So much has been happening to me. All good according to God's plan, but these trials have brought such a newness and a fervency to LISTEN and OBEY God. We don't have much time.
I was scheduled for a six month check up with my cardiologist on July 8th. The week before the 8th, they called and asked if they could reschedule to a later date. Great I said as I was feeling fine and was seriously thinking of canceling any way. A few days before July 8th they called me back and said they didn't need to reschedule and that they were expecting me on the 8th. UGH I thought, should i cancel? But I went in on the 8th, told the cardiologist I was doing good except for a "little" and it was a little acid reflux feeling again. Right away he said, that was your symptoms before, let's schedule you for an angiogram. So on July 15th I went in for an angiogram. They pushed the camera and dye through my heart and found two major blockages in a part of the heart that could not get stents! They wouldn't let me leave that hospital and instead transferred me to Straub for open heart surgery for the very next day!!! July 16th came, fear set in, anxiety but hey the drugs they give you work and you don't remember and feel a thing. Until after :) ! I got to stay in the hospital until July 23rd and then came home to recuperate. Changes, adjustments, questions. holding tightly to the hand of God.
I was doing quite well at home. Tex is a great caregiver, took charge, people from church came by with meals and that helped tremendously! Flowers arrived to boost my spirits. I felt love. We kept praying for our needs to be met and HE did meet them.
Then on August 23 I started experiencing excruciating pain on the right side of my abdomen. Went to ER at Pali Momi. After a CT scan they found a blockage the size of a fist. The doctors were freaking out telling me they were calling a surgeon, etc and I couldn't leave the hospital or it would burst! So once again I am in Pali Momi. After giving me some awful stuff to drink the obstruction moved right on out but there were suspicious lesions in the colon. Biopsies were done. Got released from hospital on 8/25 and found out on 8/27 there was NO cancer!! Praise God.
I put out requests on our prayer chain, Facebook and texted those that weren't connected otherwise. God heard our prayers. As it says in Acts 10:4 Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God"
I have learned so so much. I have so many stories to share with all that I'm bursting at the seams! God worked so mightily, clearly, and often. I heard and I obeyed and I want you all to know that is the only way to live. But now I am asking God what does He want me to do with all He has shown me. Who do I share with? How do I share? Pray along with me that HE will open doors for this.
That's all for now. I hope each who read this will remember that He's not done with me yet!!!
Friday, August 28, 2015
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Reflections
I have a makeup mirror in my bathroom that has two different types of mirrors. On one side is the regular mirror, but the other side has a magnified type. The magnified mirror shows clearly all the lines and imperfections on my face. As I began to read this scripture "but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do EXACTLY as the Father commanded Me" John 14:31 I began thinking, what am I reflecting to the world?
Women in our church just completed doing a Bible Study called "Discerning the Voice of God". We learned so many wonderful things but two that stand out was "God doesn't just speak to be heard, He speaks to be obeyed", and "we must make obedience a habit regardless of our feelings". You may ask, why is obedience so important to God and why is it a priority?
God says "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word" John 14:23. That should be enough to make us want to obey every time He asks and immediately. But then Jesus tells us in John 14:31(above) that we obey God so the world can see we love God. How else would they be able to know Him if we don't show them that our love for God comes through obeying Him.
If we live in obedience our every day lives would reflect so much to this world. We would reflect contentment and joy in every situation. We would not fear for fear is not of God. We would love our enemies. No need would go unmet. There would be no bitterness, anger, jealousy, or envy reflecting in our lives for He tells us not to let those feelings into our lives. Our lives would bear much fruit. We would love one another was He loves us.
Obedience to God brings us peace, joy, courage, purpose, oneness with theFather.
Obedience to God reflects truth, righteousness, guidance, perfection in unity and brings glory to Him.
Remember the saying from Snow White, "mirror, mirror on the wall whose the fairest of them all"?
What are you reflecting to the world? The next time you look into the mirror, would you ask yourself "am I obeying God". Ask Him to show you how and when you do not obey.
