"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love." - Revelation 2:4

"At age nine, I accepted the Lord into my heart. Subsequent years have continually displayed the wonder of His love. They have also presented a challenge in learning how to respond to this amazing reality.

During the 1960's, my life was filled with the joys and opportunities of being a young wife and mother. As the daughter of a pastor, I knew the importance of seeking God's will for our lives and of being involved in Christian activity. My focus was filled with church, family and work but it was in the midst of 'the good life' that I lost sight of God's higher vision -- the vision of a deep and rich love relationship with Him!

It was not that church activity was the problem, nor other responsibilities. There are many wonderful things that come out of one's consistent commitment to church and family life. The issue was that I had allowed the good to become an enemy to what was best. Even good things can keep us from knowing the Lord as our first love.

When John the apostle wrote Revelation 2:4, it was to address this issue. This passage reveals that the church at Ephesus had become sidetracked in its priorities. The complaint brought by the Lord against the church was not for what they were doing, but for what they were failing to do! They had elevated the activity of kingdom work to a place of honor that belonged only to the King! He was calling them to return to their first love.

Failure to allow Jesus the highest place of honor in our lives will always displease the Father. It will always leave us with a compelling sense of loss, of incompleteness, a void, even an agony of heart that yearns for 'something more' while struggling to identify the real issues of inner conflict.

I have discovered we will not reach for more until we are dissatisfied with our current level of relationship. For me, the 1970's challenged the placed where I was in spiritual experience. I began to immerse my life in prayer opportunities and the Word. Truth called for repentance. I was filled with a deep hunger and a firm resolve to break free from the grip of mediocrity that always chokes out the best things from God. I prayed earnestly that God would launch me out into the deep with Him -- that He would swing me across that huge gulf called the 'cares of life', a gulf that so easily separates us from essential steps to furthering our God-ordained destiny. The decade became a season of new beginnings; my heart was being prepared for greater adventures with God.

This is the marvel of it all: Such adventures will always stretch you past yourself, past your fears and inability, past your struggles and bondages, while developing a clearer focus and a stronger faith. you will not only experience more of God's love, but you will be amazed at the exciting ways He arranges for you to share His love and minister in His name. Our vision of life is always limited; His vision is always greater.

Accept the challenge. Be passionate for Jesus. Embrace your first love! Only here will you discover grace perfectly fitted for your future. He is a phenomenal God!"

by Barbara James

HOPE

Last night I had the privilege of going out to dinner with a good friend. It's always good to get out of the house these days and I find that it is much easier to come back home knowing that these various opportunities will be dispersed throughout the next couple of months (how's that for a run-on sentence?). We went to Outback and did a little shopping afterward (I left my purse in the car for what I think is an obvious reason).

I am reminded, once again, of the strong importance of surrounding yourself with godly people; of how your closest friends should be believers. We tend to, whether we realize it or not, be influenced most by those whom we surround ourselves. I can easily look back on a period of my life where I was dangerously influenced. I didn't realize it at the time, of course. Hindsight is 20/20 as the saying goes. However, when I think about that unusual time now, I am so RELIEVED and GRATEFUL that God protected me. I could've made some truly foolish, life-altering decisions that would have been irreversible. I feel...SAVED....DELIVERED....FREE! While these experiences are not always those of "feeling", they are genuine nonetheless. My point is this: if you've never had the experience of walking away from a conversation with a friend pondering thoughts of a spiritual nature, then you need to find new friends! Our relationships should be those that leave us encouraged and desirous of knowing more about our Creator.

Throughout the course of the dinner conversation last night, the topic of "Hope" was broached on the part of my friend. Fortunately, she is someone who "Gets it" - she's sharp and doesn't tend to proof text. She spoke of an all-to-familiar passage in Romans 5:1-8.

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

I love this passage. It's one that I've read over and over and over again. I've studied the book of Romans with intensity, with purpose, and ultimately, with hope! One thing that's bothersome and worrisome to me is that "hope" is often read as a verb. It is NOT a verb in this passage! It is a NOUN - JESUS IS HOPE! How can we so completely drop the ball! I think often of two other passages that are seriously misconstrued. The first being:

Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them."

Read the rest of the passage! Better yet, read the book! This is talking about discipline!

The second:

Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Okay, I'm delighted, now where's my million dollar mansion, Fortune 500 husband, Jag, and live-in nanny (by the way, Super Nanny rocks!)? I have to laugh! I am guaranteed NOTHING, but promised EVERYTHING! Confused? That's okay, most of us are perpetually so! God does not guarantee us a spouse, children, the perfect car or home. He especially does not guarantee us a life of frivolity. He does not work on a merit system: if you do this, I will grant you that. So many people become frustrated when they don't get what they want. Well, if doing something only to be rewarded in return is your motivation for honoring Christ, then are you truly being obedient? Here's another favorite of mine:

Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Maybe it's just me, but I can't see the part where it says, "Trust in the Lord....and he will give you a car." Trust me, I looked! I really need the car! While it is true that God provides our every need, He is NOT Joel Osteen (sorry, Joel). He does not go around saying, "Live your best life and I will give you a lucrative Swiss bank account." That is a merit system if I ever heard one. God does not have an "insert quarter here" slot. He does, however, say, "Honor me and I will give you MY best for you: protection, food, clothing, eternal security, true purpose and fulfillment, the HOPE that is ME." After all, "I AM THAT I AM." This isn't a slam against Joel Osteen fans, this is a plea to begin to THINK. Don't look for God's Word to tell you what you want to hear. Read it for Who He is. This is His love letter to Us. Why distort it? To alter its context is to doubt the Author. Who am I to think that I can make it SOUND better by reading it the way I think it should be read, rather than the way He intended for us to read it?

