Discovering God for Myself..... Part I

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

Okay y'all, at the risk of sounding exceptionally stupid...I'll admit, before I started going to my current church, (Faith Christian Fellowship World Outreach) two and a half years ago, I had no idea what "worship" really was. I had been brought up in the notion that you went to church to worship God, and it was there that you worshipped Him...at church. But what it was exactly at the church service that entailed worship, I really could not have told you if you had asked me.

It was frustrating as heck for me going to church, coming home, and still feeling no difference, seeing no differences or changes in my life or in those around me. Week after week after week, year in, and year out of faithful church attendance. Still no fulfillment. Life's hollow emptiness weighing me down. Just what was this worship/church thing all about? What was I missing? What was I doing wrong? What did I just not understand?

Why did a few people some churches I visited seem to have something special? What was it that they had? Why didn't I have it, and what was it? Why didn't the preachers seem to have it? How do I go about getting it...that special glow, that just shone forth from a just few of the old ladies? What I did have was a big ol' case of ignorance!

Looking back, I see that church was only something that was expected of me. You were expected to go to church. Over the years it became a ritualistic deed....and even a social outlet, but devoid of special meaning or function or purpose. My church defined me as a Christian...but only because I belonged, nothing more.

Even though I owned a Bible I barely read it anymore. (I had started voraciously reading it when I first became "saved".) No one carried bibles at any of my past churches anyway. (Well, except for a few of the old ladies). And what for? The devotional responsive readings were included in the bulletin each Sunday. We knew the preacher was going to "take a text," that he or someone else would read for him, and we'd listen to him scream and hoop, holler and scat like James Brown for the next 45 minutes to an hour. Sometimes, it was enterainment at its best.

The preachers/pastors of my past never encouraged any of us to chew on the Word on our own, and being of the stupid sheep mentality, we did not think to venture off to true green pastures for ourselves. We had been led and left to graze in the pseudo green pasture of "Ignorance is Bliss." Baa-aaah!

It wasn't until many years later when I came full circle, to the end of myself--when I stopped relying on myself, other people, and things for the answers to fill the voids in my life....(well, I thought there were several voids, but it turns out that there was only one), that I started getting answers.

Enter my new church. Immediately, when I came in, even though I did not know any one, I felt comfortable. After a couple of months, I even felt like I was a part of the family! Right away when I started attending, I noticed a certain "spirituality" that was new to me; a sincerity and genuineness that was startling. I saw people unabashedly worshipping God. The praise and worship leader had such a deep sincerity, that I could feel it from my seat. Wow.

No phony showmanship, as in "cutting a step," better than Sister Soandso at this church. It was awesome to see people worship throughout the service, and not be concerned about how they looked to someone else; focused solely on God....wow. I really admired that. But I could not bring myself to join in. How could I? From years of spiritual abuse and neglect, I now felt too unworthy to even really pray...much less worship. To mask my real feelings, me and my girlfriend "ragged" on other people in attendance. Yeah, I felt a little guilty about it, but so what? It was funny...until the sermon came....

Imagine my surprise when the Pastor gave his message and it seemed as if the message was tailored soley to me and my situation. The title of the message alone was enough to knock my socks off! I was BLOWN AWAY! But by mid-week, I had all but written it all off as a fluke...but still I came back the following week to test the waters again. Nah, it couldn't be God! Gee, could it be God?

"A double-minded man is unstable in all of his ways. " James 1:8

And that indeed I was. A part of me wanted change, and desperately needed change. Another part of me wanted to remain just as I had become: selfish, hard, cold, unfeeling, that way there be no guilt when I did or said something completely contrary to God. (The fire and brimstone messages of my past had thoroughly smoked my brain, and I knew absolutley nothing [comparatively speaking] of His merciful love and grace).

The next week, the very same thing happened. I asked my girlfriend who was with me, "How could this be?" We both felt like the Pastor was talking directly to each of us within our own separate situations. Weird! Whew! It suddenly started to feel very hot in there! (Somebody turn up the air!) I was still confused as to how the Pastor could be speaking directly to me. How could this be? This had NEVER happened in all my years of 'Churchanity' before. This was somewhat unsettling...what would be next?!

