Xtreme Grace

A Heavenly Messenger

2009-09-29T19:27:00.007-05:00

I got a call on Saturday from a friend. She was kind of freaking out, in an excited, and happy way....Here's how the story goes. She told me she was out watering her grass. She lives in the apts at the church and many homeless people walk by each day. As she was watering, she said an old homeless looking man with a beard came walking by. He suddenly stopped, looked straight at her in her eyes, laid something down on the porch and continued on his way. Well, my friend is obsessive about trash and was wondering what in the world kind of trash he laid down. She turned off the water and walked over to pick up the item. She said he was still walking on his way, now by the tree out front. She picked up the item, looked at it, then looked up to the man and he was gone!! He flat out disappeared. She looked everywhere for him and he had vanished. The item she picked up was a little round disk-looking piece of wood with the words, "Let go, let God."

Now, I don't know if you believe in angels or heavenly messengers, but I certainly do. There are many Scriptures that support it and it is very Biblical. The verse that immediately came to my mind was, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2. My friend has been through a rough road and this is definitely a message she needed to hear. Although it was so hard to grasp that she had a personal messenger sent from God, in what I believe, was a message to her but to her friends and church and possibly you as well. But wait, there's more!!

On Sunday morning, she sought out a friend to discuss this matter with and see what God may be trying to tell her. Confirmation. And as these friends talked to her, encouraged her and affirmed their belief also that she had been visited by a heavenly messenger, I was in the sanctuary praying. I prayed for our church, for our service, for our pastor and I prayed for a salvation. One salvation today Lord, we want to see your glory! Little did I know that as they were talking, they were leading my friend to Christ. Two years ago, when I first met her, I put some mustard seed in her palms after she told me she didn't have faith and she didn't think God liked her very much. I said, "God says you only have to have faith the size of a mustard seed to move mountains. May this be the beginning of your faith." This past Sunday, God grew the mustard seed into a tree. She doesn't just know there is a God. She KNOWS God. And the biggest message of all came from a little piece of wood sent by an angel. "Let go, let God." My friend's name is Teri Wadsworth and I share this story with her blessing and permission. Thank you Teri, for reminding us all to let go and let God. He leads, we follow. Praise the Lord!

Daniel

2009-07-30T22:23:00.001-05:00

As I went to teach my morning class today, I parked and was getting ready to get out of the car when a long-haired man came up to my window. He asked me if I knew what time they gave out groceries. He was wearing a Marine cap and obviously a Vet. Well, today wasn't grocery day, so I asked him what he needed. He told me he just needed some groceries and had ridden the bus across town to get some. I started making phone calls and made arrangements for him to ride the bus to my church and get some food, but something in his face said, more than anything, he needed to know someone cared. By this time, one of the volunteers had arrived and she gave him some change and some snacks out of her car. I got out and gave him directions to the church and asked him if he was ok. I gave him a few dollars for bus fare. We talked for a little bit and he got very teary-eyed, which made me teary-eyed. I asked him if he knew my best friend Jesus, and he said he did. I asked him if I could have the privilege of praying for him, and he said yes. So there in the parking lot of a little church in Eastridge, we held hands and prayed. When finished, he had tears streaming by then and reached out to give me hug. By this time, most of the refugees had arrived and were surrounding us in the parking lot. I don't know what they were thinking. All I know is, I felt a little closer to my Jesus while entering the Throne Room in a beat- up parking lot. Daniel, I pray you have had a hot meal tonight and a decent place to lay your head. And I continue to pray that you really do know my Jesus and you know how much He loves you. And I thank my heavenly father for letting me entertain a stranger today.
Hebrews 13
1Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Trusting in Prayer

2009-06-02T07:50:00.000-05:00

Trusting in Prayer:

I hope you are at least able to see the beautiful way God listens to us and allows us the privilege of conversing with Him. He could have been a God that didn’t want us to communicate with Him, and instead He says, “Jer. 33:3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Here is the link to the full story, if you would like to read it. http://natalielowe.blogspot.com/2008/11/call-and-he-will-answer.html God is so amazing!! One of the biggest struggles I believe we all have with prayer is, why? Why isn’t someone healed? Why do bad things happen to good people? I don’t know all the answers to this, but one thing I do know, “…… I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” 2 Tim 1:12. I know that as humans we are going to go through good times and bad times. But when you put them on the scales of life and you weigh “going through it with God” or “going through it without God” there is no comparison. Better is One Day in His Courts than thousands elsewhere! You can go to your knees in confidence that 100% of your prayers will be answered if you can accept the fact that sometimes the answer will be “no.” Name me one person in the Bible who did great things for God who didn’t have heartache, illness, or persecution of some sort? If anyone deserved an answered prayer and a miracle it was John the Baptist, yet he was beheaded. Stephen was martyred, the apostles were persecuted. Our very own Savior cried out in the garden, ”Father if it is possible, take this cup from me. Yet not my will but yours.” God’s answer was no. He told Jesus no. Not because He didn’t love him, but because He knew the ending. He knew that if He answered Jesus’ prayer, the rest of the world would be lost. Another example of bad, horrible thing that happened to the perfect person. How can we expect Him to answer our prayers any differently than He answered his one and only Son? He knows the ending. He knows why things need to happen the way they do, and we have to trust that one day, one day, we will have the an understanding of the why’s. Until that day, as Job said, “Yet will I trust Him.” I pray you will keep calling on Him and trusting Him. For the answered prayers, and the unanswered ones. For the yes’s and the no’s. If Jesus wanted and needed to pray, how much more should we want and need it? Our alters should be full every Sunday, we should all (myself included) be at that alter every week when Pastor Randy gives us the opportunity. Why do we waste it? As believers, we should lead the way for those who might not step out unless we do. Even if we ourselves don’t have anything urgent to pray about, we then should have thanksgiving and praise to give. And prayers for others to offer. My dream and vision for our church, is to every week see our alters so full of people on their knees and on our faces, that we have to use the front pews as alters also. That we won’t care who sees us, we won’t care what others think, but our knees will be worn out for our people, our community, and world. OK, if you have really made it to the end of this rant……thanks for letting me spew!! I guess I have some of that preacher stuff still in me!! Haha! I love you all and I count it a privilege to serve alongside you and minister at our church. God bless you!

“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than being alive without breathing.” Martin Luther

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.

Excellence vs Perfection

2009-03-27T20:25:00.004-05:00

This week at Haven we studied Excellence vs Perfection. I have to confess, I had my toes stepped on a lot! I'm an all or nothing kind of person, which can be a good thing and a bad thing. Perfectionist tendencies means that I tend to make myself neurotic in getting it right, or not doing it all. But what does God say? Does He expect perfection from us?

Actually, God expects excellence from us. He knows we aren't perfect. That's way He sent Jesus to us. Jesus was the only perfect one. We are wasting our time when we are seeking perfection or asking our children to be perfect. We will not attain! But we can certainly strive for excellence and He expects us too. Michael J Fox said, "I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; Perfection is God's business." Edwin Bliss once said, "The pursuit of excellence is gratifying and healthy. The pursuit of perfection is frustrating, neurotic, and a terrible waste of time."

Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way. How on earth do we do that? This strikes me as a perfect parallel for living through grace, as opposed to the law. No one could keep the perfect letter of the law. Perfection is legalistic. Excellence is striving to be better than what you already are. When you strive for perfection, You will always be miserable because that’s a standard that you will never achieve. But when you strive for excellence, you will stay motivated because you just have to grow as a person and become better than what you are. How can we do that? Phil. 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." also 1 Cor 12:31 "But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way." The most Excellent Way = LOVE! If you will notice, when He explains excellence, he goes right into the famous love chapter 1 Cor 13. We can't do anything of excellence without putting love into it! I encourage you to go read that chapter!

Henry Kissinger, in his book The Whitehouse Years, tells of a Harvard professor who had given an assignment and now was collecting the papers. He handed them back the next day and at the bottom of one was written, "Is this the best you can do?" The student thought, "no," and redid the paper. It was handed in again, and received the same comment. This went on ten times, till finally the student said, "Yes, this is the best I can do." The professor replied, "Fine, now I'll read it." What if God did that? What if every time we did something, He asked us, is this the best you can do? That's what He wants from us. Our Best! And He deserves it, after all, He gave us His best.