In the words of Ron Cambell, I am "Hope filled and forever changed" because I took Him at His Word when He took me at my worst! Who needs the live-in nanny? I've got HOPE - I have a live-in Savior! If you think about it, do you really need more than that?

"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."

Titus 3:3-7

This is Vine Life, people!

Happy Easter!

This is me with my new short hair-do for those who haven't seen it already! It needs help as it is a little messy!

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Today has been a good day to say the least! I love how we had horrible weather on Friday (the day representative of Christ's death) and today, on the day we've chosen to represent Christ's resurrection, the sun is shining! Coincidence??? I don't think so.

This morning I went to church with my ENTIRE family. My sister flew in from California late Wednesday evening and will be with us for another week or two. I think Mom was happy to have her kids in one spot at the same time. That's tough to pull off when your children are adults. My parents' church puts on an Easter morning breakfast each year, so we participated in that, which took the place of Sunday School. It was quite a long service this morning and we were ready to come home! We are now surrounding the television, watching the Tigers play the Cleveland Indians (game is tied, by the way), our guts ready to explode from the ham, potatoes, broccoli, rolls, and everything else under the sun that we just ate. We haven't even begun to think about dessert yet, but we will press on! I am enjoying being warm in front of the fireplace, good book in hand. I'm enjoying the art of relaxation, perhaps under the realization that I didn't know how to do that before!

I will close with an excerpt from an e-mail message I received early this morning:

John 11:25

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;"

Praise the Lord He is risen INDEED!

May each and every one of you have a wonderful Easter Holiday as you remember that our Lord, who died a most humiliating and painful death on Friday, is now today RISEN to give us NEW LIFE!!!

Blessings!

Good Friday to You!

I came across this passage in my devotions. I thought it befitting of my circumstances.
“...blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”- Jeremiah 17:7-8

Today is good Friday, which is in perfect keeping with the events of my morning! I have spent most of this week stressing about my job and finances. I had not heard from my immediate supervisor at work until this morning, so I was somewhat worried that she would post my position! I was also concerned about disability income. I am a month overdue and have not yet received a check. The thing about bills is that they don't fall under the "ignore-it-and-it-will-go-away" category. I was feeling a little overwhelmed.

My supervisor called this morning and assured me that she WOULD NOT post my position. Legally, after three months, it is the policy of the hospital to do this. Mary (my fearless leader) said that she wants me back on the floor and will hold the position for as long as it takes. PRAISE THE LORD!

I called the bank this morning, as I do every other Friday, to see if my disability income had been deposited yet. Well, it had indeed! My check was over $300 more than what I had expected it to be. I was hoping only to make next month's rent. Well, I just paid next month's rent, made a car payment AND paid the phone bill! I still have a little left over to get me by until next pay day.

I'm loving this Good Friday thing, however, it came at a very high price. All my stress and struggle are meaningless in comparison to this:

"As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Then 'they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!" 'For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last."
John 22:26-45

"Amazing Grace / My Chains Are Gone"

-Chris Tomlin

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life..."

A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence, but yet know that he was safe. So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her. The neighbor said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.

The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following
behind Timmy, as he walked to school with another neighbor boy he knew. She
did this for the whole week.

As the boys walked and chatted, kicking stones and  twigs,  Timmy's
little friend noticed the same lady was following them, as she seemed
to do every day all week. Finally he said to Timmy, "Have you
noticed that lady following us to school all week?

Do you know her?"

Timmy nonchalantly replied, "Yeah, I know who she is."

The friend said, "Well, who is she?"

That's just Shirley Goodnest," Timmy replied, "and her daughter,
Marcy."

"Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following
us? "

Well," Timmy explained, "Every night my Mom makes me say the
23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much.
And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall
follow me all the days of my life,' so I guess I'll just have to get
used to it!"

"Surely Goodness & Mercy"
- Ashley Cleveland

O HAPPY DAY!!!

I have attempted to have "The Hallelujah Chorus" serenading readers in the background so that the full effect of my joy might be better conveyed. No such luck, so you will have to hum jubilantly to yourself as you read this! I hope, for the sake of your spouse (or dog), that you are not tone deaf...

I am one VERY HAPPY woman in that I was able to visit my church today for the first time since February 3rd. That might not seem like a long time to you, but it is a VERY LONG time to me! It's a month, for Pete's sake! That's enough to push me to the brink of total insanity! Some would argue that I'm already there as it is...

