"So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need." Heb. 4:16
Author: Sonja
Child of the King; Christian WP Blogger; Grandmother or five; retired 55 years; Property Landlord; Buckner International missionary for 10 years; struggling unpublished memoirs writer of non-fiction personal life events!
How can this be done?…Byallowing your life’s walk to be anchored in the Lord!
Starting from childhood, to be anchored in the Lord, you can become empowered by meditating on His Word!
…And continue meditating on God’s holy Word as you grow into adolescence and later into manhood.
Let’s look at what Biblical meditation is not…
Biblical meditation certainly is not sitting in a lotus position and chanting, humming, rocking, forming circles with your fingers or washing your mind clean from all thoughts. No sir e bob!!! Neither do you need to rush out and purchase a stack of candles, incense, a mat, ear plugs and various CDs by famous gurus. (Just begin your time with the Holy Spirit (your Teacher) by reciting Psalm 19:14: “Dear, Holy Spirit, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Amen”
OK, now that you’ve been enlightened on what meditation is not…let’s look at what meditation is…
Biblical meditation is first and foremost simply focusing on God through prayerfully contemplation on his Word. First, you’ll want to quiet your spirit with a prayer of invitation for the Holy Spirit to come into your heart and ‘dine’ with you. Choose a scripture from your memory, recite it aloud a couple of times and audibly inquire of the Holy Spirit if your interpretation of meditating on that scripture is pleasing to Him. (You can do this by applying and reciting Psalm 104:34: “Lord, may my meditation be pleasing to him (You), for I rejoice in the Lord.”
You may want to continue your conversation (prayer) with the Holy Spirit by incorporating several additional scriptures that reference meditating.
Additional scriptures expressed in your own words, such as…
Psalm 63:6 “When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night…”
Psalm 1:1-2 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
Psalm 119:97 “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.”
Psalm 143:5 “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.”
And in conclusion, let us remember…
In the Book of Joshua 1:8, it teaches us the “why” of Christian meditation. It goes like this: “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”
Scripture Lesson:“My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. Psalm 49:3
“For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.” Luke 6:43-44
This week’s blog is a page from one of my numerous prayer journals that was experienced and recorded more than eighteen years ago. At that time, I was a Sunday School teacher in the church I attended. It is my hope that the retelling of this odyssey will bless your soul just as much as it has blessed mine during my walk and communications with the Holy Spirit.
Ahh…for a good night’s rest I thought after prayerfully studying my Sunday School lesson…
The Holy Spirit awakened me about 4:30 a.m. on that divinely appointed night. I knew it was Him. He instructed me to go get my paper-back book entitled Chicken Soup For The Christian Soul. So, I quietly slipped out of bed and turned on my night light and retrieved my book. In it I found a short story relevant to my Sunday School lesson. It was very appropriate for my third graders.
I said to myself, it would really be nice if I could find a short story directly related to the book of Luke. After leafing through the book, I found the perfect story and it referenced Luke 6:33, a section on giving.
After I finished reading the story, I was smiling and thanking God for awakening me and putting the finishing touches on my Sunday School lesson. I said, oh, Lord, if I had my druthers, heaven would be one long eternal night instead of a place of eternal day. I made that comment because for me and most people I know, God engages us in the most revealing conversations at nighttime or at least in the early dawn while it is still dark outside.
Immediately, my Lord responded. “Daughter, My beloved,” He whispered, “turn to Revelations where I speak of the fact that heaven will have neither sun nor moon.”
"The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the
glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light." Rev. 21:23
Don’t you see my child, heaven will have neither sun nor moon. There will be no concept of day or night there. I AM IT! When I awaken you at night to speak to you, I am treating you as I treat Myself. I never sleep! So why should you? I’ll say to you like I said to Jeremiah; ‘Do you want to run with the horses?’. Well, I Am the Horse. Wake up, my beloved! Allow me to turn your night into day.
If you want to walk with Me, know that there are no inhibitions that hinder Me. No walls contain Me. No doors are shut against Me. No gulfs divide Me from anything. No restraints bind Me. No insults effect Me. No regiment of time constrains Me. But most of all, no weapon formed against Me shall prosper. I say to you, come to the realization of how awesome it is to be more than a conqueror. Come! I invite you to join Me and experience eternity!!!
