LOOK AND SEE WHAT GOD HAS DONE!

Revelation is a hard book for me and I am always glad to get through it.  I've done a study on it and still I balk a bit when it's time once again to journal John's mysterious visions.  But today I have to eat my words.  It came like a slam dunk through the bucket and was just what I needed to hear.

Rev. 3:8 says, "I see what you've done.  Now see what I've done.  I've opened a door before you that no one can slam shut.  You don't have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my word.  You didn't deny me when times were rough."

Well, the church of Philadelphia certainly must have had a much rougher time than what I did!  Of course!  But this verse still stands for my small incident which sent me into a battle with envy!  It may be hard to believe, but I envied the love my children have for one another, so deep their love for each other.

God saw me through it and brought forgiveness and peace.

However, now I must live with this new admission. I had wanted the first place within the family and was resentful that I would never have it.  At the same time, I was in great sorrow at the discovery of my sin.  When my heart burst with sadness and shame, God came and opened the door back to Him.

So, I will live in gladness as I remember that moment of pain and continue to reach for God's help  in adjusting and for wisdom to accept the worth that I do have among my children.  Perhaps, after all, I had something to do with the love they have for each other, for their wonderful father, and for their God, first of all.

I'm so grateful God picked me to mother this loving family!  Thank you, God!

I looked to see what God had done for me...and I am  so very glad!

From a friend in the battle of life...Jo

I KNOW IT IN MY KNOWER

For years, when someone asks me about God, for instance, "How do you know God is real?", I usually say, "Because I know it in my knower!"

They  probably put my answer in the "must not be very important category", but it does make them curious and they usually ask further.  However, this morning I see that I may not be far off.  Get a load of Hebrews 8:10,11 in the Message:  "This new plan I'm making sn't going to be written on paper, isn't going to be chiseled in stone; this time I'm writing out the plan in them, carving it on the lining of their hearts."

God's plan is written on "the lining of my heart," so says Paul in his letter to the Hebrews.  Inside of me, as deeply as it is possible to get which is my very center, my core, there it is written--God's plan for me to get to know him.  Perhaps it is also written there for me to discover his plan to love me, to show me His mercy, His joy in me, and the purpose He may have planned for me.

But now I am getting old and doubt there is any grand assignment awaiting me on my heart as yet undiscovered.  And that's very OK as I have enough challenge keeping my nose clean and loving those around me.  I have many flaws as well, but God is working on me to work on them.  Some things are my job and I'd better learn how to do them. Time's a wastin'!

In the meantime, I find it very nice that I wasn't so far off when saying, "I know it in my knower!"  My knower must be the lining of my heart!

Merry Christmas, to any reader out there. God's blessings upon you and yours! (Look for me again sometime after Christmas.  We're on our way to Minnesota!  BRRRRR.)

Love you, Lord!    JO

THIS IS GOD'S TODAY

Good morning!  Hebrew's  3:13 tells us, "For as long as it's still God's Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn't slow down your reflexes."

I said to myself, "Watch your step!  Watch out for unbelief!"  I know from experience that unbelief in any form is evil.  Unbelief commiserates with my bad thinking as if it is a friend looking out for me.  Unbelief joins hands in my questioning of God's purpose, God's mercy, and God's love for me. Unbelief can tie me up in a knot and leave me bereft of hope and truth.

So, I am here to say: Today is God's Today.  Every day and every tomorrow is God's.  He is the Establisher of the Day; He is the Protector of the day and of those who live in that day, that very moment of that very day.  Each moment belongs to God.  Remember this!  Remember this and you will not fail Him! 

Those are the things I tell myself.

As I sat moments ago at my breakfast table, my notebook open, my bible read, and my pen in my hand, I was aware that moment was God's, just as this moment is God's.  And God is with me, even now.  These words I am writing are the very words I am saying to God. God is here.  God is always here.  And He will always be here- or there- or anywhere I am.  He is with me in the strokes of my pen, in my eyes as I read, in the warmth of my body and in the surging of my heart as a decision is made to put all of these thoughts into my blog which may or may not be read by any other, but will be known by God forever.

Welcome Lord! You are the Mighty One, the One in whom I Live.

Thank You, God!  May I always- always remember: This is God's Today!

I am yours, God.   Jo

GOD IN US-FROM THE BEGINNING!

Just had to share this thought with you.  While reading scripture this morning in Colossians, I read Paul  who said, "by looking at God's Son we see the God we cannot see. And by looking at the Son we see God's original purpose in everything created."  It goes on to say, "everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.  He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together."  Later, "supreme in the beginning"--"from beginning to end He is there."

Well, that got the old brain thinking. What do you think? Is it not possisble that whatever is created--me, you, the entire world and all of its peoples--got started in Him!

Does this mean that everything created has Him within it, being part and parcel of Christ Jesus? Could it be that the God-piece of each of us is there from our beginning and is only unseen because of our ignorance of God and lack of awareness, lack of knowledge of God? Does it mean that without development and nurturing, God in us does not develop?

Put a seed in the ground, having the promise of a corn stalk and ripe corn on the cob, but do not water it, what will you get?  Not a darn thing!  Nothing! Nothing but a dried up plant, hardly a stalk at all.  (I had Jerry's help in the analogy!)

Nurture our babies by feeding their hunger for God, their maker, and the child will grow up to be One with Him.  Nurture our own selves to feed the hunger for God--(Yes, that's what that feeling of not belonging  is!) and we will discover all that God has in store for us.

I know, personally, give me a little of God and I want more and more of Him.  In fact, sometimes I feel  as if I cannot get enough!  Don't misunderstand, it isn't more of me that I want, its more of Him I want in me.

God, Blessed be your Holy Name!  Amen.

Just Jo

I AM A FRIEND OF GOD

"I am a friend of God...I am a friend of God....I am a friend of God....He calls me Friend!"

Being a friend of God through song is not a bad thing. However, some may feel that it is not being appropriate to use that same voice when speaking of God. That it cheapens God. God must have at all times our most sacred thoughts, our quiet prayers, our haloed heads, our purest thoughts, our piety.

God must have that, of course, but if God had only that of me, He would have very little of the real me.  And God knows really well the "real me" and is entitled to have the joy which leaps from my spirit, as a person released from slavery into freedom.  I am free now to love God with a heart bursting with the kind of pride only God would accept unconditionally--the pride of being His.

You see, I was a slave.  No, I was not a slave in the same way so many of our darker-skinned ancestors were slaves, and owned by a master, used in horrible ways in fields and homes.  Nor was I a slave in the modern way of the many kidnapped women  owned by a master who rents them out to men by the half-hour in dirty tents. This kind of slavey is horrible.  Yet, I was a slave to my own thoughts about myself.

I was loved but yet a very little girl who tried to be perfect because she was reminded so often about her sinful nature and her naughtiness.  I didn't recognize they were being playful, making a joke.  My actions were not at all funny to me.  Punishment for wrong actions became unforgetable.  All wrongness became magnified. I grew up to believe the worst about myself and kept trying to prove to myself and others that I was a good person.  Being good began to be my goal in life.

Now, worshpping God at that time was really not vital to our family.  We knew of God.  We were even baptized.  But we did not attend church.  My brother, sister and myself were invited to sing Away In The Manger once at a Christmas Service at a church in our small town when I was in 1st or 2nd  grade.  And in another slightly larger town, we went to Sunday School briefly.  My dad was a Mason so my brother went into DeMolay and my sister and I, Job's Daughters, which became the extent of our Christian education.

Jerry and I were married in our early 20's and Jerry went into the Navy for two years.  We had a daughter, Peggy, when the Navy years came along and while serving in the Navy, Jerry became a father of another baby girl, Lynn.  Both girls were baptized.  But serving God did not come until, finally, when our Navy days were over.

That's when I began to learn, really learn, what God was all about. In the express line for the love of my God, the scriptures came alive, I learned how to pray, and God sent many people in singles and groups to show me The Way. I shall be forever grateful for all of their love and joy.

I am just me, in spite of all those who led the way.  Being me is just being the best me I can be. I am not a prophet, priest, or pastor. I don't have a degree in anything.  But God did give me an encouraging heart and a small gift of writing.  Usually, I may encourage through the Word; sometimes I encourage through my glad heart.

Now, if I were not a Friend of God, I might be a Fool for God. What would those very proper, good people think then? I pray that those who wonder about being appropriate might have the joy I feel and the joy I pray that all others might also feel.

Someday I might dance for God.  That would be wonderfully inappropriate and totally joyful!

Thank you, God, for everyone who dares to love you in whatever way they can.

Just me, Jo

TODAY'S PRAYER

The prayer Paul prayed for the church of Thessalonica suits me fine, because I've been falutin' around long enough in regard to two wonderful people that I suspect love life, love each other, but haven't yet met the greatest lover of all, Jesus Christ.

You can know them by DV and RV, a pair in their eighties, I'm guessing.  One has had a stroke and the other takes care of the stroke victim.  They are precious friends to me, and I read to the one who has had the stroke.

