Mining for Gold

Thirty Four Years of Marriage!?

noreply@blogger.com (Ministries On Call) — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 16:50:00 +0000

My thoughts today are on marriage. Last month my husband and I celebrated our 34^th wedding anniversary. Being married to the same person for 34 years……WOW!!! That is a lot of breakfasts together, a lot of lunches packed, dinners made, honey-do-lists, and a lot of “clearing the air”, ok arguments. You can really learn a lot about a person when you live with them in an intimate relationship for 34 years.

And yes it is true after that many years you do finish each others sentences, because you have both been on the same wave length for enough years that you know how each others thought process works. My husband and I have had a few laughs over that. We can look at each other and just say one word (often referring to a movie we saw or a song we both enjoyed, or an experience from years past) and know what the other one is referring to. We love it. I told my husband on the morning of our anniversary, (as we were in the kitchen scrounging around for breakfast, me still in my PJ’s looking oh so very early morning-ish, ladies you know what I mean) when I realized what a mess I must look like and on our wedding anniversary; I said to my husband, I sure am glad we get to grow old together. I like being us. He smiled and said he felt the same way.

34 years of marriage doesn't just happen by accident. If we were just going on our feelings, this marriage would have ended long ago. There are good times and not so good times and even really rough times. We don't always agree on things. Sometimes we offend each other. We have two very different personalities, sometimes we want to change the other to fit our own ideals, but that doesn't work. The secret to marriage is commitment, to each other, to the Lord, and to the vows we took when we said "I do, for better or for worse...". We are committed to making this work. That takes communication, hard work, cooperation, compromise, and sometimes putting the other's needs above our own. It also takes a lot of prayer, keeping our commitment would be extremely difficult without the strength and guidance of the Lord. I heard a long time ago that the closer a couple draws to the Lord, the closer they draw to each other. I have found that to be very true. A good marriage is not easy, it takes a lot of work, but it is well worth it.

Here we are in December of 1979.

Thirty four years! So much has changed since then. The sparks that flew when we first were married have died away, but the coals that remain are everlasting……..priceless.

Here is to you my wonderful husband. I thank God for you each day, and look forward to 34 more years with you.

Blessings to each of you who have the privilege, yes the honor of being married.
And…Praise and Honor to You my King Jesus who joined us together.

Pastor Lyn Detjens
Ministries On Call

Am I that guy who buried his talent?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:58:00 +0000

In Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus tells the parable of the talents. You know the story. The master was going to be traveling so he called together three servants and gave them money (talents) to steward for him. To one he gave five, to another two, and to the last he gave one. When the master returned he called the servants to give an account of what they did with their talents. The first two servants doubled their talents, the master was very pleased and gave them more responsibility because they were found faithful with what they were given.

The last servant had buried his talent in the ground, gaining nothing. The master was furious. He took the talent away from the servant and had him cast out into the darkness.

My purpose is not to analyze this parable, that has been done by hundreds or maybe thousands of others. Some time ago I was reading this parable on a day I wasn't feeling particularly confident. (Don't tell me you haven't had some of those days too)! I began to wonder if I was that guy that buried his talent. I don't have up front kinds of talents, I'm not a preacher, teacher, evangelist, organizer, etc. This performance driven world continually tells us that people with more influence and impact are worth more. This particular day I was just questioning whether I was really doing anything for The Lord.

