Christians and Halloween?

I will warn you this may be controversial to some!  I will be honest the action he recommends is not something I ever thought of, but we will being doing it this year.  Our Pastor printed this out for anyone that wanted to pick one up and I like how it is addressed.  So if you are interested in why we as Christians should take a second look at getting involved in Halloween keep reading.  I do welcome comments, but please be kind. Also remember this is Bible based, I know often when we argue with things we don't realize we are trying to argue with God and we don't win.

 So here is the article:

Should Christians celebrate Halloween?

By William J. Schnoebelen
An old proverb says, "When you sup with the devil, use a long spoon." Presumably, NO genuine Christian would want to sup with the devil at all and yet many may be doing so in ignorance.

As a former witch high priest now saved by Jesus, I was astonished by how many Christians let their kids celebrate Halloween. Some churches even sponsor "haunted houses" and similar events on what is the Number One satanic "helliday" of the year. Halloween used to be called Samhain, and is still celebrated as an ancient pagan festival of the dead by witches all over the world. Unfortunately, just giving the date a "holy" name like All Hallows' Eve or All Saints' Eve cannot change its grisly character. Halloween is an occasion when the ancient gods (actually demons) are worshiped with human sacrifice. The apostle Paul warns us: "But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils" (1 Cor. 10:20).

If you are a Christian parent, God has given you a precious responsibility in your children. Remember, their ability to resist spiritual wickedness is much less than yours. If you allow your children to participate in Halloween (Trick or Treating, costume parties, etc.) you are allowing them to play on "the devil's turf," and Satan will definitely press his home court advantage. You are opening up doorways into their young lives for evil by bringing them into a kind of "fellowship" with these ancient "gods."

We are commanded not to become involved with the unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:11). Both from my experience as a witch, and since getting saved, as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I have seen far too many examples of how breaking this command works out in lives. Remember, while we have God's promise of protection for ourselves and our children, that promise may not hold if we allow our children to celebrate this dark holiday. Case after case has come to us of children in rebellion. In many of these families, the problem can be traced back to the children being exposed to Halloween at a young age. It is hard enough to raise children these days in a Godly way without exposing them to Satan's realm.

SO, the question is, "What SHOULD Christian parents do?" The first tendency is to take a defensive action, and have some sort of party to occupy our Christian kids during that night, hoping that they will be satisfied "missing" what their friends are doing. But that's only going half way. Remember, when Jesus talked to Peter about His church, he promised that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Mt 16:18) That indicates we are supposed to be taking "offensive" action, seizing the initiative and attacking Satan's kingdom.

How about teaching our children that Halloween is special all right. It's that one time of the year that we can put the Gospel right into the hands of all the children (and their parents) in our neighborhood that we never got to witness to. It's a night we can DO something to please the Lord while helping our neighbors, too! We can let our kids help hand out the candy and tracts. They'll look forward to it. 

Ladies Bible Study

I have always wanted the opportunity to be involved in a ladies Bible Study, but up to now it was never possible.  The new church we are going to has one on Tuesday afternoons.  I didn't think I was going to be able to go due to being a 1 vehicle family. BUT!!!! God worked wonderfully in our lives recently and we were able to get another van and to top it off we were able to pay cash and stay debt free.  It is SO exciting that even through the struggles he has blessed SO mightily.

