A Divine Mandate

January 09, 2020

A few months ago, as I was adding links to A New Path—A New Journey, the dates and timeline of different events caught my attention. It was a brand new realization. While I had understood bits and pieces before, I began to realize there was much I had missed. God-ordained events and A Divine Mandate. It reminded me of how our lives are like a tapestry, woven together for a greater plan that we sometimes are totally unaware of until time has passed and a wider view of our lives comes into focus.

This quote by John Piper summarizes it well:

"We look at life from the back side of the tapestry. And most of the time, what we see is loose threads, tangled knots and the like. But occasionally, God's light shines through the tapestry, and we get a glimpse of the larger design with God weaving together the darks and lights of existence."  

God is a master weaver. In looking back over our faith journey, I can now clearly see how God's hand was weaving HIS Story along the timeline of our lives without us even realizing it. My hearts swells with gratitude as I begin to see the bigger picture of HIS tapestry. 

The tapestry of HIS Story is woven throughout my journals. For simplicity and ease of understanding I'm including the summarized highlights of the dates and timeline of events here. 

2002 – The discussions for a joint project with my sister and brother-in-law began; my dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail began; and my husband and I began going to a specific nursing home every Christmas morning. All the pieces of the puzzle were in place and waiting for God's sovereign plan. 

January – July 2007 – "The storm" began. Our business (and personal) relationships with my sister and brother-in-law became irretrievably broken. God provided a buyer for our joint project in an incredible way and we felt encouraged that the difficulty of the last several months would soon be over and put behind us. Physically exhausted and emotionally drained, my husband and I headed out to section hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail in southern PA for some much needed rest and relaxation. I can still clearly picture where we were, the sights we were seeing, and the raw emotions we felt as we hiked and poured out our hearts to the LORD seeking His will and guidance for our lives. But instead of the difficult days of the last months being put behind us, we were faced with a whole new and bigger-than-ever challenge. Our lawyer called to tell us the news; my sister and brother-in-law refused the sale and he strongly felt they were planning to file a lawsuit. Our hopes for a peaceful resolution fell by the wayside. We cut our hiking trip short and headed back home. A few short weeks later my sister and brother-in-law "brought out the big guns" (their words) and filed their vindictive and vicious lawsuit against us.

November 2009 – Two years and many interrogatories, depositions, and court filings later, the judge still had not made any rulings. Our lawyer called the long delay a "pocket veto" meaning the judge decided to just put it away and ignore it. During the lull in the lawsuit I began to keep a personal journal of my thoughts while reading through the Bible. The idea to start keeping a journal seemed totally random and very out of character for me, but it was something I knew I was supposed to do. I soon looked forward to writing every day. I didn't realize it at the time, but now I believe the idea to keep a daily journal while reading through the Bible was a God-given Divine Mandate for a higher purpose.

Divine—orchestrated and ordained by God.
Mandate—an official order or command to do something.

October 2010 – The judge granted my sister and brother-in-law's request to temporarily open back up the discovery time of the lawsuit. Because the court-ordered list of discoverable items included writings and journals, my private journals from Genesis – II Chronicles 11:17, had to be sent to the very people who were seeking our ruin. It felt like my worst nightmare and a violation of my privacy. Shaken by the turn of events, I continued reading in my Bible but quit writing while my journals were being copied and prepared to be sent. Several weeks passed before I summoned the courage to begin writing again. 

July 2012 – Still no rulings by the judge. My husband and I unexpectedly had the opportunity to take some time off and drive out to PA to hike another section of the Appalachian Trail. It was our first trip back to the trail since "the storm" began in 2007. During the eight hour drive to PA my husband and I reminisced and recounted God's amazing faithfulness in what was then our five year journey of faith. Mid-way through our stay the idea to pray about New Beginnings was pressed upon my spirit. The New Beginning: Where and How it Began.

July 2012 – August 2013 – I had just finished reading and writing about Matthew when we left for the trail in July of 2012. When we returned I started back up where I left off and a little over a year later (in August of 2013) I finished reading through the Bible. During this time (over a seven month period), I wrote several journal entries of my personal thoughts which were totally unrelated to the specific chapters I was reading at the time. Because the entries weren't about specific chapters these random writings were not titled. My untitled and random journal entries all turned out to be part of the New Beginning, but I didn't realize it until I titled the entries as I transcribed them into Blogger several years later. The New Beginning: The Path Unfolds

August 2013 – June 2014 – After I finished reading and writing about Revelations in August 2013, I began to transcribe my journals into Blogger as a way to categorize and organize what I had written. I started at the beginning (Genesis) and on June 30, 2014, I transcribed my entry for II Chronicles 10:1 – 11:17 (Continued). When I turned the page to begin transcribing the next entry I discovered there were no journal entries for the rest of the II Chronicles—and then I remembered. Because my journals with my private thoughts from Genesis – II Chronicles 11:17 had to (shockingly) be sent to my sister and brother-in-law, I lost confidence in my private writings remaining private and I questioned whether it was even wise to continue to keep a journal. I kept on reading but I quit writing for a period of time. When I decided to start writing again I was reading in Ezra so that was where my journal entries picked back up.

II Chronicles 11:18 – II Chronicles 36:23—The Lost Chapters.

July 01, 2014 – I wrote an entry titled The Journey: Part One. In it I summarized why my writings for part one of our journey ended at II Chronicles 11:17; why we felt the lawsuit discovery time was briefly opened back up; and why what felt like my worst nightmare (having to send my private journals from Genesis – II Chronicles 11:17 to my sister and brother-in-law) was actually a gift from God.

July 02, 2014 – I wrote The Lost Chapters: Preview where I said, "It will be interesting to read and see what God has to say in these chapters and/or what He wants to remind us of at the exact time we are approaching the seven year anniversary of "the storm."

July 04, 2014 – My husband and I decided to celebrate my 60th birthday and mark the upcoming seventh anniversary of the lawsuit by returning to our favorite area of PA to hike another section of the Appalachian Trail. It had been two years since we had last step foot on the narrow path of the A.T. We enjoyed several wonderful days hiking. Then one morning, as we sat out on the patio of our B&B enjoying another delicious breakfast, I came to the upsetting and sudden realization that my goal of section hiking the A.T. was not going to happen. My long held dream was over. It was a surprising thought that seemed to unexpectedly come out of nowhere. Why was hiking the trail God put us on suddenly over? We didn't understand it at the time, but it was all part of the New Beginning. At the seven year anniversary of the lawsuit, God was showing us that our focus was to shift from the Appalachian Trail—to HIS trail. 

July 12–24, 2014 – We returned home from the trail still feeling a little shell-shocked from the turn of events. Remarkably, I had just finished transcribing the exact section of my journals which were sent to my sister and brother-in-law before we left for the trail. After we returned from our hiking trip I began to read and write about The Lost Chapters from II Chronicles 11:18 – II Chronicles 36:23. As I read I was stunned. I began to realize these chapters weren't just inadvertently missed when I wrote my original entries. The missing and forgotten chapters were divinely saved and set aside by our Sovereign God for such a time as this. God positioned me to be reading and writing about The Lost Chapters at the seven year anniversary of the filing of my sister and brother-in-law's ruinous and vicious lawsuit. The chapters page-by-page and line-by-line amazingly chronicled our faith journey of Walking On His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead).

If that wasn't amazing enough, how The Lost Chapters ended was shocking and awe-inspiring. The very last verse of the very last chapter fulfilled the very last promise God gave us through His servant Jane. The very last verse of my long journey of reading through the entire Bible while keeping a journal literally says, "You are free to go." God positioned me so that seven years to the day of Jane's first God-given words of Protection (Psalm 140) I read II Chronicles 36:23 which amazingly fulfilled Jane's last God-given words of Promise (Jeremiah 33). "You are free to go." Incredible and unfathomable. I stand in awe of the great I AM. 

August 08–22, 2014 – It took me two full weeks to process what I had read and to write The Lost Chapters: Review. The Lost Chapters were amazing and could not have been more relevant or pertinent. They were a step-by-step description of what we have been through; what we have learned along our journey; the assurance of God's protection; the fulfillment of His promises; and the hope for restoration. Every single chapter Jane (Her Name was Jane) told us to read is represented in The Lost Chapters. We absolutely believe God set these chapters aside so the last words I read (in His Divine Mandate for me to journal while reading through the Bible) would be HIS words of promise, for such a time as this—the seven year anniversary of "the storm."  

August – October 2014 – After reading and writing about The Lost Chapters I continued to transcribe my other entries. I added several new labels to the blog so I hit the pause button while I went back and added the new labels where appropriate in my earlier journal entries and posts. As I was reading and adding the new labels, a new realization slowly began to stir within me. I wasn't sure what to think and I didn't know what to do. LORD – What Am I to Do?

November 2014 – As I began to understand why God had changed our focus from the Appalachian Trail to following HIS trail and where HIS trail was leading, it literally took me to my knees. The LORD Answers!; and I Didn't Know—BUT GOD DID!

