Being Renewed

My husband took this picture of our former-homeless friend Greg.  If you are new here at my place, we met Greg last August when he was homeless.   He was the answer to my prayer of should I start a book on the homeless.  I did. We built a friendship with Greg over the weeks. Five weeks later I had the priveledge of praying the sinners prayer with Greg.

I pondered as I watched him at the river today. . .

Greg went from being an ex-con, ex drug dealer, homeless guy to a redeemed man with a home.  A physical home to call his own and an eternal home with the Savior that has begun.

Greg still struggles with issues.  But now the Holy Spirit inside of him convicts him where once before he was not.  Greg used to go to the bars and places where he got stuff that wasn't good for him.  Now he goes to church every Sunday and volunteers at Hope House twice a week.  He reads his devotionals and he prays and he ponders.

His life is much different now than it once was.  He has real friends who love him in spite of his issues.  Don't we all have some kind of issues.  Maybe not like his but then I think scales are not used to weigh one against the other.

Greg has treated me like a lady from day one.  When I need prayer, he always stops right then and there and bows his head, praying to the Father from deep in his heart.

Greg never lies to me.  He never pawns off bad decisions on others.  He is honest when it would be easy to not be. I appreciate this about him.

I have never seen a man try as hard as he does.  He went from one kind of world into a completely different kind of world.  He left a dark world and stepped into the light of Christ.  He has some remnants from the past but he ponders and he prays and in time, I believe it will all be gone from total surrender.

We have watched his mind being changed, renewed.  His way of thinking has changed tremendously over the months. Where once he was hunkered down in depression, he now throws back his head in laughter.  Where once he only thought only of himself,  he now is thinking of others. Where once he would have sold drugs to make money, he now gives of his time only to help others. 

I ponder the word surrender and ask myself tough questions. . .

Do I surrender my finances for others?

Do I surrender my dreams and wants for what His will is?

Do I surrender my comfort zones to go where He asks me to go?

Do I surrender my selfish desires to partake in His desires?

Am I willing to do what He asks even though it is not easy?

Do I trust to go down a road where I cannot see the end?

Before any of us may take on that desire to judge one, we should ask of ourselves the tough questions. We should step into that someone's shoes and feel where they have been.  Their decision to surrender may have come much tougher for them than it did, than it does for us. 

I have been transformed for many years and I think I have learned to test and discern.  New ones in this life need the time that we more seasoned ones have had.  They need to ponder and pray and learn and practice and live with the new heart and mind that comes when Jesus enters the heart.  As I think about it, even us seasoned ones are still pondering, praying, learning, practicing, and being renewed, aren't we?

My husband Keith and I think much of Greg and love him like a brother.

Please pray for Greg, our friend and brother in Christ, as he ponders, prays, and is being renewed and transformed.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2

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Baby's Hug

I did not write this but I have seen this for myself with little ones at our downtown park with the homeless. . .


 *Baby's Hug ~ *
 We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a
 high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly,
 Erik squealed with glee and said, 'Hi.' He pounded his fat baby hands on
 the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was
 bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.

 I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose
 pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of
 would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed.
 His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so
 varicose it looked like a road map.

We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled.. His hands
 waved and flapped on loose wrists. 'Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy.. I
 see ya, buster,' the man said to Erik.

My husband and I exchanged looks,
 'What do we do?'

Erik continued to laugh and answer, 'Hi.'

Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man.
 The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal
 came and the man began shouting from across the room, 'Do ya patty cake? Do
 you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.'

Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk.

My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik,
 who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who
 in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.

We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to
 pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat
 poised between me and the door. 'Lord, just let me out of here before he
 speaks to me or Erik,' I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my
 back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I
 did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's
 'pick-me-up' position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself
 from my arms to the man.
 Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love
 and kinship..

Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon
the man's ragged shoulder.

The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged
 hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and
 stroked his back.

No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time.

I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his
 eyes opened and set squarely on mine.

He said in a firm commanding voice, "You take care of this baby".

Somehow I managed, "I will", from a throat that contained a stone..

