Wisdom & Understanding

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessolonians 4:13-18 January 29th marks the sixth anniversary of my husband's passing from death into eternal life. Though it has only been six years, at times it feels like it's been longer and sometimes it feels ...

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 “…firmness of character, a woman that knows her mind, without timidity or feebleness of purpose. Nor a weak spirit that is easily persuaded and cannot be relied upon.” This was the line spoken by Captain Fredrick Wentworth, a character from Jane Austen’s book “Persuasion”. I love Jane Austen’s and the Bronte’ sisters books, they were women that lived in a era when women were considered very low on the totem pole if they were not from a family of wealth and married or engaged at least by the age of 20. Basically a woman should be “seen and not heard”, so these brave women wrote their messages of the unfairness of this sort of class-ism into their novels, wrapped their intolerance of the treatment of women of t...

The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,And in the night His song shall be with me— A prayer to the God of my life. Psalms 42:8 Oh how I needed to read this. There is something so comforting about God’s Word especially when you are going through transition. Being a widow is a big transition for me. It’s the kind of thing that no one can tell you about how to go through, you just have to press in and go through yourself. I was driving to work the other morning and along the way I saw the fields that once were green and overflowing with all kinds of grain, including corn. Now they stood barren with no sign of life. That scene along with the morning fog, painted a gloomy, austere picture. It reminded me of what it is like in life sometimes…some seasons. There are times when you go through a dry, desolate place, when you feel as if no one could have possibly come this way before. But it is in those times that I am reminded that as surely as the fields will be filled again t...

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 As a child growing up in the south, I experienced segregation firsthand. My parents raised my siblings and me to have self-esteem, but that did not deter me from the hurt and embarrassment of having to go to the “colored” entrance when I went to the movies or public bathroom. I went to a college in a town where the freedom marchers had made an indelible impression. Things had begun to change; I could go in the front entrance of a restaurant and even shop in stores (though there were still dirty looks) and be waited on at the cash register. To a young person this was a remarkable accomplishment. I remember my roommates and I saying to each other “Wow we walked right in there, like a regular person!” It’s hard to explain this to young people these days, because a lot of our history has been left out of the books they use in school. But I tell them; I tell them to be thankful for the sacrifices that peo...

And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would endure and survive, but for the sake of the elect (God's chosen ones) those days will be shortened. If anyone says to you then, Behold, here is the Christ (the Messiah)! or, There He is!--do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and they will show great signs and wonders so as to deceive and lead astray, if possible, even the elect (God's chosen ones). Matthew 24:22-24 Sometimes I don’t know whom to believe! Some people can be so convincing and believable and then you find out that they were lying all the time. In the past year or so there has been report after report of pastors and teachers in the ministry that are getting divorced, have gotten divorced or were caught in a compromising position. I am even finding out now that some of my favorite preachers and gospel singers were divorced and some have remarried again. What I don’t get is these things happen and sometimes there is no expla...

Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith and is also its finisher. Hebrews 12:1, 2a (Amplified Bible) The great cloud of witnesses mentioned in the above scripture speaks of those that have gone before us (see Hebrews 11) that trusted and believed God. It tells of Abraham and Moses to name just a couple. These “heroes” of the faith trusted God and prevailed. They are a testament and witnesses to God’s truth. Their testimony alone cheers us on that we can prevail as well. It is my personal belief that even our loved ones that have gone on be...

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalms 27:1, 13, 14 As I was reading this scripture this morning, my thoughts were taken back to the time of my teenage years. My high school music teacher was awesome! If she saw talent in her students, she would do her best to take you to the highest degree of excellence. She would have us singing in Latin and all sorts of classical pieces, winning awards at State competitions. During my senior year in High school she taught me the song “The Lord is my Light”, I can’t remember the writer of this classical piece, but it was beautiful. Here I was only 16 years old singing this song with the lyrics of Psalms 1 at competitions statewide. I must admit...

