Resurrection

My Daughter, My Self

My daughter Rose and I share a gift. We both love to write. She wrote this moving and poetic letter to me; I found it on her dressing table after she left for college a few days ago. This summer was probably the last one she will come home for; next summer she will be an upcoming Senior and wants to stay in California working on her film studies.

Oh, the blessing of a daughter- how I love her so much. So much that I encourage her to follow her dreams; to know who she is in Christ, and to use the gifts and talents he placed in her soul. Even if it takes her across the country and beyond. The last thing I said as she prepared to drive away was this- " The most important thing in life I want for you, is to be happy and to share that happiness. To be the light."

Fly high my butterfly. Give much. Thank you for being you. A  little like me, and a lot like YOU.

As it should be.

She writes-

August 21,2011

Dear Mom,

This has been such a wonderful summer. I have been reminded daily how blessed I am. 

From the very beginning of summer we got to go on an adventure together. You and I visited 

New England for the the first time together.

I am so happy you have been with me all my life through out many first times. First day of real school (kindergarten), first day of high school, first learners permit, first move to college, first trip outside of the U.S., and first trip to Miami.

I thank God for giving me a mother who listens, loves, laughs, cries, and talks with me. I am truly blessed to have you and I know you will be with me for many more firsts.

Every change in life is an adventure- no matter how difficult. There will be many mountains, valleys, and deserts, but we must explore these times and find the beauty in them all.

I never like saying goodbye, but I find comfort in knowing that I will always have a home to come back to with you. No matter what comes our way, we cannot let anything rob us of the love and joy we share as mother and daughter.

Like the words I heard in a song recently- " the pain that you've been feeling, is just the hurt before the healing. It's just the dark before the morning."

I'm going to leave you with the poem I read to you this morning. I'll write it on the back of this paper. Remember to BELIEVE in God's power, ACT on His commands, and PRAISE Him daily.

I love you! 

Rose

Trouble Is a Stepping Stone to Growth Trouble is something no one can escape, Everyone has it in some form or shape- Some people hide it way down deep inside, Some people bear it with gallant-like pride, Some people worry and complain of their lot, Some people covet what they haven’t got, While others rebel and become bitter and old With hopes that are dead and hearts that are cold- But the wise man accepts whatever man sends, Willing to yield like a storm-tossed tree bends, Knowing that God never makes a mistake, So whatever He sends they are willing to take - For trouble is part and parcel of life And no man can grow without trouble and strife, And the steep hills ahead and high mountain peaks Afford man at last the peace that he seeks - So blest are the people who learn to accept The trouble men try to escape and reject, For in OUR ACCEPTANCE we’re given great grace And courage and faith and the strength to face The daily troubles that come to us all So we may learn to stand "straight and tall" - For the grandeur of life is born of defeat For in overcoming we make life complete By: Helen Steiner Rice

The Lord is My Shepherd

Happy Heavenly Birthday Mom

I dedicate this song to my Mom who is celebrating 22 years in Heaven.
She is singing a new song, along with the angels-
to Him who sits on Heaven's mercy seat, the King of Kings.
She adores Him.

Clothed in rainbows, flashes of lightening, blessing, and honor,
glory and power, she is with the Lord God Almighty-
                                                   Worshiping Him.

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder, at the mention of His name.
Jesus, her wonderful, powerful, healing Savior.
The one who is, and is to come.

I sing with you Mom, and I too adore Him.
The only true and living God.
Happy eternal birthday. I love and miss you.

Your daughter,

Lynn

The Beautiful Mind of Christ

Do you often wonder why your unsaved friends

just don't get you sometimes, and why your

words turn to deaf ears when you talk about

what God has done for you?

I did; until I really became a student of the Bible

and started taking God's word's seriously.

One of the scriptures I studied in 1Corinthians

Chapter 2 starting with verse 9-16 helped enlighten

my understanding of God's ways. The Bible says-

 9but just as it is written,         “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,         AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN,         ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”
10For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.      14But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.

 

I learned from this passage that the natural man's

head knowledge, and the wisdom of the spirit, 

speak two very different languages.

One is learned in the world, and heard by the unbeliever with the ears, and the other language, that is heard by the believer, comes from having the mind of Christ.

The natural man, as an unbeliever will not be

able to understand this spirit language; he

needs an interpreter- the Holy Spirit, and

that only happens when one truly believes in

Christ Jesus, as God's son and their savior.

Then begins a beautiful relationship,

allowing the Spirit to work inside their heart and mind.

So do I stop speaking of the things of God to my non Christian friends, and

leave it to God to show them the way? No, no, no!  As a believer that would be a contradiction to living in the spirit.

I will naturally want to share what I have, it's who I am. The Holy Spirit does the talking and my part will be more of what I do, than what I say.  

It will come from my staying connected to the vine. Christ cultivating in me a beautiful mind that produces a fruit that will naturally draw people to me.

The emphasis will not be on me and my words, but on how God has changed me, evidenced by the way I live.  

   

Keeper Of My Heart

Resting in God

Sweet Words

Proverbs 16:24

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

My husband and I have a friend who is a beekeeper;  and I have to tell you, the honey his bees make is the best I think I've ever had. The store bought kind in the plastic bears pale in comparison.  The natural, raw honey is different to the taste; with just the right about of sweetness- thick, richer in color. It just oozes when poured out of that mason jar. 

