All the way home....

Jill Briscoe....All the way Home...

This video caught my heart yesterday and it was so worth watching...soooo very good...as are any of her books, videos, teachings...leads you to the very throne of God...

https://www.tellingthetruth.org/watch/individual-post/videos/2017/11/10/if-gathering-2017

All The Way Home

Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow Me!” Matthew 16:24

One day in India after a traumatic and wrenching ministry visit, Jesus asked me a hard question. It happened like this:

Shaken, drained, discouraged, sickly

Tired and troubled and depressed, 

Glad the time of serving over,

Now I’ll go home and rest.

Hot and humid was the weather

Sad and needy was the crowd, 

Feeling I had done my duty,

Earned the time of rest allowed.

Soon I could return to family

"Yes," tomorrow I’d be gone, 

Sitting in the last hot meeting,

I tuned in to what went on.

Listened to my husband preaching,

My, it was a great last talk,
All about the call of Jesus,

All about our life’s “faith walk.” 

Stuart opened up the Scriptures

Talked of Jesus’ pain and loss, 

How He who was our great sin bearer,

Bore our guilt upon His cross.

What a great word for the students!

Hoped “they’d” listened, yield their hearts, 

They were young, their lives before them,

Now their turn to do their part.

Time for prayers of dedication,

I was tired, so late at night,

Shut my eyes and wished it over,

When a picture sprang to sight!

Saw a cross alone, discarded

Lain at rest against a wall, 

Who’d lain down such holy symbol?

Who’d abandoned life’s “faith call”? 

Then a voice so dear – familiar,

Asked a question – pierced me through, 

Who is it that you’re expecting

Carrying it home for you?

How could I lay down that crossbeam?

How to think that no one saw? 

Who did I expect to lift it,

Carry it to heaven’s door? 

"Jesus, Jesus, please forgive me,

Carried Thou your cross for me, 

All the way to hell to save us,

Help me carry mine for Thee!"

"I’m no hero – special woman

Just a lady, old and gray, 

But my cross, Lord, I will carry,

Home, Lord, home, Lord – ALL THE WAY!"

Spoke His voice so quiet – but clearly then:

"All the way home, Jill; all the way, all the way home!"

Jill Briscoe © 2012

Consider....

Consider....

“con·sid·er

/kənˈsidər/

verb

• 1.
  think carefully about (something), typically before making a decision:
  "each application is considered on its merits"
  synonyms:
  think about, contemplate, give thought to, reflect on, examine, ...” Oxford Dictionary....

In the NIV version of the Bible, there are 87-130 times that the word “consider” is used from Genesis to Revelation....

From considering a field to considering how far a church has fallen....

We are to consider, think about , contemplate a variety of ideas, truths, events...

As I was reading in Luke 12, this pondering was about everyday needs...

24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Luke 12:24,27

But, there are so many times we are told what to consider....I love the times in Psalms...

I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Psalm 77:12

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

Psalm 119:15-16

....when we we realize that God considers us...

But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

Psalm 10:14

he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

Psalm 33:15

It is beyond my comprehension that the God of all creation take time to consider me...everything I do, loves me, cared so much...thank YOU...

I need to take the time to consider Him and all that He does for me...

Distracted...

Distracted....

“dis·tract·ed  (dĭ-străk′tĭd)

adj.

1. Having the attention diverted.

2. Suffering conflicting emotions; distraught.

dis·tract′ed·ly adv.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin”

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

Luke 10:40 

distracted.....I find myself in this attitude a lot...having my attention drawn away from the important...

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41-42 

I long to be the “Mary “ who has chosen what is better and not the “Martha “  who is worried  and upset about many things...

Oh, there are times that are better than others...when i am focused on the “better” and not the “worries”...I really don’t want the worries of the world to choke out the Word as in the parable of the soils...I want to be the productive soul, steeped in the Word joyously...

The first book I read after becoming a widow was, “the undistracted widow” by Carol Cornish, followed by other books written for widows...

I needed solace, focus, and “how to’s” of widowhood...never having travelled this path before...I even asked other widows questions...

But, now distractions are different...day to day life, business, relationships...things that still pull me away from the “better”...so, early each day, I strive to focus on the “Better”...reading the Word, listening,  meditating, praying...before the emails come, or texts, or even notes from others, or news of the world...getting perspective for the day ahead...but, there is still the temptation to get distracted in the mundane       Of the “day to day”...and I admit freely that I do still get  drawn in...but there is growth...

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 

Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands. May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.