What kind of things keep us from excellence? Cynthia Heald lists these 7 things that keep us from achieving excellence:
Unconfessed Sin- Psalm 32:3-5; Anger-Eph 4:26; An unforgiving spirit-Eph 4:32; Self-centeredness-Phil 2:3-4; Anxiety-Phil. 4:6-7;. Neglecting responsibilities-Pro 31:27; Fatigue Psalm 127:1-2 Physical Disorders-2Cor 12:7-10

I found this on the internet and the author is unknown. I wish I knew who wrote it. It's full of wisdom. I pray you will take the journey of excellence, and give up on perfection. He never asked that of us anyway.

Excellence vs. Perfection

_____________________________
Perfection is being right.
Excellence is being willing to be wrong.
_____________________________
Perfection is fear.
Excellence is taking a risk
____________________________
Perfection is anger and frustration.
Excellence is powerful
_____________________________
Perfection is control
Excellence is spontaneous
_____________________________
Perfection is judgment
Excellence is accepting
_____________________________
Perfection is taking
Excellence is giving
_____________________________
Perfection is doubt
Excellence is confidence
_____________________________
Perfection is pressure
Excellence is natural
_____________________________
Perfection is the destination
Excellence is the journey
____________________________
-author unknown

www.natalielowe.blogspot.com

One Thing

2009-03-21T20:44:00.005-05:00

The enemy uses BUSY-ness to make us ineffective for the kingdom. How many times have I been busy in the name of the Lord, and totally ineffective?
One thing, Christ always did, was point to the Father. Always, Always, He was about the Father’s business. Not anything else. He hoped to please His Father. He loved Him that much. I’ve always thought by serving God through the church, and various other activities, I would be pleasing the Father. Yet, if I am not very careful, I can be pulled into an idol. I could spend more time serving, than worshipping. I could spend more time fellowshipping, than praying. I could spend more time fixing my hair and getting ready for church, than having a relationship with the King. I could spend more time driving to the church, than praising My God. I could spend more time eating donuts and drinking coffee, than learning. I could spend more time griping about someone’s outfit; than listening to His Word. Do the things I do, speak or even think, at church or elsewhere always point to the FATHER? Ashamedly, I would have to answer “no.”

The only time I know without a doubt that I am doing the “One thing” is when I’m sitting at my Daddy’s feet. When I’m doing my Bible study. When I’m praising and worshipping my Lord and Savior. When I’m teaching His Word. Most other times, it’s about me. In Luke 10:38-42, 38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

I would like to point out some things that God put in my heart about these verses that you may have missed before……First, we see Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet hearing His words. My Strong’s dictionary says “Hear” is to understand and give audience to. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and gave audience to Him. She understood Him. How often do we hear but we don’t understand? Do you come before Him to sit at His feet, to understand Him, to give audience to Him??? To really HEAR Him?

The Bible says her sister Martha was encumbered(KJV) with much serving. Encumbered is to “drag all around” or “distracted.” What keeps you encumbered? The fight with the kids on the way to church? The bills on the kitchen counter? The deadline at work you were supposed to finish last night? The laundry piled up? The things you need to do when you leave? I don’t know about you, but I’ve been encumbered with much serving. I have been encumbered with the fight with the kids. I have walked in the door on Sunday morning and dragged it around with me and been distracted with it. Distracted enough to not even let God in.

Distracted enough to do little else but complain, which is exactly what Martha did. “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone?” And Jesus replied, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but only ONE THING is needed.” “Natalie, Natalie, you are worried and troubled about many things, but only ONE THING is needed.”