I just noticed a pattern! When I write about something, seems like I get challenged in that area the next day??? What's up with that? LOL Oh well...it's all about getting "Wisdom and understanding. LOL

"... do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." I Corinthians 6:19-20 " I am NOT a mean person !" that is what I was saying to myself this morning. I was trying to convince myself that even though I did not feel like going to work and being confronted with a bunch of teenagers with all their problems on a Monday morning, that I was a good upright person that REALLY LOVE people. Chanting "I am NOT a mean person" over and over again didn't reach my heart, in fact it only gave me a dry mouth! I proceeded to do my regular morning ritual making my soy shake, packing a lunch and bag all to the soft worhip music of Terry MacAlmon. Worship music usually gets me in the place of surrender where I say "Okay God", but this morning, thinking about confronting the lit...

And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with ...

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalms 30:11-12 There was a "season" when I was very, very busy in music ministry and I had many opportunities to visit and minister in lots of churches in various denominations. It was exciting, but I noticed one thing: very few of those churches worshipped in dance. Some of them had their "trained" worship dance teams that performed during the services, but I saw no dancing to worship...you know people dancing freely as if they were in love with Him. There is usually no problem getting Christians to sing, but to dance...well that's another matter. I have been to churches where the music and singing is awesome and yet...people stand rooted in their place. Some people clap their hands and sway, but no dancng. I can talk about this because o...

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust me?" Those were the words of my 6 year old grandaughter as we walked through her neighborhood. It was a beautiful day and I needed the exercise. So we started off for a walk in her new neighborhood in beautiful California. After about 15 minutes and her suggestions of "Let's go this way", I began to feel that maybe we were lost. I was only a visitor to the area and the neighborhood was relatively new to her. I asked her "Are you sure that you know where we are going?" And she said "Meemaw, trust me". We walked a few blocks more and I asked her again "Are you sure that you know where we are going?" And she replied in her sweet 6 year old voice with a lopsided smile "Meemaw, don't you trust me?". This time I said to her "I am your grandmother and I am ...

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26 There is a cardinal (red bird) that visits my backyard every winter. Today I saw him in the same spot where he usually comes (I know that it is a “he” because of its bright red color.) Now grant it I have been noticing this bird for many years, so I seriously doubt if it is the same bird. But I found it so interesting that as I looked through the sliding glass doors to the backyard I saw it near the pine tree, just like I do every winter. And each year I try to figure out what it is looking for and eating, but the trees are bare this time of the year. Yet it appears to be very satisfied in finding something to eat. Whatever is in that spot attracts a cardinal every winter. I thought to myself that maybe…just maybe God sent it to remind me of His faithfulness…that’s when the scripture above came to mind. Have you ...

Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; For you will forget the shame of your youth, And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore. For your Maker is your husband, The LORD of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth. For the LORD has called you, like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, Like a youthful wife when you were refused.” Isaiah 54:4-6a Today started off as one of those "days" again...January (sigh). But I thank God for good friends! I was suppose to be a judge in a statewide High school drama competition this morning. I thoroughly enjoy doing this, but this morning when I awaken, I just didn't have the energy to get up and get dressed. And to be real about it, I just didn't feel like being around people today. So I called and cancelled and prayed that they would get someone else to take my place. That is generally not li...

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 The words above are so comforting to me...you see I am a widow, for almost 6 years now. In fact this month, January 29th will mark the 6th anniversary of my husband's passing. Words cannot express the journey that I have been on during his illness, death and the months and years that have followed. From 1998 to 2002 I have experienced the lost of many family members and friends and each grief is different. But God has been so faithful to me, He has kept His word that he would never leave me nor forsake me. He has walked each moment with me as I have "traveled" on this journey. When I made a declaration that this year I desire to get more "Wisdom and understanding" from God's Word, to no suprise it was followed by a bout of depression. I must admit that I took my eyes off of my goal and began to look...

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 God is interested in the details; He is reminding Jeremiah the prophet that “Hey! Before you were even formed I already had given you a purpose!” Details are very important; they can make the simplest things become unforgettable. It can be needlework; decorating, painting or even cooking and the minutest details can make a masterpiece. While on a recent trip to California, my daughter-in–law and I went to see the movie “The Great Debaters” (great movie by the way). And in the movie the set designer did an excellent job in making the sets actually look like it was really in the 1930’s. It was the very small details that I noticed, the pictures and frames on the mantles; the china on the table and even the pieces of furniture used really “took” you into the 1930’s. Also the costume and hair designer made the actors appear as if they stepped right out ...