Faith Comes By Hearing

Taking It One Day at a Time

2009-08-13T06:52:00.000-07:00

Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage...syllables I've sifted over and over in my mind these past two months. The first part of June my husband, Dennis, was careflighted to Miami Valley Hospital and diagnosed with this lifethreatening malady! The doctor there, prepared me for the worst. The sober expression on his face, while warning me that Dennis was going to get a lot worse, made things seem surreal. Was this really happening? I could hear my husband moaning loudly from his room, while I stood with the doctor trying to comprehend what had just happened...a massive brain hemorrhage. I remember crying in my son's arms and saying, " How am I going to do this without Dennis, how am I going to do that without Dennis?" My son just quietly answered, "Mom, we'll be alright. God's got everything under control." Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage; what's God got to do with it? Everything! Job 1:21 teaches us that, "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away." This brings home the fact that God is Sovereign! He calls the shots! Otherwise, He is not God! When I don't understand why He has caused this, Isaiah 55:9 reminds me, "My ways are higher than your ways, My thoughts are higher than your thoughts." Faith is believing without seeing. I could not see what God was doing in the midst of this situation. But as a believer I could trust wholly in Romans 8:28, "All things work together for good, to them that love the Lord, to those who are called according to His purpose." Ah...His purpose! I determined to submit myself to whatever He had purposed for Dennis' life and my life. I only asked Him for the grace and strength to praise Him in all things and to look for the good in the midst of the bad. The days passed. We waited. By day four, we were supposed to see mental deterioration. It did not come. We were watching for physical disability. It did not come. I found myself taking each day as it came, not worrying about the next, just living with each day as it came. And as each day came and went, along with the rollercoaster of events accompanying, I was at peace with whatever God decided. As it turned out, the doctors were not able to find the aneurysm. Several CT/ Angiograms did not reveal the source of the break. They only showed that the break had closed by itself and the bleeding had stopped. And the hemorrhage was receding. The doctor said only eight other people at MVH had recovered from this type of hemorrhage without surgery or recurrence. Today, Dennis is active, feels very good, and we are very thankful! I have learned to put Matthew 6:34 to use! "Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself."I think most of us expect the future to hold benefits. We expect our futures to be bright. But James 4:15 reminds us to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that". The future....what's God got to do with it? Everything!

Gone But Not Forgotten

2009-05-24T17:38:00.000-07:00

Time goes by so quickly! It seems like a only few months ago, that I was putting flowers on my loved ones graves, in memory of them. As I stood again looking down at the grave stones, thoughts came flooding back. Most of them the same memories...the ones that stand out in my mind. Even the good memories have a way of bringing a sober sadness to my heart, because I am faced with a reality that they are no longer here. I cannot reach out and give them a hug, or even a phone call. And I consider that even as as so many years have passed, they are "gone but not forgotten". Their memory doesn't dwell in my conscious day to day life, but they are forever etched in my subconscious, where any number of things may trigger their memory, and I'll consciously think of them. Memorial Day is that day set aside, where we remember friends, family, and the servicemen and women who have laid down their lives for our freedom. There is One person who stands out in my mind, not just on Memorial Day, but each day. He is not etched in my subconscious, waiting for something to trigger His memory. The memory of His death is a constant daily reminder of why I live! I mentioned that even good memories of a loved one who died, can bring sadness. It's ironic, that terrible memories of the death of a particular loved one, brings me immense happiness! Not that I revel in His pain and suffering. I agonize with Him, though I could never comprehend the extent of His sacrifice. But I am thankful and grateful that gave His life, so that I could experience eternal freedom!

2000 years ago outside the eastern gate, they led Jesus to Golgotha's hill, He went there in my place. Across His torn and beaten back, a world of sins was fought. They nailed Him to a rugged tree where the "timbers cross" . That old rugged hill became a battlefield, where the war for the souls of men was fought. And as the battle raged, Death, Hell and the Grave, who were His enemies, they lost. And victory hung where the "timbers cross". The earth was black as midnight and beneath a darkened sky, forsaken for a debt not His, our Lord was crucified. Yet through His bitter anguish, He counted not he cost. Jesus shed His blood on Calvary where the "timbers cross".......

