A True Titus Woman

                                          ...that they admonish the young women

                                                             (Titus 2 :4)

What a blessings, a sheer pleasure my friend and I had recently. We were able to sit at the feet (so to speak) of a godly elderly woman and learn of God’s true loving provision. We listened as she shared story after story of God’s amazing grace in her life. We rejoiced with her in the good times and to a degree felt the sorrow of the bad times. This beautiful wise woman told us of a love for her husband that last 25 years after his death, she remains his - unclaimed by any other man.

What a shame that the world no longer puts stock in those that are growing old. The world now labels them of little or no value. Most of the world refuses the wisdom their lives have reaped. Even in the churches, many put aside the aged to “make way” for the new generation. Some reject the sheer joy of listening to the testimony of God’s hand on the lives of these saints.

I was reminded yesterday that God has always had a plan for both the young and the old… He has a purpose in the aging progress if we will but heed God’s word. “the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teacher of good things – that they admonish (caution) the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. “ (Titus 2:3-5)

Admonish means to caution – discreet is to be tasteful or careful in all we do – chaste is to be faithful; I’ve looked at this scripture many times and longed to be like this biblical example of an older woman. Today however I met such a woman! Even her name states up front that she is a jewel, a piece of GOLD that God has used in His kingdom.  Thank you Miss Goldie for leaving foot prints worthy of following....

Do you know some older godly women? Perhaps even your own mother can be called a godly woman? Then why not find the time to listen to the stories they have to share of God’s loving provision. Not only will you be blessed but you just may find you have blessed them as well.

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Makes Me to Lie Down

"A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever."  Psalm 23

Have you ever been uncomfortable with a medical or dental procedure? Perhaps you were so uncomfortable that a sense of fear crept into your thoughts. That is exactly where I found myself a few weeks ago. Now I would like to justify my fear by saying once after taking a prescribed drug I almost lost my life. Note I said I would like to justify but the truth is God says we are not to fear. Nonetheless, that fear had sat in. So sitting there in the dentist chair I began to silently recite the 23rd Psalm.

The fear began to subside leaving a sweet peace in its place. Without a doubt I knew the Lord had once again heard the voice of one of His children. The reciting of the psalmist’s words ceased; the words of admiration, love and thanksgivings became my own.

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures.” Many times I have quoted the 23rd Psalm. As a child I recited it as part of a children church’s play. For years I walked away from God but the Holy Spirit kept that childhood memory in place. The word “makes” has never jumped out at me like it now does. Hebrew concordance defines “makes” as to accomplish, appoint, and bring forth. He accomplishes bringing me to a green pasture, He appoints me to lie down and He brings forth the peace (rest in Him) so needed.

Maybe right now your pastures do not seem so green and you wonder if peace will ever come. Trust the great Shepherd, begin to whisper “I will follow you; I know your voice and I will follow.” As the peace begins to flood your soul realize He makes you to lie down in green pastures.


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Vision

"When your memories are bigger than your dreams (vision), you're headed for the grave" Author unknown

God’s word says this: “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18 KJV

Perhaps it is that true vision comes in knowing the law of God and as a result we will know His will, and then we must keep it. If we walk in the path that God has set for us, keeping his teachings and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us as we follow His Son Jesus, then we truly have vision. His word tells us that doing so will bring happiness or a happy life.

But let me leave us with these questions to ponder… Are you living on yesterday’s manna? Has the memories of what God has done in your life became bigger than the vision of what He still wants to do in and through your life? Maybe you need to read that again.

Has the memories of what God has done in your life became bigger than the vision of what He still wants to do in and through your life?

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Praise the Lord!

Some say we should not show emotions (zeal) in church. Some say we are to keep our emotions for other places. We can jump for joy, dance about, shout and be emotional in many places but not in the house of God.

Today's post isn’t meant to anger anyone nor to even challenge your beliefs. It is however something to ponder on. Recently I read an article that stated that David’s dancing brought him disgrace in the eyes of his wife and others. This article of showing emotions was based on that one statement. It went further to state that David did not dance in the church. Saying this might be why some believe that is what gives them the right to do so.

