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Category Archives: Emotions

I am Chosen!

18 May

10018Pick me, Pick me! Whether I yelled out those words or whispered them silently, I knew I would not be picked for the baseball team, because I was not worthy.  I did not have the skills they sought. Pick me! Pick me! Though more sophisticated,  the same cry echoed inside years later as students voted for cheerleaders or prom court.  Even though I knew I had neither the talent or beauty, hope always coursed up – longing for acceptance.  Ironically when I – and others – later realized what gifts God had given me, I was startled to learn that acceptance often was temporary and related directly to what I could do for others with those gifts. The acceptance to share my talents gave me pleasure, but there was still the longing for someone to care about ME – whether I had gifts, talents, or none.

Discovery came in three stages. 

First God allowed me to meet Ken, an honest seeker who had the same longings as I.  We talked of marriage and agreed that we needed to find God – to have a foundation for our relationship and any children God would give us.  Respecting the authority of the Bible we determined to read it cover to cover as we searched for direction, and then to follow God’s directions.

kendee001Ken explained our plan to a fellow-worker at American Motors. He pointed us to the gospel of John, suggesting we underline all the words believe, since we wanted God to show us what to believe.  Ken did it right away. It was a revelation for him and he immediately made those words his own, believing that Jesus was indeed the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6).

I held out a few weeks longer, however, nursing my insecurities and knowing I was not worthy. On that July 4th, while watching the fireworks from the upstairs back porch, I thought of my little baby downstairs and pondered on the mothers who had given their sons that I might enjoy the freedoms of this country. To think they would willingly lay down their lives for people they did not know was a love I could not fathom, and God spoke to my heart at that time, reminding me that He also gave His Son for my eternal freedom and longed for me to accept his gift. I had no doubt Jesus knew me inside out – and bore the cross for me knowing I was not worthy!  What an intimate revelation of love!

The third stage came as I eagerly devoured God’s love letters to me.  The world had taught me that I was accepted and loved if I was skilled or pretty or had something to offer them.  Psalm 139 taught me that I was loved before I was created!    The Message reveals it well:

Psa. 139:13-16

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;

you formed me in my mother’s womb.

I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!

Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

I worship in adoration—what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

you know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;

all the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.

I am chosen!

rainbow-cross1.jpg   Are you aware that you are chosen?  

 
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Posted by on 05/18/2013 in Devotional, Emotions

 

Wouldn’t you think I’d know better?

29 Jan

11 Million.

I recently read one of Andy Andrews’ books where he asks  ”How Do You Kill 11 Million People?”  He wonders and explains in the short book how Hitler got millions of people to go to their death with so little resistance. The answer – he pursued them, deceived them until they believed him, (interview link below) reminded me of this verse:

1Pet. 5:8 says: Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, IMG_2645seeking someone to devour.

 

Interestingly the Hebrew word for seeking, beqar means to conduct a search, to be in pursuit, and is also connected with the timing of a Lion’s hunt: before and after light – early morning and at night

 

Our two most vulnerable times.

Where does the lion find us in the early morning?  In a strong place, greeting the Lord with excitement for another day; leaning into him, and listening for directions for the new day or making our own plans?  Are we in fellowship… or too tired and dazed to realize we are in danger, wandering in solitary; vulnerable to be picked off?

 

Like Satan, lions are often credited with more power than they have. Lions are not very fast animals, and because most of their prey could run faster than them, lions utilize different hunting methods:

One – the lion finds something to hide in close to what the prey needs or wants – like brush or a big bush near water. Most of the day the lion actually sleeps waiting for “us” to come along, so we walk right into the trap not expecting a thing.  It ‘looks’ safe: what could go wrong?

The second type is where the lion stalks from hiding place to hiding place and jumps out at the surprised prey with a burst of speed. If the lion is seen as it sneaks from spot to spot it sits up and stare around innocently, like it just happened to be there and is intending no harm.  It would be hilarious if it didn’t sadly represent times when I’ve stupidly walked right on into Satan’s trap while the trap was fully visible)

Stupid, lazy or over-confident?

The lion’s prey seems to have remarkably short memories, walking into the same trap repeatedly, even within a very short time. (Ouch, this is getting personal)

While the prey is being so lackadaisical the lion, amazingly good at hiding, just takes it’s time waiting for dinner with incredible patience.  It worked before.  The prey walked into the trap and was devoured. The rest of their bunch run off, then stupidly within hours come right back to the same spot, apparently thinking it couldn’t happen twice!

