Eclipsed

Once upon a time, in a land far away, a family lived in a house where they grew and learned and loved. . .cried and laughed and worked and played. So much love was in this home for one another and for the One they called their Savior. It was thought that they would live happily ever after.

 

But one day they had to pull up their roots and move away to what was another far off land, where everyone was a stranger.  It wasn't long though that they were led to people, some good for them, some not.

In the days ahead, the evil one began to throw his darts and what was thought of as inpenetrable, was not.  What was once shining like the sun, became darkened by an eclipse of one that had not been seen so up close before.  It was hideous.  It saddened this home and brought sickness that seemed so unbearable at the time. It was so dark.

 

But this One called Savior had never left.  He was always there and three turned to Him and behold, healing came and the light shined once more but there was a pocket of darkness that just would not go away.  The eclipse had not totally left. It seemed to follow one.

 

The three, because of this Savior of theirs, learned to go on and discovered that their joy was always there, despite the eclipse.  It had been shadowed over but was there and with time, the shadows left and the joy rediscovered in the light.

 

They wait for the total eclipse to completely go away and for the light to shine completely once again in the one that is so loved. It will for they saw the light at one time in this one and knows that it is still there. . .it's just behind the darkness. It seems to hang on by claws. It keeps the one away from the others.  They pray for it to be removed and know that it will in time.

 

They feel at times they have learned to be patient, but love is so powerful and when it is threatened, it always leaves a pocket of pain. Sometimes this pocket leaks and falls out from the corner of the eyes of ones left behind. But the Savior bottles these tears and gives comfort and strength and they go one with their lives. . .but there is always that sliver of eclipse in the background that is never forgotten.

 

Knees bend and heads bow and peace comes.

 

The Savior will bring peace to the other and remove the eclipse totally and when that happens, all will be well and the happily ever after will finally come. 

 

The end. . .not yet!

 

Let the light of your face shine upon (him), O LORD.

Psalm 4:6

 

 

If Heaven Was Never Promised To Me

As I've shared before, when my mother and I reunited after nine years, (28 years ago), we sat at her piano for hours that first couple of years singing our hearts out together to the Lord. I found myself awhile back humming one of the songs we sang so much,  If Heaven Was Never Promised To Me. I would like to share the words with you. . .

You may ask me why I serve the Lord,
Is it just for heaven's gain.
Or to walk those mighty streets of gold,
And to hear the angels sing.

Is it just to drink from the fountain,
That never shall run dry.
Or just to live forever, ever, and ever,
In that sweet, sweet bye and bye.

Chorus:
But if heaven never was promised to me,
Neither God's promise to live eternally.
It's been worth just having the Lord in my life.
Living in a world of darkness,
You came along and brought me the light.

If there were never any streets of gold,
Neither a land where we'll never grow old,
It's been worth just having the Lord in my life.
You've been my closest friend down through the years,
And every time I cry You dry my tears.

It's been worth just having the Lord in my life.
Living in a world of darkness,
living in a world of darkness,
You came along and brought me the light.

My mother and I would talk about the words to this song and tears would stream down our faces as we realized, YES, we would still serve Him, we would still love Him, He would still be our All in All, even if Heaven was never promised. She and I both have been in dark places and it was Jesus who brought us the light. It was Jesus who has given us strength and courage and has guided us into all the right places and has blessed us with things we would have never discovered on our own. Forgiveness would never happen without Him, reconciliation would not have the joy without Him, depression could kill without Him, loneliness could be unbearable without Him. No one else keeps our tears and no one else knows the number of hairs on our head.

What else is there about Him?  Here are just a few. . .

He forgives

He is caring and compassionate

He fights for me

He will pass through the waters for me

His words are trustworthy

He shows unfailing kindness

He continues to love me when I am unlovable

He is the same yesterday, today, and forever

He is faithful to His promises

He watches over my loved ones when I cannot

His right hand sustains me

He is my rock and my redeemer

He restores my soul

He drives out fear

He lifted me out of a slimy pit

He gives a peace that passes all understanding

He lights my path

His judgments are true and just

He heals the brokenhearted

His grace is sufficient for me

He teaches me to be content whatever the circumstances

He gives me rest when I am weary

He gave His Son as a ransom to set me free

He raised His Son from death to conquer and gain the victory

He is bigger than the storms

His love is based on His character and not my performance

He is a reconciler

He is a friend giver

He is a heart dweller

 

 I serve the Lord because I love Him! If Heaven was never promised to me, Yes, I would still serve Him, still love Him, still call Him my Lord and Savior. He has made my life worth living because of Who He is, not because of what I might gain after life.