No, David wasn’t dancing in a so called church building.  He was dancing before the Holy of the holies. He was dancing right before the throne of God…   He was showing loud and clear that God was his God. He was showing praise to the God that had spared the lives of the Levites as they were obedient to the handling of the ark of God.

David felt no disgrace. Dancing and music were a natural expression of his great joy and exultation of mind. David went on to tell his lovely wife, Michal, that it was neither she nor her father that had chosen Him but God… You might also note that Michal was struck barren for her judgment on David. I cannot help but wonder if Michal was not the one who felt disgrace on her life for passing judgment.

So where shall I dance before the Lord for saving my life? In my home alone so that no one can see the joy God has given me? Where shall I praise Him? In my home alone so that no one shall see the glory given Him? Where shall I bow before Him washing His feet with my tears? Yes, I will dance, praise and bow before Him in my home and my zeal shall be just as real in the sanctuary. For like David I echo these words:

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150 (NKJ)

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Filling the Sky

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

old things have passed away;

 behold , all things have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

About fifteen years ago, long before the butterfly became such a symbol for Christians, God gave me a vision. The vision was crystal clear and one that I will never forget. About to host a conference for women that still has neither theme nor title, I prayed asking God what He had for His daughters. Let me add, this conference was sponsored by giving, caring women of God that like me wanted to reach the unchurched as well as reaching out to local churches. Because of their generous hearts we were able to offer this conference free of charge. As I sought God’s direction, He gave me this vision:

At first there was a small cocoon with only a slight view of a butterfly about to be released from the cocoon. When that butterfly was set free, it flew high and as it flew one butterfly became a breathtaking view of many colorful butterflies. They filled the sky with such grand splendor. One after another and another, no longer could I see the cocoon, only them as they  filled the sky soaring higher and higher.

The Lord than gave me this scripture to base the conference on and the rest as they say became history. That weekend we decorated every nook and cranny with the vision God had given me. We watched in awe as neighborhood women came to the Lord. We watched others grow in their relationship with the Lord. And yes oh yes indeed, we celebrated the love of our Lord and Savior!

As I have pondered that vision lately, a thought that did not come to me then has surfaced strongly in my heart. Can you see how one butterfly can produce many? Yes, they too will have to go through their growing period. Still could God be telling us that we as butterflies of His love and grace have the ability to fill the sky (your neighborhood, city, state) leading the way for others?

Oh, Lord to be such a butterfly for you!


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Photo by Connie Gatlin (my niece) - August 2010

Don't Give Up

Don’t you just love it when God’s plan comes together? Ok, let me start from the beginning. Knowing that God has asked me to do certain things, still I find myself easily giving up. A few weeks ago during a sermon I grasped hold of one statement “don’t give up.” Pastor Tim told us about this picture that I have included. He told us to be like the frog with our hands around the neck of the bird. In that we would not give up or go away easily when God has given us sometime to do. Now, I’m not sure what the jobs of these little fellows were but I am sure of what God has asked of me.

Wish I could tell you the sermon was enough to get me moving in the right direction. Perhaps you can relate to being in that position, perhaps not… Ok back to God’s plan coming together. This morning, a very dear friend reminded me again “don’t give up.” “Don’t get frustrated - Just a word of encouragement for you” were her exact words to me. Okay, God I hear you…

How often do we give up on the very thing we know it is right thing to do? How often are we silent when we know prayer is needed? How often is our Bible simply collecting dust when it should have our finger prints all over it? How often do we have an encouraging word for a friend but our tongues (or typing fingers) are silently immoveable?

So in the words of my pastor and another dear friend: don’t get frustrated and don’t give up! I’m not! Satan beware - God’s daughters are coming through!


Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:35-39



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Walking in the Light

I am the light...  John 8:12

Have you ever been in a dark yet familiar room? You should know your way around and still you stumble over things you can not see.  Then someone turns on the light and you now can see where you have been and where you are going. You are no longer feeling your way around.  The same is true when the "Light" came to abide in your heart.  You no longer have to live by your feelings alone - there is the "Light" of  Truth to help you find your way...

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