Conduit....

Conduit....

":  a means of transmitting or distributing  <a conduit of information>"

 

"someone or something that is used as a way of sending something (such as information or money) from one place or person to another..."

In our Women's Bible Study, we are working through a book by Jennifer Dean, "Live a praying Life-open your life to God's power and provision ".

Part of the discussion has been about people being a conduit for God's work here on earth..whether in prayer or whatever...His divine  desire to use Christians to fulfill His work...He wants us, He wants to use us, He wants to fill us with His joy in seeing His will fulfilled...it is pretty heady (awesome) to realize how much He cares...there is an infinite its amount of joy, care, that He has for us ....we earthen vessels which are here but a vapor in time...

With those thoughts running around, it was a delight to hear from some young missionaries in Mongolia on how God has been working there supplying ideas, goods, people to help one another... How they were seeing God using them as a conduit of blessing..

"Again and again we have been blessed by how God has provided just what we have needed, the money for just the right sewing machine, the advice or encouragement at just the right time. Here in Hovd specialty paper is not the easiest thing to find. For the prototypes we showed in the city we used manila file folders to make the boxes and lined them with tissue paper that we found wrapped around apples from China. It turns out that the file folders we used are available at every stationary shop in town, and they are exactly the right dimensions for the largest box that we want to make. While tissue paper is still not available in Hovd (unless we start eating a lot of Chinese apples) two different people gave us a supply of paper that was more than enough for our first order. Praise God for the way he provides."

When I look back over the years, I see again and again how I have said with this missionary, "praise God for the way he provides".  

I am in wonder and awe that He would use me as a conduit for His word, His ideas, His tool, just as these missionaries are, as are many Christians around the world, ....that Jesus stepped into our world to bless .... And that He wants to more and more, over and over again....all the time...

Thank YOU...help me be a willing conduit, tool...

 Deuteronomy 32:1-2, 13b Listen, you heavens, and I will speak; hear, you earth, the words of my mouth. 

Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.

......He nourished him with honey from the rock, and with oil from the flinty crag, 

2 Corinthians 9:8, 11, 14-15 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 

And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 

 

Halifax, Nova Scotia...

Three years ago today, I was in Halifax...a quaint seaboard town...

My notes from that day, " what does the Lord want?  To fellowship, to walk humbly, 

What lessons ? ' God never asks anything of us that He doesn't give us sufficient strength to do ..and He never ever asks it unless it is for our greater good...'"

I visited one of the Titanic's memorials and graveyards.  It was the first time I had been to a graveyard since my husband's burial... 

Reading through the engravings on the stones was touching...these people had lived in a different time, their deaths were much publicized, but the grief for each one was just as real as mine at the time..others had mourned here years before, just as we had mourned and were mourning our loved one...whether is was a cabin boy or a wealthy aristocrat...the grieving goes on...as well as the healing over the generations...we have a commonality with those who have gone before and those who will follow...times of joy and times of sorrow, times growth and times of quietness....life...

Thank YOU for the reminder that life goes on, that we are in your hands...help me to seek the greater good, even in the midst of sorrow...mourning...to sink deeper and deeper into You....

Jeremiah 31:3, 13 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. 

Then young women will dance and be glad,young men and old as well.I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. 

Hebrews 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Spirit of the Living God..

Verse 1:
Spirit of The Living God
Spirit of The Living God 

We Only Want To Hear Your Voice
We’re Hanging on Ever Word

Spirit of The Living God
Spirit of The Living God
We Only Want To Hear Your Voice
We’re Hanging On Every Word

Chorus:
Because When You Speak,
When You Move.
When You Do What Only You Can Do
It Changes Us, It Changes What We See
And What We Seek

When You Come In The Room
When You Do What Only You Can Do
It Changes Us, It Changes What We See
And What We Seek
You’re Changing Everything

Verse 2:
Spirit of The Living God
Spirit of The Living God
We’re Leaning Into All You Are Everything Else Can Wait

Spirit of The Living God
Spirit of The Living God
Come Down And Breath Upon Our Hearts
Come Down And Have Your Way

Chorus:

Bridge:
When You Move, You Move All Our Fears
When You Move, You Move Us To Tears 2X
When You Fall, We Fall On Our Knees
When You Fall, We Fall At Your Feet 2X

Chorus

Spirit of The Living God
Spirit of The Living God
We Only Want To Hear Your Voice
We’re Hanging On Every Word 2X

(Thanks to Shawn for these lyrics)

Making movies .....

Making movies .....

I just read my email from the Jesus Project about a new movie coming out October 16, Woodlawn, produced by the Erwin brothers ....

http://billygraham.org/story/brothers-following-call-to-make-movies/

It brought to mind an adventure my husband and I were part of several years ago in Salt Lake City...

Of all things, we were movie extras in a film directed and produced by these brothers for Crown Financial, "God Provides". Since then this series has been translated to many languages and shown around the world to bless many, many people...

We happened to be in the film about Abraham sacrificing his son and how God provided a substitute in light of Abraham's obedience...it was powerful. The late Dean Jones played the part of Abraham.  He was so into the part at 70+.  His wife was there as well watching her husband, making sure he was getting the rest he needed in these long grueling days, capturing the sun at all hours of the day and night...with all of the right angles out in the desert where is was filmed...

From costumes to makeup, It was a fun, unique, experience. Never will I take for granted that films are easy things to produce...and for the all the scenes we did over and over, we only saw a millisecond  of ourselves in the film, but it was worth the time to be blessed in the group of talented people...

I appreciated the Erwin Brothers testimony, their calling and their obedience to that calling. It shows in their passion to film wonderful films with meaning...