But the sweet news is. . .There IS an eternal home and the one I'm going to is Heaven. That's a promise He has given to me in John 3:16 and it's just icing on the cake. But if the icing had never been there. . .I would have still taken the cake.

Directionally Challenged?

 

I am directionally challenged. I do not read a map well. If you're giving me directions, please do not tell me to go north, east, west, south, northeast or southwest. 

I need landmarks. Tell me to turn left at the Shell Gas Station or go across the street from Walmart or turn right by the pink, flowered tree next to the fire hydrant.  I'll get there if you'll tell me that.

But there is one thing I'm not directionally challenged on and that is meeting Jesus Christ. I can look up, I can fall to my knees. I can bow my head low or I can go prostrate on the ground. I can crawl to the foot of the cross and I don't need a landmark to get there. Do you?  I hope not. Jesus has made it easy to get there whether you are directionally challenged or not.

Do you want a road map? God gave us one. It's called the Bible. And everything we need is in there.

I was questioning some things about a ministry that I am in and it wasn't until I went prostrate in my prayer closet, walked with Him at the bridge and opened my Bible that I received clarity, confirmation, the answer. It feels so good not to be lost. I am so thankful that God did not lay out the road map with road map directions. I think he knew before I was created in the womb that I would have problems. Thank you Lord for giving me directions that I can understand and follow.

Thank you for showing me the way to the cross. Thank you that when my time arrives to come home, that I will not need directions, I will not need to read a map, I will not have to worry about reservations and how to get to the airport or bus terminal.

Because I came to the cross, my destination is planned. All I'll need to do is look to you and I'll be there. If someone is reading this and you feel you need directions to the cross. . .here it is. . .you don't have to turn to the right or to the left or go so many miles in one direction or another. Just close your eyes and say with a sincere heart...Jesus. . .He will come to you and in your heart of hearts, the words will come and you will go from lost to found in an instant.

Thank you for making it easy for this directionally challenged daughter of yours. And for all the others who are looking for the way. . .may they see that it is right in front of them.

Thank you Father for being the compass.

 

 

 

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OH MY!

My phone rang the other night. I picked it up. . ."Hello."

"Is this Kristin Bridgman?"

"Yes, it is."

This is  _____from West Bow Press Publishing. We would like to talk with you about your book. How's it going?"

Something started to flutter in my stomach. I got hot. . .(that could have been one of thousands of hot flashes though)

She proceeded to ask lots of questions and I gave lots of answers. She said my book was right up their alley and were very interested in talking with me more. I gulped. Oh my!

This was making it seem all the more real...as real as I have prayed for it to be...and now to hear someone from a publishing company, a child of Thomas Nelson no doubt, calling me about my book!

Oh my! Oh dear!

I don't know if they are the ones or not. But it was exciting to have someone act interested.

For over a year I have written thousands of words, moving sentences, changing titles, dreaming of what it would look like. My husband has come in to help revise, we have a proofreader who is teaching us much.

And the prayers!  Oh my! So many prayers for the right words, the right chapter titles, the right title for book, the right picture for front, to just be able to finish it, and most importantly, that the message would come across the way God had put it on my heart.

I'm not only writing my story, I'm writing other's stories. I'm taking their life and putting it out there for others to see. I take this responsibility very serious and I am so grateful to all who were brave enough to share their stories with me.

I'm still working on the book with my husband and proofreader, but I pray it will be done by the end of the year. But I know the best time for it to be finished is in God's time. I have placed this book in God's hands. It has been there from day one. And I will release it when He says too.

Oh my! May my ears always be listening, ready to hear from the Author of Life Himself.

 

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I never thought in a million years I would write a book. It seemed out of the realm of possibilities. But with God, all things are possible.
Do you believe that?

Is He calling you to do something that makes you go, "Oh MY!"
Two words of advice from me. . .
"DO IT!"

No only will you go "Oh My" but "WOW!"
It's fun to see God make what seemed impossible into possible.

