Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

"The storm" is over! The lawsuit has ended—there was NO trial! God waited until anything man could do was done. Everything was ready and prepared for the scheduled trial. The legal paperwork was filed; all exhibits were turned in; witnesses were contacted and ready; hours were spent in preparation; the trial was just weeks away; and THEN!—the LORD stepped in. HE secured justice and established our freedom. Permanently!

By HIS Great Power we are free. Seven years after "the storm" began, the very last words I read while on my journey of reading through the Bible—"You are free to go" (God's fulfillment of HIS promise to the Israelites in Jeremiah 33)—is now God's fulfillment of HIS last promise to us. "You are free to go." What we believed by faith has become sight.

THEN They Will Know! It was by HIS Power, HIS might, and HIS hand that we were saved us from the mouth of the lion. Our prayer has always been that ALL would know it was the LORD who saved us. Our prayer has been answered. Only HE gets the Glory for our freedom.

The Proof Came—AFTER! The only way to prove we weren't crazy when for twelve years we stood firm and shared our belief that the lawsuit would never go to trial, is AFTER it doesn't go to trial. HIS promises once again proved true—there was no trial.

Purpose: To Bring Honor and Glory to HIS Name. It's ALL about HIM! The LORD—HE is the One! This is HIS Story. All Honor and Glory belongs to HIM.

 

HIS Story can now be released. 

A New Path—A New Journey! The time has come to take our first steps on HIS new path.   

A Divine Mandate finished. AFTER—HIS Story was completed, THEN—the LORD stepped in, secured justice, granted us our freedom and fulfilled all of HIS promises. 

 

II Chronicles 20:17 - "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you..."

Isaiah 52:2–3 - "...you once were a prisoner. Now shake off the dust and stand up... This is what the LORD says: 'You were not sold for a price, so you will be saved without cost.' " 

ALL praise, honor, glory and power belongs to our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you, LORD, for your unfathomable Grace. Thank you, LORD, for the gift of Salvation, both now and forevermore. Thank you, LORD, for your Holy Spirit who guided our every step while Walking on His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead). Thank you, LORD, for fulfilling every single one of your promises. Every. Single. One. Only YOU are worthy of our Praise. No words will ever be enough, LORD. No words will ever be enough.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

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 

A New Path—A New Journey

March 23, 2019

There's been some new developments in our faith journey.

1. My Mom passed away on August 31, 2018 after an unexpected medical event. My brother and I took care of her for seventeen days. See: A Mother's Love. I will miss Mom (and her faithful prayers) terribly. I wish she could have walked with us to where this part of our faith journey ends and a New Path and a New Journey begins, but that wasn't part of God's sovereign plan. I'm grateful for all the time we had together, her faithful prayers, and Mom's support and encouragement during these "trial" years. I'm also grateful that my Mom (and my Dad) were able to live out their last days in their own home.   
2. In early 2019, my sister and brother-in-law petitioned the courts to set a date for a trial. The judge still had not set a date so they took matters into their own hands. After several phone conferences between the lawyers and a judge, the date for a trial has been set for 2020. A different judge has been appointed to handle and hear the case.  
3. Sometimes we just don't know what we don't know. It took me seven years to read, write, and then transcribe those writings into this blog. I thought I was done and I thought I was just waiting—waiting for when HIS Story could be told. But I thought wrong. HIS Story wasn't ready. The problem was "I" thought. Every time I thought I was done and I had reached the peak of the mountain, the path turned and the trail continued. I am currently going back through my entries to make punctuation edits (I discovered I placed the period wrong when putting quotes around a single word... who knew??) and adding some pictures.  

Just a few weeks before my sister and brother-in-law petitioned the courts, I said to my husband that maybe the reason the lawsuit was still sitting stagnant in the court system is because my sister and brother-in-law were going to change their hearts and minds. The arrow on the "hope" meter was a little right of center. Then we received notice they petitioned the courts for a trial date and we had to come face to face with the truth once again—there has been no change. They are still actively pursuing their deceit and our destruction through this lawsuit. The arrow on the "hope" meter went back to the left and bottomed out.

Even though a date for a trial has been set, it doesn't change anything. We still do not believe this lawsuit will ever proceed to trial. There is no legal rationale or logical explanation for our beliefs, it is just a strong conviction of faith. The only option left in the "world's" court system is a trial, but we do not believe this lawsuit will be decided by the "world's" court system. No earthly thing or person can put a stop to my sister's obsession. Only God...only God. Isaac was on the altar and Abraham's hand was raised and THEN God provided the lamb. We will continue to believe God's promise of protection and provision and pray for His will to be done. See: By HIS Great Power.

April 30, 2019 ~ Another new development.

 As the anniversary date of Jane's last spoken words of promise approached I said to my husband, "April 28 falls on a Sunday this year. It feels like we should do something special to commemorate the amazing events of this day." It was just a few days before the 28th and we were already in bed for the evening. We tossed around a few ideas and then it hit me—maybe we could go out to Jane's area of the Appalachian Trail in PA and return to the beautiful overlook where we knew our A.T. journey was over.

I got up and checked availability at the B&B's we stayed at in the past. Amazingly, the Red Cardinal Bed and Breakfast (where we stayed five years ago [2014] and we realized our dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail was ending - See The Land In-Between) was available for Saturday the 27th, and Pheasant Field Bed and Breakfast (where we stayed seven years ago [2012] and we randomly felt we were to begin praying about "New Beginnings" - See The New Beginning: Where and How it Began) was available for Sunday the 28th. Wow! The exact rooms where we stayed in 2012 and 2014 were both available!! Let's do this! Let's take a fast weekend trip and go back to Carlisle, PA. Let's spend time at the very places where God so clearly spoke to us in the past, and let's spend April 28 hiking in the exact areas where Jane lived and hiked. Oh my goodness, this is a very spur of the moment decision, but let's do it—and we did.

I can't adequately express how much it meant to return to the area where so much of our faith journey has taken place. It was calming, relaxing, and soul cleansing. We stood on the old 1890 Iron Bridge where the Appalachian Trail crosses Swartara Creek just outside Lickdale, PA. This old bridge is within easy walking distance of where Jane grew up. We watched as the river's water flowed swiftly beneath us. We talked about how God's faithfulness is never-ending like the flowing water of a river. We reminisced about our journey, talked about the impact Jane had on our lives, and thanked God for His faithfulness.

We left Swatara Creek and drove through the scenic countryside to where PA 501 crosses the Appalachian Trial near Pine Grove. We parked the truck and hiked the short distance to the same overlook where we sat dazed and confused in July of '14. This time there was no confusion and no distress. We sat down on the huge boulders that spill down the mountainside and gazed out over the 180 degree panoramic view of the valley below. It had rained the night before and the skies were still slightly overcast, but the valley (The Land In-Between) before us was peaceful and serene. A rooster was once again crowing in the distance and the ravens were once again soaring on the air streams beneath us. We thanked God for teaching us that "valley" life experiences are beautiful when viewed from a higher perspective. We quoted the scriptures Jane told us to read: Psalm 150, Psalm 140, Psalm 8, Psalm 1, and portions of Isaiah 30 and Jeremiah 33. We prayed. We thanked God for the opportunity to spend this very special day, April 28th, in the exact area where Jane grew up and hiked. We praised God for His faithfulness and mercy which He has shown us over and over, and we once again surrendered ourselves to His total control.

We left the overlook and hiked a little farther down the trail. We talked about the blazes of the A.T. and how they direct your path. I took a picture of a white blaze painted on a rock in an open clearing so hikers would know which way the path led. We thanked God for how He has so faithfully guided us on HIS footpath. It started to rain so we turned around and hiked back to the overlook again. As we stood there we once again marveled at the beauty of the expansive valley below. So peaceful. So very, very peaceful.

With our hearts full of gratitude, we turned to leave. This time there was no sadness, just a quiet and peaceful understanding that we were soon going to be embarking on a new path and a new journey.  When we turned to leave the overlook in 2014 it felt as if we were walking away and leaving something we loved behind, but this time as we turned to leave our spirits were uplifted and encouraged because we understood a new truth: it's not about what you are leaving, it's about where you are going. We aren't walking away and leaving something we love behind—we are walking towards a New Path and a New Journey. We felt as if God was preparing us for the next step in our faith journey and that it is almost time—it is almost time for the telling of HIS Story.

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

and 

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

May it be so, LORD. May it be so. May YOUR will be done.

********

When I began to add the new development of our quick trip to PA to this entry I noticed the title I wrote in March for the other new developments—and I just had to smile. The original entry of new developments was titled A New Path—A New Journey a month before there was even a thought of returning to the very spot where our section hiking of the Appalachian Trail ended and a month before that very message was pressed upon our hearts when we returned to the trail on April 28, 2019.

We are walking towards A New Path—A New Journey.


Next Entry: A Divine Mandate

HIS Story

April 28, 2018

I know I am supposed to tell HIS Story; I want to tell HIS Story; HIS Story is almost ready; the lawsuit my sister and brother-in-law filed is still pending in the legal court system so HIS Story cannot yet be told; and I feel like a runner crouched in position at the starting line waiting for the pistol to signal—GO!

I thought I was done with HIS Story and we were in a frustrating holding pattern, but I thought wrong. When am I ever going to learn? After taking a several month break from working on HIS Story, a friend of mine began to read the blog. In going back to read some of the entries, I realized the initials I used to protect people's identity were very distracting. So, I've once again started over from the beginning, this time to edit out all initials and insert descriptive names instead. I've also decided to remove the private details of my sister and brother-in-law's lives, their behaviors, actions and the lawsuit they filed. The ugly details are not what is important. HIS Story is not about them—HIS Story is about our journey while following HIS footpath and how the amazing Hand of God protected us from them.

While it took me seven years to read, write, and then transcribe my journal entries into this blog, I still have editing to do. God is in control and His timing is perfect. He has a plan and when the time is right—HIS Story will be told. There will come a day when we hear the words, "You are free to go." Until that day comes we will wait patiently for the—GO!

This is HIS Story. It is ALL about HIM. Blessed be HIS name.


Next Entry: A New Path—A New Journey

By HIS Great Power

November 02, 2017

This morning, as I began to read Exodus 3 in my Bible (the next chronological chapter in my devotions), I was struck by several things.

1. God knows. Nothing was/is a surprise to Him. "I have seen... I have heard... I am concerned... I have come down to save them... I will bring them out... (I will) lead them... I have heard the cries... "
2. God is ever present. Moses was going about his daily business when he saw the bush on fire but not burning up. Moses didn't call out to God and then God finally arrived from some far away distant place. He was already there! BUT, Moses (and we) have to first look, and then draw closer in order to see Him.  
3. God promised HIS help. He is the great I AM. He was. He is. He will always be. He promised to go with them as He sent them out, and He promised to help them. "I care about you... I have seen what has happened to you... I promised I would take you out of your troubles... I will lead you..."
4. God has power. "Only a great power will force him to let you go, so I will use my great power... After I do that, he will let you go." God has "surpassing greatness" (Psalm 150). Nothing is beyond His capability. "Praise him for his acts of power..." (Psalm 150).  
5. God is in control. God used the ordinary to prove His authority. God took Moses' rod, something he used in his day to day life, to show Moses (and later the Egyptians) HE was in control and had the power and authority to save His people. Psalm 140:12 - "The Lord secures justice."
6. God will lead. He doesn't need our ability, He only wants our availability. Who has the power and authority? "It is I, the LORD. Now go! I will help you speak, and I will teach you what to say."

Thank you, LORD, for the reminders this morning. You are the great I AM. You are omnipresent and you are omniscient. Your promises are true. You have surpassing greatness. And no matter what, YOU are in control and you will continue to lead us while we are on this journey. We will continue to trust you and follow you on your footpath.

I still do not believe this path we are on includes sitting across from my sister in a court of law as "he said–she said" plays out in front of a judge. I do not believe a judge in the world's court system is going to determine our fate. (It took a considerable amount of courage to just put my belief down in writing—again!) It's not a comfortable position to be standing at the precipice of a cliff when you know you don't have any kind of safety line to protect you should you fall. I know I will look like a fool and much of what I have devoted seven years of my life to (reading through the Bible and keeping a journal of my thoughts now transcribed into this blog) will be totally discounted should I be proven wrong. BUT, with tears in my eyes I am going to step out on the edge of the cliff and say it again: I do not believe the path we are on includes a trial.

So, if I don't believe there is to be a trial, then what do I believe will happen? What I believe is found in the chapter I read this morning.  

"Only a great power will force him to let you go, so I will use my great power... After I do that, he will let you go." ~ From Exodus 3:19–20

I believe the only way we will be released from the traps my sister and brother-in-law set and from this lawsuit they've filed is by HIS great power. Not a judge. Not the skill of an attorney. Not by luck, happenstance, or a fluke. No. Only by HIS great power!

We have already seen that "time" is not the answer. The lawsuit has dragged on in the court system for over ten years. "Time" has changed nothing. When someone is fueled by revenge and evil intentions, no amount of "time" in and of itself, will ever change their mind.

We have already seen that "reasoning" is not the answer. A mediation attorney spent hours (literally) in their room trying to "reason" with them—and failed. A skilled settlement judge gave it his best effort. He tried to "reason" with them—and failed. All of our "reasonable" offers to sell, buy, or sell to a third party were flatly rejected without any consideration. "Reasoning" is not the answer or the lawsuit would be over.

Shockingly, even though my sister and brother-in-law's lives appear to be fueled by greed, "money" is not the answer either. They have already spent far more than they could ever hope to win even if the judge ruled in their favor on every one of their (false) charges. If you add what they will now have to spend to take the lawsuit on to trial to what they have already spent, it makes no logical or business sense. The judge at the Settlement Conference made a pointed effort to explain to them that even if they were successful in getting a judge to rule in their favor, all we would have to do is go down the hall to another office and file bankruptcy and they would be left with nothing. Yet, the risk of gambling and losing even more money is not enough to make them stop. Not only are they willing to risk spending more money they also rejected the possibility of receiving guaranteed money. We offered to walk away from any share of the money in escrow (over $140,000) if they dropped the lawsuit, and our offer was rejected. So, no amount of guaranteed "money" or no amount of risked "money" is the answer.

Even a ruling by a judge is not an answer. As the judge explained at the Settlement Conference, if you don't like the court's ruling you can always appeal, the lawyers would be glad to take your money.

Time. Reasoning. Money. A court's ruling. None of these are the answer. No earthly thing is the answer.

The way I see it that leaves only two options:

1. A heart and life change; or  
2. By HIS great power.

Oh, how I pray it will be #1. That has always been our prayer and it continues to be our prayer today. If there is a true heart change then their desire to pursue us would soon change and the lawsuit would end. That is still our hope, desire and prayer. However, even after ten years of Grace, there has been no heart change.

If there continues to be no heart change, then by default that leaves #2. "Only a great power will force him to let you go, so I will use my great power... After I do that, he will let you go." Brick by brick a wall being built to force a change in behavior. What a sobering thought. I can't imagine what it would take to force them to stop. I can't imagine, and I can't even allow my mind to go there.

Oh. My. Goodness. I just had a brand new thought!! Soon the judge will set a date for a trial. When we received the news, it felt like an end point was quickly coming and we were running out of time for some sort of intervention to block the impending trial. It felt like we were the ones running out of time. But. Oh. My. Goodness! What if they are the ones who are running out of time? Are the "days of Grace" God has so graciously extended to them these last ten years coming to an end? Are they running out of time to change their hearts and lives? Is there a day of accountability and reckoning coming?

I don't know. All I know is this: we are putting our faith and trust in Christ alone. I wish we could make the same decision for my sister and brother-in-law, but we can't. Only they can choose to surrender their hearts and lives to the King of kings and Lord of lords  I KNOW God wants my sister and brother-in-law's surrendered hearts even more than I want it for them. I KNOW God is a fair and just judge who can be trusted. I KNOW that no matter what, I can have peace and joy in all circumstances because HE is in control and my trust is in HIM.

For the last couple of days the song In Christ Alone has been running through my mind.  Here are the lyrics:

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Til He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

I will stand

I will stand, all other ground is sinking sand

All other ground, is sinking sand

Songwriters: Keith Getty/ Stuart Townend

Listen to In Christ Alone here.


Next Entry: THEN They Will Know!

And That Brings Us to the End

April 9, 2017

And that brings us to the end. Seven years after "the storm" began, and five years after I began the journey of reading through the entire Bible while keeping a journal, The Lost/Last Chapters—which God set aside for such a time as this—is the recorded fulfillment of HIS promise to free HIS people. The promise God gave to Jeremiah (while he was still held captive in Jeremiah 33) was also the last God-given promise given to us by Jane. E. Wolfe. Incredibly, seven years after "the storm" began, the very last verse in the very last chapter, is the recorded fulfillment of God's promise sent to the Israelites through Jeremiah. I believe it to be a message to us. The fulfillment of God's promise sent to us through Jane E. Wolfe is coming. There will come a day when we are no longer held captive by a vicious and vile lawsuit.

There is a WHEN—wait for it.

The more I think about the LORD's promise to free His people being fulfilled in the very last verse of the last chapter in my five year journey of reading through the Bible while keeping a journal, the more awestruck and astounded I am. God's timing is impeccable. Seven years after Jane spoke God's first words of promise to us, the very last verse of the very last chapter of my five year journey of reading, reflecting, and recording my thoughts while reading through the Bible, ends with the fulfillment of Jeremiah 33, Jane's last God-given words to us—God's promise to free HIS people. Incredible!! His promises are true. The Israelites were freed from their bondage as the LORD promised. Hold on! Our deliverance is coming.

There will come a day when we see the fulfillment of God's promise to us. We believe with all our hearts that our deliverance from "the storm" and the lawsuit my sister and brother-in-law filed is coming. Someday we will hear the words, "You are free to go."

Blessed be the name of the LORD!

"O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands, and put everything under his feet; all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swims the paths of the sea. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your NAME in all the earth!!" Psalm 8

No mere human words will every be able to adequately express our love, appreciation, gratitude, thankfulness, and praise to our heavenly Father for His compassion, His sacrifice, and His amazing Saving Grace. 

Addendum: 4/9/17 ~ It took seven years to complete my journey of reading, writing, and then transcribing my journal entries into Blogger. Seven years. So, what is next? I don't know. If God has something more for me to do He will let me know. Here is what I KNOW:

A New Beginning is coming!

I'm ready, Lord. I'm available. Use me and our story, which is YOUR story, in whatever way YOU want. May YOU receive all the honor and the glory for what YOU have done. LORD, it has taken seven years to complete what you so clearly directed me to do. May you bless this work. May it be used to bring others to YOUR saving Grace. Thank you, Father. Thank you, for the journey. Thank you, for allowing us to be the recipients of this Blessed Event.

Psalm 10:14 – "I hope my words and thoughts please you. LORD, you are my Rock, the one who saves me."


Next Entry: Brick by Brick

The Lost Chapters: Review

August 08–22, 2014

Wow! Where do I begin? You can't make this stuff up. Why am I still so amazed by God's timing and abilities? Maybe that is a good thing. I don't ever want to lose the awe of who God is. The more we get a glimpse of who HE is, the more we realize we don't have even the slightest understanding or a beginning knowledge of His amazing Awesomeness.

The Lost/Last Chapters could not have been more relevant or pertinent in content. And, just wait until you hear about the very last verse of the very last chapter recorded on the very last blank page of my last journal. But first, here is the summary of what stood out in the chapters God set aside—for such a time as this.

II Chronicles 11:18 – 15:19 - The danger of PRIDE and becoming self sufficient. It isn't about "I" and what "I" have done, it is that "I can do all things through Christ." Pride → Punishment. There comes a time when God has had enough and He takes His guiding hand out of your life and you are left to fight your own battles by your own devices. God never abandons or leaves us first. When God leaves us to our own devices, it is always in response to our actions of pride, defiance, and our refusal to surrender to Him as Lord of our lives. When you try to do things your own way you are arguing against God and that is an argument you will never win. Stop! Stop what you are doing. Accountability and consequences for our choices WILL happen. You cannot try to circumvent God's will and have success at the same time. It won't work. It can't work. The flip side is when you have surrendered your will and are obedient to the Lord—you can't lose. The size of the army doesn't matter because the battle belongs to the Lord. It is ALL about Him. He is the One who leads the obedient. Victory comes when you obey and depend on the LORD. You can't do it, but God can.  Don't give up. God is in control. Your reward will come.

II Chronicles 16:1 – 19:3 - Be careful. The most dangerous time isn't when you are facing a great crisis. The most dangerous time is when the crisis is over and the victory is won. Success can breed pride, and pride (self-sufficiency) has ruined many people. It becomes easy to forget WHO provided the victory and to instead start believing in your own abilities, strengths, wisdom, skills, etc. It takes intentional desire and effort to follow God; surrendering your will to the LORD's will does not happen automatically or accidentally. You have to want to obey. Where there is obedience there is also the desire to tell others about Him. The Lord protects and blesses those who are obedient to Him. But, be careful. Don't purposely align yourself with unbelievers or there will be danger ahead. There is a fine line between loving the sinner and hating the sin. It can become blurred very quickly and we find ourselves compromised in our relationship with God. God calls us to be separate. If we are aligned with those who are pursuing their own agenda instead of God's agenda, we may be in the line of fire when accountability happens. And, accountability WILL happen. Man can make the best laid plans, but God is still in control. What appears to be "by chance" is actually the Hand of God. God protects those who call on Him; He holds accountable those who have turned their backs on Him. We control whether we submit ourselves to the authority of God and obey His teachings. God controls the rest.

II Chronicles 19:4 – 21:3 - Attacks (unexpected storms) from others can come unprovoked. Cry out to the LORD for HIS help. Search HIS Word. Surrender your will to HIS. Believe HIS promises. Follow HIS specific instructions. Keep doing what is right. When you have done all He has asked you to do, you can have complete confidence in His promises. "The battle is not your battle, it is God's." "You won't need to fight in this battle. Just stand strong in your places, and you will see the LORD save you..." Don't be afraid or discouraged. Stand strong. Praise HIS name first and foremost, before, during, and after the battle. It is the LORD who will take over the battle and HE is the One who will secure the victory. (Psalm 140)    

II Chronicles 21:4 – 24:27 - If you find yourself linked with others (business associates, friends, etc.) who are not following God, you must break free and separate yourself. You cannot expect to remain faithful to the LORD while compromising God's authority by not following His commands. God sent prophets to warn His people to turn back to Him, but they were stubborn and refused to listen—and accountability happened. God's promises are true and nothing can destroy or prevent God from fulfilling His promises. We are the ones who mess things up. There are consequences for our life choices. Our decisions bring God's promised results: Blessing—or—Curses. Our relationship with the LORD has to be personal. It isn't enough to start well. We must finish well!!!

II Chronicles 25:1 – 26:23 - When facing a battle, don't put your faith in your own strength or your trust in your ability to "buy" man's help. God has the power to help you OR defeat you. Put your faith and trust in Him. It doesn't matter what you have already spent or lost, walk away from it. God can give you much more! Rely on HIM, and only Him. It is HIS battle. Don't be stubborn. Repent, and turn from your old ways. Let go (of your need to be in control—pride) and "let" God (surrender your will to His). God provides the opportunity. It is up to us how we are going to respond. It is not our abilities, our talents, or our perseverance that brings us success. Our success comes from God's response to our obedience and servant-hood. The secret to success is simple—obey the LORD!

II Chronicles 27:1 – 28:27 - Obey God—and He supplies your needs and gives you success as you follow hard after Him. Disobey God—and He will eventually hand you over to disaster. God does not tolerate continued disobedience. The longer you refuse to surrender your will to HIS will, the harder it becomes to repent.

II Chronicles 29:1 – 32:23 - Break the pattern! Don't follow the godless ways of the past. Don't be stubborn. There is punishment for disobedience. Change your hearts! Repent! Turn! Obey! Serve! Praise! The Lord is kind and merciful. He never turns away an honest seeker. But sadly, few are willing to listen and obey. When you willingly give back to God your tithe and offerings from what HE has blessed you with, HE in return honors your obedience and submission to Him and He blesses you abundantly. Being obedient, faithful, and loyal to HIS commands does not prevent you from being attacked, ridiculed, insulted, and the object of aggression from those who are following after their own desires and agendas. BUT, stand strong. Don't be afraid or worried, because "there is a greater power with us" than with them. Man cannot circumvent God's will. The battle is not yours, it is HIS. HE will fight the battle, and HE will win. HE is the one who saves you, sustains you, and blesses you. God will use for your good what others intended for your harm.  Stand strong. Wait on the LORD. There is a when! Be ready for it! The battle will end and the victory will be won. God's promises are true.  

II Chronicles 32:24 – 33:25 - It is not about what "I" have done, it is ALL about what HE has done. There is much danger ahead when we forget that and become arrogant in our self pride. There is always forgiveness, but how much better to live a life in surrendered peace then to bear the consequences for disobedience. Our actions determines God's response. When we are faithful—He provides protection. When we are unfaithful—His protection is removed. There is forgiveness and hope, but it requires action in each of our lives to accomplish it. God is ready, willing, and waiting. He speaks to us through his Holy Spirit, His Word, and others. He provides the way. We must humble ourselves → pray → seek → and turn. When we do that, HE does the rest. Hope. There is always hope. But there comes a time when time runs out. Don't wait. Change your heart, mind, and ways—TODAY!

II Chronicles 34:1–33 - God's Word is a like a detailed map for how we should live our lives. If you refuse to acknowledge God as LORD of your life and refuse to follow the path He has laid out, there will come a day when you realize that what you put your misguided faith and trust in had no earthly or kingdom value. It was merely a waste of time and effort as you pursued what turned out to be worthless dust, a temporary god that offered no lasting satisfaction and no salvation. God's Word is true—period. He will do what He says—period. Accountability for personal actions will happen. There are blessings for those who humble themselves before the LORD; there are curses for those who refuse to surrender their will to His. There is NO excuse for ignorance. There is NO excuse for not taking the time to know what His Word says. There is NO excuse for not immediately obeying His teachings once you become aware of what His Word says. It is up to you/us to seek and search hard after Him. And when you do, He will respond to you and use His Word and His Holy Spirit, to reach out to you, teach you, and guide you on HIS path. He will even use prophets (and in our case a prophetess). Ordinary men and women who are called by God, whose words and actions are initiated by the Holy Spirit to be His messenger and His mouthpiece to His people. All for the purpose of either warning His people to repent, or as a message of hope, promise, encouragement, and guidance to those who are seeking hard after Him. It all comes down to this: two different kinds of people; two different choices; and two very different outcomes. It is the same message that resonates throughout all of scripture. We have a choice. Serve God—OR—Serve self. Follow hard after the LORD—OR—Refuse to obey God's teachings. Blessings—OR—Punishment. It really is that simple. Our choices bring God's promised results.

II Chronicles 35:1 – 36:1 -  Don't try to argue with God. That is one battle you will never win. Don't fool yourself into thinking God will not know or will not find out about the things you think or do. He knows our every thought and action. His promises are absolutely-with-out-a-doubt-true. God never breaks His promises and He never goes back on His word. But receiving His promises is not a guaranteed conclusion or something that we have a right to receive IF we turn our backs on Him and are not following HIS ways. His promises are what is available to us. Whether or not we receive His promise depends on the choices we make. IF—we choose to no longer follow after His ways and we choose to follow after other gods with anything or anyone taking the place in our hearts and lives that should be reserved only for the LORD, THEN—we have broken the agreement and God's available promise is null and void. Only we can break the agreement.

II Chronicles 36:2–23 - Some people just refuse to change and to surrender their will to God's. God provides opportunity after opportunity for change. He sends warnings. He disciplines. He patiently waits. He wants them to change their hearts and minds. But yet, even after all of that, some people still refuse to listen and become "stiff-necked." Instead of repenting, they ridicule and make fun of God's people and they despise God's messages. God is patient, kind, and full of grace. But there comes a time when enough is enough and His anger cannot be stopped. There is no remedy, and the consequences commence. It was because of their disobedience, and because of their refusal to listen to His messages, and because they refused to repent, and because they refused to change their hearts, that God brought their enemies against them and God handed them over to captivity. Sometimes innocent people become part of the collateral damage. People who did obey, and did listen to God's messages, and did repent, and did change their hearts, were taken captive as well. But God did not abandon them. He sent a message to His prophet for His people. God's message was this: He promised to hear their prayers; He promised to bring them back out of captivity; and He promised them they would once again enjoy great peace and safety. As a result, all the people would praise HIS name. What the LORD said would happen—happened. God fulfilled HIS promise to free HIS people. He used a most unlikely source. He used a pagan king to fulfill HIS promise. "Now may the LORD your God be with all of you who are his people. You are free to go..." God fulfilled His promise to Jeremiah and He will fulfill His promise to free and restore us.

"You are free to go..."

The Lost/Last Chapters: A step-by-step description that explains why "the storm" began, our thoughts and feelings while battling "the storm"; what we have learned along our journey; the assurance of God's protection; the guaranteed consequences for those who refuse to surrender their will to HIS; and the fulfillment of HIS written-in-stone "I will" promises of protection. When I originally read these chapters (during my hiatus from writing in 2010), I did not understand the significance of these chapters and how they related to our journey. I also didn't grasp the correlation between the last verse in II Chronicles and Jeremiah 33. God, in HIS Sovereignty, set aside these chapters for such a time as this, so I would realize the importance of them and understand what He was showing me: HE is a promise-keeping God; "the storm" is HIS battle to win; HE is faithful; we need to remain faithful; and HE will free HIS people.

Remarkably, every single one of the God-given chapters Jane (Her Name Was Jane) told us to read are represented in The Lost Chapters.

Psalm 150 - Praise! It's all about Him.
Psalm 140 - A Prayer for Protection
Isaiah 30 - Warnings (to those who are obstinate) and a promise to provide Provision for His people (Isaiah writing about the exact time period recorded in The Lost Chapters.)
Psalm 1 - Two different Paths and two different outcomes
Jeremiah 33 - The Promise of freedom and restoration (Jeremiah writing about the exact time period recorded in these chapters).
Psalm 8 - Purpose! It's all about Him.

Next Entry: And That Brings Us to the End

II Chronicles 36:2–23

July 24, 2014

Jehoahaz becomes king. After only three months, the king of Egypt dethrones him and replaces him with another one of Josiah's son. Jehoahaz was taken to Egypt.

Jehoiakim becomes king. He did what the LORD said was wrong. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacks Judah, captures Jehoiakim, and takes him to Babylon.

Jehoiachin becomes king. He does what the LORD says is wrong. King Nebuchadnezzar removes some of the valuable things from the LORD's temple and puts them in his own palace. Then he makes Jehoiachin's uncle Zedekiah (another son of Josiah and brother to Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim), king.

Zedekiah becomes king. He too does what the LORD said was wrong. Josiah's sons (Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah), and grandson (Jehoiachin) all rejected God's teachings. They all witnessed what happened to their father and grandfather. They witnessed Josiah's love for what was in God's word and how things went well for him. They also witnessed what happened when Josiah stubbornly followed his own ways and things did not go well; but still they rejected the LORD's teachings. God sent the prophet Jeremiah to warn Zedekiah, but he refused to change his heart. The people became more and more wicked. "The LORD had made the temple in Jerusalem holy, but the leaders made it unholy."

The LORD, "sent prophets again and again to warn his people." He had pity on them and he wanted them to change, but they ridiculed and made fun of God's people. They despised God's messages. "They refused to listen to the prophets until, finally, the LORD became so angry with his people that he could not be stopped." (NIV and KJV says until there was "no remedy.")

Because of their disobedience and their refusal to listen to the many messages God sent them, and because they refused to repent and change their hearts, God brought the king of Babylon to attack them and God handed all of them over to King Nebuchadnezzar. They were now totally captive. Nebuchadnezzar completely destroyed the temple and took or destroyed every valuable thing. The people were forced to be his slaves. "And so what the LORD had told Israel through the prophet Jeremiah happened." The country was an empty wasteland for seventy years. (Verse 21)

What the LORD said would happen—happened. 

What happened between II Chronicles 36:21 and II Chronicles 36:23, is the fulfillment of God's promise to Jeremiah recorded in Jeremiah 33. Jeremiah was given the promise of the LORD while he was still locked up in the courtyard of the guards. The LORD tells Jeremiah for the second time, "These are the words of the LORD, who made the earth, shaped it, and gave it order, whose name is the LORD: pray to me, and I will answer you. I will tell you important secrets you never heard before... I will bring them back from captivity... they will enjoy great peace and safety." It looks hopeless, but I the LORD am going to do it. Then the people will say: "Praise the LORD All-Powerful, because the LORD is good! His love continues forever."

The country is in ruins—just as Jeremiah said. The people are captive—just as Jeremiah warned. Then what the LORD said would happen in Jeremiah 33—happened. The last two verses in the last chapter of "The Lost Chapters" records it.

"In the first year Cyrus was king of Persia, the LORD had Cyrus send an announcement to his whole kingdom. This happened so the LORD's message spoken by Jeremiah would come true. He wrote:

This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:

The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has appointed me to build a Temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Now may the LORD your God be with all of you who are his people. You are free to go to Jerusalem."

God fulfilled HIS promise to free HIS people.

 

Jane's (Her Name Was Jane) last God-given message to us (given in April of 2008) was Jeremiah 33—God's promise of freedom and restoration. When Jeremiah received the promise from God, he was still locked up in the courtyard of the guards. This was the second time God promised him freedom and restoration. We received Jane's last God-given promise of Jeremiah 33, while we were still locked up in "the storm." Jeremiah 33 is also the second time we received God's promise of protection. Jane's first God-given message to us (given in July of 2007) was Psalm 140—God's promise of His protection. How amazing is that? God fulfilled His promise to Jeremiah and He will fulfill His promise to free and restore us. LORD, SO BE IT. Your word is true. Praise the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth, for HIS great faithfulness.

From the Life Lesson: God used the exile to cause the people to repent, and He used a pagan king to rebuild Jerusalem's Temple.

"They were pushed to the edge of existence where they thought they were hanging on by the skin of their teeth, and they found out that in fact, they had been pushed to the center, where God was. They experienced not bare survival but abundant life... Exile is the worst that reveals the best... disaster seems to be good for people. When the superfluous is stripped away we find the essential—and the essential is God... Exile reveals what really matters and frees us to pursue what really matters, which is to seek the LORD will all our hearts." ~ From Run With the Horses by Eugene Peterson.

Next Entry: The Lost Chapters: Review

II Chronicles 35:1 – 36:1

July 23, 2014

After Josiah and the people promised to follow the LORD, they celebrated Passover like it had not been celebrated since the prophet Samuel was alive. Things were going well.

Then thirteen years later...

The king of Egypt decides to go out to attack somebody. This battle had nothing to do with Josiah or Judah. Yet, after all he'd experienced  and learned, Josiah decides he is going to go against the king of Egypt. Why? The king of Egypt said—what are you doing? This isn't between you and me! God told me to attack these people. God is on my side, "So don't fight God, or he will destroy you." But, Josiah did not listen. He did not inquire of God to see if the king of Egypt was telling the truth. Josiah went into battle wearing different clothes thinking no one would know. But God knew, and Josiah was hit by an arrow and died. He did not receive the promise of, "so I will let you die and be buried in peace," which God had promised through the prophetess Huldah.

God never breaks His promises and He never goes back on His word. Josiah broke the covenant. He did not listen to or seek God's voice and insisted on plowing ahead on his own. When we receive a promise from the LORD, it does not give us carte blanche to do whatever it is we want to do, how-when-or-where we want to do it. We must still be faithful and obedient! His promises are what is available to us. Whether or not we receive His promise depends on the choices we make. 

To make it personal, we have received a promise from God that He would protect us, free us, and bless us with HIS presence. He will not go back on His word. However, if we break our covenant, if we make the decision to no longer follow after HIS ways, if we choose to follow after other gods with anything or anyone taking the place in our hearts and lives that should be reserved only for the LORD, then WE have broken the agreement and God's available promise is null and void.

LORD, we surrender ALL. We claim Your promises. We choose to serve YOU only. Psalm 140 - "But we say, YOU are our God.  Hear, O Lord, our cry for mercy!" (Her Name Was Jane)


Next Entry: II Chronicles 36:2–23

II Chronicles 32:24 – 33:25 (Continued)

July 22, 1014

After Manasseh suffered, "he humbled himself" before God and he begged the LORD for help. God heard his prayers and let him return to Jerusalem. IF—THEN.  II Chronicles 7:14 - IF my people who are called by name humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear their prayers and heal their land.

There is always hope, but it first requires personal submission and action on our part in order for God to do HIS part. God is ready, willing, capable, and waiting. He speaks to us through his Holy Spirit, His Word, and others. He provides the ways. We must humble ourselves → seek → and turn. When we do that, HE does the rest.

Hope. There is always hope. But there comes a time when time runs out. Don't wait. Change your heart, mind and ways—TODAY!

Amon becomes king. He does what the LORD says is wrong. Amon does not humble himself or change his ways. Instead, he sinned even more. 


Next Entry: II Chronicles 34:1–33 

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