There's reason to celebrate the memory of the the cross! Friends, Jesus is not one of those "gone but not forgotten" people ! He's alive and well! He won the victory! This is why any and every memory of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus brings me joy! Because He did it for me! He purchased my eternal freedom! If you wonder if He did that for you....find out for sure today! Ask Him! Call on His name and receive Him into your heart this Memorial Day! If you truly do this, I assure you, it'll be a day you'll never forget!

Running For My Life

2009-05-20T07:12:00.000-07:00

A couple months ago, my daughter-in-law started a jogging blogsite. She was preparing to do a couple 5 K Runs (whatever that means) ! My idea of a run is 5 yards, then a much needed pit stop for tanking up on fluids and...dare I say, "catching my breath"? My other daughter-in-law had also been running and was excited about doing to do the 5 K Run. More women started joining this blogspot, all of them excited about this 5 K run! Personally, I absolutely detest aerobic exercise! However, their enthusiasm about these mini marathons was contagious! I started pondering the idea of jogging...it had been many years since I jogged! But those words "5 K Run" kept haunting me. Could I do that? I started posting comments about my intrigue. From that point on, my daughter-in-law kept encouraging me to start running! I'm not as young as I used to be. I tried to convince her that my bones would break. "You're not THAT old!" she replied. So... one morning I put on my sweat shorts and tennis shoes and set out. I had to alternate jogging with a fast walk, beginner that I was. My first outing was half a mile, which isn't too impressive. But I felt so good... after I had finished hacking up phlem! That's how much my lungs needed cleaned up! The next day I jogged again. Over time, the ratio of jogging to walking became more balanced and some days I jogged more than I walked! I'm planning on doing the 5 K Run (whatever that means)! Not because of the challenge, but because I can not believe how good exercise feels! And there is a spiritual aspect to excercise, as well! For starters, we are God's workmanship. Psalms 139:14," I will praise Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Thy works, and that my soul knoweth quite well". Romans 12:1, " I appeal to you therefore, brothers,by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship". My point here, is to stress that our bodies do count. Our body belongs to God. Our bodies matter. God doesn't demand our bodies because he ( as John Piper quotes; "wants models for Mademoiselle or Planet Muscle. He demands our bodies because he wants models of service" ). Excercise makes us more effective in serving the Lord! Charles Spurgeon said, “A mouthful of sea air, or a stiff walk in the wind’s face would not give grace to the soul, but it would yield oxygen to the body, which is next best” ! 1 Cor. 6:19,20, " Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." These verses refer directly to those who are following Christ as their Lord. The better care Christians take of their body, the more able they are to carry out active Christian service, which is their primary purpose here. 1 Cor. 10:31 best sums it up, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." ! These truths should dramatically affect our approach to exercise! We don’t ultimately exercise for the purpose of losing weight or so that we look good. We exercise ultimately, for the glory of God. We lace up our running shoes and pound the pavement so that we can serve God effectively for years to come. We lift weights so that at age 65 we can share the gospel with our grandchildren. We go to the gym so that we can lovingly care for our spouse for many years. Now do not go out and make a list of excercise rules and regulations that you now must follow! Change doesn't happen that way. Change is often synonymous with "process". The point is, to start!

So let me encourage my sisters to exercise. Not because it’s a good thing to do, but because God’s glory is the reward. Think of the future as you go out and jog today!

