Open the Windows of Heaven

I have lots of people coming and going from my home.  Sometimes it feels like grand central station!  But, in spite of the busyness, I find myself carrying on a running conversation with the Lord all day long.  Every once in a while, my son asks who I'm talking to. :)

One of the things I find myself doing is thanking the Lord for things throughout the day.....all kinds of things.  I read recently that thankfulness "opens the windows of heaven through which spiritual blessings fall freely."  I love that.  It's a wonderful visual - I wish I could paint it.  Some years ago I took some art classes, but I wasn't very good.  I'm hoping to do some painting in heaven!  In the meantime, I'm grateful for those spiritual blessings that fall into my daily life.  I'd be lost without them!

The Bible talks a lot about thankfulness and gratitude.  I think it's a spiritual weapon that God has given us.  It protects us - and it keeps the enemy at bay.  The enemy can't break through the wall of thankfulness around us.  When I'm having a hard day - when I'm feeling discouraged - when I'm in pain or discomfort - when things seem overwhelming.....I've learned that the most important thing I can do is to lift up praises to the Lord.  The worship and praise is more powerful than anything happening in my day!  In fact, I think the Lord loves our praise during difficult things even more.  It's a "sacrifice of praise" that we offer to Him.

If I'm struggling in my thoughts because of difficulties I'm facing, I've found it's even more important to talk to the Lord and worship Him.  He can help me glean perspective and sort out my thoughts.  I've tried to thank the Lord for suffering - sometimes I manage, and sometimes I have to call upon His help.  I think I find it hardest when I don't understand.  That's when I have to trust His goodness and faithfulness, and ask His help to praise Him in the midst of the difficulty.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ."  Ephesians 1:3

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  James 1:17

"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord."  Psalm 40:3

"Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."  Proverbs 3:5

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."  2 Corinthians 10:3,4

Gratefulness, thankfulness, is a muscle that needs to be exercised.  It might help to make daily lists of things to be thankful for.  It also might help to share some of those with others.  Let's work to strengthen that muscle!

Always Toward the SONshine

This past Sunday was a special day in the annual calendar for the first Sunday in March.  It was the Cape Town Cycle Tour - 30,000 cyclists from all over the world converged on Cape Town for the 109 km ride around the Cape peninsula.  It's a beautiful, but challenging race......there's some very steep hills!

Four of our All Nations guys did the race - with a special addition.  They had with them a young man from the local community who is disabled.  He had his own special riding device with handles on the side that the guys could pull him along.  Someone who could have never done the race on his own was enabled to participate in this event with their help.  It actually brought tears to my eyes as I watched on the livestream.  The photo below this post is of them at race's end with their medals.

They had signs on the side about the ministry they do called "Children of Promise."  They work in a local community - and once a year take about 100 kids to camp.  It's the highlight of the year for the kids.

And isn't that a visual of our lives - we all need someone to help us along, pull us along at certain times.  We can never make it alone.  I know I could never have made it alone through all these hard years.  When I wrote about it being 10 years from the day Floyd got sick - I received so many encouraging messages.  I savored them - read them over and over.  It was very special to me.

Someone reminded me of a song that I hadn't thought of for a while.  Even If by MercyMe.  The words were straight from my heart during the difficult years of Floyd's illness.  That song became my anthem.  I sang and spoke it out hundreds of times.  I share it below.  The words still ring so true in my heart in all I continue to face.  He's good and faithful - even if nothing changes!

I read a quote from the poet Walt Whitman.  "Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you."  If we keep our face always toward the SONshine - shadows will fall behind us as He carries us and takes care of us.

I am so grateful for the goodness, mercy, and faithfulness of the Lord!  He is awesome.  It is truly well with my soul!

If you would like to listen to the song please click here

Fresh Grace

In my last post I shared about it being 10 years since Floyd first got sick.   After this, and actually quite regularly, I get asked about why God didn't heal Floyd.  I don't have the answer for that.....but I trust God's sovereignty and wisdom.  I prayed for healing or heaven - and now Floyd is no longer suffering.  He's with Jesus.

