God Still Works Miracles.

I loved walking along the sea wall.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/awraun/100010260/

Who is God?
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

Who am I?

I just finished reading, "Beautiful Affliction," by Lene Fogelberg. It is a wonderful book of her journey through illness. Although she was always in pain doctors, in her native country of Sweden, couldn't find out what was wrong with her. They told her she had a heart murmmer but it wasn't too bad.

Eventually, Lene finds out what is wrong in the United States, where she and her husband had to move for his job. It is a story of her great courage and her beautiful family. She had prayed in Sweden for help and help was given to her.

This book reminded me of all the times God helped us in moving to different cities. We lived in Kelowna, BC Canada. My daughter Sandy had been laid off her job at the Gas Company. I was babysitting her two boys. Then the company offered her a job up north in Prince George.

Prince George was 9 hours away. None of us had ever been there. But the real problem was my grandsons leaving Kelowna. They were very upset. When Sandy and I were packing boxes, Craig, her older boy, got his plastic sword and attacked the boxes with all his might.

I said to him, "You are sad about moving, aren't you?" He said he was and started crying. I was also sad, actually I felt devestated to lose them. I didn't know how my husband and I could afford to go up and visit very often.

But, God stepped up and worked a miracle. Soon after Sandy left, my husband's company, the same Gas Company, wanted him to work in Prince George about once a month! They would pay for the hotel, gas and eating costs! We were able to go up there many times over the next year she worked there. It was wonderful.

Years later, Sandy was working in Vancouver. The boys were not happy in their after-school daycare. She wanted me to babysit them, but it wasn't possible as far as we knew. God stepped up again. My husband was asked to work in Vancouver temporarily. They payed for a hotel room we found very near the boys' school. We lived there for a year and then the Vancouver office asked my husband to stay.

I wanted an apartment closer to the school and cheaper than the luxury hotel we had been living in. We prayed about it and went looking. In downtown Vancouver, places get snatched up right away so all they have to do is put a sign outside the building. We drove by the school, and there was an apartment for rent directly across the street. We went in, found the landlady and it was ours!

We lived in Vancouver for 5 years and I learned to love it there. I would walk in Stanley Park almost every day. There was the ocean two blocks away and trees and flowers everywhere. We were very happy.

But my daughter, Christine, was having troubles. Her youngest daughter was obsessive/compulsive and Christine needed to work. It was just too hard for the family to live on one income. I told Christine there were no jobs in Kelowna at the Gas co. but we would pray.

As I prayed, I asked God for a sign on what to do. Christine needed me now. I couldn't move away from my husband without being sure he would also eventually move back to Kelowna. So, I asked for a sign, something I had never done before.

That night, I had a dream. I was in an airplane with my mother. We were landing in Kelowna and my mother said, "We're home."  When I woke up, I knew this was the sign from God. Mom and I moved back to Kelowna right away.

Some months later, Dan's company needed workers in Penticton, which is 45 minutes from Kelowna. The company was opening a new section there. Dan applied and got the job. We were so grateful and amazed at how God worked. Within a year we were together again. We have lived in Kelowna ever since.

When I read of how some people are afraid to trust God with their lives, I think of all the good he has done for me and my family. I know his plans for us are good. When bad things happen, I still believe God will bring good out of the situation. I didn't used to believe that, but experience has taught me a lot. If we give our lives to God and let him do whatever he thinks best, we will never regret it.

Do I Bore God?

My first daughter, Sandy.

Who am I?

I was thinking last night, "When we talk to God, doesn't he find it tedious and boring?" I wondered if it was like if I talked with an ant. I'd say, "Well, how's it going?" The ant would say, "I've been busy toting this crumb home. It's taken me three hours. Now I'm going out to look for other crumbs." Huh.

Then I thought, "No, God made us in his image so it wouldn't be like that. It would be more like a parent talking with their child." Then I thought about the years I spent raising my children. Those were happy years.

