I had NEW on the brain yesterday. Today it's resolutions. How many resolutions have a made and failed to follow-through on? I wonder if there are any at all that I've succeeded at? hmmm. hmmm. There aren't any just popping into my head here. I wonder why resolutions are so hard to keep? What does being "resolved" mean? How can I be resolute? Maybe I should resolve to be resolute. Where is that determination? I always seem to resolve to make changes that I need to make or want to make, which seem to be the most difficult things in life......take the most determination.....and fail them every time.
I thought I would go to the Bible and see if anyone in there made resolutions. Well, I found Jehoshaphat. He resolved himself to inquire of the Lord. (2 Chron 20) Now there is a novel idea, resolving to inquire of the Lord BEFORE he made a decision. Faced with war and not knowing what to do, He inquired of the Lord! And was brought victory. Next, I find Daniel. He resolved not to defile himself.(Daniel 1:8) And he didn't. Even in the lion's den. And he was brought to victory. And then I find Paul. He resolved to know nothing but Christ Jesus and Him crucified. (1 Cor. 2:2) And he was brought to the ultimate victory by finishing the race Christ had laid out for him!
So as I ponder resolutions and being resolved this year, I think I would like to resolve to inquire more from the Lord. I'd like to resolve not to defile myself(that's a stretch--to put it mildly.) I'd like to resolve to know nothing but Christ Jesus and Him crucified. These men were determined. I would love to have that kind of resolve. For this unused, fresh 2009, Father, I ask you to help me be resolved for You!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
NEW
Well it's almost that time. The time for a NEW year. I approach this new year with lots of things "new". What exactly does that mean anyway? It can mean so many different things. New, as in unused or fresh. (new clothes, for instance.) Existing for the first time. Inexperienced or unaccustomed to. All of the above. I have excitement and trepidation. It's always easier to do what we've always done. I approach 2009 with hopefully a new job. (Still waiting on that one, but know for sure I won't have the "old" job.) For the first time in 9 years, I won't be "working" for a church. Vocationally, anyway. I'm no longer majorly involved with working with children...which is kind of sad. However, working with women and the Haven has been incredible. (Although I'm not even positive what's going to happen there.) Actually, the biggest thing "new" is not know what "new" is really going to be. Therein, lies the problem. Miss Control Freak here doesn't know what the plan is. Hmmm. God has definitely moved me out of my comfort zone into NEW. I gladly say goodbye to 2008. A year of heartache~~ but where I saw God be faithful in so many ways. I learned so much. I learned that learning is hard. The thing is, I want to be NEW. I want God to mold me into the woman He wants me to be. I want what He wants, and I submit to that. Even though, it is so far out of my comfort zone! I pray 2 Cor 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Father, make me a NEW creation. Eph 4:24 "and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Father, help put on the new self so I will be more like you!" 2009 exists for the first time ever. It is fresh, new, and unused. What does NEW look like for you?
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com
Friends
How many old friends do we really have? I mean those kind who live life with you? Through thick and thin? Beauty and ugliness? About 28 years ago, I met someone who would become a lifelong friend. I didn't know it then, but God would grow a love for this person that can't be explained. A sisterhood, I think, few women really get the privilege to have. Someone to laugh so hard with, you pee your pants and your stomach hurts for hours. Someone you can cry with in the sad times until you are hiccuping from needing air. Someone who will tell you the truth when your hair is ugly. Someone who will bring you chocolate or send a card, just because. Someone you may not talk to for months on end, but you know is only a phone call away and would move heaven and earth to get to you if needed. Someone you can disagree with, but maybe just agree to disagree. (Even though I'm the one that's right! :-) We have both changed and grown. Life has hit us both. But one thing has not changed...that solid comfort of knowing that someone is out there that loves me just the way I am. Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend loves at all times." My friend has loved me, even when I haven't been a very good friend. Proverbs 18:24 says "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (or sister, in this case.) Eccl.4:9-10 "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" I am so thankful for my lifelong friend. I don't tell you as often as I should, and I'm a terrible friend at times...but I love you dearly! Happy Birthday!
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Twas the Night before Jesus was Born
By Natalie Lowe Christmas 2008
'Twas the night before Jesus was born, when all through the land
Everyone headed to their home town, every child, woman and man;
Joseph bundled up Mary and helped her with care,
Not knowing if Baby Jesus soon would be there;
Their hearts held the memories of what the angels had said,
And thoughts of this wonder was dancing in their heads;
And Mary great with child, her hands on her lap,
Just wanting to rest and take a little nap,
She rode on the donkey with a gentle pitter patter,
Joseph watching closely to make sure nothing was the matter.
They arrived in Bethlehem, tired and worn out,
knocking on doors and going all about.
And though they tried with all their might
There was no place to rest their heads for the night,
When, finally, an innkeeper did appear,
And said, “you can rest with the animals, that’s all I have to offer my dear”,
Then out on the hillside, in the dark quiet night,
The shepherds were interrupted by a great fright.
More rapid than eagles his angels they came,
And they sang, and praised Him, and glorified His Name;
"Glory to God in the Highest!
And Peace to all men on whom His favor rests!
And then all the sudden the angels were gone.
And the shepherds stood there, gazing in awe!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
In just an instant, the angels had disappeared into the sky,
So they followed the star that looked down on the babe,
To see if it was true, and where did the child lay?
And when they arrived, what did they behold?
A babe in a manger, just as they had been told!
The shepherds stared in wonder and looked all around,
To take in the site of where a baby king was found.
He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, from his head to his foot,
And he was so tiny and looked so cute!
Mary smiled at them, even with the animals in the back,
As the babe was laying in a small hay stack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His sweet little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And his perfect tiny chin quivered just so!
He had a sweet face and the shepherd reached out to touch his hand,
And he suddenly understood, this was the great “I AM”.
He fell on his knees and bowed down to the king,
and worshipped and praised because of this great thing!
As the shepherd boy rose up to depart,
Mary looked all around and treasured everything in her heart;
She spoke not a word, but held the babe so dear
And looked over at Joseph, and she saw a little tear.
She traced his face with her finger, down the side of his nose,
For knew in her heart her babe would face many foes;
And she would keep him and love him as long as she could,
For they were part of something that was too difficult to be understood.
As the shepherds walked away and were almost out of sight,
She whispered in his ear, “sleep tight tonight.”
Peace on Earth, Good will to all Men,
Prince Jesus has been born, to save the world from Sin!
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com
'Twas the night before Jesus was born, when all through the land
Everyone headed to their home town, every child, woman and man;
Joseph bundled up Mary and helped her with care,
Not knowing if Baby Jesus soon would be there;
Their hearts held the memories of what the angels had said,
And thoughts of this wonder was dancing in their heads;
And Mary great with child, her hands on her lap,
Just wanting to rest and take a little nap,
She rode on the donkey with a gentle pitter patter,
Joseph watching closely to make sure nothing was the matter.
They arrived in Bethlehem, tired and worn out,
knocking on doors and going all about.
And though they tried with all their might
There was no place to rest their heads for the night,
When, finally, an innkeeper did appear,
And said, “you can rest with the animals, that’s all I have to offer my dear”,
Then out on the hillside, in the dark quiet night,
The shepherds were interrupted by a great fright.
More rapid than eagles his angels they came,
And they sang, and praised Him, and glorified His Name;
"Glory to God in the Highest!
And Peace to all men on whom His favor rests!
And then all the sudden the angels were gone.
And the shepherds stood there, gazing in awe!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
In just an instant, the angels had disappeared into the sky,
So they followed the star that looked down on the babe,
To see if it was true, and where did the child lay?
And when they arrived, what did they behold?
A babe in a manger, just as they had been told!
The shepherds stared in wonder and looked all around,
To take in the site of where a baby king was found.
He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, from his head to his foot,
And he was so tiny and looked so cute!
Mary smiled at them, even with the animals in the back,
As the babe was laying in a small hay stack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His sweet little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And his perfect tiny chin quivered just so!
He had a sweet face and the shepherd reached out to touch his hand,
And he suddenly understood, this was the great “I AM”.
He fell on his knees and bowed down to the king,
and worshipped and praised because of this great thing!