He Pried Erik from his chest, Lovingly and Longingly, as though HE were in
 pain.

I received my baby, and the man said, 'God bless you, ma'am, you've given
 me my Christmas Gift.'

I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for
 the car.

My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly,

and why I was saying, "My God, my God, forgive me".

I had just witnessed Christ's love, shown through the innocence of a tiny
 child who saw no sin,

who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit
 of clothes.

I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not.

I felt it was God asking, "Are you willing to share your son for a
 moment"? when He shared His for all eternity.

How did God feel when he put his baby in our arms 2000 years ago?

The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me,

'To enter the Kingdom of God , we must become as little children.'
*(end of story)

Love does no wrong to one's neighbor [it never hurts anybody]. Therefore love meets all the requirements and is the fulfilling of the Law.

Romans 13:10

May the Lord make (our) love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else. . .

First Thessalonians 3:12

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

First John 4:7

(Some of the homeless neighbors at our downtown park that God has taught me to see with different eyes and 
has filled my heart with a love I had not had before. . .)
 

Sweet Confirmations

One of the categories for my One Word, discipline, is Bible reading.  That may surprise you.  I’ve been a Christian for 38 years.  My bible is precious to me. It is worn and torn with many highlights and notes written beside verses.  But the readings sometimes go in cycles. At times I devour it, at others, I nibble, sometimes just snacking.   I love to read books and sometimes I get so wrapped up in my devotionals in the morning, (I have 6 that I read faithfully), that by the time I finish those, I grab a snack of His Word and then I’m up moving for the rest of the day.  I am one of those women who has a constant dialogue going on with my Savior, but that's not always enough and I was reminded of this one day.

I picked up my Bible the other day and was just skimming through, reading all my highlights and notes from over the years and was reminded of all the times that God so sweetly spoke to me and confirmed things to me. I wanted to share some of those and encourage anyone out there who may not be picking up their Bible on a regular basis, or maybe just runs through it, how God speaks to us so clearly through His Word, but we have to read it to receive it.

Years ago, still having been a Christian for a long time and had never questioned it, I was sitting in a revival at my church where the evangelist was speaking a very good but hard sermon on the wheat and the tares.  At the end of that service, he gave the altar call and I watched all these people that I knew to be strong Christians walking forward.  I was shocked!  I thought if they think they are not saved now, am I?  I bowed my head and asked the Father, am I Yours? I so clearly heard him say to me, “You are my child, you are mine.” When I went home that evening, I opened my Bible and it was if God confirmed to me that I was his by Him leading me to Isaiah 43:1 “. . .Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Then I began to read in Second Corinthians and came upon  1: 22.  It says, “ He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.  Again, He confirmed that I am sealed with His ownership, His Holy Spirit within me, guaranteeing that I am His.  I knew this all along, from that day at 12 years old when I asked Jesus Christ into my heart.  But He knew I needed that confirmation that night of the revival and He gave it to me.   I have never questioned my salvation since.

Another example:  My home was in Oklahoma. My husbands company that he worked for was going bankrupt and he was losing his job.  He could find nothing and time and money were running out. One day when my boys were 10 and 15, a head hunter found an opening in Keith’s field of programming in Kentucky.  My husband Keith came home on his lunch hour and asked how I felt about moving to Kentucky.  I cried.  It felt like it was at the other end of the world as I knew I would not see my family and friends hardly at all from there. I was used to seeing my family whenever I wanted.  In my sad, sarcastic mind, I thought to myself, ‘is God even in Kentucky?’  I went to my Bible and my eyes fell onto this verse, Joshua 1:9. . . “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  I smiled and wrote beside this verse, ‘even to Kentucky!’  I wasn’t questioning, I knew.  And He gave me strength to move away and begin a new home with my husband and boys.

Another example:  Back in 2007 after my oldest son had walked away, I was so depressed that I was not wanting to be around people and having to act cheery when I wasn’t feeling it.  I wanted to quit my small bible study group.  I opened up my Bible and my eyes fell to this verse, 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 kept going.  And I became stronger by going, by being around like minded people, studying His Word with others and being encouraged and prayed for.  I am no longer in that place I was in 2007. 