Psalm 119:66,80 

Thank YOU...that You are patient and kind....

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5pZkLWZv-E

Drama...

Drama.....

Life is full of drama...most of us face it at various times...the heartaches, the lowest pits of despair, the highs of elation and celebration...illnesses, deaths, births, family ups and downs, hospital visits, depression, joyous occasions, mistreatment, persecution....you name it...life happens...we live in a sin filled world...and it has been going on since the beginning...some say we should get better and better, but, no, drama cloaks itself in different outfits over the years...but still the same from generation to generation...nations rise and fall with similarity...

The psalmist wrote about it hundreds of years ago...so well...the Word was good that time and it still touches my heart today...a living Word for each who listen and hold on to it...thank YOU...

I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. 

Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. 

You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. 

Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. 

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. 

When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.” Lord, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. 

To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: “What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? 

Hear,  Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord , be my help. ” You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. 

Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

Psalm 30:1-12 

Music to my soul...

Music to my soul....🎶🎶🎶

Music has been a part of my life since birth...my mother played the piano, my dad-the harmonica...mom led choirs at all the small churches we attended, she gave music lessons for twenty years, we owned a music store...my earliest memory of a movie was a Rogers and Hammerstein musical, we went to community concerts, musical plays at  the local college...my earliest singing experience was singing “Jesus Loves Me with my mom in front of our church...I joined choirs in high school, sang in groups, sang solos...my husband and I took our children to musical events as they were growing up...and each took some kind of lessons, at least to learn to read music...and under some duress...all of them still listen to music, and one has carried it on...my grand kids like music, either singing, playing and dancing....

In our early years of marriage, Christian Radio was introduced to Nevada. We definitely supported new towers so that it could cover the state...even to the remote areas, what a blessing it was...now it is everywhere and lots of various stations. When we had little ones, the radio was part of our life and sometimes it was my lifeblood and my solace during the hard times....counselors, speakers, singers, encouragers, scholars, financial advisors....people who spoke into my life and soul God’s word during the week while toddlers raced around or through sleepless nights of illness, or aloneness while my husband was away...reminding me that Jesus was always there, the Holy Spirit was residing within to comfort, to counsel...speak truth....give a new song to my weary or rejoicing heart...

He gave me songs each night as my husband was dying...ones I could hear deep within....

https://mvotd.com/mobile/watch.php?vid=877fa2bc1

This video clip reminded me of those times...even now, music is still there to revive my heart...certain songs flush out memories with tears of joy and sorrow...reminding me of events connected with a song...emotionally drawing me into those times...

God has been so faithful through my life...and He used music, with His Word to touch my soul....thank YOU....

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Psalm 28:7

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. 

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 

Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 

Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

Psalm 32:7,33:1-3 

I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated....

Psalm 77:6a

God sightings....

God sightings....

The question was asked last night at small group...when, in this last week have you seen God working in your life?

Over the years, I have called that God’s fingerprints, some call it coincidences, others-fate, ...a multitude of occurrences or even just one, that we know or feel that God is really involved in our lives or really makes Himself known...

Take this morning, I was awake at 1 am, wrestling with ideas, worries about family issues, business, tax prep whirling around and around in my head...my mind was trying process and make a straight path on each, but the real issue at the time was I really needed some sleep! Let the worries come in the light of day when I can think through them, hand them over...God knew that and quietly slipped me back into a restful sleep with good dreams and I awoke more refreshed....able to step by step work through the things I needed to do with His blessing...

Songs, verses, Bible reading, sermons, friends, events and so much more can be God’s fingerprints or sightings...He never leaves us...we have the Holy Spirit indwelling if we believe in Christ as our savior, teaching us truth, comforting, counseling...and He must delight when we acknowledge His presence in daily events in our lives...it’s like receiving a Beautiful Valentine each day, a gift of love...and our gratitude becomes a gift to Him...we are acknowledging the Very universe’s Creator who has known us before we were created in the womb...His plan for each of our lives...thank YOU...I want to be aware of You in each moment...

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 

How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! 

Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand — when I awake, I am still with you.

Psalm 139:13-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Information....

Information...

I opened my Bible this morning and this  cut out note dropped out.

“Scripture thought!

Emergency Phone Numbers:

When you’re Lonesome, call....Psalm 23

When you’ve sinned call..........Psalm 51

When you’re in danger, call......Psalm 91

When you’re traveling, call.......Psalm 121

When you need God’s help, call ...Joshua 1

When you worry, call................Matthew 6:19-34

When you care about money or status, call ...Mark 10

If people seem unkind, call.......John 15

When you become bitter, call....Romans 12

All lines are open to God 24 hours a day!”