I loved being with my daughters even when they couldn't say a word. Seeing their first smile, their first step and their happiness with a new toy. Later, when they could talk, I loved the sound of their sweet voices; I could read books to them and teach them the names of animals and how they sounded.  We would laugh over the book about Grover when he would say, "Don't turn the page!" When they could stand on a stool, I made cookies and cakes with them. Sometimes we used the EasyBake Oven; sometimes we used the real oven.

I took them for walks in the woods, taught them to ride a bike and eventually how to drive a car. I was never bored with their company. I wanted to hear all about their day at school. I wanted to see them laugh and enjoy life. I wanted them to tell me all their hopes and dreams.

So, since God is called our Father, I guess it is like that for him. He likes to see us grow, learn and enjoy life with him. Tonight, I told him how much I was enjoying my new books. I told him how I was excited about the new craft I was starting. Of course, I pray for lots of people and for the world, but I'm trying to have real companionship with God now so I'm praying differently, wanting to include him in everything.

Who is God?

He says about those who believe in him, "As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight."  Psalm 16:3

"The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."  Psalm 147:11

"The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives."  Psalm 37:23

"For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights."  
Proverbs 3:12

"For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation."  Psalm 149:4

"Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, Jesus said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."  Mark 6:31

Is That What That Verse Meant?

Who is God?

God is a poet.

The Bible is full of poetry, allegories, songs, images and symbols. This is why there are so many different interpretations of scripture. Take hell, I think the "flames" of hell are not real flames that burn you; I think they represent the mental suffering you go through on Judgement Day when you are shown your sins and why you cannot come to heaven.  Most people would not agree with me, but it doesn't make sense to me why God would burn people's skin and body. What would that prove? What would be the point? Revenge? I don't think so. I think the verse below explains the mental pain of people who are lost.

Jesus said, "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out."  Luke 13:28

A lot of the things Jesus said confused his disciples. He would talk in similies and metaphors and they misunderstood what he meant. I think that happens all the time with Biblical scholars. That's why we have to figure things out between ourselves and God. Ask him to show us what certain verses mean. We can read the scholars; but we can question if they are right.

Who am I?

A little confused. It seems strange to me that God doesn't just come right out and say what he means in a PowerPoint Presentation, holding a pointer and saying, "No, no, you've got that wrong!"

But God says, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:9 I always have to remind myself that God knows what he is doing. We will never understand everything in this life. That's where faith comes in.

One thing about it, it is sure fun to finally have an epiphany about something in the Bible. I really enjoy that but then feel upset I didn't see it before. Like I just heard a sermon on the verse, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.” John 19:37 I've always thought that meant the wicked people who crucified him. But the preacher said in the context in the original verse, it means us - the ones who love God. We have pierced him with our sins. We have caused him pain and we will mourn for him.

"Look, he is coming with the clouds," and "every eye will see him, even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth "will mourn because of him." So shall it be! Amen. Rev, 1L7

"They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died." Zechariah 12:10

To be honest, I don't know if that guy is right. I'll have to study some on it. I don't think it is vital to know the answer to this, but it just shows how interpretations can be wrong and can skew what God meant to say.

I think the whole arguement about creation and evolution can be explained. The earth as an orb in space was here for billions of years, like the rest of the universe. God created it long ago. He decided to populate a world, came here and did that 6,000 years ago. The trinity moved on the "face of the waters." Water was alread here. "The dry land appeared." It was under the water. 

I didn't know other people believed as I do about creation until I researched it. I'm an "old earth" believer! People who think God created this entire world 6,000 years ago are, "young earth" believers. Huh, I never knew that. Apparently, there are many ways Christians believe God created the earth. I think C.S. Lewis believed God used evolution.

I used to think it was awful there were so many denominations of Christianity. But then I thought maybe it was a good thing because then people can find a church they feel at home in. I don't know. It is pretty crazy we can't agree on some of the simplest things in the Bible. I actually think this shows how stupid we all are.