Another example: Climbing out of the pit took some time but there came a day when I was just about there, but could not seem to swing over the top edge and plant both feet firmly yet.  I had stayed in my small group, my ABF class, going to church functions and volunteering but there was just something missing.  I went to the Lord in prayer and opened up my Bible again and my eyes fell to this verse, “Titus 2: “Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”  I thought, ‘God is telling me I need a mentor?’  Lo and behold, that year our church began a mentoring class, so I went and signed up to get myself a mentor.  Others on the team picked her out for me and she could not have been any more perfect.  She knew where I was coming from and understood.  She was a wonderful listener, full of wisdom, kindness and compassion and patience.  I fell in love with her and she has been a dear friend to me ever since.  I then went on to mentor a younger one myself.  And now, I have begun to mentor another.  Did I mention, my feet are planted firmly on the ground again?

God knows just what we need when we need it.  He speaks to us in many ways, but His Word is by far the best.  We just have to open it, read it, chew on it slowly, listen and be diligent to keep going back, soaking in the words, and finding those answers He has for us as well as the sweet confirmations that we seek. . .and sometimes not seek, but He guides us to them any way.  Why we would ever not open it, I don’t know.  The devil shoots many arrows to stop us, arrows like tiredness, fatigue, work, play, hobbies, busyness, maybe even too many devotionals to take the place of his Word.  I am following through with my One Word, discipline, and picking up the Word before any devotionals.  Devotionals are great but not meant to be a replacement. 

How about you?  Have you a need for a sweet confirmation?  Have you picked up God’s Holy Word?  I’m guessing you would find it in there.  (I’m not really guessing ;)

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.  Jeremiah 29:13



Discipline

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Hunger and Filling

Sometimes the hardest lessons are learned in the hunger.

   Sometimes the blind eye can only be opened through hunger.

      Sometimes the guidance needed and the requests bestowed come answered best

          Through hunger.

And the only filling of this hunger is the manna of words, the very presence of Himself, the Bread of Life.

I depend on food, and not so very good ones for me way too much.

   I depend on my mate too much, at times.     

      I depend on my feeling too much, at times.

         I depend on my own time table too much, at times.

I want to be totally dependent on my Heavenly Father,

   I want to be cleansed from the inside out.

      I want to lay down requests that are deep in my soul, and then let it go.

          And so I will let myself go into hunger to be filled up totally by Him.

Awhile back, Tuesdays were appointed times to be on the knees, empty plate, only tasting for the day what is good, the Word, Holy and Pure, sweet beyond measure.  An answer came.  I quit.  But there was so much to pour the heart out for.  I began again. I kept it up for a long time.  Then I quit again.  In keeping with my new word for the year, discipline, I now begin again continueing to beseech, petition, and praise on Tuesdays, on the knees, plate empty, spirit filling.  If something gets in the way on Tuesdays, then it will just happen another day that week.  May I come to His feet, His throne of grace for you too?  I would be honored to do so.  If you are not comfortable leaving a comment here, please send me a personal FB message or e-mail. (Krbrid@aol.com)  I assure you it will stay confidential! If you want to quietly leave, that is fine.

May God bless you abundantly with His filling.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

Phillipians 4:6

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone…this is good and pleases our Savior.”

First Timothy 2:1

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:6

“Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

Psalm 34:8

Discipline

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I'm a Nut

My friends have said in the past with a silly grin that I am a nut, but the way I've been eating lately, I may really turn into one.

It goes along with my one word for the year, DISCIPLINE.  One of the areas in need of discipline is my eating habits.  I tend to be a junk food junkie, I love sweets, and I'm a chronic Dr. Pepper drinker. Maybe this is why I am getting so many bad headaches. This year I want to do better and feel better, honoring this body God has given me. If you've been following me, you saw my funkie, polka-dot glass that is just for water.

