Closing up Shop

Closing up Shop

 

Does there come a time in everyone’s life when they feel like closing up shop? Does the body that once was youthful and healthy, seem to be working against you and any feelings of strength and agility? Does it take you twice as long to do what you used to do?

 

Do people around you that you love, perhaps unknowingly, make you feel as if you don’t count anymore?

 

Do you feel like closing up shop?

 

Is it normal to feel this way when you’ve passed the biblical allotted time of life: the three-score and ten? You notice there are many beautiful and lively people in their 80’s or 90’s who are cherished for their mind, thoughts, beauty and liveliness. You’re not sure you will be like them or make it till then so again, the thought, I’m ready to close up this shop before it gets any more worn and torn.

 

Closing up shop may help us prepare for the day we meet our Lord. Yes, it will be glorious and we will have no more earthly sorrows to contend with. Yet we all know that each day we live, each day we wake up to a new, untarnished day, we have an opportunity to make a difference in our world.

 

This world is not as it was back in the fifties when I was born. That was a simpler time, a time of a slower pace, a sense of community and perhaps more family time and fun.

 

Now everywhere we look there seems to be pain and untimely diseases and death. Fathers and mothers dying of COVID sometimes leaving little children alone in the world. Brave officers of the law, leaving their families too soon as well as the growing opioid crisis and loss from substance use disorder.

 

The sixties wasn’t the only generation that tuned in and turned on as we see a generation hooked on anything that will take them away from reality.

 

Many of us see unbelievable things occurring in our country and it saddens our hearts. Yet we can’t dwell on the negativity, the sadness, the pain. As much as the thought, closing up shop, isolating and every man for himself may come, we must instead listen to the Spirit each day.

 

We must train ourselves to look above and not below, we must focus on THE WORD OF THE LORD as our help and hope. Yes, we can’t all get out and change the world right now with actions, but we can with our prayers.

 

E. M. Bounds said, “God shapes the world by prayer. Prayers are deathless. The lips that uttered them may be closed in death, the heart that that felt them may have ceased to beat, but the prayers live before God, and God’s heart is set on them. Prayers outlive the lives of those who uttered them; outlive a generation, outlive an age, outlive a world.”

 

So, instead of closing up shop, let’s open doors of prayers and gratitude. Smile, and make people wonder what you’re up to. Call someone up, write a letter, send a beautiful card to brighten a person you love up. Hug more. Love more. Make a new storefront for your shop in any creative way that the Lord leads you. Put the welcome mat out and shine like the sun.

 

I’m ending with a quote I learned and loved when very young:

 

“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”― Stephen Grellet

Praise the good Lord! I got back on this blog! TGIF!

After months of being locked out of this blog, I reconnected. PRAISE THE GOOD LORD! So a little update; besides being a member of WORD WEAVER’S Volusia County, as a ministry of Family Worship Center I am now leading a small group for this semester.


THE WRITER’S GATHERING FIRST MEETING WAS Wednesday!

We had an awesome group and got to know each other and hear what our members are writing or hope to write.


Those who attended were:
Gloria Gonzalez
Nancy Childs
Becky Lindsey
Jeannie Verosky
Donna Tinsley

We had a two hour meeting, beginning and ending in prayer; with me giving the vision for what I hope to do as far as teaching each time we meet in the future. I gave out some handouts and also told them the exact days I have marked for meetings. I’ll be teaching from Rosemary Upton’s WRITING STRATEGIES course. I’m also reviewing personally THE CREATIVE CALL by Janice Elsheimer and writer’s books by Cecil Murphey to pay forward their wisdom for our group. I see great things for our members. I’m honored to host this and need all the prayers I can get.
 It’s Friday! “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” Ephesians 3:20-21 The Message (MSG)

Nothing is impossible with our Lord although most days some of us live as if everything is impossible. Our lives seem impossible, our kids seem impossible and our destiny surely seems impossible to attain. Yet the Word of God says that He can do anything! Let’s live our lives today believing Him for that impossible prayer request, that one that we can barely utter any more, it seems so unattainable. THE LORD IS ABLE! HE IS GOOD! HE IS OUR PEACE AND HOPE THIS DAY. TGIF!