They were/are just nice young men with a passion  to tell stories in a meaningful way...

Thank YOU for the various adventures You have taken us on. thank You for obedient followers that You have raised up in all walks of life to show Your glory, from the farmer in Africa to the movie producers, sharing your love to those around them...

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Exodus 31:3-11 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 

Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. 

Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand— and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.” 

Sitting friends...

Sitting friends.....

Over the years, we have had the opportunity to sit in waiting rooms at hospitals either waiting for family members or friends...waiting patiently or impatiently, reading old magazines, talking quietly, snacking, whatever, to make the time pass..many times we would pray with the patient before the procedure and during the operation.

It was heartwarming each time to see who showed up..you know they cared...others sent cards or called who couldn't participate in "the wait"...

Still, others prayed at work or wherever they were and you could feel their presence as well...

Each season there seems to be different ones, but, some that have been there forever....family, friends...

Then comes the quietness of just one or two who help with the recovery time... When everyone goes back to their lives again...

I have seen this with countless families, ourselves included. I so appreciated those people who sat with me during my husband's brain surgery, who came and prayed beforehand, who came and visited afterward....each was a blessing of love and care...as were the prayers from around the world for his recovery...

I appreciate my children who have come to my aid since with hand surgery and other procedures.   Each is a comfort beyond comprehension.  

But, I love to do the care as well...especially when it involves a new baby...and tired parents....we all desire to be needed and serve in some way...

We get wonderful pictures of this in the Bible. Jesus-washing the feet of his friends, Dorcas-who helped others, caring for the elderly, the good Samaritan, Joseph taking care of Jesus from the cross, the man by the pool, the blind men along the path, etc, etc..etc...

Thank YOU for the service, the help of others along my way...for sending those special "angels" of help...who served in Your name...

Acts 9:36 in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha in Greek her name is Dorcas; she was always doing good and helping the poor. 

1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 

Job 2:11-13 When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. 

To do or to do....

To do or not to do...

My blogging isn't as regular as it was in the past...not sure what that means...is it time to slow down or another season of life...or just a break..

I find early mornings are writing notes of  encouragement  instead to those who have put themselves into the grief group...sharing past blogs on grief...

I don't have the total market on "how to grieve ", but if these mourning ones have consented to attend, i have  the privilege to help them in the  process ...it may look different, feel different, to bring them back again and again to the Word which is far more potent in the healing process... Than my words...

Isaiah 55:8-13 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord. 

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

As the rain and the snowcome down from heaven,and do not return to itwithout watering the earthand making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.

This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.” 

Thank YOU for leading through peace..time...prayer...Your living Word...

To be known....

To be known....

 

One of the by products of loosing parents, or a spouse is not being known by anyone else as well as they did.  Suddenly you are thrust into a world of strangers...oh, they may be your friends , even long time friends, but somehow they don't know your idiosyncrasies, or maybe your deepest thoughts, likes or dislikes as well as parents or spouses...how your brush your teeth, what your dresser drawers look like, whether or not you sing off key in the shower, how you really sleep or snore, whether or not you have a secret candy stash, secret fears......

now the only non-stranger we can rely on is Jesus, who knows us from the beginning and knows us from  the inside out...he knows the words before We speak, our thoughts, nothing is hidden from Him...that is a daunting thought...as well as comforting ...we are known by him....

Thank YOU...for being my intimate friend....for knowing me from the beginning...

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-16, 23 You have searched me, Lord,and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise;you perceive my thoughts from afar. 

You discern my going out and my lying down;you are familiar with all my ways. 

Before a word is on my tongueyou, Lord, know it completely. 

You hem me in behind and before,and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,too lofty for me to attain. 

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 youwhen 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 bookbefore one of them came to be.

 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 

October 2
Never take for granted My intimate nearness. Marvel at the wonder of My continual Presence with you. Even the most ardent human lover cannot be with you always. Nor can another person know the intimacies of your heart, mind, and spirit. I know everything about you—even to the number of hairs on your head.You don’t need to work at revealing yourself to Me.
Many people spend a lifetime or a small fortune searching for someone who understands them. Yet I am freely available to all who call upon My Name, who open their hearts to receive Me as Savior. This simple act of faith is the beginning of a lifelong love story. I, the Lover of your soul, understand you perfectly and love you eternally.
“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
—Luke 12:7
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
—John 1:12
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
—Romans 10:13

Green lights....

Green lights.....

The other morning I had to leave early to catch a plane. All the way down one of the main streets, the lights were all green! Usually it is stop and go with red lights later in the day with a lot more traffic.

I remember a time in extreme numbing stress, when I drove through town  and as I reached to other end, I wondered if I had driven through any red lights..my mind was on autopilot and I actually couldn't remember the lights...red or green or yellow...I wasn't driving safely on the streets!!!

Grief can make us like that...numb, autopilot, stressed, unaware, overwhelmed, and tired ....we may do things that later we wonder if we did them or how we did them...fogginess is a way of life...we compartmentalize our feelings so we can survive, shoving grief into a box "to be sorted" later...

When we may need to open that box each day and examine it contents and sort slowly...

At some period of time, we will notice again the green lights on the street as well as in our hearts and souls to move forward...the fogginess will dissipate...maybe in patchiness, maybe all together ....we will continue to open that box of grief until we have sifted through all the pieces...we will become aware of the colors around us, the changes in seasons, others who may need our shoulder...life...again...

God, I thank YOU that You give us time to heal...You help us, You  comfort us..You bring life ....even abundantly .....

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 

2 Corinthians 1:5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.