Transformation

Over the last several days I have had an unexplainable irritant hovering in my heart.  Not being able to truly place a name or cause, I have slowly begun to give it reasons, finding fault in life, others around me and even my poor beagles.  I am becoming a grump-butt.  Last night, I truly did not like this person that resides in this ample flesh. I went to bed.  Not much of a solution, but at least those around me are safe from the monster within this woman. 
As a woman I can use a variety of excuses.  I can no longer tag PMS, for those days have long gone.  I guess I could lean on mid-life moodiness, but I do not think that is a fair assessment.  Yes, the hot flashes come frequently.  The furnace of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo burns deep within this body, but like those three heros of old, I would choose to find the Son of God within it's flames.
This morning I decided to start my morning off with prayer and of course, God's wonderful brew...coffee.  (Thank you for that stuff, Lord!) He reminded me of something David our pastor said in his sermon. He was talking about Heaven, but leave it to God to have a different application for me.  He was reading from Revelations about the City of Heaven according to the visions that the Lord gave the apostle John.  The passage is Revelations 21:21 where John talks about the 12 gates to the city and that they were made of pearl.  David reminded us about the oyster.  He explained that the oyster gets an irritant stuck inside him that he just cannot shake loose.  In order to protect the animal, God has created the oyster with the ability to coat that irritating nuance with calcium, until finally the once irritant is a beautiful precious jewel...a pearl of great price.  The gateways to Heaven are made from the hardships of you and I.  I found that fascinating.  Whatever is bothering me, is nothing compared to what I have endured, but nonetheless, something is rubbing me raw.  Today I pray, "Lord, turn my nagging irritant into a precious pearl worthy of a gate that ushers me into your presence."  It will be a better day.

Lord, I don't feel like dancing.

I received news of a friend whose wife died.  My heart has broken in a million pieces.  My voice cries out to our Savior for Him to, well save my friend. This is a man of faith who has been my encourager.  He is a hero among Christians having been persecuted for his faith in Jesus.  I love him dearly.  My daughter encouraged me by saying, "He has scars on his body because of his faithfulness.  He now will have scars on his heart and it will be because of his faithfulness."  So, friend if you are reading this know that you are not alone in your struggle.  Your beautiful wife is alive.  She dances with Jesus.  She may have a longing in her heart to have her best friend, but she too will work in Heaven to bring strength and encouragement to you.  You do not have to be strong, for Jesus will be that for you.  You just have to be faithful and real.  In the darkest time, your greatest moments of faith will be these words:  "Jesus, help me in my unbelief."  He counts those words the greatest victory in His children.


Alive

By Julie-Meyer Weber 

River, when your water ceases to flow to the sea,

I will still be alive!

Mountains, when you have crumbled to dust,

I will still be alive!

Sun, when you have grown cold and dark,

I will still be alive!

Stars, when you have all fallen to the earth,

I will still be alive!

Moon, when you have lost your pull,

I will still be alive!

Long after this earth has gone,

I will still be alive,

Dancing, singing, serving and praising the Lamb.

The Lamb

Who gives me hope

Who conquered death

Who makes me ALIVE!

Dancing to a Different Beat

It has been so long since I have blogged.  My life has picked up speed.  One could say that the tempo to the beat has doubled time.  Let me explain.
First let me share a little history to this story.  Five years ago we took in our home a little Haitian girl with burns on nearly 1/2 her body.  The other half doctors used for donor skin to graft.  The poor little 2 year old was sore from head to toe.  Her bandage changes and therapy would take so long to accomplish that often Doug and I would tag team.  He would take one side and I would take the other.  She stayed in our home for 7 months.  God stretched our faith in ways we never thought imaginable. 
Today we have that same little girl back in our home, and God is still teaching us to rely on Him.  She is an incredible young girl.  We are so blessed to serve her. 
I sometimes wonder at the burden that it will be once again to let her go.  The sadness that will come will be a force to tackle.  But today the beat is fast and fun.  Today we dance with the Lord's dance of service.  I love you Lord.  I love this little child!  Life is fantastically challenging and wonderful.  I am in awe!