Turning Swords Into Plowshares

 Driving home after dropping Lily off at school and Adrena at daycare, I was pondering yet again the fierceness of the struggles we have encountered the past couple of months. Almost as if everything we declared was good in our lives met with incredible challenge to prove it was NOT so. Sadly, even to the point where my mom had tears in her eyes as she observed that the children who seemed most openly tied to a walk with God were the ones who struggled the most. It hurt that my mom would have to worry about me. Or that my kids would feel that they have to try to figure out how to solve our problems or that we may be a burden to them as we work through this. That we are even going through some of the things we are going through is embarrassing! That others looking on would not see a "victorious walk in God" but instead a reason to want to run the other way from walking with Him. That frankly I was grasping at straws when it came to the "Why" of all the things. I had no real answers unless I wanted to play the blame game which I found myself  playing to some extent.

I know I can look at the past and see where wrong turns were made, with me making my own fair share of them, but isn't GOD BIGGER than all that? Yes, of course He is! He is the author of grace- which means unmerited favor. The favor I do not earn for myself. He is also LOVE. He is also the One who tells me to cast my cares on Him because He cares for me. And He supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. He is my peace.

Yet my life was not matching these heart held declarations. Enter the piece of the message we heard this morning by Joseph Prince. Among many things he said was this one that lept to my ears and heart. A leader is formed, a ministry is birthed, in the crucible of fiery trials. That gave me hope. (Not  allowance to make excuses for anything we may need to take responsibility for, but hope all the same.)

Definitions of crucible (n)

1.container for melting something: a heat-resistant container in which ores or metals are melted

2.bottom of furnace: the hollow part at the bottom of a furnace where molten metal collects 3.testing circumstances: a place or set of circumstances where people or things are subjected to forces that test them and often make them change


Most of us have been fire walkers at one time or another, of one sort of fire or another. One of my problems tends to be going through a trial and finally getting through it by applying God tools from His holy toolbox (Bible) then putting that tool away thinking I will never need to use it again. These have been the days of needing every tool I ever needed to learn to use. I can not just stare at the tool box and expect the tools to magically march out on their own and start going to work for me. My inward scream and outward crabbiness and dispay of fear are not going to get me very far. In fact that may cause me to lose ground.                                                        
                                                                                                               

Did I learn to speak in faith? I must do that now.
Did I learn to agree in prayer with others and the word of God? I must do that now.
Did I learn to give thanks in everything? I must do that now.
Did I learn God will never leave me or forsake me? I must still trust that truth.
Did I learn to pray in the Spirit? I must continue.
Did I learn to take God given authority over demonic strategies and do not wrestle with flesh and blood? I must do that now.
Did I learn I am hidden in Christ my hiding place? I must realize that still.
Did I learn I to put on the armor of God? I must wear it still.
Did I learn to not be surprised by the fiery trials which are to try me? I must not be surprised then.
Did I learn it is the plan of satan to steal, kill, destroy, devour, lie? I must be aware of his strategies.
Did I learn no weapon formed against me will prosper? I must believe that now.
Did I learn when I lie awake at night troubles overwhelming me, to pray then for my neighbors? I must pray for them knowing I am not the only one with difficulties.
Did I learn all things may not be good but will, by God, work together for my good? I must still trust that.
Did I learn God promises to give me wisdom? I must ask then trust He is giving it.
Did I learn that I must forgive as I am forgiven? I must forgive those who offend me.
Did I learn that having done all to stand, then STAND? Then I will by Gods grace STAND still and see the salvation of the LORD. 

Well I didn't plan to go into all that, but what I was thinking on my way home was about swords and plowshares. Before a plowshare can be used in the land, the land has to first be taken. What is the land you are being moved to possess? Is it the life of a child? Is it your home? Your finances? Your business or ministry? Is it a neighborhood or city or nation? Is it your own broken heart or spirit? Your health? Your marriage?
There is first warfare involved in taking the land. We have to clear away the presence of the enemy who has no right to our land, but doesn't care and will take it unless we stop him. Take up the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. It isn't just a book of words to read. It is living, active and powerful!

Then, when we have secured the land, we can begin to plow the land. Many times land that has not been worked for a long time is stoney and hard. Plowing that type of ground is pretty tough work.

So while we may be past the actual warfare, and "own" the land, it doesn't prepare itself, nor plant itself, nor cultivate itself and keep itself weedfree, insect free and pruned. I have tired myself out just thinking about all that while writing that sentence! We also have to have boundaries to keep predators out.                             

                                                                                        

In the end though, it is worth it. In the end we have something to bless ourselves and others. We have satisfaction. We have fruit for our effort. We have partnered in bring forth life that endures!

And the life of Christ has been formed in us and those around us. We have planted the Heavens by our efforts. All of that is what Satan hoped to stop when the fiery trials hit. But God who loves us is able to WORK ALL THINGS ( the good, the bad and the ugly) TOGETHER FOR OUR GOOD.

I the God of Israel, will not forsake them, I will open rivers in desolate hieghts and fountains in the midst of the valleys, I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. Isaiah 41:18 NKJ

  

 Just a few references:

Peace- Isaiah 26:3,12

Trials and Refined as Silver-Isaiah 48:10, I Peter 1:6-9, James 1:2-4

Hidden in Christ- Colossians 3: 2-3

Never Separated from His love-Romans 8:31-39, Hebrews 13:5-6, Isaiah 41: 9-13

God working things together for good- Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11-14

Weapons, warfare and armor-Ephesians 6:10-20, Isaiah 54:17, Luke 10: 18-20

Wisdom- James 1:5-7

Forgiveness-Matthew 6:12-14, Ephesians 1:7

Swords into plowshares-Isaiah 2:4, Micah 4:3 and this one is just the opposite; it speaks of turning plowshares into swords Joel 3:10



What Not To Wear (not ever)

Should I wear this, or should it be this, or should it be....I have never really figured out how much time I spend choosing what I am wearing for what ever thing I am doing. Sometimes what ever it is will have to work for a few different things I am doing that day as I go from one thing to another in my work a day mom world. I prefer grocery shopping in my jeans but that may be following a business type meeting. I am trying to develop a dressy casual look that can go both places but have to admit while shopping at Aldis is definately on my list of things to do for the great deals, I still feel funny shopping there immediately after church or the office. I feel like I am over dressed because I am one of those who likes to dress up a bit which may include heels with the ensemble.