I have been amazed that some have offered to pick me up from my place of recuperation in order that I might enjoy such a day as this one. It is a long drive, especially in snowy weather.

One such brave soul determined to press on yesterday amidst the flurries, ice and insanity that are so familiar to our Detroit freeways. I honestly did not expect her to do this for me, but she did! Her bravery allowed me to catch up with FAMILY, enjoy the message presented by my pastor (IN PERSON) and spend time getting to know some new family members.

I often run across people who do not know the true meaning of the word "church". Most would describe a church as a building or architectural structure used for worship, religious activities or spiritual rejuvenation. However, we, as Christ's followers, are described as being church; as ONE in the sense that we are His body; we collectively embrace Him and His sacrifice for us with the purpose of working together as Kingdom builders.
Romans 7:4
"So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God."
We actually BELONG. We have a place of purpose that is eternal. We have a Father for the orphaned, siblings for "only" children, support for widows; the list goes on. We have been raised from death and brought into life in order that we might each, individually function as part of one whole; inspiring change; making each other stronger than before thus glorifying Christ! There is such theology packed into this one tiny verse. This is a statement, that is God-inspired, God-breathed telling me that I can no longer be my own island because I belong to others! At the same time, I have a great responsibility to bear fruit so that I don't spoil the other apples, so to speak. That's a tall order, but not an impossible one.
Romans 12:4-5
"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
There is no greater gift then that of a strong sense of belonging; a place to call home. I cannot be all that Christ wants me to be by myself. We as believers cannot and were not made to thrive alone! We would whither away and die without companionship. When Jesus died for me, He brought me home.

John Donne, a 16th century author and believer, wrote, "All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated...As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness....NO MAN IS AN ISLAND, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." (Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, Meditation XVII). We each are ONE chapter, of ONE book, composed by ONE Author. Christ's blood has made us ONE. As one candle is snuffed out, a torch burns all the brighter in its stead. We have the privilege of continuing the legacy of the One Who died for us.

Knowing that I can go home to those who will work with me to further His kingdom, holding me accountable, helping me to be all that He wants me to be, continuing His legacy, is truly a remarkable gift. Hebrews 10:25, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

I love this: "as you see the Day approaching." CHRIST IS COMING! We often have the mindset that this is a long way off; that He will not return in our lifetime. The truth is this: "But of that day and hour, knoweth no man, no, not the angels of Heaven, but My Father only," Matthew 24:36. It could happen tonight in my sleep. Only the Father knows. How much time do I waste missing the big picture? We need to be IN the body, not OF it! There are plenty of bench warmers and pew peddlers, but not nearly enough grapes! Today was a strong reminder of the importance of being with the people of God. My longing was satisfied and the emptiness was filled!

Everything in life goes back to the cross. A remarkable lady will be crashing in her bed at home this evening from her busy weekend of chauffering; her display of love for me simply because her eyes are on the cross...continuing His legacy...

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did
for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me."
Matthew 25:40

O Happy Day, indeed!

Simmer Down...

I haven't blogged in a while because I've simply lost my focus! Today provided me with many opportunities to regain that focus. I have deemed this my "reset" day; my "reset" button has officially been pushed.

I decided that I would spend the day at Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor today. My mom works there and I thought I would kill time from 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (her shift period). This was much more appealing than another day on the couch with Paula Deen... If I never see a stick of butter again, it will be too soon...

Upon arriving at the mall, I discovered what I have termed "The Ann Arbor Geriatric Mall Walkers Society". Let me explain. Evidently, there is a large group of senior citizens that meet at the mall each morning to walk. This has become quite the social outing when muddling through the Winter hum-drums. These feisty seniors then proceed to dine at such fine places as Cinnabon, California Pizza Kitchen and Arby's, to name a few, after they've completed the morning exercise program. They do this faithfully EVERY DAY. They actually look forward to it.

I felt like fresh meat upon completing my first lap around the mall. Everyone was eying me; placing bets on whether I had a knee or an ankle surgery; running a pool as to what my age bracket is; casting lots as to what they thought my line of work would be and exchanging ideas as to the nature of my injury. Finally, after much speculation and verbal contemplation, two brave souls by the names of Art and Spanky (no, I'm not kidding) dared approach me.

"Did you get hit by a truck?" asked Spanky, who has apparently been married to Art for 60+ years and enjoys spending her children's inheritance at Macy's on a daily basis.

"Why, yes, I did as a matter of fact!" I laughingly replied.

I then proceeded to share the story of my car accident and the results thereafter with Art and Spanky (whose legal name is Martha Constance Wellston-Morrone...if memory serves...). More and more of the faithful crew gathered around as I continued on. Art, appreciating a captive audience, continued the conversation by informing me as to where I could find a good "jon". He was very adamant that I should avoid the bathroom at JC Penny's because "you never have toilet paper when you need it" and "if you need a good 'jon' and you're really in a pinch, head straight to Macy's. They're always fully stocked and tidy." Well, considering my predicament, I'm sure you can understand why I found this to be very valuable information. Art was very concerned that I would "roll" my legs off (on my scooter, I presume) in hot pursuit of a good "jon". Thank you, Art. I owe you, buddy!