Just a fun little note. I have no idea where it cam from..bit wanted to share...

This is purely informational...

Another very interesting place I have found on the Web is 

https://thebibleproject.com/

It has Bible summaries for each book of the Bible, both visually and YouTube, plus so much more information...

https://biblehub.com

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/

https://www.blueletterbible.org

Plus, there are so many other places to get translations in other languages, etc. like Jesus film project.., books translated in other languages..I found children’s books in Mozambique Portuguese to send to a friend...Mozambique Portuguese is different from Brazilian Portuguese ...or Honduran reading books ....

The web has opened up a world of information both good and bad...let’s use it for good...translation time of the Bible has decreased significantly...

Thank YOU even for the technology that is available...in so many fields...around the globe...

Its a good day for being alive...

It’s a good day for being alive...

https://mvotd.com/mobile/watch.php?vid=471198d3a

A fun song ...no serious, but reminds me to be grateful for the little things in life...

This song came across this morning as I was reading in Matthew....

people were fed by the thousands, healed by a touch, souls were enlightened, disciples were encouraged, Jesus as walking among and talking to the everyday people....teaching the way to the kingdom...proclaiming the good news...what a blessing that must have been...

But, he said it was better that He go away and send us the Holy Spirit...the third person of the Trinity...that He might dwell in us not just be around...

Adam and Eve had the unbelievable privilege of walking in the garden with the Creator of the universe, Abraham spoke with God....Moses went up on the mountain to speak with Him....down through time various ones met with God in various ways...as did the people of the New Testament times walked with with Jesus....and now we have the Holy Spirit who dwells within us,  going everywhere we go...interceding when we don’t know how to pray...convicting....truth bearing...

How do I treat Him....what do I do/say that sorrows Him...how do I celebrate Him....

I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

Psalm 9:2 

The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. Lord, save us! Lord , grant us success! 

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 

From the house of the Lord we bless you. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. 

With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. 

You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 118:24-29 

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:25-26 

Thank YOU ....for the bigger and eternal things in life...

“This is the day, this is the day.

That the Lord has made, that the Lord has made.

We will rejoice, we will rejoice,

And be glad in it, and be glad in it.

This is the day that the Lord has made.

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the day, this is the day

That the Lord has made.

We are the sons, we are the sons,

Of the living God, of the living God.

We will rejoice, we will rejoice,

And be glad in Him, and be glad in Him.

We are the sons of the living God.

We will rejoice and be glad in Him.

We are the sons, we are the sons

Of the living God.

This is the day that the Lord has made.

I will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the day, this is the day

That the Lord has made”

Matthew 8....

Matthew 8...

Each book of the Bible is so packed with wisdom, stories, history, comparisons, contrasts, etc....

I was finishing reading Matthew 8 this am...

“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” 

When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” ......

When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” 

Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 

Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.”

Matthew 8:16-19,28-34 

Jesus has just healed Peter’s mother in law, has been healing all sorts of people including those demon possessed...people are begging Him to stay, or let them follow Him....

He calms the storm with a word, then lands in Gadarenes, heals two violent demon-possessed men....and these people plead with him to leave ....instead of wanting him to heal others as other regions have wanted...their economics were more important than the healing, loving, saving power of Jesus....wow....

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Luke 19:10 

Of course hind sight is better than foresight....we can see what these people’s rejection cost them...now...but, I wonder how much of this is still going on in the world...thousands, millions are effected by the Word every day....are we pleading for Him to stay and let us follow or pleading for Him to leave us alone....a life changing decision...

Thank YOU for your eternal, saving love....

Matthew 13...

Matthew 13...

I have a friend who seems proud that he doesn’t go to church or “need” that kind of stuff...he knows it all and does what he pleases...and he does know a lot and shares it..

As I read through Matthew 13 this am, he came to mind...and I don’t pretend to know who God has chosen or not....that is for God only...and I do not even pretend to be a Biblical scholar.

There are just some who refuse to hear or listen to God’s call or warnings...and they go blithely through life unheeding of his Word...and there  are grave consequences to that attitude.

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.” 

The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 

14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’

Matthew 13:1-15

I want to be numbered with the group who heeds, who hears, who understands, who searches and finds the riches of God’s word. That good seed that prospers... but, also to give it out and be a part of sowing in whatever capacity He see fits to give me...thank YOU....