"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."~from ISAIAH 61 Bible verse for this Blog
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APOLOGY to READERS who followed a SEARCH to HERE & didn't find it
On July 18, 2017, I drafted almost 3000 blog posts that I had published since 2008 when I began blogging, rather than edit each one. So if you clicked here from somewhere else and ended up with the post unavailable or error, I am sorry but this is why. It'd be too much work for me to go back and fix them. There's an explanation on 7/19/17 as I'm still learning.
Saturday, November 4, 2017
"... HIGH PLACES"
Thursday, November 2, 2017
G.rieving A.nd R.emembering Y.ou
All day, I have put off writing, as I ponder and remember you this day, or might I say, lament and rejoice - can these words even go together? Can one grieve and lament yet still rejoice as one remembers a loved one? - a loved one gone too soon from your life at only 30, 4 years after our mother, 8 years before our father ... on this day ... November 2nd, known as All Soul's Day (in the Catholic Church; preceded yesterday by All Saint's Day) and in the Mexican culture Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead {somewhat morbid expression} however, all of this has been swirling through my head since midnight, unable to sleep once again with tvs blaring until 4 a.m. so I turn to my You Version to read what the day holds in God's Word plus two Bible studies: one in the book of Philippians and the other "Living Faith" (from some letters written in 1 & 2 Timothy; Titus; James; 1, 2, 3 John) so I think about writing a letter to you - I understand that there's healing in doing this.
But I procrastinate and stay away from that ... I avoid grieving and even lamenting, since I am just learning, trying to focus on just remembering you, or some memories of you, with you ... pondering whether to drive out to Resurrection Cemetery, when I know that you're not there ... then I think about writing this blog and I search for previous ones I've written, knowing that many of my blog posts were 'drafted' and since this is November, often I was daily writing about something I am thankful for ... a daily challenge!
Of course, without a doubt, I am thankful that you were my brother, our youngest brother, my baby brother that tagged along often with me, although you were 6 years younger. We shared alot in common ... alot of dreams and a heart to serve people and being a teacher. You had gifts I didn't have ... yet since you have gone, I found out that some of them that I admired so in you and mom, were there inside of me too! That artistic side. So I go into my room to get my laptop & begin, I turn on the closest lamp and there it is - my greatest treasure from you {besides "Eagle's Wings" and John Michael Talbot} your painting that hangs on my wall:
But I procrastinate and stay away from that ... I avoid grieving and even lamenting, since I am just learning, trying to focus on just remembering you, or some memories of you, with you ... pondering whether to drive out to Resurrection Cemetery, when I know that you're not there ... then I think about writing this blog and I search for previous ones I've written, knowing that many of my blog posts were 'drafted' and since this is November, often I was daily writing about something I am thankful for ... a daily challenge!
Of course, without a doubt, I am thankful that you were my brother, our youngest brother, my baby brother that tagged along often with me, although you were 6 years younger. We shared alot in common ... alot of dreams and a heart to serve people and being a teacher. You had gifts I didn't have ... yet since you have gone, I found out that some of them that I admired so in you and mom, were there inside of me too! That artistic side. So I go into my room to get my laptop & begin, I turn on the closest lamp and there it is - my greatest treasure from you {besides "Eagle's Wings" and John Michael Talbot} your painting that hangs on my wall:
[Gary's winter scene painting]
It's an original!
It's yours!
It's mine...
and so much like a farm down the road here in the winter
just not with the image of mountains in the background
or maybe they're just clouds that arise in my eyes
I run my fingers over your name autographed in the right corner
I am so thankful!
... as I now reflect on how many losses have taken place, even just this past month of October (my one fall month that used to be when I could enjoy the fall without recalling all the people that are gone from this earthly place to a heavenly home, as I cling to the hope I have in this but now October has become scarred by losses too). My 'grieving time' now spans over more months and my heart grows heavy and weary, if it weren't for my hope in Christ Jesus.