Here are some words to an old hymn I have been singing since doing this study.....trust and obey for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey!
obedience is better than sacrifice,
sharon
Women in our church just completed doing a Bible Study called "Discerning the Voice of God". We learned so many wonderful things but two that stand out was "God doesn't just speak to be heard, He speaks to be obeyed", and "we must make obedience a habit regardless of our feelings". You may ask, why is obedience so important to God and why is it a priority?
God says "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word" John 14:23. That should be enough to make us want to obey every time He asks and immediately. But then Jesus tells us in John 14:31(above) that we obey God so the world can see we love God. How else would they be able to know Him if we don't show them that our love for God comes through obeying Him.
If we live in obedience our every day lives would reflect so much to this world. We would reflect contentment and joy in every situation. We would not fear for fear is not of God. We would love our enemies. No need would go unmet. There would be no bitterness, anger, jealousy, or envy reflecting in our lives for He tells us not to let those feelings into our lives. Our lives would bear much fruit. We would love one another was He loves us.
Obedience to God brings us peace, joy, courage, purpose, oneness with theFather.
Obedience to God reflects truth, righteousness, guidance, perfection in unity and brings glory to Him.
Remember the saying from Snow White, "mirror, mirror on the wall whose the fairest of them all"?
What are you reflecting to the world? The next time you look into the mirror, would you ask yourself "am I obeying God". Ask Him to show you how and when you do not obey.
Here are some words to an old hymn I have been singing since doing this study.....trust and obey for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey!
obedience is better than sacrifice,
sharon
Friday, January 23, 2015
Workmanship
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
Some times I read scripture and one word will jump out at me and cause me to ponder and chew on it. In this scripture the word "workmanship" got my attention. Perhaps it's because right now our home is undergoing some renovations. We have the floor team fixing, sanding, matching and staining, then the drywall guys turning the ugly wall (which shows all the wiring and studs) into smooth pretty surfaces, then there's the plumbers and electricians connecting and making sure all their area of expertise works. All these workmen are all needed and they need to do their job well.
I think of God creating me and doing it well - of course I'm not perfect and the body I have now is not ideal (LOL)! But when I think of Him creating, I think of the special care, the loving care He took with each one of us. He formed us into His likeness. He didn't do it haphazardly just to get the job done, no the scripture says there was a purpose, lots of thought went into His creation, He had prepared all this "beforehand". There was intent, purpose,love, planning all put together as He created us His "workmanship".
As I look at the workmen at my home I am praying they will work and create their portion of the renovation with the same workmanship God used. He took His time, did a marvelous job all because He cared enough! Now I must do my part - the good works He wants me to do.
Some times I read scripture and one word will jump out at me and cause me to ponder and chew on it. In this scripture the word "workmanship" got my attention. Perhaps it's because right now our home is undergoing some renovations. We have the floor team fixing, sanding, matching and staining, then the drywall guys turning the ugly wall (which shows all the wiring and studs) into smooth pretty surfaces, then there's the plumbers and electricians connecting and making sure all their area of expertise works. All these workmen are all needed and they need to do their job well.
I think of God creating me and doing it well - of course I'm not perfect and the body I have now is not ideal (LOL)! But when I think of Him creating, I think of the special care, the loving care He took with each one of us. He formed us into His likeness. He didn't do it haphazardly just to get the job done, no the scripture says there was a purpose, lots of thought went into His creation, He had prepared all this "beforehand". There was intent, purpose,love, planning all put together as He created us His "workmanship".
As I look at the workmen at my home I am praying they will work and create their portion of the renovation with the same workmanship God used. He took His time, did a marvelous job all because He cared enough! Now I must do my part - the good works He wants me to do.
