Luke 2:25-32 (ESV)

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;30 for my eyes have seen your salvation31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.

Ok, how many times have I read the Christmas story? And yet, as we were sitting down tonight reading it with our children, I got excited all over again. Simeon had a promise. He would not die until he had seen Isreal's Savior. What was so special about the day he met Mary and Joseph at the temple? Why this particular day? Not sure- the Bible doesn't say. But it does say that he went to the temple in the Spirit. He would have missed God if he had decided he didn't feel good; maybe he should stay home. He was an old man; maybe his arthritis was bothering him. Whatever his ailments, he didn't let anything stop him from getting to the temple. He had a promise he wanted to see fulfilled. 

As soon as Simeon saw Jesus, he knew who his promise was coming to pass. He took God in his arms and blessed him. I wonder what it would have been like to hold Jesus.... To look into His eyes and bless Him.... What a spectacular moment for Simeon- to know God had come to do as He said He would. Now Simeon's heart was at peace.

God prepared Himself as a sacrifice in the presence of all people. He is a light for revelation. Have questions that need illumination? I know where to find the answer! What an awesome God!!!

Salut!

The Violence of Change

Today you told me you wanted to leave home.
That meant that I would be alone;
My oldest daughter gone to find her dream.
Devastation has come to my heart it would seem.
Oh, the violence of change!

Now will my life be loneliness torn,
My tired old knees prayer worn,
My mind weary from thinking,
My eyes red from tears blinking.
Devastation has come to my heart it would seem.
Oh, the violence of change!

But He holds me...



This poem was written by my dad, and given to me when I moved out. I came across the original tonight as I was cleaning out a drawer. My heart wrenches and my eyes well with tears as I read this and think of my own children. Obviously, none of them has told me they are moving out, but I know the time will come, and all too soon. I am so thankful for the last stanza. Knowing that even thru the pain of life, God is there, holding, protecting, comforting me. He walks thru every valley with me, restoring my soul. He gently guides me with His eye and holds my hand every step of the way. He knows every pain, every heartache, every tear, and holds me tight, keeping me safe. What a comfort!

Salut!

I Wish You Enough

Another email that was forwarded to me- but I pray for all my friends- "enough".


Salut!

Recently I overheard a Father and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Father said, 'I love you, and I wish you enough.' The daughter replied, 'Dad, our life together has been more than enough.  Your love is all I ever needed.  I wish you enough, too, Dad.' They kissed and the daughter left.  The Father walked over to the window where I was seated.  Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry.  I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?' 'Yes, I have,' I replied.  'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'.. 'I am old, and she lives so far away.  I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,' he said. 'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.'  May I ask what that means?' He began to smile.  'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations.  My parents used to say it to everyone...'  He paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.' Then turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.  I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting. I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.  I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye. He then began to cry and walked away. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them.   TAKE TIME TO LIVE....  To all my friends and loved ones, I WISH YOU ENOUGH.

P.U.S.H.

I received this email from my mom this morning, and thought it worth posting.

Salut!

A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light, and God appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might... 

So, this the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sunup to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might! 

Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Since the man was showing discouragement, the adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: (He will do it every time)! 

'You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn't moved.' Thus, he gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. 

Satan said, 'Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough.'   That's what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of Prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. 

'Lord,' he said, 'I have labored long and hard in Your Service, putting all my strength to do that which You have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?' 

The Lord responded compassionately, 'My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. 

Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed.. 

But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back shiny and brown; your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard. 

Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. True, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be Obedient and to push and to exercise your Faith and trust in My Wisdom. That you have done. Now I, my friend, will move the rock.'

At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He Wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him. 

By all means, exercise the Faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God Who moves the Mountains. 

When everything seems to go wrong..........................Just P.U.S.H. 

When the job gets you down..................................Just P.U.S.H. 

When people don't do as you think they should.............Just P.U.S.H. 

When your money is 'gone' and the bills are due...........Just P.U.S.H. 

When people just don't understand you .....................Just P.U.S.H.

P = Pray 

U = Until 

S = Something 

H = Happens 

Proverbs 31:10-31

Yes, the annoyingly perfect virtuous woman. We all love her, yet secretly hate her, because we're jealous that we can't be just like her. This woman seems so out of reach, so unattainable. And, yet, this is my goal- to be just like the virtuous wife Solomon talks about here. I want to be the wife and mother God wants me to be. I want my children and husband to be able to hold their head high and proudly declare I belong to them. This is my prayer today, that I can become this true, Godly lady.