Now this prayer comes at a time when I simply don't know quite what to do.  I work as a volunteer within a program that might not like me to make any suggestions about their salvation.  I am not even good enough to be called an amateur in this kind of contest, but I do believe in prayer for myself and others, and believe me this is a great time to do that and ask the rest of the world to pray about that, too.  I need help from the Holy Spirit!  So this blog must be in the form of a prayer.  Here goes......

Lord, I read in 1 Thessalonica, Chap 3, verse 11, the letter from Paul who is praying for his friends there to have success in reaching others and himself to have success in coming to them again. "May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you!  And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you!" And in my own words, Lord, I pray that you will clear the way for me or someone to enlighten DV and RV about you.  Thank you, Lord, for giving me the gift of their friendship and bringing someone, even me, who will reveal you to them. Thank you, Lord. AMEN

I hope you will join me in this prayer and feel free to add any other person's name  you might like to know the Lord, too.

I hope you had a grand Thanksgiving Day.  We all have so much to be thankful for, even in these serious times. We spent a wonderful week in a little town in Wisconsin  called Elroy, just full of good, friendly people! A delightful visit with my sisters, Shirley, who had us at her home, and Judy, whom we visited briefly in St. Paul, MN.  Two people to whom I owe a lot!  Thanks, Lord!!

Once again, Jo

THE OLD BARN HOLDS THE SON OF GOD

GAL.2:18 says, "If I was "trying to be good", I would be re-building the same old barn that I tore down.  I would be acting as a charlatan."  (THE MESSAGE)

Paul had been a good Jew, rule-keeping, following all the laws set up by Judism.  He must have had a little trouble originally denying those rules and letting himself be built anew by God Himself.  Paul found that God saw to it that Paul was automatically good; he didn't have to try to be good for himself.  God saw to it by leading Paul away from sinfulness.  Paul obeyed God.  The rules no longer were a matter to be concerned about.

I have a hangup that I have mentioned before.  It is difficult for me to trust that I am completely God's woman as I wonder if I am sometimes motivated by wanting attention. I  even worry about it.....Am I full of God, or am I mostly Jo? My weaknesses do prevail. I have enough ego to fill the barn which is probably what makes me think I should be less weak than I am. Sounds like pride to me and this whole thing is probably a scheme of Satan's. Help!

Why am I not OK just being ordinary me?  How can I grasp totally that the perfection of Jesus is within me? I may hide it once and awhile, but it is there!  I trust that completely! Die, self!  Die!

I've decided I cannot have heaven without dying.  I thought self had been slain, but I think I have kept self alive and have been torturing her. Satan needs to be put to death once and for all, and Jo needs to be freed to be totally One with Jesus.

I am like an ordinary vessel that carries within me a wonderful elixer that can be potent in the lives of others.  But I see my vessel holding the elixer as a worn, tarnished jar.  Oh, who cares?  The elixer is potent and can find its way into the heart of the most reluctant because it is perfect!  It is beautiful, tantalizing, warming, desirable and it smells wonderful!  It's fragrance impels others to say,"I  want some, too!  I want to be like Jesus, too!"

And inside or outside we become His.  I am His.  That is the only bragging rights I have.  I am Just Ordinary. But I am His.  Inside, I am His.  Outside, I am His.  And what I do or say, I do and say because I am His.  And I do not whine because I am not perfect.  (I think I am done with this now.  I certainly hope so.) God chose me and He chooses perfectly. I am imperfectly perfect.  The Old Barn Holds God's Son!

Get a move on, Jo.  Get that barn door open!  Thanks be to God!

ONLY GOD CAN DO IT!

I have an old experience that is like the bobble-head doll; it just keeps coming up again and again.  Every time it comes up I think--I took care of this!  Why is it bothering me now?

I've told you about it, I think, or at least I have  referred to it.  Something that crashed into me and laid me low, like Job. And I had friends, like Job, who tried to make me believe that it was all my fault, too.  But it wasn't, dag nab it!  But it is my fault for getting caught up in it again!

In Job 17:3, Job prays, "O God, pledge your support for me.  Give it to me in writing with your signature.  You're the only one who can do it. "  That's what I want--God's support. I want to believe that I'm His, and I'm OK.

Is it a matter of my pride that makes me stumble once again with broken spirit?  Perhaps it is.  Where is the scripture lesson which tackles that pride and helps me to regain God's support?  Well, they are all over the bible beginning with the 23rd Psalm, which nearly everyone knows.  "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow death, He is with me.
His rod and his staff comfort me.  He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. He covers my head with oil.  My cup runs over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall live in the house of the Lord forever."

Well, it seems I already have God's support! Why the long face, friend?  We have His rod and staff!We have God's right arm!  We have His love!  Yes, He loves us like nobody else can ever love us!  We have Him!  Praise the Lord!!!!

I'm better now.  Thanks for listening!  jo

GIVE US A HEART FOR THIS WORK

I know, I know...I'm back so soon.  Well, the Lord has me alert and listening.  Maybe it's a change in me; maybe it's a change in the world.Yesterday's journaling got stuck in my brain, so here I am; back again!

I journaled on Nehemiah 4:6 which read: "We kept at it, repairing and rebuilding the wall.  The whole wall was soon joined together and halfway to its intended height because the people had a heart for the work."

The builders of the wall  came from many sources with one thing in common--they each wanted to help rebuild the wall of Jerusalem because they loved God and God was supporting their work.What kind of people were they? The high priest worked with his fellow priests, the men of Jerico, and families who lived in Jerusalem each worked on the walls in front of their homes.  Goldsmiths, perfumers, mayors of the various districts, sons of other importnt men, and the Temple support staff, plus merchants of all kinds all, willingly worked together to restore their city just as God had requested of Nehemiah.

You might wonder what kind of wall could we have in this day when there are few walls around cities, and what cities might need to be built up.  I suppose there might be real cities that do need rebuilding, but, in my opinion, there are walls that do need re-building of a totally different nature.

I recently read in the Arizona Republic that the percentage of Godly believers has radically fallen, and those who may believe in God but do not go to church has sharply risen.  I believe that such a time as this is worthy of investigating by prayer if the Walls of Faith are falling down.  Without churches can our faith in God stand the tests our world may extend to us?  Can isolated study and prayer by individuals take the place of the church where we work, praise God, and study together?

When I was a young woman I hungered for the church and the church body.  Not raised in the church, I wanted to know the peace of God, the joy of fellowship.  I wanted to learn about Him with others.The church ain't perfect, but then, neither am I!  And where better to learn forgiveness than with other imperfect cusses like me!

This task that I propose we do together, this wall that's falling down, this breach in our faith journeys- can't we join together and breach this gap?  Maybe it's time to increase our desire to think of others.  Think of the lady down the street who is a widow and has no one to go to church with. How is her faith life without support?  Or the kids down the block that might be friendly toward an invitation to Sunday School. How will they learn about a loving Father? Or the man at the coffee shop who always sits alone--could he like the company of your small group? Or the woman with a doctor appointment and no car; does she know she is not forgotten?

I'm guilty, guiltier than all of you.  I have the time to go to the lonesome lady, the wistful kids, the old and the weak. I need to hustle and pull my britches up, stimulate my get up and go, and pray like mad that God would erase my selfishness and double my faith so that I might fill my heart with the infectious Spirit that only God can give. I want a heart for this work.

Help us, Oh Lord, to clear away the debris in the world by starting with our own hearts and giving us a HUGE desire to build up the faith of this nation, FAITH IN YOU AND YOUR LOVINGKINDNESS.

I appeal to all who read this to spread the word.  God wants us to build us a wall of faith in Him.

(And I thank you, Lord, for giving me the courage to blog this message.)

jo

ONLY A PRAYER AWAY

Why is it I can't stay one with Jesus all the time?  How come there are times that I fall into disharmony with Him and others, and then finally with myself?  What's wrong with me anyway? Well, I'm human and because I'm human I'm a sucker for anyone who will tell me that I'm right and others are wrong.  Or I'm a sucker for feeling satisfied with things as they are and there is no need to change.  In other words, I want to believe I'm exceptional!

Remember Simon?  The guy who later was called Peter?  He was like that.  He loved Jesus, in fact he thought he loved Jesus even more than anyone else. Maybe he did....and maybe he didn't.  But he disowned allegiance to Jesus three times!  Simon was human, like me.  In fact, Jesus warned Simon and the others (with great love and understanding) of what was to come--his death on the cross.  In Luke 22 verses 31 and 32 Jesus says, "Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I've prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out.  When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start."

Jesus knows the human conditions and so warned his former disciples as well as those disciples of today to be wary of Satan and his messages to us.  Jesus knows our weaknesses, our strengths, our sins and our moments of goodness and joy.  We are His--all the way--yet there are moments when we are weak and Satan moves in to "try his best to separate" us from Him, Jesus, the One who is Ours, our very own Savior.