Praying for that unspoken prayer request and also for those in authority over us, first responders, policemen, firemen and those who care for the sick. Adding prayers for those who feel like giving up. We are grateful for this new day in Jesus name.

Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well, sing to it! (Num 21:17)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6_BLuhr0HQ

The Bible says in Lamentations:
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22-24(NIV)

What is Your Samaria or Connection?

What is Your Samaria or Connection?

And I shall cause thee to have ministry among the sisters and I shall give thee favor. But thou shalt also wait upon thy God and I will give thee a tender heart and yea even more than thou dost even have this night. Thou shalt be broken by My word and by My presence many times but not destroyed nor cast down.

I shall fashion you again and again and each time that I mold and touch thee thou shalt rise up in more of a new transformed creation than you were before you came into the presence of your God. (Prophectic Word for Donna 1984)

 

Do you ever feel there is something in your life that you must or need to do? The scripture in John 4:4 where Jesus said, "And he must needs to go through Samaria." has been on my mind lately. He needed to go there because He knew there was someone who had need of Him. She didn't know it, at the time, but He knew well ahead of time what she needed, and it came in the form of a reality check. It also was a needed connection. She needed to connect with her creator in a way that she never had before.

How many of us need one of those connections? Can we handle them when they come in the words of a friend or loved one? A proverb says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” Recently someone I know called me at the right time, the moment I felt so down, I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it. THE LORD’S TIMING IS ALWAYS RIGHT AND TRUE.  Dealing with the “new normal” of not feeling good or having energy because of a recent health diagnosis, had gotten me down. 

But my friend had a good report on herself; the Lord had her call me before Christmas, feeling that I had a connection for her that she needed desperately that day. I didn’t know if I did have the connection, but the Lord was faithful and she was able to get the help she needed. It wasn’t me or my connection but it was JESUS ALL THE WAY.  She was able to be revived and had what she needed to get through the holidays which are very painful for her, a woman alone, at this stage in her life.

The Lord is so good! He gave back to me through her words; she was a revived and filled with the SPIRIT, SISTER/MOM/DAUGHTER.  The minute she started talking to me on the phone, I started to weep as I knew I needed what she had and what she was going to say to me. She had a prayer and prophecy somewhat about me as Anna ministering to the Lord and God’s people. Me, praying, being seen, being used of the Lord when frankly right then I didn’t FEEL that and was so tired and down that I didn’t even want to go out of the house. She said she saw me as intercessor not only for my own children but for other’s children, too. May I be faithful to the call and the leading of the Holy Spirit. I write this today knowing that many of you may feel “unseen” yet the Lord does always see and He is very acquainted with our griefs and sorrows. He is always here, so take heart if you feel down.

You, Lord, will bring to remembrance the things I need to remember at the right time, whether through YOUR WORD (Psalm 118) or through friends. You, Lord, have gifted me with such kindness and love and MERCY by allowing me to partake of prophecies given, groups that support me and friends and family who love me. YOU ARE MY CHIEF LOVE, MY SAVIOR, MY DELIGHT AND STRONG FORTRESS OF HOPE! BE THAT FOR ALL HERE WHO READ THESE WORDS.

But even after the high of a wonderful phone call and connection by Sunday there was a great hindrance to me even wanting to go to church. This is rarely ever the case as worshipping the Lord revives me. I realize now it was the enemy trying to keep me from bringing a connection to someone. When I first got to church I was blessed by watching a sister worship the Lord even though less than a week ago her husband passed away unexpectedly. The music began to revive my soul as I begged the Lord to use me and reveal my purpose here on earth. Even at this late stage and age, I’m still one of the few who most of the time feels purposeless or that I’m just not really sure of the call. As I was leaving church a sister came to me and asked “Don’t you have a prayer group?” I sat with her and started talking about our Somebody’s Mother Online Prayer Support Group but then as she started sharing her heartache, I thought, let’s not talk about praying let’s just pray. It was my honor to hold her, pray for her and her daughter, to be used in a small way by the Lord. I knew then the reason for the hindrance, the enemy did not want me to connect or be part of someone’s Samaria. But he did not win on that day.