All of this said to say...yesterday morning was church...so I took time to pull out an outfit that was smashed under some other articles of clothing waiting to "be put away". I hung the quite wrinkled items on hangers (ahem, yes now instead of days ago when they first came from the dryer). I proceeded to spray them down with a handy dewrinkler product my sister gave me most likely because she had observed my frantic run to toss items into the dryer while getting ready for something or because she had stepped in to help iron things before one of my daughters weddings (a pretty funny inside joke that will put a smile on her face like it does mine when I remember it). I have also been known to use my hair straightener to do quick fixes on my collars and the bottom edge of shirts that want to roll up.


So here is what happened. I proceeded to do make up, choose shoes and accessories, get the now wrinkle free clothes on and walk out the bathroom door to be met with the words "honey you know the red shirt you sometimes wear?" What ?!? What is he talking about? He hates when I wear red. (and for the record black is on his least favorite color for me to wear list too) Did I gently inquire with "no darling, which shirt is it you mean?" Uh uh. No. I became like a porcupine with all quills at attention.


So began the sunday morning battle that tries to steal our peace on the way to minister and have open hearts to be ministered to as well...(surely we have company in these skirmishes world over)


Shortly I learned which shirt it was and ladies and gentlemen it is one my husband bought me which is not solid red but has paisley burgandy, tan and brown designs. It is one he loves on me and one I do like but was more casual than I wanted to have on that day. Besides it would not match my grey dress pants and black high heels.  It would mean an overall change of said ensemble. And besides all that, I just did not want to change. 


This would be a great time for the sound effects of brakes squealing to the stop sign...I just did not want to change...my clothes or my attitude either one. So of course I tried to point out the sensibility of keeping what I wanted on. Without having him feel that it meant I hated the shirt he loves because I don't and I don't want to offend him either. Although I was myself offended that my appearance was not lovely in his sight.

Looming large was the pretty much unfavorite verse for many women because we think it devalues us somehow. It is the one from Ephesians that kept whispering to me "wives submit yourselves to your own husbands as unto the Lord" Yes that one. Not submit when it makes you happy to or makes sense to you or continues to let you have all your own way about things...and as unto the Lord...do it for Jesus sake, the One Who laid His life down for me do it as if I were doing it for Him. I said my life is His so shouldn't my actions line up with my words for goodness sake?Not that there wasn't some "I don't care if you like the other better" stuff bouncing around in my heart too. I did however, give my life to Jesus 30 some years ago and become a new creature in Christ like the Bible says. So I may be imperfect in walking it out sometimes but overall it is the standard that I stake my actions on since that divine transaction over my life took place.




Do any of you remember Esther before she won the kings heart and place as his queen asking the one in charge of preparing her for her night with the king to choose for her what the king would like. Most women probably went for what they liked and made them feel pretty and hopefully worthy of the king using all the physical charms they had. Esther had those charms but she also had something more, a desire to learn what would please the king. We know who became the queen.

Even so what offends my heart also reveals my heart. I did not want to change. I wanted to be thought attractive in what I wanted to wear but you know what is NEVER attractive? A bad attitude. Unforgiveness. Anger.Bitterness. Self righteousness. An unloving attitude. Grudges. Pride. Stubborness. None of it looks good no matter what shoes I wear. There are scriptures about what to take off and what to put on. We could call them the "what not to wear" scriptures after one of my favorite shows. Then we could talk about the scriptures that tell us what to wear.
That will be a different day though.

For today I just want to mention the one from 1 Peter 3:3-4
Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold or putting on fine apparel-rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God."

Here is to some quiet spiriting by the grace of God! And guys if you are in on this reading -no fair intentionally pushing our buttons!

The Inside Kitty (and the day God has made)

Did you ever have a day that seemed really divinely orchestrated in spite of your own self? A day you didn't set apart for something like a wedding or party yet when the day happened was perfect for what you had to do? That is this day for me. What is it you ask? Well nothing most of us would normally be saying "this is the day the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it!" And yet I am! Story behind the story....

One month ago I took Lily to the Hobart Humane Society to look  at kittens. Just look. Period. No purchase promise. In fact we "WOULD NOT BE GETTING AN INSIDE CAT". Don't laugh at me yet. And apologies to you friends who dearly cherish animals but most of our animals for years were outdoor living due to allergies and athsma and life busy enough with a household of 8 children.

On our first stop they had just closed. Oh how sad... but you know for Lily it really was. And I love her so I was sad for her even if I had breathed a secret sigh of relief for my own sake. And you know my word is supposed to be my bond so this meant after our next day visit to the Chiropractor we would stop again during their open hours. Lily happily strode in. I followed trying to look engaged in the whole process. Naturally God has made baby creatures absolutely adorable....but none of the kitty cats in the front were yet heart grabbers for which I was thankful. I really was.

But you know not only do I love Lily but God does too and knows the desires of her heart and after all I have got to remember life is not all about me and only what I like. "Are there more kittens somewhere?" we asked. "Certainly. In the hallway is a room off to the right with more and you can take them out of the cage into the room across the hall and play with them"...oh they know what they are up to....

Into the room we went and there was Charlie. Front and center. 4 months old. Like Marys little Lamb except he followed some kids home from school one day and ended up at Hobart Humane Society.
"Oh Lily no" I silently pleaded. "Don't open the cage door",  as she was proceeding to open the cage door.
She pulled Charlie out to cuddle him and I am not kidding you he reached out with his front paws and HUGGED MY ARM! Oh no! Why kitty Charlie? Why would you hug this self professed non inside kitty  persons arm? Is it because you saw something in me that my tough no inside kitty exterior could not  hide from you?

We left Charlie that day since I really had no money to adopt him. Because her dad loves Lily, he said he thought an inside kitty would be nice to have. And not only do her daddy and I love Lily, her brother does too and Abe gave up part of his birthday money to get Charlie for Lily as an early birthday present for her. So the next day we were back to make him Lily's.

And he fits here. Makes everyone happy. Even the dogs. Already litter trained, only a couple of issues we are working to resolve. (Finds the curtains especially intriguing and attack worthy. Also loves to jump on the table which is especially a NO in my house rules.)

And then there was the promise we made to the shelter to have him nuetered. Today was that day. And it could not have come at a better time. He and our two dogs had developed a flea problem that was starting to affect people too. So today he is getting his male kitty stuff done and treated for worms, fleas, mites, long claws, rabies and something else that I can't remember.

