I'll Be Away

Hi everyone.

I just wanted to let everyone know that I will be out of town for an unforeseeable amount of time. I have to drive home for a death in my family and my mom will need me for awhile. If you could keep me and mine in your prayers, I would greatly appreciate it. I will let everyone one know when I'm back.

Thanks everyone,

Colleen

The Toy Story (Part 2 of Are You Willing To Pay The Price?)

The Toy Story

By: Randall Mooney

May 7, 2009

I built a restaurant a few years ago in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. One morning while eating breakfast at a local Waffle House, I felt a very strong impression in my spirit that the waitress serving me was in desperate need of a word of encouragement. She smiled and gave me the customary, “Welcome to Waffle House,” greeting when I came through the door. As I took my seat at the counter, she wasted no time offering me a cup of coffee. She was polite, diligent, and professional in every way, but I immediately felt a deep sadness in her spirit that was effectively being hidden by the smile on her face.

It was the usual morning rush hour, and the place was packed-out with people hoping to eat breakfast and still get to work on time. I watched her as I ate my food and listened to the Spirit revealing to me her hard and painful past in New Orleans. I strongly suspected she had come here for a fresh start and to break away from the life she had lived in the past. Every time she re-filled my coffee I wanted to give her the word I had in my heart for her, and every time I started to take the plunge she would be called away to her other duties.

When I wrapped up my meal, I decided to write the words to her on the back of my ticket. I only needed to convince her to take my money from the counter instead of paying at the register. I also didn’t want to make a scene or call any attention to myself. In other words, I was hoping for a fast getaway. On the back of the ticket I wrote these words to Toy, the name on her name-tag. “Dear Toy, Jesus loves you more than you will ever imagine!” Then I turned the ticket over, placed my payment with tip on top of it, and made a dash for the door—not looking back.

Well, I was in the middle of the parking lot, half the way to my truck, when Toy came running out of the Waffle House yelling for me to wait. When I turned around, this tall forty-something black woman ran up to me with everyone in the restaurant staring through the glass, and threw her arms around me giving me a huge hug. With tears streaming down her face destroying her make-up, she cried and said, “Mister, I know God sent you here this morning. Today, more than ever, I needed to hear these words. Thank you so very much!”

Although I was really glad God had touched Toy, I was very uncomfortable with this scene in the parking lot and with the show everyone in the store was getting. I thanked her for the hug, and I told her I was glad she got what she needed, and I politely continued toward my truck. She waved goodbye to me and wiped her face on her apron, then held her head high and marched back into the restaurant to finish her shift. I have never seen her again. I don’t know what she told the people in the store, but I do know that God moved, and Toy and I had church in the parking lot of the Waffle House in Baton Rouge.

Very often it only takes obedience and a few words at the right time and in the right place to change a life forever. I guarantee you, neither Toy nor I will ever forget that morning in the parking lot. At least I know her name. I never gave her mine. But the name that does need to be known is Jesus, and that morning he got to have his way. It doesn’t always take a steeple, a pew, and a pulpit to have church. Every day we encounter hurting people hiding behind big smiles. Many of them need hope and are hoping God will give them the slightest touch to get through their struggle. Many of us are hurting and think it is impossible for God to use us to touch someone else with comfort and encouragement. The truth of the matter is that it is God who does the comforting and encouraging, but it is up to us to make contact. Let me encourage you to be sensitive to God’s Spirit and to the needs of those around you, and touch someone today.

Are We Willing To Pay The Price?

Isaiah 61:1-11

The Year of the LORD's Favor

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, ^a]">[a]

to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

Aliens will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.

And you will be called priests of the LORD,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.

Instead of their shame
my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
they will rejoice in their inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs.

"For I, the LORD, love justice;
I hate robbery and iniquity.
In my faithfulness I will reward them
and make an everlasting covenant with them.

Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the LORD has blessed."

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.

For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations.

A good friend of mine, Randall Mooney, wrote an article and I asked his permission to post it. He graciously agreed. Randall has a passion for anyone who is down and out and wants everyone to know about Jesus. Randall is very creative in his dealings with people and his article is about a situation that took place recently. I encourage you to be thinking about Isaiah 61. Absorb it and let it speak to you.

Tomorrow will be a continuation of Isaiah 61 in story form. Buckle your seat belts and hold on. You are going on a little journey that can change your life.