The right connection is always Jesus.

"And he must needs to go through Samaria" Jesus not only needed to minister to that woman, but He needed to give her a reality check. She needed something to get herself out of the stupor of life where she just existed. She needed to know that there was someone who knew her better than she knew herself and loved her anyway. She needed to know that she was more than she had settled for, trying to find herself in numerous relationships instead of the one relationship that would bring her life, health and love.

"And he must needs to go through Samaria" is such a beautiful phrase even though, the wording at first sounds a bit strange. Jesus not only ministers but is ministered to by doing what He needed to do, which in this case was bring life where there was death and darkness. Where the woman normally tried to hide herself from the community she went on to become a preacher of the good news of God. The news that someone can know everything about you and still love, want and desire you.

We can't change our past, but we can make it work for us and the Lord as wonder and awe forms, when others hear what we have gone through. We give glory to the Lord who has helped us when we were too weak to help ourselves.

Many people are going through tremendous trials at this moment. Prayer requests pour in that would break your heart and the heart of the Lord. The only way we are going to make it is to cling to the Lord and listen to that small voice that tells us what we "need" to do. It might be something simple as giving a dejected person a hug, sharing some time with someone when you don't really have time of your own, calling up someone in ministry and telling them they are doing a great job.

Look around you; that person who is your "Samaria'" or connection may appear in a way or form you didn't expect. But the heart of the Lord who loves us all supremely will always go out of His way to go to your "Samaria."

 Donna Collins Tinsley

A SISTER AMONG YOU

IT’S BEEN A LANDSLIDE AROUND HERE THIS YEAR!

IT’S BEEN A LANDSLIDE AROUND HERE THIS YEAR!

 

Recently I had about a two-month bout with sickness. I guess with not being able to do what I want lately, it makes me reflect on “changes” in life. One thing I see is life changes daily and if I can’t change with it, I’ll become inflexible. I may become something or a type of person I don’t want to become or someone that no one wants to be around.

I’ve had to change some things and some dreams and even give some up. What worked years ago, won’t work now. Even Christmas celebrations.

With my health and Bill’s chronic pain even getting the house decorated hasn’t happened yet. Bill works so hard and I keep thinking there is a better way for him, that something is going to change; he cannot continually do the physical work of his business. Something can change in a moment with Jesus. The Lord wants us to fulfill the destiny that Christ had in mind for for all of us before the foundation of the earth.  For this I pray.

Change comes. Change hurts, sometimes. Change must occur for help to come. A phrase I use a lot it seems is “Nothing changes if nothing changes.”  It’s recovery related and can mean, if you keep doing the same old things expecting different results, it’s not going to happen. Change is essential to life. And life as we know it, will never be the same, it seems. But it can be better in Jesus name.

Even old traditions like the Grandkid’s Gathering, or my pre-Christmas celebration with them is changing. Years ago, when they were little it consisted of a sleepover, and a few times, a Christmas Scavenger hunt where we collected food for the needy. I think those things were more for me, than them, but we can still look back and rekindle those good memories. When it’s all been said and done memories may be the only things that don’t change.

This year instead of a night gathering for the grandkids, we will do brunch, as Aubrey works at night. (Give her a holler at Olive Garden Daytona). I’m storming my brain for something fun and Christmas related to do besides eat. We can’t go look at Christmas lights, that’s for sure, unless they want to stay until the evening to do that and I’m cool with that.

Having been sick for about eight weeks now, I find I have to pace myself. Even a little outing may take the energy out of me for a day afterward. Right now, I’m breathing in scented Frankincense oil in a diffuser, (even anointed myself with it again as Shiloh did recently) running a Himalayan Salt lamp to clean the air and praying that the Lord will cleanse my system of any residual infection of  the pneumonia /bronchitis. And I’m listening to a song about changes.

