"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Anxious

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!

Today's word: anxious

What kinds of things make you anxious?

How do you deal with anxious feelings?

Let me know what you think!!

"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

GO BIG OR GO HOME

It's the championship game.

The locker room is still.

Everyone's waiting to hear from the coach.

He comes in and quietly says, "You're either ready to play or you're not. So, go big or go home. That's all I’m going to say."

Huh?

But you see, there's a HUGE message in that very short speech. This is *crunch* time – this is when it counts. Are you ready to lay it all on the line and go for it? Because if you're not, you might as well go home.

I've been thinking about this hypothetical situation the last few days.

Especially as it pertains to my prayers.

A few weeks ago, Sonja talked about praying big. Believing big. Going big with the Lord.

Now I am not talking about health and wealth here.

I don't want to pray for a new car, or to win the lottery, or to have my mortgage paid off (though if someone wanted to do that I might not stop them…just sayin')

I'm talking about the WAY I pray – not so much about the things I pray about.

When I was at the Women of Faith conference a couple of weeks ago, one of the speakers talked about how she was tired of "beggar prayers." She was through with approaching God with pittance petitions in her hands, while sort of apologizing for bothering Him.

It's all got me thinking.

Do I approach God boldly?

He tells me to do that. He's given me the privilege of walking straight through the doors of the throne room, and right up to the very throne. He's given me permission to say, out loud, "Um, excuse me, God. I've got something to talk to You about…"

And, I believe, with a barely suppressed smile, He will answer, "Hmmm. OK, let's hear it, My child."

But I don't often do that.

I come to Him somewhat afraid, somewhat hesitant, somewhat disbelieving that He'll answer any of my prayers.

I come like a beggar –

Now, I'm not talking about throwing respect and awe and humility out the window. Not at all. We are to fear our fearsome God. But, we are not to limit Him either. And I think I limit Him in the way I speak to Him.

Doubting that He is able.

Able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond what I can hope and think.

I limit Him by what I choose to bring to Him in prayer. How often have I neglected to pray over a situation that felt hopeless, or trivial, or unnecessary? How often have I guarded my feelings? How often have I tried to hide my true desires from Him? How often have I stuffed in my pockets the *real* prayers while giving lip service to the prayers I think I "should" be praying?

Case in point…

I have a particular situation in my life that I don't often pray about. Why? Because I just don't have much hope of seeing the situation change. (Such a horrible admission, I know…)

But over the past couple of weeks, I've been so convicted about this.

It's like I'm in the locker room, and God is saying to me:

"You know what, Sharon? You're either ready to follow Me or you're not. And part of following Me is believing in the impossible, tackling the most unlikely situations, being courageous when the odds are totally stacked against you, taking a leap of faith…

I've been known for stunning upset wins. Remember that empty tomb??"

Yes, yes I do.

God was very patient with a man named Gideon, who not once, but twice, threw out a fleece and asked God to show him a sign. God obliged. And a man with only 300 soldiers defeated an entire army.

So, I'm throwing it out there to God – I'm praying about my "impossible" situation.

You see, I have absolutely no desire to go home – so I'm going big.

I'm going to lay it all on the line with the Lord. The hopeless stuff, the trivial stuff, the stuff that I think might be unnecessary to even pray about. He's gonna get it all. My unguarded feelings, my true desires.

I'm emptying my pockets…

The rest is up to Him. In His sovereignty, He either will or will not answer according to His purposes. His good purposes. I'll trust Him for that. But, as for me, I'm not crawling into the throne room anymore like a dog with its tail between its legs (no offense, Marty…)

Nope.

I'm throwing the doors wide open, and I'm marching right up to the throne.

"Hello, God, it's me…"

Do you have some *big* prayers for God?

Thirsty for some Grace?

Join me at Joan's GRACE CAFE:

(I am also linked today with BRAG ON GOD FRIDAY)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

UNDER A BUSHEL

Hiding under a bushel.

OK, we're not supposed to do that as believers, right??

I've got proof – one is from Scripture:

"Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house." (Matthew 5:15 KJV)

The other is from that childhood song, "This Little Light of Mine":

Hide it under a bushel - NO! 


I'm gonna let it shine. 


Hide it under a bushel - NO! 


I'm gonna let it shine,

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

But, you see, I've got two problems with that.

First of all, sometimes a little *bushel-hiding* is exactly what I want to do.

You know those public bathrooms where you go into the room, and then you slide a little latch over from "VACANT" to "OCCUPIED"? Well, sometimes that's what I feel like doing. Going into that room, sliding the latch over, and just sitting there for as long as I want…

I feel like hiding.

I don't feel like making the effort, or putting it out there. I'm well aware of what the enemy does to "front-line" people. I'm not thinking I want to risk that. Scaredy-cat Sharon isn't one to run around with a target on her back.

Hiding can be restful, and peaceful.

Hiding can be safe.

Here's the other problem I've got. Sometimes I feel like hiding because I want opportunity to come knocking at my door. I just get frustrated (truth? Angry…) that other people seem to have their opportunities just drop in their laps. Did you know that the movie actress Lana Turner was discovered in a malt shop? It's true. I kinda want that…

Why couldn't God send me a FedEx package with a whole wonderful opportunity all lined up, all explained in great detail, with email and phone information for the contact person that's going to make it all happen?

OK, yes, I might still sit in the "occupied" bushel-hiding place – but it would be nice to have the chance come to me without any effort, you know?!

So, what else…

Our pastor has just returned from his summer break, and he's starting a new series on the book of Acts. The series is entitled, "BOLDLY." In his first message, he told us all about the exciting work that the Holy Spirit did after Pentecost. He related it to the adventure that Jesus calls US to live.

I tell you what – when I walked out of church I think I could have marched to downtown Los Angeles and preached the gospel to gangs of thugs and drug dealers. I felt invincible.

Unfortunately, that feeling didn't last.

Because I took a good look at my regular life.

