SALVATION AT 70

This is really my younger brother's story - but I am very excited to share it.   In November 2017 he had a stroke, but chose to walk out of the hospital instead of stay to see what caused it.  In January 2018 he had another stroke, this time more severe.  They transported him to a larger regional hospital and did brain surgery.  What they found was an aneurysm in his brain that had created a baseball-size amount of clotted blood, which they removed.  

After the surgery the doctor told my brother that he was a miracle.  The Dr. said he had done about 400 hundred of those surgeries.  Of the 400, about 1/3 died on the operating table, another 1/3 lived in a vegetative state until they died, and the final 1/3 regained a little of their mobility and communication skills, but my brother was his very first patient to regain 100%.  

Shortly after the surgery my brother called me, and said, "Lola, I've had an epiphany!"  And then he shared that after our step-grandfather was not healed when there had  been a prophecy that he would be, my little brother took it out on God and blamed Him for not doing what 'he' promised.  My brother was 8.  

Now, 62 years later, his epiphany was that it wasn't God who got it wrong - it was people.  And 'baby brother' committed his life to the Lord.  He assured me it was not foxhole Christianity, and that he wanted to be the man he always should have been had he followed the Lord.  As we were talking that night, he said, "I want to be a Christian."  Then he proclaimed, "You know what?   I AM a Christian!  I just confessed with my mouth."  And he has been confessing ever since.  Praising God, thanking God, believing in God.  And that is the greater miracle!  His medical miracle?  Wonderful!  But the greatest miracle is a totally changed life.  

God never stopped loving him and pursuing him.  Incredible!  It is a very merry Christmas!  The prodigal is home!  


Thank you, Lord, for coming to earth as a little baby and spending time on earth growing up fully human, all the while being fully God....  Your miracles point us to YOU and we thank you with grateful hearts!  

In the beginning....GOD

Genesis 1:1-3
John 1:1

That's my foundation for belief.  God initiated Time.  He was there in the beginning and will be with us through the end.  And then we will be with Him for eternity if we hold fast to our faith in Him.  As we see so much that is awry in our world I cling to the good news that God is with us and holds us close to Him - in life and in death.  

'And God said'...and that's enough.  My confidence is in Him and Him alone.  

Of course the best good news is that God loved the world so much that He sent His Son to pay the price for Sin and redeem us through the blood Jesus shed as the final sacrifice ever needed.  Truly, God loved the world so much that He literally took on flesh and came to earth to become that sacrificial lamb....  What amazing love.  

In praying for those who are being devastated by the current massive disasters of Harvey, Irma, fires and other storms He is the only one we can turn to, and our faith is distilled to the basics:  He is God. He loves us.  He is still in the soul-saving business.  He contends for mans' souls.   

My prayer is that in the hour of desperation, many hearts will be inclined to Him and find His ultimate peace and comfort.  He truly cares....and is there in the midst of the storm.  In times of trouble people either turn to God as their only source of strength - or they turn away from Him in anger and blame Him for their circumstances.  

None of these storms come as a surprise to Him.  In His Word He has forewarned that terrible times would be the beginning of the birth pangs that usher in the end of the world and His return to gather those who believe in Him.  

I am praying for those who are affected by the storms, and those who are going to storm-affected areas to help - to be God's hands extended to the oppressed.  We have never seen such a time of devastation.  

I have been tenderly touched by the outpouring of kindness and care that I have observed in the Texas weather crisis.  People  being the America I have always known and love - - and it gives me hope for our country!

DAY 46 – WAITING FOR PENTECOST

WAITING FOR PENTECOST – JESUS’ MANY MIRACLES

Reading for today:
John 20:30-31
John 21:25

We just acknowledged Jesus’ ascension back to heaven 6 days ago. In our parallel journey through Lent, to and then beyond the cross, the story is still unfolding. At this point in the disciples’ lives, they are meeting together intentionally in the upper room as they were instructed to do, obediently praying for the promise Jesus left them with in his instructions for what was to come next. “Wait….” They are waiting – which means we are too, as we’re intentionally attempting to follow the day-by-day journey as they experienced it. Right now – all we have recorded is that they were told to wait….

