Simply Sharing....

jayh · #1 21st March 2008, 09:52 AM

First Call By..... A walk beside you Lord. Amen

Have you ever stated the obvious? I still smile at the memory, my Mother's were words usually accompanied with a surrendering sigh, "Well if things don't change they'll stay as they are" That is stating the obvious.
I loved those things about her, those quirky sayings made me laugh even though I am sure she spoke them in all seriousness. The words were expressed after mum had considered all avenues of help or wisdom and had not been able to reach a clear conclusion of where, what, when, and how to of any matter or circumstance that was clearly distressing her.

Having reached her own conclusion, her words were her way of saying "I give up" picking herself up and going on going on.

At that time our Pastor had a lovely word "Stickability". You can visualise from it, stick like glue, bond with something or someone, donot give up, stay the course, and all those that you can add too.

I love anything that says "Come let us reason together saith the Lord" I love the words "Consider this", when they softly come to mind not yet knowing what will be shared, it's a stroll together. Oh! how I love those times.

Thank you for the walks and talks Lord, the strolls in the garden and your precious presence.
I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine...

In Jesus name ..be blessed.

jayh · #2 23rd March 2008, 06:19 PM

Hearing:

The street we lived on was long. One day as I was passing a house I heard a strong thought. "Knock on that door"
I had not known this leading before, it seemed strange.

"Why am I thinking this, is it me" yet it was separate from my own thoughts and kind of out-of-the-blue. I didnot know it was the Holy Spirit so puzzled and troubled that I might be going crazy I walked on.

A few days later I heard a man lived alone at that very house and his Home Help had called only to find he had died, and maybe two days before. I was devastated. I sought the Lord , and was deeply shocked and grieved.

The 2nd call:
A lady who lived on the opposite side of the road would stop and chat with me and share some of her sorrow. Confiding matters that brought her descision to stay away from fellowship at church. I was nearing her home and heard "call there" I did although not knowing what God had in mind. That visit was followed by very many over nearly 3 years.

It was like listening to someone while holding a telephone reciever to my ear knowing the other end of the line there was God's phone! I'd listen to my neighbour and at the same time would listen on that phone for any feedback from God who knows all things. Sometimes there was something to pass on and sometimes deep quietness and just being there.

On one occasion walking passed the ladies house, there was a pull to go visit but I walked a few steps more, then I turned and knocked. There was another part of that leading, not to identify her openly but to keep her covered in secret prayer.
It was possible at a prayer meeting to pray for "a friend". no more. It seems that trust was to be everything to her for she had been so hurt. We did go to a meeting together and she was furious at the speakers words storming toward him in her real anger and pain. I stayed at the back of the church!
BUT GOD had her in his hands.

Time passed and then as a family we were due to leave to move north. I thank God for that time as a few weeks after settling into our new home a letter came from this dear lady. She had also moved towns and found a true fellowship of loving believers The letter was to say how God had met her so deep need,

The Lady wrote, "It was like having a heart transplant without the anaesthetic" I walked through the streets reading it with tears flowing down my face.
She was so joyful and shared that she had made a trip back to our home town to the church(where we went together) to be baptised in water and how she had shared with them details she had trusted in care when we were together.
How the Spirit leads and moves because God has all the details and we don't.

Her letter ended with a word of knowledge. "God has told me that you need letters from your friends at this time"

I was very sad and missing the home church family that was so loving and welcoming, but wept privately.. no such thing is there? Father sees. Her joy in that letter, her testimony of how God brought her through after so much sorrow and heartache was so uplifting. I remember Lord. I remember. Thank you .

jayh · #3 24th March 2008, 03:55 PM

Hello:

Today I was thinking, if you could make a quilt from the pictures of your memory what memories might you "draw" from?

Some of mine would come from the west area of ~ the sublime ~ to the East side of ~ seriously simple so my chosen centre piece would have to be the rat in the mini sized maze.

One day ,as I was going in and out of the living where the TV was on, I saw a rat freely moving around a small maze, the entrance door was closed but he had freedom to scurry about where he would.

NB: It was at that time that my own christian employment record was slowly lessening. May I add that I didnot have two humps but admit to one, thanks.

I pleaded in prayer, had I offended or drawn away, what brought this almost unemployed situation about and being distressed at the way certain areas I was working in were closing, I was deeply troubled.

Have you been there?

So the back cloth to my memory quilt would be one of ~ the pale blue cloth of not understanding with silver sparkle and gold speckles of ~ Hope and Trust ~ for some light on the situation and the purple thread of prayer.

