Let the River Flow – What a Blessing!

(Excerpt from Shekinah Lane.)

It had been a quiet morning reflecting on God’s goodness. I had just finished reading the devotional in My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers for September 6.

He compared our lives to a river and how out of us will flow the rivers that will bless to the uttermost parts of the earth. Commenting about how God has nourished us to bless others, he made this statement: “God rarely allows a soul to see how great a blessing he is.”

Smiling I thought, “Oh, but He did that for my husband John – not once but several times in the past few years.”

John retired from the preaching ministry in 2005. He has Parkinson ’s disease and his voice was so low he had trouble speaking. Serving churches was a part of his multi-faceted ministry. Counseling has always been his strong suit. Working with youth energized him.

A celebration of thirty-five years of ministry was planned. Many came from former churches he served, the college where he worked and also the youth facility Teen Ranch in Marlette, MI where he mentored. Memories flooded our minds and washed over our hearts as several shared what a blessing John’s life and ministry meant to them.

Laughter came in waves and tears streamed down our faces as they shared. Precious people who God allowed to splash in the river of living water flowing from John’s life.

Many more encounters with the flow of ministry have occurred for John in the past few years. Thank you Lord for the confirmation for John to see how great a blessing he has been and he is.

Let the river continue to flow.

Still ministering………..

When picking up our book order for Shekinah Lane, I was privileged to see John still ministering. I was signing the contract for the printing of the books and needed to ask John’s opinion on the order. He had just loaded the boxes of books in the car and came back into the office.

He came in as I was signing the papers, and spoke to the young lady helping me. “Congratulations on your baby.”

She just beamed and told John her due date, the baby was a boy and everything was progressing well. He told her he would be praying for her and the baby. She delighted in his interest in her.

Not me, I was all business as usual as I discussed the printing of the book and placing it on line. Still smarting from my last encounter with a lady with a belly – when I asked her when her baby was due, she said, “He is sixteen months old.” Ouch, I won’t do that again.

So typical of John and how he showed genuine concern for people and knew how to engage them in conversation.

Let the river continue to flow!

It’s About Time

Colossians 3: 16    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Last year I began reading my Bible!

You might ask, “What, you have been a Christian for over 50 years, and you just began reading your Bible??? It’s about time.

With digital apps so convenient, I have been reading the Bible through an online app – Bible Gateway. It is so convenient, and my phone is not as heavy as my Bible.

I began using my phone app for church and going to Bible Study. At first, I read my hard cover Bible at home, then it was too easy to just read from the phone.

I was challenged recently by seeing an interview of Ruth Graham Lotz about her new book on prayer. She explained that she was committed to spending more quality time with God prior to prayer – by following a pattern of praising God, confessing her sins, thanking Him for things and then asking for needs. It reminded me of an acronym – ACTS – for adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. I have used this pattern for years.

My quiet time includes two devotional books, online devotionals, and current Bible study book. Sometimes, I don’t spend as much time in prayer.

Comfy corner of my office for reading Bible and devotionals.

This caused me to revive a habit of reading from my huge, heavy Bible – five Psalms and the Proverb for the day (whatever day you are reading) prior to other devotional reading. I got out my hard cover Bible and determined to do the reading there instead of my phone. It felt so good to hold God’s word in my hands again.

This pattern of reading the Psalms helps with the adoration. The Psalms are filled with praise for creation, the goodness of God and so much more. Also, the Psalms encourage personal and corporate confession of our sins.

The Proverb for the day can be both reflective of all four – adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. Mostly it seems to deal with behavior and seeking wisdom contrasting the fool and the wise.

I love verses like Proverbs 16:31 “Gray hair is a crown of splendor it is attained by a righteous life.” Wonder why? Well, I qualify on at least one count.

But others are disturbing – Proverbs 21:9 “Better to live on the corner of a roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.” Ouch!!! I resemble that at times too!

So, Proverbs can also encourage confession of sin and supply a path for supplication – asking for needs.

You might want to try this method of reading and preparing for prayer.

Let this be the year you soak in God’s word and seek Him.

Below are some suggestions for devotional books and Bible apps.

Our Daily Bread – Our Daily Bread Ministries

My Utmost for His Highest – Oswald Chambers

Strength & Grace Devotions – for caregivers from Guideposts

First 5 App – Proverbs 31 Ministries

Biblegateway.com

Online devotional – Susie Larson (just found thanks to gals in Bible Study group.

