Dear Friend:
Recently I was sitting at a funeral service and the pastor said every time he does a service he is overjoyed when he recites the words “heaven and earth are filled with your glory.”
GLORY=Bright Light around the head of a saint.
He is overjoyed because he knows he is worshiping his holy God here on earth and as he worships he feels a resounding union with heaven where all of the departed are simultaneously worshiping in the presence of God.
Pause and say these words “holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty” and picture heaven singing those words with you?
I chose to picture my mom who is absent from the body and home with the Lord and in unity we are worshipping the one we love, our Father in heaven.
When my friend died recently l called a mutual friend who moved away and told him she had passed and his response was “I will miss her but I am happy for her.” Immediately I thought of the scripture in Thessalonians saying “we do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” It is so true! We celebrate life and trust His plan.
The day before my friend died I asked a friend to pray with me and she prayed these words “God if her work is truly done here on earth Lord then let your will be done.” I never thought to pray that. In the funeral service the sister of the deceased said “I was questioning all month is my sisters work done here Lord?” We never know, but it certainly is a comforting prayer that only God knows how to answer.
Pray with me: Father in heaven my time is your hands help me to understand here on earth your glory. I sing praises and thanksgiving to you today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
I Thessalonians 4:13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
Pause, picture heaven singing with you and be a bright light.
Lighting it up!
Elaine
I am a recycler. Anything God teaches me has never been wasted it has always been recycled for God's glory.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
CONQUERING THE TOWER OF TERROR
Dear Friend,
Have you gone on the ride at Disney called The Tower of Terror? I reflect on the time when I was standing in the line, asking myself “why I am I doing this?
I can tell you that I look at the evidence: others went on and got off and didn’t die, faint or get sick! Based on that, I decided I can do this and I have to experience this. Of course, then I have the bragging rights to say “I survived The Tower of Terror.” I actually laughed myself through it.
When the movie The Passion of the Christ was out, while waiting in line, I knew people who chose not to go see it. Looking at the people leaving the theater, I was left anticipating and asking myself “why I am I doing this?” I looked at the evidence: others were leaving the theater in total silence and even crying. In this case I decided I must witness this myself.
As I watched the movie, I was filled with agony as Jesus’ torture went on and on. Only God could survive such torture. Anne Graham Lotz was quoted as saying “many want to say the Romans killed Jesus, the Jews, or the government. But our magnificent Jesus gave up his last breath and refused to breath anymore. He chose to die for us!
Do you know about James, the half brother of Jesus? He did not want part of the adventure of Jesus at first. He refused the evidence and stories. He was his own person. Then James got in line for the ride of his life after he experienced the journey of Jesus’ death. He wanted the challenge. He wrote the powerful book of James in the Bible that teaches us how to live the Christian life.
The Tower of Terror taught me to conquer my fears. The Passion of the Christ brought me the profound truth to embrace Christ and understand what He did for me. James learned the same things and from it, ended up writing with the approach of being very direct with us. If James was living today, I believe his words to us would be: “Slow down, sit down, quiet down, learn, love and live like Jesus Christ.”
Do you avoid facing the challenges James wrote to us about living the Christian life? Why not get in line and confront this challenge and you will experience the exhilarating accomplished feeling I did which was new life with Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me experience more of you in my life as I face everyday challenges.
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8 NIV)
Challenge accepted,
Elaine
Have you gone on the ride at Disney called The Tower of Terror? I reflect on the time when I was standing in the line, asking myself “why I am I doing this?
I can tell you that I look at the evidence: others went on and got off and didn’t die, faint or get sick! Based on that, I decided I can do this and I have to experience this. Of course, then I have the bragging rights to say “I survived The Tower of Terror.” I actually laughed myself through it.
When the movie The Passion of the Christ was out, while waiting in line, I knew people who chose not to go see it. Looking at the people leaving the theater, I was left anticipating and asking myself “why I am I doing this?” I looked at the evidence: others were leaving the theater in total silence and even crying. In this case I decided I must witness this myself.
As I watched the movie, I was filled with agony as Jesus’ torture went on and on. Only God could survive such torture. Anne Graham Lotz was quoted as saying “many want to say the Romans killed Jesus, the Jews, or the government. But our magnificent Jesus gave up his last breath and refused to breath anymore. He chose to die for us!
Do you know about James, the half brother of Jesus? He did not want part of the adventure of Jesus at first. He refused the evidence and stories. He was his own person. Then James got in line for the ride of his life after he experienced the journey of Jesus’ death. He wanted the challenge. He wrote the powerful book of James in the Bible that teaches us how to live the Christian life.
The Tower of Terror taught me to conquer my fears. The Passion of the Christ brought me the profound truth to embrace Christ and understand what He did for me. James learned the same things and from it, ended up writing with the approach of being very direct with us. If James was living today, I believe his words to us would be: “Slow down, sit down, quiet down, learn, love and live like Jesus Christ.”
Do you avoid facing the challenges James wrote to us about living the Christian life? Why not get in line and confront this challenge and you will experience the exhilarating accomplished feeling I did which was new life with Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me experience more of you in my life as I face everyday challenges.
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8 NIV)
Challenge accepted,
Elaine
Friday, January 28, 2011
Monkey Chatter
Matthew 17:5
while he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
Dear Friend:
Picture going to the zoo and visiting the monkeys that are caged, aren’t they always loud and chattering? You can’t think straight. I heard a therapist recently tell a client “You have to stop the monkey chatter in your mind.”The same thing can happen in our minds so we must find a way to block that “monkey chatter.”