 I've been using it a lot. . .with water in it:)  When I went to the grocery store to stock up again, I walked right past the Dr. Pepper.  I walked down an isle I had never walked before. . . the health food isle.  I bought garlic and chive pita bites

which is so good, especially if dipped into a dill dip.  I also bought pepitas (spanish for roasted pumpkin seeds),

soy nuts,

raw almonds,

and banana gronala filled with almonds and walnuts.

Who knew something from the health food isle could taste so good!  I thought nuts had to be dipped in chocolate to be a nice treat, or be covered in sugars.  But these nuts, I think I'm already nuts over.  I'm lovin' everything I have tried so far. I googled the pepitas and soy nuts and found out they are an excellent source of nutrition with SO many good words like iron, zinc maganese, phosphorus, copper and potassium.  These sounds like words from the vitamin bottles.  I would rather eat these tasty nuts than swallow a pill I somethimes tend to gag on.

I googled soy nuts and found out through the Journal of Women's Health that these little guys have been shown to prevent heart disease and several forms of cancer.  Also has shown that consuming soy nuts 3-4 times throughout the day was associated with the decrease in the number of hot flashes and improvement in menepausal symptoms.  A good thing to know since I have a feeling that is right around the corner for me.  I have not seen these kind of readings or heard anyone ever say the potato chip would contribute to these wonderful claims.

SO, for this area of discipline, so far, I'm giving myself a B.  Why a B?  Because, I know I can do a lot more in this area, but it is going to take time for me to learn what all is out there.  I know one thing though and this proves there is a God who loves us. . .dark chocolate is good for us!!!!!  I don't have to give it up completely!  Oh, and I know about hummus.  It's made from chickpeas, which is in the nut family.  Maybe I'll give myself a B+.

You all are probably laughing thinking this is nothing new.  You all probably already eat these things right?  You may be thinking, she's a grown woman, she should have learned this ages ago.  Wellllll, the true me has come out.  Better late than never, right?  You can teach an old dog new tricks, right?  We'll see if I'm a good learner or not.

I just remembered. . .while at the store, I bought ice cream BUT it does have nuts in it.  At least I'm truthful. I may have to go back to a plain ol' B grade for now. 

Do any of you out there have suggestions for me as far as what healthy thing to eat?  Have a recipe for something healthy. . .and tasty?  Please do share!

Thanks so much from this one big nut!  Maybe soon to be health nut?

DISCIPLINE

Martin Luther King, Jr./Guest Post

I have invited a guest post today. I met him last summer while I was downtown interviewing the homeless for my book.  Today's guest is not homeless, he is a wonderful poet and Christian that I just happen to meet while downtown one day and we started talking with each other.  He shared one of his poems with me.  I was so impressed that my husband and I went back downtown one evening to make a u-tube of this man reciting one of his poems.

Today in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, I invited my new friend to come onto my blog to share his thoughts on this great man.

Please meet my friend, Mr Kevin Bell, the Poet Man

(Please direct your comments to Kevin)

 I See Your Dream

This great man I speak of is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. a man of God. His greatest battles and triumph was to fight the oppressors of this world for every man, woman, boy and girl. With his vigorous approach of non vio...lence by all means necessary, was the ultimate goal. Through his famous speech that rings in the heart and mind of the many people that he touched around the world. "I Have A Dream" what this tells and what this means is a sign of a revelation from God through Dr. King.

 Because of unjust laws and the act of violence against fellow life , an unjust man took the life of such a great man. On his mission he never meant any harm to anyone on the face of the earth. His aim, his goal and mission in life was to do the work and the will of Almighty God. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. knew the Christ within himself and that was enough to elevate him in becoming a great man in the eyes of God.

 To such a man the color of a person's skin did not matter the condition of the mind is what was important to him. Quote "I Have A Dream" have brought people together from all walks. A sympathetic heart has not color; in it is a sign to say I care. All humans have feelings and they can show compassion for one another; this is common and a natural thing for all human beings to embrace. It is when we teach against the morals and principalities of life we are bitter, we hate, and we have no love for one another.

A man on a mission through his life to bring to the reality of the condition that the masses of the people are confused about the true glory of God. We are all entitled to live but to deny the least human being the opportunity to evolve to their fullest potential as a servant to God and a service to humanity to help the human family is a shame. In honor and memory of the late great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. HAPPY BIRTHDAY I love you Dr. King quote unquote I See Your Dream.