 

Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love
Can the child within my heart rise above
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life~~~

Well, I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6IA4U09qQo

The title of the song is LANDSLIDE and maybe that’s another word for this year. I relate to the lyrics of building my life around my children but children do get older and so do old moms.  Lord, be my mirror in the sky and show me how to maneuver the seasons of my life. Give us a season of grace this year and although not picture perfect, a semblance of family. A family dreamed of with love and covered continually with prayer regardless.

A verse to pray and hold on to. I don't remember ever seeing this version of the verse: Matthew 19:26 MSG

 [26] Jesus looked hard at them and said, "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it."

Matthew 19:26 Amplified Bible (AMP)

 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Praying for Manchester, England

 

Sometimes the name of Jesus is all we have strength to pray. And in those cases, it is enough. I think that as I found out about the tragedy in Manchester, England.  Please pray for these families, unknown to me, but known to the Father. Jesus, please send strong comfort to the parents, the grandparents and all who loved those who perished. Only You can come in at a time such as this with peace. I think of all the people that I know who have empty arms and I pray, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. I say Jesus, lover of their souls, bind their wounds and make them whole.

 I am putting lyrics and my responses to a song but for our song of the day, Only Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofNtjhUE0Zs
My comments in parenthesis.
 

 "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

O love that will not let me go… (Thank You Jesus this is true) 

 I rest my weary soul in Thee… (We need Your rest desperately)

 I give Thee back the life I owe… (We am Yours)

 That in thine ocean depths its flow… (Don't let us drown in the ocean of tears)

 My richer, fuller be… (Yes!)

O Light that followest all my way… (Show us the bright light of Your Spirit)

 I yield my flickering torch to Thee… (Don’t let the cares of the world destroy our light)

 My heart restores its borrowed ray… (Let us reflect You)

 That in thy sunshines glow its day… (You are our bright light)

 May brighter, fairer be… (Shine, Jesus, shine)

O Joy you seek me through the pain… (Emotional pain seems constant for many)

 I cannot close my heart to thee …(Where could we go but to the Lord?)

 I trace the rainbow through the rain… (It is faint, but it is there)

 And feel the promise is not vain… (Thank You for Your promises)

 That morn shall tearless be… (A warrior's shout of praise shall come!)

TGIF!

TGIF! I watched a Joyce Meyer video at the Battlefield of the Mind book study this week. She reminded us that the Bible first gave us the words "to meditate."  

It is well, it is well, it is very well and that will be my meditation this day. That is what I believe that You, Lord, want me to dwell on. It is well.

Lord, let it be well, let it be well, let it be very well with my family and friends.

Let peace be as the river that flows. Let love arise and healing flow like a balm. I need You so much that I can’t do this, can’t survive, can’t thrive and I can’t live without heavy intervention from You Lord. Your Word says that You will heal, comfort and send help. I need help Lord right now. I need You right now. Please give me direction and intervention.

For the song, It is Well with my Soul click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwHj7l1M9g4

WE pray extra today for those in the military and our policemen. Please cover them with your blood and protection as they serve us.

Joshua 1:8 ESV /

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Psalm 1:2 ESV /

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 19:14 ESV /

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 119:15 ESV /

I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

Psalm 104:34 ESV /

May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.

Philippians 4:8 ESV /

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Proverbs 4:20-22 ESV /

My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.

Psalm 119:97 ESV /

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.

Isaiah 26:3 ESV /

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

for more go here: http://www.openbible.info/topics/meditation

Thoughts on the song, "Together" by Steven Curtis Chapman

One day I would love to sing this song, together with my family. Who could add words to lyrics like these? They are God-inspired and written by a brother who has paid his dues through pain and heartache, yet he sings on. How many of us will do the same?
It starts off:

 

"Here we stand, here we are
With all our wounds and battle scars
From all the storms and all the wars we’ve weathered together
We had no way of knowing when
We started way back there and then
How the road would twist and turn and bend
We just knew we belonged together

And if it wasn’t for God’s mercy and His grace
There’s no way we would be standing in this place
But because He has been faithful
Every step along the way
Here we are together."

 

Yet on the day that we pray for those who have lost loved ones, we acknowledge that some of us are not together. Many people are grieving those they love that they have lost through death or even addiction. I am acquainted with many special people who grieve daily and I pray for these brothers and sisters that the Lord, strong and powerful, yet tender and merciful will come alongside them and comfort them. 

