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
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
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
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
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
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
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
Monday, April 30, 2012
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
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
Monday, April 23, 2012
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
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
Friday, February 17, 2012
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
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
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
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
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
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