Ok, I said all that to get to the main point.  We are going through a book for Bible Study. We are using "The Choice is Yours; Life Happens. Walking with God is a decision" by Terrie Chappell.  I have read another book she wrote and loved it so I was excited to get into this and I have not been disappointed.  I came in half way, but am catching up to the others.  Today we covered "choose to be joyful".  As I studied this chapter this week, it has been a true challenge.  Through life's struggles it is not always easy to be joyful.  The main theme she kept bringing out was that if we base happiness on circumstances it is not REAL joy.  Our real joy comes only through the Lord.  Some quotes "Most of us will agree that when things are going "our way" we feel a lot happier, and we are much easier to live with.  But our happiness quickly fades when things go wrong.  If our joy depends upon circumstances, and if we can do little or nothing to control those circumstances, we will be miserable most of the time! We must learn to capture this thief by choosing joy."  How true this is and how I have seen this SO real in my life recently.  I have to constantly be on guard that I am not looking around me but UP for fulfillment and joy.  Another quote: "You see, happiness is based on what happens to you, and it depends on external circumstances that are often beyond your control.  Joy, on the other hand, is based on what is in your heart, and Jesus promised us that our joy can remain constant regardless of surrounding circumstances."  By keeping our focus on God and not on circumstances we are obeying him she used a quote by D.L. Moody "The Lord gives his people perpetual joy when they walk in obedience to him."  WOW!!!!!  Trials, struggles, and disappointments are going to come that is life, but it is how we handle it that we are held accountable.  I would love to say that through the recent struggles I have always been joyful, but that would be a lie.  It is some times a daily or hourly struggle to keep "Christ-centered".  I have been in church my whole life and have witnessed many Christians, Pastors, Pastor's wives, and people in full-time ministry go through struggles.  It would be great if I could say that all or even most have let God work through the struggles to bring joy, but sadly that is not true.  There are examples in my life of Pastor's wives that have been hurt in ministry.  Some have come through praising God and growing from it and ministering to others through it.  Then there are others that have allowed the hurts to make them bitter.  I mentioned in my last post that sometimes I feel like I have the "right" to be bitter and angry but I do NOT!  I am in no way saying I have learned this lesson, but I am praying that the Lord will make me better through the hurts and struggles.  A portion that really covers this:  "We so often allow troublesome circumstances to keep us from advancing in our Christian life, especially in spreading the Gospel.  But sometimes God arranges circumstances to allow us to pioneer new areas of ministry." 

I truly want to some day be able to help others, right now I am still healing and growing (and yes there are growing pains). I am thankful for the ones who have encouraged me by sharing how their hurts in life have made them stronger- Better not Bitter. 

So we have a daily choice -  Are you going to choose to be joyful?
Remember it can not be done in our own strength we must do it through Christ.

Forgiving- a part of being faithful

In the past few months the struggles have been many, yet the blessings that have come out of them have been SO rewarding.  Through any struggle there is a lot of growing God wants us to do.

As the weeks and months start to go by, I have felt like I am growing and healing in many areas.  THEN, as God does many times he shows me that I really am not doing as well as I thought.  There have been a lot of hurts recently, some that have been going on for a few years.  So, during all this one area I have had to work hard on is - forgiveness. I have a devotional book I am using this year and I opened it one day and saw the title "A Forgiving Heart".  I thought "Oh, this will be a good reminder, but I have forgiven those that have hurt me."  Then as it often happens, my heart was quickly pricked that I was not doing as well as I thought.
(I am going to reference this devotional several times so I want to give credit to the author,  Mrs. Dora Hill a Pastor's wife from AZ.)
A statement that quickly caught my eye was "forgive - means to pass over an offense and to free the offender from the consequences of it; to grant pardon without harboring "resentment".  On a spiritual level, forgiveness is our God-given ability to show grace and mercy to someone who has offended us."
This has been so difficult for me. I some how felt like I had the "right" to be resentful or want people to pay for hurting me.  Especially those that have done it continually over the past few years.  They "deserve" to have punishment or consequences for what they did to me.  I was so wrong!  That is our human/fleshly response.  Our Spirit-filled response should be one of love no negative response or even thought.  Yet, as we look at Stephen in Acts 6 we see what our response should truly be - "And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge."  Our Saviour on the cross said "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."  Even though we may think that people hurt us intentionally (some may), most of them do not do it purposefully. They are blinded by their sin or self-centeredness they don't really know they have hurt us. I do that myself, even though that is hard to admit.  Mrs. Hill made another statement that opened my eyes. "Stephen was being stoned by a crowd of"religious" men; men who, even though they had the very words of God in their hands, were self-righteous, proud, murderous, sinful men".  It is usually Christians or even Pastors and Pastor's wives that hurt us, because that is who we associate with. As I have had to face my own unforgiving heart, I have had to come to realize that it is on me not them as to whether I forgive or not. I am the only one that is going to be hurt if I chose to not forgive.  The summarizing paragraph from Mrs. Hill was very good.  "Forgiveness is a God-given choice we make, and a mark of obedience to our God.  When we humble ourselves in obedience to God, and choose to forgive another person, whether they deserve it or not, we grow in our image of Christ, thus becoming more like Him."