As the shepherd boy rose up to depart,
Mary looked all around and treasured everything in her heart;
She spoke not a word, but held the babe so dear
And looked over at Joseph, and she saw a little tear.
She traced his face with her finger, down the side of his nose,
For knew in her heart her babe would face many foes;
And she would keep him and love him as long as she could,
For they were part of something that was too difficult to be understood.
As the shepherds walked away and were almost out of sight,
She whispered in his ear, “sleep tight tonight.”
Peace on Earth, Good will to all Men,
Prince Jesus has been born, to save the world from Sin!
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Baptism of Princesses
Matthew 18:2-4 "He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Sunday was a special day for me. Three precious little girls I have known since they were babies; were baptized. I love it when I see one of these precious ones come to Him. Jesus clearly said for us to change and come to Him like little children. What does that mean exactly? How do children come to Him? I think they come with pure trust. He actually tells us to change into children to come to him. In the King James Version, it says "be converted" which means to turn around or reverse ourselves back to a child. He says to "humble" as a child. As grown-ups, we try to psychoanalyze the salvation process. We make it so hard. Children come with such an innocence. They trust their Heavenly Daddy, just like they trust a Dad on this earth. They might go on a walk with their father to the park, and they may not know exactly where they are going or how they are going to get there or get home, but they hold their daddy's hand and they trust him to get them there and back safely. That's like their innocence in coming to Jesus. They may not know everything, but they are humbled enough and trust enough in Jesus, that they know He is going to get them there and back safely.
Now these little girls are all rare jewels indeed. If you took a moment to sit down and have a conversation with them, I imagine they could tell you more about the gospel and the love of Jesus in just a few minutes than most theologians could summarize in hours. They all three have a heart for God at such a young age and I know that is because their parents have been faithful to train them at home and bring them up in the way they should go. I am anxious and excited to see what God is going to do in their lives. My heart continues to break for the kids who don't have these kind of families to train them. To my little special princesses, Elisabeth, Ashlyn & Taylor, you have touched my heart in more ways than you will ever know and I am so very proud of you!! Don't ever forget you are a princess, and a child of the King! Matt. 19:14 Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com
Now these little girls are all rare jewels indeed. If you took a moment to sit down and have a conversation with them, I imagine they could tell you more about the gospel and the love of Jesus in just a few minutes than most theologians could summarize in hours. They all three have a heart for God at such a young age and I know that is because their parents have been faithful to train them at home and bring them up in the way they should go. I am anxious and excited to see what God is going to do in their lives. My heart continues to break for the kids who don't have these kind of families to train them. To my little special princesses, Elisabeth, Ashlyn & Taylor, you have touched my heart in more ways than you will ever know and I am so very proud of you!! Don't ever forget you are a princess, and a child of the King! Matt. 19:14 Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tiko
I met a Spanish man today carrying all his possessions on his back. He had a little ripped walmart sack with his lunch in it and a water bottle. He had just arrived a few days ago from El Paso on a bus. Homeless, no job. He sat down beside me and I spoke a hello. He smiled and said hi. Said he was cold and trying to warm up. Looking for a job. He was walking and had been walking all over town. I just couldn't get past his smile. It came from his heart. My curiosity got the better of me, and I asked him his story. Why had he come to Amarillo? Family? Friends? No, he said. He had just heard it was a good place to work and live. He told me of a man who had stopped in the snow and given him a ride yesterday. He gave the credit to the Lord and said "I know the Lord sent an angel to give me a ride." I looked over at him and I said "You really love the Lord don't you?" He said, "yes mam, He's everything to me." He said, "I just walk down the streets singing praises to Him all day long. David did that, he walked the streets and sang praises." This man, with tattood arms and scruffy clothes, held the light of Christ in his eyes that I don't see to often. I invited him to our church and told him I would pray for him to find a job. He said, "God bless you Natalie." I replied back "God Bless YOU, Tiko." My friends, if you don't mind too much, say a prayer for Tiko tonight. Pray he is warm and finds a job so he can get an apartment. I have a feeling God is going to use him in Amarillo, TX. Thank you Lord, for sending Tiko to encourage me today. Hebrews 13:1-2 Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com
Saturday, November 29, 2008
CHRISTmas Removed
I just read of a Walmart shopper being trampled to death by an early morning Black Friday shopping crowd. I don't have the words to adequately describe the furor this invokes in me. This is so far from what Christmas is supposed to be, and I feel like our God must shake His head in sadness at what this holiday has become. I'll admit, I'm not much of a shopper. Money is usually a major issue. But no amount of savings is worth the life of anyone! I've heard tales from my sister-in-law of people grabbing items and fist fights, verbal fights, shoving, pushing and hassling over items in the name of Christmas. I tell you what, if that's Christmas, I want NO part of it. I refuse to be sucked in by what this world tells us we have to do. Do I buy gifts for my family; yes I do. Do I go into debt so I have to spend the next year paying it off because my child has to go back to school and look cool to the other kids? Absolutely not! Christmas is about remembrance. Remembering the special and awesome miracle of a baby that was born just to save this world. Christmas is about love, family, and tradition. What would it feel like to give a gift to your child but knowing you killed a man in the process? God, what does it feel like to give a gift to your people and they just trample your Son all over again by their actions? Am I telling you not to buy gifts for your family? No. I'm asking people to put CHRIST into CHRISTmas. Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..."
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Counting my blessings
I am thankful for...
A God to give thanks to!
A God who is merciful and loving even when I don't deserve it.
A husband who is my best friend and soul mate.
Missy, who battled paralysis this year, and WON; and God who helped us through it.
Amanda, who conquered her worst fears, battled a major surgery and WON; and God who helped us through it.
Kayla, who is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the out and inspires me with her depth and love.
My wonderful family who I couldn't make it without.
My wonderful church family who I couldn't make it without.
My friends who I couldn't make it without.
Haven.
This year's many adversities, because I have a God that is above all adversity!
Change, because change brought about new things that I would not have experienced had I not followed through.
Endings, because it made me realize how far I had come.
Beginnings, because it makes me realize I still have something to give.
The here and now, because it shows me how God works in our day to day life and how nothing is too small or too big for Him.
It's been a stormy year, but I'd rather have a stormy year with God; than one great day without Him. I praise YOU, my Savior, my Forever Best Friend, my King and my Lord. Thanks doesn't seem enough....I bow down in humility and thanks for all you blessed my family with this year!
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 1 Chron. 16:8
I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you. Psalm 35:18
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com
A God to give thanks to!
A God who is merciful and loving even when I don't deserve it.
A husband who is my best friend and soul mate.
Missy, who battled paralysis this year, and WON; and God who helped us through it.
Amanda, who conquered her worst fears, battled a major surgery and WON; and God who helped us through it.
Kayla, who is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the out and inspires me with her depth and love.
My wonderful family who I couldn't make it without.
My wonderful church family who I couldn't make it without.
My friends who I couldn't make it without.
Haven.
This year's many adversities, because I have a God that is above all adversity!
Change, because change brought about new things that I would not have experienced had I not followed through.
Endings, because it made me realize how far I had come.
Beginnings, because it makes me realize I still have something to give.
The here and now, because it shows me how God works in our day to day life and how nothing is too small or too big for Him.
It's been a stormy year, but I'd rather have a stormy year with God; than one great day without Him. I praise YOU, my Savior, my Forever Best Friend, my King and my Lord. Thanks doesn't seem enough....I bow down in humility and thanks for all you blessed my family with this year!
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 1 Chron. 16:8
I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you. Psalm 35:18
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com
Monday, November 24, 2008
Ornament of Faith
I spoke at our Ladies Extravaganza Friday night, and just thought I would share what God laid on my heart about building Ornaments of Faith...To get the full effect, read the Christmas story in Luke 1 & 2.
We all love Christmas. The ribbons and bows. The tree. The songs. The lights. The ornaments. So many different ornaments. Many uniquely made and adorned beautifully. As I was driving one day, this thought came to me about an ornament of faith. As God impressed it on my heart, it was as if He were saying “Faith is an ornament we should decorate ourselves with.” We are the tree. Faith is one of the ornaments that lets our light shine. But what is faith? How do we get it? What makes it stronger? Where does faith come from? I’ve come to think that faith mostly comes from miracles, trials, and tribulations. It has to build upon something. Our faith doesn’t grow much during the good times. Faith comes from adversity. What is Faith? Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.” In Hebrew the word is AMAN means to trust or believe, In Greek the word means persuasion.. I find that interesting…….faith is to be persuaded! Through adversity we are persuaded to believe more strongly.