At this point I must not give in to the tantalizing message of Satan who always causes me to see ME with capital letters and it becomes easy for me to capitalize on my own will. I give in to the message of Satan, "You are important."  Giving in, I might give up the fight for the Lord's leading. I may give out the wrong message to those around me, to those I love, wrongly telling them Jesus doesn't matter in these circumstances.  Protection for ourselves becomes of utmost importance.  No matter what words we use, we have given in, given up, and given out wrongly.

I must remember.  Stick with the guy what brung ya!  Stick with the Lord who found you, carried you, taught you, loved you, and will always love you!  Stick with the guy who saved you!

Peter did!  So can I! And Jesus is only a prayer away!  Jo

STAY WITH IT!

I hope you are not having to carry a huge burden today, and feel as if it is too much of a burden to lug around anymore.  I truly hope your life is burden free. But if it is not, you are not alone.  Each of us at different times are asked to carry a heavy load, and sometimes those loads just seem to be too much.

But, there is hope and consolation!  Luke 21:18 says, "Every detail of your body and soul--even the hairs of your head--is in my care, nothing of you will be lost.  Staying with it--that's what is required."  The first part of this verse is comforting, isn't it?  Everything about me is covered  in care by Jesus.  I can trust this.  I can praise God for this.  And I do.  Yet something is required of me--to stay with it, it being whatever trials or tribulations, sorrows or sickness, I may be called to endure.

When my children are under seige, I cover them with care, pray for then, hold them near to me--and they can trust this.  I choose to trust Jesus to do the same for me when I am burdened with sorrow, blame, shame, or whatever.  I know that He will cover me because He has done so for me already.

But, it's hard to stay with it. It's hard to thank God for His care when we are burdened. It's hard to stay with it when we want to run from it. But thanking God is important as it keeps us open to staying with it. The its of life surely can be tough and talking about them to others can momentarily feel good, but sometimes can fog the necessary action one needs to endure. I just keep reminding myself that God has me in His care.  I am His.  He owns me, body and soul, and therefore I will not be lost.  And all I have to do is "stay with it."

Lord Jesus, help those today that sense the need to stay with it when they find a task that they must endure.

Just sayin'---Jo

TAKE A PICTURE OF ME!

The story behind the title of today's blog begins when I was a little girl.  Someone was taking pictures, and a little friend made a scene because she wanted her pcture taken. I remember being embarassed and thought it was very childish as she kept on and on saying over and over, "Take a picture of me!  Take a pcture of me!" Yet I find that oftentimes I, too, want recognition.  I, too, want the attention just like that little girl wanted so long ago.  Perhaps, it is true that we all suffer from not being noticed once and awhile.

But, when I read the scriptures, when I discover how Jesus felt about attention, I become aware that Jesus did more work for the Father when he got no recognition. How can I be like that?

I read verses from Zechariah this morning.  Chapter 10, vs. 3-5.  "God'll revive their spirits, make them proud to be on God's side.  God will use them in his work of rebuilding, use them as foundations and pillars, use them as tools and instruments, use them to oversee his works.  They'll be a workforce to be proud of, working as one."

Nobody stood out!  Nobody got more attention than another!  Nobody got their picture taken! Yet I can imagine the many times these verses have been read and praised, how many people have taken them to heart, how many have prayed that they, too, might have these verses as their life's goal. I hope thousands upon thousands have rejoiced throughout the ages upon reading this message.  It, like all of God's Word, was sent to bless us, awaken us, teach us and refine us.

How I desire to bring the joy of God and His Word to those I love.  I would have them know how their spirits can be revived and how they can be proud and joyful to know God and be on God's side.  To know we are not alone; we always have God.  He is always there to help us when we ask.  He only wants to be asked and trusted and to always be first with us.

Sometimes, when I feel a need to have my picture taken, I know I am not putting Him first. This is important to God...that He be first!  Not me!  Never me!

God, may you always be first to me.  May I shine only with your Glory and not with my own.  Forgive my need to want recognition.  I want you to be recognized even if others forget me all together!!  It will be hard for me, I know.  But it is there that I must go; because I need you. Amen

PS. Do they take membership pictures in Heaven?  (No, I'm just kidding!)

Your friend, Jo

THE BLACK BOOK ON THE SHELF

Well, here I am again, filled with nostalgia and ready to set it out into the wild world of words which will somehow make their way into wavelengths. So I need to have a Part 1 and a Part 2 with the hope that I can combine them into something that may be of interest to you.

Part 1 comes from the reminder that is found in Revelations 22:10 which says:  "Don't seal the words of prophecy of this book; don't put it away on the shelf.  Time is just about up."  We did have a Bible in our house.  Except for perhaps at Christmas, however, it gathered dust on a shelf.  My memory is poor and my sisters still living may remember differently. But bible reading?  No, I cannot say it was often referred to, but it was always a reminder that God existed, and He was found in that book.

My knowledge of God, insufficient as it was, came from Masonic Orders.  I was a Job's Daughter until I graduated from Robbinsdale High School (in MPLS, MN).  Later, I joined Eastern Star with my mother before I was married. The bible stories they used in their ceremonies nurtured my soul and I became hungry to know more.  To be honest, I need to be accurate and tell you that I was trying to be  good and thought God's goodness would somehow be bestowed upon me.  I so wanted to be a good person.

Part 2 comes from a strange occurance  recently to come upon me.  My hair has become quite curly.  I had very curly hair when I was a little girl and at about 3 years old my baby sister, Shirley, was born.  When her hair came in curly,  and people began to remark about it, I became jealous and did something very "not good"!  I glued her curls onto her head.  This often repeated story as I was growing up put the exclamation mark upon my wanting to be a "good girl"!   Shirley kept her curly hair, and mine disappeared. Now, at the end part of my life, I look as if I've had a perm!  Crazy, huh?

Even if my time here on earth may be up soon, I trust God is in me and is able to make His goodness clear to those around me.  God is very real and the way I know that is I see His Face  through that "black book" which used to sit on the shelf gathering dust. Jerry, my husband, and I each have our favorite bibles which we read daily, reading the entire Bible each year and the New Testament twice a year. God is still in that book and now, Praise and Thanks to Him, He is in me..even in me with the curly hair!

Just call me Blessed!  Jo

WHO ARE THE WATCHMEN?

I have a question after reading Ezekiel. Who are today's Watchmen? Uh huh! Don't know what I'm talking about? Well, you've got a point..I'm kind of confused. Maybe a little hopeful, a little nervous, but WIDE AWAKE!

God spoke many things to Ezekiel. Nearly 600 years before Christ, God made Ezekiel His Watchman. It was an honor,certainly, but a difficult job, a real doozy. In Ezek.33:7, God said to him, "You, son of man, are the watchman. I've made you a watchman for Israel. The minute you hear a message from me, warn them." God went on to command Ezekiel, "Tell them, "As sure as I am the Living God, I take no pleasure from the death of the wicked. I want the wicked to change their ways and live.""

That's the crux of today's posting. Who will be God's Watchmen in the coming days? And how will we know? Will he or she stand up and tell us? We would probably think that person would be like the guys who carry signs that say, "The End Is Coming!"

Maybe God will not assign just one person. Would any one of us dare to refuse God? Boy, when I look around I see a few people that might qualify. Some really good pastors tell it like it is. But for the world at large...who don't even like religion...it would have to take a person or persons with tremendous devotion and those not afraid to take bloodshed on the chin.

When I see all the horrific battles around the world between religions, my heart cries out in compassion and hope that we have a Watchman. Or many of them. All hearing God's voice and passing the words along. How desperately we need them to tell the world that God awaits each individual to seek Him to make a covenant with Him. And God then can give each person who seeks Him in sincerity the promise of a good life filled with security, holiness, life in God as His person and God within him that the world can see. What a promise...full of hope!

I wish I knew who it was that told me about God. From the very first, I was hungry for God. God was very good, you see. And I wasn't! But over the years God has made me see that it is He that is good. And who do I think I am that I should be good? But with the Christ within me, the very Son of God, that part of me is very good! But I'm no Watchman!

So, I'm praying for Watchmen and Watchwomen! Surely an army of guided, listening, caring people will become available soon to show the world God Cares! And I pray those Big Watchpeople will wear "Big W" T-shirts that remind us to believe what God is telling them to tell us! (I think the colors should be blue like the sky and white like the heavens, don't you?)

Anyway, I vote for Watchmen. I'm grateful for Ezekiel.

And I'm not kidding. Love, Jo

ANOTHER DAY; ANOTHER DANIEL

"Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever. He knows all, does all.....He opens up the depths; tells secrets, sees in the dark--light spills out of Him!"
(Dan.2:19,21, from THE MESSAGE)

That's the message I received this morning which lead me to pray for my grandson, a heroin addict. He is a beautiful young man who can't quite quit the disasterous road he travels. But he wants to be loved, to be accepted, to be better than he is. Does he not understand that he is better than he is? Does he not understand that he will always be accepted, if not honored? Does he not understand that we in the world love him, his God loves him, and heaven loves him? And what we and they love we also desire for those we love: health for him and goodness for him and all things wise and beautiful! God don't let him die without believing in your love and ours!