Back to the TV: Ratty in the small man made maze was still happily scurrying through the lanes. I paid little attention then as I was entering and leaving the room often.

A little later I saw him bumping his nose on a partition that had been added along one section making it a no entry area. Being curious I watched a while. He was used to open areas but now he experienced his first closed one. One by one the blocks were being set into place until there was no open way but then the man-of-the-maze removed one partition to provide an exit. As he scurried through the exit I was sure that Ratty was now a much happier creature.

Prayer? no need to ask again it was enough!

Message recieved and understood. I quietly left the room knowing God was at work. amen

Ratty and the Maze: the centre piece for my memory quilt.

jayh · #4 27th March 2008, 04:55 PM

Heb. chapter12 verse 11:

"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit unto righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Our Father corrects those whom he loves. Rev 3 19.

Chastening for purifying and for areas of errors or faults. To subdue, bring under control, to soften, tone down and make less intense. To bring under ones own power (the power of the one who is chastening ).

I came from a home background of often severe punishments , very high standards were expected that were often hard to reach.

" As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent"

The first time I became aware of correction ( A newbe Christian) I admit that I couldnot imagine what punishments might be in line for me. I had been impolite to a lady in the church, I was troubled unhappy and mad at myself for doing that. I ask God's help the answer wasnot something I expected I heard: "what are you going to do about it"
That was new to me hearing ~you can do something about it.

A few of us were going to church that night and the lift was from the husband of the lady I was impolite to. When we were outside the house I asked the gentleman to wait a moment and went to apologise to the lady who kindly accepted the apology. I had expected to feel good after that the apology was made. I didnot, I felt awful. The next leading was this, "to avoid those situations that you might have to apologise for" In my words tread carefully!.

Although correction came He did not beat me up, reject me, or make me sit in a corner for days, he did not ignore my plea, or cast me out. Father saw what was needed and gave me clear council and direction for my good. So different from "now your for it" of my past.
We have a new Father, new life and new way: A few days later I was led to do something, I obeyed and thought no more about it. Later such a blessing came He rewarded me. It threw me being rewarded for something I was supposed to do. I was learning a good Father has pleasure in His children.

I used to beat myself up thinking every correction, anyone spoke, was for me all the time. Like a never ending pointing finger.

I was so down yet the Lord spoke "I am not always chastening you"

Thank you Father..

jayh · #5 3rd April 2008, 06:08 AM

HE PUT A NEW SONG IN MY MOUTH, EVEN PRAISE, UNTO OUR GOD: Psalm 40 v3.

In the mountain in the valley in the dry and arid place, in the flow of your annointing, in the blessing of your grace, in the sorrow in the joy times, in and out of season too, how we praise you heavenly Father now for all the good you do.

In the prison, in the free time, in the snow and in the warm, in the aching of our spirit, in the place that seems ..alarm. In the sunshine in the shadow we will praise you, we will sing, God alone is ever worthy of the praises that we bring..

Dancing in the heart and spirit, singing praises to our God, thanking him for Christ our saviour who upon this earth has trod, Praise him just like Paul and Silas lift your voice and let God hear, he inhabits all the praises of his people, he draws near.

Dance and sing above your feelings lift the song and let it ring. Glory, Glory to our Father, God of heaven enters in.

Amen

jayh · #6 16th April 2008, 06:48 AM

And I thought I knew you.!

Hearing of Jesus and God's love and the message that he gave to be preached can start a search in hearts. Wanting to know more, to experience and find for ourselves that God really is real.

When my husband and I got married we thought we knew each other well, we met as friends some seven years earlier, we had a closeness like a deep and loving friendship that you would think would be spoilt by any deeper commitment.

During those seven years I saw how he was so kind to others so obliging that he was more than words. I was watching!
That was important for me to see as love had not been a pleasant word-experience.

I saw a gentleness that was honour and respect for people coming from a man and I remember thinking about the word Gentleman as being a gentle man, and how beautiful it is to see;
not the supposed strength of a macho image but this wonderful gift of kindness that was so evident it made you want to glow!

He would deny that he is so caring, but when word and actions blend together there is witness to it.

We did meet up again and he stated that we were getting married. No asking! Just fact! Praise God for positive people, as I had no argument.
But, the first year of our marriage was akin to a nightmare. What ever we knew about each other was nothing to what we didnot know. We had got along fine before!

Unable to open up and talk to him (my hangup) I started to leave him writings, notes are good for a starter as you can read them and adjust any impolite or unecessary words until it says what you really mean. It took about a year before I could pluck up courage to say "Can I speak to you"

We had our difficulties but I found there was a no mans land called common ground where we could stop and get some common sense too!
We also had many laughs along the way, laughing at ourselves like when your mountain suddenly appears as a molehill!.
A real getting to know you process.