With the Lord's leading I had to take a good look at what my talents and gifts are and asking whether I had been using those talents properly. I have an analytical mind, I have used that to help several people with technology problems. Also, this ministry would not have a website or blog without me. I am kind, gentle, and caring. I have used this by driving the church van to transport elderly and poor people to church for seventeen years. My wife and I have helped many people financially. We have had people live with us for years at a time. We provided housing for strangers coming from out of town for medical treatment. I have had customers tell me I treated them with more kindness/patience/helpfulness than anyone else. I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

I'm not saying any of this to brag. My point is, if you are feeling insignificant, inferior, like a failure or loser; if you question whether you have made any impact on this world at all; ask The Lord to let you see yourself through His eyes. Ask him to show you what talents and gifts He has given you and with His help assess whether you have been a good steward of those gifts. If not, it's never too late to start. Don't worry about being a good steward of gifts He hasn't given you, or completing an assignment He hasn't sent you on. The Lord has made us all different so we could make our own unique contribution to His Kingdom.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 says “It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special”

We often wish we had another person's gifts. Maybe that person wishes they had your gifts, you never know. As they say, the grass is always greener on the other side. It's not an easy task, but we need to trust The Lord that He has given us the gifts we need to accomplish His purpose. If you haven't already, hopefully someday you will be able to look back and see that The Lord knew exactly what He was doing when He made you. Let's just start believing that, even before we see it.

Claude Detjens

Ministries On Call

New Beginnings, New Boundaries part two

noreply@blogger.com (Ministries On Call) — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 23:29:00 +0000

Today I am looking at part two: Establishing new boundaries for new beginnings. Have you ever considered that when you strike out to new territory that you begin to disrupt what has gone on in that territory. You carry the presence of the Lord and you have the ability to shift the atmosphere. As you step foot on the new territory the Lord has given you authority over, a shift begins to take place. Quite often it is not a pleasant one at first; you have to establish your boundaries. You may be challenged by questions such as: “Who are you?” “By whose authority do you do……”

Sound familiar? Isn’t that what Jesus faced while He was in the wilderness….about to break into new territory for you and I?

But lets take a look at Genesis 26:12-33 Abraham, the leader of the clan was dead. Isaac his son now took his rightful place as the leader. No small feat. Can you imagine stepping into Abraham’s shoes? Even though Isaac was well known by everyone, and had been trained to lead this great number of people, he always had his dad there by his side for help and support. Now Abraham was dead and the full weight of leadership rested on Isaac’s shoulders. From a young age we see evidence that Isaac placed his trust in Jehovah, so even though his earthly daddy was gone, his heavenly Father was still by his side. From verses 12-14 we can see the favor of Jehovah was on Isaac.

“Gen 26:12 Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. And the LORD blessed him,
Gen 26:13 and the man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy;
Gen 26:14 for he had possessions of flocks and herds and a great household, so that the Philistines envied him.

The favor the Jehovah caused stirring of jealousy/envy among their enemies. That in itself is a huge matter to ponder. How much of the Lord’s favor resting on you is causing envy with your enemies?
Gen 26:15 Now all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines stopped up by filling them with earth.

Gen 26:16 Then Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are too powerful for us.”
Gen 26:17 And Isaac departed from there and camped in the valley of Gerar, and settled there.

And so the battle for boundaries began. As you continue to read through the chapter you find that three times Isaac moved due to strife with the Philistines. Each time the servants of Isaac unstopped the wells of his father Abraham or found new water the herdsman of the Philistines said the water and wells were theirs and would stop up the wells again and move the boundary markers. Three times Isaac tried to end these disputes by moving on to other territory, only to be challenged each time that he did not belong in the land.

Whether you are enlarging your territory or moving into new territory, you will meet with opposition with the enemies in the land, those who claim ownership of what is rightfully yours (through the Cross of Jesus Christ). I am sure it was trying for Isaac to have to move the great number of people who were in his care, not only the people but flocks, herds and all that they owned. They did have the luxury to call a moving company to come and pack them up and move them. Imagine it, all that was involved in moving that great company of people, not once, not twice but three times. Each time the enemy claiming the wells were theirs……wells equal water which equals life.

So Isaac moved and after the third time he found his place. He established his boundaries. We do not have a clear time line as to how long it was between the three moves, but after the third move he had arrived at a place he could establish his boundaries and new beginnings.