In the mean time I have purchased and am using (well have been until this break) all the equipment needed to treat the dogs and house to rid us of fleas. So see I know it isn't a day most people would be rejoicing in but if you saw how busy my life gets and how rare it is to have a whole saturday just open itself to coordinate all of this at once maybe you would rejoice with me too.

Soon we will have to go pick up our inside kitty cat from the Anderson Feline Clinic. But we won't be asking for Charlie because he has a new name...(kind of like God having new names for us written on a white stone that only we will know that the book of Revelation talks about in Chapter 2 vs17 except everyone gets to know our kittens new name and it will be engraved on his tag not a stone). We will be picking up Saint Mewis.

Have blessed weekend. Time for me to get back to task...

Gate Keepers (the gate swings both ways)

This is the thing...if I don't get to blogging early when the idea is fresh, it is really hard to get back to. It's kind of like praying and reading the word. If I don't "hide out" pretty much immediately in the first morning hour on my living room corner of the couch where my Bible, books, notebooks and pens are right next to me on the end table with great lighting, that time is pretty well swept away in the flurry of the day. Hard to find and get back ahold of.

 I did get a bit of my Bible time in before the rest of the day took hold and some thoughts worth jotting down and thinking about (aka meditating on) stood out to me. That dear reader is what this days writing will be about. It is a new brick to add to something I had been building on previously but not written about. Its about DOORS.
As in Who is knocking and should I open or not?

 Even before we get to the doors though there is a gate

From 1 Chronicles 16 (what I was reading this morning) there is the telling of bringing the Ark of God (different than Noah's ark) back to Israel but this time correctly since it had been attempted before without consulting God just doing things the way it seemed to mans mind would be good and honoring except it had disastrous results.

Don't we get ourselves into some fine fixes when we go about things our own way sometimes. Like this (whatever I think this is) makes me good enough for Heaven when God Himself already told us how to go about being good enough by receiving what HE says is the only way good enough to get us there... accepting that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (meaning I am a sinner), believing that Jesus died for my sins and confessing that as true before others. Its the A,B,C's of Salvation..

There I am rabbit trailing again..someone may have needed that though.
So yes, DOORS and GATES

.

Verse 18 talks about who the GATE KEEPERS were and verse 24 the DOOR KEEPERS. This reminded me of a situation where someone doing work for us here wanted to have an acquaintance come over to help.  After a bit of background on the person, I said no. This made me appear mean and uncaring in his eyes and I simply told him "I am a gate keeper here and have say over who or what is allowed to come in" Sounds a little archaic as far as terminology goes and it was the first time I had ever said it. It turned out later we were to learn how wrong it would have been to let that acquaintance join him here as we became aware of newer events in his life. Super unhealthy in fact.

Sometimes we think because we are Christians we are to have an open door policy to show Gods love to others but I don't believe that is true. Life without limits is chaotic. Water has borders and look what happens if it doesn't stay put there...Tsunamis...and light breezes are ok but heavy winds need to be still or stay high above the earth...don't invade my happy space with the things and people important to me. No hurricanes or tornadoes wanted here. Earthquakes where the earth is moving out of its proper place. Not good. Undisciplined kids, lawless community structure which is not structure at all bring ruin. Get where I am coming from now in a general sort of way? Soooo bringing it home....

We give permission to things that enter our lives. (Not to be mistaken with sometimes wrong and horrible things do happen in our lives uninvited.) Just as we have gates and doors to yards, homes or at least our own rooms, we have spiritual gates and doors. What we allow in either way can affect us spiritually and in many other ways. And sometimes to paraphrase an old saying we need to tell those wrong things "don't let the gate door hit you where the good Lord split you" as we send them on their way out of our lives for good.

Something allowed to get through the front gate it has easier access to my door.It is why parents get frantic even belligerent seemingly about things their kids want to do sometimes.  It is also harder to remove something once it has been already allowed into our lives. A simple example would be smoking. How many people wish they had never gotten started with that? A miserable relationship. Messing around with occult stuff. 1 Chronicles talks about Gate Keepers and Door Keepers as separate things.    

How do I gate keep aside from naturally assessing things and saying yes or no? Prayer. We have great authority given into our hands by God to use for good in this world. He says
"Behold I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Luke 10:19-20 
"In my name you shall cast out demons"Mark 16:17
Look not every crummy thing happening is a demon, but the devil does masquerade as an angel of light to deceive and we are not supposed to live ignorant of his devices and think that he will leave us alone if we pretend he isn't around or don't make trouble for him by standing up to him and setting captives free and keeping ourselves and family free. So when he comes slinking around the gate say "NO in JESUS name NO! Leave now!" He has to bow to the name of Jesus but he may try again just to see if you meant it. Just like trespassers who take my no trespassing signs down around our property. Have to rehang the signs because we mean it really!

Four points just to wrap it up today:
*Some people or things are allowed past my gate
*Some people or things are not even allowed in
*Some may be in the yard but not allowed in the house
*Some may get permission to come in the house but not access every room

I will be continuing in this  gate and door line for a few more future blog posts...have a blessed week and take some time to check your gates...

One Prayer (like potato chips can't stop at one)

If God were to come to you and give you opportunity to have one specific prayer asked would you be able to pare it down to just one request? What is on your heart most? Is it the thing that brings you to tears when you think of it being answered? Maybe it doesn't but it is still the thing that occupies your heart and mind so frequently.



Watching a minister yesterday morning on television he began closing out his message with this very thing. What do you most want God to change or move in your life between you and God not you and everyone else? After you pray, write it down and date it. Do you have a notebook or journal for stuff like that? Now would be a good time to start if you don't have one already. (candle not necessary but Bible is a perfect addition)

Here is what I found myself doing. An instant request came to mind. The primary pressing concern of my days pretty much every day these past few years. The kind of thing I worry over instead of casting over (on Him who cares for me). So I prayed that along with a couple of promises from scripture to declare and position my answer on. Then in came another thing I wanted answers for. Then another and so on until I found myself with several I want God to handle for me all tacked on.

It made me feel like I was being like the senate and congress members who debate and try to pass or veto then in the hopes of getting a pet issue taken care of tack it on to a major bill moving through hidden in the mess of legal verbiage.

Well fortunately for us we don't have to stop with one prayer only and am I ever glad about that! And we don't have to sneak one or two more in between the layers of the first one either! We are invited to come boldly to God's Throne of Grace. We are told whatever we desire when we pray believe we recieve it and we shall have it.

And it doesn't all depend on my own perfection in everything I do. My racking up good God points that out number my bad ones. Not "I get my prayer answered because I do so much better than the other guy or gal" either. 