Monday, January 19, 2015
The Promised Life
Joshua said, "Hereby you shall know that the living God is among you and that He will without fail drive out from before you the enemy". Joshua 3:10
The Israelites went from the wilderness and crossed the Jordan to get to the promised land. No doubt there was great anticipation and rejoicing but, as we read Joshua's words to them, we can also see that they probably had some fears, anxiety, doubts, and he is trying to encourage them. The world calls these negative thoughts and behaviors; but I look at them and call them our "enemies"
Who or what are your enemies? Is it jealousy, bitterness, anger, depression, anxiety, refusing to let go, pridefulness, feeling everyone is wrong and you are right, envy, greed, lack of submission, disobedience, sarcasm, conflict, unforgiveness, immorality, idolatry, compromise, an unloving spirit, harsh judgment, being overly sensitive, feelings easily hurt, eagerness to vindicate yourself, etc.
We must remember these enemies that plague us also cripple our testimonies and act as a barrier to revival. These enemies prevent us from having victory in our lives. They also prevent us from showing a decaying and dying world the power of our God.
We are reminded in Ephesians 6:11 "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places".
Every day of our lives we are doing battle with an enemy who knows our weaknesses. Our thought life and our personality is the battle field. The conflict we face is that "we wrestle not with flesh & blood". It is not the humans around us but the evilness of satan. We need to remember this!
But we do not have to succumb to our enemies. We can have victory because God has a purpose for each of our lives. It started with God pursuing us, forgiving us, granting us salvation, allowing us to be part of His family and inheritance in His kingdom. Is all that not worth fighting for? Or do we just give up,say it's too hard, I'm too tired, it's their fault, let someone else do it, it's not fair or it's impossible.
Do we want deliverance from these enemies that stop our growth in the Lord? Do we want to experience God's power in overcoming these enemies who continually taunt us?
Conflict vs Victory - are we going to surrender to our enemies, or claim victory in Christ. Will we stand firm as the Israelites did as they approached the raging waters of the Jordan, eagerly waiting to cross into the promised land? Stand firm, plant your life in the word of the Lord, grab hold of His promises, set your eyes on God. Do not look to the left or the right but only straight upward on God. Spend time with Him so you can discern His voice and filter all the noise of world.
Focus your thoughts on Joshua 3:10 "The Lord is with you".
Remember Jesus was a conqueror. He is with us and because He was victorious and a mighty conqueror so can we!!
Let us face those enemies, especially the ones we feel are impossible. Let us follow Christ's example. We cannot do it on our own, we need Him. Let us put Jesus between us and those enemies that continue to plague us. No more defeat, just keeping our eyes on Jesus and realizing He can do the impossible. Let us walk firmly into the promised life He has for us!!
The Israelites went from the wilderness and crossed the Jordan to get to the promised land. No doubt there was great anticipation and rejoicing but, as we read Joshua's words to them, we can also see that they probably had some fears, anxiety, doubts, and he is trying to encourage them. The world calls these negative thoughts and behaviors; but I look at them and call them our "enemies"
Who or what are your enemies? Is it jealousy, bitterness, anger, depression, anxiety, refusing to let go, pridefulness, feeling everyone is wrong and you are right, envy, greed, lack of submission, disobedience, sarcasm, conflict, unforgiveness, immorality, idolatry, compromise, an unloving spirit, harsh judgment, being overly sensitive, feelings easily hurt, eagerness to vindicate yourself, etc.
We must remember these enemies that plague us also cripple our testimonies and act as a barrier to revival. These enemies prevent us from having victory in our lives. They also prevent us from showing a decaying and dying world the power of our God.
We are reminded in Ephesians 6:11 "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places".
Every day of our lives we are doing battle with an enemy who knows our weaknesses. Our thought life and our personality is the battle field. The conflict we face is that "we wrestle not with flesh & blood". It is not the humans around us but the evilness of satan. We need to remember this!
But we do not have to succumb to our enemies. We can have victory because God has a purpose for each of our lives. It started with God pursuing us, forgiving us, granting us salvation, allowing us to be part of His family and inheritance in His kingdom. Is all that not worth fighting for? Or do we just give up,say it's too hard, I'm too tired, it's their fault, let someone else do it, it's not fair or it's impossible.