So now you, too, know not to curse the sudden awakening from sleep in the night. God just might be turning your nights into days. HALLELUJAH!!!
Scripture Lesson:“I (Jesus) say emphatically that anyone who listens to my message and believes in God who sent me has eternal life, and will never be dammed for his (her) sins, but has already passed out of death into life.” John 5:24
“Please hold my hand, Lord. For I am a sinner, saved by Your grace! I yield!“
Webster defines “conversation” as having an oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas. So, what does it mean to know God intimately? Well, for me, I have come to realize that my conversations with God are very personal and private. Our relationship is one that allows us to laugh together, cry together, come to a mutual understanding especially after I have thought about the situation carefully and/or studied it prayerfully. The Holy Spirit has also made known to me my epitaph inscription; “In all thy getting, get an understanding”. (Proverbs 4:7b KJV)
Now I have a question for you…
Which would you rather have been given; a name at birth that distinguished you from other people, or a name at birth that referenced your inner most being? I realize that’s a tough question because as we grow, our character changes.
Unlike the Native American societies, at birth, infants receive names that are descriptive that can be changed as they go through life, according to what their experiences and accomplishments are. The vast nomenclatures for God are like that…or should I say ought to be like that as you grow more intimately in Him.
Your Christian walk and desires should be one of learning how to become more mature in grace and obedience because of a Wondrous working God. Your prayer life could be strengthened every time you called on Him if you substituted the word “God” for one of His names (below) from Scripture that addressed your need. Why? Because we know with assurance, God has already shown himself worthy of that title. (Below are four examples of titles.)
“God of Heaven”
“Prince of Peace”
“Deliverer ”
“Righteous One” ”
When praying
Pray for waring nations,
Pray for Kings,
Praying for
for weather
People, Governments, and
Presidents, All
Justice, Sinners,
(nature) conditions.
Societies, etc.
Leaders, Parents, and
All Knowledge, and
Care Givers.
Jesus’ position as
the Son of God.
The Names above are to be used in prayer in place of God in order to take the focus off of yourself!
Now, perhaps you can answer my question…
Because most of us at birth were given names that merely distinguished us from other people, we are not recognized by any attainable goals or notable accomplishments. On the other hand, every time we call on the Name of the Lord in prayer by one of His descriptive Names in Scripture that actually addresses our needs, we can shout hallelujah because we know He is able, ready and willing to respond.
My prayer for you…
Dear Jehovah Jireh, my Provider and Maker of Heaven and Earth, we want to thank You very much for making us joyful and happy. We want to make our thoughts obedient to You, and in all things we sincerely ask that You help us to focus on all things that are beautiful and good and right so that our conversations and interactions with You will reflect Your peace and understanding. We ask these blessings in your Son’s Name, Jesus the Christ. Amen
Scripture Lesson:“Brothers (and Sisters), stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” (1 Corinthians 14:20 NIV)
Here is a piece of trivia: Human history records that in 1795 a French chemist invented a canning method for preserving food which was later used by Napoleon’s army.
BUT, did you know that eating is not just about satisfying hunger pains?
For Christians, “eating” should also be about consuming God’s Word. Why? Basically, because eating food and eating the Word are soul mates!
God created our bodies with mortal cell materials with a shelf life that will eventually expire. Consequently, mankind’s life existence greatly depends upon how well he or she is ‘watching’ their diet.
Nutrients from both the food one eats and the Word one ingest provides the foundation for replenishing good cells for those bad cells that have expired. Thus, restoring the structure, integrity and function of our body, skin, hair and muscles; in addition to regenerating the manifestation of the Shekinah glory that is revealed in our appearance as we ‘dine’ at the “Oh, Taste And See” restaurant with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In Psalm 34:8, Our Maker invites us to: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him”. (Unlike the followers of Napoleon who took refuge in his army.)
To enlighten you further on what I am saying, I have taken the liberty of selecting just 5 of God’s favorite recipes from his award-winning cook book, the Bible. If you are hungry for more, let me know by leaving a comment.