So while we are waiting – it gives me an opportunity to explore some more portions of the Gospel’s messages.  (I suspect the disciples were sharing their memories of messages as encouragement to each other as well during this time.)

His Word tells us everything we need to know – but still, these two references in John intrigue me. After all of the amazing miracles that John recorded, he lets us know near the end of his writing of his testimony that Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples. The most captivating statement is in John 21:25, when he says, “If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” 

That is such a ‘wow’ statement. It intrigues me. All the reports in the gospels of Jesus’ interaction with man during his three whirlwind years of ministry on earth represent only the tip of the iceberg. And, yet, it is enough. These are written so that we may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing we may have life in his name. (John 20:31)

I cannot help but reiterate that – we may have life in his name. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved. None. 

Right after Luke tells us that Jesus is the one who was the stone the builders rejected – who has become the capstone, he tells us in Acts 4:12: “…Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” 


Jesus paid the price. He extends the offer of salvation through His blood – but we have a part to play. We have to reach out and accept the gift. 

The chorus of a song by Don Moen springs to mind:

No other name but the Name of Jesus

No other name but the Name of the Lord

No other name but the Name of Jesus

Is worthy of glory, and worthy of honor

And worthy of power and all praise

DAY 32 – COUNTING TO ASCENSION

WAITING FOR PENTECOST

A TRIBUTE TO PHIL WAYMAN
I have fond memories of a Singspiration I helped coordinate that was held on May 16, 2010.  It was precious.   Reusing my blog entries from 2010 is allowing me an opportunity to relive many special memories gleaned that year.  This is one of those memories!

I didn’t count exactly how many people came, but I think there were about 25 of us, based on the number of chairs set up – but it wasn’t about numbers. It was absolutely beautiful seeing people’s faces. I fought tears all the way through. There was a sweet, sweet presence – and singing the old songs of our faith together was very dear. It is our love language – the songs of faith we sang at our spiritual birth and through our formative years. 

I was very, very tired. I didn’t get enough sleep the night before because the dog awakened me just after 2:30 a m barking vociferously at the coyotes. And – I was poignantly aware that one man I had hoped would be there ‘one more time’ for our Singspiration was not there. Phil Wayman, age 88, who was soon to go be with the Lord, was in Sunday School two weeks prior to that – but his body was giving out – and his spirit was eager to be with the Lord. 

Knowing he was a dying man, he set about to use his final moments on this earth very intentionally. The report this week was that during this past week, he called a man he had tried to lead to the Lord 50 years before. Phil said his piece – told the man this was a message from a dying man – and hung up. His hearing isn’t good, and he couldn’t hear what the other fellow said back. 

About an hour later, the fellow’s brother called to tell Phil that his brother had called him after Phil called, and that he had given his heart to the Lord. What an inspiration. Phil is eager to get to heaven – but he wants to take as many people with him as he can. And what a message of tenacity. He had prayed for the man off and on over the years – and in his declining moments – sharing eternity was on his mind. When Phil steps across the threshold to his eternal reward he will definitely hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

We are each called to different ministries, different opportunities. I can’t imagine doing what Phil did – but who knows? I’ve done some pretty bizarre things I suppose – they just didn’t seem like they were bizarre at the time. When I feel the Holy Spirit compel me, I cannot say no….

Even though I was tired, the songs sung in community energized me. It was a beautiful moment – now a shared memory. 


Thank you, Lord, for Christian community. Thank you for voices raised together in heartfelt praise. Where 2 or 3 are gathered together in your name, there you are in the midst of them. Thank you! In our going, help us disciple….

Daniel 4

I love the story recorded in Daniel 4.  After seeing God's protection of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (recorded in Chapter 3), it would have seemed that King Nebuchadnezzar would have been thoroughly convinced of who the One True God is - - but nope, he had to have Chapter 4!  It is such a dramatic story.  Daniel is more than a little uneasy about telling Neb the interpretation of Neb's dream.  I can certainly understand why!  He'd seen the results of Neb's temper and power in the past, and Neb was a man one didn't want to cross!