We need a buffer to block out any distractions from our circumstances, electronics and busyness.
Jesus took Peter, James and John up high on a mountain to be alone. Jesus was getting them away from the monkey chatter. Do you have trouble with the monkey chatter in your head? If yes, maybe you’re asking, what can I do about it?
First we must find a place to be alone. You don’t have to be all alone; in this case Jesus led the four of them to a quiet place.
When we gather to be alone it is essential to pray. Remember you’re in the presence of God and finally be willing to listen. What is holding you back from meeting with God regularly? Monkey chatter can include all the excuses as to why, where and how you will meet with God. Do you have a place? Do you have some people who would meet with you? If not, who can you think of that would? Start picturing in your mind your place, time and with whom you will meet.
You know if you have a commute to work maybe right in your car is the place and time. I have a good daily devotional that is less than a minute. I can start my car sit, read and then go. As I drive you can put praise music on and think about what you just read. Good praise music talks about God and how wonderful He is and also invites you to be more like Him. Here is a song I love.
http://www.toddballardmusic.com/
Click on #4 Sacredly Holding (listen to them all but I really like #4)
What an experience Peter, James and John had. Don’t you wish you could have been there? I think it would have been awesome! Monkey chatter in our heads can become a bad habit but the good news is its reversible.
Let’s pray: Father help me to find time to be alone with you. In Jesus name. Amen
Stop the Monkey Chatter.
Elaine
Elaine James | Create Your Badge
while he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
Dear Friend:
Picture going to the zoo and visiting the monkeys that are caged, aren’t they always loud and chattering? You can’t think straight. I heard a therapist recently tell a client “You have to stop the monkey chatter in your mind.”The same thing can happen in our minds so we must find a way to block that “monkey chatter.”
We need a buffer to block out any distractions from our circumstances, electronics and busyness.
Jesus took Peter, James and John up high on a mountain to be alone. Jesus was getting them away from the monkey chatter. Do you have trouble with the monkey chatter in your head? If yes, maybe you’re asking, what can I do about it?
First we must find a place to be alone. You don’t have to be all alone; in this case Jesus led the four of them to a quiet place.
When we gather to be alone it is essential to pray. Remember you’re in the presence of God and finally be willing to listen. What is holding you back from meeting with God regularly? Monkey chatter can include all the excuses as to why, where and how you will meet with God. Do you have a place? Do you have some people who would meet with you? If not, who can you think of that would? Start picturing in your mind your place, time and with whom you will meet.
You know if you have a commute to work maybe right in your car is the place and time. I have a good daily devotional that is less than a minute. I can start my car sit, read and then go. As I drive you can put praise music on and think about what you just read. Good praise music talks about God and how wonderful He is and also invites you to be more like Him. Here is a song I love.
http://www.toddballardmusic.com/
Click on #4 Sacredly Holding (listen to them all but I really like #4)
What an experience Peter, James and John had. Don’t you wish you could have been there? I think it would have been awesome! Monkey chatter in our heads can become a bad habit but the good news is its reversible.
Let’s pray: Father help me to find time to be alone with you. In Jesus name. Amen
Stop the Monkey Chatter.
Elaine
Elaine James | Create Your Badge
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Showdown
Dear Friend:
Do you remember ever watching an old western movie when the showdown was about to happen between the good guy and bad guy? Usually before the showdown they agree where they will meet and the time. Then they get their guns ready and put them in their holsters.
I woke up one morning picturing in my mind me and my family getting ready for a showdown with the enemy (satan). We were to meet on a street in an old western town just like the movies show it and meet right in front of the sheriff’s office. As we walked out of our house and headed down the street to the meeting place I spoke out “this is our ammunition we are bringing with us:
His compassions never fail; his mercy is new every morning.”(Paraphrased from Lamentations 3:22-23)
Moving forward my next words was “the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.” (1Peter 1:24b-25 NIV)
Yet more steps led to “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” (1Peter 2:24 NIV)
Steps more “seek first the kingdom and His righteousness and then all things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
Kept walking saying “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12 NIV)
One last verse “repent, then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” (Acts 3:19 NIV)
We were all armed and ready. We won the battle. We were free from worry, anxiety, fears and negative critical thinking. We will continue to claim the victory because of Jesus.
PRAYER: Father in heaven thank you for showing me that we are in a battle but Jesus always wins!
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV)
Free,
Elaine
Do you remember ever watching an old western movie when the showdown was about to happen between the good guy and bad guy? Usually before the showdown they agree where they will meet and the time. Then they get their guns ready and put them in their holsters.
I woke up one morning picturing in my mind me and my family getting ready for a showdown with the enemy (satan). We were to meet on a street in an old western town just like the movies show it and meet right in front of the sheriff’s office. As we walked out of our house and headed down the street to the meeting place I spoke out “this is our ammunition we are bringing with us:
His compassions never fail; his mercy is new every morning.”(Paraphrased from Lamentations 3:22-23)
Moving forward my next words was “the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.” (1Peter 1:24b-25 NIV)
Yet more steps led to “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” (1Peter 2:24 NIV)
Steps more “seek first the kingdom and His righteousness and then all things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
Kept walking saying “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12 NIV)
One last verse “repent, then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” (Acts 3:19 NIV)
We were all armed and ready. We won the battle. We were free from worry, anxiety, fears and negative critical thinking. We will continue to claim the victory because of Jesus.
PRAYER: Father in heaven thank you for showing me that we are in a battle but Jesus always wins!
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV)
Free,
Elaine
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