I will also leave it up to you to dust off your Grandmother’s favorite recipe book to stir up your most flavorful agricultural dish for physical nourishment.
Chef’s warnings: See if you can discern which recipe below belongs in which category.
Too much of a good thing can be fattening.
Stealing food from God’s grocery store can be fatal.
Not picking the right ingredients can cause spoilage and indigestion.
Using a charge card instead of paying with cash can cause your bank account to be overdrawn.
Ba-Manna-Bread
Set oven to “OFF”. No heat necessary. This bread is rained down from the sky. It is fashioned from the residue of the morning dew. Make only enough for one meal at a time. If it is not all eaten, it will melt. After it is baked, it will appear white in color with coriander seed and taste like honey wafers.
Question: What is the real name for this bread from heaven and in what Bible Book is it found?
Angels preparing the dough for Ba-Manna-Bread
Ex 16:4, 13, 14, 21, 31 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.
Fried Fish Sticks
Go down to the Nearest River and catch some fish (people) with your mouth. Place the fish on the rocks in the desert. The heat from the sun will fry the fish. (Ask them how’s their life been going lately.) Be careful not to become over heated and succumb to a heat stroke. (Don’t be almost persuaded to succumb to their foolishness.) For then you might become a meal for the beasts. (And you know where the beasts are located.)
Question: What is the title of the great monster ruler in this recipe. Which Book of the Prophets is it recorded. What idiom was assigned to him?
Pharaoh king of Egypt and that great monster, fishing
Ezekiel 29:3b-5 You say, “The Nile belongs to me; I made it for myself.”
But I, the Sovereign Lord says, I will put hooks in your jaws and make the fish of your streams stick to your scale. I will pull you out from among your streams, with all the fish sticking to your scales. I will leave you in the desert, you and all the fish of your streams. You will fall on the open field and not be gathered or picked up. I will give you as food to the beasts of the earth and the birds of the sky.
Southern Pot-Roasted Quail
You will need cups of some east and south winds from Heaven’s grocery store. Next, gather hundreds of the fallen feathered fowls that the winds blew in. The cooking aroma will delight the neighborhood. Prepare enough food for a number of greedy people. Warn the obese ones to chew their food thoroughly lest they choke. Needless to say, you may still have to call EMS….Emergency Missionary Services.
Question: Where were the people when this “picnic” takes place. Was this a family reunion or a “divine ruse”.
Quail birds flying in fromthe southeast
Psalm 78:26-33 He (God) caused an east wind to blow in the heaven; and by his power he brought in the south wind. He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea. And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations; they were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, the wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
How to Can Preserves/Jams
Discretely assemble 6 glass canning jars with pressure lids and rings. Place uprightly on the stove a large pot filled with water that will cover the jars by 2 inches.
To insure the integrity of the glass jars when filled with the hot jam mixture, allow the empty jars only (not the lids and rings) to simmer in the hot water until ready to be filled.
Preserves and Jams should only be made with fresh fruits and in small batches, about 6 cups at a time, so that contamination wont set in. Faithfully, assemble all of your other cooking utensils and ingredients.
With a potato masher, mercifully crush up the fruit when making jams. However, leave the fruit whole if making preserves.
The principal thing is to truthfully follow the recipe exactly, especially when adding the sugar and pactin, a preservative. This is the key to canning perfect preserves and jams when using God’s recipes.
When you serve the preserves and jams, lovingly remind the people that they really are what they eat!
(Pretend like this is a ‘clay’ jar sitting on The Potter’s wheel.”)
Proverbs 2:11 Discretion shall preserve thee.
Proverbs 20:28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
Psalm 25:21 My integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for thee.
Psalm 40:11 Do not thou, O Lord, withhold thy mercy from me, let thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness ever preserve me!
Question: What does Proverbs 4:7 say is the key thing to get that will preserve you?
LakeFish Sovereign Bank
Making a withdrawal from a bank is easy. First, you must not forget to have with you your identification and/or your pass word, and your bank account number.