Kevin Bell

Ebony and Ivory

I’ve often wondered why God placed my family in Kentucky eight years ago.  So many things have happened since then it’s difficult to put it all into perspective.  The stories we’ve shared, the adventures we’ve experienced have all combined to create a tapestry of life unique to this new home.  I suppose I’ve always possessed a heart for the plight of others and since moving to Kentucky I feel God has challenged me to step away from my zone of comfort and explore new avenues of expression and connection.

Seven years ago I became involved in a ‘Lunch/Hospital Ministry’ with others from my church. Once a week the sack lunches are handed out to family members who are waiting for loved ones in the intensive care areas of the local hospitals.  That simple act of kindness has generated some amazing connections to the lives of ordinary people facing trying circumstances.

It was during those times I met Miss Anna, a 90 year old cleaning lady who worked at one of the hospitals.  God brought this lady in her beautiful ebony skin into my life along side my ivory skin to blend us together into what I hope in time became beautiful music to God’s ears.  I know it was to mine.

Miss Anna touched my life in so many ways with her understated wit and accepting charms.

If you look at our picture, you will see that Ms. Anna and I are like the keys on the piano board…ebony and ivory, sitting side by side, working together in perfect harmony.  Ms. Anna and I shared so much together, especially in these last several months after she went through the loss of her leg. 

Over the months after her amputation, we shared time, smiles, food, stories, grief, laughter, and love.  The beauty of our friendship created music within my heart, giving me much joy.  But there was also beauty in the quiet moments.  It was out of the willingness to sit in the quiet, that our most beautiful conversations were born.  I learned to accept the quiet that so many find uncomfortable for I saw that love was working in the quiet.  Ms. Anna was not a big talker, but by letting the quiet moments happen, it gave her time to think, and eventually love poured out of her towards me like a beautiful song.

Ms. Anna was a real soldier.  To look at her tiny frame, you wouldn’t picture her that way.  Over time I began to ask her questions about her life and she slowly and in little pieces shared with me.  During an era of racial backwardness, she worked hard to help make a living for her family and continued to work up to the age of 90. She never once complained, had a heart of gold, and had much strength in that fragile looking body.  She loved the Lord and that is where she gained her strength. 

She had a harmony about her that few may ever find in their own lives.  A harmony like the blending of beautiful music…like a piano with its ebony and ivory notes.  Love, like music is a universal language ALL understand…hhmmm, pondering…

Several months before her amputation, Miss Anna went to the doctor to look at a growth on her foot.  It wasn’t good and no amount of treatment would cure it.  Reluctantly, she agreed with the doctors to have her leg amputated…fully expecting to return to work as soon as she could get up and about.  Initially her spirits remained high and when I would visit her in the hospital she would light up, but over time her spirit began to fade.

Eventually they moved her to a nursing home and even though I visited her every week, I could tell her spirit was declining even more. When she was told she would never be able to go back to work, she lost her will to go on. This week, a year ago the Lord brought her home.

I’ve known Ms. Anna for almost 7 years but it wasn’t until this last year  she gave me a nickname.  I was so tickled the first time she called me Baby Doll. . .it was also the first time she said she loved me.  A nurse at the nursing home asked one day while I was there how Ms. Anna and I met.  Ms. Anna piped right up saying that we had fallen in love with each other years ago at the hospital. I am so blessed that we could hold hands, eat together, share our stories, pray together to the same God who created us both and loves us both, sacrificed for both of us, and has prepared a home for both of us with Him. Maybe we can sit on each others porches.  Or, she could skip to a pond with me if there is one.

Just coming off of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I can’t help but be saddened at thinking of all the past dissention between ebonies and ivories.  Many never learned how to blend together to live in harmony.  Many beautiful moments were lost, or never happened because one could not see the beauty of the other. I believe and hope it is much better today and will continue so one does not lose out on their own beautiful song God may have for them.

I love old hymns, and there is an old negro spiritual that I found recently that I believe puts our relationship into perspective.