Art and Spanky took great pride in introducing me to the rest of the gang. Harold had hip replacement in '94. Thelma had bilateral knee replacements in '06. Bert is contemplating hip replacement and Georgia had her left hip replaced in '04, but would like it back. That about sums up the competition of replaced joints.

After my third lap around the mall with the geriatric gang, Bert asked if I was planning to come back tomorrow. I had to laugh at this! I then proceeded to inform Bert that I am roughly 30 years old and that I don't plan on making that big of a commitment at this point in time. I also explained that I live in Sterling Heights and am on temporary sabbatical as I recover. The gang expressed great angst at this as they enjoy having a youngster as part of their group. They tried to persuade me to come back by offering to purchase me a cinnabon using their senior discount. Well, who am I to turn down that sort of an offer? I, Art, Spanky, Bert, Thelma, Georgia, Harold and gang have a date for next Monday at 9:30 a.m., same time, same place. Years of experience has taught these folks to recognize a sucker when they see one...

Now it's time for the "meat and potatoes" portion of my story. I ended the day by attending a ladies evening with my mom hosted by her church. I wasn't sure what to expect, but thought I'd go for the heck of it. I knew it had to be better than another date with Paula Deen and the couch...

I enjoyed the evening very much. We had pedicures, manicures, massages, a fondue pot and all the PMS food a girl could ever want. It was fantastic! Being an old Baptist church, deeply routed in tradition, we, of course, had a devotional time. I was warned about this in advance; that it would be short and lame. I found myself surprised and challenged at what I heard. I can't believe the Lord used this time to speak so clearly and directly to my heart. It's like a huge light bulb went off in my "fearfully and wonderfully" made brain (and I do mean fearfully...); as though I were struck over the head with a two by four. It was time to simmer down and pay attention!

I have complained, and whined, and cried, and complained some more about being "laid up" to the extent that I've frequently found myself missing the big picture. I've wanted simply to be taken away from my circumstances and placed right back into my usual swing-of-things routine. When we long to be taken away, we are longing for a respite from our circumstances -- a break from the NOW. Everyone keeps telling me that I need to rest. From what?

Here's the deal: "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him..." Psalm 37:7. "Be still and KNOW that I am God." Psalm 46:10. Duh!!! Rest equals TRUST! I am not TRUSTING in my Savior! I am relying on ME, MY idea of WHAT I should be doing, WHEN I should be doing it and WHY I am doing it! Noticing a pattern? The biggest struggle that we as believers face in our spiritual journey is our THOUGHT PROCESS. We spend way too much time thinking about the three amigos: ME, I and US. That is a horrible way to live! "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain", "take up your cross and follow ME" - My life is HIS, it is not my own! "Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God? You are NOT your own! You were bought with a PRICE! Therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit WHICH ARE GOD'S!" I Corinthians 6:19-20. Ouch! The two by four is still going strong... That being said, here's what I SHOULD be doing:

1. - REST (OR TRUST) IN GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION.
Hebrews 4:10 - "For he that enters into his rest has ceased from his own works as God did from His." God warns us repeatedly about hardening our hearts against His plan of humbling ourselves and accepting His plan of salvation through faith in Jesus. When we accept Him, even though we are entering into life, we are also entering into REST or TRUST. Because our salvation is not earned, it's a simple matter of trusting or resting in His plan for us.

2. - REST / TRUST IN GOD'S UNFAILING LOVE.
I John 4:16-19, "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment because in this world we are like Him. There is NO FEAR in love. But perfect love DRIVES OUT fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because HE FIRST LOVED US!" Perfect love is that which has no thought for my agenda, but full focus and concentration on unwaveringly and fearlessly RESTING through TRUSTING my Savior to be faithful to all that He has promised. Song of Solomon 2:4, "His banner over me is love!" Psalm 31:7, "I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for YOU SAW MY AFFLICTION and KNEW THE ANGUISH OF MY SOUL." Psalm 36:5, "Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies." Forgive me, Father!

3. - REST / TRUST IN HIS CARE AND PROVISION FOR YOUR LIFE.
The Bible speaks about how I need to surrender my anxieties and worries to Christ. He wants me to lay those burdens at His feet. Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened (or heavy laden - KJV), and I WILL GIVE YOU REST. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 6:25-34, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow? They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Philippians 4:19, "But my God shall supply ALL YOUR NEEDS according to HIS riches in glory." All of my thoughts and my intentions are simply a waste of time unless they are those of Christ's.

4. - REST / TRUST IN CHRIST THROUGH OTHER SAINTS' COURAGE TO INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE.
Hebrews 11:32-39, "And what more shall I say? I do now have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated -- the worlds was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would the be made perfect." These people were the original grapes! Hebrews 12:1-2, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and PERFECTER of our faith, who for the JOY set before Him ENDURED THE CROSS, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. CONSIDER HIM who endured such opposition from sinful men, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT GROW WEARY AND LOSE HEART." Because others have gone before me, I can withstand today and learn to trust God's grace. I am only called to draw from the grace He extends to me TODAY, WORRY-FREE!