In todays world, banking God’s way can be done from just about anywhere, any location or vintage point. Namely, at a brick and mortar building, an electronic device, a computer, a merchant, a Tilly-the-teller, or from a good resourceful friend.
What you may not know is there is a secret place where a person can withdraw money. The name of this recipe is the bank named in the title.
Get the name of your nearest stocked lake. (That’s the group of non-believing family members and friends.)
Borrow your little brother’s fishing rod. (That’s his Children’s Bible.)
Pick up some bait. (That’s your faith.)
Head to the lake and catch some fish. (That’s when you start enlightening folks about God’s Word.)
Open its mouth and retrieve the cash. (That’s when you shout hallelujah and when they shout, Lord, I yield. Help my unbelief.)
Jesus said to retrieve the coin from a fish not a pig!
Matthew 17:27 “…go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take and give unto them for me and thee.”
Question: Do you know the difference between a fish and a pig? What two men are having this conversation?
Scripture Lesson: Jesus answered, “It is written (Deut. 8:3): Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4
What an odd thought, I said to myself. Where did that come from? I know what ‘muse’ means, Lord. What is it You want to converse with me about this evening?
Don’t you know, my child, that I can read your thoughts, was His reply. I can also feel your pain and sadness. Yes, I see what is going on down there on earth with an all-seeing eye. And, yes, it’s very sad and alarming to the masses.
Dear readers, before I begin to write my blog for this week, please allow me to define for you the meaning of the word ‘muse’. The dictionary defines this word as; to turn something over and over in the mind meditatively and often inconclusively. To wonder or marvel over a situation.
For months, now, I have been praying about the devastating wake of Covid-19. And now, because of the unlawful assault on the Capitol Building in the USA seat of government, Washington, DC., I have piled on a new situation of burden bearing in my heart and in my psyche.
As I sat in my office chair, holding my head in my hands, I felt the Holy Spirit’s breath of comfort envelop me. Hold on, He whispered. Communicate with a prayer for understanding, for your musings are resounding loud and clear up here in Glory.
So, after a few seconds I began praying…
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for just being You. I praise You for being Omnipotent…all knowing and all caring. I praise You for sending the Holy Spirit to comfort us and to lead us onto the right path. In my search for peace, Lord, in the days ahead, may You allow Your relentless and abundant love to envelope me and lift me out of this deep despair.
As the coronavirus mutates, and people become more cruel and more careless and more opinionated, may You become just that much more loving and discerning towards your people. Teach me and my fellowman, Oh Lord, to become more dependent on You, and open up our understanding of Your ways, so that our faith may increase as despair creeps in.
Bless me, Lord Jesus, so that my mouth and heart speak with precision; so that I might pray with power and conviction. And above all, to stand with courage and in hope. For I know, now, that my meager life and thoughts do matter to You and that You hear and answer my prayers. I pray this prayer in the precious Name of Jesus…Amen and Amen.
Scripture Lesson: “When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.” Proverbs 31:26
The U.S. Dollar is the most powerful currency in the world
Who doesn’t love money? Who, in their life time, will not handle or spend money? Who hasn’t talked about, invested, lost, earned, saved, deposited, exchanged, buried or stole money? Need I say…Nobody or Everybody!!
Well, who would have thought that God would use the design of the American dollar bill to make it possible to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
God did this by first using the intellect of the founding fathers of this nation to commission the design for the Great Seal of America. As you may know, the Great Seal has infused within its design many magical symbols. Some historians and others believe that the reasoning for this was because several members of the founding fathers were Freemasons (or of similar persuasions) and subscribed to this school of thought.
The Great Seal of the United States: Front and Back Imprints
But I believe that because the Great Seal of America was used as a pattern to design the dollar bill some centuries later, the tradition of using magical symbols to depict the destiny of America was incorporated. And that’s where God stepped in.
First, let’s examine the official symbol for the dollar. As you converse with others about the Good News, your reference comes from Numbers, chapter 21 in the Bible. The Israelites who began to speak against God were severely punished. God sent fiery serpents to bit them. Then God instructed Moses to make a fiery serpent image and place it on a pole. Anyone who looked upon the pole would be cured. Later, the design reference for the official symbol for the dollar, included the fact that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was placed on a pole and all those who looked upon Him would receive eternal life.
