My heart is overwhelmed today. I am usually upbeat and happy, but today I am overwhelmed with some "turn of events" that have taken place.
Upon finding out this weekend that several of our Pastor's wives are facing sickness in their bodies, I have found myself more than melancholy. I know God is our healer and will take care of them, but I am hurting for them. They are in my prayers! I know they need all the support they can get. "Dear Lord, please wrap your arms around them and walk with them through this trial. If You decide to heal them we will proclaim Your awesome power! We are looking for a miracle from YOU! Thank You, Jesus!"
I think I will sing a little...
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand.
But, I know Who holds tomorrow,
And, I know Who holds my hand.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Friends...
Today was a wonderful day! My friend, Sandra came to town and we got to spend some time together. There is nothing like having someone to share life with. Sandra, you are a blessing in so many ways, and today was a REAL blessing to me! Thank you for always being a friend to me.
Earlier this week the Gandy's came to town and we got to spend a few hours with them. There was a little business to take care of, then we got to enjoy eating supper with them and had a short visit. God is so good!
I LOVE MY FRIENDS! Thank you Lord for giving them to me.
Earlier this week the Gandy's came to town and we got to spend a few hours with them. There was a little business to take care of, then we got to enjoy eating supper with them and had a short visit. God is so good!
I LOVE MY FRIENDS! Thank you Lord for giving them to me.
Monday, March 14, 2011
We ARE Living in the Last Days
Ever since I was a little girl and could understand what the preacher was saying over the pulpit I have heard it preached that Jesus is coming soon! I have sat in services that was so full of conviction that I knew I better get myself to the altar and pray any sin out of my heart that a little girl could have. I've grown up "in the church" and I've listened to preacher's preach under the anointing of God, and as they came to the end of their message they gave an appeal to come to the altar. I have watched grown men who were under so much conviction grip the back of the pew so hard that you couldn't pry their hands away! They would not yield to the bidding of the man of God, or God Himself. I've wondered what could hold them so captive that they didn't want God in their life. I still do not understand it.
The events that have been taking place in the world are some of the very things I heard preached about all of my life. Many nights, I've gone to bed thinking that the Lord would come that very night. I've prayed and cried wanting to be saved more than ANYTHING! I can honestly say there is NOTHING in the world that I want. And for sure..there is NOTHING worth missing Heaven over.
My heart is stirred for those who have known "truth" yet do not seem interested in "living" truth. It takes more than just knowing Jesus. It takes a relationship with Him that causes us to WANT to be LIKE Him. I shake my head in disbelief when I see people "dilly-dallying" around with the things of God. It's one thing to have never known the Lord in the fullness of truth, but it's totally different to have KNOWN HIM, and to have turned your back on Him and all the things He's done for you. I shake inside to think of what it would be like to be lost FOREVER!
I don't know who might be getting ready to come read my blog tonight, but for some reason when I sat down at my desk to check my blog, I felt to write! It's TIME to wake up out of your sleep and return to the Master's house! He is waiting and longing to take you in His arms. He is wanting to wipe away your tears, and heal your broken heart. I feel His mercy extending to you tonight.
COME HOME! COME HOME!
Ye who are weary, COME HOME!
Ernestly, tenderly Jesus is calling.
Calling, Oh Sinner, COME HOME!
The events that have been taking place in the world are some of the very things I heard preached about all of my life. Many nights, I've gone to bed thinking that the Lord would come that very night. I've prayed and cried wanting to be saved more than ANYTHING! I can honestly say there is NOTHING in the world that I want. And for sure..there is NOTHING worth missing Heaven over.
My heart is stirred for those who have known "truth" yet do not seem interested in "living" truth. It takes more than just knowing Jesus. It takes a relationship with Him that causes us to WANT to be LIKE Him. I shake my head in disbelief when I see people "dilly-dallying" around with the things of God. It's one thing to have never known the Lord in the fullness of truth, but it's totally different to have KNOWN HIM, and to have turned your back on Him and all the things He's done for you. I shake inside to think of what it would be like to be lost FOREVER!