Relationship to and with God our Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Our Father already knows us and makes no mistakes, the adjustments are mine to come into line with His way. A life of getting to know the person of God, who is like no one I have known.

I'll close this, something that a man who had been married for a few years shared. He advised me.

"If you ever get married, remember it's not how long you've been married but how much time you've shared together"

I think that is true in any relationship. Amen

jayh · #7 18th April 2008, 09:53 AM

My Soul...Praise the King of Heaven....

Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven;
To His feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.

Praise Him for His grace and favor
To our fathers in distress.
Praise Him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glorious in His faithfulness.

Fatherlike He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He knows.
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Widely yet His mercy flows.

Frail as summer’s flower we flourish,
Blows the wind and it is gone;
But while mortals rise and perish
Our God lives unchanging on,
Praise Him, Praise Him, Hallelujah
Praise the High Eternal One!

Angels, help us to adore Him;
Ye behold Him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before Him,
Dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace. ( Amen.)

Words by: Henry Francis Lyte ( 1834)

jayh · #8 19th May 2008, 06:22 AM

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES.:

JOHN CHAPTER 5 VERSE: 39-40. JESUS IS SPEAKING...

"Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me. And you will not come unto me, that you might have life"

SEARCHING:
to search: to look over thoroughly in order to find something.

TO PROBE INTO:
Go deep into, complete investigation of

Those things you put in a safe place you know it is somewhere but where? You look high and low for it, turning some things over or moving something out of the way, you really need to find it and the search becomes more earnest.

SEEK : to search for or enquire for:
to look for, to try to find, to ask for, to aim at, to strive after.

Searching the scriptures is certainly more than a casual read.

Amen

jayh · #9 19th May 2008, 08:01 AM

A STORY:

It's more than two years since I asked "Lord what will I study?"

I had heard and read that the spirit of truth will lead you into all truth and as the Bible is such a huge book so full of teaching, you just want to be where he wants you to be and reading where he leads.

It was during a time after the loss of our youngest son who was 27yrs young. A time of looking up to heaven and repeating God's word. Looking up for help from God.

"What shall I study" "AND" "Pardon?" "AND"

AND: Also. Together with. In addition to. Plus.

A link attaching one part to another. A word that joins words, clauses and sentences.

Having finished that. "What will I study now?" "BUT"

BUT: Yet. Nevertheless. For all that. Except. In spite of that. Although.

Then the words.. BUT GOD ..came firmly to my mind. Sitting near a large window I looked out and looked up.

The view I had was like a video playing. I saw myself holding onto a hand glider. It was just above the height of our roof. I watched and noticed there was a bar underneath that my hands were clinging to. On the bar were two words, one on the left the other on the right side. My knuckles, I noticed, were white with holding very tightly, and the glider was being lifted from beneath by a gentle wind.

The words written were: BUT ......... GOD.

I cannot recall if it was on the same day or the next, but I had the Gospel program on and T.D.Jakes was speaking. He was speaking of things that come against us, or surround us . As he was speaking he began to turn his head to the left and as he did that I just knew, at that moment, what he was going to say, head turned he spoke "BUT GOD"

For me: for all that was going on - ---yet GOD
I am in a sorrow, I am in the depths ---- in spite of that-GOD,
All this may be surrounding me - Nevertheless GOD.. There is more than the current situation because God is in the midst and the matter has yet to have a conclusion, the one God purposed and is attending to. Amen.

This direction came that I was to write a sum out and consider it:
" 2+2+2= 6" Correct? ..Yes

" 2+2+ = 6" "This doesnot add up as something has been left out of the equation"

We, I, cannot leave God out of anything, when ,and if I do nothing adds up or balances.

For studying I have found these also helpful:

OF: belonging to: from: proceeding from: relating to: the starting point.

When Jesus said he did not speak of himself but the things of his Father, you see it again and again in God's word.

The will of God. The Son of God. in the word showing the origin, source.

Therefore: For this or that reason: a summing up of what has been already been said

As this word is rounding off or summing up a something , I trace back to find it's begining., without that the summing up wouldnot make sense to me.

FOR : when the word is used as : On behalf of. as the example , praying for your enemies rather than praying .about them.

Amen.

jayh · #10 28th May 2008, 05:05 AM

HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD.

1.Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.

2. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Savior today!
Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now,
as in thy presence humbly I bow.

3. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

4. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!

Words: Adelaide A Pollard. (1862-1934)

Father hear the cry of my heart................