What's on your mind?

Thank you for all the encouraging messages, prayers, thoughts, well wishes from my Facebook blog followers!  I enjoy writing, and it helps me stay focused on my life and mission rather than being brought down by the insanity of my daily life.  So I pose this question, dear friends:  What would you like to hear about?  What is on your mind?  It doesn't have to relate to things I have been writing about per se, but about things that you enjoy, want to know more about, opinions, stuff!  This gives me the opportunity to dig deeper, invest time in what is important to you and how you are feeling.

So, any takers?

I Press On

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind

and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

I press toward the mark for the prize 

of the high calling  of God in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 3:13-14

I can do all things through Christ

who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

Do you think it is ever too late to pursue a dream?  Do you feel that you are too old to start over?  I know that we all feel this way from time to time, where we start to think, "if only I had..."  Personally, I believe we can accomplish any dream, as long as it is a God honoring one, if we truly have the desire.  It says in scripture that God knows the desires of our hearts and cares.  "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:4-5.  Encouraging words from the Great Encourager!

I struggle at times...okay, many times...with what I "long" to do.  There are many paths I could follow or stay put in the road I am currently on.  When I think of doing something, I often find my mind wandering to what has given me happiness, what has been rewarding to my soul.  And quite honestly what I am doing now does bring its rewards amid the challenges and outright frustrations, but I continue pressing forward daily in the hope of helping or inspiring another.  It's my "misfit toys" mindset, as I am a misfit toy.  But then, aren't we all?

Yes, life and opportunities do pass us by if we are not diligent, but, as I have shared with you about my own life, things can make a full circle.  So I challenge you, as I do myself, to take a good, long look at your life to see how your life has circled back.  Perhaps you are chronically ill, divorced and starting over, separated from your family, living across the country: considered "unqualified" when you have more experience and proven success than the person who holds the position based on degree: or countless other "who has" or "who doesn't haves".  I understand, yet you are more than that, as am I.  We can do all things when we believe in who God created us to be and trust who we are in Him.  The options, even after the age of 40, 50, 60.....or even 90, are amazing.  Just look at the lady who graduated at age 95 in Kansas, or 87 in Indiana, or any age in any state or nation!  We CAN do it!

I am pressing on in my life, particularly at this stage and age, to truly spend time in prayer and reflection to determine where I want to be, how I want to spend my day, who are the people I hold most dear, and in all of it...how I can please God by blooming where I am planted and occupying until He comes.  We do have purpose.  We have an ordained destiny.  We can press on the the high calling!  I want to, don't you?

A Day in the Trenches

I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am

saved from my enemies.

Psalm 18:3

This morning I woke up later than usual.  When the froggy night alarm went off this morning I slapped it off until the 6 am role call.  I was so tired after working late, late nights this week that I decided to give myself an extra thirty minutes to snooze. I seem to have biten off more than I could chew this week, which is typical of "me" which means I am my own worst enemy at times.  Working from home can be nice, but on the flip flop, it can be worse than an office job.  Still I can set my own schedule, so that is something. 

Before I started my day I wrote a prayer in my journal asking God to help me today as I went back into the battlefield.  I asked Him to help me stand secure in faith, trusting Him.  It was a good day!  I was supposed to tune in to a conference call this afternoon about Stress in the Work Place, but honestly when I dialed in, the first few minutes were more than I could endure.  I felt more stress listening in, so I decided to call some of my friends in the field and schedule some appointments.  I love these people. Most days we giggle over over the silliest things.  I tell them I am the comic relief sent to bring them cheer.  One little lady I hadn't seen since last year was so glad to see me.  She told me that she hadn't seen me in so long, and she reported that she hadn't had a headache in a long time.  I replied that maybe the reason she hadn't had a headache was because she hadn't seen me!!  I told her to let me know if she got one after I left.  She laughed. It's nice to be loved!

Weapons of Our Warfare

 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh; 

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the 

pulling down of strongholds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that 

exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity

 every thought to the obedience of Christ.