I don't know who might be getting ready to come read my blog tonight, but for some reason when I sat down at my desk to check my blog, I felt to write! It's TIME to wake up out of your sleep and return to the Master's house! He is waiting and longing to take you in His arms. He is wanting to wipe away your tears, and heal your broken heart. I feel His mercy extending to you tonight.
COME HOME! COME HOME!
Ye who are weary, COME HOME!
Ernestly, tenderly Jesus is calling.
Calling, Oh Sinner, COME HOME!
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Faithful...Loyal...Giving
To be perfectly open and transparent, of which I am by nature, as I prepare to leave for another "home going service" of a dear, dear friend, Sis. Margie Becton, I am SAD! I just don't want to think about not seeing her smiling face, and hearing her kind voice when I go to a conference or service she would be attending.
My mind has been at work all day long about those who have gone on to their reward. They were some of the most faithful and loyal people I have ever known. As I have said in the past, I have no fear of the future of the gospel of Jesus Christ, because I know thousands who love the truth with all their hearts. With God's help, we will never give in to this world and what it has to offer, for it doesn't compare with "this great salvation" we hold dear. I am confident in this!
Where my mind has been going today is things like:
1. We've lost some "strong pillars" of the Church.
2. These pillars were faithful in all things.
3. These pillars were loyal to their friends, family, and our great organization.
Now, that's what I've been thinking. As I said in my earlier statements, I have no fear of truth being compromised in our organization, but sometimes I fear that the solid loyalty I have witnessed among our elders just might not be as strong and unshakeable in some of us. Please don't jump to conclusions before I am finished, you might hurt yourself. I ask you to "listen". I am asking all of us some questions that we need to answer.
1. Can I, can you honestly say that we are "strong pillars" of the Church?
2. Am I, are you, faithful in all things?
3. Am I, are you, loyal to your friends, family and our great organization?
I was raised in the United Pentecostal Church, International. All I've ever known is the beauty of being part of a group of people who love the lost, and are doing what they know to do to reach them. We have missionaries all over the world who have depended on us to help them carry the gospel. I have watched as millions of dollars has been given in a unified effort for the Kingdom of God. I am blessed to have seen this. I have stood in meetings all over our great fellowship and felt the awesome power of God sweep across a congregation of thousands, and could imagine what it will be like when we all get to Heaven. I have walked out of these services and walked into a sea of humanity looking for a friend or a family member, and couldn't hardly get through the crowd because there were so many friends and acquaintances wanting to talk and give me a hug. I wouldn't take anything for the love I have felt, and the encouragement I received by "just being there" in the midst of it all.
In my thinking about all of this today, I am making a new commitment to be more loyal than I've ever been. If anyone has something negative to say about what I've loved, please go say it to someone who will listen. I really don't want to hear or be a part of that which would bring a dark cloud to my spirit, and cause me to have to rummage through negativity that brings a heaviness to my heart.
One of the things I have noticed about great people is that they don't get down in the "mud pit of gossip" and be a part of a "mud slinging" contest. I know they must know things that are negative, but they wouldn't dare tell you what it is. Every time you see them they have a smile on their face and a welcome handshake or hug. They give love away! I have also observed they have a walk with God that you can feel when you're around them. When they are in the presence of God they are sober minded and won't let anything distract them from the message in song, or the Word of God being preached. After church, they will have their good time with their friends, but when they see you, they will make you feel like you're the only one that exists at the moment. Great people do not know they're "great", and that makes them "greater" to those watching from a distance. Because I have been a part of this organization, I have had the privilege of knowing "great people".
I guess I will close for now. I don't know that I can really express the things that are in my heart and mind. I do say all of this with a heart full of love. Nothing "negative" has happened that makes me write tonight...just a lot of my heroes are no longer living here on earth, and it makes me think. I'm thankful I have more heroes who are still with us. I can think of quite a few just off the top of my head. My heart is filled with love, honor and respect for those who have lived their life, giving of themselves in ministry so that all of us following can enjoy the blessings passed down to us. An old song comes to mind as I finish this post:
My heart can sing when I pause to remember
A heartache here is but a stepping stone
Along a trail that's winding always upward,
This troubled world is not my final home.
