Hurry and Wait

That is what it seems like today...

But God says "Stand still and see what the Lord will do." "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength."

Often we see waiting as a difficult time, and yet it is what the Lord requires of us. Waiting with a right attitude refines us. I am so thankful the Lord didn't give me all my desires instantly. That would have destroyed me. Oh how good God is!! He knows what is best for us. Just like our children, they need to wait on things that are not appropriate for them now.

Most of the time during our waiting moments we do not see what value it could possibly have...for example waiting on my prosthesis. He could have healed the damaged tissues in a moment. But He chose not to.

Stand still, Barb, and see what the Lord will do. Fill in your own name.

Blessings throughout the weekend.

Today is enough

"So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own." Matt 6:34

What am I doing worrying about tomorrow? God has always taken good care of me. He has always provided. He knows my needs more than I do.

Isn't it amazing how one little spin in our lives takes us on this worry roller coaster? Immediately I was convicted of this verse. We need not worry. We can totally rest in His love and provision. At least for me, it isn't the big things that throws that rolling stone across my path, it is the small irritating things.

Praise Him, praise Him...no matter what I feel about what is thrown at me. God is greater, even greater than anything I can imagine. I do want my Father to nudge me when I get too comfortable in this world. After all, the comfort begins a little at a time.

Thank you Lord for trials, and reminders how much you love me. How much you care for me. Even Solomon was not dressed as much as the lilies of the field.

If you are having a "befuddled" day, look up. God is caring for you and loving you!!

Be blessed.

Fill in the blank

Sunday morning the mission pastor opened the service with the verse

"For me to live is ___________, to die is ____________." We were asked to fill in the blanks. How many times have I read this verse and quoted it, "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain." But never stopped to wonder if I really believe this, and is it true of my life.

What would you write in the blank? For me to live is a better job, a family, a nice home, more money?? Or is it Christ? What is death to me? Is it gain? I wonder if this world is so good to me that heaven is a bit of a blur.

I'm still hopping around on one leg with my walker. I'm waiting for Feb 25, and believing that will truly be the day for a permanent prosthesis. It is much more difficult than it was when I was using my walker before. I feel like I am taking 10 steps back. I see so many things I want to do. Praying that our move, my prosthesis will all come together soon.

God bless you

What is a soul worth?

Matthew 16:26 "What does it profit man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul? Or what will man give in exchange for his soul?"

Someone asked the question "what is a soul anyway?" I do pray we never throw our soul away as worthless. Our soul has cost our Lord a great price. It is worth more than the whole world's riches. What is my desire? Do I covet the world's riches more than a closer walk with the Lord? It breaks my heart to think that people are selling their soul to other than the Lord.

Let's stand in the gap. We need to intercede for those who have yet to come into the Kingdom of God. We need to intercede for those who have fallen into temptation, have fallen away from the Lord. We need to intercede for each other that we will not fall into temptation! God help us!!

This world will pass away but God's Word Never!! God and God alone loves us eternally.

God bless you with a wonderful and precious Lord's Day!

Pursue for Peace

The following thoughts are not original with me, but definitely worthy of sharing. I confess I have felt a bit "empty" the past several days. But this was a challenge/blessing to me.

"For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another." (Romans 14:18-19)

If we insist on our freedoms, we may damage the weaker person. If we argue over matters, they may be encouraged to do something they do not have faith to do. Let the Holy Spirit convince them if it is necessary. Can't we trust the Teacher to do His work in their lives? Our insistence on others seeing our perspective is often no more than pride. Do and say what leads to peace and mutual edification.

Is destroying another just to have your own way worth it?

Whenever you are doing something that threatens the peace of a community, or a church, or a group, or an individual, so that they cannot handle it, so that they become angry and upset, then back off. You, who are strong, bear that burden. Do not insist on your rights. Some people get so intent on having their rights that I have seen them indulge in the very presence of people they knew would be highly offended by what they did, simply because they wanted to show how free they were. Paul says that kind of thing is absolutely wrong. (Ray Stedman)

What are some permissible things which, given the call to be mindful of other believers, I need to personally limit or eliminate?

Praise in all things

It has been a difficult day. I was sure I would have my prosthesis and be walking tonight. Instead I am back on the walker for at least another week and maybe two. I have some damaged tissue around the end of the stump. It is swollen and has a red pressure spot. So I will have pain if I wear any prosthesis. The order is "to leave it off and let my leg heal"...Disappointing to say the least. This set back was not on my "to do" list. :)

So what is the bright side to this: I am not sick in bed, not in the hospital, I'm able to use my walker and I will have more strength in my arms. Some people wait for years to walk and never do. Many people in Haiti can't even get to a doctor.

It doesn't matter what I "feel" I need to glorify God in all things. I am sure He can use me on a chair. But the flesh is screaming out "NO"...Lord help me.

God is good. God bless you.

Tomorrow is the Day

Tomorrow is the day to receive my prosthesis. So excited.

But we are only promised today. Today is yesterday's tomorrow and Tomorrow's yesterday.

I know many of you have been praying for me receiving my new prosthesis. Thank you so much.

Pray we will soon hear that our application is cleared and we can move soon.

I feel like I'm not blogging very well. I have struggled with not being able to be online on a daily basis. I feel much is falling between the cracks. I need an "office." I pray I will always be thankful when I have an office. One that is organized. So often we want things so badly, then when we have them we fail to be thankful. Then we start wanting other things. We need to be thankful in all things. We should never forget the goodness of the Lord. Yes, He is good even though we don't always get what we want.

Food for thought: It is the grace of God that He doesn't always give us what we pray for. For me, I would have self-destructed. God in His wisdom saw what was best for me in all things.

God bless you