Time In A Bottle - 3

Part 3, from yesterday’s post

Jesus brought me to the place where I had to realize that if I wanted him to be the Lord of my life, I had to make the time to be with him. He also brought me to the place where I had to see that his relationship with me was far more important than my relationship with my family, to anyone or anything else. Jesus showed me that he is the reality of my life. Now I had to make a choice. Do I want Jesus more than anything else?

I started to pray and ask Jesus to show me how to change, and to ask how I could make time in my day for him. He’s always faithful. Eventually, I started praying more, which lead to more praise, which lead to more worship. Now, I hunger for his presence.

Have my days, and time schedules changed? Maybe a little, but I seem to have time now to put the Lord into my days. Is it always easy, no, but it’s always worth the sacrifice. Jesus’ sweet presence is far more important to me now than the busyness of my day. I go to bed now with a new sense of accomplishment. Because, all of the things that matter now are being done. I’m actually more energized than I used to be and I go to bed with less exhaustion.

Jim Croce wrote the song, “Time In A Bottle” which seems appropriate:

If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I’d like to do
Is to save every day
Till eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you

If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I’d save every day like a treasure and then
Again, I’d spend them with you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go
Through time with you.

I believe that he wrote this song for his wife. Even though the words were written for someone else I like to sing the song as if it were written to Jesus. A song of an unconditional love that will last all eternity. Wow!

Time In A Bottle - 2

Part 2, from yesterday’s post

I started thinking and asking myself, what keeps me from spending time with Jesus and when I do, why does it seem forced. Better yet, why can’t I seem to keep it up for long periods of time. A day will slip into days. Then days will slip into weeks. The cycle continues and the guilt within me grows until I don’t want to face the issue any more.

I know I’m not the only one who has fought with this time old issue. In a rare few moments alone I asked myself, “how do I conquer the problem of not having enough time, when I hardly have enough time to think what I’m thinking?”

First of all, I had to be honest with myself. I had to take a long and hard look at what my priorities were. Everything during my day was valid, and I didn’t see any way of dropping anything to be with Jesus. I knew something had to change. But, what?

I began to focus on my priorities, and I began to realize that Jesus wasn’t on the top of the list. Matter of fact he wasn’t even on the radar screen of my day. Ok, the million dollar question is: how do I make Jesus a priority of my day?

Again I had to ask myself, “What is the most important thing to me? What will make me willing to sacrifice to have time to either be with or do it?” That was easy for me to answer, it’s my husband and children. I would cancel anything for quality family time. Each one of us has our priorities.

Another self evaluation had to take place. Okay, do I believe in Jesus? That’s easy, yes I do. Do I believe that the Bible is my guidebook?. Again, that’s easy, yes. Next question, do I love Jesus? Oh boy, do I! I think I’m doing pretty good so far. I’ve answered all of the questions in the right way.

Jesus has now decided to throw in a few questions of his own at this point and he asks, “do you love me more than your family?” I automatically answer, well sure I do. Next question, “if you love me more than your family, are you willing to spend quality time with me and are you willing to sacrifice to do it?” I start arguing a little bit at this point, “ Lord you just don’t understand, time is at a premium”.....Jesus once again asks me, “do you love me?” I try a new tactic, “Lord, I know you want me to be faithful to my commitments”.....again the Lord asks me, “are you willing to sacrifice to spend time with me?” I realized I wasn’t getting out of this so easily.

Part 3, tomorrow

Time In A Bottle 1

If I could put time in a bottle, I would be a millionaire. Time is a precious commodity that seems to slip thru our fingers faster than water. Most people’s day look something like this:

6:30: shower, breakfast, prepare for work
8:00-5:00:get the kids off to school, go to work
6:00: dinner and dishes
7:00-10:00: night meetings and children’s activities
10:00 and on: bedtime

Plus preparing meals, doing laundry, helping the kids with homework, yard work, cleaning house and meeting with friends, etc........All of the added extras get done whenever and wherever you can squeeze it in. You go to bed exhausted, and think, “I’m done. Now I can go to sleep.”

Preparing to turn the light out, something starts nagging at you. It’s important, but you can’t quite put your finger on it. You yawn, roll over and think, “oh, well, it can wait until tomorrow.” Tomorrow is another day to be conquered! Sleep comes quickly.