November 2009 – March 2017 – It took me seven years to read, write, and then complete the transcribing of my journal entries into this format. The Journey: Part Two

March 2017 – December 2019 – It took me two more years to read, review, and edit my journal/blog entries. As the very special April 28th anniversary date of Jane's last words of Promise approached we felt drawn to once again return to the Appalachian Trail.

The Appalachian Trail has played an inexplicable role in our faith journey of Walking On His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead). The Appalachian Trail is what linked Jane's life and my life together in our very first meeting in January of '07. Just what are the chances of meeting an elderly person in a nursing home in northern Indiana who knew anything about the Appalachian Trail let alone someone who literally grew up a stone's throw from the trail in PA, loved to hike the trail, organized group hikes on the trail, and in her adult life taught school in underprivileged areas of the Appalachia Mountains and took students on field trips to the trail? Only God could have arranged the divine appointment to bring Jane's and my life together.

July 2007 – We were on the trail crying out to the Lord for Wisdom and direction when we received word my sister and brother-in-law would not approve the sale of our joint project to a third party. Our lawyer felt they weren't interested in a resolution and were most likely planning to litigate.

July 2012 – We were on the trail with hearts full of praise and thanksgiving for God's faithfulness and protection when we answered God's call to begin praying about a New Beginning.

July 2014 – We were on the trail with hearts of gratitude when the trail took a totally unexpected turn and my dream of section hiking the trail abruptly ended. Confused about the turn in direction and the change of focus, we walked away and left the trail behind. We weren't sure what lie ahead, we only knew we were going to obey God's leading. (Seven years after "the storm" began and our July 2007 trip.)

April 2019 - We are drawn to return to the trail once again. We returned to the same area where Jane lived and hiked, and to the same overlook where we turned and walked away from the trail. This time there was no sadness or confusion. God showed us it's not about what we are walking away from. It's ALL about what we are walking towards. We are walking towards A New Path—A New Journey! (Two months before the seven year anniversary of the New Beginning and our July 2012 trip.)

As I was compiling this list and simultaneously making punctuation edits in Isaiah, I began to notice all the seven year God-incidences. I was amazed. I knew the number seven was highly significant in the Bible. How had I not fully understood the significance of all the seven year correlations we've experienced in HIS Story? In an Addendum to Revelation 4:1 - 6:17 (Continued) I wrote about the significance of the number seven in the Bible.

"What is the biblical significance of the number seven "7"?

 "The first use of the number 7 in the Bible relates to the creation week in Genesis 1. God spends six days creating the heavens and the earth, and then rests on the seventh day. This is our template for the seven-day week, observed around the world to this day. The seventh day was to be “set apart” for Israel; the Sabbath was a holy day of rest (Deuteronomy 5:12).

Thus, right at the start of the Bible, the number 7 is identified with something being “finished” or “complete.” From then on, that association continues, as 7 is often found in contexts involving completeness or divine perfection. So we see the command for animals to be at least seven days old before being used for sacrifice (Exodus 22:30), the command for leprous Naaman to bathe in the Jordan River seven times to effect complete cleansing (2 Kings 5:10), and the command for Joshua to march around Jericho for seven days (and on the seventh day to make seven circuits) and for seven priests blow seven trumpets outside the city walls (Joshua 6:3–4). In these instances, 7 signifies a completion of some kind: a divine mandate is fulfilled." ~ From Gotquestions.org

The number seven, significantly linked throughout the Bible with something being "finished" or "complete," played a significant and important role throughout our faith journey without us even realizing it.  

Seven years after "the storm" began [July 2007], I finished entering into Blogger [July 2014] the exact section of my journals which were caught up in "the storm" and had to be sent to my sister and brother-in-law. The Journey: Part One. 

Seven years after "the storm" began [July 2007], I read and wrote about the forgotten and missing chapters [July 2014] between II Chronicles 11:18 – II Chronicles 36:23. The Lost Chapters set aside for such a time as this. 

Seven years after "the storm" began and Jane's first God-given words of Protection [July 2007], the very last verse in The Lost Chapters [July 2014], was the fulfillment of Jane's last God-given words—Jeremiah 33; the Promise of Restoration. Exactly seven years to the day!

Seven years after "the storm" began [July 2007] our dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail abruptly ended [July 2014]. It was hard to let go of the dream, but God was showing us it was time to move on. Remember where you came from. Embrace the future. Follow HIS footpath. The Land In-Between

Seven years after "the storm" began [July 2007], God began to reveal His plan for telling HIS Story [October 2014]. His plan was not what I expected. LORD – What Am I to Do?  

Seven years after "the storm" began [July 2007], on the exact seven year anniversary of the lawsuit [July 2014], a speaker at our church delivered the following message: "There is a when. Be ready for it. God will bless your faithfulness." We had just returned from hiking the Appalachian Trail; we were still pondering why hiking the trail was no longer part of God's plan; and I was just finishing writing my review of The Lost Chapters. The speaker quoted several verses which were not part of the text of his sermon. Jeremiah 33:3 (Jane's last God-given words of Promise) and Isaiah 30:18, 21 (Jane's God-given message of Provision). Exactly seven years to the day!

Seven years after Jane's last God-given words of Promise of protection and restoration [4/28/08] I entered into Blogger my journal entry for Isaiah 6:1 – 7:25 [4/28/15]. Isaiah 6 talks about the painful details of the process of judgment. God promises protection for those who follow Him, but He also promises accountability for those who refuse to change their hearts and lives. Exactly seven years to the day!

Seven years from the day Jane died [5/6/08] I entered into Blogger [5/6/15] my journal entry for Isaiah 30—Jane's God-given message of Provision for those who follow HIM and accountability for those who don't. The LORD longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion; He is fair and just; blessed are those who wait on Him. He can be trusted to keep all His promises. But there will come a day of accountability for those who refuse to turn from their selfish ways. Exactly seven years to the day!

Seven years after God put all the pieces of His scripted plan together to begin our faith journey [2002], God pressed it upon my spirit to begin keeping a journal to chronicle our faith journey [2009]. 

Seven years after I began keeping a journal [2009], I entered into Blogger [2016] thirteen untitled journal entries I had written over a seven month period of time. These untitled journal entries were not related to scriptures I was reading, and were written after God had pressed upon my heart to begin praying about a New Beginning. I didn't know it at the time, but the thirteen untitled entries (something I had never done before) was God slowly revealing to me His plans for the New Beginning. The New Beginning: The Path Unfolds

Seven years after I began to keep a journal to chronicle our faith journey [2009], we finished building our Praise Shelter [2016] and celebrated the Feast of Shelters to memorialize what HE has already done and to praise HIM for what HE has promised to do. His "I will" promises are written in stone—literally. 

Seven years after I began the journey [November 2009] of reading through the Bible while keeping a journal, I transcribed my last handwritten journal entry [April 2017]. The Journey: Part Two 

Seven years after we summoned the courage and followed HIS direction to remove all the "toxic" lawsuit files and materials from our home [2012], the lawsuit is scheduled to end. A trial is just months away. The New Beginning: Out With the Old  

Seven years after God directed us to begin praying about a New Beginning [2012], the final edits of the blog are done and HIS Story is ready and waiting [December 2019]. 

HIS Story is finished. My life's calling—the God-given Divine (orchestrated and ordained by God) Mandate (an official order or command to do something) for such a time as this—is ready and waiting for the lawsuit to end so the final entry can be written. A trial is scheduled for early 2020. Incredibly, the lawsuit is now expected to end seven years after the New Beginning. The title and one sentence has already been drafted. The title: "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow." The sentence: "The lawsuit has ended—there was NO trial." May it be so, LORD. May it be so.

Thank you, LORD, for giving me a Divine Mandate. May the story of YOUR faithfulness soon go out and bless many people who are facing their own trials and valley experiences. May YOUR story bless them and encourage them along their faith journey. May many people change their hearts and lives and understand that their trial times and valley experiences are actually blessed opportunities to follow YOU on YOUR amazing trail as YOU direct their path. May they learn to accept and embrace this life-changing truth: "Valley" experiences are beautiful when viewed from a higher perspective.

Walking on His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead) 

and 

Walking By Faith: A True Story of God's Faithfulness  

*****

As I was writing this post and began to see all the seven year correlations and God's amazing and meticulous timing, it got me to thinking. Hmm. I Peter 3:20 talks about how God waited patiently while Noah finished the boat and THEN—the New Beginning began for Noah and his family and God's promised judgment began for those who didn't change their hearts and lives. For some time now my husband and I have wondered if God was waiting on something specific to happen before the lawsuit would end; a missing piece of the puzzle. Hmm. Is the "missing piece" of the puzzle the completion of this blog—the telling of HIS Story? Has God been waiting patiently until HIS Story was ready?

Addendum: This post was written over a several month period of time. Just seven days after this entry posted the lawsuit ended—HIS Story can now be told.