We know Mary was a young lady of faith. She had faith in God and had found great favor with him. Can you imagine? Being such a young woman, that God looked down and said Her! She is the ONE! She is going to be the mother of the Messiah!!! What kind of faith would that look like? How had she so adorned herself with ornaments of Faith in God, that He chose her and she was Highly favored? I love the definitions of these words….. Ornament is livyâh something attached..... Something attached….
Adorn means to decorate. So Mary attached faith to herself. She adorned, decorated herself with faith so strongly that God said she was highly favored. I don’t know about you, but I want God to be able to say I have favor in his eyes!( From G5485; to grace, that is, indue with special honor: - make accepted, be highly favoured.)
To be so young and already adorned with that kind of faith……..but then she was about to take the biggest faith journey of her life. She had to tell Joseph she was pregnant. She had to tell her parents. Joseph wanted to divorce her. She was about 14. The age of my youngest daughter. Some of your daughters. Then she had to most likely endure ridicule. Ride a donkey 9 months pregnant to another town!!! No hospital, but only a stable to have a baby. How scared she must have been….However she fully trusted God. She said ,”I am the Lord’s servant. May it be as you have said.” I wonder how many times she had to keep reminding herself? "I am the Lord’s servant. I am the Lord’s servant. I AM the Lord’s servant." How many faith ornaments did she get just from the life of Christ? How many times did she have to attach herself to faith just to make it through? When he disappeared and went missing? When he was out preaching? When He was led away to be crucified? When they spat on Him? Beat him. Cursed him. Crucified him. Buried him. And how her faith must have soared when he rose from that grave that beautiful morning!!!
Things don’t always work out the way we want them to, or the way we think they will. Sometimes we don’t even see it coming. We get hit with some form of pain out of nowhere leaving us feeling desperate and helpless. That’s the way life is. Maybe it’s when we’re in these situations, where everything seems to be falling apart, that God gets an opportunity to remind us of how much he really loves us. He carries us and holds us close and its then that our faith grows.
I believe through the life of Christ, God carried Mary. He held her close. She didn’t quite know where they were going, but she knew she could trust her God. What are your faith ornaments? What miracles, tribulations and tragedies have happened that now hang on you in adornment of faith?
Do you ever ponder them in your heart and say, God strengthened me then? Can you look back at times where even though you may not have been sure, you know now that he carried you? I’ve had so many faith ornaments in my life. I know God has carried me through many many times I didn't think I could make it. Isaiah 61:10
"I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." Look back on your life and I think you will see where Christ has adorned you with fine jewels of faith. And guess what? They are meant to shine and be shared!!
We all love Christmas. The ribbons and bows. The tree. The songs. The lights. The ornaments. So many different ornaments. Many uniquely made and adorned beautifully. As I was driving one day, this thought came to me about an ornament of faith. As God impressed it on my heart, it was as if He were saying “Faith is an ornament we should decorate ourselves with.” We are the tree. Faith is one of the ornaments that lets our light shine. But what is faith? How do we get it? What makes it stronger? Where does faith come from? I’ve come to think that faith mostly comes from miracles, trials, and tribulations. It has to build upon something. Our faith doesn’t grow much during the good times. Faith comes from adversity. What is Faith? Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.” In Hebrew the word is AMAN means to trust or believe, In Greek the word means persuasion.. I find that interesting…….faith is to be persuaded! Through adversity we are persuaded to believe more strongly.
We know Mary was a young lady of faith. She had faith in God and had found great favor with him. Can you imagine? Being such a young woman, that God looked down and said Her! She is the ONE! She is going to be the mother of the Messiah!!! What kind of faith would that look like? How had she so adorned herself with ornaments of Faith in God, that He chose her and she was Highly favored? I love the definitions of these words….. Ornament is livyâh something attached..... Something attached….
Adorn means to decorate. So Mary attached faith to herself. She adorned, decorated herself with faith so strongly that God said she was highly favored. I don’t know about you, but I want God to be able to say I have favor in his eyes!( From G5485; to grace, that is, indue with special honor: - make accepted, be highly favoured.)
To be so young and already adorned with that kind of faith……..but then she was about to take the biggest faith journey of her life. She had to tell Joseph she was pregnant. She had to tell her parents. Joseph wanted to divorce her. She was about 14. The age of my youngest daughter. Some of your daughters. Then she had to most likely endure ridicule. Ride a donkey 9 months pregnant to another town!!! No hospital, but only a stable to have a baby. How scared she must have been….However she fully trusted God. She said ,”I am the Lord’s servant. May it be as you have said.” I wonder how many times she had to keep reminding herself? "I am the Lord’s servant. I am the Lord’s servant. I AM the Lord’s servant." How many faith ornaments did she get just from the life of Christ? How many times did she have to attach herself to faith just to make it through? When he disappeared and went missing? When he was out preaching? When He was led away to be crucified? When they spat on Him? Beat him. Cursed him. Crucified him. Buried him. And how her faith must have soared when he rose from that grave that beautiful morning!!!
Things don’t always work out the way we want them to, or the way we think they will. Sometimes we don’t even see it coming. We get hit with some form of pain out of nowhere leaving us feeling desperate and helpless. That’s the way life is. Maybe it’s when we’re in these situations, where everything seems to be falling apart, that God gets an opportunity to remind us of how much he really loves us. He carries us and holds us close and its then that our faith grows.
I believe through the life of Christ, God carried Mary. He held her close. She didn’t quite know where they were going, but she knew she could trust her God. What are your faith ornaments? What miracles, tribulations and tragedies have happened that now hang on you in adornment of faith?
Do you ever ponder them in your heart and say, God strengthened me then? Can you look back at times where even though you may not have been sure, you know now that he carried you? I’ve had so many faith ornaments in my life. I know God has carried me through many many times I didn't think I could make it. Isaiah 61:10
"I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." Look back on your life and I think you will see where Christ has adorned you with fine jewels of faith. And guess what? They are meant to shine and be shared!!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Thanks-Living
As I prepared for my class tonight, I wanted to really focus on Thanksgiving and thankfulness. And as I was studying, I was really convicted that we need to do Thanks-living, not just Thanksgiving. God calls us not only to a day of thanksgiving, He calls us to a life of thanks-living! The difference between thanksgiving and thanks-living is between giving thanks on one day and living thanks always. Thanksgiving is a one day event. Thanks living is a way of life.How do we “LIVE” Thanks? We begin to "live thanks” when we learn to have an attitude of gratitude, recognizing that all that we have and all that we are belong to Him alone. We have been blessed to be a blessing. Our continual thankfulness for our blessings will turn into a lifetime of living thanks, of living the blessings and sharing the blessings because we know in the deepest parts of our hearts that God is the giver of it all. Praise is also a huge part of Thanks-living. God deserves our praise and it is hard to be grumpy, angry, sad, mad, depressed or discouraged when we are praising God instead of having a pity party. Praise is simply adoring God. You can praise God by saying, "God, you are _________."
Thankfulness is counting our blessings and being grateful for them.
Phil. 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I Thes. 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Col. 2:6-7 "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."
Often we find it the hardest to praise God and thank Him in the storms of life. But look at the Apostle Paul. He praised God and thanked Him when in prison, in affliction, shipwrecked, and beaten. He said he had learned to be content in all situations. Contentment is a choice. We can CHOOSE to praise and thank God. He is worthy. He deserves it.
A Thanksgiving Prayer “ Oh God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry; when I have work, help me remember the jobless; when I have a warm home, help me to remember the homeless; When I am without pain, help me remember those who suffer; And remembering, help me destroy my complacency and bestir my compassion. Make me concerned enough to help, by word and deed those who cry out for what we take for granted.” Samuel F. Pugh
Try reading these out loud to God...I read them out loud tonight and wept for He is my everything! Praise you Lord!
AND HE SHALL BE CALLED...