What mystery is in the dark soul of a heroin addict? an alcoholic? a sex addict?
What dreams do they have that are so impossible to understand? What about them makes it so easy for them to fail?

Perhaps our prayers for healing have been jumping the gun. Perhaps we need to pray that our beautiful grandson--and others so like him--should be prayed for differently. Perhaps, also, we modern-day God's people don't really understand the full measure of God's power. Healing we get, so make him well. Make him hungry for a steak, or lobster, something good for him. Make him to hate heroin.

But what can we pray for to put this beautiful grandson and others on a track for God and all God is and all God can do? What did the ancient Daniel have that our Daniel does not? What prayers did the ancient Daniel have that ours do not?

Lord, we bring to you these questions seeking answers which we so much need. Our Dan needs your love, your healing power, your wisdom and your strength and we seek that for him through the ancient Daniel for whom he is named. Will you bring our Daniel to his place of need and want for You, perhaps just where the ancient Daniel's faith and determination originated? Help our Daniel to start over, coming to you for forgiveness, with his need for you and your guidance, for a desire to please only you. Help him to put his pain, needs and desires away and search sincerely for You. Help him to feel his hand in yours and believe the promise that you will never let go. Give him trust, grace, and peace in time as he learns. And Lord, let him know that he is YOURS! Make him hungry for your Word for in the Word he will always find you!

For this we pray, that someday our Daniel, too, will bring you Glory and Honor!
Isn't that what all of your people pray for? Not just for the Daniels of this world, but for us all. AMEN

God save us all, Your friend, Jo

IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND

(Psalm 111:8-10, THE MESSAGE)
"He paid the ransom for His people;
He ordered His Covenant kept forever.
He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.
The good life begins in the fear of God--
Do that and you'll know the blessing of God.
His Hallelujah lasts forever!"

This psalm has no mark to deterine its author. It could have been written by David, but it appears to be a prophecy. Jesus paid the ransom for His people--all of us, not just the Jews who were the original psalm writers and our God worshippers. "His peoople" now are Christ Believers, those who accept our Lord as the Son of God who did, indeed, die as a ransom for our sinfulness. His Covenant for us is to be with Him when our life on this earth is over. Even in life, Jesus is our personal Savior; His death and life sets us free to serve Him as He wills. Jesus is personal because He sent His Holy spirit to live within us to lead, guide and teach us. Without Christ's love and His spirit our life would be meaningless. Therefore, we honor and respect, yea fear God. We praise and adore Him. His answer is Hallelujah! And we join in- Hallelujah!--forever and forever!

Lord God, Hold me in the palm of your hand and I will be blessed forever. Amen.

Hallelujah! Jo

THE GLORY OF GOD

Blessed Ezekiel! He tells us, "God grabbed me by the shoulder and said, "Get up...Go out on the plain. I want to talk with you."" (Eze.3:22)

Ezekiel did get up and went out on the plain. At first Ezekiel didn't really want to get mixed up with God,having no desire to get into trouble with the authorities, but he finally went and saw...The Glory of God!

Sure sounds wonderful, doesn't it? Well God has never grabbed me by the shoulder or any other body part for I am not a prophet. Nor have I seen the Glor of God as it came to Ezekiel. But because I have studied the new testament, also, I remember Jesus telling His disciples to go and tell the world about Him. Will that enable me to see the Glory of God?

Now those who follow Jesus today and are not one of Jesus first disciples are probably not capable, as I am not, of those miraculous changes those first disciples made. But we have been "ordained" through the scriptures to "go and do likewise."

My efforts to do this are late in coming and extremely minor in comparison. Nothing I might do could compare with the work of the Magnificant Eleven!! But God loves me and loves whatever attempt I might make to heal the world. I must trust the Holy Spirit to use my smile and my actions when words don't seem appropriate. And kindness is good. Even just being there is sometimes the best a person today can do. Promising to pray for someone, enjoying a loaugh together, forgiving "rough edges" so like my own, can be "doing likewise" as we have been instructed.

I'll be listening wiith my heart and looking with my mind for the Glory of God. It may not look like it did for Ezekiel, but it will be there. I'm sure of it! A smile returned, a friend healing, a thank you for prayer...all these and more represent the Glory of God. I'm sure of it! Right? Jesus?

Someday we will all behold...like Ezekiel...God in ALL of His Glory! Amen

Love to the whole world, jo

THE INFLATED SELF

John 13:38 reads, "Really? You'll lay down your life for me? The truth is that before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times."

Jesus spoke these words, if you remember, to Peter after the last Passover Feast Jesus had with His disciples. Judas had already left to do his deed of betrayal. Jesus had washed their feet and warned them that He must go away for a while. Peter claimed he could go with Jesus; he was prepared to die with him. But Jesus knew Peter well and said, "You will deny me three times."

I am much like Peter, I think. I can do that! I can deny myself! I gave Jesus my life and asked that He would come into mine. I was most sincere.

But, like Peter, I have denied Jesus. I have denied Him many times. I can see the denials when I look backward at things I have done--or things I did not do. Whenever I think or do something totally for myself instead of for another, I deny Jesus. My selfishness is apparent to others. Even when I try to help someone, I wonder how much is for self-agrandizement. Yes, I am full of self. My self is so huge and---Oh, No! I keep trying to make it bigger!

This sin is part of my central core and only the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ can keep me from total self-inflation. Lord, help me! Amen

Yet, Jesus loved Peter. Jesus forgave Peter and called him the Rock. I know I am loved, too. Christ has been so good to me. I thank you, Lord, for showing me how deep and wide your love is. Thank you for leading me away from myself and keep me working at the never-ending sin of self. You are wonderful, Lord! I praise your name!

Happy is the day I am more of Him and less of me!

I remain---Your friend, Jo

IT'S HARD TO ALWAYS GIVE THANKS!

Hello, again! Seems like I was just here moments ago, but God absolutely led me to this message...because I needed to hear it! So, if it's not new to you, I apologize. In fact, for the record, I apologize for everything that has been old stuff to you in the weeks past. But, perhaps, reminders to each of us doesn't hurt!

In reading today's suggested reading in Jeramiah 2 verse 16a, a message leaped out at me. These raging lions and tigers leap from their secluded rocks and trees and roar their messages. Sometimes I hear only a whisper of a leaf floating in the breeze, but today it was lions and tigers roaring the gist of it and the floating leaf drifted into my mind to uncover the rest. Jer.2:16a ...."Why do you think all this has happened? Isn't it because you walked out on your God just as He was beginning to lead you in the right way?"

Now, I pray to follow God's will and yet what seems to be His will often is not. And all we can do is live with the confusion that comes when we have been mistaken. But, here now, is the revelation for me.....Even the worst scenario is liveable when God is included.....and thanked!Ephesians 5:20 says "You will always give thanks for everything to God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ!"

There you have it! Thanking God for all things is an instruction, an order! Even the worst scenario in our lives is liveable when God is included and thanked.

Right now, today, Jerry and I should be at a closing for a small condo in MN, something we long to do in order to be closer to our children and our grand-children. We probably aren't quite ready to move back permanently, but it was to be a small start. The deal went kaput through no fault of ours and we have suffered a big disappointment. Plus, we have prayed most desperately for two of our grandchildren in the past two years for disappointments in their lives, as well. There has been no blaming God, just trust and hope. But, until today, I have not thanked God for these things.

I thank you God, even for disappointments, for I believe through your mercy and generosity you will persevere and bring new life into these situations. I thank you , Lord,that even in my thoughtlessness, you have come. Thank you for loving my grandchildren and their parents, and for all the time of teaching us you are providing. Forgive me for not thanking you before this time, but I thank you most sincerely for re-opening my eyes to your desire for me to thank you. Thank you for your healing power in the lives of those in my family who need healing. And for Jerry and I as we grow older, for we thank you for the peace you are sure to bring us as we again seek your will regarding a spot to rest in the North.

Please be with my friends out there in la la land and help us all remember to thank you NO MATTER WHAT !

With assurance of God's pleasure, and with an AMEN, I remain....Jo

CHRIST LIVES WITHIN HIS WORD

Read this today, please, with an open mind. I pray God has inspired me to write this and that it is not my own willfulness. It is true, I am capable of assuming what I do is God's will when it may be my own. So what I say, I say in gratitude of God's grace.

Reading John 6:3 today. "The Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don't make anything happen. Every word I have spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making." (The Message) These words followed the reaction to some of Jesus' followers when Christ spoke to them about eating HIs Body and drinking HIs Blood. They found this too radical to follow. Jesus answered them by explaining the Spirit of God works within us so that we are willing to risk receiving Christ's Spirit. And the words Christ speaks are only because the Spirit of God has given them to Him. And so, we eat His Word given by God's Spirit, and is if you will, the Body and Blood of Christ.