Gen 26:22 He moved away from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it; so he named it Rehoboth, for he said, “At last the LORD has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.”
Notice the last sentence: “At last the LORD has made room for us”

Isaac’s faith did not waver; he also made a decree over all the people: “we WILL be fruitful in the land.” And indeed they were. That night the LORD decided to visit Isaac and confirm to him what he had decreed.
Gen 26:24 The LORD appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you, and multiply your descendants, For the sake of My servant Abraham.”

As Isaac trusted in the LORD even in the midst of moving (perhaps for you it may be transition, finding your place), he honored and trusted in the LORD. Now you would think that would be the end of it, just to add, and they lived happily ever after. Not so.

Gen 26:26 Then Abimelech came to him from Gerar with his adviser Ahuzzath and Phicol the commander of his army.
Gen 26:27 Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?”
Gen 26:28 They said, “We see plainly that the LORD has been with you; so we said, ‘Let there now be an oath between us, even between you and us, and let us make a covenant with you,
Gen 26:29 that you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the LORD.’”

The enemy now returns because he sees that he cannot drive Isaac from his land. So now he wants a treaty, or an oath between them so Isaac does not destroy them. Amazing isn’t it? They could see the hand of the Lord on Isaac and his people and knew it would be impossible to defeat them. Don’t you just want to stand up on your chair and give a good victory shout for the Lord? Notice also, the enemy finally states: “You are now the blessed of the LORD.” Yea God! (yelling loudly while standing on a chair)

Gen 26:31 In the morning they arose early and exchanged oaths; then Isaac sent them away and they departed from him in peace.
Gen 26:32 Now it came about on the same day, that Isaac’s servants came in and told him about the well which they had dug, and said to him, “We have found water.”
Gen 26:33 So he called it Shibah; therefore the name of the city is Beersheba to this day.

Isaac had found his place of new beginnings and had established the boundaries that were needed for them. But can we truly attribute the success to Isaac? I believe the true success goes to the LORD He is the one who showed favor to Isaac, who directed and lead him, who sustained him in each days adventures, who gave him wisdom, guidance and council. Yes the glory goes to the Lord, and Isaac was counted faithful in his trust in the Lord.

So as you start out this new year, with your new beginnings may you faithfully follow the LORD in trust as He helps you to establish your new boundaries, and may your enemies come to you and ask for a treaty, as they proclaim that you are fruitful and blessed of the LORD in the land the LORD has given into your hands.

My Journey to Wholeness from Major Depression and Anxiety Disorder

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 03:10:00 +0000

Hi, I'm David and I have been given the honor of contributing to this blog. One of the facets of Ministries On Call is “Restoration for wounded hearts, fractured souls, and brokenness.” I have considerable personal experience in dealing with depression and anxiety. A number of years ago I suffered a major “breakdown” and was diagnosed with major depression and generalized anxiety disorder. I was a mess. Fortunately I had the love of The Lord and a good support system of family and friends, otherwise I am positive I would not be alive today.

The Lord has brought me through a lot of healing and taught me many things. It has been a gradual transformation. I wish I could say I was completely healed, but I can't. I have come a long way, but it is something I have to guard my heart and mind against daily. I have to stay grounded in the Word, talk to the Lord, declare his promises over me, rely on Holy Spirit, and stay connected with my support system. I have to take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ, otherwise my mind takes me in directions I should not go, places that are harmful to me and those who love me.

In this blog I will be sharing my experiences and what I have learned (and still learning) that has helped me through these very difficult times. My sincere hope is that it will be helpful to you or someone you know. If I can help just one person to find wholeness in Christ, this whole journey will have been worth it.

One of the things that helps me is to find encouraging scriptures, personalize them, and declare them aloud. Not surprisingly, most of these scriptures come from the Psalms. With each post to this blog I will include at least one of these scriptures. I leave you with this:

Psalm 91

1 I live in your shelter oh Most High.
    I find rest in your shadow Lord God Almighty.
2 This I declare about you Lord:
You alone are my refuge, my place of safety;
    You are my God, and I trust You.
3 For You will rescue me from every trap
    and protect me from deadly disease.

