Hiatus

With the kickoff of CareVan and the writing of a curriculum, I haven't been able to post in a while now, so I guess it's best if I declare an official hiatus - at least until the curriculum is finished.

I love and appreciate you all. And MISS YOU!

Thanks for understanding.  Please stop by CareVan (one word) on Facebook! 

Enjoy spring!

Because of Him and Unto Him,

Give the Gift of You

This is reprinted from GodVine:

Eight Gifts You Should Give

THE GIFT OF LISTENING . . .
But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening. 

 (Oh, I have to be better at this!  Help me, LORD, to listen to others as You do me.)

THE GIFT OF AFFECTION . . .
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends. 



THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER . . .
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you." 

 

THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE . . .
It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life. 



THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT . . .
A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day. 



THE GIFT OF A FAVOR . . .
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind. 



THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE . . .
There are times when we want nothing better, than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others. 



THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION . . .
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, "Hello" or "Thank You".

Please share your thoughts.

Because of Him and Unto Him,

In Remebrance of Extravagant Love

Last night at our small group, we did just like Jesus did on His last night with His beloved Twelve.

I led our group in our own version of The Last Supper.  We shared a meal together, then had a non-religious, but self-examining (I Corth.11:27-30) Communion in remembrance of Jesus, followed by a foot washing.

Last night was a special, holy time. Jesus met needs. Some very deep emotional wounds were healed. 

Tears of pain, tears of gratitude flowed.

This is what "Easter" is all about. Jesus going to His Cross for you.  For me.  

Our sins are forgiven because of His Blood that He willingly allowed to be shed.

Our bodies and souls are healed because of the torture He endured.

And because He is alive, we too, can live eternally.

No religion here. Just Truth. Just freedom. Just pure, extravagant Love poured out to mankind.

Now, that is "Easter". 

May your celebration of The Resurrection be joyous because of your gratitude!  Pour out extravagant love back to Him, as did Mary, who anointed Jesus with costly oil and wiped His Feet with her hair. May you be extravagant in your expression of gratitude as Jesus was in the display of His Love toward you.  God bless you and your family as you celebrate!

Because of Him and Unto Him,

The King and I

Anna and the King is one of my all-time favorite movies. The movie stars Jodi Foster and Yun-Fat Chow. The last scene in the movie - when the king of Siam dances with the English schoolteacher for one last dance before she leaves Siam for good - melts my heart.

The king loved the English schoolteacher so much that he let her go.  He could have ordered her to stay.  But, he didn't.  

Our LORD does the same thing. He loves us so much that He never orders us to stay with Him. He lets those who want to go, go.

But...

He is married to the backslider. 

Married to.  

MARRIED to the backslider!

Return, O backsliding children,” says the LORD; “for I am married to you."  ~Jeremiah 3:14

He is longsuffering and patient. He just waits for His loves to return unto Him.

I hope you never experience a loved one backslide. It can be a living hell, for they truly become someone they never were before.

For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. ~II Peter 2:21

I've lived through it twice. My husband backslid many years ago. It was a long haul praying him back into the Kingdom.  And my oldest son has left his first Love. Like father like son?  

Oh, how I stand on the Promises of our God!  How I do believe that my son will once again cry out to our God - His God and King - The King he turned his back on and The One Who stays married to him no matter what.

Whenever I need a loving embrace, I close my eyes and picture my King and I dancing. My Lord Jesus draws me to His bosom. 

I picture it for my son as well.

And I will keep that vision ever before me. For I know he will return to dance with His King.

So, if you are waiting as I am for a loved-one's return, why not Dance Unto Your King in gratitude 
and as a sign of faith,

Mobile Van Full of Care

Right here in our own school districts, are homeless children. Most of who have moved often, some living in cars or old motels. Picture whole familes trying to live life in one small motel room or in a car...