I recall how I desperately needed to do something since the end of 2009, so I chose a series from Grief Share finally in 2011 while I was still in Mexico and signed up to receive emails from them for an entire year to help me deal or cope with loss: "Journey from Mourning to Joy" (is what I called it on my blog) but Grief Share calls the study "Help for the Journey" {don't search for mine, because all 6 weeks have been drafted, but I was able to go back in the drafts and reread Day 1 of Week 1, the comments of support and I learned so much still ... } so I highly recommend going to Grief Share and also signing up for their emails, or now you can buy the book "Through a Season of Grief: Devotions for Your Journey from Mourning to Joy".
As I read and thought, I realized that God had this in mind when He guided me to begin two reading plans as a study in the book of Philippians with Love God Greatly; and "Refined -Finding Joy in the Midst of the Fire" with Carol McLeod, knowing that I needed this to help me through in His Strength, His JOY so that I might rejoice after all these years and no longer grieve.
I choose JOY (and I go back and reread another delightful reading plan for today from Jennifer Camp, LOOP author)
"Daughter, I pour my light into you. I guide you and do not leave you. I have good plans for your life. I love when you step toward Me to realize them.
There is discouragement along the way-and distraction, too. But I keep walking ahead, and I reach out my hand, and I do not forsake you. I do not abandon you.
The path is filled with rock that can cause you to stumble-and weeds that entangle and attempt to trip you up. But I clear the path, in the midst of difficulty and sometimes rocky roads.
I clear the path.
My voice in you, these whispers to your heart, my words a blade of truth that swipes away uncertainty and doubt. Walk in the way I've prepared for you, this way full of twists and turns and hills and valleys, deserts and lush mountain-scapes.
I've walked this path. I walk it with you. How could I leave you?
You were made for this-to be with Me, walking this path, the path we walk together. Faith is not knowing the details of what the future holds, but trusting Me to be with you in it.
So keep walking with Me, in faith, along the path I've prepared just for you. That is where you will cling to Me most tightly, where you will feel my gaze steadfast upon you, when I will hold you.
Daughter, I never let you go. "
|
God is so good, just the perfect word
I know HE has guided every thing perfectly
lines up whatever crosses my day
lines up whatever crosses my day
"A Prayer for the Grieving Heart" by Jennifer O. White
"You are Emmanuel, God with me. Thank You for being with me now as I mourn this loss. You are the God of all Comfort and I willingly receive Your comfort now. I do not know what Your comfort will look like or feel like, but I trust it even so.
My heart is broken but You are near. My spirit is crushed, but You are my rescuer. Your Word is my hope. It revives me and comforts me in especially now. My soul faints, but you are the breath of life within me. You are my help, the One who sustains me. I am weak but You are strong. You bless those who mourn, and I trust You to bless me and my family with all that we need. You will rescue me from this dark cloud of despair because You delight in me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen." |
"Day of the Dead"
which is not for believers
because of the tradition to prepare a meal
set out for the dearly departed to come back
because of the tradition to prepare a meal
set out for the dearly departed to come back
for we believe
in
LIFE and the LIVING
our daily Bread and the Living Water
our daily Bread and the Living Water
we know the
LIFE GIVER
who can speak words
of
LIFE
not
death, despair, depression
and so can we over ourselves
over our loved ones
and so can we over ourselves
over our loved ones
HE
raises
the dead and redeems
the lost
HE
breathes
LIFE
into dry bones
HE
helps us recall
the day of the
LIVING
and
our treasures in memories
as
HE
lifts our heads
giving us strength
filling us with
JOY
so
we
can
REJOICE
as we
REMEMBER
looking
forward to
what lies ahead
Friday, October 20, 2017
"MY PRAYER FOR YOU"
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
WOW ~ REMEMBERING ...