So, what was the point of this post? Study for yourself. Ask God to show you what the Bible means. Don't take a preacher's word for what the Bible says or what God is like. Search with all your heart and you will find out by yourself.

"Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."  Acts 17:11

Help!

Who am I?

A tired, sick old woman.

I'm sitting here on a Monday night feeling blue. I open my email and read something from Guideposts. This is the verse for today:

“Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NIV)

I know that this verse is the answer for feeling blue. "Give thanks in every situation..." it says. So I say to the Lord, "You know my situation. It looks like my husband may have skin cancer on top of the carcinoid tumors he already has.  My mother is losing her short-term memory rapidly. I am sick with fibromyalgia and have to rest off and on all day. But you are the God of the universe and you are with me." As always, telling God about these things feels good; but what feels better is knowing God is on my side and will help me through this time in my life. 

I was thinking today, "What if I'm too sick to look after my mother? What if I'm too sick to look after my husband? What will we all do? My oldest daughter lives here, but she just got a new job. She has a husband and two stepchildren and an adult son. I'm not going to ask her to help. 

The only thing to do is live one day at a time and pray for strength. Jesus said, "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."  I'm sure each day will bring with it a solution. I can be sure because I've seen God do it before. 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6,7

Who is God?

Someone who has promised to help us.

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

"We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield."  Psalm 33:20

"My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!"  Psalm 121:2

Seek Me.

Who is God?

Someone who wants you to seek him.

Someone who is seeking you.

Jesus said, "For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."  Luke 19:20

The subject of us seeking God is all through the Bible. God seeks for us through the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts, trying to draw us all to God. Man then must seek for God, but not in a half-hearted way. We must eventually put God first in our lives, so we must seek to understand and know him as much as we are able. If we don't, he will just be on the periphery of our lives. We need him much more than that.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."   Matthew 13:45

"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."  Jeremiah 29:13

"But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul."  Deut. 4:29

My son, if you accept my words

and store up my commands within you,

turning your ear to wisdom

and applying your heart to understanding—

indeed, if you call out for insight

and cry aloud for understanding,

and if you look for it as for silver

and search for it as for hidden treasure,

then you will understand the fear of the Lord

and find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2:1-5

Who am I?

Someone who has sought for God my whole life and has found him. The best thing I've ever done.

A Time for Tears and Joy.

Photo by Laitche

Who is God?

He is the creator of time and space.

"There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
To every thing there is a season,.... A set determined time, when everything shall come into being, how long it shall continue, and in what circumstances; all things that have been, are, or shall be, were foreordained by God, and he has determined the times before appointed for their being, duration, and end; which times and seasons he has in his own power: there was a determined time for the whole universe, and for all persons and things in it; a settled fixed moment for the world to come into being; for it did not exist from everlasting, nor of itself, nor was formed by the fortuitous concourse of atoms, but by the wisdom and power of God; nor could it exist sooner or later than it did; it appeared when it was the will of God it should; in the beginning he created it, and he has fixed the time of its duration and end; for it shall not continue always, but have an end, which when it will be, he only knows: so there is a determined time for the rise, height, and declension of states and kingdoms in it; as of lesser ones, so of the four great monarchies; and for all the distinct periods and ages of the world; and for each of the seasons of the year throughout all ages; for the state of the church in it, whether in suffering or flourishing circumstances; for the treading down of the holy city; for the prophesying, slaying, and rising of the witnesses; for the reign and ruin of antichrist; for the reign of Christ on earth, and for his second coming to judgment, though of that day and hour knows no man: and as there is a set time in the counsels and providence of God for these more important events, so for every thing of a lesser nature...

Who am I?

A grandma who lost her dear grandson. But I trust God's timing and purpose in his death. Today is his birthday, a time we miss him very much, although Christmas and Thanksgiving are the hardest. But something wonderful happened yesterday that made this day happy for me.