Next, notice the Greek alphabet letter above which means “Omega”…in Christianity it means the end of things. God is the beginning and ending (Alpha and Omega) of things. God alone holds the past, present and future for the American nation…NOT George Washington. Please note that it is Ole George’s portrait that is placed within the image of the Omega alphabet sign on the face of the dollar bill.
On the reverse side of the dollar bill there are 7 words written beneath the two roundels (circles): “The Great Seal…Of The United States.” Also, the English word ‘One’ appears 6 times and 1 time in Latin (unum, on the eagle’s upper wing) for a total of 7. And as you know, the number seven is held extremely sacred in the Christian religion. Seven denotes the completion and triumph of Spirit (3) over matter (4).
By now, I hope you are experiencing the joy and excitement one can receive when holding a dollar bill and explaining it’s origin and design to a wayward traveler, family member of friend. For me, I just want to shout the written words, “In God We Trust”, after I carryout this godly assignment of conversing with Him and others.
The last bit of information I want to leave with you is for you to take a look at the unfinished pyramid. Examine it closely with a magnifying glass. Not only is it unfinished, but there is famine vegetation growth in front and plenteousness vegetation at the rear. This represents the present state of the world now. And feast and famine will continue to reign until the return of Christ Jesus…the ‘all seeing’ Eye within the tip of the pyramid.
There are many more signs and symbols depicted on the face of the American dollar bill, but those explanations will have to wait until another blog post. Research and explore the dollar bill for yourself…you just might learn something and be blessed as you have your own conversations with God using Scripture.
Plant seeds by using innovative ways to spread the Good News!
Scripture Lesson: Preach the word of God; be prepared in season and out of season; rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instructions. 2 Timothy 4:2
Have you availed yourself to the Almighty?Have you proclaimed,‘Here I am, Lord, send me?’
From the beginning, God has a call on all our lives. He sought me out from birth. I know this because I asked Him. One evening through prayer, I was led to claim His words that say “…and you shall be called Sought Out.” (Isaiah 62:12a) This name was capitalized right there on the page of the Bible. And I claimed it!
Although God called me at an early age, like most of you, I turned a deaf ear to His voice. I allowed the voices of Mr. and Mrs. Excuse, Aunt and Uncle Procrastination, and my favorite cousin, Self-willed Willie to have control over my life. They took turns distorting my hearing, understanding, mind, heart, time, talents and my treasures. Enough, all ready!
Are you listening to gossip, back-biting, false accusations, lies, and malicious conversations?
If the truth was told, we all have bodies that come designed with a myriad of voices. Did you know that your persona reflects which voice you are listening to at any given time in your life? At present (and I hope from this point forward), my persona reflects a contented sheep because the voice I am listening to is that of the Shepherd.
So, when I came to myself, I repented and prayerfully asked the Lord to forgive me for procrastinating in compiling my thoughts into a book that I have penned, entitled “Conversations With God Using Scriptures, Telling It Like It Is”. I have also thanked Him for silencing every negative voice that previously had dominion over me. For I once was young but now I am in my senior years and am privileged to see just Who it was that rescued me from the snares of life. Thank God for those of you whose eyes were opened in your youth.
But no matter what your age, begin seeking Him today. Start recognizing the extraordinary methods of operation He is performing in your lives. In my situation, He turned my personal Bible study quiet time into an interactive, stimulating and intimate conversational time with Him.
Always remember that God is calling you twenty-four hours a day; seven days a week; and 365 days a year! It is your choice to mentally leave your domain, your comfort zone, your place of many voices, and answer His call. He is the One with the still small voice. He is the Comforter. When you are ready to obey and yield, just say, “Speak Lord, thy servant is listening.”
