The High Calling of God

John 24:27: "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you."   I am not much for meditation. When I have tried it in the past, usually I either fall asleep or my mind wanders. Thoughts like- what will I make for supper. What am I going to do next- I need to do some cleaning, or deciding what to buy at the store. But recently I tried it again- tried to clear my mind of all distractions and think about Christ. I know- many people think of meditation as an eastern philosophy or equate with having a mind open to the devil. I have had the same thoughts. But all that aside, I had begun just spending a few moments- just bowing in His presence, quieting my soul- imagining myself in the Holy of Holies- before the ark and the cherubim- in His glory. On this one particular night, I just sat quietly, trying hard not to speak, but just to think about the Lord. It was after a few moments that a picture came to my mind- very similar to the picture I...

The other day I opened up a devotional and read the topic. As often happens, our eyes play tricks on us. The title was: "With Every Part" - speaking about our relationship with the Lord. But what my eyes saw was: "With Every Pearl".   Seeing that, I was off on a treasure hunt to see what God was showing me. I researched how pearls are made. Some information I already knew, but I did learn a few new facts. In an oyster, sometimes a grain of sand will enter into the shell. It could also be bacteria or a parasite. When pearls are man manufactured-  a tiny piece of the mantle of another shell is inserted. What happens next is what makes the pearl. The oyster secrets a substance called nacre. This substance totally engulfs the foreign object. It continues to coat the object. It can take six months to four years for a pearl to develop. Nacre is very strong with many layers- the more layers the more iridescent the pearl. This substance is what makes a pearl so beautiful. T...

    I don't make New Year's resolutions anymore. I usually break them before the month is over. But I am making some determinations.                I am determined to continue in what God has shown me. I am determined to walk even more boldly and confidently in the calling that God has placed on my life. I am determined to overcome my flesh and allow God's Spirit to move in and through me, more and more. I am determined to serve and love Him with all heart, soul and body. I am determined to love others and see others through the eyes of Jesus Christ. I am determined to speak more boldly of what my Savior means to me, what He has done for and in me, and of what He is going to do. I am determined to stand even closer to my Pastor husband, George Parsons , in God's service; to be even a greater help-mate and partner in the ministry- and in our own personal lives. I am determined to not be just a survivor in 2026- but a THRIVER! Whatever c...