Craig's brother, Jordan, asked his mom to buy him a Bible. He was reading a tiny Bible I had given him many years ago. It was a New Testament and Psalms Bible. He said he heard about a text and wanted to look it up but his little Bible didn't have that book. So he asked why it didn't. Sandy told him he only had half a Bible and then came and got a new Bible from me and gave it to him. I am so full of joy right now! I was thanking God over and over, because I didn't know if Jordan would ever be interested in knowing God or not.

Jordan loved his brother so much. I think perhaps Craig's death has lead him to search for God because he wants very much to see his brother again. This is how God brings beauty out of ashes! "Oh Lord, I do pray they will see each other again and be together with you forever in heaven."

When I heard about Jordan, I remembered the praise Mary gave God when she was visiting her cousin Elizabeth. I looked it up and the words describe how I feel today.

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever,

just as he promised our ancestors.”

Luke 1 :46-55

God Can Bring Good Out of Evil.

Who is God?

A person who can take something cruel, ugly and broken and make it into something beautiful.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:28

This is not easy to believe when something horrible happens to us or a loved one. But I believe it, because I have seen it happen in my own family and in the Bible.

Joseph was sold by his brothers to be a slave in Egypt. Looking at that, can you see how any good could come out of a terrible betrayal by your own brothers?  Then he was accused falsely of rape and thrown in jail. How could any good come from that? Joseph didn't deserve these catastrophes, but God allowed them to happen.

Later, when he had become a ruler in Egypt he said to his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people."  Genesis 50:20

Both Jesus and Paul said to rejoice in trials. "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about endurance; And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."  Romans 5:3-5

I used to read this and think, "Who cares about endurance? Just get me out of here!" I didn't care about strength of character either. But apparently God does and who am I to argue? He did bring me through all this to a place of hope and peace.

Who am I?

I'm someone who was abused by my father and because of that have had many emotional or mental problems and suffering. It didn't really hit me until I was 45, but when it did, I spiraled down into despair. I could not rejoice in this suffering; I just wanted to die.

Now, after years of reading books on suffering, I can see how it drives us to God for help. If our lives were wonderful and almost perfect, I doubt many of us would ever think of God. God uses the suffering in this world to draw people to him. He doesn't cause it, but he can turn it into something beautiful. The suffering and death of little children is indeed horrible; but we can take heart, knowing all children will be saved and live with Jesus forever. 

My father's family was full of abusers. His two brothers and one of his sisters abused their children. I used to say, "I come from a cursed family."  And perhaps that was true, but what is interesting is that most of the children from this crazy family are Christians. The pain pushed us all to God. Out of the four sisters and one brother, all but one are Christians. It is amazing. My brother died at 22, but the last article he wrote for a Christian newsletter was about how he was ready to die and meet Jesus.

I also had two cousins who comitted suicide. But God knows what happened to them as children and I'm sure they will be raised at the last day.

My grandson died four years ago. I can't believe it was that long ago. He was 21. After the initial shock, I knew God had taken him to save his soul. Craig was in trouble from the time he was 15. By 21, he was in trouble with the law quite a few times and on drugs. His father had died of an overdose. Anyway, he was starting to pray and talking about God. He wanted to go to schools and tell the kids not to do drugs; only, he couldn't stop himself. Then one night he drank too much and died in his sleep. Our hearts were broken, but we all believe God was mericiful to Craig and to the family in taking him. His heart was with God, he just didn't have the strength to live in this world. At least that's what I think. My daughter told me God told her Craig could not give up his addictions. Those addictions made him dangerous. I am glad he died peacefully and I know God has forgiven him and will raise him up when Jesus returns.

Well, this is a super-long post. But it seemed like I couldn't leave anything out. Suffering is the biggest question about God and many refuse to come to him because of it. I was angry at God for years, so I know what that is like. But believe me, that road leads nowhere.