In Christ There Is No East or West

In Christ there is no east or west, in Him no South or North; but one great fellowship of love through-out the whole side earth.

In Him shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find; His service is the golden cord, close binding all mankind.

Join hands, then, brothers of the faith( and sisters too) what-e’er your race may be; who serves my Father as a son is surely kin to me.

In Christ now meet both east and west, In Him meet south and north; all Christly souls are one in Him, through-out the whole wide earth.  Amen.

Ms. Anna, Our souls are one in Him. . .You were a beautiful song!

We will meet again. . .I love you

Your Baby Doll

White Snow White

No, not snow white, the fairy tale princess. We had a snow fall today and it was so beautiful. I’m not a cold weather lover but I do admire the beauty of the snow.  I’ve heard every snow flake has its own pattern…just like people.  That’s just like God to be so creative. Only one verse came to my mind about snow, which you will read at the end of this, but I did think of the white horses at the end of the bible.

            In Revelation 6:2, John writes,

            “I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, ‘Come!’ I looked, and there before me was a white horse.  Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

            In Revelation 19:11 John describes this,

            “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True…then down to verse 14,

            “The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.

            It sounds like a prince charging in on his white horse to save the damsel.  Actually, the rider called Faithful and True had written on his robe and on his thigh the name King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Even better!

            His entrance here signals the end of the false powers.  A great battle will ensue and we know the ending.  He will conquer, will take his bride and ascend to the New Earth.

            Revelations describes a perfect city with no evil.  Paradise is re-created in the New Jerusalem.  I bet there will be ponds there, but I’m not sure about the snow.

            Snow White had her prince.  But again, that was just a fairy tale.  She was not a real woman, but if she was, I think she would be in Heaven.  Any woman who could live with, work with, and clean up after seven men, and with names like Grumpy, and Dopey, and still whistle, has to be an angel. OK, all kidding aside, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords charging in on his white horse and taking his bride, the church, to a paradise like place is no fairy tale.  It’s the real deal. 

            The bible says our sins are as scarlet but Jesus makes them white as snow.  I smile as I look out at the clean, pure snow, thankful that I took that step of faith and knowing how He sees me, white as the pure driven snow.  Because of this I will be in paradise with Him someday.  I hope you will be there too.

            For us believers, I guess you could say,

            “And they lived happily ever after.

Ask Wise Counsel: Who am I? by Kristin Bridgman

Ask Wise Counsel: Who am I? by Kristin Bridgman: Who am I? I live out in the world I live in a car or camper in parking lots I live under bridges and tents and cardboard boxes in the woods ...

The following link will take you to the story. . .
http://www.askwisecounsel.com/

Freedom Rocks!

I’m participating in a special blog event entitled “Freedom Rocks!” Blog Tour.  John Beehner of http://askwisecounsel.blogspot.com/ is hosting this special writing extravaganza to kick off the New Year.  My day is January 11.   I am participating in this event to get to know other Christian writers, to learn from others, and make new friends in the blogging world.  I also hope to share about the plight of homelessness in our world, especially in our town right here in Kentucky.

I see this as a gift from God to be able to share my thoughts and words with more experienced writers, a bigger audience, to have the message of homelessness and the need for compassion spread further.

I invite you to check out the above link to read from some wonderful Christian writers and please come visit me at the same above link on the 11th.

May God be glorified in this Blog Tour.  The only real freedom is in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Do You Think He Wore Slippers?

Last year on January 1, I fell out of my attic landing on the cement garage floor smashing my arm and wrist.  I wrote this post from that experience.  Remembering back as I have had several friends falling lately.  And, I had to face those stairs once again as I put the Christmas decorations up.

*wrote this January of 2010*

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men

Could not put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

Poor thing!  Do you think he was wearing slippers?

This silly woman in her slippers had a great fall from the attic stairs

She fell over backwards and was about to split hairs

But she stuck out her arm and smashed all her bones

Oh my goodness, you never heard such moans!

Thank goodness I didn’t have king’s horses and king’s men

I had Greenview nurses and wonderful doctor men

They are the ones who put me back together again.