But until then my heart will go on singing,
Until then with joy I'll carry on,
Until the day my eyes behold the city,
Until the day God calls me home.
My mind has been at work all day long about those who have gone on to their reward. They were some of the most faithful and loyal people I have ever known. As I have said in the past, I have no fear of the future of the gospel of Jesus Christ, because I know thousands who love the truth with all their hearts. With God's help, we will never give in to this world and what it has to offer, for it doesn't compare with "this great salvation" we hold dear. I am confident in this!
Where my mind has been going today is things like:
1. We've lost some "strong pillars" of the Church.
2. These pillars were faithful in all things.
3. These pillars were loyal to their friends, family, and our great organization.
Now, that's what I've been thinking. As I said in my earlier statements, I have no fear of truth being compromised in our organization, but sometimes I fear that the solid loyalty I have witnessed among our elders just might not be as strong and unshakeable in some of us. Please don't jump to conclusions before I am finished, you might hurt yourself. I ask you to "listen". I am asking all of us some questions that we need to answer.
1. Can I, can you honestly say that we are "strong pillars" of the Church?
2. Am I, are you, faithful in all things?
3. Am I, are you, loyal to your friends, family and our great organization?
I was raised in the United Pentecostal Church, International. All I've ever known is the beauty of being part of a group of people who love the lost, and are doing what they know to do to reach them. We have missionaries all over the world who have depended on us to help them carry the gospel. I have watched as millions of dollars has been given in a unified effort for the Kingdom of God. I am blessed to have seen this. I have stood in meetings all over our great fellowship and felt the awesome power of God sweep across a congregation of thousands, and could imagine what it will be like when we all get to Heaven. I have walked out of these services and walked into a sea of humanity looking for a friend or a family member, and couldn't hardly get through the crowd because there were so many friends and acquaintances wanting to talk and give me a hug. I wouldn't take anything for the love I have felt, and the encouragement I received by "just being there" in the midst of it all.
In my thinking about all of this today, I am making a new commitment to be more loyal than I've ever been. If anyone has something negative to say about what I've loved, please go say it to someone who will listen. I really don't want to hear or be a part of that which would bring a dark cloud to my spirit, and cause me to have to rummage through negativity that brings a heaviness to my heart.
One of the things I have noticed about great people is that they don't get down in the "mud pit of gossip" and be a part of a "mud slinging" contest. I know they must know things that are negative, but they wouldn't dare tell you what it is. Every time you see them they have a smile on their face and a welcome handshake or hug. They give love away! I have also observed they have a walk with God that you can feel when you're around them. When they are in the presence of God they are sober minded and won't let anything distract them from the message in song, or the Word of God being preached. After church, they will have their good time with their friends, but when they see you, they will make you feel like you're the only one that exists at the moment. Great people do not know they're "great", and that makes them "greater" to those watching from a distance. Because I have been a part of this organization, I have had the privilege of knowing "great people".
I guess I will close for now. I don't know that I can really express the things that are in my heart and mind. I do say all of this with a heart full of love. Nothing "negative" has happened that makes me write tonight...just a lot of my heroes are no longer living here on earth, and it makes me think. I'm thankful I have more heroes who are still with us. I can think of quite a few just off the top of my head. My heart is filled with love, honor and respect for those who have lived their life, giving of themselves in ministry so that all of us following can enjoy the blessings passed down to us. An old song comes to mind as I finish this post:
My heart can sing when I pause to remember
A heartache here is but a stepping stone
Along a trail that's winding always upward,
This troubled world is not my final home.
But until then my heart will go on singing,
Until then with joy I'll carry on,
Until the day my eyes behold the city,
Until the day God calls me home.
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