I found this little blurb in with some papers I had stashed when I used to work at the doctor's office. I thought it was cute...


I met a man who had been married for 66 years. "Amazing! Sixty-six years!" I said. "What's the secret to such a long, happy marriage?"

"Well," he replied, "it's like this. The man makes all the big decisions and wife just makes the little decisions."

"Really?" I responded. "Does that really work?!?"

"Oh, yes," he said proudly. "Sixty-six years, and so far, not one big decision!!"


Salut!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

May your trouble be less,
Your blessing be more,
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door.


Salut!

I Choose

Master, may I be so honest
Could I admit the way I feel?
I’m hurting, it seems that You’ve forsaken
I wonder, is Your love for me still real?
Though my friends think that I am happy
Unaffected by this trial
They can’t see the pain I’m hiding
Just under my smile
Master, I can’t live this way anymore
So today I make my choice

I choose to believe that You are faithful
And my heart is in Your hands
And this mystery that I face today
Is part of a greater plan
I choose not to be discouraged
When the sun will not break through
I have the choice of trusting you
So Lord this is what I choose

I know this road will not be easy
I know I’ll have my weaker days
And Satan will tell me I don’t mean it
When I say, “I’ll trust God all the way”
But that doesn’t really matter
I refuse to hear him out
With my faith I’ll find the power
That will overcome all doubt
Lord, I’ve never felt so strong
As when I’m resting in your arms


The power of choice... Cloudy days and stormy nights. Confusion and panic. Can God? Yes, I know He can, but when?!? Believe and trust Him. He will see you thru this trial and you will come out the other side shining like gold. The choice is in your hands.

Salut!

I'll Do the Miracle

I chose you Before you knew who I was
I heard you crying down in Egypt's land
You are my people; I am your God
A covenant we cannot comprehend
I'm gonna take you on a journey
We're gonna walk across the sea
Children, don't you worry
Let Me put your mind at ease

You do what's possible; you do the praise
I'll do the miracle; I'll make the way
You put your trust in Me; you keep the faith
Then when you can't go on, that's when I'll do the miracle

We are His children; He is our God
He saved us from the wicked world of sin
So why do we worry when it all falls apart?
When the stormy tides of life come rushing in
But we have just one purpose
That's to trust with all our heart
Let's stand back and watch with wonder
As we watch the waters part



Why do we think we have to do the impossible? Why do we expect so much from ourselves? We aren't God and can't do the miracles He does. We are only asked to trust Him and praise. Then sit back and watch Him work. Somehow, it's done perfectly and right on time.

Salut!

Psalm 23:1 (CEV)

You, Lord, are my Shepherd. I will never be in need.

God knows exactly what I need when I need it. His timing is perfect. His ways leave nothing to be desired. He has promised to take care of me. He is perfectly capable of meeting all my needs. My problem? Figuring out what my needs are vs. my wants. Some things I think are needs are really just wants. My prayer today is that God would grant me wisdom to know the difference.

Salut!

Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because He trusts in You.

What a promise! Perfect peace.... Does it get any better than that?!? All I have to do is trust Him- which I'm having a real issue doing at this moment in time. Why is it so hard to put something in His hands and leave it there? I've prayed about this situation, given it to God, and I'm still freaking out. I know God can; He's done it before. And yet here I sit fretting, stewing, frustrated, and (dare I admit it?) even angry. Doesn't sound like perfect peace to me. So, once again, I hit my knees asking for forgiveness and strength to trust Him to, once again, come through. Of course He does....

Salut!

11.17.10 A point of interest- I didn't know what God was going to do or how He would work until the morning of the 15th. Which happens to be 3 days after I thought He should have done something! It's the waiting that's the hard part...

RG

Revelation 4:8

...and they do not rest day or night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come."

Worthy is the Lamb
Who was slain, holy, holy, is He.
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat.
Clothed in rainbows of living color,
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder.
Blessing and honor, strength and glory
Be to You, the only wise King.
Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name
Jesus, Your name is power,
Breath and living water,
Such a marvelous mystery!
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come.
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You...

