February 03, 2012
Hey! I'm talking to you! Listen up!!
The people of Judah had become prosperous and complacent. They were self-centered and self-reliant. It was good to have God around if they needed Him. But for the most part, they didn't think they needed Him. So God sent Joel to give them a "wake-up" call.
Joel 2:12 - "The LORD says, 'Even now, come back to me with all your heart.'" Just feeling sad about what you have done is not enough. "Let your heart be broken. Come back to the LORD your God, because he is kind and shows mercy... He can change his mind about doing harm. Who knows? Maybe he will turn back to you and leave behind a blessing for you." (Joel 2:12–14)
Then you will know! One way or the other ALL will know that he is THE LORD.
Hey! I'm talking to you!! Listen up!
Addendum: 9/21/15 ~ I'm weary and I'm sad. From a human perspective, "the storm" seems insurmountable and hopeless—and there is no end in sight.
We just received the Settlement instructions from the judge. It laid out the rules and procedures for the upcoming Settlement Conference. In reading through the letter, it was clear that unless God intervenes, this whole process is hopeless. Both sides are supposed to be negotiating back and forth to try and settle this lawsuit before the scheduled Settlement Conference. The problem is there is NO negotiating with my sister or brother-in-law or their attorney.
We have tried so many times. We had a buyer for 1.1 million; we've offered to buy them out; we've offered to be bought out; we've offered them all the money left in the escrow account; and they have flat out refused every single offer without any discussion of any kind. They will not listen to reason. We will not try to protect ourselves and "buy" our freedom from them when we are not guilty of any of their accusations. If we had done some wrong, we would own up to it, but we haven't done anything wrong. They are like the stereotypical playground "bully." There seriously is no reasoning with them. They will do whatever they want to get what they want–period. And what they want is control, total dominance, and our destruction.
Without God intervening, a settlement is hopeless. So, if a settlement is hopeless, then that means "the storm" will have to go to trial. Oh, how I don't want that. First and foremost, I do not want to sit across from my sister in a courtroom. That is just SO wrong on so many levels. The thought of having to prepare for a trial and having to immerse myself in the mire of the black boxes that are stored away in the garage is nauseating. The cost to defend ourselves at trial will probably be well over an additional $100,000. We have already paid close to $250,000 to defend ourselves against their trickery and false accusations. We don't have an additional $100,000 and the thought of having to come up with that money is discouraging. The time and energy required? Exhausting.
The weight of my sadness was heavy so I decided to go out for a walk. It was late at night and dark, but I headed outside anyways. I knew I needed to shed some tears, and pray. On one hand I am grateful for the years of grace God has so graciously given my sister and brother-in-law and I want for them to still have an opportunity to change their hearts and lives and get a new way of thinking. On the other hand, it has been over eight years, which is a long, long time.
Please, LORD—have MERCY!! I cried out to the LORD over and over again for mercy. At one point I stopped walking and just stood there, sobbing and begging for God's mercy. Our dog who usually runs ahead and is in full exploration mode, came back and stood beside me pressing his head and body against mine. "I" don't like "the storm" we are in. "I" don't want a trial. But this isn't about me. I pulled myself together and spent the next several laps singing the song, "All to Jesus I Surrender".
When I came back in the house, I picked up my laptop. Before I went out I had just completed entering the quote from Max Lucado. As I began to type again from where I left off, tears came to my eyes. Here is what I began to type:
Addendum #2: 2/24/17 ~ Silly me. When am I ever going to learn?
On 9/21/15 I wrote, "So, if a Settlement is hopeless, then that means "the storm" will have to go to trail." The Settlement Conference judge tried his best, but all efforts for a settlement failed. I almost fell back into the trap of thinking our situation is hopeless and the only option left is a trial when we have believed for a very long time that this lawsuit is not going to trial.
In our country's court system there is no option left but a trial. BUT GOD!! Our faith is NOT in our court system or anything else. Our faith is in the LORD. HE is our protector. If HE uses the court system—so be it. But, HE is not limited to the perimeters of a court system. HE will save us however HE chooses. Our faith is in HIM alone.
We continue to believe it is not God's will for this lawsuit to go to trial. So, how else could it possibly end? I have no idea. Our prayer is that my sister and brother-in-law will change their hearts and lives. Will they? I don't know. It doesn't look hopeful, but while there is breath there is hope. So, we will hope. All we know is this: no matter what—our faith and hope is in the LORD. It is HIS prerogative to choose the method on how it ends and when it ends. We will trust HIM. We will wait on HIM.
Next Entry: Amos 1:1 – 2:16
Hey! I'm talking to you! Listen up!!
The people of Judah had become prosperous and complacent. They were self-centered and self-reliant. It was good to have God around if they needed Him. But for the most part, they didn't think they needed Him. So God sent Joel to give them a "wake-up" call.
"God always gives us a chance to repent before he inflicts discipline. Like a loving parent, God's purpose is not to punish but to correct and nurture." ~ From Life LessonGod will use (and do) whatever is necessary to bring His people back to Him.
Joel 2:12 - "The LORD says, 'Even now, come back to me with all your heart.'" Just feeling sad about what you have done is not enough. "Let your heart be broken. Come back to the LORD your God, because he is kind and shows mercy... He can change his mind about doing harm. Who knows? Maybe he will turn back to you and leave behind a blessing for you." (Joel 2:12–14)
"Warnings. Red lights in life that signal us of impending danger. They exist in all parts of life. Sirens scream as a marriage starts to sour; alarms blaze when a faith weakens; flares go up to alert us of morals being compromised.
They manifest themselves in a variety of ways: guilt, depression, rationalizations. A friend might confront. A scripture might sting. A burden might prove too heavy. Regardless of how they may arrive, warnings come with the same purpose: To alert. To wake up.
