

            When He found out that I had eaten tomato sauce and a whole lot of gas producing foods he simply said "Well there ya go. Stop eating those foods and she should be ok, remember she is essentially ingesting what you eat." 

I felt like an idiot, and I'm sure I sounded like one too. When the baby slept I worried that she wouldn't wake up and when she was awake I worried that I would never get her to sleep...ever! 

I find that most of the things I worry about are unfounded. The night before my child went to kindergarten I dreamt that someone stole the bus just to kidnap all the children. I woke in a sweat and when it came time for my baby to get on the bus....I raced to my car and followed it to the school and waited in the parking lot with all the other scared parents to see that my child got off the bus and entered the school. I wondered if I would do that today? Now that I have been baptized and have learned so much about God's word...and it says NOT to worry! I wonder if I would still race to my car to see her walk into school?  Would I worry all day? maybe. 

Keith Krell (a senior Pastor working in Spokane, WA) writes in his post titled 

Lifestyles of the Content & Worry-Free (Matthew 6:25-34) 

"There’s a difference between concern and worry. Concern is when you can do something to help a situation, so you do what you can do. Worry is when you can’t do something, but you don’t want to leave it up to God. In other words, worry is concern gone haywire."

Alrighty then, I think I may be making some progress....because when I have done all that I can to avoid catastrophe or mistakes and I still feel that pang of worry I do pray. I do try to give it up to God. I'm getting better at this. The times that I don't...I find myself choking on worry and anxiety. This bible verse speaks to me and lets me know that I have to give that worry up, because as it says in verse 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?

The answer of course is NO. So if it is not useful as "concern" and the Bible says that we shouldn't worry...Why do we? Why do I? It's empty and bottomless. It makes you feel alone and lost. There is no reward to worrying. Do I think I am stronger than God? Do I have more answers than God? NO!

I look at a church in India that my church sponsors and I am humbled at their trust in God. They are poor and trust that God will provide what they need and HE DOES! They live in a place where they can get arrested for believing in Christ yet they worship and praise HIM. Some have families that have disowned them and yet they trust God. There in that worship and praise is where I need to be. I need to Trust HIM. Reading this bible verse helps to remind me and I hope it helps you today. 

Don't worry; He's got you!

Blessings, Joanne

Post 5...Tea, Sun and Psalm 23

                                                   

                                Photo taken by my son David which I guess is appropriate since
                                             todays's verse was written by King David.



Psalm 23
1 

A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
    forever.

This is probably the most comforting psalm in the Bible. It was written by King David and Describes God as a shepherd. The job of the shepherd is to feed and keep safe his sheep. The Lord feeds us with his Word and comfort us with His promise....

I love the first line The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

HE is everything, there is nothing better. I have met people that had virtually nothing, but were still satisfied because they had GOD.

Ten years ago I received the diagnosis of breast cancer. Throughout the whole ordeal I leaned on the Lord. As I prayed and went through painful tests and results I pictured God as a Shepherd/farmer clearing the path in front  of me. At first I pictured myself little and hiding behind him as he cleared the way. Something amazing happened though as I read His word and grew closer to HIM.

                              I became strong. I was calm~ he refreshes my soul.

I gained a strength that was God given...there was no other explanation. Sometimes It was so overwhelming and I felt so blessed~You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

I was comforted by the assurance that God Loved me. He LOVES ME and He cares for me. Nothing in the world could ever separate that Love from me. HIS love is overflowing. 

There are times that we are brought to our knees with desperation. Heaven knows that I have cried out to God many times and there are times that I was not spared the anguish of a loved ones passing or a scary trial. We cry out and This psalm tells us of His unfailing love and gives us hope and strength through those times. 

He Loves and cares for you Dear one and that will never ever change.

I would love to know if this psalm is special to you or has helped you.

Have a beautiful day!

Post 4...Tea, Lemon Cake and Psalm 139:14

                                       


                                           

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16 | NIV | 

            I was recently honored to be a part of my best friend's wedding. She had always been such a big part of every big moment of my life and I was over-the-moon to be a part of her big day. 

 Over the years I have gained a significant amount of weight. About 60 pounds since I was married 23 years ago. I have tried to lose some but it creeps back.  I have gone home in tears when I find nothing that looks even remotely pretty in the dressing rooms. 

I searched high and low for a maid of honor dress and the bride and I settled for one after days of searching. It was not my favorite. Though it was a beautiful dress, I felt it was made for a much younger thinner person. I wanted to wear something that covered my arms and was modest. but the dresses that came it the particular color of the wedding were few.

I recently looked at the pictures of the wedding and everyone ...everyone looked beautiful and elegant except me. My Gorgeous friend glowed in her exquisite dress and veil. The Groom was handsome and the best man was svelte and dapper in his tux. I was expecting to look a certain way and I didn't. I looked so old and flabby. I towered over people and I was like a piece from a Child's 10-piece puzzle (big and obvious)--trying to fit into a 1,000 piece puzzle made up of tiny intricate pieces. I stuck out and didn't fit in. I cried thinking that I somehow ruined the pictures.  With my imperfect body and flawed hair. I looked old and not elegant at all.

One time a co-worker who I adored mentioned her glasses. I did a double take and said " Hey I didn't know you wore glasses! When did you get those?" She laughed out loud and answered " I have always worn glasses." Then she got close to my face and said one of the sweetest things I have ever heard " You didn't see them because you look at at me from the inside not outside".

She was one of the most beautiful people I've ever known. 

Why then can I not see my beauty?

Why, did I look at the wedding photos and not see the person who ran around that day trying to make the day perfect for my friend? Why didn't I see the pride and love I felt for her and her groom who beat all the odds and found each other? Why didn't I see the person who made the pretty centerpieces  for her shower and tried to make them perfect because she deserved perfect in her life. Why couldn't I see INSIDE OF ME? I was so focused on the outside and what people who saw the pictures would think.

I felt down and stupid for making this so important....it was just a symptom of a bad week. Earlier I had gone to bible study and didn't understand any of the questions or comparisons. I struggled finding the "addresses" of the assigned verses and felt so out of place while others easily answered and compared and contrasted with more scriptures. 

Then this morning I opened my bible.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13-14 | NIV 

Psalm 139 is absolutely beautiful. It tells us He Knows all....He knows us... every bit of us, and he Loves us. It tells us we are wonderfully made!

What a beautiful description...We...that means you too are wonderfully made!

He knew us before we were born. And he loves us...flaws and all. All he wants is for us to love Him with all our hearts.

He doesn't care that I'm not an expert in the Bible. He cares that I have a hunger for it.

He doesn't look at my weight gain and fading beauty...he looks in my heart and sees ME, and HIS Word revives me day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 
I'm am His Child.

You are too.