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
Monday, September 17, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
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
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
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
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
(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
Monday, September 3, 2012
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
"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
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