Wouldn’t you think if it saw what happened to its brother, it would back off, turn away or run?  Nope.

Wouldn’t you think that when one of the deer wandered off from the group (like a lone-ranger away from the protective fellowship of the church), and got snatched up by the lion, the other deer would learn?  Nope.  They repeatedly stray from the family cluster that could save them.

Wouldn’t you expect that the prey would know they can run 4 times as fast as the lion and therefore make sure to be alert and run soon as they spot a lion? Nope. They have more fear of what cannot be seen, then what can. When a lion does appear they all watch it, thinking they are safe because they can see it – way over there.

They freeze for a minute, and watch the lion either lay down or walk off and they edge closer because they do not “see” or understand the danger right in front of them.

Lastly,

Wouldn’t you think that I would be different than the prey, knowing I also am being sought after by a roaring lion, understanding now how he hunts, how he acts so innocent while waiting for me to let down my guard?

Wouldn’t you think I would never return to the place (or thing) where I or a brother or sister almost got devoured?

Wouldn’t you think I would stay close to the master, to watch and learn, and not wander off with a cocky do it my way attitude?

Wouldn’t you think I’d be sure to stay in hiding, close to the master, during those vulnerable hours when I know the lion likes to whisper to tired minds, to distract and depress my spirit from drawing near to the master to learn about the secrets of escape?

First thing in the morning

Last thing at night

 

Psa. 46:1           God is a safe place to hide,

ready to help when we need him.

 

James 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

 

*Michael Hyatt interviews Andy Andrews about 11 Million

 
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Posted by on 01/29/2013 in Devotional, Emotions, Spirit

 

Singleness of Vision

07 Jan

An interesting thing has been happening since I began my year with a “single resolution” to live expectantly, IMG_1918watching God work in me and in my life….

 

Many daily readings and devotionals seem focused on that one thing

 

Today’s verse is

“Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, [and] to keep he LORD’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?”

Deuteronomy 10:12-13  (NASB)

Keep the Lord’s commands - (I noticed it doesn’t say some, or the one’s I can, or those I think are possible) so the inference, the assumption, is that I will keep them ALL.

Another day I read about Job…

Job lost all of his material wealth and all of his children – yet this verse shows his singleness of vision

Job 1:21  (Job said)

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked I shall return there.

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.

Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

 

Notice the little word in the summary of Job’s trials:

 

Job 1:22 Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.

 

Reminds me of the Gaither song, Through It All…

 

Yesterday’s was from Genesis’ reading about Noah.  He, if you recall, was the only one found righteous and that was defined in this verse:

 

Gen. 7:5 And Noah did according to all that the LORD had commanded him

 

Noah’s rarity was found in that little three letter word – all.

 

I certainly cannot claim that.  I wish I could.  I want to… and yet I feel with all earnestness that God is prodding me moment by moment to give him

All.

Pondering what all should mean to me, I looked up that little word in the Bible.

A topical lookup of the New Testament alone brought over 4,000 verses (challenges/commands/encouragements) with the word ALL.

 

I think I’ll be working on this one for a while.

 

 
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Posted by on 01/07/2013 in Devotional, Emotions, Mind, Spirit

 

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Is This All There Is?

27 Nov

Sometimes I let emotions control my feelings instead of facts and I feel down, down, down. The facts are the only thing that is eternal – God’s Word.  When I look anywhere else my nature feels hopeless because without the Word I look at things (or people) to do what only God can.

 

That is-this-all-there-is feeling is commonly called depression, and the incidence of it is growing so rapidly that millions of people are experiencing feelings like Haggai wrote about: Haggai. 1:6-7

You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.

 

Haven’t we all been there at one time or another?

Much work – little result, leaving us wondering if it was worth it

We run to food and drink for comfort but never feel satisfied beyond momentary pleasure

We dress up to attract the love and acceptance we crave, but inside feel  empty and cold

And the purse with holes in it? Oh gracious – how fast the money goes!

 

Life often hurts.  Our work is not recognized, or there seems little evidence of all the effort we’ve put into a project. We work hard, do the right things, and still the job slips out of our grasp. Food and drink, instead of giving the comfort we crave, deceive us into unhealthy obsession, even leaving us feeling physically ill, emotionally and spiritually empty.  Relationships we thought were warm security instead become pain, and cold abandonment.   We focus on career and survival working, busy, busy, so we don’t have to think of life’s hurts, and our purse, and our hearts seem full of holes.  And we ask

 

Is this all there is?

