Surviving the Colon Prep

I have always admired folks who could keep a fast but I've never been one of them. Today I wish I had taken up the practice so I could be in better shape for this colonoscopy prep.

I do take the colonoscopy seriously. My first husband died from colon cancer and it is indeed better to prep for the test than to face the treatment for the disease. I recommend that everyone talk to their doctor regarding their personal need and bite the bullet and do it.
The prep is the worse part of it and that is much easier than living with any cancer.

But I do wish someone out there would discover clear liquids that were filling. I'm starving and less than half way through the ordeal. I'll never eat lime jello again and I dislike black coffee. Can't wait to add the cream when this is over and fill up on solid food. And a steak would taste so great. One thing is for sure. I'll never be a laxative bulemic.

Please, God just give me patience and strength to get through this.  Turn my mind over to pleasant thoughts and thanfulness that early detetion is one step toward a cure for a devastating disease. Encourage your people to go the preventive route, even if it is unpleasant. I'm thankful for the doctors who continuously work on developing tests and cures. Give them wisdom and skill. And thank you that this is available.

A KIngdom Nobleman

"An honest man is the noblest work of God." (Alexander Pope)

Today I experienced one of God's Noblest Men. I was at the market and in a hurry. I ran in with a twenty dollar bill folded in my hand, grabbed the needed items and headed to the check stand. While stacking the items on the conveyer belt, I noticed the money was gone.

Explaining my situation to the checker, I asked her to hold my items back while I retraced my steps. The money was nowhere to be seen. I spoke very loudly explaining to shoppers in the aisles that I had dropped some money. None admitted seeing it.

I considered it a loss. I came back home, grabbed another $20.00 bill, put it in my billfold this time and headed back the Aldi's. I had a conversation with God about all the stress in my life and that this situation didn't help. I asked him to help me get a better handle on the stress, mentioning the lost money that was a result of my being stressed and in a hurry.

When I walked straight to the checker to see if my groceries were still there, a man in line came up to me and asked, "Are you the lady who lost the money."

I answered affirmatively and he reached in his pocket and handed me the folded bill...the money I never thought I'd see again. I thanked him profusely and complimented him on his honesty, even telling him that God loved him and he was my blessing for the day. He smiled and said, "I knew God I would not be pleasing God if I didn't try to find you. He honors honesty."

PTL! He heard the cry of the stressed out shopper and introduced me to one of his Kingdom's Noblemen.

"I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man." George Washington

"Thank you Lord for restoring my faith that honest men do still exist. Bless this nobel man who saved my money for me."

Are We Becoming a Tower of Babel?

"The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them." Genesis 11:6 NIV. Thus the Lord created the Tower of Babel to keep the people dependent on him.


Although this was in reference to the Tower of Babel, it makes the point that if we want to get things done, we have to have a common language and goal. This is why it is essential to have an agreed upon vision and mission statement when beginning a project so everyone understands and is in agreement. If we aren't seeing the same vision, how can we expect agreement?


All around us we hear different voices, especially in the political arena. This country began with agreement on a Declaration of Independence and a US Constitution as a basis for government. Over the years changes have been made, so many in fact that it is hard to determine the true origin and intention of some of our laws.


Perhaps it is time we went back to focusing on agreement in terms of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. It means giving up selfish interests for the majority rule. It means interpretation based on a specific goal and mission instead of the opinions of a few.


The people had a common purpose, building a tower to heaven. God destroyed the Tower of Babel because the people would become so powerful they would assume God's authority. By confusing their speech, they would loose the power of a people united in one purpose. Are we loosing our power as a nation because we are not focused on a common vision and purpose and hearing too many different tongues?

Are You Aware?

"The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but reveal to them their own." (Disraeli)  Disraeli was a very wise man, but Jesus was wiser. So I would change this quote to read "but reveal to them their own riches through Christ Jesus and his grace."

Have you ever passed by someone who looked really downtrodden and sad? Did you keep on going or did you stop and offer them encouragement? Did you tell them everything will be all right? How do you know that to be true? With God it can be true, But do they know about his promises and what he can do?

Sharing Jesus with a stranger is difficult. But we know what the results of having him as a friend can be in someone's life. You would not only be sharing your riches, but the riches of heaven. It's important for eveyone to first of all realize that they were created by a loving God who has blessed them with gifts.