My prayer for you…
Dear Heavenly Father, Master of the universe, we are so sorry that we constantly worry about the negative things that are happening at the moment in the world and, yes, in our own lives, too. We thank You that the hard times that we experience cause us to hear Your voice. We now want to open our lives to you and to turn away from voices spreading false hope. Please help us to look away from the reigning crime and violence and wholeheartedly surrender our lives to You with the certain knowledge that You will care for us individually and collectively for the rest of our lives. We humbly ask that you, Lord, also still those negative voices that fill our heads with doubts and fears. And we all promise that with the help of the Holy Spirit we will listen for Your call and proclaim like little Samuel and the prophet Isaiah. We will answer and say: “Here I am, Lord, send me”. Amen!
Scripture Lesson: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine”. Isaiah 43:1
As I was rambling through my archives of compositions I have written over the years, I ran across a short true children’s story I wrote some 75 years ago. The theme of the story is about why Snooky (me) and Sissy (my older sister) received a spanking from our Auntie Bea.
I believe retelling this story to you is important because as I reread the actions of the characters, those behaviors conjured up interactions I have experienced during my sojourn with my Lord and Savior. OUCH!!
“Run, Snooky, run!! It’s getting dark and I believe we are lost!”, cried Sissy.
Let’s begin at the beginning…
"Snooky Gets A Spanking" - A short story by the BloggerOn Your mark! Get set! Go! As I raced across the soft thick blades of grass, I could feel the cool breeze slice across my forehead and cut under my chin which was tucked down into the clef of my chest. My two arms were outstretched and flapping as if I was imitating a free-style swimmer fresh out of water. My older sister, Sissy, was out running me by only a few feet and I could actually gain on her if she would only run in a straight line and help break the force of wind that hindered me when she veered to the right or to the left. Only a little farther, I thought, as we both chugged up a small slope on the grassy knoll. Just then, Sissy's foot slipped and she nearly lost her balance as her gait mis-stepped and I went whisking passed her to run headlong into the play area with swings. "I won, I won," I yelled as I jumped up and down on the uneven brown gravel which stretched underneath the four-seat swing set and extended over to the seesaw, the sand box and the monkey bars.Sissy approached the swings with a slight limp and was quietly crying as she took hold of the swing's chains and lifted herself into the seat. "Are you OK?" I asked as we both gasped to catch our breath. "I didn't beat you fair and square. If you hadn't slipped you would have won," I said, trying to comfort her. After all, she was my big sister and if I wanted her to play with me ever again, I knew better then to make her angry. "Hold tightly and I'll push you real high. So high that you will touch the sky and I will run underneath you," I remember saying as we started to play.That event happened in 1947 in Washington Park located on Northwestern Street in Indianapolis, Indiana, when Sissy was nine years old and I was eight. The park was located across the street from Aunt Bea's house where we were visiting for the weekend. Our mother and father liked to go dancing and they would often ship us off to Aunt Bea's so they could 'cut a rug' at the neighborhood juke joint.In those days, it was safe to allow kids to play in areas a short distance from their houses as long as the adult could see them or the children were within "yelling distance" of the house. The playground area where we played could be seen from our front porch and every now and again, Aunt Bea would appear on the porch and wave to us.Time passed quickly as my sister and I took turns pushing each other in the swings. Soon, other kids joined us and we all would be having fun squealing and kicking gravel and running from one play area to another. We would fall down and frolic in the tall grass and pick white and yellow dandelions on that bright sunny day in early March.Without warning, an amazing sight appeared in the sky. All the kids looked up over the cluster of bushes and saw about seven or eight brightly colored kites with beautiful streamers attached, flying silently and almost motionlessly in the blue sky. The kite strings floated down towards us but disappeared over the next hill. "Come on," Someone yelled: Come on." "Let's go see who's flying those kites." So we all left our safe play area and took off running over the hill and out of sight and earshot of Aunt Bea.Just over the hill we could see each kite string in the hands of a strong teenage boy who was maneuvering and jockeying for position and going with the flow of the wind as he pumped his kite higher and higher into the air. There was a rhythm surrounding the young men as we watched in amazement. When one moved to the left, seemingly they all moved to the left. And with arms raised and bodies bent into the wind's current, they would all float back to the right. Soon, we kids were drawn into their wake and found ourselves deeper and deeper into the bowels of the park and actually lost in its landscape. No one was really aware that the sun was going