Now, I read Scripture daily as do many of you, and I eat up His Word, which is full of the very life of Jesus. Also, I do take communion in church which signifies the Body of Christ, the Bread of Life. Both methods of receiving Christ are real to me.

But for many people, so much of what is real to me is hidden from their sight. Loving Christ allows me to accept a wafer and a sip of wine as Christ's Body and Blood. But my meal of Christ are the words He spoke on earth which came from the very Spirit of God. These I eat, absorb, act upon, and, I pray, share in this small way. So, I'm just sayin', the word of Christ through the Holy Spirit is Christ's very Body and Blood. He lives within His Word. And I, by faith, shall find Him in those words and find this life-making.

I'm just sayin'.

Because of the Spirit of God, I am....Jo

HEAVEN BORN; HEAVENLY KNOWING

It seems I am subject to an occasional virus, but back again learning to live in the Heavenly realms!

So, yesterday and today, in reading the book of John (my favorite), I came to a deeper understanding of why some respond to Jesus' teachings and some can't quite "swallow" the "myths" of God and what God teaches.

First, John 3:32,33 tells us (The Message): "The earthborn is earthbound and speaks earth language; the heaven-born is in a league of his own. He sets out the evidence of what he saw and heard in heaven. No one (earthbound) wants to deal with these facts. But anyone who examines this evidence will come to stake his life on this: that God himself is the Truth." One who takes the time to examine the evidence, shows an interest, and opens the door to that Truth.

What's the difference between the earth-bound and the Heaven-bound persons? The earth-bound sees all things as to how it pertains to him or her. For instance, a pine tree as an example. A particular pine-tree smells good, gives good shade, might make a good Christmas tree, often grows in a lovely place to have a picnic, and so the person likes the pine-tree. Unless, it is in the way of a driveway, or some-such inconvenience to the person. A heaven-bound person enjoys the tree in the same way, but sees the tree as a gift of God and a gift to the entire surroundings and has a spirit of its own to enjoy and appreciate. He may even try to put his driveway in a different place. The pine-tree becomes an entity to be considered as one of God's blessings. How we rate its importance depends on our attitude toward Heaven and Heaven's teachings. One who cannot or will not follow Heaven's teachings cannot also be God-directed as he is not God-re-created.

Then, today, in John 4:10 I read: "If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking mefor a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water." The clue here is "if you knew." This goes right back to those who are earth-bound vs those who are heaven-bound. When the Samarian woman at Jacob's well began to believe Jesus was the Messiah, she bagan to know and understand what he was talking about.

Now I am basically a selfish person and that's why I stay in the Word. I need the help of the Holy Spirit constantly to keep me versed in the Heavens. Yes, I am now Heaven-born and hope I am also Heavenly-knowing. But I must work hard and stay tuned to the Holy Spirit in order to not go into self. But I like being self-less; I like being Heaven-born. And I want to fully be God's person. The work of the devil hounds us constantly. I want to stay clear of THAT one!

Come Holy Spirit. Keep me in your care for without you I am nothing. Amen

Yours in the Truth, jo

Focus on Others....Who Me?

A couple of weeks ago on a very hot evening, I was helping out at church with a group who arrived by bus from a Single Women's Shelter. The church was hostessing an over-flow of women that all might have a good, safe night's rest. I think there were about 20 women that night and we, having an excess of food from another outing, were able to provide the women with good food to eat as well as a good place to sleep.

I was privileged to hand out the sheets and blankets, etc and when I finished, I went to sit and visit. Now, I have never been really good at starting conversations and I wondered what I could ask them. God showed me later that I had led the conversation to something to which I could relate. It was just a way to make myself comfortable or possibly even to put me in a favorable light. God says, "Shame on you!!" for those antics, and I say, "Shame on me!"

A friend of mine once said to me,"Just once I wish someone would ask me a question!" She was exellent at starting conversations and no one could ever say that she talked about herself, as I have a tendency to do. Now I envied her that talent, but never taught myself how to do it.

I must be a slow learner, because at my age I should have learned by now how to get people to talk about themselves. And I have now written down some simple questions to ask these ladies at the next opportunity. I will memorize them, if I must! "Where did you grow up?" "Have you lived in AZ long?" "Where did you live before?" "Do you have brothers and sisters?" "Did you like school?" "Are you still able to see your old friends?" "I love animals, did you have any pets?" "What did you want to be when you grew up?"

I will not ask all of these things or they will think they are taking a lie-detector test! But these should give us a starting place and the trick, for me, will be to keep the conversation going by remembering, "It's all about the other person!"

My scripture for journaling yesterday was from James. Anyone surprised? And yes, I did write about this humbling experience. James 3:14,15 (THE MESSAGE)"Mean spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourself sound wise isn't wisdom....It's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better than others, or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats."

I don't need to compare my life with the lives of these women other than how our lives are blessed. They may be blessed with having a safe place to sleep. I am blessed because we can offer it. I don't need to be popular there. They don't need my credentials. They just want to be safe for the night, and in an air-conditioned building and not under a bridge.

I just thank God for opening my eyes to my selfish spirit in conversation. Me, me, me would bore the bloomers off of these good women who have hit a bad batch and aren't looking for anything but a little unselfishness.

Thanks for listening to my hard-earned insight! I hope it might help someone out there who struggles with this problem of "how to get the other person talking."

Fondly, Jo
HMMM! I wonder if my extra pair of jeans will fit anybody next week?

Hello, again! We're back from the great state of MN to the mountain..of laundry, having left our family after celebrating birthdays, marriages, and weddings, as well as a bon voyage for our son on his way to Denmark. A most happy and eventful week was spent in MN. Our home here in Mesa, and Max, our Pomeranian, were glad to see us as we were them. And I'm back to journaling on a regular basis.

So, today, when reading Isaiah, I stumbled along the road to the Holy Places. While reading Chapter 35, verses 8 through 10, I bumped into these most joyous words: "There will be a highway called the Holy Road...Only the redeemed will walk on it. The people God has ransomed will come back on this road. They'll sing as they make their way home to Zion, unfading halos of joy encircling their heads, welcomed home with gifts of joy and gladness as all sorrows and sighs scurry into the night."

What an incredible gift to be on a special hike with God's people! And no one else! Will we recognize those we know? I hope so! Ah, the joy of it and the privilege! You can't get lost on this road, so the scripture says, nor may you be rude or rebellious. No danger or nothing threatening is allowed. There will be spring water and cool oases, the lame will leap, the dumb sing and all wrongs will be righted. What a privilege! What a joy divine!

Thank you, Lord God, for the beauty of it. In advance, we thank you for our Salvation, even until the end! We ask that all things may become clear and explained, Lord. May we by faith and work become the stepping stone for others to know you. And on this road, Lord, may we meet the friends and family--and perhaps even strangers--that have met you through knowing us. And this would be for me the greatest miracle gift!

Praise you, God...Almighty Lord.......of All!

It's nice to be back.

Your friend, Jo

BLESSINGS, THE FRUIT OF SUFFERINGS

Way back in 2007, I wrote in my journal about Psalm 116, verses 7 and 8. I'm still impressed by what the psalm says, "Relax and rest, God has showered you with blessings. Soul, you've been rescued from death; Eye, you've been rescued from tears; and you, Foot, were kept from stumbling." Nice, huh?

I'm amazed by how it touches me, and agree with it all the way. However, rest may not yet come to all of us. God keeps showing us where He is at work and invites us to work along side of Him.

Every other week on a specific day at 6:15 in the evening, a group of women meet at their church to welcome a bus filled with single homeless women. They come to have a safe place to sleep for the night and get a shower and clean sheets, and possibly a treat of some kind. Their hearts are so thankful, their spirits so open to the grace and kindness offered them. They are known to one another and like sisters each wants the best for the others.

I am honored to be part of the welcoming group. And I pray that God will bless these women who have not seen much welcome by anyone in a long time. But God will always open His arms in welcome and the women seem to understand that. They seem to welcome Him right back by their appreciation and thankfulness. They have found the blessing in their suffering.

Lord, I just pray that these women whose names I as yet don't know will continue to see your blessings, and to know how much you long to continue blessing them. Help us all to understand how even harsh situations can become the greatest blessing to those who love and trust You. Though we are slow learners in learning to trust, grant that your love and patience will find the way to our inner souls.

God, I offer you my praise and thanks for the opportunity of working by your side. AMEN

DON'T THWART THE HOLY SPIRIT

Another blog? So soon? What is God doing? Has He got me on a treadmill of learning? I sure hope so. Now this blog is open to all your arguments and if there are any who agree--whoopee!

In my reading this a.m. I came across Col.1:26b,27 stated from THE MESSAGE, "God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery is just this: Christ is in you, therefore you can look foreward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple."

Now, perhaps I'm wrong, but it seems to me the Word is saying because Jesus Christ died on a cross for all, then each of us-every single one-has Christ in us even at birth. He would not be fully formed satisfying Himself, for the bud of God waits for an awakening of the person in which He resides. This person opens up his heart or closes it to the Spirit whose holiness and beauty of truth awaits to be nurtured and accepted.

