The High Calling of God

Recently I had my little sanctuary invaded by a six month old fur ball also known as Lucy. My husband and I were puppy sitting for his sisters' little dog. I and our four year old English Lab would sit back in amazement and wonder at this little power packed, energetic and fearless 15 pounds of fluff. Barking at just about everything including the ceiling light in the kitchen, this little energizer of a pup, I think, would try to tackle a bear, given half a chance. One day as I sat by and watched this wonder, I thought, how much she reminded me of new Christians, including myself at one time. They are so full of zeal that they will tackle any spiritual thing, real or imaginary. Many Christians, sad to say, stay in this level of maturity. They are very unfocused on what is really important. Like this pup, they don’t want or haven’t learned to “cuddle” up to their Master. They want to always be on the go, here, there and everywhere never taking the time to draw close to Jesus...

Sometimes we think we don't have enough of what it takes: to be strong or brave; to do something different; to have great faith and do great exploits.  But the Bible is full of stories of people who only had a little bit of something-- but when they used what they had- they found out it was more than enough. The incident recorded in Matthew 14:22-33 regarding Peter walking on the water is such a case.  Many state that Peter didn't have faith, didn't have what it took to continue walking on the water.  But just where are the rest of the disciples?  They are still back in the boat!  They didn't even attempt to go out to meet Jesus when He was walking on the water.  As Peter became overwhelmed at the waves and got his eyes off of Jesus, he began to sink.  Jesus made a statement to Peter: "Thou of little faith, why hast thou doubted?"   It seemed like a rebuke at the time.  But as we look into those words- "little faith" - we find out...

John 11:20 "Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him; but Mary sat still in the house." John 11: 22 "But I know, that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee." I have always thought that Martha was misunderstood.  You always hear about how spiritual Mary was and her sister Martha was always fussing, anxious about how the house looked and making sure that there was enough food and that all the guests were comfortable and taken care of.  All the while her sister Mary was sitting at Jesus feet, taking in all that He had to give.  Now, don't get me wrong- sometimes I am a Mary and other times I am a Martha.  We need both, maybe a little less of Martha's anxiety and fussing. But in these verses, Martha- the true Martha, comes forth.  While everyone else- including Mary- were back at the house crying and grieving that their brother Lazarus was dead- it was Martha who got up and went ou...

Thou hast made summer and winter" Psalm 74:17   I am not a fan of winter by any means.  But over the years I have learned to adjust not only to bad weather but to the quietness and stillness that comes with it.  It is especially calming when I see those beautiful white feathery flakes come floating from the sky.  I must say here that I do not drive in bad weather and my heart and prayers go out to those who do.  But since I am retired and have no responsibilities to go out into that bad stuff, I can enjoy it more. Over the past several years my husband and I have been redoing our gardens.  We have bought several flowering shrubs, bushes and bulbs.  I find myself in the dead of winter going outside and walking around our yard and inspecting the shrubs and bushes to see how they are managing in the cold weather.  I have been known to talk to them and encourage them. I also do planning for the next spring and summer, looking through gard...

I see that I haven't been diligent in the writings of my blog.  This year seems to have gone so fast. I can hardly believe we are talking turkey and some of us (including myself) are singing Christmas songs.  I have even begun to put out some Christmassy things around the house. Call me crazy- but my heart is so full of joy at this time, I can't help but sing "Joy to the World, the Lord is come".  He is here.  He never left.  So to catch up a little, I go back to the end of 2016.  Many times  God gives me a verse to take me into the New Year.  And this year He gave me: 2 Thessalonians 1:11,12-- one of Paul's many prayers to the churches which I love, take personally and pray often.  It says: "To this end also, we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ might be glorified in you and you in Him,...

As I look back on my blo g I can see I have been lax in writing. This I want to correct in the New Year. I must say that overall 2016 was a very good year because I serve an awesome God. I look around my office and see on my prayer walls the many prayer requests I had posted this past year for healings, deliverances, for God to move in a special way in individual lives. I post them on a white index card on  my bulletin board or on the front of the doors of my standing cupboards. When a prayer has been answered I take a bright yellow index card and write over it: healed, delivered, answered, etc. I notice that there are a lot of yellow cards over there!  Some are still white.  But we don't give up when we don't see the answer. We lost a few good people this year in our family and friends. They went on to be with the Lord. We saw a few miracles happen also. I do thank and praise the Lord for this! And we are still standing in the gap for those who are sick, going through...

The sun is beginning to break through as I write this but this morning we had a steady light rain. It really was a wonderful feeling. I opened up windows and let the fresh cool air come in the stuffy house. I have been busy doing things here as I was out of commission last week with the first of cataract surgeries. So I was a little behind on my housework. But with the cool breeze and the sight and sound of the light rain outside, I went about my duties with a new strength and outlook. The hot humid weather we have been experiencing out here in the Midwest appears to be broken, praise the Lord! It was a scorcher for sure. It is so nice now to see the starting of the changing leaves and feel the briskness in the air. This morning also, I was experiencing kind of the same thing in my spirit. A new, fresh anointing, receiving the light rains and cool breezes of His Spirit into my parched and dry spirit. Just like our ground that had suffered so this summer needs the refreshing of t...