Next Entry: Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow 

II Chronicles 29:1 – 32:23

July 20, 2014

There is so much to write about Hezekiah. But first I want to write about this morning's sermon with Dr. Gregg Chenoweth. It was about timing: TDD—Timing Deficient Disorder. There is horizontal timing (meaning things in chronological order) and there is the multiple layers of vertical timing. One is absolute. The other can be vague. While the timing may not be clear, there is one thing we know. There IS a when.

"We Know the What... But When?"

1. Coiled Christians say "wait" to a good cause when a greater one is available. They'll even say no to friends in getting there.
2. Coiled Christians say "now" with immediacy and courage if they have heard from God.
3. Coiled Christians know being misunderstood or criticized after their decision does not mean they had a TDD moment and got it wrong.

"There is a WHEN! Be ready for it. God will bless your faithfulness."

The text for Dr. Chenoweth's sermon was John 7:1-14. But during his message, Dr. Chenoweth quoted verses from Jeremiah 33 - "...pray to me and I will answer you..."; and Isaiah 30 - "...the LORD longs to show you compassion... if you go to the left or right... you will hear a voice saying go this way." The exact promises God gave us through Jane (Her Name Was Jane). WOW! Co-incidence? No. God-incidence.

We have been battling "the storm" for seven years now. That is a very long time to be caught in difficult circumstances. We know the what ... we just don't know the when. Dr. Chenoweth's message today encouraged us to hang on! Remember God's promises! There is a WHEN! Be ready for it! God will bless your faithfulness! Jeremiah 33 - "Pray to me and I will answer you..."; Isaiah 30 - "I will give you direction." (my paraphrase)

Thank you, LORD, for your perfect timing. Dr. Chenoweth's message was exactly what we needed to be reminded of. My husband says it's the LORD saying, "I've got you covered." We have been battling "the storm" for seven years. We will hang on. We will hang on to Your promises. There is a WHEN!

Now... about Hezekiah. The first thing he does upon becoming king is to open the doors to the temple that his father closed. He directed the Levites and priests to cleanse themselves to prepare the sacrifices and to rid the temple of anything that was unholy. He made it clear to everyone why they were in the predicament they were in; it was because their ancestors had been unfaithful to the LORD. Because their ancestors quit following the LORD; because they chose to reject His commands; because they shut the doors of the temple; and because they stopped burning incense—the LORD was now punishing them.

Hezekiah decided that he would not be like his father. He would break the pattern and return the people to following the LORD's commands. Everything was prepared. The burnt offerings (for the forgiveness of sins) were sacrificed. The people worshiped and praised the LORD with the cymbal, harps, and lyres (Psalm 150) as David commanded. Hezekiah ordered the Levites to, "Praise the LORD, using the words David and Asaph had used. So they praised God with joy and bowed down and worshiped." (We praise the LORD quoting the same Psalms the people quoted during Hezekiah's time. How cool is that?)

Hezekiah wrote a letter to be sent and read throughout the land. It said, "...return to the LORD... then God will return to you... don't be like your ancestors... don't be stubborn (KJV and the NIV both say "stiff necked")... obey the LORD willingly... serve the LORD... come back to the LORD... the LORD your God is kind and merciful. He will not turn away from you if you return to him." Did the majority of the people rush to repent? No. They laughed at it and instead made fun of the messengers. You have to do what God puts on your heart to do. How others respond to it is out of your control. In Hezekiah's case a few men were sorry for what they had done and they changed their hearts and repented.  

The people brought their tithes and offerings to the temple. They brought so much that there were piles and piles of offerings. II Chronicles 31:10 - "Since the people began to bring their offerings to the Temple of the LORD, we have had plenty to eat and plenty left over, because the LORD has blessed his people. So we have all this left over!" God bless when we willingly give back to Him what HE has blessed us with. 

Hezekiah "did what was good and right and obedient before the LORD his God." He did everything to the best of his ability. He tried to obey God's teachings and commands. He was successful because of his obedience.

But then...

"After all that Hezekiah had so faithfully done," the king of Assyria attacked them. They weren't attacked because they were unfaithful to God. They weren't being punished because of the sin of their ancestors, and they weren't being held accountable for unfaithfulness. Hezekiah was doing everything right and they were being attacked. He encouraged his people saying, "Be strong and brave. Don't be afraid or worried... there is a greater power with us than with him. He only has men, but we have the LORD our God to help us and fight our battles." (II Chronicles 32:7-8)

The king of Assyria surrounded them and attacked them. He ridiculed them. He wrote letters insulting them. He tired to scare them. He did everything he could humanly do. BUT GOD! God fought the battle and God WON! The LORD saved them and took care of them.

These chapters show two different spectrum's: punishment for disobedience; and trials (trails) to be faced even in obedience. We've come to understand we are not being punished and we are not victims. Sometimes the trials we face are the result of someone else's disobedience. But take heart. God will use for your good what others intended for your harm. And in the process, you are given the amazing opportunity of seeing the Hand of God at work in your life.

There is a when! Be ready for it! The battle will end and the victory will be won. God's promises are true. Let's get that altar of stone started! The WHEN is coming!

I've just had an "aha" moment! Of course the A.T. needed to end! The trail (and my goal to hike it) played such an undeniably important role in our lives as we navigated "the storm." God's purpose for putting us on the trail has been fulfilled. There is absolutely no reason for us to continue. None! It seems so obvious now. The Appalachian Trail's role from now on will be one of remembrance.

The WHEN is coming! Blessed be the name of the LORD!!

LORD,
You just amaze me. You take the layers of our life and just keep peeling them away. The more we surrender to you the more you reveal of yourself. We stand in awe of who YOU are. Thank you for the opportunity to see YOUR hand at work in our lives. We love you, Father. How majestic is YOUR name in ALL the earth.

Addendum: 6/23/16 ~ The construction of the Praise Shelter is well underway. The shelter is up and stained. The fireplace is built and the old brick street pavers are laid in the one half. The stones engraved with the chapters Jane told us to read are going to be placed in the path this weekend. Soon. Soon it will be finished.

Addendum #2: 8/22/18 ~ Picture of the Praise Shelter and video of the cobblestone path.

Next Entry: II Chronicles 32:24 – 33:25

Revelation 4:1 – 6:17 (Continued)

July 30, 2013

Then ALL creatures in heaven and on earth and under the earth joined in saying:

"To the One who sits on the throne
     and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever."

The four living creatures said, "Amen" and the elders bowed down and worshiped.

Are we "getting" this? Have we even begun to understand that life, our temporary time on this earth, is NOT about us and what we want? If our eternal lives in heaven are spent worshiping and praising and giving honor and power and glory to the great I AM and to the LAMB, then why do we think our lives on earth (which are like a mist) are about what we want, when we want it, and how we want it? And then we have the nerve to tell the great I AM what He should do for us?!?

Oh my goodness! Who do we (people) think we are? Certainly not servants of Master Jesus. What has America done with Christianity? What have we done with Christ's message? Where did the idea of prosperity "religion" or this feel-good-God-just-wants-us-to-be-happy "religion" originate? The answer is from selfish desires and from pride. It's from disregarding God's very first commandment and worshiping ourselves instead of God. And out of a selfish heart we present God with a laundry list of our wants. The prayers of the "saints," which should be a sweet smelling aroma to our heavenly Father, are instead a stench in the nostrils of the Most High God.

I want my prayers to be ones of worship, honor, glory, and praise to the only One who is worthy and to the Lamb. I want my prayers to be a sweet smelling aroma in the nostrils of my heavenly Father. 

The Lamb began to open the seals. One of the four beasts told John to "come" and see  So, John looked and recorded what he saw.

1. The first seal was opened. John looked and there before him was a white horse. Its rider had a crown and bow and it went out to conquer "determined to win the victory." Revelations 19 talks about Jesus coming on a while horse and being called Faithful and True. I don't believe this white horse and rider is Jesus. Instead, I believe it to be the Antichrist whose mission is to counterfeit the Christ as part of Satan's plan. He is determined to conquer, but not for the good of man. It is instead for man's destruction.
2. The second seal is opened and a red horse came out  Its rider was given power to take away peace from the earth. Violence runs rampant. Evil abounds.
3. The third seal is opened. A black horse came out. Its rider held a pair of scales. Famine takes over the land. Desperation and starvation are everywhere.
4. The fourth seal is opened. A pale horse emerges and its rider is death, and Hades followed close behind. War, starvation, disease, and death by wild animals kills a fourth of the people of the earth.  
5. The fifth seal is opened. John saw under the altar the souls of the martyred believers who were killed because they were faithful to God and His words and message. Their souls cried out "Holy and true Lord, how long until you judge the people of the earth and punish them for killing us?" Each of them were given a white robe and were told to wait a short time longer because it wasn't quite time yet. There were still more believers who were going to be martyred. When the time is right, THEN judgment will happen.
6. The sixth seal was opened. There was a great earthquake. Total chaos ensued. The sun became black, the moon became like blood. The stars fall to earth from the sky. The sky closed up and disappeared. Every mountain and every island was moved from its foundation. Total chaos. Fear was everywhere and no one was exempt. From the richest to the poorest, from kings and rulers to those who were free or slaves, everyone was terrified. They realized there was indeed a God and that He was showing His wrath. They called on the rocks and mountains to fall on them in a futile attempt to hide from God's wrath. They understood they could not stand up against the holy wrath of the One who sits upon the throne and of the Lamb. What they didn't understand is this: even the rocks, the very thing they were trying to hide under, understood the majesty of God and that He deserves our praise.