I always wondered when reading my old edition of the Bible what it meant by the sin which could not be forgiven was to "thwart the Holy Spirit." It helps me to understand what it means. The Holy Spirit within you --already there waiting--must be encouraged to flourish and grow.

This might be a very unscholarly rendition of God's incredible plan, but there you are. I love God's patience with me. Hope you have patience, too,when reading this.

Still learning,
A child of God...jo

OBVIOUSLY...GOD

I love my family! We are extraordinarily real, and real extraordinary. We fuss and cry. We are joyful and laugh. We are forgiving and usually forgetting. And often we forget those things we should not forget. We are real people, imperfect. We are what I call perfectly imperfect. We will win no prizes, yet each of us is a prize to the rest of us.

Not all of us have come to the point of choosing to follow Jesus Christ. This is not a tragedy. It is just a normal family situation, which proves our being real. Each of us is acceptable just as we are to the all. But that doesn't mean we are sat-is-fied! Sometimes we just want to say...."Can't you see the obvious? God is on our side; He's our leader!" (I found this scripture in 2 Chronicles 13:12 and couldn't stop myself. I ran to write this.)

Look at the sunsets! Created by God. The flowers growing on a hillside!...Again, God. The birth of a baby, and its conception! God.

I know, I know. Wars! Death! Sickness! Drugs! Evil! Hypocrisy! Jealousy! Etcetera, etcetera...Some would say if there is a God, why are these things in our world? Well, I don't have any answers, and I haven't heard all of the questions. But, I have....Well, I have a knower. Yes, a knower. And I know it in my knower that God is obvious to any one looking for God. So, if they haven't found Him, well, they just must not have looked with an open heart.

To get back to the scripture in 2 Chronicles 13:12...Abijah was king of Judah which had split with Israel. Israel's king was a guy called Jeroboam who didn't believe in God, so he had set up a bunch of "worship" places and had frauds appearing as holy men to lead the people. Now, it's more than likely, that Abijah felt really bad to see Israel separated from Judah,the kingdom under Davidic rule, one who worshiped the true God. And feeling sad for the kingdom not being as it had been intended, he had no choice but to go to war with Israel. Abijah appealed to God and God helped him to win over Jeroboam, but Jeroboam did not turn to God. However, there was peace in Abijah's Judah for a while.

It makes me sad, too, and even disappointed when my loved ones don't appreciate God and turn to Him in praise and thanksgiving. Like many families in the world, we pray and hope and hope and pray. We must not give up hope and must keep our faith that God will intervene, but face it, we may never live to see that reconciliation with God. Let's hope we never have a family "war", but live in peace and love, if only to show we know the way Christ wants us to live, even although we may often want to say, "Can't you see the obvious? God is on our side. He is our obvious leader."

And our hope, and our all. Anyway, here's to families everywhere..perfectly imperfect!

Imperfectly and Obviously, I remain....Jo

MAKE GOD A HABIT

We are told in Phillipians 2:5 that "Jesus had equal status with God, but he didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantage of that status no matter what." And this got me to thinking.......

Jesus was a living active man, totally human. But He was still God! He had all the rights to the advantages God has and used them to care for the world. Now, we who have received Jesus as Lord, have also received the Holy Spirit who lives within us as we are God's temple here on earth. Therefore, we, too, have the advantage of God in us and His power available to us. God, therefore, has been given to his people.

God in me! No, that does not mean that I have equal status with God! I do not! Of that, you can be sure! Nor do you, I am quite sure. And I am very glad that we do not! Our humaness clings to us in many ways, some ways we would so much rather they did not! But, God is in us and that in itself is HUGE!

Who, then do we serve? God, of course! What a dumb question! Yet, I remember that time after time my own will has leaped forward and asserted itself, and I am charged to remind myself that I will only serve God! What is one to do having a strong willful individuality? Repent, repent, repent. Yes, go to God!

Now, I am going to try something else... If my desire is to serve God ONLY, what better way to do that is to not get out of contact with God. Can I do that?

This, being my choice and one I am glad to make, has been revealed that I must get into a stronger habit of seeking God habitually, continually, and thoughtfully. Good choices then should become habit, because God is the source of the habit. My behavior should become more one with God. The trick is..and the truth is- habit. Make God a habit, a really good habit. Good choices make good action and good action is what we want the world to see when we are His! Bad choices mean bad actions and this we don't want the world to see! So, I want to make God a really good habit!

Lord Jesus, I believe in this theory. May your power make it truth, for your Glory. AMEN...This is Jo speaking.

TOO LATE SMART!

I need to write about Proverbs 20:18 today. It took up two pages in my journal so it must be important to me. It goes like this: "Form your purpose by asking for counsel, then carry it out using all the help you can get." Of course, you say.
Well, let me tell you.............

Some years ago we belonged to a church where we were all new to one another. Hardly anyone knew anyone else, with just a few exceptions. And I made a huge mistake!

I was asked by the pastor if I would be responsible for the workings of small groups in the church. The emphasis of this church was to be the small groups. I wasn't certain of what the job entailed, but began to study other churches with this devise, read a few books and got clarification from the pastor. With this information and a prayer, I began to work. I visited each small group, praising each team, thanking them for their efforts, encouraging them, and began to feel somewhat prepared. I also let them know I would try to be there for them and if they ran into any snags, I would do my best to help.

It was a disaster! No one really wanted me to attend their group. No one wanted my input if they hit a snag. No one complained to me, or gave me any hints that I was off-base, but..... they surely did to the pastor about me.

Today, after reading Proverbs 20:18, I can see where I went wrong. I sailed in as if I was an expert! If I had only begun by a discussion with each group leader as to how they could utilize my help if they desired, explained my role as an attendant for the pastor, and explained what I thought was expected of me for their group. If I had then sorted out what they thought my job should be or not be and come to an agreement, I would have Formed OUR Purpose! Not my purpose, but OURS!

Forming our purpose could have been done by a phone calll to each leader. By letting them each know what the pastor and I expected of my job, they could have had input into what they thought and expected. Therefore, it would have been OUR purpose and not mine.

God doesn't promise us success, but I felt sad and disappointed, never-the-less. No, God used this situation for His purpose, and I hang my hat on that! And with this message, today I pass along what I learned the hard way. Prov.20:18 could be used by many, for today and always.

Instead of being a co-worker, I must have seemed like a governmental spy! My apologies to all those affected by my ignorance.

My husband, Jerry, had a wise father and Ed used to say, "You get too soon old and too late smart!" Oh, dear!

Older and a bit smarter....Jo

I AM SAVED! YIPPEE!

When reading Romans today I suddenly felt like doing handsprings! Of course, I never have done handsprings, but woulda if I coulda. Paul quotes Moses when Moses said, "The word that saves is right here, as near as the tongue in your mouth, as close as the heart in your chest."(Deut. 30:12-14)and all Paul had to do was add, "It's the word of faith that welcomes God."

It's not difficult to become saved. Those of you reading this probably have experienced it. All we had to do is..believe! What we believe is the important thing. We believe the Son of God is Jesus Christ who came to the earth to reveal God the Father and to die on a cross as a sacrifce for the sins of mankind. We believe, as the Son of God, that he rose from the dead and is now enthroned on the right hand of the Father, The Creator of Heaven and Earth.

The alternative to Believing in God and in Jesus Christ is Not-believing in God and Jesus Christ. But one has to believe in something, and that something is usually.....ourselves. Oh, boy! How imperfect is that? Most of us would never risk betting on ourselves...the odds aren't that good, to tell the truth!

Believing the Son of God came into the world to reveal God and to die on a cross as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind may seem too much of a stretch. No bull or lamb was used. No fancy words given...except, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."

It was a moment of triumph and the greatest of compassion and love. But, he did die. He was buried. And disappeared from the tomb three days later. Was he stolen by his friends? No. They were too busy hating the lack of faith in themselves.
Where did he go? Into the garden to instruct the women who loved him where his disciples might later find him. Yes, the Son of God and Son of Man died and rose again. Unbelievable!! Yes, with our human capacities, it is unbelievable. But with God, nothing is impossible!

If I with my ordinary mind can believe in this extraordinary event, so can others. At first, it may have caught in my throat as my belief was so small. Soon, I whispered, "I believe." My belief was not even as big as a "mustard seed." Finally, I wanted to shout from the rooftops...and someday you will, too..."I am saved. My faith has welcomed God. It is Jesus who prepared the way for me. I am saved. I am saved. Hallelujah! I am saved!"

My tongue and my heart finally spoke and welcomed God. Be in my life, Lord, my mouth and my heart...forever. Praise God, I am saved! Amen.

I may have to learn how to do handsprings! Your friend, jo

Believing is Everything

Don't you love the story of Abraham and Sarah? Abraham, old as the hills and Sarah, coming up right behind him in age, hearing from God that they would be the bearers of a great nation, and even a multitude of nations, and it would continue under this covenant generation after generation, as told in Genesis 17.