The third Sunday, I went to church arms folded, and eventhough I was thinking, "Okay, ain't no way this is God, I'll prove that today when the Pastor says some off-the-wall stuff does not pertain to me." Unbeknownst even to myself at the time, I was secretly hoping deep down inside that God was speaking to me. I needed Him like never before...That maybe the past two Sundays had not been a fluke of a fluke. Besides, there was no way a fluke could happen a third Sunday straight. If it happened today, then it had to be God. And guess what? (Drum roll please....) Again, on the third Sunday, as the Holy Spirit filled words from the Pastor resonated within my spirit, all I could do was cry, and weakly ask, "Um, okay, God...is that You?" (Doh!) Then my words became, "Okay, God, I know it's You. Tell me what You want me to do."

I later discovered when you listen with spiritual ears, you allow the Holy Spirit to take the Pastor's message and minister to you revealing the precise area(s) that you need for your life. Oh! So that's what's been going on!

To settle this once and for all, I made a date with God. I told Him I was going to meet Him early one sunrise on the beach, and we were going to have 'words' with each other. I could not wait for our date. When the appointed morning came, I went to the beach alone. It was cold and dark but I was not afraid. I found a spot and sat down, and immediately poured out. "Okay God, here I am, where are You? Well God, I know You are here, and You know why I am here, so just listen to me". I talked, I cried, I confessed, and towards the end of our talk something unexpectant happened...I submitted my whole life over to His will for my life. I had not planned on doing that! It seemed that it was me that did all the talking... out loud anyway, but God communicated with His Spirit. As I left the beach that morning, I went away anew with a peace that I had never experienced before. I also had the answers to some burning questions embedded deep into my spirit. It is amazing how God can do that.

"I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer."
Psalm 17:5-7

"Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me." Psalm 71:1-3

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid." John14:27

Please click here for Part II when it is available.

God is MORE than worthy to be praised! \o/

The Easter Blessing Revisited....

Some of you may remember this story originally posting as:
"The Story Of This Little Piggy... "

My Testimony on April 16, 2006:
To give you an update, this past Easter marked two full years since my toe healing, and I have not had an episode of ingrown toenails since my healing!!! Yes, I have been COMPLETELY HEALED!!! Keep in mind that previous to my healing, I was plagued with this ingrown toe nail problem with different toes on both feet at least 3-4 times a year. It was awful.

Here's the original posting:

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4

This past Easter was a very special one year anniversary for me. One that I will never forget, and will continue to share with others all of my life. I will 'wee, wee, wee, wee wee', all the way home! (I will squeal about it until I get to Heaven!)

All my life I had been plagued with ingrown toenails. It was something that I just became used to throughout my life. My mom says that even as an infant I had this problem. As an adult, I’d just get out my cuticle nippers and go dig in there to pry out the little piece of nail that was piercing my flesh! I usually would get it out and have total relief in about 2 - 4 days depending on just how difficult it was to remove.

Last year at the very beginning of my spring vacation from work, when I woke up on April 3rd I experienced that familiar pain in my right big toe. I figured I could take care of it, and poof! It would be gone! I was not going to let this thing spoil my vacation. After all, I had places to go and people to see! A little nip and tuck and a prayer, I’ll be fine! (So I thought!)

Well this one was a stubborn one…more so than I had ever had before in my life! I could not seem to recover this teeny piece of nail that had evidently embedded itself deep down into my flesh. Day in and day out…the pain would not go away…it only got worse.

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness..." 2 Corinthians 12:8, 9

A whole week and a day had passed by and the next thing I knew it was Easter Sunday- April 11th. I woke up and boy, was my toe UGLY! It was black and purple and oozing puss and throbbing painfully. Ebonically speaking, I was literally “‘toe up’ from the flo’ up!” I guess a person with common sense would have carried themselves to the doctor by now! As I said, I was so used to taking care of this myself that going to the doctor never even occurred to me...not even when I saw how it looked on Easter morning.