It is because I am righteous through the sacrifice Jesus made for me and my sins. He makes it so I can boldly approach the Grace throne. (Recently heard at the county fair of all places:  GRACE= God's Riches At Christ's Expense and thought that was pretty good) Ok we all know we are not to trample on that grace either by purposely sinning just to take advantage of it either right? Our minds can twist things up pretty much for our own advantage so have to remember to use Gods word in a right way too. Sooooo go now! What are you waiting for? Ask! He is waiting to hear from you. Remember write it down. Years later you will be amazed to look over your journals and see how "it came to pass"...

Mickey Mouse (menopausal musings)

This blog post really is more for the ladies, so sorry bout that to you guys who say you do read my stuff. I have been somewhat "missing in action" the past few months and hope to get on a more regular writing schedule again. Always trying to be real to life at least as it works in my little sphere, I will let you know I hit a place called Menopause or rather it hit me. I am trying to get through it as graciously and with as little damage to those around me as possible.

I think I will look into what women in other cultures do when in this phase of life but I think we should find a cool cave somewhere with a view. Just hide out until we can emerge happy and able to live with ourselves and people again in a civil manner. But assuming most of us have lives that are busy with people relying on us to help their lives function in a fairly steady, predictable way we do not have the liberty to remove ourselves for long. Let's face it, some women can not even remove themselves long enough for a short bathroom visit without children calling out to them outside the door. Wish I could see a show of hands on that experience.

I am never very certain how to put things out here in writing without making anyone who is part of my life's moments feel less loved so...Lets just start with fiery hot flashes surging in leaving me dripping with that oh so unattractive sweat and drying up what fruit of the spirit I had grown. We all know dehydrated fruit is a little more difficult to chew and swallow even though it is fruit for real. And when do I need the fruit known as patience more than when I am stressed out which is also when the trigger is pulled turning on that unwanted embarrassing heat wave faucet. Clothes stick to me. I have a liquid mustache. My hair rises to the occasion by its natural curl assuming non-style poof and frizz. My skin changes shades of red and I am just so hot I have to stop and remember it is probably me and not anyone else in the room dwelling in her own secret furnace that has its own thermostat set to go off at the most inconvenient times.

Well then what does Mickey Mouse have to do with any of this? Reasonable question. It is just now part of the daily routine in the span of my responsibilities. We have a beautiful, lively toddler as part of our household now. We also still have our own three youngest kids, two who are awesome teens, and one who is a hard working, in his twenties Daddy to above mentioned beautiful, lively toddler.

We also are the residence of two dogs and one cat which is admittedly rather small in number from our earlier part time farm. In those years we had lots of teens, pre-teens and preschoolers, 17 sheep, a cow, ducks, lots of chickens and roosters, a pony, a pig, a goat (oh don't get me started on my not so fond memories of her!) and two dogs and way too many outside cats. We generally have always had fish in a tank in one room or another and sometimes rodents called pets because we bought them and put them in enclosures with wheels to run in at night and finally birds, turtles, salamanders, frogs, lightning bugs. I draw the line at snakes and spiders. That was definitely a rabbit trail...

So some of the verses that brought some relief this week were from Isaiah 54:11 and started out "Oh you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted" Really!?! "Afflicted one" Well yes that seems to fit.
"Tossed with tempest and not comforted"...Yes again.The whole chapter is worth reading and so valuable when we are going through hard times. God sees it and He has promises for us there. Further on it says "Behold I have created the blacksmith who blows the coals in the fire..." that made me smile because it sounds like menopause to me "Who brings forth an instrument for his work.." we will come through this and we will be useful in a way we never were before. Hoping you are all blessed this week by the best blesser of all..and stay cool!

Coming Awake (the place between sleep and sunlight)

  I will lift my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth, He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps Israel  shall neither slumber not sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is the shade at your right hand. the sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. Psalm 121

She remembered these words later. Later, after she awoke from her twixt sleep and not quite awake state of being in the early morning. She had seen herself quite clearly on the cliff of a mountain in a range of barren granite mountains. No trees. No water. Stone gray skies. Just the barren mountains. And she was in modern day clothing not a dress like this pioneer woman in the picture. 
Something had dropped from her hand over the edge as she stood looking to the west over the place, sensing an unfriendly presence behind her that would push her over if it could. Tension hung thick in the air. Why was she here and what had fallen? Oddly enough it was a teddy bear she realized and as quickly as she recognized that she spun toward the east into a warrior stance with a sword in her hands to face her enemy. To engage him and to win. And that is when she came fully awake.
"It is time to lay aside childish things", she heard her Lord say.
"It is time to awaken from your slumber"
"Think it not strange the fiery darts of the wicked one but also know you can not put his darts out by childish means. You can not hang on to the things of children (unless it is a child like faith) and walk as a mature daughter of the King."
In the place of dream world and visions there were lessons to bring away to use in her everyday flesh and blood life. Spiritual armor firmly in place once again. Her disengagement from battle due blows dealt in the spirit and manifest in the natural had gone on far too long. It had made her lukewarm with weaponry dull from disuse. She had lost sight of her identity and purpose. She needed to hold to the recognition of her true enemy that ever seeks to steal, kill and destroy. Enough was really far too much given into his hands without a fight and she would once again be strategic in preventing his gaining any ground and begin recapturing those things he had stolen from her. She was a child no longer. Rather a woman of royal lineage whose weapons of warfare were not carnal but mighty through the authority God had entrusted her with to pull down strongholds. She was seeking re-enlistment to active duty.

TGIM (thank god its monday and other rambling thoughts)

Usually people thank God it's Friday. Understandably so. For most people that is. I wanted to thank God this morning was Monday. Because for me our weekends get so busy and full of everything that isn't normal weekday stuff that they never really feel like a time to refuel but to be spent even further. Not that what we do on weekends is stuff I hate. It's just packed with busyness (guess that is spelled right since spell check isn't showing it otherwise).

I am always a bit reluctant to comment on this topic, since the alternative of being alone with nothing at all to do or people to care for ever is more than horrible in my opinion. Like I am thinking people will say "well let's just leave her alone then". Hear me people I love who are part of my life,"I love you and am not trying to get rid of you! OK?"

 I am a person who recharges with alone time though. If God put me in time out, I might secretly breathe a sigh of relief. Only for a while... If we kept to the rule of thumb one minute per year in age I don't even think it would be enough time.... Even if I am getting up there in age. But no not really. I do not want to be on the sidelines of life either.