ONE THING means “primary”. Needed means “required, requirement, demanded.” It’s as if Christ is saying, “Natalie you have only one primary requirement. Only one thing I demand of you.” Mary chose the better part and it will not be taken away from her.
Do you see what He is saying? It was her choice!! Mary CHOSE the better part(portion or share!) and because she did, it won’t be taken away from her. Mary CHOSE to get her PORTION or SHARE of Christ and he certainly wasn’t going to take it away from.
Sometimes we get so caught up in doing, we lose site of the better part. We forget to stop and CHOOSE to get our Portion or Share of Christ!! In Psalm 119:57-58 “You are my portion, O Lord, I have promised to obey your words. I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise..”

I have a tendency to become like Martha. I have to make a conscience choice, to be prayed up when I walk in the door. To choose to do my quiet time. To choose the better part. To choose to read my Bible. To choose to lay down the things I’m encumbered with and pick up the garment of praise. If I mess up my priorities. Then my portion is taken away. My portion is my joy and freedom in the Lord to love and serve Him as He wishes not as I wish. Because when I sit at His feet, when I focus on Him, when I do everything around Him, it doesn’t matter what happens.

But when I choose the wrong way, when I become encumbered and then drag it around with me; I drag myself down. I drag others down. And I lose my portion of joy. If I seek His face with all my heart and follow his precepts, by doing the ONE THING, then the enemy won’t be able to steal my joy.
I will be doing the ONE THING. Loving Him with all my heart, my soul, and my mind. Listening to His Word, obeying and keeping Him first and not turning things of this world into idols and distractions that take away from the better part. He doesn’t force us. It’s our choice. Will we choose the better part or continue to be encumbered?? When is the last time you sat at your Daddy’s feet and rightfully chose to drink in your portion? To lay your head in his lap? Are you worried and troubled about many things? Right now, He is saying to you, only one thing is needed. How can we be true servants of Christ, if we forget the One Thing?
“Be still and KNOW that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Is there an area in your life He is telling you to be still and know that He is God?

"One Thing"

Only one thing is needed
Don’t you know by now?
You won’t be defeated
I will show you how.

Just sit at my feet
And lay your head in my lap.
And there we will meet
Don’t let anything distract.

Don’t be upset and don’t you worry
Just be still and know!
Don’t be too busy or in a hurry
Just let our time together grow.

And soon you will understand
The ONE THING is life’s best.
You are my beloved friend
And I want to give you rest.

So hush my child,
Just come to me.
I’m waiting my child
To set you free.

I haven’t moved
I’m still waiting on you.
Haven’t I proved,
I have nothing but the best in store for you?

Choose what is better
It will not be taken away!
Choose what is better
Your heart with mine to stay! By Natalie Lowe 3-9-09

Luke 10:41-42 41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

“_____________________, ______________________”the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed!!!

www.natalielowe.blogspot.com

New Life

2009-02-09T21:08:00.004-06:00

Some good friends had a precious little baby born into this world yesterday. A little early, but doing fabulous. (I believe because of the power of prayer!) But all I kept thinking of was "new life" and how precious it is. Don't even get me started on the abortion issue as those of us who are friends with this family know how important it has been to keep this baby in the womb as long as possible so that he would have a chance at life. But that's not really the topic for these thoughts. A new, unused, perfect life born yesterday. What I started thinking about was that we can have the privilege of having that new life in Christ. We can be made new. A totally new, unused future made new by the blood of Jesus Christ. Just like this perfect little baby. It's so easy, yet we complicate it. We make it hard. But it's only a matter of choice, and Jesus says yes, "you are a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come." 2 Cor. 5:17. Aww... there is nothing more precious than a newborn baby. And I believe, there is nothing more precious to God than one person becoming a new creation or newborn baby in Him. Thank you baby Bryson, for reminding me of this awesome gift.

www.natalielowe.blogspot.com

new job

2009-01-21T20:06:00.003-06:00

Several have asked about my job, so I thought I would give an update. I am at Catholic Family Services and am teaching ESL(English as a Second Language) to incoming refugees. Most speak no English whatsoever. New country, new rules, new life, new everything. I will also be helping with a program called "Student Impact" as a liaison between the schools and refugees to help them with immunizations and any other teacher/school issues that might arise. Most of the refugees are from Burma, Iran, Iraq, Somalia. All that I have met are very eager to learn and try really hard. It has been rather hilarious. Try explaining "embarrass" to someone who doesn't understand a word you say.