You may have some to share – please comment below and let us know your favorite devotional writers.

The Rest of the Glory Story

Exhausted from unpacking, the glow of the security light seemed to say, “it’s gonna be alright. You are home!” It was July 2005 and we were partially moved in.

Each night for sixteen years I would think,” thank you Lord for my house.” Then getting into bed I’d tell my husband, “Did I ever tell you I just love this house? Thank you for building it for us.”

One day, I thought I heard God say, “What if I asked you to give up your house?”

My response was “Can’t imagine that, but you know best and I pray you will make me willing.” Never thinking He would!

Our family enjoyed sharing life on Shekinah Lane – John’s folks on the corner and our son and family down the road. All John’s family would come for holidays and we thought we would live there forever.

But God had other plans.

In October of 2020, our son was blessed to find property off N. Mauney Road. We prepared his house to sell. It sold in a month – he moved out and stored his belongings in our barn and he and grandson began task of clearing and built a road into the property.

Two campers, several loads of gravel and many manhours later, the road to Strick Hollow was in. They had trouble completing the road for people driving in thinking a new subdivision was being built.

Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
and all people will see it together.

Our lot was cleared next to build a smaller, one-level house. Plans needed to be decided, when to sell our house and how. I listed on Zillow in February. Then in April decided to list with agent – which was the best decision. Dana Nelson of Coldwell Banker not only staged our house for showing but prayed with us for right buyer.

“Making Mountain Dreams Real”

Coldwell Banker High Country Realty

Blairsville, GA 30512

706-835-7906
706-745-3500

Have you ever had your house prepared for showing and try to live in it???

I stashed our stuff – in closets, in wardrobes and of course cleaned the house constantly.

All the while praying for the right family to purchase our Shekinah Lane property. I just wanted someone to love this place like I do.

Our mountain view was crowded out by trees putting on their spring leaves. Tulips bloomed and roses showed their stuff. The yard looked amazing as it greened up with spring rains. The snowball bush I purchased last year was in full bloom as prospective buyers began to come.

God answered our prayers, the family who purchased our property love it and are so excited to be living on Shekinah Lane.

Isaiah 40: 6“All people are like grass,
    and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
⁷The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    because the breath of the Lord blows on them.
    Surely the people are grass.
⁸The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    but the word of our God endures forever.”

The last few months have been a whirlwind. Preparing for moving sale – packing, moving and settling in our neighbor’s cabin. What a blessing – neighbor’s cabin just down road from our house on Shekinah lane. Wonderful friends and neighbors helped with all the moving.

Just as planned, Kevin Green and his crew finished the house (well mostly, except for air conditioning which was backordered) by end of July. We began moving things first week of August and have been unpacking since. Everything will not fit in smaller house! Still filling shelves at Habitat and our church’s Elijay’s Closet.

No, I never expected to move from Shekinah Lane. But God has this season of our lives in His hands; and, our son and grandson are sharing the glory of seeing God move in our lives.

Shekinah Lane needs to be updated to 29 moves in 56 years and I discovered additional things that made it all the way to add:

Amber bowl
Horsehead lamps
corning mixing bowls.

So we are now living on Strick Hollow Road!

Not finished yet – but it is coming! Yes, we have a family relic shelf.

Isaiah 40:12   Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
    or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
    or weighed the mountains on the scales
    and the hills in a balance?

Those hands are big enough to take care of us!

Come Along

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 The Message (MSG)

^3-5All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.

Men know what a come along is – it is a hand operated winch with a ratchet used to pull objects. It lightens the load.

We women need a come along at times too.

I knew but failed to do anything.

My friend shared in church her gratitude for prayers, cards, and phone calls during the recent loss of her brother. I said a prayer for her but failed to send a card or telephone. Not even a text! It is not like I am so busy – my grandson would say – “you are retired Nana!”

Why do we stay so busy that we don’t do the important?

When my husband had shoulder surgery – he received many cards and phone calls from family and friends. Facebook was a great source to notify many both near and far.

The day of surgery I texted family and all those I could think of to let them know surgery went well. Many don’t like the group texts so I tried to text each individually. Most responded back that day and the next day to see how he was doing.