I will waste no more time. Monday morning at 9:30 a.m., I will eat my cinnabon with Art and Spanky and gang, and we will talk about the only thing that matters - JESUS CHRIST. How will they know if I do not tell them? If I want to be a grape, this is where the rubber meets the road - time to simmer down and straighten up!

"When the Saints" - Sara Groves

The Old Man & The Dog by Catherine Moore

"Watch out! You nearly broad sided that car!" My father yelled at me. "Can't you do anything right?" Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle. "I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving." My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt. Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts. Dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil. What could I do about him? Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon. He had enjoyed being outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature. He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and had placed often. The shelves in his house were filled with trophies that attested to his prowess. The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn't lift a heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had done as a younger man. Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and oxygen flowing. At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was lucky; he survived. But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone. He obstinately refused to follow doctor's orders. Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally stopped altogether. Dad was left alone. My husband, Dick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust. Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It seemed nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I became frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on Dick. We began to bicker and argue. Alarmed, Dick sought out our pastor and explained the situation. The clergyman set up weekly counseling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad's troubled mind. But the months wore on and God was silent. Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it.

The next day I sat down with the phone book and methodically called each of the mental health clinics listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem to each of the sympathetic voices that answered. In vain. Just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, "I just read something that might help you! Let me go get the article." I listened as she read. The article described a remarkable study done at a nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they were given responsibility for a dog. I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I filled out a questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odor of disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs, black dogs, spotted dogs They all jumped up, trying to reach me. I studied each one but rejected one after the other for various reasons. Too big, too small, too much hair. As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows of the far corner struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run and sat down. It was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But this was a caricature of the breed. Years had etched his face and muzzle with shades of gray. His hipbones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they beheld me unwaveringly. I pointed to the dog. "Can you tell me about him?" The officer looked, then shook his head in puzzlement. "He's a funny one. Appeared out of nowhere and sat in front of the gate. We brought him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him. That was two weeks ago and we've heard nothing. His time is up tomorrow." He gestured helplessly. As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror. "You mean you're going to kill him?" "Ma'am," he said gently, "that's our policy. We don't have room for every unclaimed dog." I looked at the pointer again. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision. "I'll take him," I said. I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached the house I honked the horn twice. I was helping my prize out of the car when Dad shuffled onto the front porch. "Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!" I said excitedly. Dad looked, then wrinkled his face in disgust. "If I had wanted a dog I would have gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen than that bag of bones. Keep it! I don't want it" Dad waved his arm scornfully and turned back toward the house. Anger rose inside me. It squeezed together my throat muscles and pounded into my temples. "You'd better get used to him, Dad. He's staying!" Dad ignored me. "Did you hear me, Dad?" I screamed. At those words Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowed an d blazing with hate. We stood glaring at each other like duelists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then slowly, carefully, he raised his paw. Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw. Confusion replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad was on his knees hugging the animal. It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Dad named the pointer Cheyenne. Together he and Cheyenne explored the community. They spent long hours walking down dusty lanes. They spent reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and Cheyenne lying quietly at his feet. Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years. Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends. Then late one night I was startled to feel Cheyenne's cold n ose burrowing through our bed covers. He had never before come into our bedroom at night. I woke Dick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in his bed, his face serene. But his spirit had left quietly sometime during the night. Two days later my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he had slept on. As Dick and I buried him near a favorite fishing hole, I silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's peace of mind. The morning of Dad's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day looks like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews reserved for family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and Cheyenne had made filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to both Dad and the dog who had changed his life. And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers." "I've often thanked God for sending that angel," he said. For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not seen before: the sympathetic voice that had just read the right article. Cheyenne's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter. . .his calm acceptance and complete devotion to my father. . .and the proximity of their deaths. And suddenly I understood. I knew that God had answered my prayers after all.

Life is too short for drama & petty things, so laugh hard, love truly and forgive quickly.

Live While You Are Alive.

Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

Forgive now those who made you cry.

You might not get a second time.

Jehovah Jireh

Today I have been thinking a lot about my car (yes, the one I crashed)! I have mixed feelings about transportation in general right now. I wonder if I will be apprehensive about getting back behind the wheel when my time comes. I wonder what sort of a wheel I will be getting behind. I also wonder about the method God will used to provide me with a new vehicle. I find myself sort of "morning" the loss of my last car. I was really attached to it not because it was an exceptional vehicle asthetically speaking, but because it was exceptional to me in that it was a constant reminder of God's continual provision in my life. I have had the incredible opportunity of sharing with people that God does, indeed, provide. My last car was given to me by some people who've shown repeated compassion for me in the last couple of years (thus, the attachment). I found myself in a position just this past August where I needed a vehicle. I currently own a Chrysler 300M that does not run due to a blown engine. I remember the day this happened; the feeling of complete helplessness and depression and not knowing how I would get to work and back or how I would get to church.

