You Are Known By Your Fruit

His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with hole s in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college.

He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.

Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not
sure how to go about it.

One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill
starts down the aisle looking for a seat.

The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.

Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.

By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.

About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill.

Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this
boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.

How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?

It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.

The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.

And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone.

Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says,

'What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.'

'Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read!'

 

I received this in my email today and wanted to share it with you. I pray for a servant's heart to reach out as this elderly man did to this young man.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) ²¹ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Throne Trip Tuesdays - Faith in God

Faith in God by Shirley Dobson

April 25th, 2011
When Jesus cursed a fig tree and it withered, He used the occasion to teach His disciples first about faith, and then about prayer.

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:22-24)

As Andrew Murray notes in With Christ in the School of Prayer, “The power to believe a promise depends entirely, but only, on faith in the promiser. Trust in the person begets trust in his word.”
Just as our faith strengthens our prayer life, so do our prayers deepen our faith. Let us pray often, starting today, for a deeper, more powerful faith.

Praise God for His ability to move mountains; repent of any mountain of sin or distrust in your life; ask God to remove that mountain; yield to Him by doing your part to remove it.



Is there a mountain standing in your way? Trust God! He can move mountains.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Romans 12:12 (NIV, ©2011) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Prayer Request

I'm traveling home today. Flying. Into and through storms. Rain. Not very nice weather. Please pray for my traveling safety....the pilot....and all those traveling with me.

I'll be back to a more normal posting schedule next week.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Luke 19:10 (NKJV) for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Throne Trip Tuesdays - Prayer....Does It Change Things?

They say that prayer changes things, but does it REALLY change anything?
Oh yes! It really does!

Does prayer change your present situation or sudden circumstances?
No, not always, but it does change the way you look at those events.

Does prayer change your financial future?
No, not always, but it does change who you look to for meeting your daily needs.

Does prayer change shattered hearts or broken bodies?
No, not always, but it will change your source of strength and comfort.

Does prayer change your wants and desires?
No, not always, but it will change your wants into what God desires!

Does prayer change how you view the world?
No, not always, but it will change whose eyes you see the world through.

Does prayer change your regrets from the past?
No, not always, but it will change your hopes for the future!

Does prayer change the people around you?
No, not always, but it will change you - the problem isn't always in others.

Does prayer change your life in ways you can't explain?
Oh, yes, always! And it will change you from the inside out!

So does prayer REALLY change ANYTHING?
Yes! It REALLY does change EVERYTHING!

Prayer does change me. I have seen this is my own life. Have you?

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Philippians 4:6 (NKJV) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

A Tribute Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.  

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
 

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.  

 
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
 

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.  

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
 

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.  

 
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
 

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
 

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.  

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
 

My Gramps died at '  Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.  

 
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile..
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
 

I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.  

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
 

I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.."  

 
"  So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
 

It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."  

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
 

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Christmas will soon be here. Please remember our U.S service men and women and give them credit for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in some small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Pray for them and their family members at home while they serve. 

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Luke 2:13-14 (NIV) ¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ¹⁴"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

 

Lines, Lines, and More Lines

It seems that I'm standing in a lot of lines these days. I stand in line at the deli and checkout at the grocery store. I stand in the teller line at the Credit Union to make a deposit. I wait in line at the drive up for DQ. I wait in line to get my oil changed. Here a line, there a line, everywhere a line, line.

I stand in line before the throne every morning too. What? Really? Bear with me on this one. Part of my morning routine is to spend time with God. I have a spot in line. Judy, Joe, Sandra, Billy, and Kathy stand around me. I so totally made that part up. But if you think about it, we have a particular spot before the throne each day during our regular prayer time. When we are not there, our spot is empty.

Other people are affected by whether or not I'm in my place in line too. How can that be? If I neglect my prayer time and Bible study time, I will be ill prepared to witness. You see, I have a place in the line of other people's lives too. I might be the first person who has ever told them about Jesus. I think this video says it best:



Are you prepared to tell someone about Jesus? Can you share your story of how you and Jesus met face-to-face in two minutes? Do you have Scripture memorized that can lead someone to Christ? I challenge you today, This Day, to practice your story and be able to lovingly share it with someone.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) ⁹ that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Thankful Thursday - 6/25/09

Wow! Can you believe it? The lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are flying by faster than a speeding bullet. June is almost behind us and at next Thankful Thursday's post we'll be in July getting ready to celebrate our nation's independence. God's word tells us to be thankful in everything so here's my list......silly or serious, big or small...God honors them all.

1. I'm thankful for prayer time with my hubby. Yep....he's in the top five again this week. We work different shifts and have different days off so our time together is precious and few. We cherish our prayer time together.