Out of Commission

2009-04-03T12:57:00.000-07:00

This blog is a follow up to an illness that put me in bed for 4 days...
It happened 11 days ago, when a coughing spasm set off a severe headache. Within minutes, I was down for the count. I could not walk or move my limbs. I could only say 2 words at a time that I kept repeating over and over. My heart was racing and I was jerking involuntarily. I could not follow any instructions. After being wheeled in to the emergency room, they did a CT scan for tumors or hemmorage. It came back normal. They then did a lumbar puncture to rule out aneurysm or menengitis. It came back normal. The doctor determined that I'd had a transient ischemic attack (mini stroke). I went home, only to be plagued with a severe headache in which I could not sit up, stand light, or sound. I followed up the hospital visit at my family doctor's 2 days later. I had to ride lying down on the back seat of the van and was taken immediately to a dark room with a bed. My doctor diagnosed me as having a severe migraine attack. He wrote out a prescription and ordered an MRI to be certain of my diagnosis concerning having a stroke. I am thankful to say that the MRI came back normal! This cleared things up for my doctor, who then made the correct diagnosis as my having what is called a "complex migraine". These exact symptoms are often misdiagnosed as a stroke! Then, just 4 days ago, I had another migraine attack. But I took the prescribed medicine which knocked it out in 90 minutes. I truly am thankful to know that all my tests came back normal. However, there is a spiritual side to this story. During that time of uncertainty, when I thought I might have something life threatening, I did not fear it. I considered that this might be God's way of bringing me home, and I was totally at peace with that, which surprised me! Having Jesus in my life brought me that kind of peace. It's what Scripture calls peace that passes all understanding. Now, I confess, I get upset with daily frustrations, and mishaps, but it's when things are extreme and eternity hangs in the balance, then God gives such peace. I've been told that others see a peace still with me. I think it's because I am more aware that each day of feeling well, is a blessing. I hope not to take my health for granted. But again, I am human and I already do in many ways! And there may be another day when I will succumb to a complex migraine attack. If that day comes, Lord help me to be mindful that any road marked with suffering I travel, will never be the road to Golgatha. Any migraine no matter how severe, will never be the cross. Because He bore that attack for me, I'll never have to face it. Oh, how I love Jesus...

Shall We Dance?

2009-03-18T12:03:00.000-07:00

Last week we were talking with friends. They shared a story with us, of how a group of couples were on a dance floor and those who'd been married the longest, remained dancing on the floor. As it turned out, more couples kept leaving the floor,as those having the most "years of matrimony" remained dancing. Notice, I didn't say "years of wedded bliss" ? Unfortunately, so many couples go into marriage today thinking if things don't work out, divorce is always an option. Let me be transparent here, by saying that my 36 years of marriage had it's share of difficulties. Every marriage does! Divorce is such an easy word to throw around during those difficult times. Thankfully, we didn't divorce. By the grace of God, we are happier today than at any time in our marriage!
Marriage...what's God got to do with it? Well, He's the one who created the institution of marriage. Genesis 2:18 teaches, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper suitable for him". Genesis 2:24 shows us, "For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and the two shall become one flesh". Proverbs 5:18, "Let your fountain be blest, and rejoice in the wife of your youth". Marriage is not a contract. It is a covenant. God made a covenant with His people through Christ. His Word further teaches that the mystery of marriage between a husband and wife is a direct reference to Christ and His Church, Ephesians 5:32. Some who are reading this might wonder then, about the status of a marriage based on the fact that it's a second or third one. Can God be pleased with that union? Well, based on God's Word, yes! Just because couple has remained married for many years does not mean that God is glorified. Ephesians 5:22 teaches, " Submit to each other out of reverence for Christ". Ah, there's the key! That's great news for someone in a subsequent marriage! According to Scripture, the couple who makes Christ the central focus of their marriage has a redeemed marriage! Only in the last 15 years did we come to understand that. When we turned and made Christ the central focus of our lives and marriage, did God receive glory. And in turn, God has redeemed our marriage in a way that is indescribable! How sweet is that?