ADVOCATE *LAMB OF GOD*
THE RESURRECTION & THE LIFE*
SHEPHERD & BISHOP OF SOULS*
JUDGE*LORD OF LORDS*
MAN OF SORROWS*HEAD OF THE CHURCH*
MASTER*FAITHFUL & TRUE WITNESS*
ROCK*HIGH PRIEST*THE DOOR*
LIVING WATER*BREAD OF LIFE*
ROSE OF SHARON*ALPHA & OMEGA*
TRUE VINE *MESSIAH*TEACHER*
HOLY ONE*MEDIATOR*THE BELOVED*
BRANCH*CARPENTER*GOOD SHEPHERD*
LIGHT OF THE WORLD*
CHIEF CORNERSTONE*SAVIOR*SERVANT*
AUTHOR & FINISHER OF OUR FAITH*
THE ALMIGHTY EVERLASTING FATHER*
SHILOH*LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH*
I AM*KING OF KINGS *PRINCE OF PEACE*
BRIDEGROOM*ONLY BEGOTTEN SON*
WONDERFUL COUNSELOR*IMMANUEL*
SON OF MAN*DAYSPRING*THE AMEN*
KING OF THE JEWS*PROPHET*
REDEEMER*ANCHOR*
BRIGHT MORNING STAR*
THE WAY, THE TRUTH & THE LIFE*
JESUS CHRIST
Thankfulness is counting our blessings and being grateful for them.
Phil. 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I Thes. 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Col. 2:6-7 "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."
Often we find it the hardest to praise God and thank Him in the storms of life. But look at the Apostle Paul. He praised God and thanked Him when in prison, in affliction, shipwrecked, and beaten. He said he had learned to be content in all situations. Contentment is a choice. We can CHOOSE to praise and thank God. He is worthy. He deserves it.
A Thanksgiving Prayer “ Oh God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry; when I have work, help me remember the jobless; when I have a warm home, help me to remember the homeless; When I am without pain, help me remember those who suffer; And remembering, help me destroy my complacency and bestir my compassion. Make me concerned enough to help, by word and deed those who cry out for what we take for granted.” Samuel F. Pugh
Try reading these out loud to God...I read them out loud tonight and wept for He is my everything! Praise you Lord!
AND HE SHALL BE CALLED...
ADVOCATE *LAMB OF GOD*
THE RESURRECTION & THE LIFE*
SHEPHERD & BISHOP OF SOULS*
JUDGE*LORD OF LORDS*
MAN OF SORROWS*HEAD OF THE CHURCH*
MASTER*FAITHFUL & TRUE WITNESS*
ROCK*HIGH PRIEST*THE DOOR*
LIVING WATER*BREAD OF LIFE*
ROSE OF SHARON*ALPHA & OMEGA*
TRUE VINE *MESSIAH*TEACHER*
HOLY ONE*MEDIATOR*THE BELOVED*
BRANCH*CARPENTER*GOOD SHEPHERD*
LIGHT OF THE WORLD*
CHIEF CORNERSTONE*SAVIOR*SERVANT*
AUTHOR & FINISHER OF OUR FAITH*
THE ALMIGHTY EVERLASTING FATHER*
SHILOH*LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH*
I AM*KING OF KINGS *PRINCE OF PEACE*
BRIDEGROOM*ONLY BEGOTTEN SON*
WONDERFUL COUNSELOR*IMMANUEL*
SON OF MAN*DAYSPRING*THE AMEN*
KING OF THE JEWS*PROPHET*
REDEEMER*ANCHOR*
BRIGHT MORNING STAR*
THE WAY, THE TRUTH & THE LIFE*
JESUS CHRIST
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Birthdays
I'm so glad God created birthdays. I mean without them, you wouldn't have been born!! So you should be thankful too. I just don't understand why people get depressed about their birthdays. What's to get depressed about? Your one day of the year that it's all about you, and nobody minds. Some get mad cause their older........well, yeah you are older, but guess what the alternative is?? Not that the alternative would be so bad if you're going to heaven, but you know what I mean?? I say, embrace birthdays! God invented them...people even had parties in the Bible....so those of you who don't like birthdays, well I just say "fooey on you, you don't know what your missing." And by the way, when I die, I want a "Birthday Party" Funeral. I am not even kidding here. Just so all my friends and family know, when I die, throw a stinking HUGE Birthday party. Bring lots of presents for Kids. I don't want any flowers except one bouquet of Yellow Roses. In lieu of flowers, I want birthday presents. Then I want you to take them to a children's home or Boys Ranch or somewhere where kids can enjoy them, then go eat cake. After all, when I die, it will be my Birthday into heaven. And that, will be ONE HECK of a glorious birthday! So thank you all for making my day special today. And just remember.....only 365 more days!!!
Psalm 145:6-7 6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
Psalm 145:6-7 6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Call and He will answer.
I was cleaning out my garage on Saturday and my aunt and uncle came over to get a few things. Now my uncle and I just have this bond. It's kind of unspoken, but it's there. I have been praying for him to have a personal relationship with Christ for years. So have many others in our family. Well, this past year, He came to Christ and has fully surrendered to make Him Lord of his life and it's so awesome! Anyway, Doug told me he had to tell me something. And it was just for me. A message He felt God wanted me to know. The message was, "You have fought the good fight, you have finished this race, now turn it over to me and leave it in my hands." When I heard those words, I just started crying. You see, he didn't know the significance, but I immediately did.
First of all, I had been praying for weeks, seeking God and hoping I had made the right decisions. Secondly, for it to come from my uncle made it even more special. To see God speaking to him and his humbleness about hearing from him was a touching moment. Thirdly, if you go to my blog on Oct. 28-"How to-in ministry"--you will see what I wrote on the last few lines and how personal God is to all of us! I wrote: "I don't know about you, but it is very important to me to faithfully discharge all the duties of the ministry Christ has given me. I want to be able to say, like Paul, I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. But will I be able to?" WOW. God read my blog. He knows my heart and He knew how important this was to me. So He gave the answer to my very special uncle, wrapped it up with love, and sent it to me in a very personal way.
I weep with joy because I want to faithfully discharge all the duties God gives me, and it's like He told me for this past season, I have and it's going to be ok. Turn it over to Him and let Him handle it.(I like to help God, and He's saying "I got this one Nat, let go!" And lastly, I truly believe I can now move on to the next call God has on my life, whatever that may be. It's so hard to let go when I've put so much heart and passion into this past season of ministry. But I am greatly looking forward to what God is going to do next. And I'm ready to start a new race. I've known all along that God hears me but for Him to take the time, in this mass universe of people, to send me a love note in this way, truly brings me to my face in awe and thanks. Thank you God.
Jer. 33:3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know'
Isa. 65:24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
Isa. 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
First of all, I had been praying for weeks, seeking God and hoping I had made the right decisions. Secondly, for it to come from my uncle made it even more special. To see God speaking to him and his humbleness about hearing from him was a touching moment. Thirdly, if you go to my blog on Oct. 28-"How to-in ministry"--you will see what I wrote on the last few lines and how personal God is to all of us! I wrote: "I don't know about you, but it is very important to me to faithfully discharge all the duties of the ministry Christ has given me. I want to be able to say, like Paul, I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. But will I be able to?" WOW. God read my blog. He knows my heart and He knew how important this was to me. So He gave the answer to my very special uncle, wrapped it up with love, and sent it to me in a very personal way.
I weep with joy because I want to faithfully discharge all the duties God gives me, and it's like He told me for this past season, I have and it's going to be ok. Turn it over to Him and let Him handle it.(I like to help God, and He's saying "I got this one Nat, let go!" And lastly, I truly believe I can now move on to the next call God has on my life, whatever that may be. It's so hard to let go when I've put so much heart and passion into this past season of ministry. But I am greatly looking forward to what God is going to do next. And I'm ready to start a new race. I've known all along that God hears me but for Him to take the time, in this mass universe of people, to send me a love note in this way, truly brings me to my face in awe and thanks. Thank you God.
Jer. 33:3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know'
Isa. 65:24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
Isa. 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Change is not a bad word.