I remember when I was so sick with something that had been building and getting worse for two weeks after my last baby (bebe # 8) was born nearly 15 years ago. I was put in intensive care locally and then zipped by ambulance to a private room at Rush Presbyterian for a total of 11 days followed by about 9 months at home for recovery.(making a little notation that my healing was not instant even though I have seen Him do instant healings. But this one was a process even though I had been told by the Holy Spirit right before going to the hospital "You shall live and not die and declare the glory of God" I didn't know where that verse was then. You can find it in Psalm 118:17. Another version says "declare the works of God " which I am doing right here right now!)

The words in my head during those sick days would not come out straight from my mouth nor from my fingertips holding a pen to the paper.  And many other scary symptoms along with a pain that never went away in my head no matter what and got worse when lying down. BP totally out of control. Yet I was trying to care for a newborn and 7other kids and a husband, house, business and ministry stuff. Nope. Could not continue as I was. I really thought I might die. Really. So when I heard those Holy Spirit words I hung hard and fast even while thinking what is wrong with me that You are telling me I will not die from it?

Many tests later, after no findings, we prayed for the hidden things to be revealed and low and behold a new doctor came in and did a test like an ultrasound on my head. That is when I heard things like. "You have the brain pictures of a woman in her sixties." Alright I am not there even now, though I am closing in on the age. I was 42 at the time. I heard "You are primed to have massive stroke and it will either kill you instantly or leave you a quadriplegic" Option one or option two. Well I had option three and it had been given to me before I even left home for the hospital...It is times like these we need the word of God "Rhema-tized" to us. God breathed and made fresh and alive.

I needed that word "You will live and not die and declare the glory of God" spoken and re- spoken in my mind and heart. (Which is what meditating on the word of God is) I could not even read correctly at the time from what I remember. I needed His promise. It is why it is important to hide God's word in our hearts. We need to be able to pull on it in times of trouble! And we will have times of trouble. We can't be more than conquerors through Christ Who loves us, if there is not something to conquer. And catch that part "loves us". Hard things to overcome do not mean He has abandoned us. No He is the One who equips us to conquer. Even if I am flat on my back in pain. Even if I don't know where to begin. He shows me. Even if it is to whisper His promise for me to think on when I am too sick to cling actively.

I am grateful to God. So grateful!!! Just think. I could have been unable to do the busy weekend things. I could have been unable to cook the last 14 years of dinners one at a time to care for my family. Don't get me wrong there are times I am not exactly excited to brainstorm and cook one more "delicious perfectly nutritious meeting all the food groups for the day" dinner, lunch or breakfast. Or I could have been unable to wash more loads of clothes to await folding on the couch or dining room table than any one wants a count on. Or read stories to grandbabies. Or unable to speak of the "glory of God" whether to my kids or face to face with someone or in a women's group or teaching in a class or from the pulpit or *gasp* my blogs!

So back to Mondays. This is a restful Monday today. Obviously I am healed and have walked in that healing for 14 years now. Repeated tests show the condition to be gone even when I was sometimes worried it was making a sneaky return. I hope your day is restful too. Even if it is a rest that means you are leaning on Him in the midst of your busy work day. I pray you are strong and at peace today. I pray you hear your Heavenly Father's voice and know His love for you. That you are surrounded by His beauty.

Setting a Firewall (on my mouth)

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3


Today happens to be a day I thought I would make a fresh attempt  to get my laptop to "Display Internet Explorer". ARRGGG! (spell check is picking up on this expression and not recognizing it as a usable word) I really wish my laptop would just work. So I am using the family desktop which had to be replaced due to its own situation with a lightening strike almost two weeks ago.
Thank God I have that to use!

I happen to think machines should keep working on and on and if they break down I should be able to fix them without sending for a specialist who makes a living doing what they are specially trained to do and I am not.

Frankly it is that I think it is some relatively simple problem like a configuration or firewall setting that will be some quick fix for those who know but will cost me a bunch. So am I just cheap or what?  All my feeble attempts to follow recommendations from the computer and from friends have brought feeble results. And the start of a terrible headache causing me to abandon all attempts...for a while. *sigh*  Probably my headache is my hard head ramming into a wall that someone else will easily be able to scale.

So it got me thinking about a "conversation" this morning. I thought it was just that but evidently it was hitting the recipient (my husband) as "criticism". Once again allow me to *sigh*...When I heard myself through his ears I could see why he was affected that way. I am going to make a bit of an excuse here while still recognizing my fault in the matter. We are a busy, busy, busy people. Not with a high pressured career requiring lots of travel away from home and each other. No. Ours is more central than that.

Ours is the busyness of Family (all who are raising families who have time, please read between the lines there), Family Business (those who are business owners or part of a family business may read on and on between those lines as well), Volunteer work (things we want to be part of to further the purposes of God on this earth..like minded ones please read between those particular lines).

And then there is Marriage. Marriage is a good thing but just like my computer, does require maintnence and some installations along with updates so it does not have to be sent out to a specialist. I have to have firewalls to keep viruses, those unwanted intruders pushing through and making communication and easy functioning nearly impossible between us.

This means my marriage should not be getting just what ever left overs of my time and energy I might manage to scrape up. This means if I am going to "love my neighbor as myself" (and my husband is my nearest neighbor living within my own house), I have got to love myself too. I have to do for myself what will keep some reserves fueled so I can give something to my marriage not just my kids, or work or church. This will help build a wall that keeps harsh words from slipping, zinging, alright flying out of my mouth toward one who should not be a target but instead a recipient of my best. As Jesus said in Mark 3:25 "if a house is divided against itself, it can not stand" and I want this one standing a long, long time.