Now I don't want anyone to think I am tooting my own horn or saying I have this all together. I have a LONG ways to go to be where God truly wants me.  I had a wise friend tell me, that I will need to keep reminding myself of this and keep forgiving. She was SO right, some days it is daily as I hear of actions of these same people. It is an ongoing process in my life right now.  But, as I have studied "Being Faithful", this hit me as being part of it.  How can I truly be faithful to God if I am harboring bitterness and resentment to those that have hurt me?

I hope in my ramblings above that I have been a help to someone. Any comments would be encouraging.  I want to be real in my blog. I am NOT perfect and never claim to be or even close. I want to share what God is doing in my life as well as our family.
God does work daily as long as I let him!!

Faithful?

I know it has been a long time.  A lot has happened in our lives the past few months, and I will address that and blog about it soon. I have not done it to this point, because I didn't want to come across as angry or bitter, when honestly at times I have been.  So, as I feel God leading me, I will share what he has been doing and is still doing in our lives.

BUT now I have I thought I would like to share.  Something I have been pondering and thought I would see what others thought about it.

1Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
I don't need to be successful or rich or have a lot of things or even friends. God said "be found faithful". As I have truly pondered that this the past few days, I realize how difficult that truly is. 

Which brings me to another verse:
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Are you being found faithful? In EVERY thing you do? Have you done anything today that would bring to question of you being faithful to God?
Sadly, I am ashamed myself at my own answers when I am truly honest.
So, think about it today. Can I be "found faithful"?

Day 16

16 - I am thankful for my warm home.  I am truly a southern girl at heart.  I was born in NY state and lived in PA until I was 9 when we moved to FL then I lived in PA for 2 years then back to FL.  So that means I lived in the South longer than the North therefore making me Southern!  I still struggle with the cold and snow.  It is suppose to snow tonight so I am VERY thankful for my warm home and comfy slippers.  I know God made the seasons and has us in MI for a reason, but it is COLD!!
Have a great Friday!!

Day 15

15 - I am thankful for Godly friends.  We had the opportunity to go to a sweet family's home for supper.  What a blessing to have a great meal, but also WONDERFUL fellowship.  They were loving and encouraging.  God's family is so big and I am thankful to be part of it.  Thank a friend today for being there for you.

Day 14

14 - I am thankful for the comfort of prayer.  When we feel down and defeated, we can still pray and be encouraged by God.  Thankfully he doesn't give us a limited number of minutes or prayers.  God hears every cry and every prayer.  It is the greatest comfort.  It amazes me how much better I feel after talking to my best friend - the Lord.
I love music and God has used music in my life MANY times to comfort.  I am thankful for the words God has given writers.  Here is another.

Day 13

13 - I am thankful for Blessings.  When we first think of that word, probably wonderful things come to mind.  The things we think of as blessing - family, home, security, friends, and many other things.  During our biggest trials/struggles of life we may think God has forgotten about us.  Yet he promises us in His Word that he won't.  Our flesh often forgets and dwells on the negatives. During the storm I am going through right now, I have had my days that I struggle with seeing it as a good thing. I was reminded of a great song that sums this up perfectly.  I have added a link to it being sung at Lancaster Baptist Church in Lancaster, CA.  I great song done very well. I pray it is an encouragement to you as it has been to me.  I have to be reminded that the struggles always have a purpose.

Day 12

12-  I am thankful for 2nd birthdays.  I didn't share this yesterday because of Veterans Day. 
I had a birthday yesterday - I am 23 years old!!  Now before you start shaking your head and saying NO way you are MUCH older than that.  Let me explain, some of you may know what I am talking about.  I received Jesus as my Saviour on Nov. 11, 1988.  So yesterday was the birthday of the greatest thing in life - SALVATION!!!!  Having Jesus as my Lord and Saviour is the driving force of life.  With all the sadness and struggles of life there would be NO purpose with out knowing I will spend eternity with my Lord.  He guides and leads me daily and I want to live him and him alone. That assurance is what drives me to impact as many people as possible for Jesus Christ.
If you are reading this and have never accepted Christ as your Saviour, you need to do that today!!
Contact me and I will tell you how you can do that today.