Some of life’s tragedies come from our own choices, but others come against our will. When life is done, will I, will we, look back and say Is this all there is?

 

Or what would it take for me, for you to be satisfied?

 

Several special people in my life experienced all of the troubles listed in Haggai and more, walked away from God for a time, gave careful thought to their ways, and lived these challenging verses.

 

You will know who you are, and I want you to know you inspired me. You inspired many.  Thank you for making footsteps worthy of following, and to encourage all who still hunger.

Luke 6:21 “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied.

If This Is All There Is – by Delores Liesner © 2012
If this is all there is

If this is all there is

If this is all there is to life

Then Lord, I’m satisfied

A mother prayed, whatever Lord, please keep our family at your side

I’d give my life so they can know, that you alone can satisfy

Thank you for forgiving the bad choices that I made

I am yours now and only pray that you’ll be glorified

And if this is all there is

If this is all there is to life; then Lord, I’m satisfied.

 

Her son grew strong and greatly skilled; he pushed the Lord aside

Soon he returned, regretting time lived only for his pride

But cancer grew within him, and he quietly bore the pain

Saying, Lord, be glorified, I’d do it all again

And if this is all there is

If this is all there is to life, then Lord, I’m satisfied.

 

A daughter made poor choices, a life of purity denied

And the sins that she had chosen, bent her thoughts to suicide

But when her precious child was born, unto the Lord she cried

Oh Lord, I pray that through this life, you would be glorified

And if this is all there is

If this is all there is to life, then Lord, I’m satisfied

 

Her husband was unfaithful to his family and the law

He bowed in shame he had to leave and that his family saw

But his wife prayed, Dear God, while he’s away

help me to love him even more

And through these trials Lord, may you be glorified

And if this is all there is

If this is all there is to life, then Lord, I’m satisfied.

 

Dear Lord, I’ve daily seen your grace, and felt your presence at my side

And if this is all there is

If this is all there is to life – then Lord, I’m satisfied.

 

Psa. 17:15          And I—in righteousness I will see your face;

when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Posted by on 11/27/2012 in Devotional, Emotions, Mind, Spirit

 

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I am a Writer!

02 Oct

Thanks, Jeff Goins for encouraging the claiming, announcing, and rejoicing that I am a Writer!
No message today – it’s just a rejoicing day!

Lamplight: A Golden Light Anthology
Authors: Seth D. Clarke, Lynda Lee Schab, Larissa Hinton, Rebecca Grubb, J.R. Bingham, David Andrews, Linda Tracy Miller, Delores Liesner
ISBN 978-0-9859361-0-5
Paperback: TBA
ebook: $5.99
Christian short stories and poems
October 2012

 

 

 

 

Nightlight: A Golden Light Anthology
Authors: Deborah Prum, Delores Liesner, Christine Collier,Susan Sundwall, Marion M. Tickner, Diana M. Amadeo,Colin Stevens, Jennifer B. Fields, Sharon Chriscoe
ISBN 978-0-9859361-1-2
Paperback: TBA
ebook: $5.99
Children’s short stories and poems
October 2012

 

 

 

Coming in the mail:  I’m a contest winner too :)

 
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Posted by on 10/02/2012 in Emotions, Mind

 

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Who Am I In Christ # 20 – Former Red Bird

16 Apr

A Red Bird incident started it all.  It happened as my younger sister and I were driving toward a long awaited reunion with our oldest sister, and Marvel read to me about a woman who was struggling with some weakness – blaming the devil for it.  As the woman ran about doing her errands, she prayed, asking God how she could avoid the enemy. Returning to her car, she saw a red bird attacking the shiny bumper.  As she watched the bird she realized it was attacking what it thought was its enemy – but it was attacking it’s own reflection. It was then, she shared, that she realized sometimes she is her own enemy and she has to choose to look within and allow God to help her with her weaknesses rather than blame “the enemy.”

Marvel and I made a promise then to pray for each other whenever we saw a red bird – that God would help us in whatever we were struggling with or praying for at that time, and that we would not listen to the accuser and accept his condemnation.

Romans 8:1-2 says: There is therefore (because Christ died for us) now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

You can recognize the enemy feeding your thoughts if they contain any of these forms of permanent judgment (you always, you never, you will never).  Three of the most common deceptions are:

  1. Allegation that a person is guilty of some fault, offence, or crime; imputation
  2. Condemnation – Severe reproof; strong censure.
  3. Damnation – the state of being condemned to eternal punishment in Hell as a consequence of sin.