The Father's Walk

Not being a Father or even a man I am speculating a bit on this one. How proud God must have been to have a son so willing to go the distance and do it well. This was a life and death matter. His son laying aside his own life and royal heavenly home for years to accomplish something that would benefit many for many more years.
He knew how His son would be recieved and then betrayed by those who He was sent to be a gift to. He didn't have any better way than to give His best-Jesus- to let people know Who He was, how much He cared for them and to purchase them back from sin and Satans cruel captivity. Jesus said to His followers "if you see me, you see the Father" because he did what he saw his Father doing. He imitated his dad. Healing, forgiving,
loving, removing demonic oppression, walking, eating, rebuking stubborn religious leaders, teaching by his very life, inviting others to join the Father's household with him. People wanted to hang out with him.
What I see also though in the Father's walk is one of the greatest strategies for an April Fools joke ever pulled. I am taking a bit of liberty here with this I know. Think of this, all along God knew the devil knew that He, God the Father and this righteous one named Jesus were up to something! See the devil doesn't know everything but wants us to think he does. He figured he had to get rid of this Jesus fellow since he hadn't been able to have him killed as a child when Herod was on a baby killing spree to protect his throne from the newborn who was to become king someday. And he couldn't trip him up and make him sin ever. All he knew was Jesus was making waves and disturbing his demonic kingdom and may be the one the prophecies were talking about. Maybe he thought the prophecies were meaning a physical here on earth king taking over. Any way he was definately in the stirring up of the pharisees against Jesus to put him to death.
Pretty easy to do since they were a power hungry group for the most part. The scripture says in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 if he (the devil) being a ruler of this world had known what God had planned, he would have never had Jesus put to death! And that my readers, was the awesome trick the Father played on the devil. The very death, burial and resurrection of His magnificent Son Jesus is the thing that is the salvation of mankind! It is the ultimate demise of Satan who now knows his time is very short so is trying to whip up all kinds of trouble if we as God's people will let him. Those who think of God as stuffy or mean or just a crutch or untouchable have got it wrong. Read the life of His son and when you see Jesus, you will see the picture of God Almighty who wants to be your Father.

The Mothers Walk

   
Did you ever get  to where the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus almost became more religion than real in your life? Sometimes I think about that in my life. The walk is kind of on auto pilot and the things I do "in the Name of Jesus" and for Him and His purposes take on a common feel. Out of a place of habit maybe rather than awe for Who He is and what He has done for me. Since I am always feeling the need to explain myself I will say here, there are habits that are good to have so I am not knocking developing habits.
Last night I watched the Passion of Christ. The one produced by Mel Gibson that had a success that took Hollywood by surprise. It naturally refreshed some things in me that needed some refreshing. You would have to be a hard pressed stone hearted person to not be moved by the movie and the truth behind it. Now if you are getting mad at me - don't - just watch it and see for yourself! 
So many things were happening in me as the movie unfolded. I remembered first of all why I love Him so much! The words scourged and whipped took on life and pain and a fresh realization that it was my sin not just everyones sin in a general impersonal sanitary way that He endured for.
Several angles stood out to me. Last night I was thinking of His mother's walk. His real down to earth chosen by God Mom who had mom feelings. His mom who counted His fingers and toes and planted kisses on them and being Jewish probably didn't play this little piggie but surely played toddler games with him. Who had to move just to protect him from would be life takers. Who knew His favorite foods and tucked him in at night. Who made sure He had clothes and sandles that fit and were cleaned. Who reminded Him to wash up and do His chores. Who searched for Him when he turned up missing as a 12 year old. (If she could misplace her son that certainly eases the mind of any mother with a known escape artist for a child or with a momentary lapse of awareness in the hustle of the days activities) 
His mom who had been given the amazing announcement that she was CHOSEN by God Creator of herself and of the universe to be the vessel who would be pregnant with and mom to His Son by an overshadowing of the Holy Spirit causing her - a virgin to conceive this miraculous child.
There were some awkward moments about this naturally and isn't it something that what we think might be awkward wasn't a stumbling block to God? Like she was "betrothed" to Joseph. A bit different than our idea of engagement here in our culture. She was still a virgin yet essentially married to him just in a period of waiting for a few things to be put into place before she could have the final steps taken that would allow her to go home with him and fully be his wife in every sense of the word. Now how was she to explain this to him? This was a huge area to trust God in. A big area to "Fear not" in. She knew she had seen an angel but who else would believe her? Especially once it was known she was pregnant and not with Joseph's baby either. Obviously God was in the details and she wasn't supposed to fret.
She went to stay with her cousin who was also pregnant now in her own amazing miracle as the angel had also told her would be the case in her own prophetic circumstances who then began to prophesy to Mary reafirming the angels news and letting her know in that way God has her and whatever is important about her reputation covered.
Then God not leaving Joseph out of the loop either has an angel visitation for him with instructions about Mary and her baby and how he is to take her as his wife not divorce her because really God chose him also.
There were other prophetic words along the way about Jesus to Mary from other people and we are told Mary "kept these things and pondered them in her heart". I believe they came flooding back in full force as she watched her Son carry the cross on his beaten back. And in that moment the prophetic word she had been given about a sword piercing her own heart was more real than any of us ever want to know.
Can I just venture something here though without seeming like I am irreverent? Is there any mother out there who could not say she has tasted the sword in some measure as she raised her children?  Those are children who we want to say are perfect but know they may mess up a little bit sometimes and some kids a whole lot and we treasure them anyway. Is there anyone of us mothers who have had children ridiculed or bullied or terribly sick or struggling with something and died a bit inside ourselves from the pain of our child and don't we stick with them?
Mary stuck with Jesus through the bitter death on the cross. Through people mocking, beating and betraying her son. Jesus looked at her from the cross and looked out for her from the cross. In the midst of his anguish He assigned one of His dearest followers to care for her as his own mother and for her to look to that one as her own son. She had other sons mind you but this disciple followed Him to deaths door with Mary. Those little baby hands and feet she had cherished. Those little toddler hands that held her hands and chubby toddler feet that perhaps stood upon hers in a dance or learning to walk. The feet that learned to take the strides of a man out distancing her steps walking the countryside to share just Who God really is and the hands that grasped a hammer surely but also reached to heal broken and sick people that many others refused to even touch. Those were the hands outsretched on the beam of the cross held in place by large nails. Those were the feet pierced for our transgressions. She had to trust and fear not that God surely had a plan, a last overcoming final word yet to be said in spite of her pain. And we know He did!!! Her sorrow was turned to dancing when Jesus rose from the grave triumphant and glorified securing our salvation when we believe He did it for our sins to be forgiven. So thankful for Gods plan and salvation by His faithful son Jesus. And so thankful for a mother that trusted enough for her Son to follow Gods plan for Him. 