The next morning, I contacted one of my pastors and asked him to pray about a new vehicle for me. During that very same conversation, he told me that he had a vehicle that he would GIVE to me. This was the same vehicle that I crashed a couple of weeks ago. I was so amazed at the way God chose to provide and have always been attached to that car because of the constant reminder that He is Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. I'm sure people get very tired of hearing me say that there is a difference between BELIEVING and KNOWING. Because of that experience, I KNOW that God will continue to provide for me. I am even a little excited to see what He will do in making such a provision. I have begun to pray about this and am asking others to pray as well. If my life could be a constant testimony of God's provision and protection, I would be very happy to have such a testimony. I realize the earthly cost, but if you think about it, cars are just "stuff". I think maybe we often get so attached to our material possessions, that we forget to become attached to the very character of our Lord, thus becoming more attached to Him. I could not have had the opportunities I've experienced without Christ stepping in to take from me the very possessions He's loaned me to begin with. I would not have had the opportunities to better know Him and to experience the peace and security He so freely extends to me. I have to remind myself frequently that everything I have is His to begin with. What difference does it make if He takes it back? In addition, what difference does it make whether or not my future vehicle is nice looking or not? It really doesn't matter. I think I would prefer the opportunity to drive a "conversation piece" resulting in sharing the testimony of God's provision in my life repeatedly rather than owning a fully loaded, top-of-the-line, 2nd-mortgage classic that gives no cause for such explanation. Maybe this is part of becoming a grape!?!!!?

The "Peter" Experience

Last night I went to dinner with a good friend of mine. It was great to get out of the house for a while and we had a good time! We ended up going to Chili's for dinner, where I discovered the new love of my life: THE WHITE CHOCOLATE MOLTEN CAKE!!! This is a piece of Heaven on earth. This cake has melted white chocolate drizzled all over it with raspberry sauce drizzled on top of that. The giant scoop of ice cream that you see on top of the cake is engulfed in a hard, white chocolate shell. When you bite into the cake, warm, white chocolate comes spilling out of it... This was definitely worth the trip! I also received questions from people going in and out of the restaraunt about my scooter and ankle! One guy asked if I'd had a skiing accident. I was very tempted to answer, "yes", but I was a good girl and told the truth... A skiing accident sounds so much more exciting than running into a truck!

Today I am going to go get my hair "shaped"! I've had quite a few inches cut off, but I need to add in some layers and possibly some highlights. Last night, I got online to look at some different hairstyles. I found a free program that allowed me to scan a picture of myself into the computer and then "try on" different hairstyles. I now know what I'd look like with Cher's hairstyle... My mom and I found ourselves in tears because we were laughing so hard at the "extreme makeover" I was able to give myself online.

I am learning to take each day as it comes, one step at a time. So far, I've enjoyed the time with my family and things haven't been as boring or as painful as I had originally expected them to be. When I look at the big picture and recognize that I have a minimum of three more months of this to go, then I start to get overwhelmed and depressed; my "Peter" experience kicks in.

When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

-- Matthew 14:26-31 (NIV)

Me of little faith... Each time I begin to waiver or doubt, I begin to sink just as Peter did. How grateful I am that the Lord's mercy and grace are not contingent upon the level or strength of my faith! I would be in trouble EVERY time. Instead, He gives me opportunity after opportunity to resume that steady pace with Him.

How deep the Father's love for us.

How vast beyond all measure,

That He should give His only Son,

And make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss.

The Father turns His face away,

As wounds which mar the Chosen One,

Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon the cross,

My sin upon His shoulder.

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,

Call out among the scoffers,

It was my sin that held Him there,

Until it was accomplished.

His dying breath has brought me life.

I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything.

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ,

His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer,

But this I know with all my heart,

His wounds have paid my ransom.

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer,

But this I know with all my heart,

His wounds have paid my ransom!

-- P, C & D

Perfect Love

"Love is friendship set on fire."
Jeremy Taylor

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."

Mother Teresa

"When you love someone, all your saved-up wishes start coming out."

Elizabeth Bowen

"Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius."

Mozart

"He who wants to do good knocks at the gate:

he who loves finds the door open."

Rabrindranath Tagore

"If you love something, set it free; if it comes backs it's yours, if it doesn't, it never was."

Richard Bach

"Love: Two minds without a single thought."

Philip Barry

"The mystery of love is greater than the mystery of death."

Unknown

"Age does not protect you from love, but love to some extent protects you from age."

Jeanne Moreau

"Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls."

Mother Teresa

"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world."

Bill Wilson

"Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a teardrop."

Anonymous

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? You've got to be kidding me! This isn't what REAL, PERFECT love is!