Well, as you know, Sarah laughed, being 90 years old and Abraham 100. What a joke! But Abraham? Yep, he believed. He believed God. And he kept on believing even although the promise was not fulfilled for quite a time. Finally, "Abraham entered into what God was doing for him and that was the turning point. He trusted God to set him right instead of trying to do right by his own." (Romans 4:3)

Abraham couldn't do the job on his own. Sarah thought it was ridiculous. She even got her maid to get pregnant by old Abe. A big mistake that was. She should have put her trust in God, just as Abraham did at last.

This is a huge lesson for me. Some years back, Jerry and I were invited to help start up a newly planted church. We were really honored and stepped right up anxious to begin. Mostly it was a great experience, but I made a big mistake by excepting a role that was beyond my experience and so it didn't take much criticism to insure its failure. What was my problem? I didn't trust! I didn't believe God would take matters into His hands and prepare the way, teach me what I needed to know,and prepare the hearts of those I would be attending. Now, to be fair, I wasn't aware that I didn't trust. No, that was hidden from me until later. But, God can work miracles in anyone if he or she believes! And trust! And listen and learn!
So, I may never be put in a position of "who me?" again. But if I ever am.....I WILL BELIEVE... GOD WILL CLEAR THE WAY. Yes, I am a believer!!

Belief in God's promises will prove true, as God will not fail. Don't resist and don't argue. God's way is always the best way. Now I know and I press forward doing what He says to do, listening when He says to listen, and believing His Way is the only way to go. Don't reason; just believe.

God help my unbelief...Love, Jo

GOD IS THE BEST!

Hey! My heart is really full this morning as we walked our mile and 1/2 about 6:30a.m.! Still nice and cool, yet I was sweating by the time we returned. Such a great start to the day. Even Max the dog was impressed. Breakfast tasted wonderfully good. Again, Max thought so, too.

Got to my journal early and had a need to write about God. Strange, you say?...Well, of course I am.

I found just the thing for the day in the Psalms, #95, verses 1-3a to be exact. This is what it says:
"Come, let's shout praises to God! Let's raise the roof for the Rock who saved us! Let's march into His presence singing praises, lifting the rafters with our hymns!
And why? Because God is the BEST!"

There was no acknowledgment as to who wrote this psalm. Perhaps it was written by a choirmaster who wrote it particularly for those who walked with their villagers to Jerusalem on some special day God had set aside for them to come to the Temple. As they walked they sang psalms and hymns, preparing themselves for adoration and honor to the God they loved.

Not so different today. But most of us drive a car, and therefore, we need parking places--one of the problems of our churches today! But that's not important. It's the preparation of the heart that's important. And that may be the hardest part for us--not leaving the house in a rush to be on time with shoes un-laced and attitudes not calm and adoring. We need an "I can't wait!" attitude. Believe me, I remember trying to get kids to church without screaming at them. I have no solution. I just know that somehow we must show them-and ourselves-we, indeed, are excited about worship! Maybe singing a song of praise in the car, letting each child choose one he or she likes. Or talking about what a song means. Anything that gets an attitude of gladness.

The word "come" is the first word in the message today. That means, "you." If you say it to a neighbor, it means him or her. It's an invitation. "Come and see the best, our God." And see Him on the faces of those who love Him and one another.

Next, soon comes the words, "Shout praises!" This is not the time for silence before God. God loves our praises, and this is the hour for it.

God is "the Rock!" This the Rock on which we base our lives and we want God to know it, to remember it, and to help us to show it. We want others to know it, too.

Finally, His Presence..Oh, yes! We find God there. He is in the very aroma of the room. He is on our faces, shining in our eyes. He is always there in that room, in the rafters hung with banners, in the band leading, singing, and playing, and in us as we raise our hands in praises and Hallelujahs!

Because, God, YOU are the best!

(Who are you inviting? Who am I inviting?) Amen.

Fondly, Jo

ONCE UPON A TIME A GOOD GIRL LIVED

Jesus loved stories. His parables to the people were told to help them understand the way and ways of God, the way God works, thinks and acts. These things had been hidden from the people; the laws of Judism called them to responsibility without telling the people "why"? Jesus came to change things, and it all started with the parables.

In Matthew 13:34,35, a prophecy is repeated, first appearing in Psalm 78:2. It says, "I will open my mouth and tell stories; I will bring out into the open....things hidden since the world's first day." Asaph wrote the psalm, but the prophet referred to is very possibly Solomon.

What is it about a story? Does it make something easier to remember? This blog is supposed to be about my new life in Christ. Yet for the most part, I seem to share some new revelation God reveals that has made me sit up and notice. So, I end up preaching to the choir!

Let me try to tell a story.

I must have been born angry as I have fought anger all of my life. Something has to happen to stimulate anger, something that doesn't change that causes pain, hardship, or weakness. I was born during the depression in Chicago, IL near where my dad worked as a barber, who didn't own his own shop. Due to circumstances, we moved to a tiny town of about 110 people, called Union Center, WI. where my parents, with the help of my maternal grandfather, opened a small grocery store. My dad rode the train weekly to his job in Chicago and mother ran the store during the week. Maybe I was about a year or a bit more and rode a kiddie car tied with a long clothesline to a pole in the center of the store. You made it move with your feet, but my hands were busy in the various bins of beans, potatoes and such, so they moved all of the bins out of my reach.

It was a long day for a little tyke, especially since all the fun stuff was a no-no. I think my anger may have been lustily expressed often enough to teach me that getting angry gets attention. As I grew, I had a little sister, and she had curly hair like mine. Much too much like mine, I must have figured, so the glue pot on my mother's desk was by then easier to reach than those old bins had been, and Miss Shirley got her curls glued fast to her head. An expression of anger? You bet.

A bit older, I don't know to this day what inspired me to do so, but I did a terrible thing. I bit my brother, Bob, in the back. He was two years older than I, and a good little boy. All they were asking me to do was to say, "I'm sorry!" ........ The words never came and spankings did no good, whatsoever.

So growing up, I fought anger. All I wanted to be was a "good girl." Was it never to be?

When I found Jesus, I realize I had been looking for Him all of my life. Each view I had of Him kept Him farther away from me, because I had never seen myself as "good enough for Jesus love." But Jesus Himself said to a religious leader, according to Luke 18: 19, "Why do you call me good? Only God is truly good." Of course, Jesus is the Saviour of the World, and the true Son of God. And He is Good.

Therefore, now I see....my goodness is God within me, through His Holy Spirit. Only God could have made goodness in me. Thanks be to God!

Thus, a story called Once Upon A Time A Good Girl Lived.

So it is today. Christ within. And I am so very thankful that I can take my sin and selfishness to Jesus and repent. He lives in me and therefore, I Live!!

May my story come to fruition in your life. Most sincerely, Jo

COME....SEE GOD....

As many of you may remember, I journal each day, as my Jerry does, using a method that allows us to read each verse once a year and the New Testament verses twice. After journaling so many years, our bibles are marked up with dates which indicate, "I wrote about this!" It's surprising how many verses still pop out and say, "Write about me, too!" Noisy book, our bibles, aren't they? Your bible, too, is marked up...my guess, or you probably wouldn't be reading about mine.

Any way....I skipped church yesterday as I had fallen and marked up my face quite badly, and it hurt. I hate to miss church as it's so great to see new and old friends, give folks a hug, and sing and pray together, which today brought me right to reading 2 Samuel 6, 1 Chronicals 13, Matthew 17 and Psalm 68. The latter, verse 2 in the Message, sent me to the computer.

"One look at God and the wicked vanish. When the righteous see God in action they'll laugh, they'll sing, they'll laugh and sing for joy." This is a David psalm, perhaps written at the time he brought back the Chest of God to the City of David now called Jerusalem.

After much turmoil, David finally succeeded. The Chest of God was returning. David danced in the street, the people danced with him and everyone was singing and laughing with joy. It was a joyous time.

But not for everyone. Michal, Saul's daughter and one of David's wives was not joyful at David dancing in the street. (Let the wicked vanish!) She did not dance & sing, or laugh with joy! (Beware, Michal. Where is your love for God?)

Jerry and I attend a Sunday contemporary praise service at Victory Lutheran Church on University Ave. in Mesa AZ. The music at that service is led by a great giant of a Christian man, big in size and even bigger in God's Spirit. It is truly a place where singing and laughing take place as well as the learning of faithfulness. God is everywhere, not only in the music, but in the message and the people. You can see God in each face. He is present. The righteous see Him and carry Him home with them into their daily lives. Yet, we always come back for more, more learning and more yearning to know God better and better, and to see Him more completely.

There are those who scoff at contemporary worship. I suppose they are feeling God deserves a more proper, royal aknowledgment. I am very glad that this church allows God's presence wherever His people congregate. I am not a royal. I am a commoner. And I like to sing in His presence, and clap my hands to the music, because I'm listening. I'm listening, Lord, to your people sing and preach, to your musicians play, and I see the joy on all the faces. I think...yes! I think they're reflecting my own!!

