DARE TO BELIEVE!

Matthew 21:18-22 (The Message)

The Withered Fig Tree

^18-20Early the next morning Jesus was returning to the city. He was hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree alongside the road, he approached it anticipating a breakfast of figs. When he got to the tree, there was nothing but fig leaves. He said, "No more figs from this tree—ever!" The fig tree withered on the spot, a dry stick. The disciples saw it happen. They rubbed their eyes, saying, "Did we really see this? A leafy tree one minute, a dry stick the next?"

^21-22But Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Yes—and if you embrace this kingdom life and don't doubt God, you'll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. This mountain, for instance, you'll tell, 'Go jump in the lake,' and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God."

I am beginning to see God work and do miracles in myself, my family and people around me. These miracles are life changing. Some, like in my heart and mind, are long term miracles that only I can really appreciate because I am the only one who knew the depression and torment I felt and am now free from. That healing took place over a long period and was the most remarkable journey I have ever been on.

Miracles I've seen in my family include the gradual emotional healing of my son. The miracle isn't just the change in character and attitude, but the fact that my whole family is surviving this metamorphosis my son must go through to become the beautiful creature God intends for him.

The incredible miracles I have seen in the people in my church include a person being able to walk without a walker or cane anymore; a woman who has full range of motion in her shoulder again and a person whose impaired vision was restored.

I've spent a lot of time wondering how I would feel when the time came that I would see these kinds of healings and miracles. What I've discovered, is that it doesn't matter what I feel. It has nothing to do with feelings and everything to do with believing. Up until now, I've only heard about these kinds of miracles. I've been praying and asking God to let me see his power in healing touches. Now that I have, I find that I am not overcome with intense emotions but rather seem to expect it. I'm not surprised because I believed it was possible.

When God becomes so integrated into your life, your thoughts become His thoughts and His ways your ways. It only seems natural to expect God to take care of his creation and set it right if only we believe and ask.

On the other hand, I am surprised that I am not astonished. Is it because I still harbor some doubt? The evidence is there...I saw it. Why are humans creatures of doubt? What happened to that part of the little child we once were that could believe anything and wasn't afraid to show it? I want that lost belief back. I want to be ecstatic when I hear about someone receiving healing from God almighty. I want to pray believing and seeing results.

I want to see your Glory Oh God!

CRISIS FROM HAITI TO HERE

Crisis is...
Natural Disaster...Financial Disaster...Personal Disaster...
Emotional Disaster...Medical Disaster...
Death...Sickness...Abuse...Divorce...Crime

Crisis is the work of the enemy.

Answers.com defines Crisis as:

1. 1. A crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point.
   2. An unstable condition, as in political, social, or economic affairs, involving an impending abrupt or decisive change.
2. A sudden change in the course of a disease or fever, toward either improvement or deterioration.
3. An emotionally stressful event or traumatic change in a person's life.

The opposite of crisis according to Answers.com is
"calm, peace".

A friend of mine brought up this topic recently during a women's gathering because many of the people in our group and around us are in crisis. Haiti is in crisis because of an earthquake. Many people are in financial crisis because of the economy. An older couple I know had to recently move into assisted living. Two of my neighbors have had a death in their family plus my own family had a death. Several people I know, are dealing with emotional crisis including my own son and my family.

God doesn't tell us that life will be a bed of roses. In fact, he made it clear that in the world we will have trouble...but not to give up...

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 16:33 (NI V)

What about you? Are you in crisis? Have you told anyone about your crisis? Asking for help does not make you a failure. How can people help you if you don't ask or at least tell someone you trust about your crisis?

Do you know someone who is in crisis? What can you do to help them? Most people aren't looking for you to solve their problems, they really just want someone to listen to them. Take time to talk and listen and find out what the need is and then ask God to guide you to your next step. Sometimes what your friend in crisis needs is a break from the crisis. Offer to watch their kids so they can take a break. Invite them to dinner or out for coffee. A close friend kept my kids for the weekend to give me a break from my crisis. In turn, my husband and I invited a man from our church who has no job and never really gets to go anywhere, to ride along with us to pick up our kids. We didn't talk about our problems, we just enjoyed each others' company.

Maybe what your friend in crisis needs is help finding resources to help them. Offer time on your computer, brainstorm with them, make phone calls to find out what options are available for them.

Maybe you can send money to support the Haiti relief. Maybe you are able to volunteer to go to Haiti and help out. Maybe you can organize some sort of relief effort in your home town to help victims of natural disasters. Maybe all you can do is pray for them. Prayer is something we all can do for each other. There is a higher power who knows no boundries.