Proverbs 15:1 (NKJV)

A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Ever hear the saying, "You catch more flies with honey than vinegar"? I learned this the hard way growing up, and wonder sometimes if I've learned it at all! It's so easy to retaliate angrily, fly off the handle and tell someone just what we really think. This in turn causes anger in the other person, thus starting a viscous circle. Yet, when we reply or react softly, the "anger circle" never gets started. This involves thinking before we speak or act- what would Jesus say or do? The reaction you receive just might shock you!

Salut!

Proverbs 3:6 (NKJV)

In all your ways acknowledge Him
And He shall direct your paths.

I take comfort in knowing that my God knows the path I'm walking, since He placed me there in His divine wisdom. He knows the mountains I'll climb, the valleys I'll go through, the obstacles I'll face. Yet He walks beside me, holding my hand, guiding me with His eye each step of the way. What peace and joy come from knowing this!

Salut!

Psalm 118:28 (NKJV)

You are my God, and I will praise You; 
You are my God, I will exalt You.

My heart is full of praise and thanks to MY God tonight. No real reason why- just because. He is MY God and I am HIS child. It just can't get any better than that!!

Salut!

Genesis 9:28 (NKJV)

And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.

I asked a good friend what scripture was on his mind, and this was his thought:

All too often we get caught up what came before, during and directly after the flood, forgetting that life went on for Noah- a full three hundred and fifty years. As you're caught up in the storms of life, remember that there is life after the storm.

Thanks for the reminder, Bro. Townsley!

Salut!

Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV)

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.


This is my grandfather's favorite Psalm. He's three months past his 97th birthday, and has been on my mind a lot tonight. I can see why it's his favorite! It brings to mind the song by Freddy Rodriguez:
"There is a God who loves me
Who wraps me in His arms
And that is the place where I'm changed
And that's where I belong

Take me to that place Lord
To that secret place where
I can be with You
You can make me like You
Wrap me in Your arms"

Oh, how I long to dwell in the shelter of His arms, to live in His shadow, where I know I'm safe. Sometimes I just need His calm assurance that lets me know things are going to be all right, even when life comes at me with all its fury. The mornings I don't want to get out of bed for fear of what the day will bring, I remember who holds my day and know where my help and strength comes from. I know my Fortress, my Deliverer, in whom I place my trust.

Salut!

Psalm 121:4 (KJV)

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.


I am so very thankful that I can rest my head on my pillow at night and know with complete confidence that God will continue to have everything under control as I sleep, just the same as He does when I'm awake. What an awesome God I serve!


Salut!

Philippians 4:8

(NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever thingsare noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

(Message) 8 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. 

After having one of those days (that has lasted for the past week), I've found myself becoming a bit depressed. The laundry is in never ending mounds, the dishes seem to multiply on their own, the twins are teething and quite fussy, Kyzer won't eat anything but peanut butter, the girls are bent on doing their own thing... It's one thing after another after another. I'm feeling quite overwhelmed and frustrated with it all, and wouldn't mind having a good cry like Zander does. Tried it, actually, and it didn't help. Life just keeps hitting me in the face with overwhelming situations. 

Then I realized the problem wasn't what I was facing, but in the way I was looking at it. My perspective is all wrong. I've been focusing on the negative instead of on the positive and the goodness of God. He's been faithful, consistent, true, gentle, a wonderful counselor, a provider, and the list goes on. I've decided to dwell on the true, noble, just, pure, lovely good things of God. My days may not get easier, but my outlook will have changed and my reaction to the situations will be different. 

Or maybe I'm just so sleep deprived that I've finally realized being grumpy hasn't ever helped anyone...

Salut!

Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.


Ya gotta believe it enough to act on it!! -Bro. S. Zorich 
At First Pentecostal Church in Wichita, KS 


Nuf said.


Salut!

John 8:36

(NKJV) Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
(Amplified) So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free.
(The Message) So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.


freedom: 1) the power to determine action without restraint.
                  2) personal liberty, as opposed to bondage or slavery
              3) exemption from external control, interference, regulation,etc.
              4) the right to enjoy all the privileges or special rights ofcitizenship, membership, etc., in a community or the like.
              5) the right to frequent, enjoy, or use at will


Woohoo!!!! I am so thankful that I can enjoy to the fullest the greatness of God without restrictions or restraints. I have a right to all the He has because He has made me His child. What an awesome God!!!! Today, I'm rejoicing in the freedom He has blessed me with...


Salut!