A few days after writing that post, I came across a clip of Pete Greig sharing about his wife Sammy's illness.  Pete leads a wonderful prayer ministry called 24-7 Prayer.  It's a powerful ministry that has seen mighty answers to prayer!!  It has expanded world-wide and is impacting many lives.  He's also written a number of books that have encouraged and blessed the Body.

And yet he daily lives with an example of unanswered prayer in regard to Sammy's illness.  Pete is very articulate and shares much more profoundly than I can about what he's learned, what his perspective is.  It feels like my story even though the details are different.  I thought I'd share it at the bottom of this post.  I think it will bless you. 

Many of us live with unanswered prayers!  I've battled cancer for almost 12 years.  Floyd suffered for over 5 years - bedridden, silent, in a hospital bed - the man whose "voice" had reached thousands couldn't say a word.  I've seen miraculous healings!  I've experienced healing.  I know God could have changed Floyd's circumstances in a second.  I know I could be healed immediately.  But I have to trust that He has allowed us to walk in the "fellowship of His suffering" for purposes that we may not see or understand.  And, yes, His grace has been abundantly sufficient for every moment of these years!  He's never failed me!

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  Hebrews 12:2

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."  Hebrews 11:6

"Jesus said to him, 'Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed.  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.' "  John 20:29

My prayer today is that you will find fresh grace to walk with your unanswered prayers.  May God encourage and strengthen you through Pete's testimony.

To watch Pete's clip please click here

Overshadowed by the Goodness of God

I love nostalgia - remembering special times, events, and memories.  I'm kinda sentimental in that regard.  There's a nostalgia trend at the moment going around about remembering things from 10 years ago.  I'm having a hard time embracing this one.

This coming Monday, 10 years ago, my life was turned upside down.  Floyd woke up with pain in his left leg - surely it was nothing serious.  24 hours later he was in ICU battling for his life!  He spent the next 5 years, 3 months, and 5 days in the hospital.  In the beginning I was with him all day, every day.  Over time as my battle with cancer heated up, I could only go several times a week to be with him.  Thankfully there was a team of people who supported me in going to be with him.  Several times I was battling for my own life.  I'm so grateful to be alive!  My heart is still tender as I think back to these years.

So, no, I'm not filled with nostalgia for what started 10 years ago - but I am filled with gratitude!  Lots of it!  I would never choose for someone to go through the same thing - but I can say with confidence that there will be good things in the midst of the hard season.  When I look back, I remember the sorrow and pain......but, honestly it's over shadowed by the goodness of God.  As much as I wouldn't want to go through it all again, I also wouldn't want to miss the closeness, comfort, sweet grace, and daily strength from the Lord that I experienced!!

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."  James 1:2,3

"Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."  2 Corinthians 4:17

"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."  Lamentations 3:22,23

"Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job.  Instead, be glad that you are in the thick of what Christ experienced.  This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner."  1 Peter 4:12,13  The Message

We live in a time when there's a spiritual battle going on for the hearts and lives of men and women.  I hear of "testings" that God's children are walking in.  It's not easy, but, rest assured, God is at work.  He's for us.  He's with us.  He will help us with everything we face.  Don't despair - keep looking to Him.  I can testify to His goodness and faithfulness!

Rest

I am just recovering from a horrible tummy bug.  I'm still trying to rebuild my strength.  I don't "bounce back" from things as quickly as I used to.

Over the years, when I've gone through hard things, I've learned to look for the good in the hard.  I try to find the blessings, the benefits in the hardness.  Granted, it's not always easy.....but I ask the Lord to help me.

January was a full, busy, intense month for me.  I was tired - which probably lowered my immunity even more than it already was from the cancer.  I'm still not sure how I caught the bug - I'm so very careful!  But it found its way to me.

As I looked for the good - I realized I was getting a lot of rest.  That's good!  I needed it.  Rest lets the mind reset and the body recover.  Life throws those unexpected things, like horrible  tummy bugs, our way.   When that happens we have to take extra care of ourselves.  We have to rest!

I changed my perspective.  Instead of being upset that I was so sick, I chose to receive the gift of rest that I think my body needed.  I shouldn't just rest when I'm drained down - I'm trying to make it more a part of my daily life.  Rest brings clarity, patience, and energy.  It helps us see things more clearly.  I am trying to learn to give myself rest when I need it. 