       

For now I am living on pain pills and prayers

And the goodness of people who don’t put on airs.

The flowers, so pretty, so good is the food

All of this is elevating my pitiful mood.

I’m sorry for the poor fella who cracked himself up

He probably split his yolk

He should have yelled out to Jesus like I did

That’s no joke

I’ve learned in the good times and bad, the scary and sad

All you need to whimper is the name of our Savior

Don’t you know it makes Him glad that you thought of Him first

And it makes me thankful that He never will waver.

It is time to end this little ditty

I hope you found it somewhat witty

Remember, I wrote this under the influence of drugs

But do not worry, they came from Walgreens

Not the street corner thugs.

I wonder if Jesus ever wore slippers; probably sandals.  Whatever His foot covering, I know He never slipped.  He was surefooted in everything He said and did because He walked so closely with the Father.  I’m sure a lot of us slip here and there in life, whether it be in tongue or thought, or whatever misfortunate thing we let out of control. 

It is a comfort to know the One I follow is surefooted and I can always count on Him to catch me when I fall whether literally or metaphorically and carry me when I need those strong arms underneath me.  Yes, I fell off the stairs, but I believe he carried me to my arm because I was headed to the garage floor with my head. 

I could have been a goner but He said “not yet.”  Instead He has given me a time of rest blessing me more than I could have imagined.  New friendships are forming, older ones are deepening.  January 1^st, I would have said having a mangled wrist and arm was no blessing, but God, once again has brought good from something that seemed so bad.  So I will try not to complain too much, for the blessings far outweigh the pain.  The devil might have laughed that January night, but God is getting all the glory for this story!

As for Humpty Dumpty and me…I think we should stay off of high places and keep our feet on the ground.

(I smile as I get up my courage and face those stairs once again.  With God,  all things are possible. Remember that my sweet friends who have tumbled yourselves lately.  With Him we can get through the doctor visits, casts, pain and physical therapy :)

Why Do We Keep Doing This?

(from a forwarded e-mail)

Ruth went to her mail box and there was only one letter.
 She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again..
 There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address.
  
 She read the letter:
 Dear Ruth:
 I’m going to be in your neighborhood Saturday afternoon and I'd like to stop by for a visit.
 Love Always,

 Jesus
  
 Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. 'Why would the Lord want to visit me?
 
 I'm nobody special.. I don't have anything to offer.'
 With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets.
 'Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to offer. I'll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner..'

 She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents.
 Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least.'
 She threw on her coat and hurried out the door.
 A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk...leaving Ruth with grand total twelve cents to last her until Monday.
 Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm.

'Hey lady, can you help us, lady?'
 Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she hadn't even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway.
 A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags.
'Look lady, I ain't got a job, you know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and, well, now it's getting cold and we're getting kinda
 hungry and, well, if you could help us. Lady, we'd really appreciate it.'
 Ruth looked at them both.
 They were dirty, they smelled bad and frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work
if they really wanted to.

'Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I'm having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was planning on serving that to Him.'
 'Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway.'

The man put his arm around the woman's
 shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley.
 As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart.
 'Sir, wait!'
 The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them.
 'Look, why don't you take this food. I'll figure out something else to serve my guest.'
 She handed the man her grocery bag.
 'Thank you lady. Thank you very much!'
 'Yes, thank you!' It was the man's wife, and Ruth could see now that she was shivering
 'You know, I've got another coat at home.

 Here, why don't you take this one.'
 Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman's shoulders.
 Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street...without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.
 'Thank you lady!
 Thank you very much!'
 Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. 

The Lord was coming to visit and she didn't have anything to offer Him.
 She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox.
 'That's odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day.'

Dear Ruth:
 It was so good to see you again.
 Thank you for the lovely meal.
 And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.
 Love Always,

Jesus

 The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed.

"And the King will answer them, 'Truely, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

Matthew 25:40

*end of article*

(Me) This is why we do it, why we befriend the homeless, taking our chances on getting disappointed, let down, discouraged.
Helping the homeless is not always pretty, fun, or even rewarding at times.  We do get discouraged, fed up and let down many times.  But during those times the Lord leads me to a verse like this. . .