11

11- Today I am thankful for all of our service men and women who have served and are serving to keep our nation free, and for those who have paid the price for freedom with their lives. Not only have they paid the ultimate sacrifice, but their families have paid a huge sacrifice. They live with that sacrifice everyday of their lives. We owe you a debt of gratitude. Thank a soldier today for your freedom. 

Day 9 & 10

Sorry for yet another day to have to double up.  We took a week off of school and took a much needed break to visit family in OH.  It was very refreshing but now we are trying to get back in routines.
I have had people say in recent days "Why post thankful things in November. We should always be thankful"  I could not agree more, but even though we should do something doesn't mean we always do it.  I am praying that the Lord will work in my heart to be more thankful and continue to share more after this month.
SO with that said here are 2 more.

9 -  I am thankful for God's provisions.  It is amazing to me how God always shows himself faithful when our faith seems to be wavering. It has been a struggle lately to remember to trust not worry about things.
Last night, the Lord provided us with an abundance of food supplies.  He placed it on the heart of some of His people and we were blessed. I was SO overwhelmed by His goodness to us.

10 - I am thankful for God's Word.  What a comfort it is to hear Him speak to us through His Word.  What a blessing to get into a good reading routine and it is always what I need for that day. If you do not have a good pattern for spending time with God in prayer and reading His Word, you need to do that today.  You are missing on a great blessing!!!

Day 7 & 8

We got home late and wasn't able to get my #7 thankful thing done so today I do 2.

Praise the Lord that I have been so blessed!!!

7 - I am so thankful for God's family!!!  We had the opportunity to attend a new church in OH near my in laws.  It had been recommended to us from a few friends. What a blessing that little church was to our family.  The messages were exactly what we needed and the friendly people were what my hurting heart needed.  One more blessing of being part of God's family.

8 - The power of prayer.  What a comfort to know that people are praying for you.  I have been so reassured and strengthened the past week by knowing I am being brought before God by sweet friends.  Pray for someone today!!  I have found that praying changes me more that the ones I pray for.

Where you thankful today?
A quote I saw today.  "It is not happy people that are thankful. It is thankful people that are happy."

Day 4 - 6

I am going to be away from internet access for a few days.  So I am going to do 3 days of thankfulness.

4- I am so thankful for my supportive parents.  They have always wanted God's will for me.  I am thankful for their prayers!  Even though it is hard for me to live so far away from them, they want us to do what God tells us.  I often wonder how my mom survived with 5 children when I feel like I won't with 3. 
My parents made many sacrifices to give us the best churches and education over the  years.  I know now as a parent that was not easy.  THANKS Mom and Dad.  Most of all, THANK YOU God for the parents you gave me.

5- I am thankful for my in laws.  I am SO thankful that I don't have a dreaded in law relationship.  Rather, God has given me wonderful in laws.  They pray for us and are supportive of us when we follow God's leading.  They have been there to help us in our time of need.  In recent days, they have helped us with our 3 boys to give my hubby and I few days alone. 

Words could not describe my true feelings about both sets of parents.  I just can't put it into words.

6- I am thankful for extended family.  I will go into more detail in days to come.  God has blessed us with wonderful siblings and their spouses.

God is good!!! All the time!!!!!

Have a super weekend!!! Remember to be thankful to the One who has given you all that you have.

Day 3

Each day I am thankful for my 3 sweet boys.  It is so sweet when they come walking up to me and out of the blue say "Mommy, I love you!" turn around and walk away.  Thrills my heart!!!!
I still remember a doctor telling us in 2001 that he saw now way that we would be able to have our own children. What a difficult time as we prayed for God to intervene by way of adoption or to preform a miracle.  There were some rough days, but God's grace carried us through.  Then July of 03 we found out we were expecting!!  God then blessed us with 2 more boys after that.  They keep me busy, but I love the joy of teaching them about the Lord and seeing them come to understand.
Our oldest 2 have accepted Christ as their Saviour and we pray that the youngest will come to know him soon.

What are you thankful for today?  Give God the glory for
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

Thankfulness!!

Wow it has been a LONG time.  There have been many things going on and I did not have peace about blogging.  Now, I am back.
So November is here.  So hard to believe that we are already in the 11th month. Where has the year gone? When I think of November I think of being Thankful.
So, I will do my best to post something I am thankful for each day.