But by the third day there were no calls, no texts. I was exhausted from not sleeping well for three nights and weary from my home nurse duties – making sure the meds were taken on time, he was doing the exercises and preparing meals, along with my regular household chores.

It was Saturday morning and the phone rang. Robyn asked “How is John?” I told her and she assured me, “We are praying for him!” A brief conversation – but it meant the world to me. Someone does still care. She was volunteering at a church ball game serving food – but she took the time to call and express her concern.

It doesn’t take a great deal of effort – just a few minutes to share in someone’s world. Lord please help me to be a Robyn – she also sent a card!

Please join me in being an encourager – a come along. A handwritten card is great – but if you are not able to do that, at least call, send a text or message someone on Facebook. I know how an unexpected call or text can be just what someone needs to lighten their load.

What’s in a Name?

Greeting a young couple in church I spoke to their baby girl and she smiled. I asked her name. It was Cameron. I could remember her name because my grandson has the same name.

Eli’s daughter-in-law named her son Ichabod. Can you imagine naming your child Ichabod???

The ark of God was captured by the Philistines, her husband and father-in-law were dead, and she was dying from childbirth. Ichabod meant “The glory of God has departed from Israel.”

My verse for 2018 was Psalms 115:1 “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your great love and faithfulness.”

This is how the Lord impressed me to select the verse.

Home at last – after two days in the hospital. My husband was feeling good and recovering from back surgery. After spending three weeks in a wheel chair – it was so wonderful to see him walking without pain.

We were thankful to be home just before a snow storm hit our area.

Then the power went out the next day.

No electricity means no water when you have a well. Our son came over to start the generator (that hadn’t been used for several years). He showed me how to start it and put gas in it. This also involved deciphering which switch to turn off in the fuse box, so it did not pull too much power.

Finally finding the formula for water heater and running the water pump we offered neighbors a place to take a shower. My grandson was in the shower when I was experimenting with the fuses and after he got lathered up good – I pulled the wrong switch and oops, no water. I quickly switched the water back on.

We were fortunate to have a gas cooktop and space heater to keep warm. And plenty of oil lamps, candles and flashlights decorated my kitchen counter.

After almost a month caring for my husband who could not walk and then two days of many trips downstairs and outside to restart the generator, heating water to wash dishes, and may I remind you – my husband was recuperating from surgery and on pain meds. He insisted he was going downstairs to work on the generator.

I was exhausted.

John’s back seemed to be swollen and bruised below the incision. John went to bed. The generator quit.

I did not want to go outside again so decided to sit down to read. I asked the Lord for a rhema – a specific word from him to encourage me. My strength was gone. I felt like Eli’s daughter-in-law – the glory of the Lord had departed. But I was not delivering a baby!!

I read Proverbs 18:10 – “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe.”

The name of the Lord – when I think of the name of the Lord – it is Jesus – I claimed the name of the Lord – and I felt a surge of the Holy Spirit over me to confirm that He is in control and John was going to be ok.

Then my phone rang, and it was our son telling me that the power was on.

Wow, Lord, maybe if I had sought you this earnestly the power would have come on sooner!

I ran downstairs and turned the generator switch back to our electric company and called my neighbor to ask about turning switches back on. Turned them all on and yes! power. I had to run around the house turning off lights that were turned on during power failure.

That night John got up by himself for bathroom – next morning his back looked good.

We don’t have to worry about someone taking the ark of God from us. He is always with us and willing to share his great love and faithfulness. When we run out of our strength – he takes over.

Let’s give him the glory for His great name!

Your Great Name: Natalie Grant

https://youtu.be/PasbQx0VilQ

Walk in Faith

What is the opposite of faith? Most would say doubt or fear!

What do you fear?

If you are like me, you don’t really have any fears – you’re a stoic person. You just trust God on the surface. But subconsciously there is fear. Fear of the future, fear of what if???? Fear of how well I handled that situation. Fear of that diagnosis.

Recently we planned a trip to Florida. I was to drive, and the forecast was for heavy rain for the entire trip. No problem, we could just go slow. In packing and planning for the trip – I experienced trouble breathing – anxiety – not sure why I was having trouble – realized subconsciously I was fearful of the trip – the rain, flooding.