Do we want deliverance from these enemies that stop our growth in the Lord? Do we want to experience God's power in overcoming these enemies who continually taunt us?
Conflict vs Victory - are we going to surrender to our enemies, or claim victory in Christ. Will we stand firm as the Israelites did as they approached the raging waters of the Jordan, eagerly waiting to cross into the promised land? Stand firm, plant your life in the word of the Lord, grab hold of His promises, set your eyes on God. Do not look to the left or the right but only straight upward on God. Spend time with Him so you can discern His voice and filter all the noise of world.
Focus your thoughts on Joshua 3:10 "The Lord is with you".
Remember Jesus was a conqueror. He is with us and because He was victorious and a mighty conqueror so can we!!
Let us face those enemies, especially the ones we feel are impossible. Let us follow Christ's example. We cannot do it on our own, we need Him. Let us put Jesus between us and those enemies that continue to plague us. No more defeat, just keeping our eyes on Jesus and realizing He can do the impossible. Let us walk firmly into the promised life He has for us!!
Monday, December 1, 2014
HOPE
"I pray that God, the source of HOPE, will fill you completely with JOY and PEACE because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident HOPE through the power of the Holy Spirit". Romans 15:13
HOPE....it comforts us, sustains us, revives us, relaxes us, calms us, bathes us in peace, fill us with joy and exudes confidence in us. But attaining hope, living in hope and sharing hope can be elusive to us if we put all our energy and focus on our circumstances. Choosing to do this will exhaust us and keep us from leaning and trusting on our God.
When we deliberately walk down the path of living in the past, or decide to set our thoughts on unfulfilled expectations of what if's, then the chances for hope to enter into our lives becomes smaller and the light of hope dwelling in us becomes dimmer.
God's Word is filled with HOPE, but too numerous for me to list on one page, so here is just a few:
I am a child of God, John 1:12; I am His friend, John 15:5; I have peace with God because I have been made right in His sight, Romans 5:1; I have been adopted into His family, Eph. 1:5; He chose me, Eph. 1:4; He freely gives me grace, Eph. 1:6; His Word revives me, Psalm 119:50; He strengthens me, hears me, delivers me from my enemies, Psalm 18; He blesses those who trust Him, Jeremiah 17:7-8!! That's just a tip of the list!
But how can I know all this? I have to purposely go to His Word, fill my thought life with His promises, dwell with Him and pray to Him to be able to glean from Him the HOPE He offers. When we choose those steps, there is a promise from Him in Isaiah 55:8-13. Go there and dwell on those verses. Make the effort and take the time. The promise He gives us in those verses is that His Word (each time you read it or hear it) NEVER returns empty to Him. His Word will accomplish what He desires every time it goes forth. What a tremendous promise. Every time you read His Word He is accomplishing something with it in you. Every time you hear His Word there will be change in your life. That is HOPE!
Share that hope with others this holiday season. Surrender all your needs, trust Him to take care of you and fill you with His hope!
HOPE....it comforts us, sustains us, revives us, relaxes us, calms us, bathes us in peace, fill us with joy and exudes confidence in us. But attaining hope, living in hope and sharing hope can be elusive to us if we put all our energy and focus on our circumstances. Choosing to do this will exhaust us and keep us from leaning and trusting on our God.
When we deliberately walk down the path of living in the past, or decide to set our thoughts on unfulfilled expectations of what if's, then the chances for hope to enter into our lives becomes smaller and the light of hope dwelling in us becomes dimmer.
God's Word is filled with HOPE, but too numerous for me to list on one page, so here is just a few:
I am a child of God, John 1:12; I am His friend, John 15:5; I have peace with God because I have been made right in His sight, Romans 5:1; I have been adopted into His family, Eph. 1:5; He chose me, Eph. 1:4; He freely gives me grace, Eph. 1:6; His Word revives me, Psalm 119:50; He strengthens me, hears me, delivers me from my enemies, Psalm 18; He blesses those who trust Him, Jeremiah 17:7-8!! That's just a tip of the list!