 

Poignant to me is: "And we’ve crawled on our hands and knees
Through valleys cold and dark and deep
Sometimes not even sure if we could make it out alive together.

And if it wasn’t for God’s mercy and His grace
There’s no way we would be standing in this place
But because He has been faithful
Every step along the way
Here we are together, together."

 

I am so grateful that the Lord allows people to take the pain that they have suffered in life and create a beautiful song of hope to heal the brokenhearted. That is my prayer for today, hearts be healed, families by restored, and sweet comfort be given. Today!

"Together" by Steven Curtis Chapmanhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0nk3SaSsxQ

Full lyrics:

Here we stand, here we are
With all our wounds and battle scars
From all the storms and all the wars we’ve weathered together
We had no way of knowing when
We started way back there and then
How the road would twist and turn and bend
We just knew we belonged together

And if it wasn’t for God’s mercy and His grace
There’s no way we would be standing in this place
But because He has been faithful
Every step along the way
Here we are together

We’ve climbed up mountains higher than
Were ever in our hopes and plans
We’ve held onto each other’s hands
Watched miracles unfold together
And we’ve crawled on our hands and knees
Through valleys cold and dark and deep
Sometimes not even sure if we could make it out alive together

And if it wasn’t for God’s mercy and His grace
There’s no way we would be standing in this place
But because He has been faithful
Every step along the way
Here we are together, together

And if it wasn’t for God’s mercy and His grace
There’s no way we would be standing in this place
But because He has been faithful
Every step along the way
Here we are together, together

What is the Constant Image in Your Mind? Let it be Jesus

They say the battle is in our minds and that is so true. We give our problems "free rent' sometimes and we need to realize that those lingering doubts, concerns and worries will only bring us down. We really do have to think on the good things of above or we will go under. Love, hope and prayers, every day in every way to all that visit this page. We hope your prayers feel safe and uplifted here.


I have a lot of devotionals that haven't been published, so at times I will post them online:
A Constant Image

In the front of my mind
In the back of my mind,
To the left and to the right,
There’s an image of a man on a cross. (by Dallas Holm)
These are the words to a song written by Dallas Holm that really moved my spirit. This is how I want to live my life, with the Lord in the front of my mind and in the back of my mind. As I go to the left or the right, may his image never leave me. May this picture in my mind help me to walk differently in the world I live in. I need to walk worthy of the calling God has put on me. Let me walk in a way that would not shame the one who is my Lord and Master. Jesus was born in a stable---yet He is the King of Glory.
He lived a simple life. He amazed His mother, confounded his neighborhood, (could anything good come from Nazareth?) called together a group of outcasts to disciple and write about His story.

He carried a heavy cross on which He was crucified for my sins and yours, years before we were ever conceived. He knew what pain was like. He understood how it felt to be rejected by friends and family alike. He wept. He understood what it was like to lose a loved one. But for the joy set before Him, he endured the cross. That joy was giving life to us.

Prayer: Lord, please keep the picture of what You did on the cross for us, ever before us.
Thought: What I allow myself to think on may control my day for good.

Focus: The Cross of Christ and his compassion towards His body of believers.

Scripture: For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Galatians 6:14 The Message
Donna Collins Tinsley

Christmas and The Gift of Prayer

Christmas and The Gift of Prayer

 It is said in the Bible that the only thing that is saved in Heaven from earth is our tears and our prayers.

Love, Hope (whose name is Jesus) and prayers is something I sign off with often on Facebook or in letters to others. It’s not something I can wrap up, or you can see visibly but I have to believe the gift of prayer is worthy of giving this Christmas and throughout the year.

Maybe you think it doesn’t take much effort, but the time involved in taking your needs, hurts and family situations before the Lord each morning may involve more than you realize. I was so blessed this year when a noted author, speaker and benefactor of scholarships to many told me that he would commit to pray for a member of my family for one year. I am touched with his gift to me, someone he barely knows, yet he could see that the burden I had for this one needed sharing. I am very grateful that he was so willing to be a part of my life in this way. Tears fill my eyes each time I think of this gift to me. Yes, it is priceless.