       I would like to share what I have so far as to what to put on the back cover of the book. . .would this make you interested?

 

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Come journey with me into the world of the homeless, a world I first stepped into during the winter of 2009. It began with a big, dark man on a park bench who stole my heart. Sit with me as I visit with a registered sex offender who became changed by grace. Listen as I visit with a man who took the blade to his entire body and with the young man who took the ink tool to his skin to tell his story. Meet the lady who had all ten fingers broken by her abusive father and the young lady whose father beat her across the back with a 2x4. Come, meet these and others and discover as I did when I opened my eyes and peered into the lives of the homeless through the eyes of Jesus, that there was something more than what the earthly eyes see. . .sweet souls buried beneath the outer self.

 

God gave me a glimpse of what He sees. At times, it was overwhelming and other times, inspirational. I found my neighbors at the downtown park and under the bridge; the lives of so many unseen, unnoticed, forgotten. I have experienced love from those others have shunned. I have witnessed beauty, grace and strength in places I could not have imagined. I heard of redemption, restoration, and forgiveness.

 

Please join me and let me introduce you to my new friends. Stand ready for your heart to change when you see through the eyes of Jesus.

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To be changed by Him. . .
OH MY!


Did anything make you go OH MY recently. . .or at anytime?
Do share:)

 

 

 

Flashback Friday #1

I thought I would do something different and hopefully fun on Friday's. I'm in a reminiscing mode.  I don't know if I'll do this every Friday or just every now and then. . .we'll see. You other bloggers may want to do it too. I would love to look back with you and get to know you better. And see what you looked like with your front teeth missing, or your big hair days (that one's coming soon:)

SO, here we go with #1.

Guess who?

Me and my hubby. Not then though, LOL.

He is 10 years older than me. We didn't even know each other back then.

(my son spliced the two pics together)

Before this picture I had long hair going all the way down my back. It must have been hard for my mother to take care of because one day she sat me on a little red kitchen stool and said she was going to trim my hair. I was suspicious when I felt the cold scissors on the back of my neck. 

This is how I looked afterwards.

I eventually forgave her ;)

My future husband would have been in high school at the time this picture of me was taken. What do you think he would have thought if someone pointed me out in this picture and said, "That's who you're going to marry."

What a difference 12 years makes!

I'm glad he waited for me:)

When he found me I was 18, he was 28

We married at 19 and 29. . .31 years ago.

Genesis 2:18 

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

(what would you like to see on Flashback Fridays? Or maybe you don't want to see anything. That's ok. I'm just looking for a little something to break up the weekly posts. You got ideas, this would be a good time to share;)
Happy week-end to you all!

Drummer Boy

A drummer is a musician who plays drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit ("drum set" or "trap set", including but not limited to cymbals) and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a wide assortment of musical genres.  WIKIPEDIEA

For six years he has been drumming on anything and everything. Yes, he has drums but he can't sit at them 24/7. So he'll drum on the kitchen counter, the furniture, the doors, etc.  I was told when he was in high school that he would drum on the desks and walls.  I've even seen him drum on his own chest!

Do I mind? Not at all!

It allows him to be creative and musical and gives joy to the students who hear him play along with the band at church. I believe it also gives God joy to see this young man using talents that God himself gave to him. And it brings me joy.

My son is a quiet sort of fellow but he lets it all out on the drum set. He can be wild and crazy.

He can be quiet and gentle.

And always in control.

When he gets to going on them, I can't help but "do a little dance" when I'm at the kitchen sink, the stove, or by the washing machine.

We all praise in different ways. I believe this drummer boy praises through his rat a tat tats and he moves me to my feet where I dance before the Lord praising Him for all the blessings that come through this son of mine.

And I praise for being the mom of another musician who is moving to the beat of his own drum right now. I love him with all my heart and it is lonely for this one who is walking the prodigal road. But God has moved in this heart of mine and has taught me to dance in spite of this setback.

I am thankful every time I hear the beating of the drums in the next room. Unbeknownst to my son, God is speaking to me through him and his drumsticks. I hear the heartbeat of God. These are holy moments. I get up and dance, I smile, I praise, and I live on in the wait.

And the beat goes on. . .

 

The Rain in Spain. . .

