He didn't stay dead.

 Head on over to an encouraging poem by a pastor of yesteryear by clicking here.

What's next?

Good day, dear readers.  The title of this entry as you see is, "What's next?"

Have you completed a life task only to wonder, "what now?" I want to share a "brain drizzle" with you. 

I have several responsibilities at church; I play the piano for worship services and most special singing,  handle the mission funds, manage the church website and attend every service faithfully sans any illness. In the past I have led the 4-6 year old Wednesday class and taught the 10-13 class on Sundays.  The Lord has been pleased to put me in all these places in His house and in His service.  

In recent months, my spirit has been stirred once more to teaching.  Then I think, "what do I have to offer?"  My life has been blessed with many godly women who are examples of true christian ladies.  Each personality is different but united in things of the Lord.  My own experiences growing up in a somewhat tumultuous home that ended in divorce (I was 16), getting saved at 18, marriage at 23, mother at 34, divorce at 40 and finally, 50 - "year of jubilee, Canaanland, 'my mountain'" have been not a few.  The last eleven years have been up and down with burdens but peaceful.

Then, the thought comes that many of my life experiences and influences coupled with scripture give me much to share with ladies 18-30.   While many have been brought up in godly homes and atmospheres, many have not.  Yet, I remember having a couple of older ladies supporting my life during these years.  Sometimes I was listening, sometimes I was not.  One choice in particular caused much grief, sorrow and pain.  However, the Lord guided and provided in all.

I would like to teach this age group giving practical and spiritual instruction as the Lord leads.   I would request anyone reading this entry pray for me.  I would never want to step out of His will or lead anyone in the wrong way just because of my experience(s).

No scripture on my heart for this endeavour other than current devotions in Proverbs regarding wisdom and how to exercise knowledge with wisdom. (Pro 2.6, 4.7, 9.10,  Jms 1.5)  

Found this photo above and the scripture mentioned in the picture also seems appropriate to this idea; 

• The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness,...teachers of good things;
• That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
• To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, 
• WHY? that the Word of God be not blasphemed.

Many topics, from the Word, to be taught and hopefully, received.

Prayers appreciated and Lord willing, I'll keep you updated.

God bless and keep you.  Ps 57.7

Waiting is done, for now

Per the last blog post on "Waiting," that phase is done and the participants are home safe and sound.  However, I've not seen them and I'm trying to understand because they have busy lives.  So, the one thing a mom endures is patience when yearning to see her kids.  We don't want to interfere or make them feel guilty but as we get older, it is tough when the heart needs to see them and hug them.  I refuse to whine about it though because I do know they are home and safe.

Current devotions are from the book of Proverbs.  So, as I read I will seek an answer to the taxing task for patience as it involves ones kids.

Take care, dear reader.  Ps 57.7

Why do you need wisdom?

By the way, at the time of this writing, the last round of waiting is almost done.

Let's ask Solomon in first Kings chapter 3 as we discover how he came to be the "wisest man on earth."

In His own words, Solomon recognized the monumental task of leading  "great" (large number) people?" (3.8) 

How was he to judge all the matters that would come before him?

By the way, at the time of this post, the last round of waiting is almost over.  More later...

God's favor of wisdom to young King Solomon is recorded in the Bible in two major places: 1 Kings 3:4–15 and 2 Chronicles 1:1–13. Let us focus on the account in 1 Kings.

1. The Location: Solomon traveled to Gibeon, (I Kings 3.4) which was the most important "high place" for worship at the time, to offer sacrifices to God. (3.2)   Worship is an important part of wisdom, whether at home, at work or in the Lord's house.                  
2. The Dream: (3.5-12) After Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings, God appeared to him during the night in a dream and said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." Meditation is another important part of gaining wisdom for difficult circumstances.
3. The Request: Feeling overwhelmed by his new royal responsibilities, Solomon humbly replied that he was like a "little child" (3.7) who did not know how to lead. He asked God for a discerning/understanding heart (3.9) to properly govern the people and distinguish between right and wrong.  Finally, asking for clear direction is a humble way of saying you don't know what to do and deferring to the ONE who does.