New Beginnings, New Boundaries Part One

noreply@blogger.com (Ministries On Call) — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 18:44:00 +0000

Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Gen 1:2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.

In the beginning…..have you ever paused to consider this verse?

Since this is the beginning of 2014 I felt it good to reflect on these verses.
As the scripture states, in the beginning there was nothing….a void. That is how things usually are when we start something new.

When I am about to start in a new direction or a deeper dimension of a direction I have been heading, I can identify with these verses. I go deeper than I have ever gone; to me it often feels like plunging into a deep void if I have not been there before. The depths that I have never gone before can feel like a deep dark expanse. But don’t stop there, I find encouragement in verse one: “In the beginning God created”…..God has already created what I will need; He has already laid out the blue print I am about to follow. I also draw encouragement from the last part of verse two: “and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface” The Spirit of God has already been moving over where I am heading, He has already been there, preparing the way for me.

Have you ever stood looking up at the highest diving board at the pool? You know the one that loomed over your head for years, the one that all the “big kids” dive off of. As you stood there looking up at them standing on the edge of what surely felt to you like the highest point in the whole wide world, gulping down the wave of fear and dizziness that washed over you just thinking about what it must be like to be up so high, about to dive into the depth of the pool. You got the picture.

As your strength and skill increases, somehow that long ladder up to the top doesn’t seem so frightening, more like an invitation to a greater adventure. Then by the end of summer you just know you’re ready to climb that ladder, so up you go, one step at a time moving faster the higher you go, filled with the trill and excitement of what you are about to do. At last you’re standing on the edge of the highest diving board in what seemed liked like the highest point in the world. There you are no longer that skinny scared kid staring up at someone else, you’re the one up there. Looking down you see another kid looking up at you, mouth gapping open, staring at you in wonder, awe and amazement. You look down at him, knowing full well what he’s going through, and then you find yourself giving him a big grin of encouragement and thumbs up. Then with little thought you do it, you execute that perfect dive into the clear cool water below; just as you break the water thrills of excitement burst through every nerve in your body while your heart screams….I did it! I did it!!

That’s what it’s like, branching out, going into new depths, and new adventures with the Lord of Glory. When you first see up ahead what you are going to do you’re the skinny kid looking up at the high board, but as you walk with the Lord in His training and strengthening you find you are ready to advance, to go forward into the new beginnings He has for you, ready to establish the new boundaries. This is your year for new beginnings, establishing new boundaries. I speak blessings of peace to you, He knows you, He loves you, and He prepares the way for you, strengthening, equipping and preparing you to accomplish all He will bring you to. And best of all, He is right there with you every step of the way. Encouraging, leading, directing, loving, laughing and teaching you that there is JOY in His journey.

Blessings to you in your new adventures with the Lord of Glory
Pastor Lyn Detjens

Ministries On Call

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Ministries On Call) — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 16:50:00 +0000

As the clocks ticked toward midnight last night many counted down to bid good-bye to 2013 and welcome in 2014.

Did you make New Year resolutions? Things you would like to do differently in this New Year? Did you make new commitments to the Lord Jesus Christ, things you laid down, or things you picked up for the New Year?

I just recently read The Apostolic Ministry by Rick Joyner. It is a great book and one that I recommend. There is a section titled “Are We True Disciples?” After reading that particular section I once again took stock of my walk with Christ. In this section Rick directs the reader’s attention to the following verses from Scripture:
“And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23
“So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all of his own possessions” Luke 14:33
“For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.” II Corinthians 5:14-15
“Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, “Lord, Lord” did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” Matthew 7:21-23

On page 65 Rick writes:
“When Jesus called His disciples it was for total commitment – they had to be willing to leave everything to follow Him. So do we. Nothing less than this is a true discipleship.”