Someone has been waiting in your room, very quietly and patiently for you to notice him. After you are asleep, he walks over to your bed and begins whispering in your ear. He shares with you all of things that he wanted to share with you through the day. He stands up, looks at you, then he walks away hoping that tomorrow......

How many times do we forget to spend time with Jesus? He is looking for us to notice him and for us to want to take the time to be with him.

Part 2, Tomorrow

What if?

I started thinking about a tear drop. How delicate, small and beautiful they are when they fall. What if a tear drop captures and reveals a deep part of our soul every time one appears. Just as a camera captures the essence of a moment, can a tear drop, as it falls, reveal and capture our inner self .


Could they reveal:

the joy of finding the right person for life

the heartbreak of betrayal by someone you love
the fear of being hurt
the pride in your child’s first major accomplishment
the anger that overrides common sense
the wisdom gained through the years
the awe when your hear the first heartbeat of your unborn child
the excitement of making a new friend
the first time when you realize that you are mortal

Actually, I don’t really think a tear drop can do any of that, but I do believe that where a tear drop comes from can. The eyes. Isn’t it said that the eyes are the mirror of our soul.

When I want to get to know someone I look into their eyes. It reveals much more than words ever can. It let's me know if they are listening to me, accepting me or they are hurting and need my comfort. It also lets me know if they don't want to spend time with me, or if they are so excited that they can hardly wait for me to finish.

We are all complex and unique. I've been told by many people that I'm easy to read. So please take the time to look into my eyes from time to time. You will see who and what I really am. You might actually get to see a tear drop when you take the time to look. It’s an added bonus while looking into the mirror of my soul.

The Secret Dwelling Place - 2

Part 2 From Yesterday’s Post

What is the secret dwelling place? It’s crawling up into daddy’s lap and experiencing his love. Some of people have never experienced God’s love in this special way and I believe there are several reasons why they haven’t.

The first reason is we just don’t spend enough time with God. Many people believe that if they go to church on Sunday and some form of bible study during the week, they are close to God. God encourages us to meet together to worship him, but that’s only one or two days a week. Worshiping God on Sunday should be a result of us worshiping him Monday through Saturday.

Jesus came to earth and died so that anyone, Jew or Gentile, could have complete access with his Father. Wow! Look at how much was done for us just so we can spend time with our heavenly Father. God has an open door policy and on the door is written, “Open to all, at any time. Please come in.” We just need to walk in.

The second reason is some of us have come to expect our pastor, or our worship leader, to bring us into God’s presence. This misconception has been around for a long time. The enemy has tried to rob us of God’s open door policy. In Exodus 34, Moses went up Mt. Sinai to talk with God. He came down the mountain with the Glory of God shining on his face. The people cried out, cover your face or we will die. We can’t come face to face with God’s presence. Moses put a veil on his face until the glory disappeared. The people chose to separate themselves from God’s presence. When Jesus came and died on the cross, the veil within the tabernacle, which was used to separate man from God, was miraculously torn in two. From that moment on anyone who wanted to come before God, without someone else’s intervention, could.

The third and final reason is that we try to hide what we've done wrong and hope no one notices. Remember when you were a child and you did something wrong. You didn’t want to tell your mom and dad, and would try to avoid them for as long as possible. Relationship was broken between the two of you, and the only way to restore it was to admit to doing wrong and ask for their forgiveness. It’s the same with our relationship with God. The Lord will never force us to do anything. He gave us free will. It’s crazy not to take care of it, because God already knows what we’ve done. We can’t hide things from him the way we did from our earthly parents. He just waits with open arms. The minute we come to him and tell him we were wrong, God forgives us and immediately surrounds us with his love. Our relationship is restored.

Nothing can compare with a father’s love Once you’ve looked into your heavenly father’s eyes, and hear him tell you he loves you, you are hooked! When he picks you up, you will keep coming back for more. Congratulations! You have just found the secret dwelling place!

The Secret Dwelling Place

I remember once as a child, sitting in a room full of family members who were talking to one another. My father was sitting in a chair and I turned to look at him. He smiled and whispered the words, I love you. He motioned for me to come to him and when I did he placed me on his lap then hugged me. I felt secure, I felt loved. I had found the secret dwelling place.