down and evening was quickly approaching. We were just too caught up in the excitement of the moment.It was not until we reached a small pond where white ducks and geese were swimming did Sissy and I realize that we were in an area of the park that we had never ventured to before. As our eyes met, our mouths flew open and our eyes grew bigger as we suddenly knew we were not only lost, but out of range to yell for our Auntie to find us. What were we to do? We ran to each other and said not a word. We just embraced and began to cry. The rest of the crowd moved on and were soon out of sight over the next hill. We were now all alone, scared and frighten out of our wits.Sissy guided me over to a tree and we sat down and stared at the ground. In the stillness we could hear the wind ever so softly, calling our names. Tears were streaming and the wind was faintly whispering, Sissyyyy...Snookyyy...Sissyyyy...Snookyyy. At the second 'wind' call, Sissy and I were on our feet and running towards the sound. We heard it again and again. That's no wind, that's Aunt Bea we thought as our hearts raced and our feet took wings and flew us directly into her path. We both ran smack into her massive thighs and almost knocked her down. But her large body and her strong arms held firm. Her mouth was set perched atop her lower lip as her right hand took hold of Sissy's collar and her left hand grabbed the back of my neck. Without a word she marched us across the park and up the front steps of our front porch. (To this day, I don't believe our feet ever touched the ground.)You can imagine what happened to us once we were behind closed doors!---------------------The End-------------------
THE MORAL OF THE STORY…GOD’S CHASTISEMENT!!
There are so many ‘life lessons‘ in the above children’s story that if we truly disscet their meaning based on our own individual life experiences, they might warn us of whether or not we are in store for a trip to the ‘wood shed‘ for some sort of discipline by our Lord and Savior. So, please privately respond to the following ten questions:
1. Has your life been filled with ups and downs; successes and failures; lies and truths;
love and hate; doubts and faith?
2. What has caused you to slip and loose your gait?
3. Has someone else received a reward you thought you earned?
4. What was your reaction to the above question?
5. Have you ever admitted to cheating or scamming anyone?
6. Have you ventured into uncharted waters and almost drowned?
7. Are you able to love your family, friends AND enemies?
8. Can you turn the other cheek?
9. Can you name and applaud your mentors?
10. Have you endured a punishment that restricted your freedom?
Scripture Lesson:“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45
I don’t know!…I have no idea! But I want to be in good standing and in an eternal relationship with an eternal God. Please enlighten me Holy Spirit!
Whether you consider yourself a mature Christian or a novice one, may I suggest that before you respond to God’s question, isolate yourself and take mental inventory of how you perceive some of life’s greatest values. (Do you agree or disagree with the right side of the chart below?)
The Greatest Handicap..........................................................................FEAR
The Best Day..........................................................................................TODAY
Hardest Thing To Do..............................................................................TO BEGIN
Easiest Thing To Do................................................................................FINDING FAULT
Most Useless Asset................................................................................PRIDE
Most Useful Asset...................................................................................HUMILITY
The Greatest Mistake..............................................................................GIVING UP
The Greatest Stumbling Block................................................................EGOTISM
The Greatest Comfort.......................................................................WORK WELL DONE
Most Disagreeable Person..........................................................THE COMPLAINER
Worst Bankruptcy........................................................................LOSS OF ENTHUSIASM
Greatest Need.........................................................................................COMMON SENSE
Meanest Feeling.........................................................REGRET AT ANOTHER'S SUCCESS
Best Gift...................................................................................................FORGIVENESS
The Hardest and Most Painful To Accept...............................................DEFEAT
The Greatest Moment..............................................................................DEATH
The Greatest Knowledge.........................................................................GOD
The Greatest Thing..................................................................................LOVE
The Greatest Success
In The World.........................................SELF FULFILLMENT AND PEACE OF MIND
So, now that you have found a way to examine your emotional feelings about some of the greatest values in life, and how those feelings can influence your relationship with God, let us now try to honestly answer God’s question concerning your relationship with him.