So now, the plot thickens: It is Sunday morning, Easter morning no less, and I am wondering what shoes am I going to wear? It was cold and rainy outside, but I had to settle for a matronly low heeled, pair with the toes out just so I could manage to squeeze my feet inside the shoe, but have my toes out, so I would be able to walk- and keep the shoes on! I am glad I still had those shoes (from when I broke my little toe), because otherwise I may have been barefoot save for some house slippers or something! But I was torn…I really needed to stay home to work on this toe, because I had to be able to go to work on Tuesday. But then I really wanted to go to church too- after all, it was only the biggest celebration in Christianity --Resurrection Sunday! And I wanted to be there! What should I do?

I got dressed, gathered up my family, and hobbled off to church! The service was wonderful. What I received spiritually through the music ministries, the drama/dance team and through the Word, I was sure had I made the right decision to attend church that day. But oh! There was one more thing!

Near the end of the service, Pastor Doolin asked the people in the audience to stand up if they needed healing for their bodies. This is where it got quite interesting to me, listening to the loud raucous of a debate going on inside of my own head as if I were a passive onlooker:

• Oo, oh! I can get healed of this painful toenail!


• Shut up and stay in your seat. Don’t be so dumb!


• But God is concerned about my life....


• There are people here with issues much more serious than a stupid ingrown toenail!


• But God loves me and He said He is concerned about the most minute details of my life.


• You’ll look like a butthead if you stand up now. The people who were going to stand have already stood up.


• But I have to get healed by God. I have tried everything I know humanly to do.


• Suppose the Pastor comes around and asks you what you need healing for? You know the microphone is on! You’ll look like an idiot! People will laugh and think you are stupid when they hear what you want healing for!


• If he actually asked what I need healing for, I think he would turn the microphone off. If not, then I’ll just have to look like an idiot! I need healing and I believe in God’s powers to heal me.

"...the devil...for there is no truth in him...for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44

And with that, I stood up. At that point, Pastor Doolin was instructing the members still seated to reach out and touch in agreement and in faith, the people who were standing for healing. I felt two warm hands on me.

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in their midst." Matthew 18:20 (KJ)

My boys later told me, that as the Pastor prayed, he went around to the people closest to the front of the auditorium, and laid hands on them. I was one of them. I remember feeling my hand being touched, and a slight warming sensation travel up my arm and down my back at that time.

Later on that afternoon, when I got home, I noticed that my toe felt better! Wow! Anything short of that throbbing pain that morning was a miracle! Well, I believed in my healing, and I just could not wait to see how God was going to do this work!

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

The very next morning, when I woke up, the very first thing I noticed was the absence of pain! What? Could it be? Already? I squeezed it, jumped up and down on it, and walked on it, and then I ran as fast as I could, to tell my family the good report! My husband was still at work, so my kids became the targets of my joy! I’m hollering and screaming excitedly through the house, “Guess what? I’m healed, I’m healed! I’m healed! Halleluyah! I’m healed! God healed me! Halleluyah!

"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you..."Mark 10:52

I was so happy that this little piggy was healed! Wee, wee, wee, wee, wee, all the way home! My boys heard the commotion and came running to meet me at the bottom of the stairs. After they understood what happened, they smiled, patted my arm and shoulders, and went on back to their breakfast. Kids! If I had said I was buying a puppy, they’d be excited, then! ;-)

Looking back, I can clearly see that the enemy was trying his best to rob me of God’s blessing of healing for me. He threw up all kinds of reasons for me to stay in my seat; all of them appealing to my ego not wanting to appear stupid. If I had given in to that who knows how this would have turned out? My toe was severely infected....

