Show me the one, show me the way, help me to know just how to share the love You gave.

Look around you! There is probably someone who could use some love! All too often, we find ourselves surrounded by people who are going through some difficult times. Perhaps you are! Whether it's unemployment, family problems, health problems, depression, loneliness, or whatever, all of us would like some relief from what we are going through. We need to see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

And there is! The Light of Lights, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, is willing and more than able to lift us from our darkness, into His pure and safe haven of light. He promises His love and presence to heal and deliver, to strengthen and help, all those who call on Him.

Like the beam from the mighty lighthouse, that directs ships safely back to harbor, His Light is there to show us the way to Him, for Jesus is truly the Way, the Truth and the Life.

It is my prayer that this site encourages you to reflect His light to those around you who need to know Him. Let Him use you to share His love. And as you embark on this remarkable journey, please share your experiences so that all of us can grow together in our quest to reach all the world, lest anyone should perish.

May God richly bless you!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16


Saturday, October 15, 2011

Let God Be God

Several weeks ago I found myself worshipping at a church during a weekend vacation in another state. The sanctuary had little light, except for over the stage area. All that was there were the band instruments, waiting for the worship to begin. Up on the back wall behind the drums was a large rectangular opening, and inside was a large cross on a wall of river rock. It was beautiful and stately. I stared at that cross, preparing myself to worship my Jesus. I was happy to be in this place, and was looking forward to this service, especially since I didn't have to be directly involved with its operations like I do at my home church. I could just relax and worship!
While staring at that cross, a phrase came to my mind. Silently audible and very clear: "I will accomplish what I need to accomplish." Awesome worship followed. Jesus was touching my heart in a way that was sorely needed.
In the weeks to follow, I pondered on that phrase that He gave to me that morning, and I believe this is the message He wanted me to share: We need to let God be God!!
How many times do we find ourselves telling God what He needs to do to solve our problems? Do this....heal him...fix my relationship....get me a job...the list is endless. We want God to take care of the situations that are troubling us, and in our minds, have already decided what it is that He needs to do for us. Don't we realize that we need to let God be God? He knows far better what we need than we do, and as our loving Father, He knows how to give good gifts to His children. He can do abundantly more than we can ever ask of Him. And everything He does is for His glory and to draw us closer to Him. He accomplishes what He needs to accomplish....in His perfect way and His perfect time.
So the next time I go to Him in prayer with a request, I can present it to Him peacefully, knowing that He will accomplish what He needs to accomplish....because He is God.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

A Missed Opportunity

The other evening I was driving through a small town, and had someone with me. As I passed a park, I noticed a person sitting on a swing, alone. Though it was hot and humid, this person had a blue sweatshirt pulled up over (her?) head, and she was looking down at the ground, alone. I continued on, but deep inside of me, I wanted to turn around and check this out. But I was afraid the person who was sitting next to me wouldn't understand and be upset that I was perhaps mingling in someone's personal affairs.
As I drove on, all I could think about was this person...was something troubling her? Was she depressed? Abused? There she was, all alone in a park, dressed way too warmly. Something seemed wrong. I felt guilty not stopping. If I had been alone, I think I would have turned around and talked to her.
For the rest of the trip, I prayed silently for her, and thought about her, and prayed again, and again, that God would give her the help she may need for whatever she is facing. I know God is fully aware of her circumstances...maybe there was nothing wrong. But if there was, He knows her name, and everything about her. And most of all, He loves her! I prayed that God would send someone her way to help her...even if it wasn't me. No, it wasn't me. But He heard my prayers. And I believe He will help her.
Have you ever had this happen to you? Where there was something you could have done for someone...but didn't. Sure, there can be reasons why you didn't act, but still, you didn't.
God is merciful. And even though I missed this opportunity of ministering to someone and sharing the love of Jesus, I pray that He will send more opportunities my way. That my eyes will be open to the needs of others. After all, this is what sharing the love of Jesus is all about!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Leaning On The Everlasting Arms

Currently I am in the stage of my life when an aging parent is very ill and the possibility of him leaving this life seems on the horizon. My dear father is battling complications from heart surgery performed several years ago, and is now laying in a hospital bed, not able to speak well, see well, or do anything for himself. Knowing him, he would not wish to be in this state. He was intelligent, creative, caring, and a hard worker. But now...

Through the years, I have shared Jesus with him, but because of things that happened to him as a boy, he wasn't ready to receive Him. His heart was hard and bitter. In spite of this, my prayers and pleas continued. Many caring friends prayed with me for my Dad to be saved. My brother also was praying, and sharing Jesus' love with Dad.  My specific prayer for Dad went like this "Dear Lord, please let my Dad receive You as His Savior, and let me know he has done this before he dies someday."

Then on Father's Day, June 19, 2011, as my Dad laid in his hospital bed, he met Jesus. My brother and family came to his room after church service that morning, and found Dad in tears. He told my brother that he had an encounter with Jesus. "Jesus, save me!" Most likely at that same moment, my brother had earlier kneeled at the altar at church and prayed "Jesus, save Dad!!" My brother tells me they all cried, tears of joy. Finally. Finally. The nurses were concerned about their mental and emotional state...they didn't understand what was going on... that a person's eternal destiny had just been sealed.