Remember When

2009-02-16T12:08:00.000-08:00

My mom is a widow and doesn't drive. Taking her shopping and out for lunch has been a weekly excursion for over ten years since my dad passed away. However, these past couple of years, I've been spending more time with her. Lately, she's been battling several health issues and needs more of my help. This particular afternoon, my sister and I sat with her at yet another specialist's office. Thankfully, it wasn't anything major. As we sat there together, I considered that someday, I might face similar health concerns. Someday, my own two children may be sitting in a doctor's office with me! Caring for our parents…what's God got to do with it? His Word has much to say! Romans 1:30, Colossians 3:20, 2 Timothy 3:2, and Ephesians 6:1, teaches that acknowledging the authority of a parent is very important to God! How about those of us who have long since grown and no longer under the authority of our parents? Proverbs 1:8, "Hear my son, your father's instruction and forsake not your mother's teaching” . If I’m wise, I’ll apply good teachings handed down from my parents , no matter how old I get! Proverbs 17:6 teaches that parents are the “pride of their children”. Role reversal! Exodus 20, the 5th commandment handed down by God commands us to honor our father and mother. For me, I have an opportunity to show honor and display pride in my mother, by meeting her needs, when necessary. There are times when I must change my schedule or get out of my comfort zone to accommodate her. I confess here and now, sometimes I’m just too selfish! During those times, I consider that the Lord chose her to bring me into the world. She raised me and loved me through my disobedience and disrespect while growing up. I also contemplate the fact that there may come a day when I will no longer be pulling up to her house and helping her climb into my van. When I will no longer be picking up groceries for her , sorting mail, helping her with prescriptions and doctors. Even more, when sitting with her in the park eating Wendy’s chicken nuggets, sipping coffee and eating donuts while playing 500 rummy, or doing all the other things that we enjoy together, will be only pleasant memories. When I’ll drive by the house I grew up in and remember… …remember…remember when. My mom’s days here are numbered, as are all our days. We can choose to see helping our parents as a burden or a chore. When I line my thoughts up with God’s view, I find that helping my mom is not only a privilege and an honor, it’s actually a joy!

What's in a Blog?

2009-01-14T19:15:00.000-08:00

Blogs are a wonderful way of expressing yourself ! It's amazing how the Lord works and uses blogs as a means of bringing people together ! I cannot possibly read every blog out there. And even if I could, there will always be those blogs that speak out to me in a way that perhaps to someone else, would not. It so happens, that my three favorite blog sites are operated by persons with the same last name! Go figure!
In all honesty, I wouldn't be writing about these blogspots if they weren't awesome and worth taking the time to visit!
Each site is unique! There is nothing boring, or frivolous about them. They are sites dedicated to displaying the glory of the Lord !
I have found that blogs are a great opportunity for one-anothering ! If you are looking for blogs that make you laugh, cry, bring hope, and strengthen your faith, please stop and visit these blogsites at;

http://profoundmystery.blogspot.com/
http://crazylivi.blogspot.com/
http://prayingscripture.blogspot.com/

What's in a blog? Take a look and find out!

Beauty Is In the Eye of the Beholder

2009-01-11T12:53:00.000-08:00

I sat quietly, having morning coffee as I always do. That's usually when I contemplate the important things in life, such as, "What will I fix for lunch?" Then something really important occured to me..... "When did I get that latest age spot? "
I don't like age spots. They remind me of a truth I can't deny. In today's culture, age is not a thing to embrace. The cosmetic industry is booming with the latest creams and procedures to help women retain their youth. Have I jumped on the cosmetic bandwagon in hopes of staving off the inevitable? You bet! But, no matter how hard I try to fight Father Time, I can't turn back the clock. It's an irony that in my opinion, there is nothing more unbecoming than a woman who isn't comfortable with her age. So how do I get comfortable with my age spots, and those ever increasing wrinkles, and that saggy skin? Is there an answer for how to feel beautiful at any age and does God care whether I'm beautiful or not?
Well, if beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I should desire to look beautiful in His eyes, above all others! How does God determine beauty? He obviously has determined that some women will be incredibly beautiful, externally speaking. If I were to measure beauty by the world's standards, I fall woefully short! However, His Word assures us that there is a beauty that exceeds any worldy measure. We must consider it's importance. Proverbs 31:30- "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." 1 Peter 1:4- "But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 1 Samuel 16:7- "For the Lord sees not as a man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." Proverbs 31:10- "An excellent wife, who can find? She is far more precious than jewels."
Wow! This should bring confidence that any woman can acquire a beauty that transcends the physical! If I had to make a choice between a youthful and beautiful exterior that is precious in the sight of man, or that gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of the Lord, I'll opt for the latter, age spots and all!

Unlucky Number 13!