Giants Like Dust-thoughts eating left over chicken

Late this morning as I sat eating left over KFC chicken and coleslaw for a brunch sort of thing, I read a devotional book I had not used before. I love to read and eat at the same time. So I opened not to the beginning but pretty much to the middle and noticed the devo's I happened to be reading included references to food among other things. Naturally I thought about what I was eating compared to some of the recipes in the book. Not stellar really.
Then I came across one written by Sheila Walsh in story form about a little boy who always took the lunch his mom made him each day but many times didn't eat it and his thoughts about why his mom was always trying to get him to eat something. That right there struck home because as my kids are growing I am like that. Looking for the right meal or snack to get some nutritious something into them to help them grow strong and healthy. And I find that while they eat some of what I send to school, sometimes it just gets shared at the table with the kids they are eating with. Like the boy who gave his lunch up to Jesus that day when he heard food was needed. Maybe he didn't like fish. Maybe he captured the essence of Jesus and His words and wanted to just be helpful. But Jesus took that little bit that in our natural eyes was FAR,FAR SHORT of what the situation called for and made it MORE THAN ENOUGH...such an amazing miracle! Have you ever had that happen? Someone coming by around dinner time and you only have so much but you ended up with leftovers anyway? It's the end of the month and creative cooking is called for and you end up with a recipe idea that gets made from whatever is on hand that is so good you know you will use it again?
Sheila tied this together with the words "...Too often we miss the point as daughters of the King. We look at what we have to offer, and it is clear to us that it's not enough so we hold back. Yet the fact that we don't have enough is the whole point. We are given the outrageous invitation to partner with the King of kings as he lavishes his love and grace on this earth. God uses little boys lunches and women's conferences and a few words spoken in kindness- and through these simple vessels, he changes the world.
Whatever you have today is enough. It might not look like it to you but put into Jesus's hands, it is more than enough."
I needed that today! I hope it helps you too.
I will adapt her prayer. Father, You take little and make it much. You make it more than enough. I give You my life today and ask You to meet needs with it. Take my words, take my talents that seem incomplete and use them how You choose. Don't let me look so much at how big the giants in my circumstances are and decide I can do nothing much so why do anything at all. It is in You I live and move and have my being and You make giants look like a speck of dust. Here I am Lord. Use me.

Of Skunks and Roses

If a Rose by any other name smells as sweet doesn't the opposite hold true also? As in a skunk by any other name still stinks when spraying.
This has to do with words and attitude AGAIN! Shouldn't I have improved in this by now? I was better in my early days even if it was from a misguided concept that submission meant I did not express my opinion and preferences.Why is it that I think my opinion is so right anyway? Or that it needs to be spoken all the time. And who made me judge of the intents of anothers heart and motive? Oh I know we can discern stuff and the word of God is a plumb line and does show the intents of our hearts. But isn't that just it tonight? I need it to show the intents of my OWN heart first and foremost.
Here is a bit of the behind the scenes on this. Have you ever had someone in passing hear just a snatch of what you were saying or doing and determine something about you from just that snatch? Well I think I had that happen to me tonight. Ouch. Someone overheard a kitchen conversation (not their fault they couldn't help but hear from the other room). What they could not know however was for part of what was happening even though the voices sounded harsh (all over a hamburger mind you of all the crazy things) there was really pantomime,teasing and exaggerated hand motions going on through that bit of what sounded like evil rebellious arguing. Then there were a couple comments made on another topic which were judgemental frankly and I am ashamed of that. However what could not be known again to the casual listener was the long history in our lives that would have pricked such a sharp, albeit, brief remark. 
All I can say, well obviously I am saying alot, but I think this is an area God is really dealing with me on. To the point of " am I behaving in such a way as to represent Him even in the privacy of my home?" Just what does that mean? Representing Him well. Does it mean I never mess up or now that I have a Savior I never do anything I need saving from ever again? And the person I was party to making a carelessly harsh remark about has really been making progress honestly and I think I need to watch out that I don't become like the Prodigal son's big brother- the one who did every thing "right"- but forgive. Or the pharisee who was saying to God "I thank You God I am not like that sinful tax collector over there. Let me show you my list of good things, religious things I do. I carry a copy in my purse along with the pictures of my kids and grandkids and hang another copy on my wall in a lovely frame so every one can see including You God. That way every one who comes around will know how Christian I am" And there we see calling a skunk a rose does not make it smell like one...and I want to be a person who carries the fragrance living life for Jesus brings, not just try to cover a skunky attitude with a temporary fragrance spray.

Proverbs 31 Wonderwoman

My first real introduction to this block of scripture was my not yet husband sitting next to me on the couch at my parents doing a bible study together. I was newly saved (just a few months into geting a handle on the New Creature in Christ walk and renewing my mind) and he had been into this thing for years now. Flipping open to Proverbs 31 and handing it to me to read, he seriously said "This is what I want in a wife". Has anyone else ever been overwhelmed (alright intimidated) by the job description of this Superwoman? Knowing myself as I did, I secretly thought but didn't speak the words by any means,"You are going to have to look somewhere else..." And here we are going on 33 years of marriage.

Let me ask you this. Did any of you ever buy a coat or a pair of shoes just a bit too big for your kids because you knew they would be growing into them (and hoped for a little more use what with the cost and all)? I think lots of times God does that with a call or position we are to fill. The "coat or shoes" He gives us  feel slightly too big. Maybe even way too big. But God knows we will grow into it.   

These days my husband tells me off and on that I fit the description. It has taken years and I still don't spin wool or sell belts in the market or have a house of servants to command. But one thing I get is that it is not a snap shot of one moment in this womans life. It is a progressive movement through seasons in her life...

She is obviously to the point of having grown children who "get it" now. Who may even have their own kids they are doing for and they bless her deliberate, loving, efforts in their lives. (No you are older now and that bathing suit is too skimpy...pick your clothes up off your floor...if you miss the trash can, pick it up...I am not the only one here who wanted a dog...unload the dishwasher...do your homework... brush your teeth...yes you do have to go to church...even "because I said so"...*sigh*...all makes sense now).

Uniquely fitted for the generation we are born in, our superwoman days have all kinds of things crammed in. If you are a parent too you are fitting those things in between carpooling like a jig-saw puzzle some times. Grocery shopping, Dr visits, pharmacy, school, work, watching movies with kids or husband, making sure the kids are fed and clothed, laundry, pets, delegation, driving lessons, haircuts, grandchildren, yard work, cleaning in general, volunteer work and so on.  And the pieces don't always want to fit where I want.  And then I am handed another piece to fit in just as I think I've got it balancing pretty well. Nope they are definately not all crisis moments but too many "goods" can lead to a crisis...

I think that was one of the intriguing things in proverbs 31. This woman handled it all without any show of crisis! She smiled at the future so she definately trusted God and balanced her priorities.That's where I want to be. I believe it is possible. Today I listed all my "obligations" and committments and realized NO WONDER I DONT FEEL LIKE WONDERWOMAN! Definately need some scaling back especially since so much seems to take me to doing things that take alot of hours and is primarily not for my family.