Nothing is Impossible for God!

INDESCRIBABLE

Well, it’s been a while since I used my “pen” to process difficult stuff in my life, yet here I am in a really tough place. My husband and I, along with a wonderful Christian therapist, are helping our teenage son heal from sexual abuse that has been locked away in his past. He is doing really well, but the fallout from this kind of abuse is very deep, multilayered and complicated by characteristics associated with Asperger Syndrome, which means his perception of reality isn’t always accurate.

I am happy to say that I don’t feel like I am “in this tough place AGAIN”. I used to think “why me?” “Why do crummy things always happen to me?” I used to feel like God was punishing me or that I was punishing myself for disobedient spiritual behavior. I do not think like that anymore.

I AM FREE!

I am free from the guilt trip and self bashing. I am free to embrace my hurt and pain and receive God’s love through it. It is a totally different mind set and perspective to my situation.

There IS hope.

There IS love.

There IS direction.

No, the problem hasn’t gone away, on the contrary, it seems to be getting worse, yet I feel God’s love and power stronger than ever. I don’t feel out of control even though I have no control over this horrific problem.

There is no despair,

only COMFORT for the pain…yes there is still pain.

There is no anxiety of hopelessness,

only ASSURANCE that answers will come and JOY will return.

This is the most incredible state of being I have ever been in.

My pain is real.

My hurt is huge.

And yes, I have cried about it and feel sorrow,

BUT

God has flooded my heart with

INDESCRIBABLE LOVE.

COMFORT and

OVERWHELMING PEACE.

Friends, what is your relationship with God like? When you are totally surrendered to him, Satan has no hold on you. It doesn't mean your problems will go away. On the contrary, they may increase, however, you will not feel defeated or beat down. You will be strong and empowered...but not because of anything you do. All because of the power of the Holy Spirit. Anyone can have this peace that passes all understanding, God makes it available to everyone who seeks it and claims it.

Seize it!

"For God shows no partiality."

Romans 2:11 (ESV)

(Bible Gateway.com)

YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT'S YOUR LAST

I was rudely reminded today just how fragile our lives really are. My niece's husband went into the hospital this morning with pneumonia and about 12 hours later, was dead. He leaves behind a wife who is 28, a son who is 7, a daughter who is 5 and a baby boy who is 1. I just saw my nephew-in-law two months ago. He was alive and well.

People, you never when it's your last time to kiss your children good night. You never know when it's your last time to tell your spouse you love him or her. You never know when you stand before God almighty. Are you ready? Do you know Jesus Christ personally? If you died today do you know if you would go to Heaven or Hell? You can know. Everyone needs this relationship and God wants you back in the family.

Whatever is keeping you from beginning that relationship with God, isn't worth it. Make right now the point you will change your whole life. Talk with God, tell him you are sorry for all the wrong in your life and that you want to make a change. Invite Jesus into your heart and ask him to clean up your mess. When you do that, the Holy Spirit will bathe you in love and forgiveness and change your despair into hope and peace.

DON'T WAIT! This may be the last thing you read before you die.

If you know my Jesus, then make right now the point you will start telling others about the blessed gift of life through Jesus Christ. You never know when it will be your last opportunity to do so.

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

John 3:16-18 (The Message)

WORSHIP LIKE A CHILD

During last Sunday's service, my daughter was all over the sanctuary while I was singing with the praise and worship team. She came up to stand with me a couple of times and really enjoyed the music. As the worship time extended, she became restless until I finally got her brother to take her to the fellowship hall.

There was a time that behavior would have been annoying to me and even prevent me from entering into worship. I am happy to say, not anymore. My reward for not over reacting to her behavior is listening to her sit at my feet while I write this blog. She is playing with her new wedding Barbie and pretending to sing on stage (like her mom). What caught my attention, was the expression and intensity in her voice. It sounded like she was talking right to Jesus' himself.

She may only be four years old, but I know she has a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ. Even before she could speak understandably, she would pray. I know she was praying, because I had taught her sign language for God and she was using it over and over. She would utter sounds I didn't understand then say
"Amen."

What a delight to hear your child sing and make up songs about praising God during her play time. While she seemed to have been a distraction at church, she was actually listening and learning. Thank you God, for keeping me calm and focused on you while being a part of my daughter's spiritual growth. Please continue to teach me to worship you through her innocence.

Psalm 134:2 (NIV)

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the LORD.