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
WOW ~ "HEARING GOD'S HEART"
the You Version reading plan that
... "Sometimes I feel no one's ever been in this place before This is hard and I'm not sure that I can do this anymore I know some day I"ll look back, and all this won't seem real But Lord right now I need you to know just how I feel Chorus: When there are no words to say and no prayer that I can pray hear my heart,When I don't have strength to try and I've cried all I can cry hear my heart Cause you know every fear and every doubt I cannot speak You know all the ways I need you and all the ways I'm weak So I'll be quiet so you can hear my heart. Verse 2: Every now and then I recall a simple phrase or melody It comforts and it quiets, lifts me up and then it carries me Far above the pain and hurt I think will never end The song speaks words I cannot and it calms the fears within Chorus: When there are no words to say and no prayer that I can pray hear my heart When I don't have strength to try and I've cried all I can cry hear my heart Cause you know every fear and every doubt I cannot speak You know all the ways I need you and all the ways I'm weak So I'll be quiet so you can hear my heart. Lord I'll be quiet so you can hear my heart ❤️ |
because I am working on my heart
and since I attended a recent livestream event (my 1st live one)I've returned to a place and a ministry that I enjoyed while in MX
"REVIVE OUR HEARTS"
with
Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
so, of course, "reviving my heart" means listening for God's heart and being restored; because I so want to reflect better the beauty and heart of Christ to my world (those around me) which is only possible through His Grace ... this I truly know.
As I take my "Walk On Weds." and "Worship On Weds.", press into hear His gentle "Whisper On Weds." as I go to His "Word On Weds.", I can't help but realize that God wants to prepare my heart ... be concerned with my spiritual heart condition, besides my physical heart (with aging and high blood pressure) ... since we all share a family history of "heart disease" (sin). Calling upon the Great Physician to cure/heal our deceived, diseased hearts - in need of Jesus doing a radical heart surgery - to cleanse and transform me. I need some serious "heart" work to function properly, remove blockage, and deal with this heart condition, which starts, as you know with admitting we need some help, work, or whatever, and allow our hearts to be searched as we place our hearts in the hands of the Master's touch.
How can I expect to hear His heart, His Whisper, if there's blockage? If I continue in the lies or believing the lies, I'm not listening to His Truth and speaking His Truth over me and every situation I encounter. I truly want to walk with Him and hear His Whisper, believe what I say I believe in my heart and stop any thoughts to the contrary.
"We come closer to God and approach Him with an open heart, fully convinced by faith that nothing will keep us at a distance from Him. For our hearts have been sprinkled with blood to remove impurity and we have been freed from an accusing conscience and now we are clean, unstained, and presentable to God inside and out!" Hebrews 10:22, The Passion Translation |
Monday, October 9, 2017
"JUST ANOTHER ...
I can't believe that I'm 6_ _ _ and that Casting Crown has a song that I didn't ever hear until this past week when God led me to come across it quite by accident.
Although the lyrics, do not really speak of my own particular situation or life, for some reason, God spoke to me through the words of this song in a special way that makes some of the parts mean something for me on this particular one - not for a 16th, 19th, 21st, nor dealing with my own "daddy" but our spiritual Daddy, Abba ... we each can know Him as our Heavenly Father and have the privilege to be His daughter, His beloved, His child and celebrate yet another year ... I was moved by this song "Just Another Birthday" because often we feel like that yet deep down, it's a powerful sense of becoming HIS more each year, different than a spiritual birthday (which is important too) but some of us don't have an actual date or day of being "born again", as for me, it's a daily being reborn and reawakened to the new life that Jesus Christ gives me each day; a fresh breath, anointing and so much more - all through His aMazing Grace!
I almost was inspired enough by this song to rewrite the lyrics to really fit my own life - but for now just enjoy Casting Crown's version and the reason behind Mark Hall creating this song, is simply beautiful!
Although the lyrics, do not really speak of my own particular situation or life, for some reason, God spoke to me through the words of this song in a special way that makes some of the parts mean something for me on this particular one - not for a 16th, 19th, 21st, nor dealing with my own "daddy" but our spiritual Daddy, Abba ... we each can know Him as our Heavenly Father and have the privilege to be His daughter, His beloved, His child and celebrate yet another year ... I was moved by this song "Just Another Birthday" because often we feel like that yet deep down, it's a powerful sense of becoming HIS more each year, different than a spiritual birthday (which is important too) but some of us don't have an actual date or day of being "born again", as for me, it's a daily being reborn and reawakened to the new life that Jesus Christ gives me each day; a fresh breath, anointing and so much more - all through His aMazing Grace!
I almost was inspired enough by this song to rewrite the lyrics to really fit my own life - but for now just enjoy Casting Crown's version and the reason behind Mark Hall creating this song, is simply beautiful!