When I think about the instruction God gives in Proverbs 16:24 regarding my words, and how God compares pleasant words to a honeycomb; I had to ask myself...  Are my words sweet and oozing out of my mouth like honey... or do I have to struggle to squeeze them out drop by drop?

I feel there are times I speak kind words to enrich someone else out of a natural concern and love- then there are the times I'm just processing  rote gestures of kindness for my own ulterior motives.  It's a matter of the real stuff vs the watered down. 

God's word says in John 1:1  and Revelation 19:11-13 that Jesus is the word . 

 John 1:1

 ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(and in)

Revelation 11-13

¹¹ I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. ¹² His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. ¹³ He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. ¹⁴

Jesus is the rider on the white horse, the true word-  A  living word that transcends time,eternally imbued with power to redeem the soul,and bring healing (resurrection)
to our bones.

I know God gifted me with the Holy Spirit when I became a believer;  my teacher who will supernaturally transform my mind to the mind of Christ - if - I choose to allow the Holy Spirit to teach me. 


So today I pray: 

"Holy Spirit, teach me how to choose pleasant words that will
bring sweetness and healing to the listener. Amen".

Stand II

Continuing on my July 4th theme of standing- I ran across a beautiful video and song on YouTube that was put together by a student in memory of a class mate who passed away from a malignant brain tumor. It touched me so much I wanted to share it with you.


It reminded me of how important it is to take the time, which is so fleeting, to appreciate the significance of loving and standing by our friends, families, and neighbors in their time of need. Jesus stood in the gap for all mankind, so that we can be in right standing again with God, and enjoy eternity with him. 


Our little momentary sufferings and sacrifices will never come close to what Christ gave for us. He gave EVERYTHING. Sadly, many will walk away from this free gift, by refusing to just believe and accept.  Yes, how very sad for those who say no to Christ. They will never know how much they missed. EVERYTHING.


This video reminds me too of how life on this earth is so short. The Bible says in James 4:14- "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.


So true, evidence by the passing of a young person before their time.... or was it?

Stand

Today is July 4th and all over this great country we are celebrating with road races, parades, watermelon eating contests, family cookouts, and then closing the day with spectacular fireworks displays.

I wonder how many Americans celebrating really think about the meaning of this day and the significance of living free as an American. I know I am guilty of what I am speaking to, and it bothers me.

Yesterday at church I noticed how few people placed their hand over their heart as the flag was brought out and the soldiers marched by, as our national anthem played.

Now don't get me wrong, this is a church of wonderful, giving people. It just seemed sad to know that they either were ignorant to this tradition of honor given to our flag, or we have lost something that once was so special and sacred.

My husband, a veteran, immediately placed his hand over his heart, and I know within that auditorium there were many soldiers, veterans, and citizens doing the same.
So today I write to remind us of this honor given to our flag, our symbol of this great country and the freedom it represents and the many sacrifices our countrymen gave to keep her flying.

Remember the veteran of war, and how that nonchalant attitude would make them feel- or the parent, spouse, or child who grieves when they look at the empty chair at their dinner table today. Show compassion. Think, what if that were your loved one?

I know this country is not perfect. Neither are we. Only God. Sadly, in my opinion, as God is being erased from our government foundations, so creeps in our insidious complacency.

Love of country, love of God becomes a slogan that will continue to fade from the hearts and minds of Americans, if we let this continue.

Teach your children today the story of why we celebrate the birthday of our country. Tell them of the great sacrifice wrought by brave men and women that stood up for something-- for love of country and love of God.

It has been said that to fail to stand for something is to fall for anything. Stand proud today, with deliberate purpose, hand on heart and show others that you care.

The Promises of Christ are True

I must be more than wise in the word of God. I must be embued with the revelation of God. Jesus came to reveal God to mankind, and the red letter words of my Bible are my focus this month for meditation and memorization. I live in peace and joy when the words of Jesus come alive in spirit during this quiet time.

A Mother's Day Poem

To Mom who resides in heaven divine
I'm waiting patiently for that moment in time-

Hugs and kisses, smiles and tears;
the touch I remember year after year.
I wait for a mother's love; that only you can give.

Until that day I visit your grave,
tend to the flowers and call out your name.
I pray and listen and remember..
My daughter beside me, the blue sky above,
reminds me of the expanse of God's true love

I go there not to grieve for those days are past,
instead I find peace and joy; my spirit rejoices-
for I know you are in the arms of your Savior ,
eagerly awaiting too-

That day in time only God knows for sure.
The day revealed, when the Savior calls-
The day all heaven and earth rejoice.

Then in a moment's time you will see,
 your greatest work on earth come home.

The day we see God's greatest work on earth come home-
Your family, your loved ones, the children of God.




  

What Are You Looking For?

Jesus the Bread of Life/ John 6

 ²⁵ When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

 ²⁶ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. ²⁷ Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

 ²⁸ Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

 ²⁹ Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

 ³⁰ So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? ³¹ Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’^[c]”

 ³² Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

 ³⁴ “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

 ³⁵ Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. ³⁶ But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.

 ³⁷ All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. ³⁸ For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 

³⁹ And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. ⁴⁰ For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

The Via Dolorosa

The Via Dolorosa (Latin for Way of Grief or Way of Suffering) is a street, in two parts, within the Old City of Jerusalem, held to be the path that Jesus walked, carrying his cross, on the way to his crucifixion. 

My Favorite Place To Worship