It's when we forget God's love and care for us depression sets in and the downtrodden look appears instead of a smile. Helping someone see they are loved and respected and cared for, can be their first step out of the pits. We have to make them aware of God's love and the riches they are heirs to in Jesus.

The first step is our own awareness. We can not share what we don't have, can we? Then we need to pray that God will give us the right words and believe that he will. We may need to pray for safety. Who can avoid a warm smile and loving demeanor? Put on that face and approach the person. God will take care of the rest.

Lord, make us aware of the needs of others, especially the stranger you have placed in our path who needs to know you. Give us your strength and wisdom to say the right thing that will bring them the gift of Jesus.

The Rainbow's Promise

"Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking." (Ezekial 1:28)


After the Flood, God sent a rainbow to reassure us that he will never destroy the earth by water again. The Rainbow can also represent the SON coming. Even in our darkest days, we are reassured that the SON will bring light to us. His glory will shine all around us. It's like when the clouds disapear and the sun brightens the day.


The Rainbow is a sign of hope just like the SON is a sign of hope. When you have a rainy day, look to the sky and find the rainbow. See his radiance coming down for you. Remember that God keeps his promises. By seeing the SON in the rainbow we are assured of his love and eternal life through him.


Lord, thank you for the rain that nourishes the earth and your Son who nourishes our spirit and will be with us forever.

Contentment

I don't think I can ever be content according to worldly standards. I'll never drive a Rolls Royce or live in a penthouse in Manhattan or a mansion in Beverly Hills. Nor do I really long for these symbols of opulence. To me contentment rests in my relationship with God.

Like Paul in Philippians, I've learned to be content whatever my circumstances because of my faith in God. I may not have everything I want, but I will have everything I need and probably more. Having the strength to endure and persevere in trials and temptations are more important than having a black belt in Karate. I don't have to depend totally on my own skills. It is through God and his strenghtening that I can do all that I need to be content in my life.

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)

Lord, thank you for helping me to finally realize that all I need for contentment is you.

Contentment

I don't think I can ever be content according to worldly standards. I'll never drive a Rolls Royce or live in a penthouse in Manhattan or a mansion in Beverly Hills. Nor do I really long for these symbols of opulence. To me contentment rests in my relationship with God.

Like Paul in Philippians, I've learned to be content whatever my circumstances because of my faith in God. I may not have everything I want, but I will have everything I need and probably more. Having the strength to endure and persevere in trials and temptations are more important than having a black belt in Karate. I don't have to depend totally on my own skills. It is through God and his strenghtening that I can do all that I need to be content in my life.

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)

Lord, thank you for helping me to finally realize that all I need for contentment is you.

Storms Predicted

Instead of prophets, we have meteorologists warning us of troubles to come. For the past couple of days we've been warned about the storm moving into North Texas, including the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Warnings include threat of rain, wind, flooding, hail and possible tornadoes. This weather threat is THE news.

Unfortunately there is little we can do in preparation because we do not know the exact time or location where this weather event will hit. If we live in a flood prone area, we can make sandbags. We can see that our vehicles are covered to protect from hail. We can plan family drills so everyone knows were to go when the sirens come on. We can store up food and water. But there is little we can do physically that would alter the direction and damage the storm will cause.

What we CAN do is pray and have a Bible in our sheltered area. Memorizing scripture verses that celebrate God's goodness and tell of his great love and protection can be a valuable tool in dealing with a disaster. Faith and hope are what get folks thru these events. We have to press forward, helping our neighbors and our community with recovery. Remember the God who took the Israelites through a parting of the Red Sea to bring them out of bondage in Israel? He is still here for us.

"The clouds poured out water; the skies thundered; your arrows flashed on every side. The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lit up the world; the earth trembled and shook. Your way was through the sea, your path, through the mighty waters; yet your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron." Psalm 77:16-20

When we are threatened by harmful weather, remember God sent us a shepherd to lead his flock to safety.

Lord, we know you will protect us as the storms come through our area. Give us your strength and increase our faith and hope in you.

COME WITH ME

"See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.
 Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves is heard in our land.
The fig tree forms its early fruit; The blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling; My beautiful one, come with me.” (Song of Solomon 2:11-13)


Like Solomon, could this be a song we sing to the lover of our soul? Although for most of us this was the year Winter forgot, Spring is here bringing needed rain to the area around me. New life appears everywhere, evidence of God's creative power. 