1 - I am thankful for my wonderful, Godly husband that God has given me.  I am so thankful that he seeks God's face for any decisions made for our family and any ministry God has blessed us to be in.  It is amazing to see God work in his life daily.  Doug strives daily to live as God wants.  What an honor for me to call myself his wife. 

2-(today is the 2nd) I am thankful for God being my strength in the midst of life's storms.  I am reading a book "An Excellent Spirit" by Dr. Jon M. Jenkins.  It is wonderful!!!  I will quote a section that fits storms perfectly.  I am thankful I don't face life alone but with God!
This part is from a section on being cheerful and having "Assuring Cheer"

"Maybe today you can't make sense of your storm. The good news is that you'll either make it through the storm or out of the storm.  One of these days when Heaven's grandstand is complete, and the canvas of time and eternity is unfurled, it will all make sense to us.  Remember this - the time we have our greatest opportunity to bring glory to God is in the times of suffering. It is when we are hurting, wounded, and bleeding that we need to keep our shouting, keep our praising, and keep our singing to our God.
Your heartache isn't an Accident; it's and Appointment.  God wants to prove to this world that His grace is sufficient.  What a privilege to be counted worthy to suffer for His name."

This portion has been such an encouragement to me in the past few days.  May God bless you from it too.

Looking forward to more thankfulness in days to come.

The race

I went to a funeral today of a sweet friend.  One I had not know nearly long enough, yet that choice was not up to me and how can we question God's amazing wisdom.  The greatest memory I have of this dear friend is a constant sweet smile.  Even the last time I saw her in the hospital struggling with the pain from cancer she was still smiling. 
Her smile was contagious.  I am sure you know people like that, you can't help but smile and be happy around them.  The love of God was SO bright in her life.  She even gave testimony of this at the beginning of her cancer battle, she was asked by someone in the hospital if she knew Jesus Christ as her Saviour - her peace was AMAZING.  She knew she was secure in the arms of Jesus no matter the outcome.  The last time we had a long visit together, we talked about this song the Inspirations sing.  I remember her saying that this was the song helping her to rest in God and His perfect will.

I'M A WINNER EITHER WAY

Verse One

A loved one knew he neared the end of life's journey

But he'd been holding to God's hand a long, long time

As I knelt beside his bed my heart was blessed by what he said,

"If I go or if I stay, victory's mine."

Chorus

I'm a winner either way

If I go or if I stay

Cause I'll still have Jesus with me

Each passing day

I'll have a healing here below

Or life forever if I go

Praise the Lord,

I'm a winner either way!

Verse Two

None of us really know about tomorrow

So we must prepare to go to Heaven any day

While we're here, just trust the Lord

He'll lead us there for our reward

By His grace, we'll be a winner either way!

Repeat Chorus

© Laura Lewis/Trina Curtis/Chestnut Mound Music/BMI

615-325-3872 Fax 325-8735 E-mail: lewisandlewisrus@aol.com

 The pastor gave a great message today, a clear plan of salvation as well as a challenge.
He said God had taken her home because she had finished the course God had for her.  Amy had such a heart to reach people for Christ.  She wanted to share God with everyone.  The challenge was are we really running the race, striving to finish the course as we really should.
These 2 passages help us to remember the purpose of our life in Christ.

Act 20:24  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.


Thankfully though, God does not leave us sorrowing or hopeless.  There is hope of a future in Heaven with our loved one.  Praise the Lord for ALL His promises.

1Thessalonians 4:13-18   But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

I am so thankful to be comforted by these words.
So the challenge I have given myself and I give you.
Are you pressing toward the mark? Am I giving the Gospel of Christ as I have been called to do?

Separate or conformed?

I have SO many thoughts going through my head right now of what to write. 

Lately the Lord has really been working in our family, first personally with Doug and I, about living a separate life.  I have done several recent studies on the Holy Spirit.  One verse I keep coming back to is  Galatians 5:25  "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."    If we are filled with the Spirit and walk in the Spirit we will be different.  We will want to be different because we are of the Spirit.  John 3:6  "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

We are in this world to shine a light and be different.  Matthew 5:16  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. " 
If we live like the world how are we a shining light.