Unfortunately, they are not always heeded... warnings can be as blunt as a sledgehammer and we still turn our head and whistle them away... (we) believe we are the proverbial exception to the rule...
Divine warnings. All inspired by God and tested by time. They're yours to do with as you wish. They are red lights on your dashboard. Heed them and safety is yours to enjoy. Ignore them and I'll be looking for you on the side of the road." ~ From God Came Near by Max LucadoI will force your enemies away. I will have mercy on you. Be joyful in the LORD your God because He does what is right. He blesses and he provides. Joel 2:26 - "You will praise the name of the LORD your God." You will never again be ashamed. I will do miracles for you. "Then you will know... that I am the LORD your God and there is no other God." I will pour out my Spirit on you. Anyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. I will punish those who have tried to hurt you. I will judge the nations. Joel 3:16–17 - "But the LORD will be a safe place for his people, a strong place of safety for the people of Israel. Then you will know that I, the LORD your God lives on my holy Mount Zion."
Then you will know! One way or the other ALL will know that he is THE LORD.
Hey! I'm talking to you!! Listen up!
Addendum: 9/21/15 ~ I'm weary and I'm sad. From a human perspective, "the storm" seems insurmountable and hopeless—and there is no end in sight.
We just received the Settlement instructions from the judge. It laid out the rules and procedures for the upcoming Settlement Conference. In reading through the letter, it was clear that unless God intervenes, this whole process is hopeless. Both sides are supposed to be negotiating back and forth to try and settle this lawsuit before the scheduled Settlement Conference. The problem is there is NO negotiating with my sister or brother-in-law or their attorney.
We have tried so many times. We had a buyer for 1.1 million; we've offered to buy them out; we've offered to be bought out; we've offered them all the money left in the escrow account; and they have flat out refused every single offer without any discussion of any kind. They will not listen to reason. We will not try to protect ourselves and "buy" our freedom from them when we are not guilty of any of their accusations. If we had done some wrong, we would own up to it, but we haven't done anything wrong. They are like the stereotypical playground "bully." There seriously is no reasoning with them. They will do whatever they want to get what they want–period. And what they want is control, total dominance, and our destruction.
Without God intervening, a settlement is hopeless. So, if a settlement is hopeless, then that means "the storm" will have to go to trial. Oh, how I don't want that. First and foremost, I do not want to sit across from my sister in a courtroom. That is just SO wrong on so many levels. The thought of having to prepare for a trial and having to immerse myself in the mire of the black boxes that are stored away in the garage is nauseating. The cost to defend ourselves at trial will probably be well over an additional $100,000. We have already paid close to $250,000 to defend ourselves against their trickery and false accusations. We don't have an additional $100,000 and the thought of having to come up with that money is discouraging. The time and energy required? Exhausting.
The weight of my sadness was heavy so I decided to go out for a walk. It was late at night and dark, but I headed outside anyways. I knew I needed to shed some tears, and pray. On one hand I am grateful for the years of grace God has so graciously given my sister and brother-in-law and I want for them to still have an opportunity to change their hearts and lives and get a new way of thinking. On the other hand, it has been over eight years, which is a long, long time.
Please, LORD—have MERCY!! I cried out to the LORD over and over again for mercy. At one point I stopped walking and just stood there, sobbing and begging for God's mercy. Our dog who usually runs ahead and is in full exploration mode, came back and stood beside me pressing his head and body against mine. "I" don't like "the storm" we are in. "I" don't want a trial. But this isn't about me. I pulled myself together and spent the next several laps singing the song, "All to Jesus I Surrender".
When I came back in the house, I picked up my laptop. Before I went out I had just completed entering the quote from Max Lucado. As I began to type again from where I left off, tears came to my eyes. Here is what I began to type:
"I will force your enemies away. I will have mercy on you. Be joyful in the LORD your God because he does what is right. He blesses and he provides."You will praise the name of the LORD your God." You will never again be ashamed. I will do miracles for you. "Then you will know... that I am the LORD your God and there is no other God." I will pour out my Spirit on you. Anyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. I will punish those who have tried to hurt you. I will judge the nations. "But the LORD will be a safe place for his people, a strong place of safety for the people of Israel. Then you will know that I, the LORD your God lives on my holy Mount Zion."Thank you, LORD, for the reminder. We believe YOUR words. We will trust you. We will wait on you. We will do whatever you ask of us. We surrender all.
Addendum #2: 2/24/17 ~ Silly me. When am I ever going to learn?
On 9/21/15 I wrote, "So, if a Settlement is hopeless, then that means "the storm" will have to go to trail." The Settlement Conference judge tried his best, but all efforts for a settlement failed. I almost fell back into the trap of thinking our situation is hopeless and the only option left is a trial when we have believed for a very long time that this lawsuit is not going to trial.
In our country's court system there is no option left but a trial. BUT GOD!! Our faith is NOT in our court system or anything else. Our faith is in the LORD. HE is our protector. If HE uses the court system—so be it. But, HE is not limited to the perimeters of a court system. HE will save us however HE chooses. Our faith is in HIM alone.
We continue to believe it is not God's will for this lawsuit to go to trial. So, how else could it possibly end? I have no idea. Our prayer is that my sister and brother-in-law will change their hearts and lives. Will they? I don't know. It doesn't look hopeful, but while there is breath there is hope. So, we will hope. All we know is this: no matter what—our faith and hope is in the LORD. It is HIS prerogative to choose the method on how it ends and when it ends. We will trust HIM. We will wait on HIM.
Next Entry: Amos 1:1 – 2:16
No comments:
Post a Comment