Most people see change as a bad thing. I guess it can be. But change can also bring about a new opportunity. Most of you know by now that I have resigned my staff position at the church. However, I have certainly not resigned my calling. I know without a doubt that I am called to serve Him wholeheartedly and minister to women and families. Right now, that continues to be at GOW with the people I love. The Haven class has been an absolute affirmation of the changes He started in my home life earlier this year. With Missy's paralysis, Amanda's cancer scare, me going out of Children's ministry, and LB's layoff possibilities and health issues, it has certainly been a year of change and molding for our family. One thing I know for certain though, God doesn't change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.(Hebrews 13:8) He does, however, change US to make us hopefully more like HIM. Try this: Cross your arms across your chest like you would, for instance, if you were cold. OK, now switch your arms around with the opposite arm on top. See, you can do it! It feels uncomfortable, but you can do it! That's how I have felt. Uncomfortable. Out of my comfort zone with all these changes. But I know with God's help, I can do it. It's been a rough few weeks, and a very difficult year. I prayed yesterday morning and I asked God specifically to give me a verse to get through the day. Something to strengthen me. Well the verse He gave me, wasn't just a verse, it's also a song. More than likely one of the several Psalms our Jesus sang on the way to Calvary. The verse was so clear. This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24. I can promise you as tough as it is, every time I get a little sad with change...I can sing the song....This is the day, this is the day. That the Lord has made, that the Lord has made. I will rejoice, I will rejoice. And be glad in it, and be glad in it. This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day, this is the day....THAT THE LORD HAS MADE!
I want to thank everyone at GOW for allowing me to serve for the last 4 1/2 years. I pray you will pick up your cross, and make it a cross on the move......forming that sideways cross that makes you an X-treme Christ Follower. I believe our time is short, and we must be about His business. Take back your families. Pick up your cross. Follow Him.
I want to thank everyone at GOW for allowing me to serve for the last 4 1/2 years. I pray you will pick up your cross, and make it a cross on the move......forming that sideways cross that makes you an X-treme Christ Follower. I believe our time is short, and we must be about His business. Take back your families. Pick up your cross. Follow Him.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
"How to" in ministry
2 Tim. 4:2-5 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
What a warning we need to heed! Preach the WORD!!!! We must be prepared-(this is called work and study). We must use GREAT patience (easier said, than done). We must use careful instruction(Speaking truth, with love.) We must keep our head in all situations. (Tough one again!) When is the last time I lost my head? Hmm, I think I did pretty good today, but yesterday was a killer!! We must endure hardship. We all have hardship, but how do we ENDURE it? We must do the work of an evangelist. It doesn't say if you are "called" to be an evangelist. It says do it! We must discharge(faithfully perform) ALL the duties of our ministry. Paul was giving Timothy this charge or challenge for his life. Do these things in your ministry, in your life. Why? Because if we aren't teaching sound doctrine, and getting it through to them, they are going to listen to what their itching ears want to hear. Don't our kids try to do that? WE don't want our children, our family, our friends, our co-workers or anyone to turn their ears away, or turn to myths instead of truth!! I wonder if we lead with that resounding gong in their heads (no love)---how many do we turn away? I don't know about you, but it is very important to me to faithfully discharge all the duties of the ministry Christ has given me. I want to be able to say, like Paul, I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. But will I be able to?
What a warning we need to heed! Preach the WORD!!!! We must be prepared-(this is called work and study). We must use GREAT patience (easier said, than done). We must use careful instruction(Speaking truth, with love.) We must keep our head in all situations. (Tough one again!) When is the last time I lost my head? Hmm, I think I did pretty good today, but yesterday was a killer!! We must endure hardship. We all have hardship, but how do we ENDURE it? We must do the work of an evangelist. It doesn't say if you are "called" to be an evangelist. It says do it! We must discharge(faithfully perform) ALL the duties of our ministry. Paul was giving Timothy this charge or challenge for his life. Do these things in your ministry, in your life. Why? Because if we aren't teaching sound doctrine, and getting it through to them, they are going to listen to what their itching ears want to hear. Don't our kids try to do that? WE don't want our children, our family, our friends, our co-workers or anyone to turn their ears away, or turn to myths instead of truth!! I wonder if we lead with that resounding gong in their heads (no love)---how many do we turn away? I don't know about you, but it is very important to me to faithfully discharge all the duties of the ministry Christ has given me. I want to be able to say, like Paul, I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. But will I be able to?
Monday, October 27, 2008
I Will Yet Trust You.
I Will Yet Trust You
The night is falling;
the tempest blows
My mind is swirling,
no one knows.
I can’t deny it,
I just don’t understand-
Why does it have to be this way?
I’m in such a strange land
I’m so lost and afraid
My hope is failing fast
But my trust in you Lord
Is one that will last!
I will yet trust You
I will yet trust you
I’m relying on your love
I’m taking a firm stand in your integrity
There’s no one like you Lord
I believe in your ability!
I will yet trust You.
Please don’t be silent.
Send me your wisdom
I desire to speak with you
About this earthly kingdom
I cry “it’s just not fair’
The bad guys are winning
We’re in such despair
My head won’t quit spinning.
Why all the pain?
Why the suffering and doubt?
There’s no one to turn to
I just want out. I just want out!
I will yet trust You
I will yet trust you
I’m relying on your love
I’m taking a firm stand in your integrity
There’s no one like you Lord
I believe in your ability
I will yet trust You.
Job 13:15
Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him
Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, [
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
The night is falling;
the tempest blows
My mind is swirling,
no one knows.
I can’t deny it,
I just don’t understand-
Why does it have to be this way?
I’m in such a strange land
I’m so lost and afraid
My hope is failing fast
But my trust in you Lord
Is one that will last!
I will yet trust You
I will yet trust you
I’m relying on your love
I’m taking a firm stand in your integrity
There’s no one like you Lord
I believe in your ability!
I will yet trust You.
Please don’t be silent.
Send me your wisdom
I desire to speak with you
About this earthly kingdom
I cry “it’s just not fair’
The bad guys are winning
We’re in such despair
My head won’t quit spinning.
Why all the pain?
Why the suffering and doubt?
There’s no one to turn to
I just want out. I just want out!
I will yet trust You
I will yet trust you
I’m relying on your love
I’m taking a firm stand in your integrity
There’s no one like you Lord
I believe in your ability
I will yet trust You.
Job 13:15
Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him
Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, [
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Understanding
I'm having a very hard time understanding people and even God. Why do people make the choices they do? Why does God make the choices He does? The Bible has over 100 verses on understanding. Job talked about it alot. Maybe both people and God are beyond our understanding. I think for people, it is too easy to get wrapped up in sin. The "feel good" of the moment. One instant, one choice wrongly made, can change the course of forever. I'm not condemning. I'm talking about myself here. I'm certainly guilty. And God.......we can't even begin to fathom or understand His ways. His ways aren't our ways. Isa. 55:8-9 (That's a good thing, I know.) Maybe it boils down to trust. I don't think I will ever understand the meanness of this world. How someone can hurt a child. Kill the unborn. Persecute the innocent. Steal. Kill. Destroy. My understanding blames a lot of on the enemy, yet we all have free will to say no. Yet, even though I don't understand God all the time, I still trust Him. He has never ever let me down. That's why we can't just walk by faith. We must run with trust! Even when we don't understand.
Run With Trust by Natalie Lowe
Scripture ref. Psalm 143:8
I heard it said to walk by faith
Commit all your ways unto Him
But is that enough to face this world?
When everything seems dim…..
Faith is something hoped for
Taking a step in the right direction
But what if we were to run with trust?
From the paths of destruction.
Let the morning bring me word
of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
And I will run…I will run…..with trust.
Run with trust and keep the pace
Don’t give up, just finish the race
Run with trust from all the lies
Run with trust to get the prize.
Jesus…Jesus…help me run with trust.
Day after day, night after night
I wander aimlessly astray
I feel so lost again Lord….do I have this one right?
I want to go your way.
Your love Lord, always protects, and will never fail
It always hopes and perseveres
So if I will just run with trust
You will wipe away these tears
Let the morning bring me word
of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
And I will run…I will run…..with trust.
Run with trust and keep the pace
Don’t give up just finish the race
Run with trust from all the lies
Run with trust to get the prize.
Jesus…Jesus…help me run with trust.