The consequences for disobedience kept increasing with each seal that was opened. It reminds me of Leviticus 26 where God talks about the reward for obeying God and the punishments for not obeying God. Each time the people refused to obey, the punishment increased seven fold. Leviticus 26:1 - 27:34; Leviticus 26:1 - 27:34 (Continued); and Leviticus 26:1 - 27:34 (Continued). 

What a contrast between the rewards given for obedience and the punishment set aside for those who have chosen disobedience. What a contrast from praising the Father and the Lamb in Revelation Chapters 4 and 5 and the tribulation described in Chapter 6.

If you are a believer: Stand strong and continue in the faith.

If you are a non-believer or a "religious" unbeliever: Change your hearts and lives while there is still time. Do it today!!

Addendum: 2/7/17 ~ I've been thinking about the number seven. Creation took seven days. In Leviticus the punishments increased seven-fold. In Revelation there were seven seals. I've always known the number seven is significant throughout scripture, but I've never taken the time to study it. Today as I was adding the links to Leviticus, I was reminded once again about the importance of the number seven in the Bible.

I wanted to learn more so I googled the question, "Why is the number seven important in the Bible"? and I found this website: Gotquestions.org

"What is the biblical significance of the number seven "7"?

"The first use of the number seven in the Bible relates to the creation week in Genesis 1. God spends six days creating the heavens and the earth, and then rests on the seventh day. This is our template for the seven-day week, observed around the world to this day. The seventh day was to be “set apart” for Israel; the Sabbath was a holy day of rest (Deuteronomy 5:12).

Thus, right at the start of the Bible, the number seven is identified with something being “finished” or “complete.” From then on, that association continues, as seven is often found in contexts involving completeness or divine perfection. So we see the command for animals to be at least seven days old before being used for sacrifice (Exodus 22:30), the command for leprous Naaman to bathe in the Jordan River seven times to effect complete cleansing (2 Kings 5:10), and the command for Joshua to march around Jericho for seven days (and on the seventh day to make seven circuits) and for seven priests blow seven trumpets outside the city walls (Joshua 6:3–4). In these instances, seven signifies a completion of some kind: a divine mandate is fulfilled."

You can read the rest of the very interesting answer here:  "What is the biblical significance of the number seven "7"?

Several different people have said to us over the years that maybe the lawsuit would end on year seven—but that didn't happen. The year 2014 came and went, and the lawsuit continued on. After reading the explanation of "seven signifies a completion of some kind: a divine mandate is fulfilled" I thought to myself—well of course the lawsuit didn't end on year seven. My sister and brother-in-law deciding to file a lawsuit was a direct violation of God's written word. It most definitely was not part of a divine mandate. It was selfish pursuit of evil plans and a desire to circumvent God's authority by using the world's court system to get what they wanted.

Several weeks ago a new thought came to me. I was writing The Beginning of the End on 1/11/17 when it suddenly occurred to me that it is has been seven years since I knew I was supposed to begin keeping a journal while reading through God's Word again. I began the process of reading and writing on November 16, 2009. When I finished the almost four year journey of reading and writing, I knew I was to transcribe my journals into a format where I could organize and label the contents of my journal. So, the plan to create this (private) blog began. The blog was just for my own personal use. Then along the way, while transcribing my journal entries, the unexpected happened:

LORD – What Am I to Do?
The LORD Answers!
I Didn't Know—BUT GOD DID!!

And for the first time, I realized what I had been working on since November of 2009 and what I thought was just for my own personal use was—THE Book. I knew I was to tell HIS Story, but never did I imagine my journals were the way HE wanted HIS story told.

Now it's early 2017, I am transcribing my journal entries for Revelation from my final journal; I am understanding for the first time that it has taken me seven years to complete the telling of HIS Story; I'm reminded of the importance of the number seven; I look up why the number seven is significant in the Bible; and I read the quote, "In these instances, seven signifies a completion of some kind: a divine mandate is fulfilled."     

Is there any correlation?  There is still editing to complete, but the actual writing and telling of HIS Story, the divine mandate I was given, has taken seven years. HIS Story cannot be released until the lawsuit has permanently ended, so until that time, we will wait. God waited patiently while Noah finished building the boat, and then His judgment began. We will wait patiently for God to reveal His timing. In the meantime, it makes me smile to realize this journey of reading and writing has taken seven years. How cool is that?

Here is what I do know. We are just very ordinary people. I'm 62 years old. I am not college educated. You really can't get more ordinary than we are. But, this isn't our story—it is HIS story—and we serve an extra-ordinary God. I don't know why we were chosen to be the recipients of a Blessed Event. All I know is that God has a plan and I want to be faithful.

There is so much that has happened that had absolutely nothing to do with us. So much. It's humbling to realize the path we have been on has been ordained by the great I AM. It turns out it wasn't my idea to:

• Hike the Appalachian Trail
• Begin going to visit the residents of a nursing home on Christmas mornings
• Go to the nursing home on that fateful day in January 2007
• Start a journal
• Begin to pray and prepare for a New Beginning
• Purge our home of all the lawsuit stuff while it was still ongoing
• Begin Walking On His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead)
• Open up my private journals for the world to see

And the list could go on and on. These weren't just random events. I'm convinced they were/are all "divine mandates" that had nothing to do with us—and after seven years—they are almost all completed. Is there more that needs to happen?

So, when or how is the lawsuit going to end? When can HIS Story become public? I have no idea. Nothing about this journey we have been on has been "ordinary." God has done so many amazing things along this path that it's hard to believe the lawsuit would end in some sort of ho-hum way. So, we wait, and we trust.  

Just like Mt. Kathadin is the goal for those planning on hiking the entire Appalachian Trail, Heaven is the goal for a believer who is following HIS path. There are valleys to cross, mountains to climb, and obstacles to overcome, but there is no safer place to be than on HIS path. We will wait to see what God has planned for our next steps. We will take a step, the next step, and the next step. The journey WILL unfold before us. 

 Walking on His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead).  

Addendum #2: 2/15/19 ~ Two more years have passed—and the lawsuit continues. I just realized (this past week while reading through my entries) that another seven is coming up.  It was in July of 2012 (while hiking the Appalachian Trail), that God brought it to our minds to begin praying about a New Beginning. Without our knowing it at the time, the New Beginning represented a turning point in our lives. You can read about The New Beginning: The Path Unfolds here.

Addendum #3: 6/26/19 ~ And then there was: A New Path—A New Journey


Next Entry: Revelation 7:1–17

Revelation 1:1–20

July 24, 2013

"This is the revelation (Truth) of Jesus Christ which God gave to him, to show his servants what must soon happen. And Jesus sent his angel to show it to his servant John, who has told everything he has seen. It is the word of God: it is the message from Jesus Christ." Revelation 1:1-2 (Emphasis and comments mine.)

God revealed truth to Jesus; Jesus sent His angel to tell his servant John; John wrote down everything he saw; and now the truth has been revealed to those who are the servants of Christ.

"Happy is the one who reads the words of God's message, and happy are the people who hear this message and do what is written in it. The time is near when all of this will happen." Revelation 1:3  

Happy is the person who reads the words of God's message; happy is the person who hears the message from Jesus Christ; and happy is the person who does what is written in it. Happy and blessed. Yet so many people do not read this message from Jesus because it seems daunting to them. God doesn't send His message of truth to us without also sending His Holy Spirit to explain it to us. While not everyone will understand all the symbolism (I certainly don't), Revelation is the message of Jesus and there is much we can all understand. Revelation is God's Word. It is the message of Jesus Christ. It is Truth. And it is for each one of His servants.

John records Jesus' message to the seven churches in Asia. John makes it clear this is not just him writing another letter. This message is from the LORD God Himself. Revelation 1:4b–5a - "The One who is (present) and was (past) and is coming (future)... and from Jesus Christ."

Jesus is the "faithful witness." He is the fulfillment of God's plan for redemption; He was the first among those raised from the dead; He is the ruler over the kings of the earth; and He is coming again. Revelation 1:5–6 - "He is the One who loves us, who made us free from our sins with the blood of his death." He is the One! It is because of Him that we can be servants of God. "To Jesus Christ be glory and power forever and ever! Amen." (Revelation 1:5–6)

This isn't John's message. This is the message of Jesus. John was chosen to tell it because he was a faithful servant. He knew what it was to suffer for doing what was right. He was punished and sent in exile to the island of Patmos because he was preaching the word of God and spreading the message of Jesus.

