Waiting on Death

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me. —Psalm 23:4 Darkness upon darkness. Sorrow upon sorrow. Pain upon pain. Anguish upon anguish. That's death. Death is a fearful visitor, snatching away loved ones who are precious to us and leaving us behind to mourn, grieve, and wonder. It blocks the light that before had shined so freely and easily on our lives. Whether we're facing the prospect of dying, or dealing with the death of a loved one, death can be devastating. It can sap our energy, change our plans, overwhelm our soul, alter our outlook, test our faith, steal our joy, and challenge our assumptions about life's purposes. When we walk through the deep valley, we feel swallowed up by the shadow and come face-to-face with fear. The frantic emptiness of our loss threatens the comfort that previously originated from our trust in God, and so we grow afraid. Afraid of our future. Afraid to enjoy life again. Yet in that valley, under that shadow, we can say to the Lord, "I will fear no evil; for You are with me" (Psalm 23:4). His loving arms never let us go. He is always with us. Slowly at first, but most assuredly, He provides comfort and release from the darkness. He gives light. He leads us out. Eventually, we escape the valley of the shadow.

Seasons

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 You would think the phrase "spending time with God" would bring a great anticipatory feeling of pleasure. Yet many of us respond to those words with a groan. We get caught up in wondering if we know how to do it right or if we are spending the right amount of time with God. When we were baby Christians or going through a crisis we wanted to spend every moment with Him, but maybe now that desire is not as strong. I think it helps to remember that just as God ordained seasons in nature, He ordains seasons in our lives. Those seasons play a role in our devotional time with Him. As a young woman, I recall being taught to have a quiet time that consisted of reading Scripture, praying, and writing a few words in a journal about what I was thinking. That model worked very well as I was first beginning to study God's word and to have regular conversations with Him. Later, I felt I needed more time with my Savior and committed to spending at least two hours each day in prayer and study. Then came a season filled with a demanding job, graduate school, and other activities. My time with God frequently consisted of me staring at the wall saying "Help". God seemed to always understand and to say, "That's OK, just sing to Me." So I did. In my current season I most enjoy sitting outside under the stars, at rest, knowing God is there with me. Here is the point: Spending time with your God is not about "doing", it's about "being." Being a child with your loving Father. Being a sinner with your gracious Redeemer. Being a weeping weakling with the Lifter of your head. Just being with God and enjoying the pleasure of His company while He enjoys the pleasure of yours, whatever season you are in.

Women's Ministry

VERSE: Be careful not to do your "acts of righteousness" before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. -- Matthew 6:1

Why do we do the things we do? What is the motivation for our behavior? It's so easy to fall into the trap of doing religious things so we will look good to others. This is true even when culture reacts negatively to our faith. Those around us who know about our faith and the Christians around us become the target of our behavior. While we do want to have the right kind of influence on everyone around us, we must never make our decisions about spiritual service on the basis of being seen by others to be honored because of it. Our goal must be to honor God and bless others!

MY PRAYER: Almighty God, please purify my heart of any false motivation and help me serve others based on their need and my desire to honor you in helping them.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Quote

It is through dying to concern for self that we are born to new life with God and others; in such dying and rebirth, we find that life is lent to be spent; and in such spending of what we are lent, we find there is an infinite supply. -- Glenn Olds

Listen

He does not believe, that does not live according to his belief. -- Thomas Fuller

I've told you before that I don't believe in "signs" from God. I mean, if I'm driving down the road and my car dies on Florida Ave. I don't take that to mean I should move to Florida. For the most part, I believe God speaks to me through His word. The Holy Spirit may prompt me to read special passages that draw me to conclusions, but I don't typically hear voices or see visions.

However, today I was walking through Target hunting for a bookcase, to put all my Christian Education material into, when I see this framed quote. It says:

"Take time for the quiet moments for God whispers and the world is loud."

I look all around and it is the only one I see. I pick it up and put it in my basket. It hit a place in my core and I knew I wanted to read that phrase every day. Then I tootle around the store to find my bookcase and I see more pictures like the quote I found. I go over to the display and there are several of each saying. I notice two things. First, none of the other sayings mention God or reflect on His word. Second, there aren't any like the one I had previously found. Hummm...it was like it had been put there just for me to find.

I get home and wrestle my new bookcase into the house. I crash on the couch for a moment and turn on XM radio and what did I hear, but Amy Grant telling me to "Take a little time" ... because it takes time to "turn the titanic around". WHAT? OK, what you don't know is that someone else had once compared my church to the titanic when talking about some of the issues there.

Listen, be still, and wait upon the Lord. Could it be a sign?

"I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God. " Psalm 38:15

Song

http://www.applauseav.com/files/Not_the_Least_of_Whom_is_Me.mp3

This is a great song that a friend sent me. Listen to the words ... it is my heart for you.

Making Plans

I received a call today from a friend. His step-father is dieing and he is headed home for the funeral. His step-father has lived a full life and his immanent death didn't come as a surprise. Since they don't know how much longer he will live my friend will plan to be there for several days.

Nobody likes to think about death. We especially don't like to think about our own death. It's a little scary that we do not know the day or hour it will happen. We might go to sleep some evening never to wake up. We might be driving down the road and a car hits us with no warning. Anything could happen at any time so people need to prepare. I know I have a will made out and even have outlined what I would like for a funeral service.

There is something else to consider too. Christ's return. I don't know the day or hour it will happen. In the blinking of an eye Christ will come for His bride and we will be gone.

I'm preparing for that day too. First, I have accepted Christ as my Savior. I know I am a sinful creature and without His atoning blood I would spend eternity in hell. I also know that on that day, I see Him face to face, I do not want to show up empty handed. When I lay my crown before Him I want it filled with many jewels to give Glory to the Lord.

I don't know if death will take my life before the Lord arrives, but either way, I know I am prepared.

Have you been making plans?