God's Response

God was highly pleased that Solomon asked for the capability to serve his people rather than selfish requests like wealth, fame, a long life, or the death of his enemies. (3.10-14) As a result, God granted him unmatched wisdom and also bestowed upon him the riches and honor that he had not asked for.

Granted, you or I may not be in a place of such authority, however, there are too many details in life that indeed require such wisdom.  Others have wondered about the will of God.  This is where such wisdom is necessary.

• How can I know His will?
• Which way should I go?  
• Which way should I choose?

We are given such wisdom in I Jn 14.15.  If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us. Then, if we know that He hear us...we know that we have the petitions we have desired of Him. The key is this: "No, is an answer."  Also note that what is perceived in one's heart may not be how the circumstance will turn out.

A personal testimony regarding wisdom, according to His will is this; There was a time this believer suffered separation from a dear one.  We are not referring to death, we are referring to the nastiness of visitation per a divorce decree.  To say this momma's heart was ripped out is an understatement.  During this time of repeated separation from the dear one, prayer was wont to be made as earnest as ever.  Then came that still small voice that said "I can see what you cannot."  The trial did not end until much later but the wisdom of those words brought a settled peace to endure to the end.

You see, I asked and He answered.  Was it in the manner I desired, no.  Did it calm my troubled soul, yes.

The most famous use of such Divine wisdom in Solomon's day is the episode where two mothers were claiming the same child.  How was he to know which one was the true mother.  In the same chapter being discussed refer to verses 16-28.  Everyone knows the story.  God directed the King to "split the child in two."
(3.25)  He understood the real mother would rather yield her child to the other mother than see her child dead.  At least, in this way, she could watch the infant grow up.

How did he understand this truth under such pressure?  Divine inspiration.

For you and me, however, discovering the right thing to do may take more patience.  A wise sunday school teacher told a group of teenagers, "when in doubt, DON'T!"  If you can wait for an answer, good.  If you can not wait for an answer and your "back is against the wall," then make the best decision you can with available bible knowledge at the time and trust the Lord for the outcome.

Hope this helps.  God bless and keep you is my prayer.

When waiting...

In the morning my precious child leaves on a trip with her little family.  I will have to wait eight days to know she is back safe.  The trip was an invitation from a close family member, who will travel with them.  I have details of the distance and a bit of the itinerary.  Several details about the trip trouble me but the hardest part will be - the waiting.  

She is usually good to check in when she is away but this mother's heart tends to think the worst until she does.  The Lord has given peace, still the waiting....is hard and at the time of this post she isn't even gone yet.

I'm reminded of another time, one of the darkest times in my life, when I was called upon to wait.  Visitation ruled from a divorce required this momma to "wait" until she was back in my arms safe too many times.  Each time, standing at the window, peeking thru the blinds, waiting to see headlights come down the driveway, the waiting was almost as hard as the separation while she was gone.  She was only 6.  We had never been apart until that time.  So, presently, I must once again, wait until eight days to know she is safely home again.

How will I endure?  I will because I must.  It is out of my hands.  However, I will hold fast to the One who lent her to me before she married.  I knew the day she was handed to me in the hospital for the first time,  that God had given her to me, not her daddy, to raise.  I made many mistakes but loved her and protected her with all this mother's heart was allowed. 

Today, again, waiting...

During the dark time previously mentioned, a still small voice whispered these words to me; "I can see her when you cannot." These words from my heavenly Father, by the precious Holy Spirit were my lifeline.  These words were my oxygen.  These words were refreshing, cool water.  These words carried me thru such an dark time.  I could quote many verses but you, dear reader, probably have a few of your own that would work here.

So, as I wait, I will trust and remember that He "can see her and her little family, when I cannot."  I will also trust in the peace given to me a few days ago, against this time.

God bless and keep you.  Ps 57.7