2008-12-11T18:19:00.000-08:00

If 13 is an unlucky number, then I am totally ignorant of what unlucky means. You see, 13 is a very significant number in my life and when I throw that number at people, they generally have the same response.
Their eyes get big and their jaws drop. Maybe I should explain.
Someone I make an aquaintance with, will ask how many children I have. I reply that I have two sons. They smile and nod. Then comes the next question...any grandchildren yet? "Yes," I reply. "We have 13". That's when their eyes and jaws start to malfunction! They stammer, "That's a lot of grandkids for 2 sons!" I respond, "I know, and we're not even Catholic or Amish!"
Ah, grandchildren.......God's Word is full of verses referring to grandchildren. Here are but a few;
Genesis 31:28 "You didn't even let me kiss my grandchildren goodbye. You have done a foolish thing"
Gen.45:10, "You shall live in the land of Goshen, near Me..you and your grandchildren"
Exodus 10:2, "You shall tell your grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians"
1 Timothy 5:4 "But if a widow has grandchildren, they should put their religion into practice by caring for their family" And my favorite,
Proverbs 17:8, "Grandchildren are a crown of the aged"
We see that God meant for us to regard grandchildren as precious. This Christmas, God gave me 2 more precious grandchildren, both on the same day! My youngest son and his wife were gifted with the desire and ability to care for many children. Having 6 of their own, they had also been foster parents to a little girl who came to them at 11 months old. Much later, a little baby boy came to them straight from the hospital. Shiloh is now 3 and Asher is 8 months. As though God has not been good enough, to give me 11 beautiful natural grandchildren, on December 1st, Shiloh and Asher were legally adopted into our family, even though to Shiloh, I've always been "Namaw" !
The house will certainly be full this year with grandchildren of all ages! To me, 13 is not an unlucky number. Nope, it is a blessed number indeed!

Six Little Words

2008-11-26T15:25:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I spoke with a good friend, actually a fellow musician/singer who has a recording studio. He had called to update me on a recent Christmas CD I sang on. We have a lot in common. We've known each other for many years. We both love music and love to share it with others.
John's a busy guy! Besides running his studio, he is part of a quartet. He also handles the sound system for other groups in concert. And, he handles the bookings for his group and oftentimes sets up bookings for others!
John makes no pretenses about who he is. He's the first to agree that we are all sinners in need of a Savior! And that's another thing we have in common. We both love the Lord and desire to serve Him through our music.
What made that day's conversation with him so inspiring for me, were six words he shared with me, "I would be lost without Sandy" . Now John certainly didn't mean eternally lost, or that she is his Savior.....but he was confiding in me that his wife is the most important human being in this world to him. As busy as he gets, as aloof as he may surely seem to be toward her at times, when he is so busy with others..... at the end of the day, he is saying that none of his accomplishments could ever take her place. We talked about marriage being the symbolism of Christ and His church. How the Scripture teaches that the two become one flesh. He reiterated that fact, and I'll paraphrase it, "Nancy, no marriage is without it's troubles, but I am so thankful to have Sandy as my wife. "
Now, I don't know Sandy well, but I believe his words. Sandy seems unbelievably patient and willing to submit to his ever beckoning musical endeavors. And as he told me these things, he had no idea that I was struggling to be a loving wife to my own husband. I had been taking many things in my own marriage for granted lately. After we hung up, I considered all that my husband does for me, to make my life good! He is so diligent to provide for me. He's so patient and faithful. If the Lord were to call him home today, I know that he would be safe in the arms of the Lord, because he knows Christ as Savior. And believe me, there is great comfort and peace in that. But for a while, things here on earth would be utter chaos for me! I would have to carry out so many responsibilities he now assumes! Not to mention, days and nights without his humor, his reassurances, his wisdom. And the marriage bed would surely be lonesome.
So, thank you John, for those 6 little words. As you and your lovely wife share this Thanksgiving together, consider all you have to be thankful for in each other. And I'll strive to do the same.
May all who read this, feel the same way about their spouse. But above all, the real thanks goes to a benevolent God, who has given us our life partner. It's inevitable that we all must leave this world someday. If our spouse goes before us, let us graciously submit to the Lord's will. Let us praise Him for the opportunity to have our spouse for however long He has deemed it to be. Let's live our days with our spouse, treating them like the gift they are! After all, it's Thanks-giving!