If we allow these whispers of the enemy to infiltrate our minds we become like the red bird – believing all this subconscious talk is our self-talk and condemning ourselves when Christ has already set us free.

In Christ I am a FORMER red bird…now the bird reminds me of peace and security in Christ, for there is NO condemnation in Christ.

I know that God has sent more red birds than we ever thought we’d see since my sister and I made the promise, and we frequently call or send a note – “saw a red bird and prayed for you.”  Moments of growth, peace, and blessing have matched the date and time of prayer repeatedly and our experience has multiplied as we shared the prayer and commitment with our sister Marlene, then with daughters, nieces, friends, and “sisters-in-the-Lord.”

 

Many times we need encouragement – a Word, a Hug, or a Touch. Seeing a red bird and praying for others gets your mind off your own struggles, making you instead look forward to hearing ‘the rest of the story’ as to why you prayed for them at that time.  Remembering that someone is praying for you whenever they see a red bird is also wonderfully uplifting.

 

I encourage you to share this story and ‘Red-Bird Prayer’ with a sister or friend. Making this commitment says you will be sisters helping each other to grow, to stay strong, and also to help bear their burdens.  Once you join us, many red birds will come across your path – and many blessings will follow.

Is there someone you should pray for?  Have you seen a red bird today?  Are you “In Christ?”

If so, you too can say

I am a former Red Bird

 
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Posted by on 04/16/2012 in Emotions

 

Who Am I In Christ – #11 – Miserable?

04 Feb

What?  A miserable soldier?  But I am In Christ…

2Tim. 2:3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Hardship: distressed, miserable: —wretched – all are part of original meaning of hardship in this verse

We all suffer (endure) hardship of various times, but those who are In Christ are instructed how to endure being distressed, miserable, wretched…

With me.  (Christ speaking)

That makes an amazing difference for me, because there are times I feel

Watch God Work!

Distressed (experiencing decline or difficulty in some area of life)

Miserable (being in a pitiable state of distress or unhappiness as from want or shame)

Wretched (deeply afflicted, dejected or distressed in body or mind)

 

When I am Distressed – I am experiencing decline or difficulty about or in some area of my life. But I am not alone.  I find this exceptionally comforting for the scripture says about my distress:

1Pet. 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials…  Rejoice?  I cannot do that of myself.  When I am distressed I am empty. Then I remember I am not alone.  I am In Christ – and He is in me – with me!  Even in distress.  Maybe especially in distress.

When I am miserable – in a pitiable state of distress or unhappiness, scripture seems to indicate that there is only one reason for that – and that is if I am looking for hope in this life only.

1Cor. 15:19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.

 

Are some of these battles only to be resolved in eternity then?  If not – I realize looking at the end of the verse again – if not, then I would have hoped in Christ in this life only and would of all God’s creations, be most to be pitied.  To have been shown that He is with me – for and into eternity and to reject that like a toddler stamping my foot that I want resolution now…how foolish.

How wretched.  I look at with me again and am shocked to see the meaning behind with – it comes from hagnos meaning purely – without sin

So it is like Christ saying, I understand you will get angry, but do not sin.

I understand you will be greatly distressed, but endure it purely, without sin.  With me.

As a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Good, I wonder. Who is good?  But when I look at that meaning I see means capable of producing desired effect or effectual.  I’m capable, I know because  God has given (all who are In Christ) everything needed for life and godliness. (2Pet. 1:3)

A soldier is not a person of privilege – a soldier is an enlisted person, one who contends (fights) and serves (submits – gives obedience or homage) to God.

Word study helps me to work through the fog of oppression. It shines light on the enemy tricking me with accusation that if I am distressed, I am alone and hopeless and a wretched soldier, unfit for the work of God.

Liar.

IF I get distressed?  God’s word says I WILL be distressed, but I will not be alone, for Christ is with me.

If I am miserable?  Gods word says if I believe the lies of the accuser I will be miserable for I will lose sight of the eternal hope.

If I am wretched? I can step out of it AS who I am in Christ – a soldier fit and completely provided with full armor and all that is needed to overcome.

If you, too, experience that place of panic – depressed, distressed, miserable or wretched – know that you can turn from the enemy’s lies and claim His grace and your victory:

Victory: (from the Message)

II Cor 4 – we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken.

Every detail works to your advantage and to God’s glory: more and more grace

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace!