Dad was able to be home for a short while after that, and though I wasn't able to have conversations about his new relationship with Jesus, he would grab my hand determinedly whenever we would pray. I could tell he was different.

In a recent conversation with my brother about this, he told me that Dad had cried out to Jesus in that hospital room, and Jesus reached down with His everlasting arms to hold Dad. Dad would never be alone, no matter what he would have to face.

And while I pray that Jesus will allow Dad to get better and enjoy more days with his family, I know eventually that He will take Dad home, and I can feel His everlasting arms around me too. Through not only His presence, which is thick, but also through my family and friends who are surrounding me with their love, concern, and prayers. I know I am not alone either.

Life is a journey. And it is up to us how we travel, and how we finish. I am so grateful that Jesus is in my heart, and I know that someday, when it is my turn to leave this life, I will feel His everlasting arms around me too, as He escorts me to the reunion with my Dad, Mom, and others who have passed on and are with Him.

 What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
what a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright a path grows from day to day,
leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
leaning on the everlasting arms.

From the hymn Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Elisha Hoffman,Anthony Showalter

Friday, May 6, 2011

Are You A Solar Light?

Spring is finally here after such a terribly long winter. Now, when I walk through the garden department of my local store, I see flowers, lawn furniture, grills, and decorations to put in the landscape. All so tempting! One thing that caught my eye is the solar lights that can be stuck in the ground, and with no electricity, but just the sun, they will give off a glow when it gets dark! What a nice idea, especially by my porch steps. It would help someone not to trip on the steps. Looking at these made me think of another parallel that comes from the Bible.
Isaiah 60:1-3 says "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and the thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and the kings to the brightness of your dawn."
I like that verse. It reminds me that because I am a child of Jesus, I am receiving His Light. The world around me doesn't have that special Light. Those that don't know Him live in darkness (evil). Jesus came to be the Light and He is the Light of the world (Matthew 5:14). When I read and study the Scriptures, I receive from Him Light and understanding. Psalm 119:105 says "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." And what am I supposed to do with all that light?
Let it shine!! Like the solar light, I absorb all the Light from Jesus and the Word, and then I can shine it on to others who need His Light in this dark world we live in. I'm not to hide it under a bushel or keep it to myself. It is meant to be shared.
I hope this has been an inspiration to you. The next time you are with someone who needs Jesus or who needs encouragement, shine His light on him. Share it with him. It may keep him from tripping and hurting himself on those difficult steps in life!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

My Name Is Written on His Heart

The Bible is filled with verses proclaiming the deep love that God has for us, and I love to sit down in a quiet place and spend some time reading it. I love my Jesus and always feel comforted, reassured and at peace when I spend time with Him.

Recently, I came upon a verse in Revelation (1:13) which describes the appearance of Jesus to John in the Isle of Patmos, which is in the Mediterranean area. John had been a disciple of Jesus and knew Him very well. The time in this setting is around 95AD, about 60 years after Jesus was crucified, rose again from the tomb, and had ascended into heaven. John was about to receive a revelation by Jesus Christ concerning events that would happen in the last days, which incidently, is in our near future. John sees Jesus wearing a robe and He has a golden sash around his chest. In curiosity, I decided to research this in a commentary (The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible) to see what this meant. I was amazed!! Let me quote: "This particular sash was something like the chestpiece of the high priest on which the names of his people were engraved. The sash or chestpiece covered the heart. This symbolized that Christ holds His people and His church ever so close to His heart. They are all engraved upon the chestpiece of His heart and held ever so dear by Him."

That means He has my name engraved over His heart! What love! I knew He loves me...the Bible tells me so! But to read this, I really feel loved!!

This is how God showed His love among us:
He sent His one and only Son into the world
that we might live through Him.
This is love: not that we loved God,
but that He loved us and sent His Son
as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. -1 John 4:9-10


It feels so good to be reminded of His love for me. And to think He has my name written on His heart! I hope your name is there too!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Do You Hear Me Now?

There's a popular commercial for cell phone receptions, where a guy is walking around with his phone, asking, "Do you hear me now?" Kind of cute, but it has a greater meaning to us who are seeking God's guidance as we walk in this world.
The world beckons us with all its might...popularity, beauty, riches, the fast life, self-centered values. And if we don't or aren't able to measure up to these "values", we can feel dejected and rejected. So unfortunate, since this doesn't have to be if we listen to the right voice.
After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit was sent and to this day, indwells in people who have given their hearts to Jesus. His purpose is to communicate what God is wanting us to hear, and to help us to live the way God intended us to live. His way leads to countless blessings.
To hear God's voice in you, you have to really seek Him. Get in His Word, and spend time in prayer. There's a wonderful Bible study from Priscilla Shirer called Discerning the Voice of God, and she offers wonderful words of wisdom to enable a believer to really hear God!
Here is a prayer that I love and I want to share it with you:
Lord, heighten my spiritual senses to
see that which is not visible
hear that which is not audible
sense that which is not tangible
believe that which is unbelievable
Teach me to sort through
the noises of this world to
hear and discern Your powerful,
wonderful, pure, precious voice.
Speak, my Lord, I am listening!