It is the season of lent, the time we seek the meaning of the Cross....that symbol of the lover of our soul. He died on the cross for our transgressions but on the third day he arose in all his glory. There is no greater love or promise than eternal life with him. We were dead in our sins, but he lifted us up. All he asks of us is, "Come with me."

Divine Power

Are we productive in our calling or crippled by the corruption of the world and evil forces?  How can our calling and election be assured?
2 Peter 1:2-9 holds the answer. First, Jesus' divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him and His promises so we can participate in His divine nature.
"For this very reason make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness knowledge; to knowledge self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." (2 Peter 1:5-7)
How can these qualities keep us from being ineffective and unproductive? Without them we become nearsigted and blind. We forget we have been cleansed from sin.
When we take on these qualities of Christ's divine power we are assured we will be welcomed into the eternal kingdom. With God's love and Jesus beside us and the Holy Spirit guiding us, we will be able to lead others to him and fullfill our calling to go out into the world and disciple others.
Lord, help us to grow in your love and divine power so we can perform the acts you have called us to.

Eager Willingness to Support His Work

We are often told to give sacrificially. What does that mean?
So often when I am asked to contribute to a specific need I regret that I can not do more. Yet, I know that if God sanctions the need, whatever is needed for it will be available by his hand. It is certainly not all up to me.
I love what 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 tells us: "My advice for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give, but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not acording to what he does not have."
No pressure, there. God knows our hearts and our ability and accepts what we are able to do. He is more interested in our willingness to support his work, than the amount given. And don't forget, he tells us to finish the work. Our willingness to begin the work must be matched by our willingness to complete it. And it must be in eager willingness according to what we are able to do, not through guilt or coersion.

Eager Willingness to Support His Work

We are often told to give sacrificially. What does that mean?
So often when I am asked to contribute to a specific need I regret that I can not do more. Yet, I know that if God sanctions the need, whatever is needed for it will be available by his hand. It is certainly not all up to me.
I love what 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 tells us: "My advice for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give, but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not acording to what he does not have."
No pressure, there. God knows our hearts and our ability and accepts what we are able to do. He is more interested in our willingness to support his work, than the amount given. And don't forget, he tells us to finish the work. Our willingness to begin the work must be matched by our willingness to complete it. And it must be in eager willingness according to what we are able to do, not through guilt or coersion.

Time's Up, Lord

You ask God for help. What is your expectation? How long do you give him to bring the help you ask for? A day? A week? A year? When do you take matters into your own hands?
"But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." Psalm 71:14
Remember God is the creator and deliverer of time. When we ask for his help, we do so with hope and expectation. When we start putting time limits on God, we actually limit his helpfulness.
So ask, then wait. Praise him. Walk in his strength. Do what is right, pray unceasingly and get out of God's way.
So what can we expect?
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Alive or Withered

"Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself: it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." (John 15:4-8) Four times remain is mentioned in the first 3 sentences of this passage. Continuing through verse 8, remain is listed a total of 8 times. Would you agree with me that Jesus wants us to remain in him?

What happens if we don't remain in him? Think about what happens with the broken or cut branch from a tree. Without the source of life the tree provides, it withers and dies. It is no longer productive for shade or bearing fruit. 

This is what happens to us when we do not remain in Christ, the source of our spiritual life and survival. As we spend less time in him and he in us, we wither and die and, no longer able to bear the fruit for God's glory, we cease to be functioning disciples.

The secret to remaining fruitful for our Lord then is simple. Read and study scripture, pray and meditate on the Word, spend quiet time in his presence and follow where he is leading, in full faith and trust. Remain (abide) in him and he will remain (abide in you). Stay connected to the vine, our life source, and remain fully alive.

When God Calls, Just Do It.

Is God calling you to a job or action he wants you to take for him? What's holding you back? Even King Solomon with all his wisdom had reservations about his ability to build the temple. I love David's advice, "be strong and corageous and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you untill all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished," (1Chron 28:20)
Still not sure? "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." (Prov 16:9)
Okay. Try trusting in the Lord and leaning not on your own understanding. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." (Prov. 16:3)
Perhaps now is the time to begin. If you follow God's will, you are guaranteed success. Just remember you are doing it for his glory.
So go ahead. When he calls, just do it.