 

Note:  The above picture happened when I was exhausted, distressed, miserable and wretched about my life’s circumstances. I’d been sorting a room full of papers for over 20 hours and crying out to God, crying that I was losing hope, asking, “What good is all this, how can anything good come of all this emotional garbage….” when this yellow paper slid out from a handful of envelopes, swirled down and landed on the huge throw away pile – face up. In my face.  WATCH GOD WORK!

 
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Posted by on 02/04/2012 in Devotional, Emotions, Mind, Spirit

 

Who Am I In Christ? #7 – His Vessel

19 Jan

I am His Vessel

The first question I used to ask was what’s the difference between this example of who we are in Christ – a vessel – and the last, a temple.

Last time you saw how we become a temple when Christ comes into our lives – a place where Christ resides.  The vessel contains the temple.

So the vessel is our body?  Yes – it is of the earth, as explained in Genesis – God made us of the earth, and yet because God made us it is so much more.

We are compared to an earthenware vessel that was MADE, PREPARED, DESIGNED, CREATED by the Master Creator to be used in His service.

 

I have been made, prepared, designed, created to know Christ, to be His Temple, and to be useful in His service.

I would venture that most of God’s creation has experienced the verse from Isaiah 45:9 saying if only…you had made me…prettier, smarter, more talented, whatever.  Moses is probably the best-known example from scripture of someone who felt that God had created his vessel with an inadequacy:  Remember what he said?  Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past…

I know I too have pleaded with God – no, not that, I am not made for that, I cannot do that.  Anything but that.

Othertimes I’ve foolishly looked at other vessels and thought, oh, if only that were my situation.  I had a friend who knew there was nothing she could change about her vessel, and focused on her home…always dreaming that if she found the perfect home, her life would change. Media today amplifies that natural-man-argument with our creator saying don’t be satisfied with who and what you are..change!  Change your hair, or your cosmetics, or your shoes, or your investments and you can be who you want to be.

Wouldn’t we rather be who God wants us to be.  Who and what He designed us to be.

Complete and fulfilled for the Master’s use.

Is. 45:9            “Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker —

An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth!

Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’

Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?

 

Rom. 9:21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use, and another for common use?

I am earthen. I am clay.  I’ve been prepared as a vessel for the Master’s use.

Some days are hard. I want to cry about my insecurities like Moses.  I want to whine at my frailty as Patty Clairmont put it, I’m broken, cracked, so am I useless?  But I come face to face with Paul telling me, along with the church at Corinth:

1Th. 4:4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

Possess my vessel?  Possess means to overtake it – to dominate, control

And, he says, I know how to do it

In sanctification – set apart for God’s use. A “small” thing like pouring out water to feed …the animals, or rinsing off dirt from muddy feet…a “big” thing like bringing refreshment to important guests, or being used for a special occasion

And

In honor – What greater honor could there be than to be a child of God – to be IN CHRIST, and to be submitted to the creator for the opportunity to somehow bring Him glory

Is there a distinction with God according to what he calls us to be or to do?  Romans 9:21 says not. Only the earthen see the differences.  ALL vessels are equally honored when used by the Master.

I’ve experienced God speaking through me, filling in where I am inadequate. I’ve known God to do amazing things through me that I would never have dreamed of doing on my own, and I’ve had God promise in miraculous ways over and over that He chose me, created me as His vessel, and prepared His vessel to be of service to Him.

Janie Seltzer’s poem CLAY speaks to me:

Dizzy on the potter’s wheel, I reel –under the pressure of His hand.

Water splashes over me – I choke and gasp for air.

He cuts off softened chunks- Refines the shape- Remolds the inner core.

He whistles softly as He works.

I listen. . .  to the soothing sound – and slowly learn

. . . Relax

And wait –

For the Sovereign shape

Imaged in His mind.

That’s YOU!  That’s ME!  What an honor.

Say it with me:

I am God’s vessel.

 
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Posted by on 01/19/2012 in Devotional, Emotions, Mind, Spirit

 

The Watermark

07 Jun

A watermark is one of those subtle marks on stationery that you can’t see unless you hold it up to the light. 

For some reason, I think of that word when I think of a young friend who is lost right now.   This message is for her: For so long, you’ve been running from the light.  But when your life is held up to the light, the mark that’s always been there will be obvious to all who know you.

No matter what you’ve done, what mistakes you’ve made that you can’t go back and change, you still belong to Jesus, and he will never abandon you. He’s marked you for life, and that mark will never leave you.

We pray that the shades will be drawn from your eyes and you will soon once again see the light of your savior.