"We urge you, brothers admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be PATIENT with them all."

First Thessalonians 5:14

After being let down once again by a person, a situation, I had to do some talkin' with the Lord.  He immediately brought the above story to my attention and this verse.  Then it was impressed on my heart once again, that I am just a seed sower.  I sow seeds of love, I don't do the growing, I don't do the changing in people, I do not do the convicting.    I may and I may not always get to see the results of the seed planted and that is ok.  I also do what I do in the homeless community because of my love for the Lord.  I do for Him, I give for Him, I love because of Him, and I will be patient for Him.  After all, He is so patient with me, how could I not be this for others that He loves.

I would like to clarify here, that the homeless have been nothing but kind, sweet, and polite to me.

But there are times when some will say they will meet you for church or for an interview, and then do not show up .  They have lived for so long surviving and just taking care of themselves, that a kind of selfishness sets in that I don't think they even realize.  Many have been caught up in alcoholism too that if they have that first drink of the day, all memory and reasoning can go out the window.

I am not called to condemn or pass judgements.  I am called to "Go tell", and to love and to be an example of that love.  Results are left up to someone else.  God has led me to this certain population for a reason, and I didn't hear Him say I could leave when it wasn't fun, when it wasn't pretty, when things didn't go my way.

Yes, I have a love for these hard to sometimes love people, and I have an even greater love for my Lord.
Have I ever been unlovable?  Probably.  Have I ever let Him down?  I'm sure I have.  Does He still love me?  Yes!

If he could hang on that cross for us imperfect human beings, then the least I can do is share His love with others.

And then there are those who you touch, hug, pray with, and the tears flow from a grateful heart from them who are SO appreciative of the care and love you shown them.

And then out of many, there is that one, that one who sees the light, Jesus, and invites Him into his heart.

This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live for Him.  This is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
First John 4:9-11

"Love is patient, love is kind. . .it is not self seeking. . .it keeps no records of wrongs. . .love always protects. . .always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails."
First Corinthians 13:4

"Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord, your God with all your heart and  with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
Matthew 22:37-38

This is why we keep doing it.

 



sqeak or ROAR?

What I heard on Sunday. . .

Becoming a Lion Chaser. . .yeah!  I've been asking for the Lord to fill me with boldness for years and He gives it to me when I need it.  Over the years I have felt more like a little mouse, peeking out from a little hole before venturing out.

Yeah, kind of like that.

And when I do get my boldness, I'm kind of like this. . .

still a mouse, but with my armor on. . .which is good!

But after listening to my Sunday School lesson on becoming a lion chaser like David, writing down the characteristics such as these. . .

standing firm

defying the odds

facing fear

reframe the problems

takes risks

seizes opportunities

willing to look foolish

knows that God is bigger than any problem

not afraid to do what looks ridiculous to others because with God anything is possible

learn how to see problems in a new way~God's way

not focusing on what's wrong but what is right with God . . .

there is something better. . . I don't want to be the little mouse anymore, even in the little armor suit. . .

What is it that keeps me from being bold at times?  Fear and insecurity, weapons of the enemy. Yes, there have been times I have stepped out of the comfort zones but as the little mouse with the suit on. God was with me but I let the enemy still be on my heels. I leaned into God and took strength from that.  But God is behind me, beside me, in front of me, and in me, so there is no need to fear.  I don't just need to hide in my God, I can face down the enemy with my God, and this is how that will look. . .

Oh yeah!  That's gonna be me! To the enemy.

I am woman, hear me roar!

My God is with me, off I'll soar! 

Do you squeak or do you roar?

If you are still squeakin', let God fill you up so much with Himself, with His Word, that when the enemy comes nippin' at your heels, you can turn around with the boldness of a lion and ROAR in the name of Jesus!

Then you can become a lion chaser, chasing down your own giants.  You probably won't need a stone like David, but God will equip you with whatever you need.  Rely on Him and stand strong.

ROAR!

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