Run With Trust by Natalie Lowe
Scripture ref. Psalm 143:8
I heard it said to walk by faith
Commit all your ways unto Him
But is that enough to face this world?
When everything seems dim…..
Faith is something hoped for
Taking a step in the right direction
But what if we were to run with trust?
From the paths of destruction.
Let the morning bring me word
of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
And I will run…I will run…..with trust.
Run with trust and keep the pace
Don’t give up, just finish the race
Run with trust from all the lies
Run with trust to get the prize.
Jesus…Jesus…help me run with trust.
Day after day, night after night
I wander aimlessly astray
I feel so lost again Lord….do I have this one right?
I want to go your way.
Your love Lord, always protects, and will never fail
It always hopes and perseveres
So if I will just run with trust
You will wipe away these tears
Let the morning bring me word
of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
And I will run…I will run…..with trust.
Run with trust and keep the pace
Don’t give up just finish the race
Run with trust from all the lies
Run with trust to get the prize.
Jesus…Jesus…help me run with trust.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Giving up the right to be right
A very wise lady said to me yesterday, "Sometimes we have to give up the RIGHT to be RIGHT in order to salvage the relationship." In her case, she was talking about her marriage. But that statement was very profound to me. You see, I actually like being right, in my own mind I usually am right, and if I'm not, you'll be the last to know from me. haha. (I'm just being honest here.) Sometimes we can speak truth, and I'm certainly not saying we shouldn't; however, how a person receives that truth is really not our problem. In other words, we may not be the one that needs to convince them. There have been several instances lately, where the truth has been clear in my eyes, but the person I'm trying to speak it to was totally blind to it. (Now I am talking Biblical truth, not Natalie truth.) In 1 Cor. 13, we're told that if we speak without love we are a resounding gong or clanging symbol. Sometimes we get so bent out of shape on just being right, that we are a resounding gong or clanging symbol in the other person's head. Do you really think they are going to hear the truth when we are so caught up in being right? (And, yes I am preaching to myself here.) Eph. 4:15 "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." There is a paradox of grace and truth. Jesus is 100% truth and 100% grace. He loved with a sacrificial love. Therefore, if we want to be like Him, shouldn't we speak with 100% truth, 100% grace, and 200% sacrificial love? That might just mean putting aside our need to be right. hmmmm. that's a tough one.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
His Grace Still Amazes Me
I just am blown away by the grace of God. His grace still amazes me. I don't EVER want to get over His grace. I take it for granted way too often. But then, something happens and God never fails to blow me away yet again. He's always there. Always amazing. Always giving. Always loving. No matter how many times I mess up. There's a song that goes "Your grace still amazes me, Your love is still a mystery,Each day I fall on my knees,Your grace still amazes me. It’s deeper, it’s wider It’s stronger, it’s higher. It’s deeper it’s wider It’s stronger, it’s higher than anything my eyes can see!" Tonight I had an opportunity to go praise God in worship and take communion and feel His grace once again. And every single time I take the bread that was broken just for me, and take a drink from that cup that represents Christ's blood shed just for me.......His amazing grace reigns on my soul again. My question is "have YOU let Christ's grace amaze you lately?" Have you forgotten His grace? Have you felt His mysterious love? Remember, it's deeper, wider, stronger and higher than anything your eyes will ever see. Bask in His grace and let it amaze you once again!!
When Love Came Down
When love came down
And gave birth to a Son
No one really understood
That He was THE ONE.
When love came down
To make a difference
No one really understood
The great significance.
When love came down
And reached out His Hand.
No one really understood
What He would give up for man.
When love came down
And He paid the greatest price
No one really understood
How He could give such a great sacrifice.
When love came down
And was locked three days in a grave
No one really understood
All that He gave.
When love came down
And conquered all sin
No one really understood
That He would rise again!!
When love rose UP
Victory, Sweet Victory
No one really understood
What He did for you and me!
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 John 3:16
Natalie Lowe 10/18/08
And gave birth to a Son
No one really understood
That He was THE ONE.
When love came down
To make a difference
No one really understood
The great significance.
When love came down
And reached out His Hand.
No one really understood
What He would give up for man.
When love came down
And He paid the greatest price
No one really understood
How He could give such a great sacrifice.
When love came down
And was locked three days in a grave
No one really understood
All that He gave.
When love came down
And conquered all sin
No one really understood
That He would rise again!!
When love rose UP
Victory, Sweet Victory
No one really understood
What He did for you and me!
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 John 3:16
Natalie Lowe 10/18/08
Monday, October 13, 2008
Is forgiveness linked to repentance?
I was asked today, "Can there be forgiveness without repentance?" And which one comes first? (This could be like the chicken and the egg.) Hard question. I think it actually may depend on the circumstance. Clearly the Bible ties forgiveness to repentance. Yet, there have been times I have silently offered forgiveness without the offender knowing. I felt God calling me to forgive someone from my childhood, yet I didn't feel it was prudent to offer it to him personally since I hadn't seen him in almost 30 years. My inclination is to think my bitter and unforgiving heart was causing me more harm than good while he was out living his life. It was really more about forgiving the offenses committed so I could move on. It was for MY benefit. So what about someone who is in your life? Can you truly forgive someone if there is not Godly sorrow? And how do we judge the heart? Sometimes, only time will tell. I believe I would rather err on the side of grace, yet especially when one offends repeatedly, that is so hard. But the Bible says 70 times 7(Matt. 18:22) I've been studying and looking up Scripture all evening.
Chuck Colson said this; “But forgiveness is not a blank check. A sinner who is not repentant will not be forgiven by God." Repentance, deriving from the Greek metanoia, means a change of mind(also reversal of decision.) Repentance is not a casual thing. It is not admitting a mistake,---it means being aware of one's sin, being deeply and genuinely sorry and amending one's ways.
In Luke 15, the story of the Prodigal son, The father was filled with compassion and forgave his son, yet if you look in the previous verses the son came with a repentant heart. It said "when he came to his senses." And even though he was repentant and forgiven, he still had consequences for his sin. Just as David did after his sin with Bathsheba. Jesus forgave one thief on the cross who asked, but not the other one who did not repent.
2 Chron 7:14
14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
Charles Spurgeon says "Repentance must go with remission, and you will see that it is so if you think a little upon the matter. It cannot be that pardon of sin should be given to an impenitent sinner; this were to confirm him in his evil ways, and to teach him to think little of evil. If the Lord were to say, "You love sin, and live in it, and you are going on from bad to worse, but, all the same, I forgive you," this were to proclaim a horrible license for iniquity. The foundations of social order would be removed, and moral anarchy would follow. I cannot tell what innumerable mischiefs would certainly occur if you could divide repentance and forgiveness, and pass by the sin while the sinner remained as fond of it as ever.
But, so long as God lives, there can be no promise of mercy to those who continue in their evil ways, and refuse to acknowledge their wrongdoing. Surely no rebel can expect the King to pardon his treason while he remains in open revolt. No one can be so foolish as to imagine that the Judge of all the earth will put away our sins if we refuse to put them away ourselves".
To be forgiven is an immeasurable favor. Why lead someone into the light if he is still blind? If one was forgiven and permitted to live in sin, what would be the use of forgiveness? It would eventually destroy instead of heal. And isn't the purpose of forgiveness to be made whole? Yes, I think in most cases, forgiveness is indeed linked to repentance. I welcome your comments or further verses for this study.
Chuck Colson said this; “But forgiveness is not a blank check. A sinner who is not repentant will not be forgiven by God." Repentance, deriving from the Greek metanoia, means a change of mind(also reversal of decision.) Repentance is not a casual thing. It is not admitting a mistake,---it means being aware of one's sin, being deeply and genuinely sorry and amending one's ways.
In Luke 15, the story of the Prodigal son, The father was filled with compassion and forgave his son, yet if you look in the previous verses the son came with a repentant heart. It said "when he came to his senses." And even though he was repentant and forgiven, he still had consequences for his sin. Just as David did after his sin with Bathsheba. Jesus forgave one thief on the cross who asked, but not the other one who did not repent.