There are over 100 Adult students enrolled and new ones every day. I can't tell you how excited I am that God has given me this opportunity. I have always felt called to teach and am so grateful that He is allowing me to continue with my passion. I pray that He will use me to show the love of Christ as I get to know them better. I understand way better now how Kyle and Shasta must feel like "fish out of water" in language school. I can't really "preach" the message to them, so I just pray I will shine with His love, so they will ask. Please pray as well. We are already building a great rapport and it's amazing that a smile, a bow, a thank you, a hug mean the same thing across cultures.

All in all, the happiest thing for me is when I see the "dawn of understanding" in their cute faces. Ahh, the light bulb goes on. That makes any teacher so happy. It's so foreign and strange. I wonder if that's how God feels about us? He must really be happy when we "get it." When the "dawn of understanding" comes over us. He tries and tries to teach us this foreign language of trying to live a life in Him. You know what, the Bible should be our default. It should be our native language. We who are in Him are just aliens in a foreign land. I have a new understanding of that concept.

Eph. 2:18-20 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com

I love the power of prayer...

2009-01-09T18:07:00.003-06:00

I love that when our people have a need, they feel like they can come to our church and friends to pray; and believe that they WILL and ARE praying. I have seen it over an over again at GOW and with my many other friends. That the first thing we do in a crisis is call on our "forever family" to hit their knees. And we know, without a doubt, they will. I love that God must be smiling, knowing that we come to Him in unison together in crisis, in thanksgiving, in sorrow, hurt, in joy of a wedding or thanksgiving over a healing. He is our first and only choice of refuge and haven; and He allows us to come together in unison. Thank you friends for being that kind of friends! I can't tell you the peace it gives me!
Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer
Acts 4:24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.
Rev. 8:4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand.

Thank you Lord, for giving us the privilege of prayer!
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com

New Covenant

2009-01-08T10:03:00.004-06:00

I've written about "new" and "resolved" and now for part 3--New Covenant. Covenants are so much deeper than a resolution. They require promise and a pledge. God has never broken covenant. Because of His great love for us, He chose to become the Passover sacrificial lamb.
In Him, not only can we have a NEW year. (where His compassion's are NEW every morning) Lam 3:22-23
We also have these promises!

• We can have a NEW birth-1 Peter 1:3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
• We are a NEW Creation- 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
• We can put on a NEW attitude and a NEW self-Eph 4:23-24to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
• All of this leads to a NEW life-Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
• One day, we will have a NEW Heaven and a NEW Earth-2 Peter 3:13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
• A NEW Name known only to you and Him-Rev 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
• Sing a New Song-Rev 14:3 And they sang a new song before the throne
• All Things New-Rev 21:4-6 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." 5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." 6He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

Knowing what you know now, how will your resolutions be different? Should they be covenants instead? How will 2009 be NEW for you?
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com

Resolutions?

2008-12-30T22:47:00.003-06:00

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!

NEW

2008-12-29T22:55:00.003-06:00

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

Friends

2008-12-29T22:15:00.003-06:00

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

Twas the Night before Jesus was Born

2008-12-21T13:01:00.002-06:00

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

Baptism of Princesses

2008-12-14T22:47:00.006-06:00

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

Tiko

2008-12-10T22:45:00.004-06:00

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

CHRISTmas Removed

2008-11-29T09:37:00.006-06:00

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

Counting my blessings

2008-11-25T22:36:00.004-06:00

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

Ornament of Faith

2008-11-24T23:09:00.003-06:00

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!!

Thanks-Living

2008-11-19T21:55:00.004-06:00

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

Birthdays

2008-11-16T00:07:00.003-06:00

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.

Call and He will answer.

2008-11-11T22:56:00.007-06:00

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."

Change is not a bad word.

2008-11-02T00:33:00.006-05:00

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.

"How to" in ministry

2008-10-28T23:15:00.003-05:00

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?

I Will Yet Trust You.

2008-10-27T07:16:00.002-05:00

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.

Understanding

2008-10-26T22:42:00.003-05:00

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.