2 Corinthians 10: 3-5

 I have been reading 1 Kings which introduces the mighty prophet of God, Elijah, who did mighty miracles in the power of God.  You may recall his greatest battle against King Ahab when he challenged him and his prophets of Baal in a showdown. "If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!" (1 Kings 18:21)  You know the outcome.  God proves He alone is God, and the prophets of Baal die!  The next part is interesting.  Ahab reports back to Queen Jezebel that Elijah had killed his prophets of Baal, and she threatens Elijah's life. After all the mighty works of God, Elijah runs and hides when he learns of this threat against his life.  Very interesting how one day we are strong in the power of the Lord, and the next laying in the dust, isn't it?!  Elijah goes to the wilderness, sits under a broom tree and asks to die. I'll let you read the rest of the story for  yourselves if you don't already know it.  In the end, God picks up his mighty prophet, dusts him off, and sets him back on his path.  I love the story, as it encourages me that I am not the only one who has days like that!  And just think Elijah will be one of the two witnesses who will appear during the Tribulation.  He didn't even die, rather he was swept away by a chariot of fire!  Now this man was special in God's eyes and sent to bring Him glory!

While I was writing my daily blog I was struggling over some things, as we all do.  Since ending the daily writings after my return to work, I must say I have slowly fallen back into the drudgery of defeat.  My job is very complex and detailed.  Yesterday I was so overwhelmed with concerns that I had a literal meltdown.  I have always enjoyed helping people, and I am told that I do this job well, but because I care so deeply I tend to take things to heart that I have no control over.  It makes me so discouraged when I am powerless to do anything to change a situation.  It is part of who I am.  But it also is a detriment to my physical and mental health. 

Each morning before I begin my work I have my quiet time with God.  Yesterday as I was reading the commentator said:  "The same heat from the sun both hardens the brick and melts the butter.  How do you react when the heat is on? Before the first crisis of your day arrives (and count on it - today will have its share!) spend some preparation time with your Crisis Counselor to get his perspective on your problems. You'll find his patented prescription in James 1:2-4. Read it, write it out, and carry it with you. Then you can respond rightly when those crises come!"  So....I did as instructed, prayed, started my day, and within an hour I was put to the test!  Satan knows exactly where to aim the arrow!  My huge heart, integrity, and moral courage were shot full of holes.  Unfortunately, I did not fare well, but eventually, after a major meltdown, I was myself again... or better at least.  As I cried out to the Lord I realized why all of this is happening.  Well, it is not rocket science.  I have been standing in the gap for some friends, waging warfare against the enemy and his lies, so I guess he was trying to silence me.  He didn't exactly silence me, but I did not fight the true enemy. Plus people who rely on my cool head were frightened when "Linda" was not herself.

We get so bogged down with the daily drama that we fail at times to realize the true warfare is not with people, rather we are battling the enemy of our souls who wants nothing less than to destroy us any way he can.  He knows his time is limited.  And we need to be vigilant, not giving in to our anger or frustration over things we cannot control.  I asked God to forgive me for my lack of faith and trust in Him, and He always does, but I feel so badly that I failed after being warned in my morning devotions!  But that is the way it goes, isn't it?!  I have been working long hours, not eating properly, not getting enough rest and down time, and the consequence of not taking care of myself is what happened yesterday.  It is not just one thing but a combination of factors.  So today I breathed deeply, and I tried to keep my focus on what I could do, and prayed that God would take care of the root of all the problems.  And He did!  I saw His hand at work in a series of emails coming my way. Someone listened with a gentle nudge from the Crisis Counselor!

Tomorrow will most likely be another merry-go-round, but I pray that I can keep my eyes fixed on the Author and Finisher of my faith and remember the words above, "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal!"  Hope you remember it as well. Stand your ground and pray!  The battle is His!

Day 31 - Song in My Heart

Today is the end of my March personal challenge in chronicling how God is preparing me today for tomorrow's battles.  God continues to show His faithfulness to me and reinforce His words about trusting Him and keeping my eyes fixed on Him no matter what is happening around me.  I have praised Him during the daily battles involving my work, my family, my health, and my future.  Satan has attempted to cause chaos not only in the lives of my family members, but he has also attacked my friends and their loved ones.  He is a defeated foe, but he never rests.  My hope is that in sharing my journey I have encouraged and strengthened the faith and resolve of each person who has read my blogs.  My only desire is to bring Him praise.