"It’s not just another birthday
‘Cause I’m here,
And look how far we’ve come
Since you’ve called me, saw me
Held me and freed me
Thank you, Lord, for another birthday
And we’ll be fine; We’ll be fine"
|
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
WOW ~ "New Beginning" ~ again
"You can have a new beginning. It doesn't matter how many new beginnings you've had before. Don't believe the lie that you can't have any more. Jesus's work on the cross paved the way for another new beginning and another and another - as many as you need. Our Father's mercies are new every day. Seasons change. Believe that you can have a new beginning in any area of your life that has not aligned with Father's perfect will for you. Embrace this precious promise, get back up again, and walk toward the new beginning. Father has good plans for you. It's up to you to move into His grace." YV |
"...I believe I can have a new beginning because the Word of God tells me so. Help me walk in this promise as I transition from one season to another. Give me strength to hold fast to this great and precious promise when I can't see what door to walk through. Walk with me." |
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
"DON'T LOOK BACK"
In lieu of recent events in my personal life and then on this blog (see note now below the posts or follow that link) - this could not be a better idea, place or date, to BEGIN again than with this phrase in red and a plan that came from You Version that I recently did: for such a day as this - so, ON THIS DAY, August 1st ... more than 40 years ago - a lifetime (41+ yrs. of knowing this person) most would be celebrating, but I have not for such a very long time (nor has or does the other half), so it remains just a day etched in my mind, that I can't erase, can't change, can't take back or even undo; can't redeem because it's so irreconcilable, yet I remain and I will just NOT LOOK BACK any longer or be reminded, but I will continue to look ahead, declare and pray that God still has something good to come out of such a bad choice and decision; some of what has taken place over these many years was meant for some Godly reason, and only God (knows) ... and I won't LOOK BACK any longer, nor will I be dragged back by the enemy or listen to the lies, without seeing and knowing and believing GOD'S WORD
Romans 8:28
New International Version "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, {that's me} who have been called according to His purpose." New Living Translation "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." |
is meant for me
POWERFUL
I ask for the strength
"The past holds a river of memories for each of us, some good and bad. The sad thing is many of us continue to live in the past, which in turn prevents us from walking into the future that God has designed and prepared for us before time began. As you read through this plan, my prayer is that you will release the hold on your past and embrace the future God has for you. " |
"Looking back feeds the desire of the flesh - a false sense of security" (day 3) - a longing for supplies (day 4) ... this I especially find to be true and creates an insecurity in my present and future as well (as I look with my earthly eyes)
Holy Spirit, help me today to let go of the familiar and the false sense of security of the past. Please help me to trust You with this process.
"Looking back limits the future" (day 5) - and I am so done with this! Jesus Christ has given me an abundant life and that is how I choose to live even when I face obstacles, I will remind myself constantly of these truths ...
Holy Spirit, I thank You for the revelation I received during this time (also from the sermon I heard from Pastor Steve Furtick) and I truly want to make it into the future God has for me. I am sorry I wasted so much time on things that I cannot change, I am sorry for taking for granted what You so freely provide for me every day. I am sorry for robbing the people in my life presently because of the "look back mentality". Holy Spirit, help me to forget the pain associated with the past and as I visit my past from now on let it be for only moments of remembering how You brought me out of bondage. Thank You Abba for a new start!
I find this to be very appropriate for this date! No more looking back or faking fine! I'm His and He is mine! Nothing, could be more divine - and with this I am so inclined ... to look ahead "at the joys before me". In case you couldn't tell, this plan totally changed my outlook and is a source of healing for me at this time in God's Word and through so really great books!
Lord, help me remember this as I am being bombarded with lies and tactics from the pit! They are not from You nor the pawn the enemy is using ... I'm tired and done so I won't LOOK BACK but LOOK FORWARD to a glorious future that You have planned. Give me the strength I need to face and do what You alone tell me to do ... in Jesus' precious name
I'm wondering:
how is God speaking to you
about not looking back
or maybe at
not seeing things the way you do
or yourself?
How is God moving mountains for you?
I pray He is and if not, let's go
to Him for one another
asking Him to
MOVE
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Peggy