I've Arrived!

2008-10-16T19:39:00.000-07:00

Well, I am now able to make the case for my senior discount at restaurants and even the Goodwill store! I really didn't have a problem with hitting age 55. The problem had already begun a year earlier, when people were asking me if I qualified for the senior discount! That's when I found myself looking in the mirror more often. I became acutely aware of each new wrinkle. And my hair seemed to be a little too gray! The word Botox had a nice ring to it!
However in all honesty, I really am having the time of my life! I am very young at heart. I'm doing things I love to do; squaredancing, rollerskating, singing, blogging, and playing with dolls.....yes dolls! (see Dawlville)
This thing called old age....what's God got to do with it? For starters, He's allowed me to live here long enough to get the senior discount! Most importantly, His Word is abundant on this topic! For instance, He tells me in Prov.16:31, "Gray hair is a crown of glory"! Ps. 71:9 shares with me, "Do not cast me off in my old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent" . Is. 46:4 reassures me, " Even to your old age I am He. And to gray hairs, I will carry you. I have made and I will bear. I will carry and I will save". And Ps. 90:10 gives me a great example of God's sovereignty over His creation, " The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength, eighty. Yet their span is but toil and trouble. They are soon gone and we fly away".
I don't know how many years my Lord has planned for me to be here, but I know that my days are numbered. In the midst of these years, I'll experience toil and trouble. But I rest fully in the knowledge that I am His, through His Son, Jesus Christ. And, "Some glad morning when this life is o're...I'll fly away" !

My Grandmother/My Sister

2008-09-27T08:28:00.000-07:00

A week ago I went to visit my grandmother who lives in a nursing home. She turned 99 this past May! She still gets around by herself in her wheelchair, albeit rather slowly. But her hearing has been gone for sometime and her sight is severely diminished. So when I visit, I always give her a kiss on the cheek and run my hand across her hair to let her know it's me. Her voice is weak and cracked. She still loves to talk, but her thoughts are disconnected and at times very foggy. That's perfectly fine, because so are mine and I have no excuse!
When I have to leave her, it's hard, because she does not want me to go. And I know that each time I leave, could be my last visit. If she were to pass away before my next visit, how would I feel? I can tell you....elated! Not because she died, but because she lives! Her eternal life is placed securely in Christ! So when she takes her final breath on this side, her next breath will be in Heaven! She'll have perfect vision and hearing! And she'll be experiencing the most blissful time with her Savior! She had told me the story of how she came to salvation in Christ many times. During one of those times a few years ago, she asked me to recount her salvation story at her funeral. She also asked me to take a pen and paper and take notes, as she recounted memories of her life here on earth. She then asked me to give a eulogy of that life at her funeral . I was surprised by her request, but it didn't take me a moment to accept the privilege! Each week, I'd visit and she'd recount wonderful times that transpired in her nearly 100 years on earth. One day as I visited, she was feeling rather weary and just wanted to go home. She asked me, "Nancy, why is the Lord keeping me here? I can barely hear, I can barely see. I can't do anything but sit in this chair and watch the days go by. I wonder what His purpose for it is ?" I took her hand and rubbed her arm, and answered, "Grandma, maybe he's leaving you here on earth for a while longer, because you are such an inspiration to me!"
She smiled and replied, " I never thought of that!"