Backstory: I used to homeschool my youngest son, Andrew. During his high school years, I taught him at our church. I was the pastor's secretary and Andrew was the pastor's...um....do-it-all guy. So, we would go in early in the AM, do school, and then we both worked in the ministry.

For two years, I also taught other children, including two who were homeless. So, I have a tender heart toward homeless students.

This logo had been on yellowed-paper for years -
awaiting its time. 

Secondary Backstory: CareVan. I know you have never heard of it. In a small nutshell, CareVan had been a vision in my heart for MANY years. It was a vision that I wrote down. It was tarrying, but I waited. Long story short: Our pastor read the vision is running with it. (Habakuk 2:2-3), AND God gave me a team of two other women with the same heart and passion to work shoulder-to-shoulder with me.

CareVan is a mobile van full of care. We supply non-food essentials and gift cards (from local food stores, gas stations, Home Depot, pharmacies, etc.), we will pray, administer Communion, and even supply a library of faith-filled books for them to grow as we build relationships. Our CareVan is a mobile community lending a hand when and where needed. Even to those who don't want the spiritual aspect. We will not judge, just love.

The Scripture The LORD gave me many years ago is I John 3:17:

But if anyone has this world’s goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother fellow Believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him?

We officially lauched last week and we are out and about purchasing the non-essentials. Starting with members in our own church who have needs, we will iron out the kinks before we stock the van and head to the streets.  There are still so many needs from Hurricane Sandy here on Long Island and so many homeless shelters.  From that alone we have a wide field open to us. 

(This is why I rarely get to read my favorite blogs anymore or post as often as I would like. I'm busy about my Father's business once again. HALLELUJAH!)

Ok, now back to the homeless: A high school district called my pastor. Hearing of CareVan, they are asking for school supplies for their homeless high school students. They have no more money in their budget for the basic supplies the students need.

My compassion button has been pushed - homeless kids and school supplies.  Oh, how I still miss buying school supplies every August!

Isn't our Father awesome?  He not only gives me the opportunity to once again buy school supplies, but also for homeless students...I love it!  Office-Max, here I come!

If God would so lead you, you may donate to CareVan. You can make checks payable to 
CCC CareVan or you can donate online on the church website: www.crossoverchristianchurch.  Please write CareVan in your memo. And please put a sticky note or something saying that you are from my blog. 100% of your donation goes to the purchase of non-food essentials.  Please mail your donation directly to our church: Crossover Christian Church; 4605 Wickham Avenue; Mattituck, NY  11952  

Do not feel obligated in any way, shape, or form however!  I did not share CareVan with you just to seek donations. You are my beloved Circle of Friends and I just wanted to give God glory for allowing me the opportunity once again to minister to the homeless and buy school supplies! 

Seven years of wilderness was the tail end to this long-awaited-vision coming to fruition. If that's what it took to ready me, LORD, I thank You! I give You all the glory and honor. Thank You for allowing me the privilege of lending a needful hand - with resources for sustaining life - to Your Children! It is my honor to serve You by serving them...

Because of Him and Unto Him,

Jesus, Immanuel (God With Us)

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your GOD, He is the One Who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. ~Deuteronomy 31:6 For He, Himself, has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." ~Hebrews 13:5b This video clip is a great visual reminder that in every place, and in every situation, Jesus is always present, because He is Immanuel, God With Us. We are never, ever alone. No matter what it looks like or feels like, the Truth is we are not forsaken. May this video be a source of encouragement  or strength to you today! http://jesus-loves-you.org/jesus-is-always-with-you/ Have a wonderful weekend! Because of Him and Unto Him,

Worn Out And Battle Weary?

And he shall speak great words against The Most High, and shall wear out the saints of The Most High... ~ Daniel 7:25

"Wear out the saints of The Most High" - Saints: that's us!

"Wear out" in the original Hebrew means to afflict mentally; wear out.

One of Satan's tactics is to mentally wear us out causing us to doubt God by speaking words against Him to us. 