For us boomers, our concern is if the retirement funds will be enough? How long will I live? Will I be able to take care of my spouse – or will he be able to care for me? Who will take care of us?

Will our children take care of us like my husband took care of his parents? Can I trust God in this situation?

I’m helpless like Elisha’s servant in II Kings 6:8-23. The King of Aram was at war with Israel. He sent his men by night to capture Elisha in Dothan. (not Alabama) When Elisha’s servant got up early the next morning, he saw an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. “Oh, no, my lord! What shall we do?”

Elisha responded – “Don’t be afraid those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Elisha prayed for the eyes of his servant to be opened. The servant saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around. Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So, the Lord struck them with blindness and the army was defeated.

Am I just like Elisha’s servant who could not see the army of the Lord surrounding the camp? – open my eyes Lord to see your ministering spirits working in my life, in my children’s lives, in my husband’s life – in my future Lord. Help me to see and to trust you for all these situations. Praise you Lord, your provision is enough.

Help me to:

Acknowledge the presence of God,

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

To claim the promises of God,

2 Cor. 1:20

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. ²¹Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, ²²set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

To know the peace of God

Philippians 4:7 ]

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Then walk in the power of God.

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

One of my favorite songs regarding walking in faith is below by Greg Wilde.

Walk

He can walk!

Yes, my husband John was able to walk the next morning after back surgery. He was in a wheelchair for 3 weeks prior to surgery. The PT lady in the hospital was amazed how well he walked and the doctor released him that day. Wow, back surgery and only one night in the hospital. Praise God!

Walk

is my word to consider for 2018

– – how we take it for granted.

Continue reading Walk

All the Time?

Pastor – “God is Good!” – response People – “All the Time!”

Pastor – “All the Time!” – response People – “God is Good!”

Our church service begins with this ritual.

Many times, I think – All the Time?

When a loved one dies?

When the diagnosis is cancer?

When your spouse leaves?

When your child rebels?

When your husband has been in pain for ten days?

You get the picture – many times we don’t feel like God is Good – all the time.

Nothing was working out. No one returned my calls. It did not seem that God was good this Monday. No one seemed to care. I shouldn’t say that- family and friends kept in touch with me constantly– they cared. The prayer chain at church was active. The medical community was not responding.

I awoke with such optimism Monday morning – that someone would help – we would get an appointment that day for my husband. John was not able to stand without excruciating pain or walk for ten days. He had an MRI at the ER on Tuesday before Thanksgiving and was sent home with pain meds and prednisone. He had a herniated disk. Now, he was out of both medicines and pain not improved.

As the hours dragged on and no calls I was anxious, ok, I was depressed.

Finally, at 4pm I received a call from our local doctor’s office. I rushed to town to get the prescription. Then to the pharmacy to have it filled. It was then my cell phone rang – a neurosurgeon’s office – could we be there at 8:50 the next day? Yes, someone does care.

The next morning our son helped me get John in the car and loaded the wheelchair. We left our house at 6:30 am for the one and half hour trip over the mountain to Gainesville. It was a beautiful clear day the sun was shining and warm for late November. I drove around to the front door to let John out. Amazing, a handicapped parking place right in front. I don’t like to pray for a parking space – but God reserved one for me that day. After a few pulls and tugs I was able to get the wheelchair unloaded.

I rolled John in the office and before we got settled in for the wait (he was being worked in their schedule) he was called back to see the doctor. The doctor came in and showed me the MRI and X-ray and said his disk was completely pinched and he needed surgery as soon as possible. Everyone in the office seemed concerned and the doctor was concerned about his pain level – he scheduled surgery the next week.

They called the hospital to try to schedule preop for that day. No openings – Preop on Friday. Oh, no go over the mountain again in few days? John could not make that trip again. But Yeah surgery scheduled!

I got him in the car and then tackled the wheelchair. After several lifts a lady appeared and said, “Here, let me show you how to do that!”

We went to lunch. John said, “Why don’t we go by the hospital and see if they can work us in for preop today. Sure, enough someone else cared and after an hour nap in the waiting room they put him through preop procedure.

God was certainly good that Tuesday. On the drive home, I recounted all the blessings – Praise the Lord for a safe trip, beautiful sunny day, parking place right in front of office, surgery scheduled, a lady to lift wheelchair and preop done.