I love that God loved Neb enough to warn him of what He was about to do, agonize that Neb ignored God's warning, and thrill to the conclusion.  The story in between could be a movie.  It is graphically written and I am visual, so the drama plays out easily in my imagination.  And at the end of it all, after Neb has come back to his senses, he worships the One and Only God.

And so it is for us.  God loves us enough to lead us to a place of complete reliance on Him where we learn that He alone is worthy of our praise.  He deserves our praise and worship no matter what our circumstances.

Praise you, Lord, for you are worthy of all wealth and power and wisdom and strength, all honor and glory and praise.

****

The Lord of Heaven and earth came down to earth as a man - fully God and fully human - to become the final sacrifice ever needed so we could be restored to Him in the perfect relationship that existed before Sin entered the garden of Eden.  A thought occurred to me a couple of days ago that had never previously entered my mind.   As fully God in human form, when He looked up at the stars He had created He knew their names.  An amazing reality!  I cannot even conceive what an incredible sacrifice it was for God to become man to save us.  "He humbled Himself and carried the cross"....the words to the song have even more meaning to me this morning.  "Love so amazing!"

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  (John 3:16-17)

The opportunity for salvation is there for all humanity - but it is up to us to reach out and accept the gift.
He who has the Son has life, but he who does not have the Son, does not have life.

The Bible has made the way very clear.

Happy Birthday Greetings!

Because of Facebook, primarily, I have received a plethora of birthday greetings.  Yes, it is true, today I am 67.

Being the ever-Mr-Spontaneous non-planner, my sweet husband asked me this morning what I wanted to do for my birthday.  I decided on a movie.  I heard that "The Last Ounce of Courage" is a must see - - so, even though the trailer includes the information that part of the story includes a family losing a loved one in war, I want to go see if it is all it is purported to be.  It just came out on the 14th, and I know if I want to see it, I must do it soon....  Good movies don't always stay at the box office long....

But - - his question triggered even deeper thoughts.  What do I want to do today?

I have always wanted to 'make a difference' in the world.  I still want that!  My expectations of what that means have changed - - but I want to leave the world a better place.

I have given my children a better life than I had (by God's grace).  That was at the top of the list.  I have touched others' lives and they have touched mine.  I know that being here has mattered.  But I'm not finished yet. 

I want to be faithful to share my faith.  Part of my exit strategy for heading toward the final goal is to take more people with me.  I have been too cautious about doing that.  There is always that nagging little voice of caution that people may not be ready to hear - - to look for the teachable moment....  But what I am realizing is that I have to create the opportunities for those moments.  And - - I have to accept that some people will reject the message and me - - that has happened before.  But - for those who are willing to hear - - what a joy for both of us, them and me, to share God's story of the most amazing gift the world has ever been offered. 

God sent His only birthed Son into the world to give eternal life to all who would accept Him.  That's John 3:16 in a nutshell, and it is the Gospel - - the Good News for people everywhere.  There is no other way to Heaven except through Jesus.  Jesus is the only way.  And God provides that way as His gift.  In fact, even though it is hard for people to understand, it was God Himself who became a man - - and took on flesh to become the sacrifice sin demands.  His gift.  His offer to imperfect man.  His salvation.  And He did it for each of us!  What an amazing God.

If anyone happens to pop in to read this, Jesus died for you!!!!  But His death would have meant nothing had He not been raised again from the dead.  He was!  On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, and was seen by many people before He ascended into Heaven.  And - - He is coming again!  There is so much more....but an eternity with Him is the ultimate prize. 

The time of His coming could be very close.   All the signs of the times point to that being true.  The one thing that keeps me from longing for that day is that there are lots of people I know who haven't made a commitment to accept Jesus.  I don't want people I have known to stand before God one day, point at me and say, "You never told me."  What we each do with the message of God's truth is our business.  We can accept Jesus or reject Him - - but for those who have never heard the story, I want them to hear. 

There is a lot that matters to me - - but that matters more than anything else....  I want to make a difference for eternity....