It wasn't in spite of all that happened to John that God could use him. No. It was because of all that happened to him that God could use him. He was a faithful servant to God, and he was faithfully telling God's message. Because of that John was exiled on the island of Patmos. He was being punished, but he wasn't being punished by God. He was exactly where he was supposed to be. God took what was meant for John's harm and turned it to be used for the good of all mankind. God chose to reveal His truth to him while he was alone and separated from outside interruptions. Because John was faithful he was chosen to be the recipient of a Blessed Event. Thankfully, John did not keep all he experienced to himself. He wrote down all he saw and heard and shared it with the world.  

Revelation 1:7a - "Look, Jesus is coming with the clouds, and everyone will see him."

Everyone! Even those who witnessed His first crucifixion and those who have nailed him to the cross again by their refusal to submit to His authority. (Hebrews 6) Everyone!! Saint and sinner alike.

This is the first coming of Jesus where He comes in the clouds but does not descend all the way to the earth. The Holy Spirit and all believers are removed from the earth with those who are dead in Christ rising first. For believers this is a joyous time of redemption. For the "religious" unbeliever and non-believers this is the beginning of a horrific time. Revelation 1:7b - "And all peoples of the earth will cry because of him. So shall it be. Amen."

As we await the return of Christ there should be no fear, only great expectation. There also should be a sense of urgency. What does God want me to be doing? Who can I reach for eternity? Is there something I should stop doing? LORD, what is it you want from me? How can I best serve YOU? 

"The Lord God says, "I am the Alpha (beginning) and the Omega (end). I am the One who is and was and is coming. I am the Almighty." Revelation 1:8

I AM

John's heart was the same whether he was in the midst of good times or experiencing tough times. Even though he was alone and imprisoned on Patmos, he knew what day it was. It was the Lord's day and he was worshiping in the Spirit. Difficult times did not decrease his worship. I suspect the opposite was true, and that during the worst of times his praise to his Master increased.

As he was worshiping he heard a loud voice behind him. John turned around. When God speaks, pay attention! John saw someone "like a Son of Man" and he fell at his feet like a dead man. This "man" who looked like the sun shining at its brightest time put His right hand on John and said, "Do not be afraid. I am the First and Last. I am the One who lives; I was dead, but look, I am alive forever and ever! I hold the keys to death and to the place of the dead. So write the things you see, what is now and what will happen later." Revelation 1:17–18  (Emphasis mine)

• Pay attention
• Understand His Majesty
• Listen to what He says
• Do not be afraid
• He is the great I AM
• He reveals truth
• Tell others

Addendum: 2/4/17 ~ God often uses what we think are our valley experiences to teach us what He wants us to learn. It is often during the valley times in our lives that He has our undivided attention. We have learned this first hand.

When you look back over those times in your life, He gives you perspective, and you learn that valley experiences are not something to be avoided or tolerated, but are instead an opportunity to learn and grow. And who knows, that valley experience may just turn out to be a Blessed Event.

God amazingly used the Appalachian Trail to teach us this valuable lesson. Just like a valley is beautiful when viewed from a mountain overlook, so are those tough times in our lives when we look at them from a higher perspective. 


Next Entry: Revelation 2:1–29

Galatians 1:1–24

April 12, 2013

Paul was not chosen to be an Apostle by humans and he wasn't sent out to tell the Good News by humans either. He was chosen by Jesus Christ and God the Father. There was no strategic meetings or plans, he was simply chosen by God.

After his radical conversion, Saul went from attempting (in his own power) to destroy Christianity—to becoming Paul—no longer doing things in his own power but submitting his life to Christ and doing everything God called him to do in Christ's power. When God calls, God provides! He had to boldly address tricky issues. He faced persecution. He was falsely accused. He was disappointed in how quickly people turned from the Gospel; tried to add to the Gospel; tried to use the Gospel for selfish gain; or just plain rejected the Truth of the Gospel.  

"Do you think I am trying to make people accept me? No, God is the One I am trying to please. Am I trying to please people? If I still wanted to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

Paul did not have any ulterior motives. He wasn't looking for self-recognition. He was a servant with one purpose, "to protect and serve. Or, said another way, "service above self." We hear those phrases and we automatically think of a policemen. Paul was acting in that way. His service to Christ was above himself. His mission was to tell and protect the true Gospel of Christ—above all else.

*****

Today is Dad's birthday. He has been gone two years now. So grateful for the 90 years we had together and all he taught me. Love you, Dad!

Addendum: 5/2/16 ~ The Life Lesson for this chapter has a quote from Wisdom for the Way by Chuck Swindoll that I just love.

"Some of the most profound ministries of the Spirit of God are not public or loud or large. Sometimes His most meaningful touch on our lives comes when we are all alone. I urge you to include in your schedule time to be alone with God... You do have places where you can get away for a long walk, don't you? I hope it's in a wooded area. The gentle breeze blowing through the forest is therapeutic. Sometimes just being alone out in God's marvelous creation is all that's needed for the scales to be removed from your eyes and for you to silence the harassment and the noise of your day and begin to hear from God."

Precisely why I love the woods so much and why hiking the Appalachian Trail has been so therapeutic for us. Yesterday, my husband and I went to Pokagon State Park and spent some time walking the trails, praying, relaxing, and enjoying the beauty of Spring in God's creation. We spent time praying for whoever God is going to bring to read this personal journey of faith while walking on His footpath. So, if you are reading this, that means we spent time praying for YOU.   


Next Entry: Galatians 2:1–21

The New Beginning: The Path Unfolds

Excerpt from I Corinthians 8:1 – 9:27 originally written on March 20, 2013:

Jane's story—the story about God's faithfulness during these last six years. I haven't written much about what I know God is asking me to do lately, but that isn't because I no longer believe I am supposed to write or tell His story. Quite the contrary. It is not my choice—it is my duty. On my own I would have no desire to write, but it is not my story—it is His—and I have no right to refuse to tell it. It is my duty. So, LORD, I am available. I will accept my duty. I will wait for your guidance and direction. When you are ready, we will start. It will be "we," your words and my pencil. This isn't a path I would have chosen, but I accept the path and will walk in it. And I will give you my best.

Reading what I wrote in 2013 brings tears to my eyes. I just had NO idea! NO idea at all of God's future plans for my journals. I'm actually grateful I didn't know. I had no plans, agenda, or aspirations, so I wasn't writing for any purpose or motive. I was just reading the Bible and writing my personal thoughts. NEVER did I imagine it was anything more than that.

What a journey it has been:   

• Knowing—I was to begin keeping a journal in late 2009
• Starting—the process of obedience feeling so unsure and timid
• Innocently—thinking my journey of reading through the Bible and writing about what I was learning was private and personal
• Fearful—when I learned my private thoughts from Genesis to II Chronicles 11:17 would have to be given to the very people who were seeking our ruin
• Thankful—when I realized what I feared was actually a gift from God to give me a voice
• Grateful—for God extending His grace to my sister and brother-in-law and putting HIS words directly into their hands
• Cautious—as I began to write again after taking a break while my journals were being copied and prepared to be sent
• Choosing—to listen to and believe God's promises
• Refusing—to cave in to "what-if" fears
• Deciding—to continue to follow His path; no matter what
• Surprised—when we began to feel we should be praying about a NEW BEGINNING
• Confused—what did a NEW BEGINNING mean?
• Astounded—to look back and see HIS Hand working as HE slowly began to reveal what the NEW BEGINNING meant and to see the progression of the steps HE was leading us on.  

We were walking on the NEW BEGINNING path without even realizing it. The path didn't begin to become clear until I began to record my untitled journal entries into this blog.

None of the following entries had a title in my journal. They were just my thoughts written over a seven month period of time beginning in July of 2012 to February 2013. They were not part of my normal Bible reading or writings about specific chapters. Since they didn't fit within a scripture reference I wasn't quite sure what to do with them when I began to enter them into Blogger three years after they were written.

The entries needed to have a title, so as I recorded them, I would add a title. It was like pieces of a puzzle coming together when I realized the entries showed a pattern and progression of steps. My untitled journal entries were all part of the NEW BEGINNING! It was an "Oh.My.Goodness" moment. When I realized my newly titled entries were all part of the NEW BEGINNING path, I went back and added "The New Beginning" to each of the titles.

The New Beginning: Where and How it Began
The New Beginning: Out With the Old
The New Beginning: There Must Be a R.O.M.
The New Beginning: A Role to Play
The New Beginning: Just Do It!
The New Beginning: Don't Look Back
The New Beginning: We Are Crossing the Jordan
The New Beginning: Keep Moving Forward
The New Beginning: Tell His Story
The New Beginning: No Matter What—Follow Me
The New Beginning: Momentum is Building
The New Beginning: We Are Being Prepared to be Sent Out!
The New Beginning: Go—Serve

We were randomly "pressed in the Spirit" to begin praying about a NEW BEGINNING. We didn't have a clue what that meant. But now we understand God was guiding us down a path without us even knowing it.