Things got even worse during the year for many months and I so wished the mercy of the Lord would come and make all things good for the one we were praying for. It hasn’t happened totally but I can now write this prayer partner and say, “Thank you for the gift of prayer you gave me for my brother. Things are better."

When I first walked into the Port Orange Winning Women Bible study taught by Anita Smith over 20 years ago, I was desperate for help and fellowship.  I had one child holding onto my pants and one in my arms and I sat in the back as my kids weren’t used to going to a nursery. I was so welcomed that day that I knew I had found my home, “my tribe.” During this time I felt that these women held my arms up as helpers held Moses’ arms during times that his own strength was failing. By prayer and fellowship my battles have been won as I listened to the Word of the Lord and acted on it.

It could be said that we are never so tall as when we are before the Lord on our knees. One reason I believe the gift of prayer is so important is I know there were many than prayed for me though-out the years. And sometimes I get prayer requests from others that I can literally feel the pain of the one reaching out for prayer. As a mother, I can feel a mother’s pain as she weeps for her children, as a daughter I can relate to how someone such as me can fail so miserably at life yet be extended mercy from the Lord. One thing I have asked the Lord to do is to remind me often of where I have walked in my life and remember to think of the painful shoes that others may be walking in. Shoes that He, my savior walked in first that we might have life and love

So this year my gift to you will be the gift that I treasure the most from others. Prayer. It is the gift that keeps on giving as we all pay it forward for Christmas.

May your Christmas be full of Jesus and love!

Blessings, Donna Collins Tinsley 2011

A Decidedly Different Christmas Message: “You’re Such a Mother!” Will be posted on http://thornrose7.blogspot.com/, Somebody’s Mother Online Prayer Support Group, The Addict’s Mom, Fractured Families, Friendshipline Ministries, GRG, Women United in Prayer, Prodigal Hope and my other support groups that I treasure probably tomorrow.

Of books, quotes and the unhurried life

“On every level of life, from housework to heights of prayer, in all judgment and efforts to get things done, hurry and impatience are sure marks of the amateur,”Evelyn Underhill


It’s time for my summer fiction vacation and I’m starting with Dan Walsh’s book, “The Unfinished Gift.” I am already having a hard time putting it down, as it is very poignant. Dan is a fellow Word Weaver and I am looking forward to meeting him.

It’s times like this that I wish I could split into 2 people and be able to do what I need to do for my family and have one life to just read, read, read! I always remember when Mom Tinsley said nearly the same thing, but she wanted to be able to be a different person to be what she needed to be for her family (which I want to do also) and then another person to do her various charities and counseling work. Her daughter, Teresa said then, “I wish I could be 5 different people and they would all just have fun!”

I am also reading Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are and it is a keeper. There are so many beautiful quotes in this book that I wish I could copy them out for everyone to read. I had been thinking about how I at times am in such a hurry that I am not fully there for anything or anyone, even myself and she addressed those thoughts in what I read this morning.
She said it so well: Ann responding to the above quote by Evelyn Underhill says,
“The hurry makes us hurt.

And maybe it is the hurt that drives us on. For all our frenzied running seemingly towards something, could it be perhaps we are fleeing-------desperate to escape pain that pursues?

Whatever the pace, time will keep it and there’s no outrunning it, only speeding it up and pounding the feet harder; the minutes pound faster too. Race for more and you’ll snag on time and leak empty. The longer I keep running, the longer the gash and I drain, bleed away.

Hurry always empties a soul.” (Ann Voskamp)

Lord, help us to be fully aware of You and others this day and help us to give ourselves the gift of an unhurried soul. Let us be fully aware of those needs, hurts and the love that is right before us I pray.



Still Not the Cleavers!