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me...and you will find rest for your souls."  Matthew 11:28-30

"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."  Jeremiah 6:16

"My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."  Exodus 33:14

"Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him."  Psalm 62:1

Jesus took time away to rest.  He set the example for us!

Waiting and Trusting Go Hand in Hand

Two dear friends, wonderful women of God, went to be with Jesus in recent days.  Christine Alexander Terrasson in Sweden and Cindy Patrick in Trinidad, Colorado.  We worked with Christine in Amsterdam, and Cindy in Stonewall, Colorado.  Both had endured years of suffering.  They are now at peace and fully healed!  I take comfort in that.  I keep thinking what a wonderful reunion we will have some day with all our dear ones who have gone before us into glory.

I've always said that people are our greatest gift - and these two women certainly exemplify that.  I was cooking something and pulled out my hand written cookbook.  I have lots of recipes from family and friends.  Christine helped me copy them into one book.  Her printing/writing was so much better than mine.  It brought back so many memories of how she loved and served us - and prayed for us!  She was a great intercessor.

I have beautiful cross-stitch pieces hanging in my office - including a large one for my 50th birthday - all done by Cindy.  She was amazingly talented - in so many areas.  Her cross stitch pieces are just one example.  I treasure her works of art.  Cindy loved to read - she was an avid reader.  And she loved to have discussions with Floyd about things she was reading.  Cindy and her dear husband Tom were such a blessing to our community.

I don't know why Christine and Cindy had to suffer so long before Jesus taking them home.  I still don't understand that about Floyd either.  But I know I trust God's wisdom and timing.  A quote I saw - "Patience means awaiting God's time without doubting God's love."  It's a simple statement - but very profound!  Waiting and trusting go hand in hand.

There are many things we can wonder about, even worry about - but we have to anchor our hearts and minds in trust.  God has reasons that we don't see or understand.  Time and time again I've had to rest and just trust.....speaking it out to the Lord.  He brings beauty out of ashes, joy out of sorrow, peace out of adversity.  He is continually at work to bring good things out of every hard thing we face.  Sarah Young says "we will find golden pockets of peace hidden in the hardness of our problems."  I can testify to the truth of that!!

"My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him."  Psalm 62:5

"I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation."  Psalm 13:5

"My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me."  Psalm 63:8

"Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."  Psalm 37:5

"He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord."  Psalm 112:7

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."  Psalm 143:8

"God, you're my refuge.  I trust in you and I'm safe."  Psalm 91:2  The Message

"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes."  Psalm 118:8,9

"He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage."  Proverbs 11:28

I'm glad I don't have to make the decisions that God makes.  I'd probably make a mess of things.  But I know I can trust the Lord's infinite wisdom.  Someday in our never-ending eternity, I'd like to ask God to share that wisdom on certain things.  Eternity is a long time!  Maybe He'll have classes to teach us more of His ways.

The Spirit Helps Us

A very happy and blessed new year!  It's hard to believe that we're already 3 weeks into this new year.  Last year seemed to fly by so fast.  I think this year might be the same.

I hope you had a wonderful "festive" season - as they call it here.  I've found that special days, while I love them, are hard for me.  I tend to miss Floyd more on those days.  I read that sadness and grief doesn't overwhelm the joy of those special times - and the joy doesn't delete the sadness and grief.  They go hand-in-hand.  As I missed Floyd, I chose to be thankful for the good things in my life because of him.  I even walked around our home thanking the Lord for the seasons in our life that are represented by things we have.  The change of focus really helped  - and joy grew in my heart.  I have so much to be thankful for from our 54 years of married life!

My year has started off with a bang in terms of medical appointments, and home maintenance and repair things that need my attention.  One day I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with it all when the Lord impressed this verse on my heart:

"The Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."  Romans 8:26-27  

It gave me fresh strength and peace being reminded that the Spirit intercedes for me!!!  What a comfort that is.  Through every day this coming year, every hour, every minute - the Spirit is praying for me according to God's will for my life.  Thank you sweet Holy Spirit!

And He's praying for you too.  May this year be blessed in every way for you.