National Security

2008-09-16T18:08:00.000-07:00

My pastor spoke again this evening on this, the third day of our "Hot Topics" revival. I was so energized by this session! The topic tonight was National Security.
He shared from Scripture the way in which Jesus said we should look at national security. He used the Temple as an example, and said, (paraphrased from Luke) "Don't marvel at the Temple, with it's gold and cedar and all its other fineries. It's going to be totally destroyed! His disciples asked when and what would be the sign. He told them nation would rise against nation. There would be wars and famine and your own family members will offer some of you up to the government to be killed for my name's sake! But those of you who endure for my name, will see Heaven. Jesus also said Christian persecution will come to all nations at some point. And then, in the book of Peter, He really gives it to us straight about national security. We have been called out and set apart from the world. We are a holy nation. A royal priesthood! (And here is where I almost jumped to my feet shouting Halleluiah! I say almost, because I had my grandson asleep on my lap! )
Anyway, Jesus reassures us, the state of our national security is strong because He is king of it! Our national security is eternally stable and strong due to the fact that we who are in Christ, are no longer part of any earthly nation, but a Christian nation! The German who becomes a Christian is no longer part of the German nation, but the Christian nation. The same goes for the Iraqi Christian. And the Russian Christian. The Christian nation does not begin after we leave this earth...we are already a nation, and every Christian from every tribe, tongue, and earthly nation now belong to the holy nation of God! They are closer to us in bond, than any earthly family member or any nationality of people could ever be! Is that truth not so awesome, it just makes you wanna go home and be with Jesus right now?!
Someday we will get to see all of those others who are part of this royal nation called out from the world. And when Christ returns, He will deliver His holy nation to it's proper destination, where we will come face to face with our King! Do not worry about the security of America. God has already determined it's fate. America is the greatest nation on earth, but in the end, it too will lose the real war.
Rejoice if you have been called out and are part of the Christian nation, because that's the only nation that's gonna win! Halleluiah!
I realize there may be someone reading this who has not yet been called out of the darkness and into His marvelous light. Take hope in knowing that God saves all who put their trust in Christ alone for the atonement of their sin, who call on His name for their salvation, and follow Him as their Lord. You too, can know what it really means to belong to that holy nation of God!
(Now if you are at all interested, please listen to these sessions in their entirety at: www.cayaf.org
Blessings!

Who Is My Neighbor?

2008-09-15T17:37:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I listened as my pastor explained immigration as determined by Scripture. At the end of the message, I came away realizing I'd spent far too much time being critical of a certain group of people, so much so, that I couldn't see them as my neighbor whom I am to love as myself. We send missionaries to Mexico, because we see a need there, to witness the love of God to them. How does our need to share the love of God with them change, when they come here illegally? It doesn't, yet we see them and cry out "Criminal" ! Am I not a criminal as well, every time I break the law? While I may have an opinion about how my government should deal with the issue of legal American citizenship, I must remember that my true citizenship is no longer America, but Heaven! My allegience is owed only to the Maker of the country He was pleased to place me in temporarily! I can vote for elected officials that I think will uphold values and principles as close to the Word as possible, and even be proud of all that the men and women in this country have acheived to make it the greatest country on earth. But I'm only in America, because God chose it for me. I didn't earn it! There is a song that goes, "This world is not my home. I'm just a passin' through". Do I believe that? I'd better, because I sing that song a lot! If this world is not my home, then neither can America be. I've got a far better home waiting than any country on earth could give me! I'm still on route! And while I'm traveling the road that leads there, I may come upon a person who Jesus says is my neighbor. That illegal immigrant.....
" The fields are ripe for harvest, but the workers are few..."
What a perfect opportunity the Lord has laid in the laps of His people! A chance to do that very thing the Church is supposed to be about, loving my neighbor as myself! And who knows? Someday, that person may be my "eternal" neighbor, having a mansion right next door to mine!

This Is My Song

2008-09-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

I cannot imagine life without music. Many on my dad's side of the family either played an instrument or sang, or both! My dad had his own dixieland band and played for many years, so I grew up singing along to Mitch Miller and Lawrence Welk. As an adult, I followed along the same path. My husband and I made a living at music for 25 years! We played in bars, nightclubs, motel lounges and fraternal clubs around the midwest. Our music was a mix of country, big band and light Rock & Roll. But in February 1995, something happened that changed my whole life! I found Jesus, and from that moment on, nothing would ever be the same! My desire for smoke filled barrooms and nightclub lounges were gone. So was my desire to sing songs about cheating and drinking, or any other vice. One thing that remained was my love for music and my desire to sing. Only now, instead of singing songs to the devil, I want to sing songs to the Lord! The Bible says, "Sing to the Lord, a new song", and that's what I'm doing!