As I looked over the end of 2013 and looked toward 2014 I considered the above Scriptures and the words Rick wrote. I asked myself how much of my “all” was I giving to My Lord, who left His all and gave His all for me. With a humble heart I once again bowed my heart and gave my all to Him.
How did you enter your new year?

I pray blessing for all of you, and that in 2014 you will walk in greater knowledge of the love of the Lord and that His love will control you (II Corinthians 14) and all you do in this New Year.

Blessings,
Pastor Lyn Detjens
Ministries On Call

noreply@blogger.com (Ministries On Call) — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 23:21:00 +0000

What Does Christmas Mean To You?

There is a song by the Stattler Brothers titled That’s What Christmas is to Me.
Throughout the song each vocalist tells about an aspect of Christmas that has meaning to them. Did you ever have a song that sort of sticks in your head for some reason? Well, that is what this song has been doing for me. So I have taken pause and thought about the question of this song, “What does Christmas mean to me?”

Only once in Scripture does it mention that Jesus birth was celebrated, that special night when the angels announced His birth, and what a celebration that must have been. Other than that, there is no mention in the Scriptures that Jesus or anyone else celebrated His birth from that time on. Yet the season we choose to celebrate Jesus birth is one that we look forward to throughout the year.

Some would say that the stores cash in on this time of year and Christmas has gotten too commercial. Perhaps true, but if it was not for us the consumer, would it still be true?

Then there are the trees and the lights and the decorations; as wide and varied as the individual imagination. Again, some may say, “too much glitter and glitz” cheapens the sanctity of the season. But how brightly those lights and decorations shine in the darkness and how it delights young and old as we journey out to look at them.

And let us not forget the food; all the stops are pulled out as tables are laden with a wide variety of goodies, sweets and treats to tempt even the most faithful dieter. The stories, the past memories, the joy and laughter as friends and families share together over those laden tables that draws us closer together.
Then there are the gifts, searching for that perfect gift for Aunt Suzy and Great Grandma Jo, and little Jimmy wanted this and Molly has been such a good girl this year and she has really been hoping for that special doll that does so many wonderful things…… Trying to do the impossible; fill everyone’s wish list while not driving your expense account into a debt that will take you until next Christmas to pay off. Whew………. Talk about stress!!! But seeing the faces of each one as they unwrap the gift you searched store after store for, brings joy and contentment to you.

Yes, Christmas season can look like commercialism, glitz and glitter, an abundance of food, and lots and lots of money being spent. But take a closer look inside each heart, and what will you find? What did you find in your heart this season? I pray that it was filled with thanksgiving and praise to Jesus, as you JOYFULLY celebrated this wonderful season of Christ’s Birth. In whatever way or manner you celebrate may the love and joy you feel towards HIM flow out to each other and touch those who have yet to be touched by HIS great love.

Yes, Jesus is the reason for our season of Celebration, how you celebrate is up to you and your creativity. Love Him with ALL of who you are and LOVE each other with that same love.

Merry Christmas From all of us at Ministries On Call.

Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Ministries On Call) — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 03:26:00 +0000

A time to celebrate with family and friends, a time to reflect on the goodness of our Lord.
My husband and I reflected over the past few years and all that has transpired in our lives. As we recounted each previous years events, the trials and at time tumultuous storms, we also rejoiced in the gracious hand of our loving God who has led us safely through life’s storms into safe harbors, who continues to meet our needs, who continues to keep us in the safety of His loving hand, when we have faltered, when our faith has become weak, He has remained faithful still. We are indeed blessed.

In the days we live, days of challenges, it is so easy to look only at the trials we face instead of focusing on the great victories our Heavenly Father takes us through. Yes, we do face hardships and often on every side, however we are not as those who have no hope, for our answers are not in this world, our hope is not in our economic system, but our hope is in the Lord, our fulfillment is in Him. He hears our every cry, and meets our every need.

Release your heart to His gentle loving touch, allow His kindness to wash over you. Cry out to Him, He is near to you. His longs to comfort you. Let us give thanks to the Lord, for He truly is good.

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