This concept is not a popular one even among Christians or even Independent Baptist like myself.   It is HARD to be separate.  I am not there by any stretch.  But I strive daily for this.  God commands us in  2Corinthians 6:17  "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you," So we are to be separate, different.  Also, stated in Romans 12:2  "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."  Conformed means made to resemble; reduced to a likeness of; made agreeable to; suited.   If we look like the world why would they want what we have if it doesn't look any different. It is very interesting the discussions I get into sometimes.  But lately it seems I am defending my more conservative standards to others. 
Sorry if I am sounding like I am ranting.  It is such a burden on my heart.  I have lived like the world and it got me NO WHERE.  I LOVE the blessings that God gives when we live only for Him.  I want others to experience those blessings.

So as I end my blog tonight I ponder.  Do I dress different?  Do I watch different things?  Do I listen to different things?  Do I respond different?  Do I really stand out as separate?
If I were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict me?

Long over due

I know it has been awhile since I have posted.  Things got busy finishing up school and now we are in the midst of a BUSY summer.  My husband is a Youth Pastor so we have many activities for the summer.  We are looking forward to a new opportunity next week.  We will be taking 5 teens to Hammond, IN to youth conference.   I am looking forward to hearing the messages from several men of God.  Then when we get back we have VBS.  Praying that many children will come.

I have been working on some posts to put on here but have not gotten all my thoughts gathered yet.  I will post them soon.

One of the things God has been teaching me is that I MUST find time for him.  How blessed it is when we put Him first place in our day and lives.  The Lord is doing some wonderful things in our family right now and we are excited about what he is doing.  I will share with you as soon as I am able to.  Please, pray that the Lord will keep working and we will be open to His leading.

Wait

WAIT 
What a hard answer that is to any of our prayers.  Yet, God does give us that answer often.  Even though it is hard, we can learn the most by this word.  I have had to wait for many things in life.  I was 27 when I got married - WOW am I ever thankful that I waited for the man God had for me.  My hubby is WONDERFUL!!!  We tried for 5 years before we had our first child.  Each of our boys are very special!!  Even though waiting was hard, I would NEVER go back and take the waiting away.  We learn SO much when we wait, and seek God for answers. 

Isaiah 30:18
And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

The word for always gets me.  There are many verses that say "wait on the Lord", but this verse says "wait FOR" Him.  He truly has a purpose in our waiting.  Here is a great verse that given to me during our "waiting" years that meant and means a lot to me.  It puts waiting in perspective.

W  A  I  T

By Russell Kelfer

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried:

Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.

I pled and wept for a clue to my fate . . .

And the Master so gently said, “Wait,”

“Wait? You say wait?” my indignant reply.

“Lord, I need answers.  I need to know why!

Is your hand shortened?  Or have you not heard?

By faith I have asked, and I’m claiming your Word.

My future and all to which I relate hangs in the balance,

And you tell me to Wait?

I’m needing a ‘yes,’ a go-ahead sign.

Or even a ‘no,’ to which I’ll resign.

You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,

We need but to ask, and we shall receive.

Lord, I’ve been asking, and this is my cry:

I’m weary of asking!  I need a reply.”

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,

As my Master replied again, “Wait.”

So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,

And grumbled to God, “So, I’m waiting . . . for what?”

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . .

And He tenderly said, “I could give you a sign. 

I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.

I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.

You’d have what you want, but you wouldn’t know Me.

You’d not know the depth of My love for each saint.

You’d not know the power that I give to the faint.

You’d not learn to see through clouds of despair;

You’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m there.

You’d not know the joy of resting in Me

When darkness and silence are all you can see.

You’d never experience the fullness of love

When the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove. 

You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,

But you’d not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

The glow of My comfort late into the night,

The faith that I give when you walk without sight.

The depth that’s beyond getting just what you ask

From an infinite God who makes what you have last.

You’d never know should your pain quickly flee,

What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.

Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,

But oh, the loss, if you missed what I’m doing in you.

So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see

That the greatest of gifts is to truly know Me.

And though oft My answers seem terribly late,

My most precious answer all is still . . . Wait.”

I pray this has been a blessing to you.

A song to encourage

A friend shared this song on her blog and I decided to do the same.  I pray it is a blessing to you.