But was God good on Monday when I was so despondent and distraught? Sure, he was – he gave me the strength to keep pressing on. Even though I didn’t feel like he was good, he was working all the time.

Seeing the goodness of God on Tuesday helped me get through the next week before John’s surgery as his pain increased even with strong medication.

Where are you today? Do you feel that God is Good all the time? My experience is miniscule compared to my friend who lost her husband or another friend facing cancer or someone whose spouse leaves. But I know God can meet you even in those times.

There are many scriptures to encourage us that God is Good and that He works for our good. Here are a few from New International Version (NIV):

Psalm 73:1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you to will and act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Psalm 121
A song of ascents.

¹I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
²My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

³He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
⁶the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

⁷The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
⁸the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

This song by Casting Crowns – speaks to our times of doubting that God is Good all the time!

https://youtu.be/vCpP0mFD9F0

The Porch

A cup of green tea and my Bible accompany me to the swing on my screened-in porch. The humid July day requires the ceiling fans to be pushing the small amount of cool air available for a few hours. The furnishings remind me of people in our past who have blessed our lives and to pray for them.

The black wrought iron table and chairs were on my in-law’s porch the 11 years they lived near us – just off Shekinah Lane. The overflow of relatives sat at this table for many family gatherings. So this set reminds me to pray for family. Also, on the table is a twig man made by talented neighbor – bless her Lord.

The “Do not Pee from the Porch” sign brings a chuckle of a Sunday School class Christmas party. The sign was transferred around through a White Elephant game. We won it. Dear friends sharing the celebration of Christmas with fun times. Bless them Lord. Also, my grandson who the sign applied to when he was younger.

A wood plant stand was made by a boy at Teen Ranch in Michigan causing memories of our “boys” who are now men – praying the short time they lived at the ranch they were exposed to the Gospel in flesh patterned by staff who loved them in the Lord.

A plaque from my daughter-in-law encourages “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” She is going through a time of physical pain and can use this thought and my prayers.

Plants thriving in the heat of summer – one from former co-worker, another a gift from a neighbor when my husband had surgery. These plants have grown, been divided and are flourishing. May my prayers increase the blessings for my friends.

Tall table for a view

A tall table and three chairs make our mountain view easier to see – a gift from neighbors who are struggling now with major surgery. Please heal and restore Lord.

Wicker chairs from a new friend look so elegant on our porch. Bless my friend as she helps me finish my book, Shekinah Lane, to be printed soon.

Can’t help but think of my economical husband who did not want me to purchase furniture for the porch. Did he know, or did God know that I needed these gifts to help me appreciate family and friends, and pray for them in my quiet time on the porch?

Zephaniah 3:17 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁷The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Do you think before you speak?

During a recent bout with laryngitis I was reminded of the number of words a woman uses daily versus the number a man uses. Louann Brizendine who wrote The Female Brain concluded that women use 20,000 words per day while men use 7,000. More recent studies do not agree with his findings. But in my house, it is so true.

Only able to whisper for four days was frustrating enough but when your husband is hard of hearing and especially cannot hear a whisper, it was double exasperation. I wrote him notes to communicate. At one point even resorted to charades to get him to “listen” to me.

When John returned from an appointment I was waiting for him to tell me what the doctor said. He conveniently handed me a hand written note from the doctor (she is female) telling me how she changed his medications. Since I usually accompany him to visits she knew I would be interested in new information.

At lunch in a restaurant, I tried to get John to talk to me by motion with my fingers. He said, “I don’t have anything to talk about.” Do you see why I agree about the number of words a man speaks in a day? I could have talked all during lunch.

Thankfully during this quiet time, I was reminded of my recent commitment to “be positive in my attitude and speech toward my husband and family.” Since I had to either whisper, write a note or act out my desired communication, it gave me time to think instead of just react. Many times I just say what comes to my mind instead of filtering it through a desire to be positive and concerned how it will be accepted by the recipient.

Possibly my heavenly Father was helping me keep my commitment. Ok, Lord, help me think before I speak and please help me be able to converse above a whisper soon.

Psalms 19:14(KJV)

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Category: prayer

Let the River Flow – What a Blessing!

Like this:

It’s About Time

Like this:

The Rest of the Glory Story

Like this:

Come Along

Like this:

What’s in a Name?

Like this:

Walk in Faith