We are still not the Cleavers! Still trying still failing but thank God Jesus loves, forgives and upholds us anyway. If you wonder what I am talking about I am rewriting and reposting my Christmas blog; it works for everyday stuff, too:)
Gladness for the Dysfunctional Family
At our house, I have a saying, “We’re Not the Cleavers, But That Never Stopped us from Wishing We Were.” The Cleavers, the Walton’s, the Ingall’s, we would be happy to have any resemblance to those families. You might find us listed at “Dysfunctional R Us” or on Facebook with the tags: painful childhood, loss of loved ones, overcoming addictions and trauma, or we might remind you of the old Hee-Haw song, “Gloom despair and agony on me,” If it were’t for bad luck we’d have no luck at allJ. Did I make you smile yet? But for Jesus and His Word that is ever living in my heart, soul and life we would go under! And perhaps your family would also, as you wonder what has happened to your "normal" life with the economy spiraling downward, sicknesses, accidents, and natural disasters abounding.
Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,

That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!

Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us,

The years in which we have seen evil.

Let Your work appear to Your servants,

And Your glory to their children.

And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us,

And establish the work of our hands for us;

Yes, establish the work of our hands.

Psalm 90:14-17 (New King James Version)
I love these verses in Psalm 90, I was so astounded that the Lord would actually take the days of pain and affliction that we have gone through and make us happy according to them.
Is it possible that He would give joy as He allowed sorrow? Isn't that the premise of Romans 8:28 when it is said that He will work all things to our good?

What encouraging words and what a wonderful prayer to pray today and every day. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. ASV

Oh that the Lord would fill us with love and joy as we seek Him in the morning. It truly would give us a song to sing and a story to tell to our families and friends. How many of us want to proclaim His greatness to our children and grandchildren? Most of us do and we can by reminding them of these precious words from the Psalms.
It is okay to ask the Lord to treat us well and give us success. In my life I have felt afflicted with abuses, hurt and losses but I can prevail by focusing on the good that will come eventually. If I had not endured these things I would not be the person I am today. I was on the road to being a spoiled brat as a young girl and then my world was rocked by pain and I learned to look outside of myself. I learned that others are more important than myself. I learned about self-sacrifice from a mother who worked so many hours a week at forty-five cents an hour for years just to feed her children as my sweet Mama did. I learned that my brothers and sister were overcomers in life as they just did what they could to enjoy what little we had. We all learned that we had a lot more than many others. We learned to share what we had and that it is not material things that count but strength, maturity and kindness that will prevail all the days the Lord gives us. We learned that life isn’t about what material things we have but it is about faith, family, friends and remembering we have an awesome Saviour. One whose life was not perfect, either.
My message may be different than most people's, but I guess the slant He gives me fits some families. You know: the dysfunctional, but trying ones, the funny, but forgiven ones, the once hopeless but now Hope-filled ones! To God be the Glory! Affliction to gladness; it's the way of the Cross and the way our own Saviour took. I believe it is the way to hope for this life.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that we can be glad according to Your Word and the promises You give. We may always see evil around us but You will give us joy.
Thought for the Day: We have seen years of trouble.

Now give us as much joy as you gave us sorrow.
Prayer Focus: Dysfunctional families and the ones who love them.


Here are some other versions of the scriptures:

Fill us with your love every morning.

Then we will sing and rejoice all our lives.

We have seen years of trouble.

Now give us as much joy as you gave us sorrow.

Show your servants the wonderful things you do;

show your greatness to their children.

Lord our God, treat us well.

Give us success in what we do;

Yes, give us success in what we do.

Psalm 90:14-17 (New Century Version)



Oh! Teach us to live well!

Teach us to live wisely and well!

Come back, GOD—how long do we have to wait?—

and treat your servants with kindness for a change.

Surprise us with love at daybreak;

then we'll skip and dance all the day long.

Make up for the bad times with some good times;

we've seen enough evil to last a lifetime.

Let your servants see what you're best at—

the ways you rule and bless your children.

And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us,

confirming the work that we do.

Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do! Psalm 90:12-17 (The Message)

Worship, Sick Boys and Cat Fights

Before I could even bask in the awesomeness of the session of worship and praise at Immerse, last night the enemy was on the move at my house. Well, I call it the enemy, anyway. something to distract, change your plans or try to take your serenity away.
Isaiah threw up it seemed every 15 minutes for 5 hours took a 2 hour break and then again at 4:25. I slept on the couch so I could be near him. Well, it wasn't sleep. The cats hissed at each other all night near me. I thought they were going to jump on me fighting. One did jump right above my head and I knocked her off and then covered my head with the blanket. Isaiah threw up a little more a while ago. I think it is settling a bit now. Please join me in praying that there will be a swift healing. I've got a lot of comforters to wash although he did his best to use the bucket or make it to the bathroom. He is very sweet when he is sick, and kept saying, "I hope I'm not going to die." I'm hoping it was something he ate (although Ashley got sick also) and not the flu that Jordan had recently that was so bad.
I can't leave without saying how it "Does a mother good" to hear words of prayer and prophecy over her daughter, Shiloh, at the Immerse event. Pastor Ray ministered to the whole music team and it was so inspiring. The Spirit of the Lord was so sweet and I know that the Lord will continue to draw forth gifts of creativity in Shiloh as she has given her life to be used for Him. Influencer for sure and a calling to speak forth His words.
I join FWC in praying a blessing on the Music Ministry with Pastor John at the top of the list. It was a great night. There were many prayers of agreement and praise abounded.
Shiloh, I am so proud of the way you let your light shine through your ministry in music and as a Youth Worker.
Shine on!

Happy Veteran's Day!

Yet even in saying that I know there are a lot of Veterans who may not be having a good day. They may feel forgotten, alone, in a financial bind or feeling physical pain.
After years of trying Bill has finally gotten some help through the Veteran's Administration . Yet, every time I go with him to a VA hospital, although we are amazed at the kindness of the workers, I find myself looking at the patients coming through the doors. To me, they look beat down and nearly hopeless. I pray a blessing on all these people because of all people in our country they deserve better.
Some things I don't understand is why when someone is in chronic pain and needs appointments and attention, they are told that the first available appointment won't be until next year? If you feel you can't wait until then you must just go and sit and wait hoping that you can be worked in. Bill, (my husband and favorite Veteran) will be doing that tomorrow and I pray for favor from the Lord and the VA that he will be seen.
I ask for your prayers, also. Not just for Bill but for all the Veterans in our great country.
Give a Veteran a hug. They deserve it!

A Constant Image

For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Galatians 6:14

In the front of my mind
In the back of my mind,
To the left and to the right,
There’s an image of a man on a cross
These are the words to a song written by Dallas Holm that really moved my spirit. This is how I want to live my life, with the Lord in the front of my mind and in the back of my mind. As I go to the left or the right, may his image never leave me. May this picture in my mind help me to walk differently in the world I live in. I need to walk worthy of the calling God has put on me. Let me walk in a way that would not shame the one who is my Lord and Master. Jesus was born in a stable---yet He is the King of Glory.

He lived a simple life. He amazed His mother, confounded his neighborhood, (could anything good come from Nazareth?) called together a group of outcasts to disciple and write about His story.

He carried a heavy cross on which He was crucified for my sins and yours, years before we were ever conceived. He knew what pain was like. He understood how it felt to be rejected by friends and family alike. He wept. He understood what it was like to lose a loved one. But for the joy set before Him, he endured the cross. That joy was giving life to us.

Prayer: Lord, please keep the picture of what You did on the cross for us, ever before us.

Thought for the Day: What I allow myself to think on may control my day for good.

Prayer Focus: The Cross of Christ and his compassion towards His body of believers.

"Praying from the Heart."

Recent Guideposts series book


Recently I received my contributor's copy of the new Guideposts series, 1st title; "Praying from the Heart." Jeanette Gardner Littleton was an awesome editor to work with and such a blessing. I'm using a pseudonym. If anyone wants to guess which story is mine email me with your guess.
While we are thinking about prayer, here's one for you:
Lord, please bless all who read the words from my heart that You have given me. Thank You, Jesus the name above all names who comforts, protects, heals and shows us the way to You. Cover each one with Your blood and provide all needs and help us to conform the desires of our hearts to Your will for us and our family and friends. In Jesus name, I pray.
 
thornrose7@aol.com