But how can I know all this? I have to purposely go to His Word, fill my thought life with His promises, dwell with Him and pray to Him to be able to glean from Him the HOPE He offers. When we choose those steps, there is a promise from Him in Isaiah 55:8-13. Go there and dwell on those verses. Make the effort and take the time. The promise He gives us in those verses is that His Word (each time you read it or hear it) NEVER returns empty to Him. His Word will accomplish what He desires every time it goes forth. What a tremendous promise. Every time you read His Word He is accomplishing something with it in you. Every time you hear His Word there will be change in your life. That is HOPE!
Share that hope with others this holiday season. Surrender all your needs, trust Him to take care of you and fill you with His hope!
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Hair Color
Sometimes I get ahead of myself. I want things, ministries, people doing things my way. I love to talk and God has gifted me with a gift of speaking and teaching. I am also very organized. I love order and I love to create order. So all this said, I can be hard on those people not gifted in those areas I am. I don't always see their gifts.
I've read in scripture that God gives all types of gifts to His people, but it doesn't always sink into my little mind. Everyone should be like me, should run things like me. If I were running that, I would do it this way. Then once again God uses something in my life to show me how wrong I think!
I have been sick for over two months. I am now on a big dose of steroids to help heal me. The downside is that this medication makes by body, especially my hands shake. Its hard to write, sometimes hold a fork or a cup. It is a humbling experience and I have had to depend on my husband for help. Recently we were getting ready to leave for a week on Kauai and the roots in my hair needed a touch up. Normally I would go to my hairdresser but she wasn't available. I dreaded doing it myself as I am extremely messy in this task. I have no patience. I asked my husband if he would help me. He agreed - what a sweetie.
I watched as he carefully read ALL the instructions. This is something I never do, thus that's where my problems start. I rush through it causing chaos and a mess. He mixed the solution, got a comb and carefully, methodically started to separate each section of my head and applied the color ever so diligently. All the while reassuring me it was looking good. Slowly, methodically, carefully, reassuringly. Not ONE drop of that color missed my head. There was no mess to clean up after! Not even any dripping down my neck. I looked at him through new eyes.
This is the man who loves the Lord and knows His Word but can't always articulate it openly as me. But will call another brother-in-Christ to encourage him, or will patiently listen to anyone with a problem. He readily is available to help anyone who calls and needs help. This is the man whose side of our office has piles of papers all over the place, I can never find anything on his desk. But yet he pays every bill on time, invests our money wisely, has paid our mortgage off way before the designated years, and tithes no matter what our financial circumstance. His gifts are very different from mine and that is perhaps why God puts us together. We compliment each other and we are both needed in the Body of Christ.
Each of us has our gifts, none is better than the other. We mess up when we don't see the value in others gifts - methodical, calm thoughtful, diligent, persevering, reassuring.
I might be gregarious, animated, organized and a gift with words, but there are so many other gifts that the Body of Christ needs to effectively spread the Gospel.
Lesson learned!
I've read in scripture that God gives all types of gifts to His people, but it doesn't always sink into my little mind. Everyone should be like me, should run things like me. If I were running that, I would do it this way. Then once again God uses something in my life to show me how wrong I think!
I have been sick for over two months. I am now on a big dose of steroids to help heal me. The downside is that this medication makes by body, especially my hands shake. Its hard to write, sometimes hold a fork or a cup. It is a humbling experience and I have had to depend on my husband for help. Recently we were getting ready to leave for a week on Kauai and the roots in my hair needed a touch up. Normally I would go to my hairdresser but she wasn't available. I dreaded doing it myself as I am extremely messy in this task. I have no patience. I asked my husband if he would help me. He agreed - what a sweetie.
I watched as he carefully read ALL the instructions. This is something I never do, thus that's where my problems start. I rush through it causing chaos and a mess. He mixed the solution, got a comb and carefully, methodically started to separate each section of my head and applied the color ever so diligently. All the while reassuring me it was looking good. Slowly, methodically, carefully, reassuringly. Not ONE drop of that color missed my head. There was no mess to clean up after! Not even any dripping down my neck. I looked at him through new eyes.