Remember, Satan is a spirit being. We do not see him nor audibly hear him.  But, knowing that he whispers to our minds, and that one of his tactics is to wear us out mentally and to speak against our God to us, we know when faithless thoughts come to us, when doubts of God's breakthrough take hold of us, we know where it is coming from.

During my seven-year-wilderness, I can attest to the validity of this Scripture. Satan absolutely was wearing me out mentally. BIG TIME!  To coin Joyce Meyer, my mind was a battlefield. Truly. One moment I would be firm in standing on God's Promises, then doubt (Satan's speaking against The Most High) rolled in like an unexpected wave, bowling me over.  The onslaught in my mind was overwhelming at times.

Did you ever hear this joke:

"Mommy."

"Mommy!"

"Mom!

"MA."

"Mommy!"

"MOM!"

"MOMMY!!!"

"WHAT?!?!"

"I love you."

Those continual "Mommies" were wearing out that mom. That's what Satan does to us. He non-verbally repeats and repeats in our inner ear with the expected outcome of wearing us out.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. ~ Hosea 4:6 

We have to know the source that causes our minds to become battlefields.  We must give credit where credit is due. They are not our own thoughts. How do I know that?  

Because God Almighty tells us that we have the mind of Christ (II Corinthians 2:16).  Jesus Christ does not waiver; He is not double-minded; He does not doubt His Father. He does not disbelieve His own Words.

And since that is Truth, then our thoughts have to be continually bombarded causing us to waiver and be double-minded. 

My brothers and sisters, let us take authority over our minds commanding all that is not of the mind of Christ to leave. When we are in the thick of such a battle, sometimes we cannot muster up enough strength to do that. That's when we must reach out and ask for others to do so on our behalf.  If you or someone you know needs such prayer, please let me know. I'd be happy to pray for you/them.

And I encourage you, if you have not already read Joyce Meyer's book entitled Battlefield of the Mind, I encourage you to do so. It can be life transforming.

As a matter of fact, if anyone wants the book - either for yourself or to give to someone else - I will gladly gift it to you. That's how important this subject is. Just let me know and I will get the book to you.

Father, in the All-powerful Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, I ask you to energize any of Your children who are being worn down at this very moment. Please bring clarity to their minds. Cause them, oh GOD, to understand the schemes of Your enemy, and that his aim is to steal our faith and hope in You because he hates You and Your goodness so. 

We stand together, Father, as one family, lifting each other up when we are so weary we think we will collapse. Thank You for holding onto us. Thank You for being True to Your Words. We magnify You, Most High GOD, above our thoughts, above our battles. We love You and thank You, for Your deliverance is at hand!  Amen.

Because of Him and Unto Him,

What WAS He Smiling At?

There is a mother/daughter team who comes to my weekly Bible study. The daughter must be about my age, her mother is 92. Both of them are beautifully spiritual with a grace, love, and joy that is astounding.  

They walked in on Thursday with smiles on their faces, but quickly shared with us that the mother's son/the daughter's brother died in our last snow storm while shoveling snow. He was 58. 

They shared the story: The mother was waiting to serve him lunch as he was shoveling her driveway.  She waited and waited. Finally there was a knock at her front door. She opened it to find policemen standing there. This is how she heard the news that her son had died.

A vehicle had driven down the block and saw a man lying face-up in the snow and phoned 911. The police took photographs of the scene and later brought one of the photos to the mother.

Her son, although dead in the snow, had a smile on his face. The police could not get over it. "What was he smiling at?", seemed to haunt them.

Mother/daughter know. He saw Jesus as his last breath left his body and he traveled Home! This son/brother was a single man who served Jesus his whole adult life. A great reward awaits him.

All of us around our giant table cried. 

Except mother and daughter. They comforted us with smiles on their faces. Joy, unspeakable and - truly - full of glory abounded in them...

...in spite of their grieving for a son/brother they deeply love and ache for.

How can this be? Because this mother/daughter team knows God's Word. Believes God's Word. Therefore, they KNOW where their son/brother is.  And the result is peace. Peace that surpasses all understanding, which guards their hearts and minds.