The Lord gave us earthly parents to show us a tiny glimpse of what God’s love for us is. He loves us so much that he wants to spend time with us. Today Jesus is looking at us and whispering I love you, and motioning for us to come to him.

Is there a secret dwelling place? Can we hear from God the way we hear from our earthly father? Can we crawl into God’s lap, and feel secure? The answer is yes, but how do we get there and what do we have to do to find it?

David was considered a man after God’s own heart. David loved God more than he loved himself, his family, even his own life. David, writer of approximately half of the book of Psalms, in the Old Testament, in the Bible, shows us the first clue to finding the secret dwelling place. In Psalms 93 it states, “Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity...the Lord on high is mighty.” David knew who God was and he never questioned his authority. Step one is knowing God is God.

Moses gives us the second clue. Moses was told by God to lead the people Israel out of Egypt and lead them into the promised land. During their journey they stopped at Mt. Sinai. God told Moses to go to the top of the mountain and receive his instructions. In Exodus 33, the second book in the Bible, shows Moses spent time with and talked to God. More miraculously is that God talked back. Any relationship requires spending time with the other person to make it work. The only way that we can hear what God is saying is to spend time with him. God is always talking, but it’s up to us to listen. Step two is learning to listen.

When we spend quality time with someone we get to know their voice. Jesus knew his father well and shows us when he is in the desert being tempted by Satan, how important it is. In Matthew 4: 2-11, it states, “... the devil took him to a very high mountain...” and showed him the riches of the world and told Jesus, “ All this I will give you...if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God , and serve him only.” Jesus knew his father’s voice. When God spoke, Jesus not only listened, he obeyed. Each time we listen and obey, it becomes easier and easier to hear and know the voice of our Father. Step three is recognizing and obeying God’s voice.

The final clue is found in God himself. Through out scripture the stories of his love are endless. Take the story of Hannah in I Samuel 1. Hannah is crying her heart out to God because she doesn’t have a child and wants one badly. The Lord loved her so much, he granted that she have a child. Hannah’s child, Samuel, grew up to be one of the greatest prophets that Israel has ever known. Samuel was a gift of love. Not only to Hannah, but to Israel as well. The final step is learning how much God loves us.

Through David we see how important it is to acknowledge who God is and to accept the Lord’s authority in our lives. Through Moses we see the importance of spending time with and talking to God. Through Jesus we see that we have to recognize and obey our Father’s voice. Finally, through God, he shows us see how much he loves us. God is sovereign, but he’s also our Dad who wants to spend time with us. The Lord is always faithful. He will guide and direct us to show us the path we need to follow. If you follow the right path it’s guaranteed that you’ll find the secret dwelling place.

Part 2 - Tomorrow

Honor Given Where Honor Is Due - 5

Part 5, From Yesterday’s Post

How could anyone forget December 11th, 2001. Terrorists with radical ideas, whom are willing to die for their beliefs, attacked the Twin Towers in New York, the Pentagon and would have attacked Washington DC if brave men and women hadn’t crashed the plane before it arrived at our nation's capitol.

My Father-in-law, retired Colonel, B.F. Simmons of the United States Air Force told us that one of the offices bombed out in the Pentagon used to be his when he was there. What a sobering thought. Dad used to be in Medical Administration while serving his country. During the Viet Nam War Dad would fly to the Mash units in helicopters. He said that bullets would fly by the open helicopter doors all of the time. My husband and I a very proud that we have many distinguished military in both of our families.

We are now at a crossroads in our nation. Things are going haywire. Our nation has had problems before, but the one constant has been the strength and dedication of our military. We need to appreciate all that they do. They stay behind the scenes and we really don’t know a small portion of what they do to keep us free and safe.

Our military has always been voluntary (except during the Nam war). Men and women have boldly, bravely and loyally answered the call to protect our nation. I’m proud of our military and I thank them for all that they do for us. You allow freedom to reign. You allow our flag to fly free and proud. You allow us to sleep at night in peace with no fear that someone is going to come and drag us out of our homes because we disagree with them.

There are many more courageous, brave and bold incidences through out our nations history where our military have protected us. It would take to long to list them all. Our heritage is long and rich. Because of the dedication of our military we are definitely, “the land of the free, and the home of the brave”.