Mom, it's wash, not warsh. . .

Mom, it's hamburger, not hambooger. . .

My 20 year old son stands in the kitchen laughing as I try to say hamburger and wash the correct way.  What he doesn't get is I am a born and bred Oklahoman.  In Oklahoma my way is the right way. But we now live in Kentucky where he has spent more of his life.

We giggle as he keeps trying to teach me to say waaash. . .nor warrrsh. Hambuuuurrrger. . .not hambooooger.

"Mom, quit pursing your lips, open your mouth more. . .waaash. 

"Warrrsh". 

"Ok  Mom, let's try hambuuurger."

"Hamboooger."

I try it over and over and over in between the giggling. He's cracking up.

The scene enters my mind from the musical My Fair Lady where Henry Higgins tries to teach Eliza Doolittle to speak like a proper English lady, thereby making her presentable to high society.

She had to keep repeating over and over and over the phrase. . ."The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain", until she got it right.

I can say that!

My son does not care about high society, he just thinks his mom should be able to say those two little words properly. What he doesn't get is that in Oklahoma, that is proper. But I'm not there anymore, so should I try harder?

I think about the people born and raised in the South with their Hey Darlin's?  Don't they know there is a "ing" on the end of that word.  Personally, I think it's charming.

And the more I think about it, I think it could be charming that I say what I say the way I say it. It's really hard to purse the lips with words you're not used to pursing for and to open the mouth wider for words you don't normally open the mouth wide for.  It's SO much work.

I love you son but I just don't think I can think so hard every time I say those words.

I don't think he really cares. It gives him something to laugh at and I am AOK with that.

I've wasted enough time here. I need to go tell my son to bring the warsh to the laundry room and then we need to go get some hamboogers.  I'm hungry! And a sweet tea on the side.

Wouldn't that be loverly?!

Fill My Cup Lord

The other night at our Bridge Ministry, a friend and I went over to talk with one of our guests. Here is how a portion of that conversation played out with him. . .

Do you believe?

 

I believe in God but not in Jesus?

 

How do you believe in God but not Jesus?

 

Just look at this wonderful, magical world. There has to be a Creator behind it.

 

If you can believe in God, why can you not believe in Jesus?

 

There are just too many holes in that one.

 

The Word of God is what I base my beliefs on. What do you base your beliefs on?

 

I do my research to find the truth.

 

And where is that research?

 

On the internet and books.

 

And you believe everything you read on the internet and books but not the Bible.

 

There are just too many holes in that book.

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The conversation went on for a little while longer, but it seemed apparent that he didn't want to hear the truth. I have found over the years that when a person does not want to change their way of living, there is nothing you can say that will change their thoughts.  But God can!  And we pray for him that his cup will be filled with the One and only Truth, Jesus Christ.

I was reminded of a song my mother and I used to sing all the time. The name of it. . .  Fill My Cup.
Here are the words. . .

Like the woman at the well I was seeking for things that could not satisfy.

And then I heard my Savior speaking, Draw from my well that never shall run dry.

 

There are millions in this world who are craving the pleasure earthly things afford.

But none can match the wondrous treasure that I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.

 

So, my brother, if the things this world gave you leave hungers that won't pass away. My blessed Lord will come and save you, if you kneel to Him and humbly pray.

 

Chorus:

 

Fill my cup Lord

I lift it up Lord

Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.

Bread of heaven

feed me till I want no more,

Fill my cup,

fill it up and make me whole.
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I pray for this man to lift his cup full of holes.

Only Jesus Christ can fill a cup with holes and keep it full and make the holder of the cup whole.

 

 

I have people in my life who are holding cups with holes. I bet you know someone too.  Let's pray for these dear ones.

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

We lift up these precious ones who cups are not full because they are holding on to ones that are full of holes. They try to fill them up with things that just drain right out and keep the precious one feeling empty. Lord, use us to help them see the holes and may they come to see that You are the only one, the HOLY One who can fill their cups and make them WHOLE. Thank you Father!

 

We pray in the precious Holy Name of Jesus,

Amen

 

 

 

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Do You Think He Wore Slippers?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 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.)

 

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Thankfully, I can say this is a repost! And after a year from the fall, I did face those stairs again and conquered them and my fear. I just don’t wear slippers anymore!