So, let the righteous see God in action.

Come! See God!

Your friend in Christ.....Jo

BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

The family and friends have all hit the road North, and Jerry and I are once again by ourselves. It was a lovely month and a half, but, now I want to meet the road here in Leisure World with my shoes meant for walkin' and my heart meant for talkin'.

Today I'm trusting I will know what to say and when to say it...(this coming from a woman often subjected to incredibly wacky notions!) But one place where I am solid...that is knowing my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and His expectations of me. These expectations are not hard fast rules, as some might think, but my gifts to give because of His gifts given.

So, I want to begin by suggesting we read Matthew 10:5 and 6 as it reads in THE MESSAGE. "Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here."

Jesus gave this command to His twelve followers and sent them out into the villages to tenderly care for the people and tell them about the new kingdom. He gave them much advice about what to expect in return for their administrations to the people and warned them to be courteous and accepting even if treated unkindly.

This whole chapter of Matthew is good to read and practice when visiting neighbors today. The Cursillo and Walk to Emmmaus Communities would call this: "Make a friend. Be a friend. Bring that friend to Christ." The groups also maintained the practice of "Bloom where you are planted." Accepting those mottos has not been hard; it's such a natural thing to do.

I'd like to think that my life is beginning to bloom right here in Leisure World. If I can just learn to stay in the steps of the Master, I should walk all right and "bloom" in serving the Lord wherever I get. Making friends and serving them is the easy part, but I must really trust God to do the rest. I wait to see if there is a readiness and a desire in each person to know Him, and to want Him as their own.

I pray Matthew 10:20 for myself--and for you, too--"The right words will be there; The Spirit of your Father will supply the words."

So like Little Red Riding Hood, I'm off to the neighborhood. My grandma isn't waiting, but perhaps sombody's grandma is. This can be a lonely community for those widowed and without family here. God will provide the will and the way.

It's good to be back. May God bless you through your ordeals and joys.

And let us be friends...as I'll see you in Eternity!

Jo

Sign-Off

Dear Friends,

In lieu of the fact that we have only 5 days in March without family visiting and because I want to spend as much time as I can with them, I will not blog again until mid-April. The old girl is also doing a new Beth Moore bible Study on James and it will take all my energy to get through this wonderful, but tough study. Of course, it is also extremely helpful, but with my history on talking too much, listening less than I should, and ANGER, I need all my energy available all the time.

Love to all. See you in the spring. jo

JUST AS JESUS DID

Hello, again. Today I want to tell you--someone-- about a new thought for me. In the past I've always wished our kids could pray in school when they wished and that the Pledge of Allegiance hadn't been changed to omit the words "under God." There is a sadness to it, certainly. But there is more, too, to be looked at.

A story in scripture, verse Luke 18:9, spoke clearly today to me to consider who I think I am. Jesus story about the tax man and the Pharisee clearly says, "Watch it!"
Jesus told his story to some who were "complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people." The Pharisee was haughty and proud of his rightful thinking. The tax man was deeply aware of his sinfulness and repentant. The parable shows us the importance of humility and of being truthful with ourselves.

I wonder how many times our Christian world determined we were better than others. We are not; we are all sinners, the same as those of the world. But we are saved and not by our own grace but by the grace of Christ who atoned in our place and for our sins. We know this.

This era in which we live now is not a time to be proud. We seem to have set ourselves up into a higher place, being Christian, demanding more rights from our country than our country ever designated, giving freedom of religion for all and not just for Christians. (One of my favorite cousins, a lawyer, pointed this out to me; and I believe he is right!)

We are also in an era where we must become aware that suffering (for Jesus) is upon us. Jesus took His horrendous suffering with the help of the Father. We may not encounter crucifixion as He did, but certainly we will encounter the wrath of those in this country and other countries who do not believe and seriously differ with us, perhaps to the point of hate because of what they see as self-righteousness. And as we have been making demands, perhaps there is no other word for it.

I for one want no more to make demands on those who disagree with my beliefs. Jesus loved and accepted all those who hated him. How can I do otherwise? We are in an era, perhaps, of suffering, doing without certain privileges. If we are full of grace and forgiveness we will act, somewhat, like Jesus did when He was suffering.

I must--I simply must!-- do kindness and forgiveness in under any kind of suffering, with the help of the Father--just as Jesus did! How about you?

Hopefully, Jo

IN SPITE OF... LOVE

Well, I don't know what I did or didn't do yesterday, but it looks like yesterday's blog is missing! I can just imagine it floating through the blog-waves of the web tring to get back home. I usually don't like to re-do something once it's done, but maybe it didn't think it was done? Do you think?

Anyway, the gist of In Spite Of...Love is this: Luke 10:37 reads: "Jesus said, "Go and do the same." (The Message)This is the ending of the story of the Good Samaritan.

Remember the religious scholar who asked Jesus how he could get eternal life? Jesus reminded him, if you recall, that God's Law is "Love the Lord your God with all your passion, prayer, muscle and intelligence...and love your neighbor as yourself." Of course, the scholar, trying to find a loophole, asked Jesus how he defined "neighbor." And the story of the Good Samaritan was born. Afterward, Jesus asked, "Which man was the neighbor?" The scholar answered,"The man who treated the Samaritan kindly." Then, Jesus said, "Go and do the same."

This is what Jesus asks of His people today. Wow! The world is full of hate.... especially of those who are different than we are. For example: Republicans hate Democrats. At least it would appear so. And the Dems seem to hate the Reps. Hate maybe is too strong a word, but it's mystifying what word fits. The situation is bad.

Then you have other horrible problems of opposites. Enter the Muslim and Christian, the Roman Catholic and the Protestant, the rich and the poor; even women and men. The list could go on and on.

I admit that I have entered into debate a few times on these opposites, and have listened as well as argued, to no avail of being right or of growing more understanding. It has not always ended well and sometimes I've thought it better to keep my distance of this kind of trouble without harboring hate.

But, distance doesn't do it as far as Jesus is concerned. He says, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Now, that could be really hard, especially if I see someone of opposite view as my neighbor! Love my neighbor...in spite of all that exists between us. Yep, that's a difficult task.

Can't I just start by just going across the street and saying "Howdy" to my new neighbor? Her name is Mary.

Neighbor means more than that. The Samaritan stopped for a Jew. Now they were real opposites. I guess it means smiling at the Muslim woman I see at the dry-goods store. Maybe she's a knitter or a quilter. Maybe it means going with my Roman Catholic friend to her church for a festival they are having, and also commiserating with another opposite-thinking friend about the state of our government which has been so devisive lately.

I need to answer Jesus call, "Go and do the same." In spite of all our differences I can learn to be kind and treat the different with love. And I resolve to do that. And as you read this, I sincerely hope you will do the same, and maybe tell your friends about your new conviction. I'm going to.

But right now, I think I'll go across the street and say hello to Mary. Maybe she's an opposite!

Willing to obey, Jo

IN SPITE OF......GO, AND DO THE SAME

SACRIFICED!

My daily journal reading starts over on Jan.1 and offers me the book of Genesis. As I read Genesis 8:20 and 21 (THE MESSAGE), the words told of the landing of Noah's ark and the sacrificial animal burned at the altar in thanks to God. The following message rose up and many things popped ito my mind: "God smelled the sweet fragrance and thought to Himself, "I'll never again curse the ground because of people. I know they have this bent toward evil from an early age."" This story told from father to son over the years, way before it was in the written form, still has meaning today. Imagine the Mount Ararat and Noah.....

The sweet smell of the burnt-offering was prepared by Noah to honor God. And God was pleased. God also saw that the humans He loved would be faulted from the time he or she begins to think. Human men and women were always going to be flawed. And yet, God loved them as His next words were, "I'll never again kill every living thng.""

This story of God's displeasure and man's imperfection is over-powered by God's love for us. My imagination perked away and I wondered...when God realized that His favorite creature was flawed, did He begin thinking of a way to purify it? Did He struggle wondering how to bring humans to atonement, and in what way could they atone, but through blood? And God might have said, "I can't, I just can't kill each one! There must be a way...but what is it?"

Then there was His Son who helped to create the world, this precious Son so loved by the heavenly hosts. God wondered, Did I hear His voice? Did I hear Jesus say....? What?.....? Oh, no. No! Not that way! Oh, my Son, not that way!

And yet that is the way it was. However it came about, Jesus was punished in our place. Jesus atoned for everyone in the world. He died for our sinfulness. Jesus died for MY sinfulness. I have been redeemed. And, world, so have you.

Oh, Lord Jesus, someway, truly unknown to me it really happened. You were sacrificed for me and mine! I am always amazed at your incredible love. I praise your Holy Name and thank You, over and over and over again.

Dear Ones, please join me this year reminding each other of this most incredible gift given to you and me and the rest of the world. Let us pray that the whole world will know and accept Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Yours until the whole world does know. Jo