Where To Find Your Answers…
The Holy Bible gives us a litany of Scriptures to help us evaluate our connection and relationship status with the eternal God our Maker. He also gives us the Glue, which is through the power of the Holy Spirit, to stay connected to him. But most of all, God has given us a visible Teacher, his Only Begotten Son, Christ Jesus, to be an example and to teach, lead, and guide us along the way. And to make certain that among all whom God has given to his Son, none will be lost.
A perfect relationship with God is knowing that we are in good standing and saved (from the fate of physical death unto the power of eternal life) not by our good deeds and/or righteous living, BUT by what the Bible says about faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Scripture Lessons:
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the assurance we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ” I John 5:13-14
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, (a warm-blooded man to a physically cold world) that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“In him (Jesus Christ) we have redemption (a Ransom paid to redeem our sins) through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:7
“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’. Romans 8:15
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
“But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” Isaiah 59:2
“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” James 4:17
“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13
My Prayer For You…
Dear Heavenly Father: As your children go forth in an effort to solidify their relationship with you, please do not allow them to spend an enormous amount of time in doing so. Why? Because it may cause them to spend too much time thinking about themselves and their short comings and not enough time getting to know you. For your word says for us to (just) ask and we shall receive, seek and we shall find and knock and the door will be opened unto us.
For your children know that you are the Good Shepherd, and you know without any doubts those that are seeking to strengthen their relationship with you. For it is written that You, Jesus, know us and that we know You. And that you desire to have a strong relationship with us. We ask all of these blessings in the precious Name of Christ Jesus, Amen and Amen!
Dear God, we’re satisfied with you…but are you satisfied with us?
All I can say is…”To God be the glory.” That’s right! Every time someone ask me where do I get all my ideas to write about, all I can say is that the Holy Spirit empowers me to scribe. He and He alone placed the desire in my heart to put words to paper long before I was born. And, like the prophet Jeremiah, it’s like a fire shut up in my bones.
Sometimes I feel like Grandma Moses. She was a celebrated American painter who was born on September 7, 1860, in Greenwich, N.Y. She died 95 years later on December 13, 1961. Grandma Moses’ true grit was her passion to paint the great and beautiful outdoors and also everyday farm life. Some of her words in her memoirs have inspired me and her penchant to paint recorded therein mimic my very own reasons as to why I write. I believe we both are people who were born with a passion to follow through with our life’s goals. To persevere and work really hard to perfect our calling. To be passionate and conscientious about the gifts God has endowed us with. Our pursuits are what makes our Maker happy.
Take a listen to what Grandma Moses said about why she paints:
“I look out the window sometimes to seek the color of the shadows and the different greens in the trees, but when I get ready to paint, I just close my eyes and imagine a scene.”
“Memory is history recorded in our brain. Memory is a painter…”
“I like to paint something that leads me on and on into the unknown, something that I want to see always on beyond.”
“You don’t get to be 95 without having some memories and knowing ugly things. But I don’t believe in painting ugliness. I paint pretty pictures. If I put in something that was not pretty, I make it look a little better. If people can’t get pleasure out of looking at a picture, what’s the use of painting it?”
So, all I have to do is substitute the word “write” for every time Grandma Moses uses the word “paint”. Because her feelings are my feelings exactly about ‘why I write’.
Following is an original poem I wrote about why I write…
This young man is not only thinking outside the box… he is also thinking outdoors!
W O R D S
Words come soaring
Words come marching
Words come seeking
Words come stalking
Words come walking
Words come running
Words come creeping
Words come strumming
Words! Words!
Who can live without them
Cluttering up your mind, they come
Like falling leaves in Autumn
Overflowing your heart in chaos
Fighting for space in your being
Establishing themselves in voices
Everybody speaking at once...bad timing
Trying to eradicate them from your head
Is like eliminating your body of waste
In a few short hours they are back again
With a vengeance, running around in haste
Words! Words!
Are like parasites, no doubt
I have resolved to tolerate them
But only until death takes me out!
The End
My prayer for you…
Heavenly Father, we thank You that You have endowed each of us with special talents. And You are hopeful that we will commit our lives to the good deeds that You have planned for us. Please help us to discover and to carry out the purposes that You have in mind for us to become. Amen and Amen!
Scripture Lesson: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
Conversations With God Using Scripture 