Sample day? Get up, fix breakfast for ailing husband, eat mine, do my quiet time, help husband take shower, take mine (or maybe not – bushel hiders don't always care about how they smell…), get the mail, do some laundry, fix lunch for ailing husband, eat mine, go to the bank, mail some bills, stop at the market, fix dinner for ailing husband, eat mine, do some crosswords, watch some TV, help husband into bed, go to bed…perchance to sleep.

I don't know about you, but that DOES NOT sound like the blazing fire of the Holy Spirit at work.

Adventure, Lord?

If life with you is supposed to be "The Amazing Race" – then I think I'm living more like "Survivor" or "The Real World."

So, what to do with all of this?

Do I want to hide my light under a bushel? No, not really…

Do I want to wear a target on my back? No, not really…

Do I want to seek out opportunities to serve the Lord? No, not really. (I want them, I just don't want to seek them…)

But am I somehow missing the point? (There is a grand possibility here that the answer is YES!)

Does God define adventure different than me?

Does the light that must come out from the bushel need to be a beacon?

Hmmm…

So I took another look at that mundane day.

Did I minister to my husband? Yes.

Did I serve God by helping him? Yes.

Did I speak a kind word to the post office guy and the bank teller and the checker at the market? Yes.

Did I hear from the Almighty God Himself through His Holy Word? Yes.

Did I pray? Yes.

In all of it, every single trivial and mind-numbing task, did I still exist as a child of God with the Holy Spirit alive within me? Yes, oh yes.

So, here's what I've determined.

Even if I'm tempted to hide in that little room and move the latch to "Occupied" – am I willing to come out?

And if I come out, if I take my light out from under the bushel – am I satisfied if it only flickers or glows?

Am I missing something because I'm so caught up in being a beacon, that I don't see the adventure in being a candle?

A candle doesn't put out a lot of light – but have you ever been happier for one than in the middle of a power outage?

Well, my friends, we live in a dark world. There's a serious power outage. And God is calling us…

Out from under our bushels –

Into an adventure that might just exist in the ordinary, commonplace routine of daily life.

Oh, Lord – this little light of mine, please help it shine…

Are you doing any bushel-hiding?

(I'm linked today with Michelle at Hear It On Sunday, Use It On Monday. C'mon on over and join us)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - Pay Attention!

I wonder what Paul would think about the world we live in.

Would he be on Facebook? Would he have a Twitter account?

Oh, I'd like to hope not.

Paul was single-minded in his pursuit of God, and I'm not thinking that he would tolerate the way social media turns us all away from what's truly important. How technology makes it all too easy to ignore eternity…

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" are his very words:

"I want you to be free from the concerns of this life…I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible."

(1 Corinthians 7:32, 35)

Can't you just hear Paul saying the same thing today?

Now I'm not slamming social media per se. I'm just echoing what Paul is saying here. People, we need to THINK about what we're doing with our time.

We live in a busy world. It's full of enticing entertainment, and clever gadgets, and a multitude of ways to pursue gratification, or amusement, or escape. In short, it's a world full of distractions.

And, as believers, we cannot afford to be distracted.

Why not?

Because time is short. Because the message of the Good News is desperately needed. Because we have been given a commission.

"And then he told them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.'" (Matthew 16:15)

Paul took that commission very seriously. He actually travelled to distant corners to preach the Gospel. Because he knew personally what it was like to be awakened by the Light of the World. He knew the power of salvation. He knew how crucial eternal matters are.

Do we?

The enemy has a thousand (a million? bazillion?) ways to sidetrack us. He's very, very good at it. He does NOT want us to serve the Lord. He wants us to worship the world. He wants us unfocused and diverted…

But Paul urges us to let go.

To live as unhindered by the cares of this world as we can. To be as free as possible from anything that might keep us from doing God's work.

Yes, it's important to be responsible to our jobs, our homes, and our families.

But oh, we must love and serve God first. Above all else. With no distractions.

So, let's take today and re-evaluate our lives, and think about how we spend our time.

Let's ask some tough questions.

Are we allowing ourselves to be consumed by the things of the world? Have we gotten sucked into the social media web? Do we spend too much time on our computers – watching TV – playing with *apps* or texting on our phones?

Are we wasting time?

Paul admonishes us, warns us.

If he was here today, I think he'd say something like this, "Make the most of the time before Christ's return. Life is short! Don't allow yourself to be preoccupied with the world."

Every person in every generation should have this sense of urgency about telling the Good News to others.

It is the ONLY thing that matters in the long run.

Thanks, Paul – we needed the reminder.

Do you need to take another look at how you spend your time?

"When in doubt, search God out!"

QUAINT WORDS

Welcome to "Quaint Words!”

These posts will contain thoughts, poems, and prayers from old books that I have found at antique stores, flea markets, and garage sales (with an occasional treasure from a bookstore).

I love the rhythm and sound of the older English language, and am blessed by other believers who have gone before me!

"Dryness -

That man is perfect in faith who can come to God in the utter dearth of his feelings and desires, without a glow or an aspiration, with the weight of low thoughts, failures, neglects, and wandering forgetfulness, and say to Him, 'Thou art my refuge.'"

(From "George MacDonald - An Anthology, 365 Readings" by George MacDonald, c. 1824-1905)

(A listing of books and authors, and also dates of individual postings from those books, will be found on my "QUAINT WORDS" page)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Need

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!

Today's word: need

What is the difference between need and want?

Is there a difference between having a need and being needy?

What do you need the most in your life?

Let me know what you think!!

(Note: Today's word and questions were provided by my husband, the guy with the broken ankle!)

"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

BODYSURFING

So, yeah – I know how to bodysurf.

I've spent my entire life living less than an hour from the Pacific Ocean.

And if you were my dad's child – it wasn’t enough to know how to swim. You had to learn how to bodysurf.

It takes practice…and practice.

Learning which waves are the ones worth *catching.* Learning when to start paddling and how fast. Learning what it feels like when you've snagged the wave. Learning how to keep your head up and enjoy the ride!

And what a ride it is!

I can't describe to you the feel of being propelled forward by the power of the ocean. I've never tried surfing – though I've done some boogie-boarding. But there's nothing quite like the feeling of the water against your skin.