2 Chron 7:14
14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
Charles Spurgeon says "Repentance must go with remission, and you will see that it is so if you think a little upon the matter. It cannot be that pardon of sin should be given to an impenitent sinner; this were to confirm him in his evil ways, and to teach him to think little of evil. If the Lord were to say, "You love sin, and live in it, and you are going on from bad to worse, but, all the same, I forgive you," this were to proclaim a horrible license for iniquity. The foundations of social order would be removed, and moral anarchy would follow. I cannot tell what innumerable mischiefs would certainly occur if you could divide repentance and forgiveness, and pass by the sin while the sinner remained as fond of it as ever.
But, so long as God lives, there can be no promise of mercy to those who continue in their evil ways, and refuse to acknowledge their wrongdoing. Surely no rebel can expect the King to pardon his treason while he remains in open revolt. No one can be so foolish as to imagine that the Judge of all the earth will put away our sins if we refuse to put them away ourselves".
To be forgiven is an immeasurable favor. Why lead someone into the light if he is still blind? If one was forgiven and permitted to live in sin, what would be the use of forgiveness? It would eventually destroy instead of heal. And isn't the purpose of forgiveness to be made whole? Yes, I think in most cases, forgiveness is indeed linked to repentance. I welcome your comments or further verses for this study.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Trampling the Enemy
Give us aid against the enemy,for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory,and he will trample down our enemies. Psalm 108:12-13
Yes Lord, please give us aid against the enemy! For the help of man IS worthless. Sometimes I just want to help God. I want to fix things. I see so many hurting people. The enemy is definitely out to kill, steal and destroy. I am a fixer. I would just be happy helping people and fixing cancers, and marriages, sick babies. There are so many evil things in this old world. Praise God, He will trample down our enemies and one day, one day very soon, the enemy will be trampled for good. And until then, we keep fighting the fight, and running the race, so that WITH GOD, we can gain the victory. May it be so Lord. May it be so.
Yes Lord, please give us aid against the enemy! For the help of man IS worthless. Sometimes I just want to help God. I want to fix things. I see so many hurting people. The enemy is definitely out to kill, steal and destroy. I am a fixer. I would just be happy helping people and fixing cancers, and marriages, sick babies. There are so many evil things in this old world. Praise God, He will trample down our enemies and one day, one day very soon, the enemy will be trampled for good. And until then, we keep fighting the fight, and running the race, so that WITH GOD, we can gain the victory. May it be so Lord. May it be so.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Disappointed
I'm very disappointed in some choices some friends made. I just don't understand sometimes. Then I'm smacked with, "Is that how God feels about us sometimes?" Surely, He must get extremely disappointed. He gave us free will. He lets us make choices. And we must be ready to accept the consequences for those choices. But oh how we must disappoint Him sometimes. The Strong's concordance says it is to blush or be ashamed. You know what's cool though? In Romans 5:5 "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Hope doesn't disappoint. Psalm 22:5 "They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed." Have you ever been disappointed with God? I have. But my disappointment always gets turned around to HOPE; and HOPE in God has never disappointed me. Psalm 25:3 "No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame(disappointed)." Romans 10:11 "As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame(disappointed)." Praise YOU Father!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Thirst
For some reason I've been thinking about when Christ was thirsty on the cross. It's been emblazoned in my mind this week. John 19:28 "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst." Jesus knew that was the last thing He had to do. and in verse 29-30 "A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." I think His thirst went deeper than the physical need for water. With all his strength, with all His being, I believe He was saying "I thirst for you." In many places in the Bible it talks about people thirsting after God. But I believe He thirsts for us more. The dictionary says "the physical condition resulting from this need, in any of various degrees, especially for water; strong or eager desire; craving. Even more than we could ever thirst for Him, He thirsts for us. They gave him vinegar and gall. What are you giving Him?
Friday, October 3, 2008
Married 22 years
This past 22 years have gone by extremely fast. I can't even believe it. Cliche, I know. It's been the absolute best years of my life. Some of the worst times, but the best years. LB is incredible. He won't say so. He is the closest person I've ever met to being like Christ. He loves like Jesus, from the inside out, not the outside in. He's fair. He's real. He's my soul mate and I'm so thankful for him.(Course, he didn't do too bad himself!! haha) Some have asked me, how do we have such a great marriage? I think it's because when you love like Christ loves, it's just different. LB has never ever once, in 22 years, failed to put my needs above his own. I wish I could say the same. I know I try and fail. We don't sweat the small stuff. Life's too short. He has never disrespected me in any way. We've built alot, we've lost alot. In fact, we've almost lost it all due to his health. It's truly been for richer, for poorer. in sickness and in health. But we have a joy that only comes from Christ. My top 3 tips for a marriage. Always put the other person's needs above your own. Never disrespect your spouse. Love like Jesus. Enough said.
Haven
Psalm 107: 29-30
He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
Wit’s End
Ever been at Wit’s End? What are some things that bring us to our wit’s end?? Stressed out? Can’t solve the problem, trying to solve ALL the problems? Do you think God ever get’s to wit’s end? to be very worried or upset because you have tried every possible way to solve a problem but cannot do it.
Things don't always work out the way we want them to, or the way we think they will. Sometimes we don't even see it coming. We get hit with some form of pain out of nowhere leaving us feeling desperate and helpless. But that's the way life is. Still, it makes us wonder how God can let these things happen to us. How God can just stand by and watch us suffer. Where is God when it really hurts? Maybe God is actually closer to us than we think. Maybe it's when we're in these situations, where everything seems to be falling apart, that God gets an opportunity to remind us of how much He really loves us.
A few months ago, God started working on me about a new ladies' class, and after prayer and searching, he led me to this passage. Over the past 4-5 months it has resonated in my mind, over and over again. Psalm 107 was written for people at their wit’s end. In it, there are 4 types of people in distress and it shows how God rescues them
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say this—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south. [a]
4 Some wandered in desert wastelands,
finding no way to a city where they could settle.
5 They were hungry and thirsty,
and their lives ebbed away.
6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.
8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
10 Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God
and despised the counsel of the Most High.
12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom
and broke away their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,
16 for he breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.
17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways
and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
18 They loathed all food
and drew near the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
20 He sent forth his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.
Healing is râphâh
raw-faw', raw-faw'
A primitive root; properly to mend (by stitching), that is, (figuratively) to cure: - cure, (cause to) heal, physician, repair, X thoroughly, make whole. See H7503.
21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.
22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.
23 Others went out on the sea in ships;
they were merchants on the mighty waters.
24 They saw the works of the LORD,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.
25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
that lifted high the waves.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunken men;
they were at their wits' end.
28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.
32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
and praise him in the council of the elders.
33 He turned rivers into a desert,
flowing springs into thirsty ground,
34 and fruitful land into a salt waste,
because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
35 He turned the desert into pools of water
and the parched ground into flowing springs;
36 there he brought the hungry to live,
and they founded a city where they could settle.
37 They sowed fields and planted vineyards
that yielded a fruitful harvest;
38 he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,
and he did not let their herds diminish.
39 Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled
by oppression, calamity and sorrow;
40 he who pours contempt on nobles
made them wander in a trackless waste.
41 But he lifted the needy out of their affliction
and increased their families like flocks.
42 The upright see and rejoice,
but all the wicked shut their mouths.
43 Whoever is wise, let him heed these things
and consider the great love of the LORD.
Go back to verses 4-9 Shows wanderers, homeless lostness, can’t seem to find their way. What about us women? Finding a place to settle is important for us..lives ebbed away. Some lives ebbing away without knowing Christ. (recede, decline)
Verses 10-16 --- Prisoners depressed—in chains—brought them out of the deepest gloom—broke away chains
17-20-affliction because of iniquities—illness from sin—consequences
23-30-Seeking worldy goods, stormed tossed life, calamities wit’s end
Bob Munford tells of a certain Italian harbor that can be reached only by sailing up a narrow channel between dangerous rocks and shoals. Over the years, many ships have wrecked, and navigation is hazardous. To guide the ships safely into port, three lights have been mounted in the harbor on three huge poles. When the three lights are perfectly lined up and seen as one, the ship can safely proceed up the narrow channel. If the pilot sees two or three lights, he knows he’s off course and in danger. Mumford goes on to say that God has also provided three beacons to guide us. The same rules of navigation apply – the three lights must be lined up before it is safe for us to proceed. The three harbor lights of guidance are 1. The Word of God (objective standard) 2. The Holy Spirit (subjective witness) 3. Circumstances (divine providence) Together, notes Mumford, they assure us that the directions we’ve received are from God and will lead us safely along His way.
redeem from Strong's Concordance H3467
ישׁע
yâsha‛
yaw-shah'
A primitive root; properly to be open, wide or free, that is, (by implication) to be safe; causatively to free or succor: - X at all, avenging, defend, deliver (-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save (-iour), get victory.
mâchôz
maw-khoze'
From an unused root meaning to enclose; a harbor (as shut in by the shore): - haven.