When I began this journey God gave me the song, Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)  by United as His call and His promise to me.  As I end this blog, He reminds me again of the song, which I hear daily as I go to sleep, as I rest, as I pray. I share it again along with the link encouraging you to make it your song:

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

by

United

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

(Chorus)

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

(Chorus)

 

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior 

(Chorus)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGRz2BJQRXU

It is my prayer that you will listen to the words of this song and that God will engrave them upon your hearts as He has engraved upon mine.  He calls us out from the comfortable places in our lives, and He asks us to trust Him, especially when we see no clear path, no sure answer.  But we have His faithfulness, His love, and His promise as our assurance that He will never fail us.  We have this message to share with the world in His strength.  Satan wants to cripple us, to isolate us, to make us doubt, but we have God's promise, and these words to encourage us to keep our eyes above the waves and rest in His embrace.  I pray you continue to stand as I stand with you. 

Day 30 - Thank You, Lord

Wasn't able to sleep last night as I was in much pain.  It has been awhile since I've had this much pain, but finally I was able to get a few hours of sleep, so I woke up more refreshed than when I laid down. Not sure what triggered the trouble, but I am hoping my reprieve from years of chronic pain is not over.  Still in all I have no complaints as my life has been... unexpected.

This morning I turned on the television at the hotel and was listening to an Albuquerque pastor, Ron Carpenter, speaking about the general unhappiness of people, including church folks.  We who know so much, who have experienced so much grace fail to see the daily blessings all around us. We bemoan what we don't have all the while missing what is obvious.  We wake up each morning, breathing, we are able to attend church services freely, we can read our Bibles without being tortured, shot, imprisoned.  We have so much freedom, liberties abound, and yet we tend to focus on what we don't have.  He reminded us that John the Baptist preached "Repent, for the kingdom of God is nigh."  We know as Christians that the kingdom is within each of us, because of salvation, His grace.  And yet it is not enough.  What else do we need?!

I am so thankful that God cares for me daily, gives me a roof over my head, food to eat, clothes to wear, a job that provides my needs, and more importantly allows me to give back to others.  I am so rich!  We all are!  We need to "think on the good, the pure, the lovely, the things of a good report...if there is any virtue, any praise, think on these things" rather than focusing on what we don't have, what we want.  He makes sure we have all we need, and then some, as long as we put Him first..."Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, then...!"  

I had to ask God to forgive me, because I wasn't looking forward to returning to work tomorrow, but I should be thanking him that I have a job to return to, that I am physically and mentally able to work, and that people count on me, trust me, respect me, because they know I am His.  God has given me an amazing opportunity, a mission field ripe for harvest, and I get to meet Him every day in this field of plenty.  So I say, "Thank You, Father, for entrusting me with this great wealth of souls who desperately need to know they have a Savior who loves them and who came to set them free."

Praying you have a wonderful rest of the day and that your Monday begins with a Hallelujah!

Day 29 - Home Again

I breezed into Albuquerque at about 10:40 pm very tired and hungry.  I ate a feast of kettle chips with sea salt, Pepsi, and chocolate fudge compliments of my sister's church bazaar today.  I am ready to find a pillow!  I decided to stay in Albuquerque tonight as Velarde is about two and a half hours of travel time, and I am not up to the test tonight.

I enjoyed my short time in Virginia, and it made me realize I do miss home.  As I begin my week I intend to do a lot of soul searching regarding my next step.  I know I have three full weeks ahead of me, plus a few surprises I am certain will come my way from changes made while I was away.  I hope I am up to the challenge.

One thing I know for sure is there are no easy changes in life, especially when you begin to grow older.  Being alone has advantages and disadvantages, and I admit to wishing I had a strong right hand to guide me along, in the natural sense.  But I also know that God has brought me this far, for many years, and He hasn't failed me yet, and He never will. 

I sat next to a mother and father traveling with young children who sat in front of us.  The mother was reading Divergent as her son wanted to read it, and she wanted to make sure it was suitable.  I resisted the urge to speak up, as you know I already know about this book and the two sequels.  I heard her tell her husband that it seemed to be okay, and I noticed it was hard for her to stop reading.  She'll probably stay up  later tonight to finish it, as I confess it is hard to put down. I was happy she was concerned about what her impressionable young son was reading.  Well done, mama! 

One of my favorite Christian writers is Ted Dekker.  If you enjoy thought provoking thrillers, he is your man!  A friend in Virginia, who is also a fan of Dekker's, gave me his book, Obsessed, so I am eager to begin reading it.  It promises to be another fine read.

Well, for tonight this is a wrap, as I need to go to sleep.  Catch ya tomorrow!