A couple of things to remember.

Bodysurfing in a two-piece is hazardous. Sand in top. Sand in bottom. Top and bottom ending up in places other than where they belong…(a Janet Jackson wardrobe "malfunction" perhaps??)

And though wave-riding is a lot of fun, wave-riding-ending is a bit trickier.

You see, sometimes the end of a great ride is just perfect – a slowing, gentle glide into shallow waters. Bathing suit in place, and you're up and ready to go again.

But other times, it's not so great.

Because sometimes the shoreline has eroded. And that means a rather steep drop-off when you hit the shallow water. Now, you can try to *kick out* on your wave before you get to The Point of No Return. But sometimes you just can't…

Hello, sand…

Face crunch, skinned belly, scratched knees, mouthful of salt, bathing suit asunder.

I've had a few of those rough landings. They're survivable.

But there are two other water hazards that lurk out there in the waves. They are more dangerous. And I've experienced both.

No, I'm not talking sharks.

Sidenote here: When you live in Southern California, by the ocean, you just really don't think about sharks. Or you shouldn't. The odds are widely against you ever being attacked. And thinking about it just ruins the fun.

I was relatively shark-fear-free until I saw the movie, "Jaws." That just ruined it for me. Now I see sharks in my bathtub…

But I digress.

OK, the first hazard is wiping out. This happens when you're waiting for a good wave to come. And you have to dive under the other waves to avoid being crunched by them when they crest and break.

The secret is to dive deep, and then pop up.

In theory, and in practice, this works great. WHEN you're able to reach the wave BEFORE it breaks. Sometimes that doesn't work out so good. Then the wave crashes on you and you are tossed and turned underwater like you're in a washing machine. No up. No down. Am I ever going to surface again?

Sometimes surfacing involves a little salt-and-sand cocktail, but I've never gotten hurt.

The other hazard is far more dangerous. It has actually killed people. It's called a riptide. Here it is defined:

A rip current, commonly referred to as a rip tide, is a strong channel of water flowing seaward from near the shore, typically through the surf line.

I got caught in a small riptide once. I thought I was going to drown.

I'd been bodysurfing for a while, and I was tired. Time to come into shore. Except the waves kept coming, and I had to keep swimming out to them to avoid getting wiped out. I got past where I could touch the sand. After diving under wave after wave, I was exhausted. I decided to swim back to shore, even if I wiped out a few times on the way back.

Except now I couldn’t swim back to shore. I felt myself being pulled away. Out to sea. I got really, really scared. I started waving my hands at my family who were sitting on shore. My dad waved back. Uh yeah, hi Dad…

I was bobbing like a water-logged cork.

Finally, my cousin figured out that I was in trouble. She swam out and placed herself between the oncoming waves and me. She pushed and shoved me toward shore. We both wiped out several times, but we both made it in.

I have since learned that if you get caught in a riptide, you must not fight against the current. You have to swim with it, out to sea, until its grip releases you. Counterintuitive, I know – but that's the way to do it.

So, where am I going with this?

Well, you know there's a God lesson in here.

The thing is this – I've had God niggling around in my heart lately about a possible speaking opportunity that I passed up last year. But, He's really been pressing it into my spirit the last few weeks.

But, I feel confused.

You see, as soon as I felt like I had "decided" to pursue this, "The Hub" broke his ankle.

OK yes, I do tend to see *spiritual signs* behind everything that happens to me. Maybe that's a good thing, maybe it's not. But my husband's accident began to make me wonder. After all, this speaking opportunity involves giving my testimony – and the last time I had a speaking engagement to tell my story – I got cancelled.

So, here I am – another chance that I feel God is laying on my heart. I say *YES!* in my heart. And boom! Something bad happens.

Is it the devil trying to stop me? Is God telling me NOT to pursue this? Or is this just one-of-those-life-kind of things?

See, confused.

So, I wake up in the middle of the night on Friday, and I can't get back to sleep. I feel like I've wiped out on one of those waves. I’m tossing and turning. I'm caught in a riptide of thoughts and feelings.

I'm drowning here, Lord.

"But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind." (James 1:6, NASB)

Yeah.

So, I prayed. I prayed BIG.

"Lord, I'm believing that You ARE going to give me an answer tomorrow through Your Word. I'm throwing this out there like a Gideon fleece, and I'm claiming Your sure response. Thank you."

I went to sleep.

Here's what I read the next morning:

"But as for me, I am filled with power – with the Spirit of the LORD…For the LORD'S teaching will go out…his word will go out…They will be like dew sent by the LORD or like rain falling on the grass, which no one can hold back and no one can restrain." (Micah 3:8, 4:2, 5:7)

I know.

I cried.

And, as if that wasn't enough, I opened my email about an hour later, and here was the subject matter of the latest email sent to me (from Women of Faith, oddly enough):

Jesus is calling – are you listening?

I know.

So, please pray for me as I pursue this opportunity. I'm scared of wiping out. I'm tired and don't feel like swimming. I'm afraid of crashing into the shore. I'm even a little worried about losing my bathing suit…

But, what concerns me the most? Not hearing and obeying my Lord.

And I think He's been pretty clear on this one.

Sometimes following Him is counterintuitive.

So, contrary to what I might feel like, I'm swimming with the current, even though it's taking me into deeper waters.

It's OK –

The One Who Calmed the Sea and Walked on Water has placed Himself between the oncoming waves and me…

Are you being tossed by a decision?

Please come on over to Joan's

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE - One of a Kind

"I'm not weird. I'm a limited edition!"

Those are the words of Patsy Clairmont, a feisty, diminutive, hysterical woman of faith. And she was the main speaker at the Women of Faith Conference I recently attended in Anaheim, California.

First of all, you've just got to love Patsy – any *pixie* that can speak so powerfully about the Lord is a keeper! Seriously, the woman is maybe 5 feet tall – on a good day – on her tiptoes! She's also on the - ahem - "other" side of 60. But let me tell you, if I could bundle up her energy, I could have single-handedly prevented the recent power outage in Southern California!