Between when the NEW BEGINNING journal entries were handwritten in 2012 and when they were entered into Blogger in 2016, a lot more of the path was revealed.         

• Discovering—the path we are on is not a "trial," it is a trail. The Journey: Part One 
• Amazed—by the relevance and importance of the missed chapters in II Chronicles that I didn't write about until completing Revelations. The Lost Chapters: Preview 
• Stunned—by how God chose to end my journey through the entire Bible. The Lost Chapters: Review
• Shaken—when I started to question what I was to do with my journals
• Driven— to my knees seeking to understand HIS will
• Praying—for wisdom LORD – What Am I to Do? 
• Recognizing—that Time Is of NO Importance, it is the journey that matters
• Discerning—where the journey was leading. The LORD Answers! 
• Willing—to do whatever HE wants me to do
• Understanding it is ALL about Him. I Didn't Know—BUT GOD DID!
• Believing—His promises are true
• Praising—HIS Holy Name!  

We have been on quite the journey. God's hand has guided us the entire way. It will be interesting to see what else we uncover in His plans as I continue recording the rest of my journals.

It is ALL about Him. I am willing. I will follow Him wherever He leads.

Addendum:  9/19/16 ~ The New Beginning: Wait For His Justice  


Next Entry: I Corinthians 10:1 – 11:1

I Corinthians 5:1 – 6:20 (Continued)

March 18, 2013

I Corinthians 6. I can't believe I have come this far in the Journal and it is actually time to write about I Corinthians 6. And amazingly—the lawsuit is still ongoing. Chapter 6 is so clear: DO NOT resort to lawsuits to settle you differences. DO NOT!!

It can't get any clearer than that!! DO NOT!! People who profess to be followers of Christ have NO business using the world's court system as a way to further their own agendas. Chapter 6 says even the least capable person in the church should have the ability to discern what should be done when there is a dispute between believers.

After my sister and brother-in-law rejected God's way out (the sale of our joint project to a 3rd party for over 1 million dollars), God opened other doors for a resolution—again using His ways. I've written about this before. Our Pastor offered to facilitate arbitration (using someone of their choice from a Christian organization they said they were affiliated with), exactly following God's plan for the settlement of disputes among professed believers. And God's way was flatly rejected again (for the second time) and soon after they filed this lawsuit against us.

Oh, how this must have grieved the heart of the LORD. He already knew what we didn't know—the truth. He was not surprised by my sister and brother-in-law's actions and in His Sovereignty, all the pieces of the puzzle were in place. The Appalachian Trail; our Christmas morning visits to a local nursing home; and Jane E. Wolfe was re-positioned and now living in Indiana. Everything was perfectly aligned and ready. His precious promise of protection was given soon after.

"I know the LORD will get justice for the poor and will defend the needy in court. Good people will praise his name; honest people will live in his presence." Psalm 140:12

Chapter 6 says that the very fact that you decide to use the world's court system to try and gain your objectives shows you are already defeated. It goes on to ask why are you seeking revenge? Why do you need to be in control? If you have been wronged—what is wrong with letting God handle the perceived wrong? If you've been cheated—what is wrong with letting God take care of making the injustice right? The same type of person who must be in charge and on the offensive, is the same type of person who is doing the wrong and doing the cheating, all the while calling themselves "believers." They are doing this to other believers in front of unbelievers thereby making a mockery of God. (See John 13:34–35)

Chapter 6 goes on: Surely you know—

"Surely you know that the people who do wrong will not inherit God's kingdom. Do not be fooled." I Corinthians 6:9

Do not be fooled into thinking you can do whatever you want to do, whenever you want to do it and not be held accountable. Do not be fooled. Accountability will happen. God's will, not ours—WILL be done. And God will not be mocked. So here we are, almost six years since "the storm" began and the lawsuit continues on. It will be interesting to see what all transpires in the future. Our hands are off. We don't know the "how" or "when," but by faith we believe we've been promised the "what."

"But we say, You O Lord are our God. Hear O Lord our cry for mercy. O Sovereign Lord, our strong Deliverer, who shields our heads in the days of battle. Do not grant the wicked their desires O Lord. Do not let their plans succeed or they will become proud. Let the heads of those who surround us be covered with the trouble their lips have caused. Let burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits never to rise. Let slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down men of violence. I KNOW that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. Surely the righteous will praise your name and the upright will live before you." Psalm 140:6–13

I KNOW—the only thing Jane has marked in her KJV Bible for Psalm 140. We believe! We know!

Hebrews 11:1 - Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.

Addendum: 4/3/16 ~  The phrase "...shows you are already defeated" keeps resonating in my mind and spirit. Shows you are already defeated; shows you are already defeated; shows you are already defeated.

Oh my. I'm beginning to understand some things in a new light. To use the world's court system shows you are no longer following Christ's teachings; shows you are not surrendered to the Lordship of Christ; shows you are no longer living a victorious Christian life; and shows you are already defeated. It isn't the cause of a failed Christian life, it is instead showing the result of a refusal to surrender your will to HIS ways.

It goes back to what I wrote about why my sister and brother-in-law chose to use the world's court system in an addendum I wrote for Acts 18:1–28 (Continued).

It is even more frightening when you look at the "why" behind their decisions. Of course they chose the world's way. How could they not? It was their ONLY option. In God's design for solving disputes there is NO defense for lies, cheating, devious conduct, evil traps, stealing, etc. Those things have NO place in a Believer's life. To chose God's ways would have meant "change your hearts and lives and get a new way of thinking." They purposely have rejected God's ways and incredibly, they have also rejected any solution the world's way has offered because it didn't include them winning ALL. Throughout this whole process, my sister and brother-in-law have consistently exhibited one attitude, which our lawyer has accurately characterized as, "We win, you lose—you choose."

They couldn't use God's design and have a defense for their lies and trickery. To use God's design would have meant they had to give up the evil agenda they'd spent years putting into place. And the result of their refusal to surrender their will to God's will is that the world's way was their ONLY option, which in turn "shows you are already defeated."

That is a staggering thought to me. Like I have said before, back in 2004 when we began our joint project, and continuing on to the start of the breakdown in early 2007, we felt we were like-minded and equal in spiritual values and beliefs with my sister and brother-in-law or we would have NEVER entered into any type of joint business venture with them. As the truth slowly began to be revealed we KNEW we could not remain linked with them in any way. Even now, with the benefit of hindsight, it is still staggering to me as I continue to comprehend the depth of differences between us.

They didn't get "off track" and file a lawsuit. Their capability to resort to a lawsuit against a sister and brother-in-law was the result of life choices made contrary to God's Word—for years!!! Their decision to file a lawsuit didn't put them in the ditch. The filing of this lawsuit shows they had been in the ditch for years!!

The decisions they made were so baffling to us. We couldn't understand why they just didn't seem to respond in ways that followed conventional wisdom and would have been in their best interest. Why the over-the-top method of trickery? Why all the broken promises? Why the threats? Why the refusal of an arbitrator? Why the refusal of a Pastor's counsel? Why not sell our joint project to an outside investor for over a million dollars? Why a lawsuit? Why not mediation? Why not buy us out? Why not sell to us?  Why not accept a settlement? Why not accept what the judge said? Why the attitude of "we win, you lose—you choose"? Why? Why does there still seem to be no sense of personal responsibility? Why do they blame us for their own multiple failed business ventures? Why all the lies to us, the banks, the courts, and other "investors"? Why? How can someone call themselves "Christ-followers" and make these kind of choices? And continue to make them? How? Why?

Chapter 6 says that using the world's court system "shows you are already defeated." But, you don't have to remain defeated. Stop! Turn! Change your hearts! Get a new way of thinking! The results will change when the heart is changed!

I was thinking all these thoughts, and then at church this morning, our Pastor ended his message with an admonition that was just eight words long but felt like—WHAM!

Our Pastor was relating the story of Alexander the Great and how he found a soldier sleeping on his watch. The soldier's name was also Alexander. Alexander the Great, appalled at the behavior of this soldier who shared his name, told the soldier to either change his name or change his conduct. Our Pastor paraphrased Alexander the Great's response to the soldier and said:

"Christian!  Change your name or change your conduct!"    

Wham! There it is in a nutshell. If we call ourselves Christian we better act like it—at all times. If our conduct is not "Christian" then we have a choice. Either change our conduct so our actions are befitting of our name—OR—face the truth, get rid of the false name, and quit faking it. It's one or the other.

Our actions DO speak louder than words. "Christian! Change your name or change your conduct!" 


 Next Entry: I Corinthians 7:1–40

Tne New Beginning: No Matter What—Follow Me

October 19, 2012

It feels as if something is going on. What is it? I don't know. It just feels as if we are in another one of God's teachable moments.

There has been a progression of thoughts over the last several months.

• It started with our return trip to the Appalachian Trail at the five year anniversary of the lawsuit. (July 2012) We had eight uninterrupted hours to reflect on the journey God put us on and the many God-moments we've experienced along "the storm" path.
• Half-way through our stay, I felt strongly we were to begin praying about a New Beginning even though we didn't know what that meant. (See - How It Began) 
• Then came, "why is this stuff still in here?" and we purged our home of all "the storm" debris. (See - Out With the Old)
• Then I read in Luke 9:62, "Anyone who begins to plow a field but keeps looking back is of no use in the kingdom of God."  You can't move forward if you are looking back. (See - Don't look back)  

If I am not careful, I can carry too much of a concern for my sister and brother-in-law's mental, physical, and spiritual health. Some of our Pastor's sermons during this past month, and snippets of messages I've heard on the radio have really made my husband and I look at each other and ask if God is preparing us for what is (or might be) happening to my sister and brother-in-law?

All along this journey God has prepared us step by step for what was going to happen next. When I was looking up the verse in Luke about not looking back, I noticed my notation written beside Luke 2:36. "Those who sought God KNEW what would happen and was happening."

Last night when I went to bed I was praying and asking God what I was supposed to do with the concerns I have for my sister and brother-in-law. HIS answer was clear—FOLLOW ME!  I'm to do nothing but follow Him. I'm to turn my concerns over to Him and not look back. Whatever is going on (or IF there is something going on), it is between God and them, and it needs to stay that way. You can't move forward and follow God's plan if you keep looking back. God knows I have a very tender heart. I believe He is teaching me to remain focused on Him, no matter what. No looking back. No matter what—FOLLOW ME.

Earlier this week I wrote about the song All the Way My Savior Leads Me. Last night and all today the words from that song, "For I know, whate'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well" has ran over and over and over in my mind. No matter what—Jesus doeth all things well. No matter what—FOLLOW ME.

Is something going on? I have no idea. What I do know is this: We are ALL terminal. Our time on this earth is short. We should ALL look at our lives through God's eyes and live each day in ways that will bring honor and glory to HIS name.


Next Entry: John 6:1–71

Luke 23:1–56

October 10, 2012

Preparedness. It is easier to hike the Appalachian Trail, handle stressful times, or face the impossible, if you have a foundation of preparedness. We are so grateful that God used different situations in our lives to teach us what it means to trust in Him and surrender all. It is a constant learning process, but a firm foundation was set. We never realized how important it would be.

Over the past several weeks God has reminded me of how it all began.

• I shared our testimony in a letter with some friends who were going through a difficult time. You can read it here: Our Testimony: The Journey So Far. The letter shares how God used different situations in our lives to build a foundation of trust in Him. In writing the letter to encourage someone else, I was reminded afresh the faithfulness of God in our own lives.
• In the process of moving and rearranging furniture (to prepare for painting the loft and living room), I came across our company mission statement. It was written years before we had a website. I tweaked it slightly and added it to our website. The mission statement was a clear reminder of who (and what) our foundation is built upon.
• I also found multiple other personal writings from years past which I had totally forgotten about. A personal study I began on the differences between knowledge and understanding; lessons I prepared on death and dying and how to go on living after a loved one dies; and notes from when I shared those lessons with the family of the woman who originally painted our home and later passed away from Leukemia.     

In the busyness of life I had totally forgotten about all these pre-lawsuit writings and studies. God took the ordinary (moving furniture and writing a letter) to remind me of the extra-ordinary (HIS faithfulness throughout our lives).

A firm foundation was in place. God, in His Sovereignty, used earlier circumstances and situations in our lives to prepare us for what He knew was coming. He knew the measure of deceit we were going to face. He knew about the false accusations. He knew. He experienced it all himself. He was taken before Pilate. He was innocent and Pilate could find nothing wrong, but that did not stop his accusers. Luke 23:5 - "They were insisting, saying 'But Jesus makes trouble...' " "But" he did this. "But" he did that.  But... but... but. Always trying to find something to accuse Him of. We know what that feels like. In one of my sister and brother-in-law's court filings they actually say they can't prove anything was done wrong, "but it appears" like there may be something. But... but... but. Pure desperation—trying anything and everything to find "something" to accuse us of.    

Thank you, for the reminder Lord. I am so grateful a firm foundation was set and we had something to build upon. Preparedness is so important!! Luke 23:31 - "If they act like this now when life is good, what will happen when bad times come?"

Don't get caught unprepared. Listen. Learn. Grow.


Next Entry: Luke 24:1–53

The New Beginning: Out With the Old

July 30, 2012

We've been back from hiking the Appalachian Trail for several weeks now. It was while we were staying at the Pheasant Field Bed and Breakfast in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, that one evening I strongly felt we were to start praying about a NEW BEGINNING. I had no idea what a "New Beginning" meant, what it was or what it was going to look like, but we started praying about it anyway.

I don't know how to explain it, but there just seems to be something different in the air: a looking forward; an anticipation. We were not "stuck" in the past, and we weren't "holding on" while waiting for the future. In spite of "the storm," we were happily living our lives in the present—day by day seeking and doing the Lord's will. And now it was as if God was saying, "It's time. It's time to start looking forward." But, how do you look forward when you don't know what forward is? So, we began to pray and seek God's will, guidance, and wisdom concerning the NEW BEGINNING, and He is slowly starting to reveal what the "New Beginning" looks like.

First and foremost, we need to always make sure we are totally God-reliant and not self-sufficient.  No matter what is going on externally in our lives—good, bad, or in between—the foundation always needs to be Christ. Difficult times are often a tool God uses to bring us into a closer relationship with Him. As we search for God we will find Him. (Jeremiah 29:11–13) God uses difficult times as teachable moments. It is often during times of difficulty that we begin to get a glimpse of HIS majesty.

John tells about the death of Lazarus. Jesus could have prevented his death and the pain and suffering felt by all those around him. He could have, but He purposely chose not to. John 11:15 - "And I am glad for your sakes I was not there so that you may believe. But let's go to him now." Glad! Jesus was glad because HE KNEW there was a plan. Mary and Martha only knew they were in pain and that Jesus could have prevented it. They didn't understand and couldn't see that JOY was down the path they were on.

Back in 2007, when the truth about what my sister and brother-in-law had done and what they were capable of doing became obvious, we just wanted away from them and we wanted away from them NOW! I remember my husband's prayers as we walked together every day and how he wanted the lawsuit to end quickly. Now, it is five plus years later, and we can honestly and truthfully say, "Thank goodness it was not over as quickly as we first wanted it over." We would have missed out on SO much. We have literally seen the Hand of God working in our lives. How could someone ever regret that? Jesus knew the plan. He knew the path. He knew what He wanted to show us and teach us. "I am glad for your sakes..." This whole mess was and is for our good. God has chosen the path we are on and we are content in following Him one step at a time. 

I've already referenced John 11. The reason I was reading John 11 is because that is where the Life Lesson for Mark 8 sent me. The two things that struck me were: 1) God choosing not to prevent Lazarus from dying because of what He wanted to teach them; and 2) The words Jesus said when He called Lazarus out of the grave. He said, "Take off the cloths (the things which were binding him) and let him go..."

It was Jesus' lack of action that allowed Lazarus to die. Jesus made the decision not to act quickly because He wanted to have a teachable moment. So, it was God's decision that caused him to be bound. But now Jesus is saying, "Take off the cloth... let him go." I just sat in the loft and read that over and over. "Let him go... let him go... let him go!" Take off what is binding him and what is holding him captive—and let him go. When God decides the time is right, "the storm" WILL be over and the cloths which have been used to bind us (and God allowed) will be removed and we will be let go. The when is God's decision, and we are willing to calmly and patiently wait until that day happens. It is part of the NEW BEGINNING.

But, there is more. As I was writing in my Journal on Friday, (before reading John 11) a phrase came to my mind. "It doesn't matter." It doesn't matter? What doesn't matter? One thing that doesn't matter is anything my sister or brother-in-law do (or do not) do. Their questionable, immoral or illegal activities—doesn't matter. Whether they are lying or not—doesn't matter.  Anything about their lives—doesn't matter. It doesn't matter!

That isn't an angry or I-don't-care-about-you statement. Not at all. It is just acknowledging that God has everything under control and that He has a plan. I don't need to know what His plan is, because it doesn't matter. My responsibility is to let go and let God. A NEW BEGINNING—it doesn't matter! I have no desire to know what is or is not happening in their lives—because it doesn't matter.

That all happened on a Friday morning. Friday night I was vacuuming and my husband was outside mowing. I was cleaning around our antique mule bin chest which was completely filled with lawsuit files. As I was cleaning a new thought (impression) came to my mind in the form of a question. "Why is all this stuff still in the house?" The question seemed strange. Why? Well... isn't it obvious?  We have to keep it (duh), the lawsuit is still going—and I kept vacuuming. The same thought came again. "Why is it still in here?" I paused what I was doing and began to think about it. Well... I guess it wouldn't have to be. We could get more of those large industrial strength containers we had just purchased for another project and put the stuff in our garage I guess. There is room in the storage building/garage now that we've cleaned out some of the project's assets. In my mind I started questioning the possibilities and ramifications of removing all the items. Wouldn't it be crazy to take all of it out now? What if the lawsuit starts back up soon? But then I thought, so what if it does? It doesn't matter! You would still have it, it just won't be in the house.

