Rejoice with Me, Somebody!!!

Sometimes, when I get into "keeping-up-with-current-events-overload" I am tempted to fear for our future...but God always brings me back to faith! This morning let me share a glorious faith statement by a brother named Habakkuk.

"Though the fig tree may not blossom,nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut offf from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls- yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will Joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord is my strength; He will make me feet like a deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills."

I have never seen it fail. The darkest times bring the greatest places of triumph! It really is our perspective. Am I looking at the difficulties or sorrows or pain, or am I looking to my Lord? Come and rejoice with me today! He is here, and He is big enough to carry us through!!

More thoughts on Salt

I can't stop thinking about what it means to be salt and light. We are talking major energy here! Drawing from my science background, I tend to think in basic and concrete terms. My husband , Jack, and I named our ministry Deep River Ministries because we wanted to swim in the deep river of God, the river that flows from His throne! God called us to leave the shallows where we had been splashing around (and having a wonderful time), and get in over our heads! It is in this position that we go with the flow of the river, not our own way. What is so exciting, as we think about being salt, is the detail of what Jesus is saying to us. Meditate on this fact:

When we submerge a crystal of salt into water, it dissolves, and the sole (so-lay) is created. Sole is neither water nor salt. It is a higher energetic dimension than either the water or the salt alone. (emphasis mine)

(From a book: "Water & Salt, The Essence of Life" by Dr. Barbara Hendel, MD and Biophysicist,Peter Ferreira.)

You see, God's plan is that He work through us in this world!!! Do you get it? Can you wrap your brain around it?? I am so excited I can hardly sit still and type! As we immerse ourselves in the river of God (He is the Living Water), we are transformed into sole and we have an energy that brings life. Think about how sole works in the body...without it our brains cannot transmit a single thought, a single message to the muscles and organs!!! As we are the sole in the Body of Christ we begin to move in God's Spirit in ways that transmit His will to the world around us and transformation takes place! We become a powerful force that will not be stopped! Shout glory with me somebody!!!!

O God, throw me into the river, like my brother used to do to me as a child when I hesitated! Don't hold back, let 'er rip!! Yahoo!

Salt and Light

Last week, Jack and I were blessed to have dinner with three young couples who are as on fire and passionate about Jesus and the Kingdom of God as we are! We talked and shared until we shut the restaurant down. The subject came around to the Episcopal church and the statements and resolutions made at the General Convention this year.

"Resolution C056 was passed on July 17 by the 76th General Convention meeting in Anaheim, California. It acknowledges "changing circumstances" that call for a renewed pastoral response from the church for considering same-gender blessings, including state laws on same-gender marriage, civil-unions and domestic partnerships. The resolution also authorizes the House of Bishops, in conjunction with the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, to devise an open process that will invite churchwide participation in collecting and developing theological resources and liturgies. The commission is to report its efforts to the next General Convention in 2012." (from the Episcopal website)

One statement made by a Bishop was, "This is the way the world is going and the church needs to catch up!"

This is what happens when the Holy Scripture is no longer your anchor.

This morning, I was meditating on Matthew 5:13-18.

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. for assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." NKJV

This scripture is being fulfilled in our time. The church is no different from the culture. We have lost our flavor and hidden our light under bushels and wonder why we are losing our religious freedoms.

It time for some serious self-examination in the light and revelation of God's holy Word. People of God, we are confusing God's love and mercy with what the world calls love and mercy. Jesus died to set us free from our sin not to let us stay in our sin. It is not love to condone any action we choose as a lifestyle. True love brings healing and wholeness.

We know many formerly homosexual people who have been healed and delivered of the pain that brought the confusion into their lives. They have gone on to live normal healthy lives, the pain and shame gone! that is true love. That is being salt and light.

Sex outside of marriage was a sin in Jesus' day and it still is. I can't believe how many men and women in the church live together outside of marriage and have no sense of conviction! How many children are being born out of wedlock, in the church! No sense of guilt.

It's not that I am advocating a "must, ought , should" faith walk, but it is imperative that we live our lives so close to Jesus that we reflect His truth and glory. How else will we set the captives free? I want to be held accountable by my brothers and sisters in Christ. I want to live in a realm where my life brings healing and freedom to those in bondage. God help us. We need you!

Ode to Dirty Dishes or Life in an RV

For years I hated cleaning them,

The dirty dishes in my sink.

I’d argue with my spouse,

Whose turn? to wash

The dishes in my sink.

So God in His amazing grace,

Gave me a sink so small,

Doing dishes was a chore

That I could barely do at all!

We’d moved into an RV

Life was simple

Life was fun.

I loved everything about it,

That is except for one.

For five long years I struggled

With a sink sized eight by eight,

A sink so small,

It didn’t even fit a single plate!

So cooking, which I loved to do,

Was limited to soup and stew and such,

Things that could be eaten from a single coffee cup.

Now, that stage of life is past

We moved back to a house.

Sometimes I miss our RV,

Where I felt snug as a mouse.

We have progressed, and have at last

A real kitchen sink,

I find such joy in cleaning

Those dirty dishes in my sink.

They reveal that I’ve been cooking,

Things like pot roast, shrimp and quail.

God’s wisdom and His lessons

I have never seen to fail.

He taught me how at last to love the dishes in my sink.

I never will complain again,

At least, I won’t, I think!

Happy Birthday America!

In these days of political unrest, financial troubles and dwindling hope for a secure future that is constantly being pounded into our brains by the "state-owned media", I find my thoughts reflecting on the people I know or have met in my life.

In my family there have many who have served our country in military service, unselfishly, for the greater good of our country. Every day, I meet men and women serving in the same way.

Every day, I see hard-working moms and dads and teenagers, working to make better lives for themselves and their families. Every day, I see someone reach out with a small kindness, even if it is only opening a door for a stranger to walk through. Every day, I hear children laughing, playing in their yards, or swimming at the neighborhood pool.

Every day, I think about the men and woman who work at low paying careers: teachers, social workers, volunteers, nurses aids, day care workers; they do it because they care about their fellow life-travelers. Every day, I am grateful for the ones who labor unselfishly in non-profit businesses because they want the under-dog to have their day.

Every day, I think of those who own businesses, who operate those businesses with honor and integrity. Who care about their communities and work hard to provide jobs and services for others.

God's people at their best are so worth loving! And at their worst need so much loving! I hope when I am at the end of my life, I can look back and be content that I, too, have contributed to the betterment of my brothers and sisters around me.

Thank God for the blessings of this land! Thanks as well to all you blessed people for every kindness shown, small or large!

God Bless America!