Here's the amazing thing – Patsy has an unbelievable testimony about the power of God.

You see, for more than 10 years, Patsy was housebound. Totally imprisoned in her home because of the overwhelming effects of agoraphobia. At one point, she was terrorized to even leave her bed.

If you don't know, agoraphobia is defined this way:

Extreme or irrational fear of crowded spaces or enclosed public places.

Please tell me you catch the irony of this. A woman too afraid to go out the front door of her house for ten years, stands alone in front of 12,000 women in a crowded (and enclosed) stadium.

THAT, my friends, is GOD!

Patsy will be the first one to tell you that.

And she did.

I'd love to share some of her thoughts.

First – "God can do the impossible with the ridiculous."

Patsy uses her very own story as an example of this. I'd have to agree. God is indeed in the business of using the most unlikely people for His purposes. Think about it –

A crazy guy builds an ark. A very old man, and his very old wife (read very old womb) father a nation. A baby found in some bulrushes leads over a million people out of slavery. A rather reluctant hero defeats an army with only 300 men. A Christ-hater becomes one of the most powerful missionaries in history.

One tiny baby born in a grubby, lonely manger saves humanity.

Reminds me that man's foolishness is truly God's wisdom.

So, I know that I am one of the more ridiculous people in this world – and yet, I have to believe that God can do impossible things in me, through me, and for me. He sorta specializes in that. And He can do the same for you.

Second – "Hardship is formative."

I wasn't a fan of this point. Uncomfortable truth just makes me – well – uncomfortable. But this point is well-taken. Patsy paints such a clear picture of how God has used hardship in her life to shape and mold her into HIS woman of faith.

We aren't formed by our easy times. The Bible tells us that. We are refined by fire – fire that purifies and removes the dross of life. Character is developed by perseverance. Endurance is the hallmark of God's people. And like it or not, hardship has a way of clearing the way for God to do some serious, deep-down work in our hearts.

Third – "Our will is stronger than our emotions."

Another speaker worded it this way: "God has created you with a will that is stronger than the way you feel."

Hmmm…

This one really got me pondering. I found it challenging, and I found it thrilling.

Challenging because I am a very emotional person. And I am frequently led/distracted/fooled/obsessed/overwhelmed/confused…(feel free to insert your own word in here)…by my feelings. How often they dictate the way that I view situations and people – how often they dictate the way I act and react.

But…and here's the thrilling part...

God did not create me to be a victim of my feelings. He did not create me to be "run" by them. After all, the Holy Spirit is there to bring control to a life. I think that's an awesome truth.

You see, slavery to sin is just that – slavery to the whims and desires and lusts of the flesh. Sin operates in the realm of feelings. How often have we heard it said, "Just do what you feel." Hogwash!

Faith operates in the realm of will. Faith exists in a higher plane than feelings. It works best in obedience – in willful acts despite one's feelings.

Love your enemies.

Forgive seventy times seven times.

Turn the other cheek.

Don't lean on your own understanding.

Be thankful in all circumstances.

Don't worry about anything.

Fear not.

THAT list could go on and on.

God's way turns our "feely" ways upside down. He calls us to something greater than feelings – He calls us to Himself. He wants believers who are single-minded in their pursuit of Him.

Patsy had so many other good things to say. I'll just finish by listing some of the quotes that I wrote down:

"Say yes to God every morning."

"Allow God to give you the strength to live His song in your heart."

"Leaning into the Lord gives you better hearing."

"Judgment gets in the way of progress."

"Prayer matters – it's significant."

"Try to believe for what you don't understand." (Ouch…tough one)

"QUIT quitting!" (Sigh…yes)

"You have to change how you view God's rescue." (Really?? Yes, really…)

"Change can be good." (Wasn't a fan of this one either…but I was...you know what I mean)

Good stuff, huh?! Especially when these little nuggets of truth are interspersed with the funniest stories and facial expressions! I love Truth when it's liberally coated with laughter, don't you?

So, my friends, I wish all of you were with me in those stands last weekend. But, I hope that I've brought a touch of Patsy Clairmont to you.

A pixie touch of God's word.

She stands as a visible testament to the power of God to do the impossible with the ridiculous. She reminds me that ALL things – and most likely, the HARD things – are working to conform me into the image of the Lord I love.

And she inspires me to be a willfully obedient Woman of Faith.

What spoke to you today?

(P.S. Sorry I haven't been visiting your blogs as often as usual. Playing *nurse* to a husband laid up with a broken ankle takes a lot of time! I'll be by as time permits - and thanks for understanding. You do, right?!)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - Famous Last Words

You know, "Bible Pick 'Ems" takes me on an interesting journey every week.

Sometimes I have to pick and tug, and ponder and mull over the verses that I find myself reading – like a miner digging away at hidden ore. I have to really search hard for the message God wants me to bring to you.

(Like the time I landed in Leviticus…)

Other times, I find myself smack dab in the middle of abundant riches – verses just full of golden nuggets from the Word.

Today would be one of the rich days.

I have landed in the beginning of 2 Timothy.

Let's start with a little background. The great apostle Paul finds himself in prison – yet again – arrested for preaching the Good News of Christ. Paul, one of the most knowledgeable, influential, and beloved men of history is facing death. He knows that he will soon be executed, and so he writes his final thoughts to his "son" Timothy.

Paul passes on the torch of leadership, reminding Timothy of what is truly important, and encouraging him in the faith. Because of the circumstances, this is the most intimate and moving of all Paul's letters.

So, as we read 2 Timothy, it makes a difference to know that we are reading the last words of this great man of God. And we are wise to pay attention to the words that the Holy Spirit gave him to say at the end of his life.

I love analogies – (I think that's a product of the little *English major* that beats in my heart.) And Paul is so very good at them!

In the first two chapters of 2 Timothy, he uses three images of the believer. Let's explore those a little bit.