This is the man who loves the Lord and knows His Word but can't always articulate it openly as me. But will call another brother-in-Christ to encourage him, or will patiently listen to anyone with a problem. He readily is available to help anyone who calls and needs help. This is the man whose side of our office has piles of papers all over the place, I can never find anything on his desk. But yet he pays every bill on time, invests our money wisely, has paid our mortgage off way before the designated years, and tithes no matter what our financial circumstance. His gifts are very different from mine and that is perhaps why God puts us together. We compliment each other and we are both needed in the Body of Christ.
Each of us has our gifts, none is better than the other. We mess up when we don't see the value in others gifts - methodical, calm thoughtful, diligent, persevering, reassuring.
I might be gregarious, animated, organized and a gift with words, but there are so many other gifts that the Body of Christ needs to effectively spread the Gospel.
Lesson learned!
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Filled Arms
This morning I was reading the scriptures on Sarah. Her wanting a child so desperately. Wanting those arms to feel filled. God in His infinite wisdom saw her, and heard her pleas; but He also made her wait for some time before He filled that need.
The waiting can be hard, painful and stressing. Yet He says "in His timing". I don't do well with waiting but I thought back to a time when God provided my arms with a filling I desperately needed.
It was October 1987 - tragedy struck our household. My beautiful 16 year old son was killed on his way home from school by a negligent teen driver. I am plunged into a despair that words in the english language cannot describe. Tears, disbelief, fogginess, confusion, depthness of darkness are just a few of the feelings that coursed through me daily. Some times hourly. No one could understand. Everyone wanted me to be like I was before his death, but that wasn't to be. Not then, not so soon.
A month and a half before Jeremy's death, God blessed us with a beautiful, healthy baby boy. Trey was a delight. He nursed well - I had a terrible time nursing Brooke so I wasn't looking forward to nursing Trey but he took to me so well. No problems. He would nurse and look up at me, burp and sleep hours on end. And then when Jeremy died I realized that Trey was my saving grace gift from God. Had God not given Trey to me it would have been easy for me to stay in bed and not do anything or think of any one, but here was someone put in my arms for me to care for.
I remember rocking him, caressing him, stroking him as tears ran down my cheeks for Jeremy. Not fully realizing how therapeutic this was for me. Looking back I can see that now. God's gracious timing, he filled a desperate need in me. He knew what was going to happen and He provided Trey for my comfort. My arms were filled, just like Sarah's.
The waiting can be hard, painful and stressing. Yet He says "in His timing". I don't do well with waiting but I thought back to a time when God provided my arms with a filling I desperately needed.
It was October 1987 - tragedy struck our household. My beautiful 16 year old son was killed on his way home from school by a negligent teen driver. I am plunged into a despair that words in the english language cannot describe. Tears, disbelief, fogginess, confusion, depthness of darkness are just a few of the feelings that coursed through me daily. Some times hourly. No one could understand. Everyone wanted me to be like I was before his death, but that wasn't to be. Not then, not so soon.
A month and a half before Jeremy's death, God blessed us with a beautiful, healthy baby boy. Trey was a delight. He nursed well - I had a terrible time nursing Brooke so I wasn't looking forward to nursing Trey but he took to me so well. No problems. He would nurse and look up at me, burp and sleep hours on end. And then when Jeremy died I realized that Trey was my saving grace gift from God. Had God not given Trey to me it would have been easy for me to stay in bed and not do anything or think of any one, but here was someone put in my arms for me to care for.
I remember rocking him, caressing him, stroking him as tears ran down my cheeks for Jeremy. Not fully realizing how therapeutic this was for me. Looking back I can see that now. God's gracious timing, he filled a desperate need in me. He knew what was going to happen and He provided Trey for my comfort. My arms were filled, just like Sarah's.
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