GOD'S WORD

"The way we treat the Word of God is the way we treat the God of the Word." Warren Weirsbe

This was a quote from our sermon notes yesterday. It reminded me of my great-aunt's Bible. As you can see, it's very well worn and very much written in. One can see her Bible was a very good friend as was the Author of the Bible. She knew the God of the Word well. He was, is, and will be the one true God. Most of all, He was her Best Friend.

In this age of electronics we are able to have the Bible with us no matter where we go. How worn is your Bible? Do you have verses highlighted, favorite verses you pray everyday, notes electronically notated? Most of all, is the God of the Word your personal Friend, Savior, Counselor, Prince of Peace, Almighty One, Mighty King, Lord of lords. He is trustworthy. He is love. He is Truth. My great-aunt knew her eternity was secure. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last.

Please allow the Word of God become the God of Word in your heart. He is the Best Friend you will ever have in this sin-filled world and in the sin-less world to come.

MOUNTAINTOPS VS. VALLEYS

We as Christ-followers love our mountaintop experiences!! However, sitting in church yesterday the Lord impressed upon me mountaintops  are barren of vegetation, difficult to traverse, and more often than not immersed in the clouds making it difficult to see great distances. On the other hand, valleys are where the food for surviving is found; there are rivers, lakes and streams to give us the necessary water to sustain life; the terrain is easier to traverse; and, usually easier to see greater distances. It is where our living happens. While mountaintop experiences are nice for short-term experiences, the valleys are where we spend the majority of our time. The same is true with our walks with Christ--we learn more in our valley time; we receive our life in the valley times. Even people who live in the mountains don't live on the mountaintops. They are usually places viewed from afar. Hopefully, this gives another perspective on valley-living. Whether you are in your valley-time or mountaintop-time, may you feel God's love surround you, His peace permeate you, and His food sustain you.

GOD'S DIFFICULT LESSONS

First of all, I'd like to apologize for not posting for a very long time. In truth, it seems like forever but it has only been five weeks. I'm not trying to minimize my misdeed at all. I ask for your forgiveness. I'll not promise this won't happen again but I'll try my very best to be regular.
There are ones reading this post who have had loved ones die or injured in bombings, injured or killed in senseless shootings, injured or died in earthquakes and mudslides, raped and murdered senselessly by terrorists, had their homes destroyed by floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and mudslides.  The largest followers after the United States are countries who have been affected by each of these disasters in the last three months. To the ones who have found comfort here may God be praised. They are not my words but His. The path I have walked these past few weeks in no way compares to what you have endured; however, please let me share a few things He has taught me--especially this past week.
As I've shared with you in previous posts,  in the summer of 2003 God gave me the gift of evangelism. Before I could utilize this gift God had to heal my heart of many areas the Enemy had used to  impriston me.  The prison doors were unlocked the winter of 2004-5 by the Great Healer Himself through the Bible study by Beth Moore, BREAKING FREE. Through the years He has continued to unlock the doors of those cells caused by abuse, death, divorce, and life using words of pastors, friends, Bible studies, and most importantly His Word. This past week, I've learned where God has healed the only person who can take that healing away is ME. He has reminded me, "...the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Am I completely healed? NO. That will not happen until I see Him face to face. Am I discounting doctors, Christian counselors, pastors, psychologists, or psychiatrists? NO. All of these people have been gifted by God for His purposes.
This picture was taken outside a friend's house this week. When I showed her and two other friends who had walked by them on there way into the house for dinner none of them could tell me where these flowers were located. All week I prayed for answers and all week in my quiet place was a journal He was prompting me to pick up and read. Several times I glanced at it and quickly dismissed it. Finally, last night, I picked it up. In the journal was the answers to the prayers I had been desparately praying all week. Sometimes His beauty is hidden in plain sight...sometimes right under our noses...
NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO IMMEASURABLY MORE THAN ALL WE ASK OR IMAGINE, ACCORDING TO HIS POWER THAT IS AT WORK WITHIN US, TO HIM BE GLORY IN THE CHURCH AND IN CHRIST JESUS THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS FOREVER AND EVER! AMEN. (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV)