Jude 1–25

July 23, 2013

It's been six years since Jane told us to read Psalm 150 and then Psalm 140. It was the Monday after we learned my sister and brother-in-law filed a lawsuit. God knew the viciousness of their attack and He knew how long this "trial" was going to last, so He gave us hope and encouragement in the most unlikely of ways—an elderly woman in a nursing home. Jane E. Wolfe (who had been unresponsive for months) clearly, succinctly, and without effort spoke God's words of promise and then prayed a prayer of blessing over my life without faltering one single time. We are so grateful and so thankful for God's hands upon our lives. You can read the story of Jane here.

Jude was going to write about salvation but he instead felt the need to write about something else.  Verse 3 - "I want to encourage you to fight hard for the faith that was given the holy people of God once and for all time." Watch out—fight hard.

Watch out—because people had secretly entered their group and if they weren't careful they were in danger from the inside out. The classic frog in the kettle syndrome. If you put a frog in a pot of hot water, he recognizes the danger and immediately jumps out. But put the frog in a pot of tepid water and slowly turn up the heat and he doesn't recognize the threat and he dies without realizing the water became hot.

As Christians, we are more at risk with things we allow in, or things that have maneuvered themselves in, than from a blatant attack from the outside. Jude says be careful. These people (who act one way, but whose hearts are evil) sound good, but it's just a cover-up. Their motives are to destroy. They are against God's authority and are ruled by their own selfish desires. They do not understand "truth" and they think that their own knowledge and self learning is all the truth and wisdom they need.

It is that very way of thinking that will destroy them. Verse 11 - "It will be terrible for them." (See the "How terrible it will be" statements in Isaiah.) These people are like Cain, who because of anger, jealousy, and revenge went after Abel. Like Balaam, their desire for profits and ill-gotten gains led them to do wrong. And like Korah, they have rebelled and fought against authority and God sovereignty which ultimately leads to destruction.

Jude says they are like dirty spots among you. They are like a cancer that starts small and then spreads. They know they are out to destroy you but they have no problem with sitting among you and eating with you. They only care about themselves. They are like a lion in wait. They are like clouds that should produce rain, but they don't. They are instead just blown about. They are like autumn trees that should produce fruit, but they don't. They are no longer useful and they are pulled out of the ground. Not only don't they produce fruit, but the tree itself is dead. They are like waves in the sea, bobbing up and down but getting nowhere. Their shameful actions are tossed in the air like foam. They are like stars in the sky that wander around not knowing where they belong. A day of judgment is planned and reserved for them.

But wait! Don't be proud and think you would never be in danger of falling and becoming the cancerous spot. Verse 5 - "Remember that the Lord saved his people by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. But later he destroyed all those who did not believe." Remember the angels who rejected Gods power. They did not escape God's judgment. Remember Sodom and Gomorrah. Their punishment was an example for all of us to see. Remember!  

Jesus is coming again and we will ALL be judged.

Believers will be judged for their works of faith and will be rewarded accordingly. The judgment for believers is called the Judgment Seat of Christ. But there is another judgment as well. This judgment is for all those who have rejected Master Jesus, and it is called The Great White Throne Judgment.

"Look, the Lord is coming with many thousands of his holy angels to judge every person. He is coming to punish all who are against God for all the evil they have done against him. And he will punish the sinners who are against God for all the evil they have said against him." Verse 14

Jude then describes the people who are against God. Jude 16–19 - "These people complain and blame others, doing evil things they want to do. They brag about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want... these are the people who divide you, people whose thoughts are only of this world, who do not have the Spirit."

While we need to be cautious that we do not allow any small cancerous spots to grow in us, we can have complete confidence in our position with Christ. Nothing can remove us from Him! That is nothing outside of ourselves. Only we can make the choice to be out of God's love. So, keep yourself in God's love. Build your faith up. Pray in the Holy Spirit. Wait for His mercies.

"God is strong and can help you not to fall. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and can give you great joy. He is the only God, the One who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen."  Verses 24–25

"The proof of religious conversion is to demonstrate that we have both added a relationship with Christ and that we have subtracted sin (repentance). And we multiply proof to a weary world by what we do—our deeds, our obedience. What we do must confirm what we say. Our deeds are the proof of our repentance." ~ From Walking With Christ in the Details of Life by Patrick Morley

Wow! How can it be? I'm done with 65 books of the Bible and tomorrow I start the last book—The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Addendum: 12/31/16 ~ Wow! Again! It's the last day of 2016; I'm recording my entry written six years after receiving God's promise of protection and "the storm"; the lawsuit is still ongoing (almost nine and one half years now); Jude clearly lays out and defines the reason for the lawsuit; a day of judgment is coming; I've just started Journal #13 (my last journal); and I'm soon going to be ready to begin recording my journal entries for Revelation. But before I begin the last book, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, I am going to return to where I stopped my earlier review back in May and complete the review and the edits from Philippians to Jude.

I didn't think it would take me this long to get to Revelations, but I've learned long ago not to question God's timing. I am Walking on His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead).


Next Entry: The Book of Revelation

I Peter 2:1–25 (Continued)

July 02, 2013

I Peter 2:20–21 - "But if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased. This is what you were called to do..." Wow. How do those who support the idea of a "feel good, God just wants you to be happy" religion reconcile that "belief" with what Peter says about suffering? "This is what you were called to do..."

Christ suffered for us and gave us an example of how to suffer and be patient. I Peter 2:21 - "So you should do as he did."

• He was innocent—He had not sinned
• He was truthful—He did not lie
• He was insulted—but He did not seek to strike back at those who accused Him
• He suffered—but He did not threaten

I Peter 2:23 - "He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of him." He let God. What a powerful statement and a creed we should all live our lives by and be known by.

He let God!

Christ suffered and took our sins so we would:

STOP—living for sin

START—living for what is right 

When we suffer we need to examine our lives.

1. Is there anything I need to stop doing?
2. Is there something I should begin doing?

If you have wandered away—accept God's healing, and return to the Shepherd and Protector of souls. If you are falsely accused and suffering unfairly—hold on, be patient, endure the pain, and LET GOD TAKE CARE OF IT!

As my husband and I were talking about this passage, my husband began to reflect back on what happened to him while we were on a missions trip to El Sembrador boy's school in Honduras. I don't think I've written about it before. I want to make sure it gets written and not lost so I am recounting it here.

We arrived in Honduras on a Saturday. On Sunday we went to their church service in their simple but beautiful chapel. All the boys sat up front. We sat on the hard wooden pews towards the back. The worship songs were in Spanish and the preaching was also in Spanish. We understood little to nothing that was spoken, however the Spirit of the Lord was there and we understood much.

During the service my husband became very emotional. He sat there and wept with tears running down his face. I put my arm around him. I didn't know what was happening. Was he thinking about his brother who had just passed away a few weeks earlier? What was going on? What was causing him to become so emotional?

Later my husband shared with the group what was happening. God was running the events of the last six and one half years of "the storm" through his mind and God was grilling him with questions.

"You wanted to go on mission trips but because of the lawsuit you thought it was impossible. Where are you sitting? You thought there was no way your business could pay for its portion of the expenses caused by the lawsuit. What did I do for your business in 2007? What am I still doing today? You thought because the economy tanked and because of the lawsuit and the loss of revenue for services rendered that your business wouldn't be able to survive. Look at what I have done!! You are now in a specialized field and busier than ever!"  

And the tears rolled as God replayed the events of the last six and one half years through his mind. Jane, our walks, the sky opening up, witnessing the hand of God, and on and on. You thought—verses—the reality of God's power and His plan. God is so good. I Peter 2:19–20 - "A person might have to suffer even when it is unfair, but if he thinks of God and stands the pain, God is pleased... if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased."

Christ suffered. But He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of Him. We have chosen to let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of us.

He has proven Himself faithful!!


Next Entry: I Peter 3:1–22

I Peter 1:1–25

June 30, 2013

Praise. Hope. God's Power.

Praise—First, foremost, and always! Praise— to God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. When your life is filled with praise there is hope, a living hope.

Hope—because Jesus rose from the dead. Hope—because God blesses his children. Hope—because those blessings cannot be destroyed or spoiled. Hope—because His blessings are eternal, will never lose their beauty, and are kept secure for us in heaven.

God's power—above all, in all, and through all. I Peter 1:5 - "God's power protects you through your faith...." God's power— protects you through troubles and storms. Through! It does not say prevents troubles and storms, and it does not say helps you avoid trouble and storms.

Like I've said before, the "deep" is not a place to avoid, it is a place to embrace. "Deep" water times come to grow us, change us, strengthen us, and get us ready for HIS service. And while it may be hard, difficult, and at times cause sadness, it is worth every moment. I Peter 1:7 - "These troubles come to prove that your faith is pure. This purity of faith is worth more than gold, which can be proved to be pure by fire but will ruin." And that purity of faith brings blessings beyond measure. And as a result, "You are filled with a joy that cannot be explained, a joy full of glory. And you are receiving the goal of your faith—the salvation of your souls." (I Peter 1:8)

God used the prophets of the Old Testament to teach others HIS truth. God uses us and the situations we are in to grow us, but it is also for the purpose of teaching others what we have learned. I Peter 1:13 - "Prepare your minds for service and have self-control... be holy in all you do just as God, the One who called you, is holy."

We are to live our lives with respect for God. We were bought for a price, a very steep price. We were bought by "the precious blood of Christ, who was like a pure and perfect lamb." (I Peter 1:19) If we believe that and understand that, we cannot live our lives the same again. We are changed and we have no desire to go back to our old life. Our faith and hope are in God, and we make our souls pure by obeying the truth, and love for others flows out of that. I Peter 1:22 - "So love each other deeply with all your heart."

The things we do bears witness to the truth (or lie) about our lives. Words are easy. Our actions prove whether our words are truth or lies. Our lives on this earth are so short. Scripture says we are like a mist that is only here for a short time, or like grass that dies or flowers that fade away, but that "the word of the Lord will live forever." (I Peter 1:25 and Isaiah 40:8) The only things that matter are eternal things.  

How are you doing? How much time this last week was spent on things that are temporary with no eternal value and how much time was spent on things with Kingdom value? Do any changes need to be made? Remember:

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
C.T. Studd

Next Entry: I Peter 2:1–25 

Colossians 3:1 – 4:1

May 09, 2013

"Think about the things in heaven, not the things on earth. Your own sinful self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. Christ is our life, and when he comes again, you will share in his glory." Colossians 3:2–4

 So, put out all evil things your old self wanted.

Old Sinful Self:

• Sexual sinning
• Doing evil
• Letting evil thoughts control you
• Wanting things that are evil
• Greed
• Anger
• Bad temper
• Doing or saying things to hurt others
• Using evil words to harm
• Lying

Put out the old and live your new life in Christ.

New Life in Christ:

• Show mercy to others
• Be kind
• Be humble
• Be gentle
• Be patient
• Get along with each other
• Forgive each other
• Love each other
• Have unity
• Let God's peace control your thinking
  
• Always be thankful
• Use wisdom to teach and instruct others

Colossians 3:17 - "Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus." Jesus must be Lord of your life and not just someone you attempt to use as a "get out of hell" free card. "Lord" means someone you are subject to. He is LORD of all lords. Our lives should reflect our servant-hood to Master Jesus.

Colossians 3:23 - "In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people." You are serving Christ and he will give you your reward. If you are serving self, any "rewards" are at the best temporary and the end result is punishment. 

It has to be either/or. It cannot be both. You are either serving the Lord—or you are not. You cannot serve yourself and God. Cannot. You cannot serve two masters. Either God is Lord of your life—or He isn't. If He is Lord you receive an eternal reward. If He is not Lord, you receive punishment. Psalm 1 lays it out very clearly. There are two ways to live with two very different end results. The choice of how we live our lives is ours. The consequences for our choices are set by God.

Psalm 1:6 - "The Lord takes care of his people, but the wicked will be destroyed." You can't color it any other way. It is what it is.

Colossians 3:24–25 - "Remember... you will receive your reward from the Lord, which he promised to his people... but remember... anyone who does wrong will be punished for that wrong." The Lord is an equal opportunity God. Obey—receive my reward. Disobey—receive my punishment.

Colossians 3:25b - "The Lord treats everyone the same." We are ALL held to the same standard. Whether we excel or fall short is up to us and is a result of the choices we've made. God has given us everything we need to succeed.

Exploration Verses from Life Lesson:

Acts 3:19 - So you must change your hearts and lives! Come back to God, and He will forgive your sins. Then the Lord will send the time of rest.

Romans 5:1–5 - Since we have been made right with God by our faith, we have peace with God. This happened through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has brought us into that blessing of God's grace that we now enjoy. And we are happy because of the hope we have of sharing God's glory. We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given us.

I Corinthians 6:9–11 - Surely you know that the people who do wrong will not inherit God's kingdom. Do not be fooled. Those who sin sexually, worship idols, take part in adultery, those who are male prostitutes, or men who have sexual relations with other men, those who steal, are greedy, get drunk, lie about others, or rob—these people will not inherit God's kingdom. In the past, some of you were like that, but you were washed clean. You were made holy, and you were made right with God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

II Corinthians 1:21–22 - Remember, God is the One who makes you and us strong in Christ. God made us his chosen people. He put his mark on us to show that we are his, and he put his Spirit in our hearts to be a guarantee for all he has promised.

I Peter 3:8 - Finally, all you should be in agreement, understanding each other, loving each other as family, being kind and humble.


Next Entry: Colossians 4:2–18 

Acts 20:1–38

December 31, 2012

Paul was faithful. No matter what, he kept doing the things God wanted him to do. Every place he went he encouraged and strengthened the believers. He did nothing for his own glory—it was ALL for the glory of God. To the elders of Ephesus he said:

You know—

• about my life
• the way I have lived
• evil people made plans against me
• their actions troubled me
• I always served the Lord unselfishly
• I often cried for you
• I preached to you without holding anything back
• that I taught you
• that I warned everyone to change their hearts and lives

Acts 20:22 - "But now I must obey the Holy Spirit and go to Jerusalem. I don't know what will happen to me there." But this is what I do know, "I don't care about my own life. The most important things is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me—to tell people the Good News about God's grace." (Acts 20:24)

Paul goes on. None of you will see me again. I have already told you everything God wanted me to say. If any of you are lost, I am not responsible. Be careful—for yourselves and for the ones the Holy Spirit has given you to care for. Be like shepherds—caring for the church of God which he bought with the death of his own son. There is danger ahead from without and from within. Some people will come like wild wolves attack trying to destroy. Some will also rise up from within. They will twist the truth and lead some away. Be careful!

You know the concern I have for you. Acts 20:32 - "Now I am putting you in the care of God..." God's message will give you strength and blessings. Life is not about what you can get. Acts 20:34–35 - "You know I always worked to take care of my own needs and the needs of those who were with me. I showed you in all things that you should work as I did and help the weak. I taught you to remember the words Jesus said:

'It is more blessed to give than receive. ' "

After Paul said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. Then he went on his way.

*****

A new year. May the Lord continue to find us faithful in 2013. May those who come after us remember us as people who loved the Lord and gave of themselves to help others.


Next Entry: Acts 21 – 28

Luke 24:1–53

October 12, 2012

Remember!! Luke 24:6 - "Do you remember what he told you?" Luke 24:44 - "Remember when I was with you?" Our Pastor always says not to forget in the dark what you were told in the light. It may "sound(ed) like nonsense" (verse 11) but believe Him—and remember.

After Jesus arose from the dead He was walking with two of His followers. As they walked He explained everything to them. Luke 24:27 - "Then starting with what Moses and all the prophets had said about him, Jesus began to explain everything that had been written about himself in the scriptures." This verse is a great argument for why the Old Testament is important to read. Jesus himself used it to explain what was written about HIM. When we read God's word, the Holy Spirit reveals God's truth to us. Read. Pray. Remember. Luke 24:45 - "Jesus opened their minds so they could understand scripture." He does the same today.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, "He raised his hands and blessed them." My mind immediately flashes back to Jane. (Her Name Was Jane) She didn't just hold my hand and pray a prayer of blessing. She took my hand in hers and raised our hands together. She held them high over our heads the entire time she prayed that incredible prayer of blessing on my life. I will never forget that moment. At the time I didn't understand the significance of what she did. I later learned that Jane did not have the personal strength to raise her own hand/arm above her head let alone hers and mine. She barely had the strength to raise a spoon to feed herself.  It was a true blessing from God prayed through Jane's lips.

Remember!!


Next Entry: The New Beginning: Tell His Story

Luke 1:1–80

August 21, 2012

Luke—a letter written by a doctor to his friend.  It is a carefully written and full-of-detail letter, almost like a research paper. Luke thought he was just writing his thoughts and findings to a friend, but God had other plans. He had a role to play—a God-given role—and his writings, now part of the New Testament, have influenced millions of people. Our responsibility is to be faithful to the role God has given us. What God does with the role He has given us is His responsibility.

Zechariah and Elizabeth "truly did what God said was good."  hey had major disappointments in their lives (they didn't have children) but that did not stop them from living right. They continued on and did what God said was good. They persevered and God heard their prayers. Even though God heard their prayer, they did not see their prayer answered until many years later. When God sent an angel to tell Zechariah their prayers had been heard, Zechariah had a hard time believing it was actually true and he questioned the angel. Luke 1:18 - "How can I know that what you say is true?" God sent Gabriel to tell Zechariah he was going to be the recipient of a Blessed Event and he questioned the truth of it. Let's face it. We would have probably questioned it as well.

Did Zechariah believe—truly believe—what he said he believed? Do we believe—truly believe—what we say we believe? Zechariah and Elizabeth were good people. They followed God's ways. They knew what God had done for Abraham. They knew God was capable of anything. But, Zechariah did not ask, "Who am I to receive this Blessed Event?" No, he asked, "How do I know this is true?" And because his tongue questioned God, his tongue was quieted. He was unable to speak again until he acknowledged this was indeed a Blessed Event. He acknowledged where this gift came from when he named the child the name Gabriel gave him—John.

Mary by contrast, was startled when the angel appeared to her and told her she was going to have a child, but she was not doubtful. She asked, "How will this happen?" She didn't say, "How will I know this is true" or "if" this happens. The angel told her how; he answered her question; he told her what was happening with Elizabeth; and he assured her saying, "God can do anything." Mary replied, "I am the servant of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say." (Luke 1:38  She unashamedly accepted the role God gave her to play. The key phrase—she was a "servant of the Lord."

Mary went to see Elizabeth. Elizabeth said, "You are blessed because you believed that what the Lord said to you would really happen." Mary was blessed because she believed. Zechariah became mute because he doubted. Then Mary did the most important thing we've learned these last five plus years. She praised God.

"My soul praises the Lord; my heart rejoices in God my Savior, because he has shown his concern for his humble servant girl. From now on, all people will say that I am blessed, because the Powerful One has done great things for me. His name is holy. God will show his mercy forever and ever to those who worship and serve him. He has done mighty deeds by his power. He has scattered the people who are proud and think great things about themselves. He has brought down rulers from their thrones and raised up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with nothing. He has helped his servant, the people of Israel, remembering to show them mercy as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his children forever." Luke 1:46–56

Elizabeth gave birth.Everyone expected the child to be named after a family member but Elizabeth said no, he is to be named John. So, they go to Zechariah, thinking he will have something different to say. Zechariah, who was still unable to speak, asks for a writing tablet and writes, "His name is John," and immediately he could speak again and "he began praising God." When Zechariah obeyed he was immediately restored, and his desire was to praise God.

"Let us praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to help his people and has given them freedom. He has given us a powerful Savior from the family of God's servant David. He said that he would do this through his holy prophets who lived long ago. He promised he would save us from our enemies and from the power of those who hate us. He said he would give mercy to our fathers and that he would remember his holy promise. God promised Abraham, our father, that he would save us from the power of our enemies so we could serve him without fear, being holy and good before God as long as we live. Now, you child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go before the Lord to prepare his way. You will make his people know that they will be saved by having their sins forgiven. With the loving mercy of our God, a new day from heaven will dawn upon us. It will shine on those who live in darkness, in the shadow of death. It will guide us into the path of peace." Luke 1:68–79

Zechariah went from doubting, to immediately being restored when he accepted and acknowledged God's plan, to praising God with absolute confidence that God was going to do what He said He was going to do. He used past and future tense words to describe what had not yet happened. "He has come... has given freedom... has given Savior... he said... he promised he would save... he said he would give mercy... God promised... you will be called... you will go... you will make... a new day will dawn... it will shine... it will guide." (Luke 1:68–79) From doubting to knowing!

We KNOW what God has promised us. We believe He will do what He has said He will do. We accept the role He has given us to play. First and foremost, we praise His Holy Name.

From the Life Lesson ~

"Hope is not what you expect; it is what you would never dream. It is a wild improbable tale with a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming ending... Hope is not a granted wish or a favor performed; no it is far greater than that. It is a zany, unpredictable dependence on God who loves to surprise us out of our socks and be there in the flesh to see our reactions." ~ From God Came Near by Max Lucado

Well said!!

Life Lesson Application: "Remember, God can do anything. Ask God to show you what he wants you to do, then ask him for the power and courage to do it."

Addendum: 1/25/16 ~ God CAN do anything. WE BELIEVE!


Next Entry: Luke 2:1–52

A New Year: A New Beginning Is Coming

Written July 01, 2012

Excited! Beyond excited! Two reasons:

1)  One week from today my husband and I are heading back to the Appalachian Trail. It's been five years. We were hiking the Appalachian Trail when we received word that my sister and brother-in-law refused the sale of our joint project, and our lawyer felt they were probably going to file suit against us. Faxes and phone calls with our lawyer were going back and forth; we cut our trip short and headed home. Our hearts were sad. We were in a state of shock and disbelief as the truth about my sister and brother-in-law's hidden agendas and ulterior motives began to be uncovered. There was anxiety over all the unknowns coming our direction. There was concern over what the future would hold.

We started going to the Appalachian Trail the year I turned 50. Hiking the trail is something we love to do. However, my sister and brother-in-law did indeed file a lawsuit (2007) and we haven't had the time or money to go back since. I had totally put the trail out of my mind, thinking it wasn't going to be a possibility again until after the lawsuit was over. Then very unexpectedly, the doors opened up for us to go back. So, next Sunday we will be leaving for the Appalachian Trail and we will be spending the 5th anniversary of "the storm" hiking the Appalachian Trail. Woo Hoo!!   

The people going back to the trail are quite different than the people who left the trail five years ago. We are going back without sadness; with acceptance and understanding; with peace of mind and contentment; with joy in our hearts; with thanksgiving and praise on our lips; and complete confidence in WHO holds our future. We are so grateful and thankful for the opportunity to go back.  As my husband says—it won't be pretty. When our feet hit that well-worn path the tears will be flowing. This time it will be tears of joy overflowing from a heart of praise. I don't know why, but I somehow feel this isn't just some random opportunity. I strongly feel that being back on the trail during the five year anniversary is where we are supposed to be. Everything will have come full circle. Maybe it will be when we find out what goes on to trial, or better yet, that it is over. Or, it might just be marking the beginning of five more years. It doesn't matter. We just know we are supposed to go, and we are going.

2)  Today was the ONE service on The Hill. We invited both of our lawyers to come. Our lead attorney wasn't able to come but his partner and her husband came. What a great day. It had never occurred to me to invite them until our lead attorney called one day this spring and told me he was driving past our church and saw a big hill "that had ____ (my husband's) and ____ (our son's) name all over it." I told them the story of The Hill and about God's timing and God's plan. During all the time we were building it we had never told our lawyers about it. It was during the busiest time of the lawsuit. In man's eye we should not have been able to accomplish what we did. But, this wasn't "man's" job. This was God's plan, His timing, His strength, and His Glory. What a thrill to be able to share it with our lawyer and her husband. The theme this year was "I Surrender." It was a "white-out" with everyone wearing white.

How fitting that the theme was "I Surrender." Exactly what we have done. Surrendering brings freedom. Our hands are open. We surrender ALL.

Written July 02, 2012 ~

The words to "Amazed" keep running through my mind.

Lord, I'm amazed by You
Lord, I'm amazed by You
Lord, I'm amazed by You
How you Love me.

You dance over me  (From Zephaniah 3:17)
While I am unaware
You sing all around
But I never hear the sound

How wide
How deep
How great
Is your love for me

Listen to "Amazed" by Desperation Band (here).

LORD, I am amazed and overwhelmed by your love. First and foremost, I am grateful for the saving grace you provided with your death on the cross. I'm amazed and grateful for your Holy Spirit who leads us and guides us. LORD, I am amazed by You!

Addendum: 1/1/16 ~ A New Year: A New Beginning. I have the benefit of knowing what happened when we went to the Appalachian Trail back in 2012. I can't wait to get to my journal entries so I can record them here. No, the lawsuit didn't end, but the memories of that time still overwhelm me to this day. And how amazing that I get to transcribe these entries from July 2012 on this the very first day of 2016. The Lord is faithful! He has surpassing greatness! His will WILL be done. We praise HIS Name. 


Next Entry: Matthew 27:1–66

Matthew 20:1–34

June 18, 2012

Grumbling. Grumbling comes about because of comparisons. Did they get more than me? Grumble. Grumble. Are they more important than me? Grumble. Grumble. Do they have more than me? Grumble. Grumble.

Jesus tells the story of the landowner who hired servants to work his vineyard. Some were hired for the entire day and some were hired for one hour, yet they each received the same pay. Grumble. Grumble. Jesus compares this to the kingdom of heaven. Some have spent lifetimes "saved" while others are "saved" on their death beds. The grumbler says, "How can this be fair?" What a ridiculous question. The life-timer had the privilege of serving God and seeing the hand of God working in their lives. What does it matter—when? It only matters—that! I like how the NIV says it, "Are you envious because I am generous?" A grumbler thinks it is all about him. He forgets it has nothing to do with him. It is all about GOD!

Ambition. Personal ambition brings about another reason to grumble. James and John's mother goes to Jesus to see whether her sons can sit on either side of Jesus in heaven. She has no idea what that would involve, she was only thinking about a place of honor and glory for her sons (and therefore herself). She didn't realize it meant drinking from the cup of sorrow and anguish. When the other disciples heard about it, they (you guessed it) grumbled. Jesus explained, "Whoever wants to become great among you must serve... whoever wants to be first... must serve." (Matthew 20:26–27)

Jesus came to serve. We must do the same. Life is not about us. It is about God, FIRST and ONLY.


Next Entry: Matthew 21:1–46

Fanning the Flame – 2012

March 20, 2012

At the rate I am going it is going to take me years to get through the New Testament. :)  There is just so much to process with Jesus' own words.

This week is Fanning the Flame services at church. As always, we have really enjoyed them. Dr. Bob Laurent spoke on Sunday night. He is a professor of the Old Testament. I would love to take his classes. He is just fascinating to listen to. Here are a couple of his points.

• Nowhere in the Old Testament does it indicate that the sacrifices were for intentional sins
• The Old Testament points to the need for God's grace
• The Old Testament isn't just about "the law"
• Confession—when you get rid of the sin. God already knows. It is when you are freed.
• You're never closer to God than when you run risks
• Your faith comes alive during battle
• Who are you touching for Jesus?
• The importance of ONE-ness with God.
• Love the unlovely. Touch the untouchable.

Monday - Ron Williams
He spoke about how the Israelites got in such a mess and how Christians today find themselves in such messes. They have lost the "awe" of God. Signs that you may be in danger of losing the "awe" of who HE is.

• You lose sight of God's greatness and goodness
• Your view of sin becomes small
• You choose compromise over conviction
• You choose happiness over holiness
• Your life becomes about "you" and not about God
• Your worship becomes casual

"When we reduce the size of God, we reduce our view of sin." This quote by Ron Williams is a very profound statement. When you don't "get it" and you minimize God, your view of yourself/sin gets distorted. I've written many time before that the most important thing Jane (Her Name Was Jane) taught us was the importance of praise—first and foremost. Praise brings AWE. I never connected the two together until last night. Praise keeps AWE alive and well. It puts everything in the proper perspective. God → man.  Psalm 8 - O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is YOUR name... what is man?

Dr Ronald Smith
Are you on fire or beating the bush? Are we in our own "self" protection program, or are we God-reliant? As a child Moses was saved from certain death by God. When Moses sees the injustice of what is happening to his fellow Israelites (God's people) he takes matters into his own hand and kills the Egyptian. And now here he is (in his own "self" protection program hiding as a shepherd) and God calls him by name. God knows where we are even if we are hiding. God doesn't give up on us. He pursues us. He is there if we will look up and respond, "This is Holy Ground." You never make things better by your own hand! Only God's plan works.

When we get real, God will go to the lowest rung to save us. Moses relied on his rod, again using "self" protection. God told him to throw it down and it was revealed for what it was—a snake (the devil). Any time we are trying to do "self" protection it is a tool of Satan. Once it was revealed for what it was, God told him to pick it back up. Truth was revealed. Now he, (and it) could be used because God gave it to him. It was no longer a rod of "self" protection. It was now an instrument of God. Then Dr. Smith asked this question, "What won't you give up?" What is it that you are trying to use to protect yourself? What is God asking you to throw down? Are you on fire? Or, are you beating around the bush?

Dr. Laurent, Ron Williams, and Dr. Smith ALL emphasized that the Old Testament is not just about the Law. Dr. Smith, "The Old Testament is the Gospel." Look at Hebrews 11, they are all people from the Old Testament. Oh my goodness. My words (my journal from Genesis – II Chronicles 11 that I had to send to my sister and brother-in-law when it got caught up in "the storm") gave them the Gospel! I knew it was God's words and truth was spoken, but I never thought about it as being the Gospel. Thank you Jesus for giving me the opportunity to share the truth about you!

David Leeder
He spoke about relationship. The most important relationship we have in life is our relationship with God. Some people settle for knowing about God. They "know" church, they "know" Bible, they "know" about, but they don't have an active and alive current relationship. The present reality of God in their life is gone. But where is God? How is it possible to lose God? Leeder gave the example of the lost axe head in II Kings 6. We can lose God in our busyness of serving God—doing, but not being. Another way we can lose God is in the midst of adversity. Job lost everything and in Job 23 asked "Where are you?" to God. His third example was Revelations 2 where the people lost their first love. You can lose God when you allow other things to take priority in your life. So, how can we find God again?

Psalm 42 - A renewed longing for Him. You will never experience something you don't long for. "I am desperate for you."
Psalm 63 - Where your treasure is your heart is (Matthew 6).
Colossians 3 - Set your mind/heart on things above.

You will never discover something if you are not searching for it.

Jeremiah 29:13 - When you search for me with all your heart you will find me – I will let you find me.
Psalm 51 - A renewed commitment to Him. Realizing that where I am is not where I should be. Where I am is not where I need to be.

How is it between you and God today? Have you lost God? Where did you lose Him? II Kings 6 - where did you lose it? To find it/God you must go back to where you lost Him. Where you lost the blessing is where you must go back to in order for the blessing to be restored. You must learn to trust God again. There are no short-cuts. You must go back to the fork in the road. Revelation 2:5 - Remember. Repent. Restore.

We thoroughly enjoyed the Fanning the Flame services again. It was beautiful weather each night, but each night the church was full. So glad we went. Now—back to Matthew 5.


Next Entry: Matthew 5:1–48 (Continued)

A Letter to Our Grandchildren

November 02, 2011

     If you ever read this journal you will be very shocked to find out what was happening in Nanna and Pop-Pop's lives while you were little and growing up. You will be shocked to find out that Nanna has a sister. You were protected from knowing that for a reason. You see, for the last almost five years (almost your entire life A___), Nanna's sister and her husband were accusing Nanna and Pop-Pop of all sorts of false and ugly things. Lies. They tried to trick Nanna and Pop-Pop. You know how you have been taught you should never bully anyone? Well, they tried to bully Nanna and Pop-Pop into doing what they wanted us to do and into believing their lies.

     Nanna and Pop-Pop knew that what they wanted us to do was wrong and we said—No. This made them very angry and they made lots of mean and ugly threats and accusations against us. Nanna had a really hard time believing and understanding that her sister could say and do those awful things. They were so mad and angry that they decided they would try to hurt us and they started something called a "lawsuit." In the lawsuit they said Nanna and Pop-Pop were liars and cheaters. They said we stole money. They said we promised to pay them lots of money (that is the paper they tricked Nanna and Pop-Pop into signing). The things they said were very, very ugly... and it was lies. (I didn't have to tell you it was lies did I. You know Nanna and Pop-Pop would never do the things they said.) Anyways, when someone files a lawsuit it goes to a judge and the judge decides who is telling the truth and what should happen.

November 03, 2011

     Nanna's sister and her husband want Nanna and Pop-Pop to pay them money—lots of money. If the judge says the paper they tricked us into signing has to be followed, then we will have to pay them the money. That is what my sister wants to happen. Nanna and Pop-Pop don't have lots of money. What we have is the most important and best thing of all—Love and Family (YOU!). If the judge says we have to pay them money we will have to sell the home and land you love and we will also have to sell Pop-Pop and and your Daddy's (or uncles) tractors and equipment. I bet right now your eyes just got really big and that your heart is beating really, really fast. That's okay. Sometimes Nanna and Pop-Pop's heart would beat fast too. Like the time when one of you would say to us, "We just love your house Nanna—please don't ever move." You didn't know the innocent things you would say about fishing, or swimming, or running through the woods, or the pigs, chickens, and cows, or Nanna Camp would sometimes make Nanna's heart beat fast.

     Do you know what makes your heart beat fast? Lots of times it is something called fear... being afraid of something. Do you know what the Bible says about fear? It says we should not be afraid and that fear never comes from the LORD. It says it a whole bunch of times!! So, we better listen. So, even though once in a while Nanna and Pop-Pop's heart would beat a little fast it would not last long because we trust God to take care of us. 

     I bet you are very surprised by all of this. But, now you know why you were protected from knowing that Nanna has a sister. Do you remember when Great-Grandpa died and we had the special time with Great-Grandma and Nanna's brother and his wife, and we all sat around Great-Grandpa's grave? We listened to Nanna's brother talk and then you all sat on a blanket with me and I showed you pictures of Great-Grandpa's casket and how it was put in the ground. You asked questions. We talked about how only Great-Grandpa's body was in the ground and how the part of him that thinks and feels was with Jesus in heaven. We talked about how all of us were born with sin in our hearts. We talked about Adam and Eve and how sin began. We talked about when Jesus was born at Christmas. We talked about Jesus dying for our sins and we talked about Easter and Jesus raising from the dead so we can be forgiven of our sins. Nanna told you the reason Great-Grandpa was in heaven was because he asked Jesus to forgive him of his sins. I told you Nanna and Pop-Pop, and your Mommy's and Daddy's had asked Jesus to forgive them of their sins and that someday you will want to ask Jesus to forgive your sins too.  (C___, the next night you told your Mommy and Daddy you wanted Jesus to forgive you and they helped you pray. Nanna and Pop-Pop were so excited!)
 
     If you remember, Nanna said it was okay to feel sad when someone you love dies. I told you the best way not to feel so sad was to play "remember whens," so that's what we did and we all made silly Great-Grandpa faces. What you didn't know was that was the second service for Great-Grandpa. Nanna's sister and her husband were at the first service and your Mom's and Dad's didn't want you to be there because they didn't want you to see her or for her to see you either. Your Mommy and Daddy didn't go to the first service either for the same reasons. We all didn't know what my sister would do so that is why we had our own very special service. Nanna videotaped the first service so you and your Mommy and Daddy's could watch it. Your Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa knew all about what their other daughter was doing to Nanna and they were very sad about it. Nanna wished the lawsuit would be over before Great-Grandpa died, but it wasn't.

     Nanna told you the judge will decide what will happen with the lawsuit. The judge has had the papers for over two years. (Miss A____, he has had the papers since before you were even born.) Nanna has told you what her sister wants—lots and lots of money. Do you want to know what Nanna and Pop-Pop want? Nothing. Nanna and Pop-Pop aren't trying to take anything from them. We don't want anything they have. The only thing Nanna and Pop-Pop want is to be free from all their lies, traps, and accusations. We will be very happy when the lawsuit is over, but the lawsuit does not stop us from being happy right now. You see, happiness does not come from things around you, it comes from inside of you.

November 04, 2011

     That's what I want to talk to you about now. It's the most important thing and it's what I want you to remember. A lot of things have happened to Nanna and Pop-Pop these last five years, but Nanna and Pop-Pop aren't angry, mad, bitter, sad, anxious, fearful, or nervous. We don't want to try and hurt anyone and we don't want to try and get even with people who are still trying to hurt us. There is a reason for that. Nanna and Pop-Pop are very happy, content and completely at peace. We are not worrying about "what ifs." There is a reason for that. Nanna and Pop-Pop have lots of friends who we love and who love us. And we have family that we love dearly (You!) and that loves us. We love it when you come to our house and when we go to yours. (L____, how many tunnels have we built?)

     We love Nanna Camp. We love Brown County. We love fishing, sledding down the hill, (do you remember when Nanna went flying through the air?), we love the mule rides. We love Christmas. We've loved all our time with you... and that has made us very happy. But, it isn't the things around us or the people around us that has given us the peace and happiness deep down inside of us. There is a reason we have the kind of peace and happiness that nothing or nobody can take away from us. There is a reason we can go through really hard times (like when Great-Grandpa, or when Pop-Pop had his accident before you were born, or when Nanna's sister is trying to hurt Nanna and Pop-Pop, your Mom's and Dad's, and even you guys by trying to take away Nanna and Pop-Pop's home and business) and still not be upset, angry or worried. Do you want to know how Nanna and Pops can still be happy—no matter what?

November 07, 2011

     It's God!!  We believe what God says in the Bible. We trust Him to take care of us—no matter what. You see, when Nanna and Pop-Pop were both young, we asked Jesus to forgive us of our sins, and we put our total faith and trust in Him. As we grew and got older, and as we learned more about God we trusted Him even more. This may sound kind of strange to you, but you know what? Nanna and Pop-Pop are very thankful and grateful even for this awful thing called a lawsuit. You know why? Because it has brought Nanna and Pop-Pop even closer to God and each other, and it has done that for your families as well. Some people tell us they are very sorry that we have had to go through these bad times. But Nanna and Pop-Pop don't see it as bad times.

     Some people say that when things are going really good that it is like you are on a mountain top and that when life is really hard it is like you are in a valley. We don't see the "valley" we are in as a bad thing. When you go with us to the Appalachian Trail we will show you what we mean. When you are up on a mountain and look out over the valley—it is beautiful! Sometimes all the "junk" of the lawsuit is kind of hard, and it makes Nanna very sad to think about what her sister is doing, BUT Nanna and Pop-Pop have watched things happen that could only be called God-things. We have seen the hand of God work in ways we could have never experienced without being stuck in this lawsuit. So, even though we are still "stuck" we are very grateful and thankful that God has taken this ugly thing and used it to show us how much He loves us—making what was ugly beautiful.

     I can't wait until we take each of you hiking on the Appalachian Trail. We will show you how beautiful the valleys are. We will remind you then of what we have been through and what God has done so you will remember what the secret is to being happy and content even if there are difficult things you need to go through. Nanna and Pop-Pop will also tell you the story of their special friend Jane. (Her Name Was Jane)

     God told Jeremiah to tell His people who were being held captive in Babylon to keep on living, having families, and planting gardens, and enjoying their lives. When the time was right God would set them free. This is what Nanna and Pop-Pop have done. We are still "stuck" in this lawsuit, but we are still planting trees, laying a lot of street bricks, changing the porch, planting gardens, etc. We are not living in fear. When God says the time is right HE will free us from this lawsuit. Nanna and Pop-Pop believe that with ALL our hearts. We think it is very, very special that each one of you will be a witness to what God is going to do. Together as a family, we are going to build a special outdoor shelter to honor and remember what God has done. Each of us will hunt for and gather stones, and we will put them together just like the children of Israel did when they left Egypt. We will tell the stories of what God has done, and someday you will pass those stories on to your children too.

     We pray each one of you will want to know and DO what Jesus says. We thank God for you. We love you very, very much, and we pray for you every day.

We Love You,

Nanna and Pop-Pop

Addendum: One week from today (June 24, 2015) my husband and I will be hiking the Appalachian Trail with our oldest grandchild and we will tell him the story written in this letter.  Since the grandchildren were very, very young, we have always told them that we would take them with us to hike the A.T. the year they turned ten. Well...that time is here. And one week from today we will step foot on that narrow footpath. God's timing continues to amaze me. I wrote this open letter to our grandchildren over a six day period in November of 2011 as a way to memorialize the events of our lives so we could share it with them when they were older. And now, just one week before we take our first grandchild on their promised trip to the Appalachian Trail, I am recording that letter into this blog. 

Last year when my husband and I were hiking (and we discovered our quest of hiking the A.T. was over) I was crushed. (See - The Land In-Between) It made no sense at the time, but now it makes total sense. It is no longer about what path we are following, it is about what kind of trail we are leaving. It is no longer about us, it is about what we are going to pass on. I am excited. We aren't "stuck" in this lawsuit. We are being moved forward on HIS path.  We are Walking on His Footpath and we are determined to Follow His Lead.

There will come a day...

There will come a day when the time is right and GOD will free us.

Addendum #2: 7/21/16 ~  This is crazy. Last year I was recording this journal entry (the letter to our grandchildren) just one week before taking our oldest grandson to hike the A.T. This year I am editing this journal entry just one week before taking our second grandchild to hike the A.T. In 2011, I wrote about our plans to take each grandchild to the Appalachian Trail. In 2015, I enter the journal entry into Blogger just one week before taking our oldest. In 2016, I'm editing this same journal entry just one week before taking our second grandchild. Crazy. 

Addendum #3: 10/5/17 ~ I've been going through my blog to correct the links to the story of Jane because I changed the link from a post to a page, and here I am editing this page just one week after returning from taking our third grandchild (our oldest granddaughter) to the trail and sitting atop a mountain overlooking the valley and telling her the story of how beautiful the valleys are when viewed with the proper perspective. Wow!

Next Entry: Whose Path Are You Following?