I had the joy of getting a phone call from a good friend of mine yesterday. She called to encourage me and to let me know that she is praying for a speedy recovery. Throughout the course of the conversation, she mentioned that she'd recently returned from a Women's Retreat sponsored by our church. During the retreat, the ladies studied I John 4, which describes perfect love. My friend encouraged me to take a look at the passage, which I did! This is what I found:

"...Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

(I John 4:16b-18)

In a nutshell, perfect love is fearless, it takes risks without concern for consequences in full recognition that our security is in Christ. One particular thought pattern that I initially struggled with during the beginning of my recovery process was the idea that I might be replaced or forgotten about around church! Pretty selfish, right? I love spending time working on church projects, putting together luncheons, working on children's ministry tasks, etc. Although I no longer see this as a legitimate concern, it was initially a FEAR nonetheless. Without Christ's perfect love, we can be nothing more than selfish. When we cast aside the fear of being replaced, of losing whatever position we feel we hold, or being overlooked in general, it gives God the opportunity to do His work. In pushing myself to "grow up" spiritually, I've been amazed at what He is accomplishing. People are coming out of the woodwork, EXCITED about the different opportunities to serve and work together to further the kingdom; casting aside fear and apprehension and exercising that perfect love. If I'm "replaced", SO WHAT!?!!! I can't imagine what I was afraid of! This is going to be so much better in that Christ is raising up more workers; more harvesters for His crops! How much more can we accomplish when we push our own fears and apprehension aside in order to allow His perfect love to go to work in our hearts and lives?

Late this morning, I received a call from the Children's Ministries director at the church I attend. We discussed at length just how much God seems to be at work in the little things. I then started to think about how true it is that it only takes a spark to get a fire going. It feels as though EVERYONE is on fire! So many people are stepping up to the plate in different ministries at church to work together; to encourage and lift one another up to fulfill our ultimate goal of building the kingdom! Some of these people might not have considered doing this in the past. They are finally utilizing His perfect love. The ironic part of this is that it's actually been very nice to be able to take some time out in order to watch people grow and blossom from a distance!

In the harvest field now ripened,

There's a work for all to do.

Hark, the voice of God is calling,

To the harvest calling you.

Little is much when God is in it.

Labor not for wealth or fame.

There's a crown and you can win it,

If you go in Jesus' name.

Does the place you're called to labor,

Seem so small and little known?

It is great if God is in it,

And He'll not forget His own.

When the conflict here is ended,

And our race on earth is run,

He will say, if we are faithful,

"Welcome home,

My child, well done."

- Kittie J. Suffield

"Little Is Much When God Is In It"

PERFECT LOVE

How Great Is Our God!

I was thinking today that Ralph Waldo Emerson ALMOST got it right when he wrote:

"What lies behind us

and what lies ahead of us

are small matters compared to

what lies within us."

If Ralph had any ambition at all, he would've written:

"What lies behind us

and what lies ahead of us

are small matters compared to

WHO LIVES WITHIN US."

Today has been a day of changed plans and a little physical discomfort. Initially, I had planned to get out of the house with a friend and then go to dinner this evening with another friend. Michigan weather being what it is, the plans were cancelled! I woke up to big, puffy, white snowflakes and about 5 inches of accumulated snowfall since early this morning. It has been snowing off and on today and we have a snow advisory in effect until 7 p.m. this evening. I didn't think it would be a good idea to be out and about in inclement weather, thus increasing my chances to break my other ankle! I expected to be more disappointed at the change in plans, but found myself to be pretty content with the new direction my day had taken on. I'm finding it easier to be "okay" with things, recognizing that this is a temporary situation and that there will always be other opportunities down the road.

I started experiencing muscle spasms again late this morning. This also made me glad that I'd cancelled my initial plans. The muscle spasms don't necessarily hurt, but they are really uncomfortable and difficult to get under control. I've also been having neck pain and discomfort intermittently. I think this is due to a combination of bruising from the car accident as well as having to use mostly upper body strength to transport myself around the house.

I was still pretty content to be at home, all things considered, but found myself starting to become a little discouraged. Odd how things can change quickly when you ask the Lord for help! Shortly after such a request had been made, my sister called. She has an odd (and sometimes twisted) sense of humor. She is unusual and unique, and somewhat undescribable. She's just very much her own entity in that I don't think anyone will every meet anyone like her. She's not replicable by any means. She has a very dry, quick sense of humor. This, in combination with some other factors, helped to steer my mood into a new, healthier direction. I also found out today that many people are reading my blog religiously. This surprised me a little and I thought I'd better step things up a notch.

The major contributing factor to my mood change arrived via a card from two of my favorite people. You know how some people always seem to know what to say or how to say it? These people are very much that way! The card they sent, is by far, the most meaningful card I've ever received. The front of the card says,

"There are greater things than you can imagine ahead of you --

and there's a great God walking beside you."

Upon openning the card, I heard Chris Tomlin singing: "How great is our God..." The interior of the card reads,

"I know His purpose is at work within you

as He's guiding your life with wisdom and love."

Ephesians 3:20 says, " God can do anything, you know -- far more than you could ever imagine, guess or request in your wildest dreams!" (The Message)

I e-mailed my friends who sent me the card and expressed that God ALWAYS knows what we need EXACTLY when we need it. It may not FEEL like He's at work. I may not FEEL that He's guiding my life, but He always is. He isn't a feeling. He is an all powerful, infinite being and for me to proclaim Him as otherwise mars His very character.

Spiritual food is often like Coldstone ice cream on a hot day - it cools you down and hits the spot! (Except that it's nutritional value is much greater! Maybe not the best analogy???)