I turned off the vacuum and went outside to tell my husband. He stopped the mower and I said, "I think we are supposed to store all the lawsuit stuff in the garage." I was ready to go to Menards, get the boxes, and get started, but it was already late in the evening and we decided we would stop and get more boxes on the way home from church on Sunday since we were going to our daughter's (in Ohio) in the morning. So, that is what we did. On the way home from church we stopped and purchased five more boxes to go with the one we had just purchased. By Sunday evening, all the boxes were full and stored in our detached garage.

I hated having all the vile and poisonous junk in our home. Everywhere you looked there was lawsuit junk. The mule bin chest was full. The entire bottom drawer of the large legal size file cabinet—full. The bottom three drawers of the tall office cabinet—full. The storage room downstairs—full with many items. While I hated having all the lawsuit "stuff" in our home, NEVER in all these years, did I even consider removing it before the lawsuit was over. NEVER! Before I would say, "I can't wait 'till the lawsuit is over so I can get all this evil out of here," but I never ever considered doing it while the lawsuit was still going. And then, out of nowhere, the thought comes, "Why is this stuff still in the house?" Well, by Sunday night, everything was gone and stored in the garage. Everything except the three boxes stored under the copier with the important numbered documents.

I cannot explain how freeing it is to have the house purged of the wickedness. It literally felt as if a heavy weight was lifted. Free at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty, free at last!

If (or when) the lawsuit starts back up we still have what we need, it just isn't in the house. The last three boxes (the boxes with the numbered documents), I was going to put downstairs. Those are the "really important" files. But this morning (Monday) while in the shower I suddenly had the same impression or thought. "What are you doing with those last three boxes still in the house? Hmm. Well... those are the "really important" boxes so I thought I should keep those close by so I was going to put those boxes in the basement. And again, "Why are you holding on to those?" Okay, LORD. I'll take those out too.

I called my husband and asked him to stop and get more storage containers on his way home from an appointment. The final boxes are going to the garage.

We are either ignorantly foolish, or we are courageously obedient. Fear would say, "You know of course that as soon as you do this it will cause the lawsuit to start back up." But faith says, "Believe me! Be obedient to me! No matter what."

July 31, 2012

Here is what we are learning about the NEW BEGINNING so far:

1. Our sphere of influence is increasing and expanding;
2. It doesn't matter. We don't need to know about everything that is or is not happening;
3. We have been released from the oppression of the vile and poisonous junk that surrounds this lawsuit. The house is purged of ALL of it. The air is cleared.

It will be interesting to see what else God is going to show us and what else we are going to learn as we follow God down this path of NEW BEGINNING.

"I am glad for your sakes I was not there so that you may believe. But let's go to him now."  John 11:15   

Jesus said to them, "Take the cloth off of him and let him go." John 11:44

*****

I understand I am taking a huge risk by putting my thought processes down on paper. Those who have ulterior motives would use this to say it proves I am crazy because I am making up and listening to "voices" in my head. My sister and brother-in-law have already made reference to this by claiming to be afraid of me because I (according to them) am emotionally unstable. However, I will not let the false accusations of others keep me from writing how the Holy Spirit has guided us and led us down this path. On my own I would have NEVER EVER considered taking the toxic junk out of our house. We KNOW God has guided us on this path. The things that seemed random was actually God's hand. To God be the glory for the things HE has done!   

Addendum: 1/12/16 ~ Interestingly, I found out our lawyer removed all of his storage boxes (twenty some) from his office and put them in storage the exact same week that we removed all the "junk" from our home.

For three and one half years the storage boxes remained in the garage. Then before the Settlement Conference, I told our lawyer that I wasn't going to look up any of the things my sister referred to in their settlement "offer" to us unless he told me he wanted me to. Well, he responded that he did want me to review and be able to respond to her "facts" with the evidence. He wanted me to be the one doing the talking at the Settlement Conference. He wanted the judge to be able to hear directly from me and to make his own decision about who was telling the truth and what the truth was/is. So, the boxes were brought back in and I went through each one of them. What a mess. It was during the weeks before Christmas and I had large black industrial boxes with piles of paper strewn throughout our entire living room. I methodically went through everything. I pulled relevant documents out and organized them in binders, and then the boxes went back to the garage.

I'm not sure why I was to go through everything again because none of it was needed for the Settlement Conference. NONE. The judge did an awesome job and purposely did not go into any of their accusations and did not ask about the facts of the case. So, why was I to go through everything again? I don't know. Maybe it is so we are prepared for trial because everything is now in organized binders. Or maybe it is part of the trail and someday the rest of what is in the boxes can be burned.  Trial? Or trail? I don't know, and I don't need to know. It doesn't matter!

In my Journal Entry for Genesis 4:1 – 5:24 (written on November 21, 2009) I wrote about why God asks us questions. It isn't because He doesn't know the answer. He asks us questions because He wants us to admit the truth. I can see more clearly now the "why" of the question, "Why are those still in here... why are you still holding on to those?" We have said all along that we believe the promises God gave us through Jane (Her Name was Jane) and the other promises He has given us throughout the nine plus years on this journey. I wrote in a letter to our lawyer clear back in 2008 that we strongly felt this lawsuit would never proceed to trial, and even though we were still in the thick of it, the end result is past tense—it is done. Then why? Why was everything still in the house? And why, after removing everything else, was I still holding on to the last three "important" boxes? We said we believed it was over. So, why?

I now believe God was showing us truth. Our house was filled with (and we were holding onto) things as if we were the ones who were going to need to prove our innocence. Obviously, we still did not completely "get it." We are to be wise, but God does not need our help. Our lawyer had me go through everything again, and not one single thing was needed. You have to wonder if it was wasted time, but I don't believe it was. It was an important reminder of where we've been; what we've gone through; and WHO is in charge of where we are going. It was also a stark reminder of what this lawsuit is really about and who my sister and brother-in-law truly are at the core.

The Settlement Conference showed us there has been no heart change. Going through everything once again only reinforced our understanding of what God has done to protect us and provide for us. HE IS IN CONTROL and we trust HIM. He does not need our help. He only needs our obedience.

Addendum #2: April 14, 2017 ~ I have finished putting my journal entries into this blog and have begun to work on getting Walking By Faith: A True Story of God's Faithfulness (the blog which tells the story of Jane) finished. In the process of doing so, I have been adding links from her blog to this blog and I came across this July 30, 2012 entry. What struck me today was Jesus' words, "Take off the cloths (the things which were binding him) and let him go..."

It was Jesus' lack of action that allowed Lazarus to die. Jesus made the decision to not act quickly because he wanted to have a teachable moment. So it was God's decision that caused him to be bound. But now Jesus is saying, "Take off the cloth... let him go." I just sat in the loft and read that over and over. "Let him go... let him go... let him go!" Take off what is binding him and what is holding him captive—and let him go. When God decides the time is right, "the storm" WILL be over and the cloths which have been used to bind us (and God allowed) will be removed and we will be let go. The when is God's decision, and we are willing to calmly and patiently wait until that day happens. It is part of the NEW BEGINNING.

When I first wrote this in 2012, the words of Jesus obviously resounded with me. However, it wasn't until today that I saw the correlation between Jesus' words and the words King Cyrus used to free the people of Israel and thereby fulfill the promise God gave to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 33. Incredible.

In July of 2012 I didn't realize I had missed writing about the Lost Chapters between II Chronicles 11:18 and II Chronicles 36:23. I didn't write about those chapters until exactly two years later, July 2014. You can read about the Lost Chapters that God set aside for such a time as this and didn't have me read and write about until my journey of reading through the Bible was completed, here.

The very last sentence in the very last verse in the very last chapter of my journey of writing my thoughts while reading through the Bible, records the words King Cyrus used to fulfill God's promise to Jeremiah and God's last words of promise to us through Jane:

You are free to go.

The words of Jesus: "Take off the cloths... and let him go."

The words of King Cyrus as he fulfilled God's promise to Jeremiah: You are free to go.

What a surprise to read this today and see the correlation between the words of Jesus and the words of God's promise fulfilled. There will come a day when we are "free to go." There will come a day when the cloths used to bind us (the lawsuit) will be peeled away and we will be freed to change the private designation on this blog to public. The journey has been for our good and it soon will be used for the good of others as well. When the time is right, it WILL happen. There will come a day.  

The words and melody of an old hymn are playing in my mind. I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus of Nazarene.  How appropriate on this Good Friday. Easter is coming!! Praise the LORD!


Next Entry: His Hands and Feet