We all have that hope set before us: Heaven. Glorious, tears-no-more Heaven. Physical and emotional pain-no-more Heaven.  Heaven, where peace and joy, grace and love are an eternal way of life.

And of course Glorious Jesus Christ to welcome us Home...

Oh, I cannot wait!

Because of Him and Unto Him,

Saviour and ... (chokingly) ... Lord

I love to watch historical dramas about kings and queens. I have learned about lordship through watching some of these movies. 

Queen Elizabeth of England

Growing up and living in a democracy, in a freedom-of-speech land, our society knows nothing of lords, princes, and kings. We know nothing about bowing before the will of another human being. But, those who live in countries with kings and queens do.

To this day in some countries, to disrespect or disobey a king, queen, or president will result in torture and death.

The respect and/or fear of reprisal if your will is not bowed before him or her in authority is non-existent in our society as a whole.  Children in this generation don't even respect their parents, elders, teachers, principles, or even police. There is no respect for the authority figures in their lives.

It has been my experience over this almost 30 years, that Christians for the most part acknowledge Jesus Christ as Saviour. Very few truly respect His Lordship.  Mainly because it is not taught about. 

Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in Heaven, and of those on Earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God, The Father.  ~Phil. 2:9-11

Young Christians in our society do not know anything about the authority of a lord. 

Slaves did. Slaves do. Prostitutes who have pimps do. Children with abusive parents do. Forcefully, they are made to bow their wills.

So, bowing to the will of The LORD Jesus Christ - on our own - is not something that comes naturally to Americans. It must be taught in our churches. It must be part of the foundational truths we teach to young Believers. They must understand the concept of lordship.

I am blessed to say that Jesus Christ is my Saviour and Lord, and I'm in the prep stages of teaching a foundational course in our church.  May God grant me the ability to communicate this most important topic to His children.

The Lords and Servants of Downton Abbey

Does anyone watch Downton Abbey on Masterpiece Classics on PBS? Oh, I hope so! It is my favorite TV show.  You will see, in real life, how the lords and lordships work in England. The characters are the Lords of a VERY LARGE estate and their servants who see that Downton Abbey runs smoothly and that the lords are dressed, fed, and taken care of. 

May it teach us Americans how to bow our will to that of another in authority over us, namely The Lord Jesus Christ.

Any thoughts on this subject?

Because of Him and Unto Him,

From the Chairs By the Window

I moved some furniture around in my living room. I now have two chairs facing each other in front of a large, curtainless picture window completely separate from the rest of the furniture. 

At first Joe didn't like this new arrangement. He thought it was "odd". But, his first early morning sit - looking out over the horizon with coffee in hand as the morning sky brightened - made him a lover of the chairs by the window.

In the Health for Life program I run, in our first two weekly classes, about every 20-25 minutes or so I ask people to get up and change seats. The first time they do it, they just oblige.  But, the second and third times I tell them to change seats, they get annoyed because they are all settled in and comfy. I then tell them this program is all about change. They can have a "lightbulb" moment, but somehow it doesn't make it any less bothersome to them.

Isn't that how most of us are to any form of change in our lives? Resistant. We are such creatures of habit that the tiniest bit of change can throw us for a loop. Change is bothersome. 

In a blink of an eye, with the ring of the telephone, our whole world can change. And those changes can be heartbreaking or scary. But, thank God our stability need not change in the midst of circumstantial shifts.

For our stability should be our faith in The LORD, because He changes not.

For I Am The LORD; I do not change. ~Malachi 3:6

Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times. ~Isaiah 33:6

And His Wisdom and knowledge (from His Word) will provide stability within our souls no matter how unstable our circumstances may be at the moment.

Change is inevitable. It comes to all of us. But, may we cling to God and His Wisdom to keep us stable, secure, and peaceful within.

Thank you for letting me share my chair-side muse with you this morning.

Because of Him and Unto Him,