There are many things to look forward to. God has made it clear over and over again that He is at work. He's answered huge prayers just in the short time I've spent recovering. Hope is unwaivering faith in the promise that the Best is yet to come.

"How Great Is Our God" - Chris Tomlin

The Joy of Lord Will Be My Strength...

"...the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:11

I find myself reflecting more and more on the song by Twila Paris, "The Joy of the Lord", based on the above passage.

The joy of the Lord will be my strength.

I will not falter, I will not faint.

He is my Shepherd, I am not afraid.

The joy of the Lord is my strength.

The joy of the Lord, The joy of the Lord, The joy of the Lord is my strength.

The joy of the Lord will be my strength.

He will uphold me all of my days.

I am surrounded by mercy and grace.

And the joy of the Lord is my strength.

The joy of the Lord, The joy of the Lord, The joy of the Lord is my strength.

The joy of the Lord will be my strength.

I will not waiver, walking by faith.

He will be strong to deliver me safe.

The joy of the Lord is my strength.

The joy of the Lord, The joy of the Lord, The joy of the Lord is my strength.

I will not falter, faint or waiver... because He is my Shepherd, and Strength, upholding me all of my days...surrounding me with mercy and grace. It's difficult not to be overcome by such disply of affection on the part of our Savior. Terry O'Brien, Administrative Pastor of the church I attend, will often make the statement that "God is ALWAYS all of His attributes ALL of the time." God is always just AND merciful. He is always firm AND gentle. He never drops one characteristic for the sake of the other. While this is not a concept pioneered by Terry (because God says this is true in His Word), it has recently become more and more evident to me as I've gone from being the recipient of His provisions, to the benefactress of His mercy, and now I am learning that His joy provides me with the ultimate strength. It is difficult to express in words what this means to me. I am at a low point in life in that I have loss of mobility, no vehicle, finances are tight, etc., but at the same time, I find myself in a place where I can honestly say that I am the most at peace, the most joyful and the most content that I have ever been. I feel FULFILLED because "...the joy of the Lord is my strength." All rests in His hands and though that does not free me of personal responsibility, it does mean that I am taken care of - FOREVER!

Safe in the grace of God my soul finds rest,

Strong from a confidence that He knows best.

Following where He leads my heart is blessed.

CHORUS: Evil makes its plans,

but my faith still stands,

I am in God's hands.

Gone are the lonely fears of former days.

Jesus is always there to guide my ways.

Gladly I offer Him my thankful praise.

Evil makes its plans but my faith still stands,

I am in God's hands.

In His hands, peace comforts my life.

In His hands, I see a path I can walk through the passage of time.

Angels will greet me when I leave life's pains.

Sent there to guard me at that final change.

Bearing me up to where my father reigns.

- Steve Green

I Peter 1:8 says, "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." The King James version says that we are filled with "joy unspeakable and full of glory." Maybe that's why I'm having such a difficult time composing this blog post; His joy is UNSPEAKABLE!

My Redeemer is Faithful & True

Today, I received a call from Keith Kaynor, the Missions Pastor at the church I attend. I was so humbled that he set aside this special time for me! I've always felt that he truly cares about me as he's always presented himself quite graciously to me. Throughout the course of our conversation, Keith asked if he could pray with me. I can use as much prayer as anyone is willing to offer up! In his prayer, Keith asked that the Lord begin to work out financial issues for me, that my bills would be paid and that the funds would roll in as needed. Well, only a couple of hours later, the Lord showed me quite obviously that He is already on the job. My roommate, whose condo I currently co-occupy, called to tell me that she would like to extend a gift to me. She stated, "I would like for you NOT to pay me any rent next month." I think my jaw must have dropped to my knees. I then thought, "She must mean that she wants me to reimburse her as I am able." Not the case! Ranju then went on to say that she wanted me to consider this a gift from her with no plans for future reimbursement. Her needs had been met and she wants me to work on meeting mine! I am not surprised that God chooses to meet our needs, I am simply amazed that He does so with such grace and creativity. My roommate is not even a believer. She is a devout Catholic Indian woman with strong morals, but she is not a believer. Our Lord truly is mighty and amazing. The more I know Him, the less I fathom His love for me. Thank you, Lord! The grapes are coming out of the woodwork! -- Isaiah 58:11 "The LORD will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."

My Redeemer

(Steven Curtis Chapman and James Isaac Elliott)

[Psalm 103:17]

As I look back on the road I've travelled,

I see so many times He carried me through;

And if there's one thing that I've learned in my life,

My Redeemer is faithful and true.

My Redeemer is faithful and true.

[Chorus:] My Redeemer is faithful and true.

Everything He has said He will do,

And every morning His mercies are new.

My Redeemer is faithful and true.

My heart rejoices when I read the promise

'There is a place I am preparing for you.'

I know someday I'll see my Lord face to face,'

Cause my Redeemer is faithful and true.

My Redeemer is faithful and true. [Chorus]

And in every situation

He has proved His love to me;

When I lack the understanding,

He gives more grace to me.[Chorus]