First of all, he calls us to be good soldiers of Jesus. Have you ever noticed how the Bible is full of war imagery – battles, soldiers, weapons? I think it does us good to remember that we are not just living life – we are waging war. We fight against unseen enemies, and they are led by the greatest enemy of God – the devil. It is crucial that we fight like a good soldier.

What does that look like?

Paul tells us – "Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them." (2 Timothy 2:4)

Hmmm…sounds like an admonition to have our eyes on heavenly matters – to be focused clearly on eternity. To concentrate our efforts on pleasing our commanding officer – our Lord Jesus Christ, the Captain of our souls.

Second, Paul tells us to be approved workers. And he gives us an idea of what that means.

"Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

A good worker focuses not on the paycheck, but on the approval of the boss. To that end, a good worker works hard. He works with integrity and honesty. He pays attention to detail, and strives for excellence. He focuses on truth.

And finally, Paul revisits the imagery of being an athlete. He has previously called us to run the race before us with endurance – to press on to the finish line – to run the race to win.

How can we do this?

Paul says, "…athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules."

(2 Timothy 2:5)

The rules dictate the way the race is run. They make the runner effective. Sounds like we need the Guidebook – the Word of God. This is where we learn the rules – and learn how to follow them correctly.

These are great words at any time. But picture this – what if you were leaning in at the bars of a dank and dark prison cell? What if in the shadows you could just barely see a thin and haggard man? What if his voice was barely above a whisper, and you had to still yourself to hear what he was saying?

And you did this because you knew it was his last message.

Oh yes, Paul’s words resonate deeply, don't they?

And as you listen in, all of a sudden the voice grows stronger, and these words ring out loud and clear in today's "Bible Pick 'Ems":

"…the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen…

If we die with him,

we will also live with him.

If we endure hardship,

we will reign with him.

…he remains faithful,

for he cannot deny who he is.

...God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription:

'The LORD knows those who are his…'" (2 Timothy 2:9-13, 19)

Famous last words.

Yes, Paul, I hear you loud and clear…

Hallelujah!

Read 2 Timothy for yourself – and heed the wise words of a man of deep faith, undying love, constant hope, tenacious conviction, and profound insight.

"When in doubt, search God out!"

QUAINT WORDS

Welcome to "Quaint Words!”

These posts will contain thoughts, poems, and prayers from old books that I have found at antique stores, flea markets, and garage sales (with an occasional treasure from a bookstore).

I love the rhythm and sound of the older English language, and am blessed by other believers who have gone before me!

"We need never be anxious about our mission. We need never perplex ourselves in the least in trying to know what God wants us to do, what place He wants us to fill. Our whole duty is to do well the work of the present hour.

There are some people who waste entire years wondering what God would have them to do, and expecting to have their life-work pointed out to them. But that is not the divine way.

If you want to know God's plan for you, do God's will each day; that is God's plan for you today. If He has a wider sphere, a larger place for you, He will bring you to it at the right time, and then that will be God's plan for you and your mission.

Our lives we cut on a curious plan,

Shaping them, as it were, for man;

But God, with better art than we,

Shapes them for eternity."

(From "In Green Pastures" by J.R. Miller, c. 1840-1912)

(A listing of books and authors, and also dates of individual postings from those books, will be found on my "QUAINT WORDS" page)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Confusion

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!

Today's word: confusion

What does the word confusion mean to you?

Have you ever found yourself in a state of confusion? Over what issue or circumstance, and why?

What do you think is the *antidote* to confusion?

Let me know what you think!!

"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

SIDETRACKED

Sidetracked.

Interesting term.

We usually use it when someone has been diverted from a goal.

I looked it up to discover its origin. I'm sorta "English major" that way. Here's what I found:

sidetrack

"railway siding," 1835, from side (adj.) + track (q.v.). The verb meaning "to move (a train car) onto a sidetrack" is from 1880; fig. sense of "to divert from the main purpose" is attested from 1889.

Early railroads had only a single track between destinations. Problems arose when a train was met by another going in the opposite direction or was about to be overtaken by a faster one. This dilemma was solved with the creation of sidings, short lengths of track built parallel to the main line where one train could pull over while the other went by.

The train had been "sidetracked," meaning that, for a time at least, it wasn't going anywhere.

Interesting, huh?!

But the word *sidetracked* usually has a negative connotation. It's not quite as desperate as being completely *de-railed* – but it's something that definitely fits into the "snafu" category.

So, I have had a *sidetrack* I'd like to share with you.

This past weekend, I attended the Women of Faith Conference here in California. It was, as always, a most uplifting experience. Words cannot quite describe the feeling of roughly 12,000 women lifting their voices in praise to God.

The speakers were wonderful. I'll be sharing some of my insights on that next week – (love the teaser??). I was planning to start on that today, but I got…

…sidetracked.

Let me tell you what happened.

My husband left last Wednesday for one more camping trip before fishing season ends. Though I usually go with him, he went solo this time. I was a tad unsettled because he was camping in that same area that we were at in July. You know, the one with no cell phone reception. So, he was out of contact.

He promised he would come down the hill to call me every few days.

I talked to him on Thursday evening, and he said he would probably call again on Saturday. I reminded him that I'd be at Women of Faith, and I might not be able to answer. He said he'd leave a message.

So, I get out on Saturday around 5 PM. "The Hub" had not called. I told myself not to worry – it was still early.

At 6 PM, a wave came over me – I felt a total attack of anxiety. I just knew something had happened to him. I didn't go "over the edge" – after all, he had said he'd "probably" call – and I just started praying for him.

Sunday I left bright and early to attend a Los Angeles Kings Hockey Fan Day with my sons.

Around 9 AM, my phone rang.

"The Hub" –

"Hi sweetie, um, it's raining up here and I'm going to head home early."

I knew it.

A pause…here it comes, I thought.

"And, uh, I sprained my ankle."

Conversation went back and forth. We established that he was "OK" – and he told me not to worry.

Fast forward several hours. He's home, and he calls again. Now I find out that his ankle and his foot and "halfway up my calf" are completely swollen and purple. I tell him to call the doctor.

About half an hour later, he tells me he's on his way to the emergency room.

I get to the hospital as quickly as I can. I arrive about an hour and a half later and find my husband. The first thing out of his mouth is, "It's broken."

Yes, I know the meaning of "sidetracked."

Here's the thing.

Life is just like that.

It's a train ride. We go humming along the track, coasting and enjoying the scenery – when all of a sudden, we get sidetracked. Things come to a screeching halt. We're put out of commission.

But, are we?

God is not surprised by this *change of direction.* He saw it coming – in fact, He may even have pulled the switch that diverted us.

Maybe He saw an oncoming train He wanted to save us from. Maybe He saw another train that was catching up to us and we needed to move out of the way. Maybe He had a completely different destination in mind, and a little "sidetracking" was the only way to get us there.

We can view this sidetrack as a lesser alternative. We can feel like we're being pulled away from coasting in a certain direction. We can wonder why we're being sidelined.

However, we must not lose sight of two very important things.

One, God is still the engineer.

And two, that sidetrack leads somewhere.

You see, on God's sidetrack you aren't pulled to a stop. No, His sidetrack keeps going. And if you find yourself at a standstill, it's because you put on the brakes…

May I paraphrase here?

"And we know that God causes all TRACKS to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

(Romans 8:28, NASB)

So, today "The Hub" and I will be heading off to the orthopedic doctor. Today we're traveling in a different direction. Today we begin the new journey that God wants us to take.

Frankly, I'm sorta excited about this new *sidetrack.*

I'll keep you posted on what I see along the way!

(Tell me you got that last pun...)

Has God ever *sidetracked* you?

What did you learn along the new way?

(Please join me at Joan's Grace Cafe!)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

FIRST LOVE…AGAIN

Do you remember your first crush?

I sure do.

His name was Donald. (I remember his last name to this day – but I'm respecting his privacy!)

It was in kindergarten.

I used to think about him all the time. I dreamed of someday marrying him. (Yeah, buddy – I'M the one that got away…) I even got up my nerve one day and kissed him on the cheek (can a five-year-old be a wanton hussy??) Of course, then I ran away and couldn't even say hi to him for like 80 weeks.

I still have our class picture from kindergarten. There I am in the front row – all chubby-cheeked and innocent. There he is in the back row – tall, blond, and handsome. Ah, sweet puppy love…

Obviously, destiny pulled us in opposite directions. But I still remember him…

I’ve been "in like" – "in infatuation" – "in lust" – and "in love" many times since. (Well, not many, but enough…) I've had some powerful feelings that overwhelmed me at times. And, I'm so fortunate to be married now to my true love, and my best friend (cue the *awww's* here).

But, there was something about Donald. About that very young girl's heart – and that very sweet boy – and that pure, innocent first love that I can still remember.

It was precious.

You know, a long time ago I fell in love with another guy.

I thought he was the most wonderful person in the whole world. I thought about him all the time. I dreamed about marrying him. If I could have, I would have run up to him and kissed him on the cheek…

His name?

Jesus.

There was something about the first time I met Him, the first time I fell in love with Him that was powerful and overwhelming.

I can recall that very young girl's heart – and that very sweet Jesus – and that pure, innocent first love that I can still remember.

Do I love Him the same way now?

For a long, long time I didn't. Oh, I loved Him, sure enough. But other people, other priorities, other worries and concerns had crowded into my life and replaced Him. He stood quietly in the background for a long time. If I happened to glance in His direction, He would look at me with such longing in His eyes, and He would put His arms out to me…

Sometimes, I'd smile and say, "I'll be right there" – as life whisked me off in other directions. Sometimes, I'm sad to say, I just downright ignored Him. And once, I intentionally turned my back on Him to follow after the siren call of sinful desires.

I just know I made Him cry.

My bridegroom.

The One who used to fill up my whole heart.

But, you know, a funny thing happened along the way. I found out that "in like" was pretty shallow. "In infatuation" was fleeting. "In lust" was pretty seductive. And "in love" was mind-consuming. But, none of it lasted – none of it fulfilled the empty hole in my heart.

There was nothing that could replace that first love – the pure love between a very small, very young little girl and her very precious, dear Jesus.

Jesus had a message to the church in Ephesus – it's found in Revelation 2:

"But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me…as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen!"

Does that just bring tears to your eyes like it does to mine?

So, a few years ago, I returned to my first love and I found a miracle. Jesus had never ever wandered away from me. He had never ever left me. He had never ever stopped waiting for me.

And when I began to walk back to Him, He started running to me.

At the age of 54, I became chubby-cheeked and innocent again. I became totally overwhelmed with love for my Savior. I became full with the fulfilling and complete Love of the One…

Sometimes I don't understand how He works (or doesn't) in my life. Sometimes I don't understand my trials and difficulties. Sometimes He seems a little silent and distant.

Sometimes I struggle to trust Him.

But, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't hear Him asking me in the depths of my soul, just like He asked Peter so very long ago…

"Sharon, do you love Me?"

And there isn't a day that goes by that I don’t answer Him from the depths of my soul…

"Oh Lord, you know that I love You."

His love brings tears to my eyes, even now as I sit writing this.

Yes, my love has been shaded by years of living life – but it has never been extinguished. In so many ways, it burns brighter than ever.

And with every ounce of this very small, very young little girl's heart, I adore Him.

When is the last time you sat down and really, really thought about how much you love Jesus?

Is today the day to return to your first love?

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - I Remember

I remember.

There are some events in life that are so shocking, so incomprehensible, that they are forever imprinted on our minds and our lives.

September 11, 2001 was just such a moment.

I woke up that morning to what seemed like a normal day. I put on a semblance of a "face" as my youngest prepared for school. We piled into the car, and headed over to pick up the two brothers we car-pooled with. We arrived, I honked the car, and we waited…

…and waited.

Finally, one of the brothers came to the car. Just as he was climbing in, his brother rushed out.

"Where have you guys been?" I asked. "I was worried that we were going to be late."

All of a sudden they both started telling me how a plane had flown into one of the Twin Towers, and it was burning, and it looked like our country was under attack…

"Yeah, right," I said. I thought they were joking, or that they'd been playing some video game.

Somberly they replied, "No, it's really happening."

We flipped on the radio. And the tragic story began to unfold. As soon as I got home, I turned on the television.

And there I sat, glued to the screen, for the next two months.

You remember, it was stunning, mesmerizing, surreal, and so very, very tragic.

I think, in some way, every American citizen felt those planes crash into their own lives – and security and blind innocence burned to the ground. Our country would never be the same…

But we recovered – scarred and more wary, yes – but we still stood strong as a nation.

What happened?

I'm sorry, but I don't think this country learned the most important lesson of 9/11. It didn't turn back to God. Maybe temporarily, yes – but a life-changing repentance, a confession of sin and a resolve to live by moral, Christian values? Not so much.

We cannot afford to miss the message of 9/11. Evil can reach our shores and decimate us on our own "turf." We are perhaps more vulnerable than we think. But most of all, we have forgotten our God, in whom we should trust.

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" – though originally a message given to the nation of Israel through the prophet, Jeremiah – should serve as a warning to us, too:

"'I am watching them closely, and I see every sin. They cannot hope to hide from me. I will double their punishment for all their sins, because they have…filled my territory with their evil deeds…Now I will show them my power; now I will show them my might. At last they will know that I am the LORD.'"

(Jeremiah 16:17-18, 21)

I feel like America, and the world itself, is half-asleep – dozing comfortably in a sin-soaked dream. We're calmly hitting the *snooze button* on the alarm that's trying to alert us to danger.

I shudder to think what a "wake-up call" might look like.

Yes, let's take today and remember all those people – civilians and rescuers – who lost their lives on that terrible day. Let's remember the people they left behind. Let's stop and honor all the people who have fought since that day for the cause of freedom.

Let's erect a proud ***star-spangled banner*** in our hearts, and stand tall as a nation.

But, I pray that we do one more thing – the most important thing.

I pray that we remember our LORD, the Almighty God of Heaven's Armies, the one true God that rules over all the world in His Sovereignty.

May we as a nation, and as individuals, remember and turn back – back to Him.

Back to true worship, back to His Holy Word, back to faith in His Son, back to right living and godly values.

Let us say along with Jeremiah, the words of a people wholly devoted to God:

"LORD, you are [our] strength and fortress, [our] refuge in the day of trouble!

Nations from around the world will come to you and say, 'Our ancestors left us a foolish heritage, for they worshiped worthless idols…'

But we worship at your throne – eternal, high, and glorious!

O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who turn away from you will be disgraced…for they have abandoned the LORD, the fountain of living water.

…[but] blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.

They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water." (From Jeremiah 17)

Yes, I remember.

Where were you on 9/11?

And on this anniversary, what is your resolve about worshiping the Lord?

"When in doubt, search God out."

QUAINT WORDS

Welcome to "Quaint Words!"

These posts will contain thoughts, poems, and prayers from old books that I have found at antique stores, flea markets, and garage sales (with an occasional treasure from a bookstore).

I love the rhythm and sound of the older English language, and am blessed by other believers who have gone before me!

"'As through one trespass [the result was] unto all men condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness [the result was] unto all men to justification of life.'

If words have any meaning this declares that the death of Christ has efficacy as complete and universal as the sin of Adam...

But the work of Christ goes infinitely further than this. The Eden trespass ushered in the reign of sin...and sin claimed the very throne of God as an agency for enforcing its just demands.

But Calvary has dethroned sin, and grace now reigns supreme. And this, not at the expense of righteousness, but through righteousness. And as sin reigned unto death, so grace now reigns unto eternal life...

'There is now no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon Him; for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

Eternal life is thus brought within reach of every human being to whom this testimony comes. How, then, is it possible that so few receive the benefit? The answer to this question claims a chapter to itself."

(From "The Silence of God" by Sir Robert Anderson, c. 1897)

(A listing of books and authors, and also dates of individual postings from those books, will be found on my "QUAINT WORDS" page)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Sin

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!

Today's word: sin

What is sin?

Does this world have a clear concept of sin?

Do you think understanding sin makes a difference in one’s life? Why or why not?

Let me know what you think!!

"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

OPEN WIDE...

Today I'm getting my teeth cleaned.

I do it about three times a year.

I am not a fan of the dentist.

I apologize to any of you out there who are in the field of dental health. You do a good work. I'd just rather that you did it on someone else besides me.

My fear of the dentist started with my first visit when I was about 6 years old. Evidently, I had a cavity for each one of those years. Yup, I had six, count 'em, six cavities.

Let me do a little dental math for you –

6 cavities = 6 fillings

6 fillings = Multiple shots of novacaine

Multiple shots of novacaine + a needlephobe = Sharon faints

So, my fear is really just a matter of math, you see.

How about the time when I was getting braces at age 14 – and still had 10 baby teeth just hanging in there?

The dentist said they were all "loose" – and "we can pop them out easily." Which he then proceeded to do, sans novacaine this time. OK, new math lesson –

Pulling teeth + no novacaine = Sharon faints

Do you want the horror story of having my impacted wisdom teeth removed? No, I didn't think so. Suffice it to say that I had to stay for an hour after they were done until my blood pressure returned to normal – it was like 90/50 – *borderline shock* they said.

Well, yeah – you'd go into shock too if people were digging into your skull like miners searching for a vein of gold. I'm not kidding – I'm pretty sure they wiggled around in my brain. (I think perhaps that's when I lost a little bit of my memory – the part that remembers where you lay down your glasses…just sayin')

Here's the irony of it all.

I have pretty good teeth.

Ask the kind elderly gentleman at the assisted living facility I visit every Friday. His name is Jack. And every week when I greet him, he tells me I have beautiful teeth. Then he asks me to smile, to open my mouth so he can peer at my molars, to bite down so he can check how my teeth mesh. I feel like a horse at an auction.

So, my checkups are accomplishing their purpose.

Maintenance is keeping my teeth strong.

Often as I'm sitting in the hygienist's chair, while Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) scrapes and scours my pearly whites, my mind wanders. And the Lord often speaks to me in my wandering…

Isn't my spiritual life much like going to the dentist?

Hang with me on this one.

Sometimes it can be painful. We can get pockets of decay that have to be taken care of. They have to be removed and filled with something else. Sometimes the only solution is to uproot the sin, and completely extract it. And, once in a while, that sin gets impacted, and surgery is required. Painful surgery that can be a little (or a lot) shocking.

Maintenance is crucial.

Regular check-ups are necessary.

Am I in the Word of God each day? Am I attending church faithfully? Am I praying? Am I keeping a clear conscience? Am I yielding my will to the Lord? Am I loving Him with all my heart, my soul, my mind, and my strength?

The end result is worth it.

A beautiful faith that reflects the image of Jesus, and bears good fruit.

A faith that is strong.

So, as I'm sitting in the chair today, I'm going to think about these things. I'm going to take a little spiritual inventory. Where am I at, Lord? Am I where you want me to be – inside and out? Speak to me…

I just know that He will.

(And let me tell you, He's much better to listen to than that corny piped-in Muzak! The 80's live on…)

How are you doing on your spiritual maintenance? Is it time for a check-up?

(I am linked today with Joan at the Grace Cafe. Won't you join us??)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

GOOD GRIEF

People come and go in our lives.

Some disappear like a wisp of smoke.

Some leave footprints…

Phyllis Margaret – my Auntie Phyllis. She left footprints.

Saturday I attended a memorial service for my aunt. It was a wonderful time. Lots of relatives and friends. We remembered her, and we remembered God. It was both honoring to my aunt's memory, and glorifying to the One who gave her life.

I shared these thoughts about her. I wanted to share them with you.

I had only one aunt – my dad had just his brother, and my mom was an only child – and so, Auntie Phyllis was a special person to me.

The one thing I remember about her is how she and I always liked to talk. Even from the time when I was a very, very little girl.

I was the first child born in my extended family, so of course I bonded with my only aunt, who was only 17 years older than me. And I guess I was quite a chatterbox! Auntie Phyllis always had a bunch of questions for me, and I always had a lot of answers…

…often about things I probably shouldn't be talking about!

Like the one time she asked me what was new – and I proceeded to tell her about the *unmentionable problem* that I had brought home from school that required (me yakking) "my whole family has to take this red medicine that tastes really yucky, and my dad has to take the most, and Mom has to wash all our clothes and sheets in boiling water…etc." My dad was thrilled that I passed that one on – come to think of it, my mom didn't seem too happy either.

When I became a teenager, I remember how my aunt always knew the latest singing groups or songs, how she dressed like us, and always wanted to talk about things in my teenage life. I thought she was really cool – especially for an *old* lady. (C'mon, what was I thinking – she was only like 33 at the time!! Oh, soooo old…)

She and I were a lot alike. Kinda serious, kinda sensitive, kinda philosophical – (OK, *really* all those things…)

We talked about life –

We laughed about girl stuff, we dissected life stuff, and we pondered God stuff. We shared some of the same faith struggles – and yet, we always shared the same deep love for Jesus.

My aunt was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease when she was only 45 years old. She had a long hard struggle with it. She was only 73 when she died.

I will never forget the last conversation I had with my aunt. It was about a year ago. She had severely deteriorated in the last few years of her life, and was living in a care facility. Her lucid moments came and went. But this day was a *good day*, and I had a chance to talk to her.

I remember her telling me how thankful she was for her Parkinson's. I couldn't believe my ears. Thankful for it?? It had devastated her normal life. It would end up shortening it. How could she be grateful?

She told me she thanked the Lord for it – that because of her Parkinson's, she had finally found what her purpose was – what she had been born to do. She was a missionary, a witness to everyone she met. Saturday I found out that she often went throughout the halls whispering in the ears of fellow residents, "Jesus loves you."

She told me she was happy, at peace. I told her how much that made me happy. We told each other how much we loved each other. And I told her I wasn't sure if I'd be able to see her (she lived in Oregon) – she told me not to worry, she didn't have too many good days anymore.

But, I remember saying this, "Auntie Phyllis, if I don't see you again in this life, I will see you again in Heaven."

She said something like this to me, "Oh, sweetie, I know. Won't it be wonderful?!"

God gave my aunt a great gift at the end of her life. She, who had spent nearly 30 years tortured and plagued by the ravages of Parkinson's, went quietly to sleep one night and never woke up – at least in this life!

God gave her – after struggling through a very difficult life – a completely easy and peaceful death.

So yes, Saturday was a day of good grief. That's how it is with believers. We grieve, we weep, knowing how much we'll miss our loved one – but we do not grieve without hope.

Jesus, our dear Jesus, took care of all that…

Sharon's Acrostic Dictionary defines grief this way (and you just knew it would, didn't you?!):

G ratefully

R emembering

I n light of

E verlasting life

F orever

I'm sad, yes, but I'm overjoyed for my aunt. I'm celebrating with her.

Because, you see, it was her Homecoming Day!

HOMECOMING DAY

Now the night is over,

Day has just begun,

Ushered into Heaven,

I am with the Blessed One.

Many have come before me,

Others have paved the way,

The angels sing His glory,

It’s my homecoming day!

To a mansion promised,

Where tears are forever gone,

Where light and love united,

Live eternally on and on.

All the past forgotten,

As a fog that’s swallowed up,

Pain destroyed, death defied –

I now drink from the Master’s cup.

I am here because of Him,

His selfless gift of grace,

And now for eternity,

I will gaze upon His face.

Glory be His shining robes,

Honor be His crown –

My spirit sings, my soul redeemed,

In His presence I bow down.

Now the world has passed from view,

The victory’s been won –

He says, “Well done my faithful servant,

Welcome home, my precious one.”

© Sharon Kirby

March 1, 2002

"For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity]." (Philippians 1:21, Amplified Bible)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"