Don't get me wrong. I love what I find myself doing for others essentially in my mind "for the LORD" but also find it leaves me drained even as it gives a sense of satisfaction because I feel affirmed by doing something that ties into my giftings. So now I am in that pondering/praying mode (ok maybe I am still pondering more than praying at this point). What do I let go of? What do I keep?

Attic Living (and thunderstorms) Still Pearls and Costly Gems...

Anyone ever had not just one of those days, but one of those weeks? (of course everyone has) So this blog writer has been missing in action for several days. Not that this blog wasn't on my mind. I even attempted to start writing a few times...only to have to leave it alone again.  I can tell you the theme that fit my life best over the last week of proverbs was the one about the CONTENTIOUS WOMAN showing up through several chapters. Oh my, my, my...I wanted to move to an attic corner away from me myself!  

Wow, I would open my mouth and out would shoot words with a sharp edge. If I could have not spoken to people for a while...(I don't want to be mute honest! But I could have used a built in mute button)

I remember one morning getting kids ready for school, saying to my son, "you know that proverb about a crabby woman being like a constant dripping (does this refer to water torture-just a thought)? Well I am sorry. I feel like I have been like that." He casually said "Mom, you have been a thunderstorm!"                               
So it was a couple of non stop weeks so filled that I was taxed and maxed in all ways. But what does that tell me? It tells me something about priorities needing to be put in order. It tells me that God the Creator of all the Universe and everything in it, knowing how everything works best took a rest on the 7th day and declared we should too so He just might really mean what He said.

It takes active participation to not let things encroach our space. It might be weeds, dust, people, pets, illness, things, work demands, ministry. It isn't all bad stuff. We just need to have it prioritized and leave some R&R time. Of course people needing me makes me feel loved and useful and is better than the alternative of loneliness and no people or the inability to even be mobile. I have to realize the universe may not stop running without my feet constantly running, but eventually my little world around me will stop running well, and so will I, if I don't pace myself better.

So that crankiness and impatience even though we don't want to live in that place, might just be an indication of taking time for better scheduling and prioritizing (and dare I say it some time for you). Someone once told me "Lea, God made you a human being not a human doing". Hard for someone whose bent is acts of service to wrap her mind around.

Find some time for rest today. Carve those moments. Snatch them as gifts from God who is smiling on you today and loves you enough to want you to enjoy abundant life...

FIRE!!! (that purifies)

                    


The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
proverbs 17:3 

                                                                                                                                                                               http://prayerpups.com/

There are leaf burning piles or bonfires both hopefully contained and as long as they are used properly safe. Gas stoves, furnaces and fireplaces are useful. There are destructive fires like a housefire or forest fire or wildfire. And there are refining fires to purifiy metals...

So what do your fires look like? You know...your walking life out day by day experience fires.
Because you know what we all have them of one sort or another because we are humans in a still fallen world. And lest you think lots of money will prevent them I would like to challenge that thought not because I think money is an evil commodity or doesn't make life easier. I think money can mask much.
Through a ridiculous experience with a scam, we ended up with some magazines we wouldn't normally buy. You know ones that keep the general population up on what is happening with the society of the rich and famous of Hollywood. Normally we toss them-gasp! Well there are a couple reasons for that. One is I am not all that interested in the gossip and people bashing that happens in them. I am also just sad and embarrassed for the ones the articles are spreading wildfire about. See they do have their fires...Do I want all my troubles out there mistold, hyped about for millions to discuss? What a lack of privacy (which is why I want to be real in my writing but also make sure I am protecting the privacy of those who are part of my life dealings).

Today I heard again about the 3 Hebrew men who refused to bow down to the kings idol so got tossed into the fire. The one the king had his guys make 7x's hotter to intimidate these three into bowing. Nope, did not bow! Take a moment to be in awe of that committment.
Not many of us have that fire to face. I know in other nations some do face incredible persecution for being a follower of Jesus. Though as we move into end times only God knows the measure of what we will face here.

But aside from that what are the normally fiery trials that are there to prove our faith? Can I just pull it close? What about sick kids and school....there is a whole world of fire packed into that sometimes...What about sickness and disability in general that seems to go on and haven't quite seen total healing yet so still have to manage. Maybe you have elder care to manage. Maybe you are the elderly one not wanting to burden anyone or give up independence.What about losing loved ones to death or divorce? Job loss. Mortgage payments. Teenagers, toddlers, infants...Overwhelming decisions to make. Loneliness. Slander. Car trouble.  What about hearing from God about a call on your life but you are finding yourself not walking in that supposed glorious picture of a call and are wondering why you are working a "regular" job...Hearing Satans sinister whisper "Did God really say?"...Walking in integrity....

Will I believe God in my hard, no fruit on the vine yet, sickness, broken relationship experiences. Let's take it to this. Will I believe in my fire that God WILL prosper the work of my hands. That He IS Jehovah Jireh my Provider. That He IS Jehovah Raphah my God Who (stitches me up and makes me whole) Healer. That He IS Yahweh Shalom my Peace. That He IS Immanuel my God Who IS with me and so on! Will I believe that in my fire like the 3 who said of  their fire..."We know our God is..." Will I endure testing and put His word to the test?
Will I be found first made pure by the sacrifice Jesus  made for me and then again by holding tight when I feel my world is crashing in and maybe really is for awhile...will I say like the 3 "my God is able to deliver me" and not assume when it doesn't happen in MY time frame that He has left the scene but rather is in fact walking in the fire with me?
Gold is not refined by itself...Get that. It is processed by fire and watched over as it is purified. The fire of purification is particularly hot. The melting point of gold is 1064.18 degrees c or 1947.52 degrees f. Don't mistake me and think I am accusing God of purposely raining fire on me as a game of "Will She Endure". He doesn't play cat and mouse with us. But life will present many opportunities to test, prove and purify. No testimony without the test. No pushing impurities to the surface for skimming off without the fire.

Sigh...I wonder with this cheery word if anyone will ever read me again! Thank you to Jeffrey Smith for the use of his Prayer Pups cartoon. You can click his link right below it to find more.
Be blessed sweet people of God. Have a wonderful weekend. Sometimes it just helps to know the stuff happening to me will be made to work for my good even when it feels like it will be the end of me! And it also helps to remember not all of life is trials and fires.