He can and will still the storm to a whisper. He will guide you to the refuge, the desired haven. He is the desired haven. If you will let him be!!
He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
Wit’s End
Ever been at Wit’s End? What are some things that bring us to our wit’s end?? Stressed out? Can’t solve the problem, trying to solve ALL the problems? Do you think God ever get’s to wit’s end? to be very worried or upset because you have tried every possible way to solve a problem but cannot do it.
Things don't always work out the way we want them to, or the way we think they will. Sometimes we don't even see it coming. We get hit with some form of pain out of nowhere leaving us feeling desperate and helpless. But that's the way life is. Still, it makes us wonder how God can let these things happen to us. How God can just stand by and watch us suffer. Where is God when it really hurts? Maybe God is actually closer to us than we think. Maybe it's when we're in these situations, where everything seems to be falling apart, that God gets an opportunity to remind us of how much He really loves us.
A few months ago, God started working on me about a new ladies' class, and after prayer and searching, he led me to this passage. Over the past 4-5 months it has resonated in my mind, over and over again. Psalm 107 was written for people at their wit’s end. In it, there are 4 types of people in distress and it shows how God rescues them
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say this—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south. [a]
4 Some wandered in desert wastelands,
finding no way to a city where they could settle.
5 They were hungry and thirsty,
and their lives ebbed away.
6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.
8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
10 Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God
and despised the counsel of the Most High.
12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom
and broke away their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,
16 for he breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.
17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways
and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
18 They loathed all food
and drew near the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
20 He sent forth his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.
Healing is râphâh
raw-faw', raw-faw'
A primitive root; properly to mend (by stitching), that is, (figuratively) to cure: - cure, (cause to) heal, physician, repair, X thoroughly, make whole. See H7503.
21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.
22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.
23 Others went out on the sea in ships;
they were merchants on the mighty waters.
24 They saw the works of the LORD,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.
25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
that lifted high the waves.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunken men;
they were at their wits' end.
28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.
32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
and praise him in the council of the elders.
33 He turned rivers into a desert,
flowing springs into thirsty ground,
34 and fruitful land into a salt waste,
because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
35 He turned the desert into pools of water
and the parched ground into flowing springs;
36 there he brought the hungry to live,
and they founded a city where they could settle.
37 They sowed fields and planted vineyards
that yielded a fruitful harvest;
38 he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,
and he did not let their herds diminish.
39 Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled
by oppression, calamity and sorrow;
40 he who pours contempt on nobles
made them wander in a trackless waste.
41 But he lifted the needy out of their affliction
and increased their families like flocks.
42 The upright see and rejoice,
but all the wicked shut their mouths.
43 Whoever is wise, let him heed these things
and consider the great love of the LORD.
Go back to verses 4-9 Shows wanderers, homeless lostness, can’t seem to find their way. What about us women? Finding a place to settle is important for us..lives ebbed away. Some lives ebbing away without knowing Christ. (recede, decline)
Verses 10-16 --- Prisoners depressed—in chains—brought them out of the deepest gloom—broke away chains
17-20-affliction because of iniquities—illness from sin—consequences
23-30-Seeking worldy goods, stormed tossed life, calamities wit’s end
Bob Munford tells of a certain Italian harbor that can be reached only by sailing up a narrow channel between dangerous rocks and shoals. Over the years, many ships have wrecked, and navigation is hazardous. To guide the ships safely into port, three lights have been mounted in the harbor on three huge poles. When the three lights are perfectly lined up and seen as one, the ship can safely proceed up the narrow channel. If the pilot sees two or three lights, he knows he’s off course and in danger. Mumford goes on to say that God has also provided three beacons to guide us. The same rules of navigation apply – the three lights must be lined up before it is safe for us to proceed. The three harbor lights of guidance are 1. The Word of God (objective standard) 2. The Holy Spirit (subjective witness) 3. Circumstances (divine providence) Together, notes Mumford, they assure us that the directions we’ve received are from God and will lead us safely along His way.
redeem from Strong's Concordance H3467
ישׁע
yâsha‛
yaw-shah'
A primitive root; properly to be open, wide or free, that is, (by implication) to be safe; causatively to free or succor: - X at all, avenging, defend, deliver (-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save (-iour), get victory.
mâchôz
maw-khoze'
From an unused root meaning to enclose; a harbor (as shut in by the shore): - haven.
He can and will still the storm to a whisper. He will guide you to the refuge, the desired haven. He is the desired haven. If you will let him be!!
Paralyzed
Paralyzed
Paralyzed by these fears,
Feeling alone in the dark
Paralyzed with these tears,
No words to impart.
Paralyzed in captivity,
no movement anywhere.
Paralyzed without mobility,
Why so much despair?
Paralyzed and scared,
I don’t know where to turn.
Paralyzed and feeling bare,
my heart begins to burn.
I’m crying out to you Lord
I can’t even pray.
I can’t think anymore and
I don’t have any words to say.
And then an overwhelming feeling
Starts burning deep inside
It’s tingling way down deep
And my heart swells up with pride
Paralyzed by Your Grace
My tears flow again
Paralyzed and on my face
Your Love fills me from within.
Paralyzed by the Prince of Peace
It’s going to be Ok.
Paralyzed, my fears will now cease
It’s the dawn of a new day.
The Lord is my Shepherd
And with one touch of His Hand
He leads me to green pastures
In a peaceful, wonderful land.
Paralyzed by Your love
It is well with my soul!
Paralyzed from above,
The KING is in control!!
by Natalie Lowe April 1, 2008
written after Missy's paralysis
Paralyzed by these fears,
Feeling alone in the dark
Paralyzed with these tears,
No words to impart.
Paralyzed in captivity,
no movement anywhere.
Paralyzed without mobility,
Why so much despair?
Paralyzed and scared,
I don’t know where to turn.
Paralyzed and feeling bare,
my heart begins to burn.
I’m crying out to you Lord
I can’t even pray.
I can’t think anymore and
I don’t have any words to say.
And then an overwhelming feeling
Starts burning deep inside
It’s tingling way down deep
And my heart swells up with pride
Paralyzed by Your Grace
My tears flow again
Paralyzed and on my face
Your Love fills me from within.
Paralyzed by the Prince of Peace
It’s going to be Ok.
Paralyzed, my fears will now cease
It’s the dawn of a new day.
The Lord is my Shepherd
And with one touch of His Hand
He leads me to green pastures
In a peaceful, wonderful land.
Paralyzed by Your love
It is well with my soul!
Paralyzed from above,
The KING is in control!!
by Natalie Lowe April 1, 2008
written after Missy's paralysis
wow-it's been over a year...
I was going to be faithful to blogging. So much for that. What happened? I guess life. It's really been a very wild year. I have been shaken (Thank goodness we will one day receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken-Heb. 12:26-28). In January, Missy became very ill and was paralyzed. I don't have the words to describe what we went through. I can describe God's favor and grace as he carried us during this time. Praise God, she is fully recovered and I will leave that story for another day. In March, Amanda faced major surgery with a cancer scare. Once again, we were turned upside down, and again God carried us. She is great after losing an ovary, fallopian tube, and appendix. In April, I resigned from children's ministry. Another long story that God had been writing for awhile. But as he ended a 10 year era, He has began a new one. He has given me a vision and heart for women and families with a passion that is unexplainable. I want people to know Him. I want them to know who they are in Christ. I want them to fall in love with the Savior and His Word. He has indeed blessed me. Most days, I am overwhelmed with the thought that He would use me at all....
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