And this message is from all the sisters and the friends who are praying for her:  We each know what it was like to be lost, to stay in the darkness to hide our watermark.  We didn’t want the truth revealed for we would have had to face up to who we really were then, and who we were running from.  Besides, the longer you are in the dark, the more your eyes hurt when you come out into the light. It was far too easy to stay there and pretend we were comfortable when we were frightened out of our minds.

We know too how all the never satisfying addictions that kept us in the dark no longer draw, but even disgust, for we know them for their fakeness, and we know their smell of death.

The Son-light that shines behind and before our watermark once again creates transparent beauty that we want to share, don’t need to pretend anymore.

We pray our lost sister, that she might realize before her life is shortened that she is being deceived – that all which does not reflect and illuminate the watermark is there only for its own selfish purpose to seek, to kill, and to destroy.

We pray that eternal watermark would reveal itself and repel the enemy from our dear lost sister, and we pray that our own desperate journeys would make our prayers real and frequent for this dear one.

With confidence we know and have experienced that the Lord loves with an everlasting love and draws with lovingkindness. He has set eternity in her heart.

Even from eternity (the Lord says)

there is none who can deliver out of My hand;

I act and who can reverse it?”

 

“This one will say, ‘I am the LORD’S’ – Isaiah 44:5

 
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Posted by on 06/07/2011 in Emotions, Spirit

 

Don’t Let Me Miss the Glory…

17 May

Since my AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration) diagnosis, I’ve been reading all I can find on the topic.  I’ve found some great advice on slowing the progression with vitamins and a high Omega 3 diet.  And I find hope that the doctor does not know if or when it will progress further. Only God knows.

Of all the material I’ve read so far, the most startling statement began a recent find (through Paperbackswap!) .  The book was written by an eye doctor who also experienced Macular Degeneration.  The First Year: Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The)  Author: Daniel L. Roberts

The statement?  Whatever you want to see, or have wanted to see or do – do it now.

That’s probably good advice for anytime in our lives, as we get so caught up with the tyranny of the mundane.

His point – you may not have the opportunity again.  I now have a not-so-gentle reminder and “excuse” for energetic participation in our “Live like Lazarus” 40-day Facebook experiment!

So – a bucket list – Not what would Lazarus have put on his list if he knew he had a year – a month – a week – a day – left before he died…

No, nothing so final, because I will be forever known as a fool if I do not keep my hope and if I do not follow the diet and vitamin recommendations that could postpone the progression of the disease, and because no matter what, I have all eternity ahead.

But still dramatic if one stops to think – If the vision were to get worse tomorrow, or next week, or next month – what would I wish to see one more time – or what would I wish to recall seeing…

  1. People, of course – so this is a warning – I may be staring more than in the past, because, family and friends, you are precious to me. I’ve felt the highest honor when my children and others have called me a noticer.  Now I have another reason to notice and memorize every detail.
  2. Places – I hope to take my sister on a retirement trip, to fly a kite, visit some parks and Wisconsin islands, visit grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends to see where they live and work, and go to a planetarium, and…
  3. Things – funny how one notices anew all the beauties of creation when you think you may lose the ability some day to see it.  Funny how we race through the years of our lives when we don’t have the blessing of such a challenge.

This diagnosis is kind of like being a toddler again (or yet if you know me) to see, touch, and wonder at all of life.

When I first heard a now-favorite song sung by Gordon Mote, I thought, O Lord, let that be my theme song.  It’s called: “Don’t Let Me Miss the Glory

Written by: Joe Beck and Carl Cartee, Rick CUA Music, Willow Branch Publishing, Yada Yada Yada Music 

In the view from the mountains there’s a story to be told

In the crashing of the ocean there’s a power that no man can ever hold

All the stars in the Heavens decorate your handy work

Like a mighty choir we come to celebrate your worth

Don’t let me miss the glory don’t let me miss the praise

All creation is singing to the honor of your name

Don’t let me miss the wonder don’t let me miss the grand design

The lightening and the thunder will open up my eyes

Don’t let me miss the glory

In the cry of a baby in the laughter of love

In the dance of the faithful you will find the greatness of our God above

In the prayer of the righteous in the beauty of your grace

In the brand new morning mercy all your memory of my sin has been erased

Don’t let me miss the glory don’t let me miss the praise

All creation is singing to the honor of your name

Don’t let me miss the wonder don’t let me miss the grand design

The lightening and the thunder will open up my eyes

Don’t let me miss the glory

 
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Posted by on 05/17/2011 in Devotional, Emotions, Integrative Health, Living Naturally, Mind

 
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