2. I'm thankful the landlord got the central AC unit fixed. We'd been using a window unit that just wasn't cooling with the spike in heat and humidity.

3. I'm thankful that God is concerned with that which concerns us. Last week when I was searching for my "picture of the day," I got my husband's car stuck in the mud. Let's just say it wasn't pretty. While I was rocking the car, I was praying for help.....I just needed a little push. You can see the result at my photo blog, Shutter Clicks. A couple days ago I went back to get a new picture of the day and took a photo of the ruts I made.....God clearly helped me. That photo will be posted Sunday.

4. I'm thankful for the time my daughter spent with me last week.

5. I'm thankful for safe traveling when I'm on my motorcycle. I'm riding to and from work almost every day on it, plus I'm riding it to class two evenings a week. Class is about twenty miles from home and I don't get out till dusk. That's when critters start moving.

That's my list for the week. What are you thankful for today, This Day? Please leave me a comment and stop by Sonya's at Truth 4 the Journey to link up and see how God is blessing others.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Jeremiah 23:24 (NIV) Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD.

Thankful Thursday

Five things I'm thankful for this week: Big or small.....God honors them all. :)

1. Prayer. Prayer for others, prayer from others, the power of prayer, the peace of prayer.
2. Good reports from the doctor. I'm thankful to be healthy again.....well, as healthy as a cancer survivor can be.
   
3. Coffee. That's right. I love me some good coffee. The smell of coffee roasting/brewing. The taste. I drink mine black at work. At home I spruce it up with a little sugar free french vanilla.
4. U-haul. Wait....what? That's right, they have great boxes for packing your stuff. Especially if it's going into storage.
5. Storage units. What else would we do with the furniture and keepsakes we want to keep until we find a house to purchase?

That's my five. What are you thankful for today, This Day? Leave me a comment and share your blessings.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Philippians 1:29 (NIV) For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,

Presently, Actively, Continually Believe

It's easy to think that God's not listening to your requests--especially when you're praying for that "special request" that continues to go unanswered. I am finding that more and more my petitions are for a healing touch for a family member, friend, or co-worker. Are you finding that to be true as well?

During chemo treatments, there were two prayers I prayed out loud most days. These prayers comforted me, encouraged me, and strengthened me. When everything else around me was out of control I knew God was in control of my situation. Even though I did not receive a miraculous, healing of the cancer being immediately removed, I believe God healed me through the advances of medicine.

Why doesn't God heal us instantly? I believe that sometimes, God allows that which He hates to accomplish that which He loves. Because God did not heal me instantly, I have a powerful testimony of His grace and mercy....first hand experience of how He saw me through, helped me endure, and brought me to a closer walk with Him. Because isn't that why we're here?

Morning Prayer for Healing

Father God, I thank You for creating me in Your image. I praise You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I confess that You are the God who heals, my Great Physician. I ask You to heal my body from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. I pray that You would regenerate every bone, joint, tendon, ligament, tissue, organ, and cell of my body. This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Evening Prayer of Restoration

Father God, I thank You for sustaining me today. I thank You that You are made perfect in my weakness. Your grace is sufficient for me. I thank You that Your steadfast love never ceases and Your mercies are new every morning. You say in Your Word that mourning may come for a night, but the new day will bring gladness. Bless me with a healing night's sleep. Restore unto me the joy of my salvation. Help me to stay on the path that leads to life.

Most of all, don't be discouraged! Here's what He says about prayer:

1. Pray boldly! God wants us to approach Him with confidence (Heb 4:16)
2. Pray often. God desires a relationship with us (1 Thess 5:17)
3. Pray in faith. He is able and willing (Mark 11:24-26).

I am so thankful for the healing touch I received from God. What is your need today, This Day? Go with confidence to the throne of grace, go often, and pray continually; and presently, actively, continually believe that He hears you, knows your heart, and has a plan.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Philippians 4:6 (NKJV) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God

Finally!

It's been almost a week since my last post. I want to thank everyone for their prayers. My brother is doing better and was released from the hospital Friday. Praise God! He'll be staying with my dad for the next few weeks as he recovers. He is anxious for his life to get back to normal, but there will be a new normal for him.

That's how it was for me when I got saved. I had a new normal, a new standard by which to live. In fact, I'm still learning every day. I'm so thankful the Lord is patient.

I will get back to blogging next week as time permits. But today, This Day, is for my husband.

Be sure to check out my photo blog of the 365 project. I've updated pictures from last weeks' activities.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Deuteronomy 12:7 (NIV) There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.