"The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly." John 10:10

I still have questions about this incident to ask God when I see Him. Why didn’t He answer my prayers, when I prayed for myself? Why did this have to drag out so long, essentially ruining my whole vacation? Was it to keep me from being active on the road going places, thereby preventing me from being in harm’s way somehow? Was it to show the power of His healing? If I can believe Him for small stuff like this, and see His power in action, then surely I can have faith to believe Him for bigger stuff later on, right? (That's another testimony!) Was it to show me to never to listen to enemy, because he is a liar? Was it to give me another testimony that may one day encourage someone else? Was it a demonstration of His healing power for someone else who does not believe that He still heals today? Man! I have a running list of questions in my head to ask Him. I hope He does not mind! ;-)

Testimony on Easter, March 27, 2005:
*Another facet to this praise report: In the whole year since the original healing, I have not had one ingrown toe nail! Isn’t God wonderful?! Halleluyah!

Anyone want to share a praise report of their own healing? We'd love to read it, and praise God along with you!

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posted by A Heart of Worship @ 4/30/2005

7 Comments:

At Sunday, May 01, 2005 4:01:57 AM, markwashere said... Sister L... ;-)You and your beautiful feet have brought me joy twice today. Your comment on my blog brightened up an already beautimous day and the little piggy testimony had me laughing out loud! I love the scriptures you chose and especially where you put them. So look... your kids might not have thought it was too special, but I'll run around my own house and rejoice WITH you! GIRL, PRAISE HIM WIT THE PINKYTOE!!Catch a blessing,Mark C.

At Monday, May 02, 2005 9:54:48 PM, upwords said... L, I doubt I can say it better than Mark, but this is a beautiful blog and your toe testimony blessed me all up and down. All I can say is...stay on the good foot! LOLMary

At Monday, May 02, 2005 11:02:37 PM, Paula said... Had to check you out since two of my favorite bloggers, ragamuffin and upwords, connected with you! Loved the piggy story! Praising God with you!

At Wednesday, May 04, 2005 7:02:50 PM, Heather Diane Tipton said... L, thanks so much for your comment on my blog. I love this post. and God used you to confirm a scripture to me. a couple days ago He spoke John 10:10 to me in a dream. Reading it here confirms it for me. Thanks. I see that I'm in good company on who comments on your blog. I read all three of their blogs.

At Thursday, May 05, 2005 10:05:32 PM, spiritual ingenue said... L- Thank you so much for the comments on my blog! I came right over here and read your pinky toe story and HAD to share my own "toe healing" :)...I was teaching VBS last year and had a toe that had a HUGE blister on it. It got to the point where I could only fit a big ol' house slipper on it (you know the ones you wouldn't let anyone see in public) so I taught that way all morning.

When my older kids came in, they saw my slipper and I told them what happened.One of their group leaders, a missionary from China, said "Let's lay hands on our teacher's toe and pray for God to heal it!" She called a litte boy from the front row and they prayed a simple two line prayer. I'm not kidding you when I say that God healed my toe right then and there, to the point where I PUT MY SNEAKER ON in front of the kids to show them it was true!!!

Was it the radical faith of a missionary? Was it the innocent faith of a child? Was it to witness to that group of 30+ kids AND their teen leaders? He was glorified on so many levels that day.I totally praise God with you today that HE IS TRULY AN ALMIGHTY TOE HEALER!!! How beautiful is our God that He cares about our littlest worries.I am looking so forward to connecting with you my friend-Blessings, Jan :)

At Friday, May 06, 2005 6:21:21 AM, A Heart of Worship said... Wow! What an awesome testimony! Instantaneous healing, seen in the flesh! God is so magnificent and wonderful! There are no limits to what He can do!Thank you for sharing your 'toe healing' story with us...hopefully someone will be blessed, and realize that God's healing powers are REAL! \0/

At Friday, May 06, 2005 10:01:42 PM, Paula said... L, Thanks for visiting GraceReign. Isn't the unconditional love of God amazing? I struggled today with some stuff and while I was processing that thought hit again--the thought that no matter how I feel about myself or my "performance" God always loves me and treasures me. It just blew me away all over again.The devotional series you mentioned is actually found at Soulscents.us (It's linked on GraceReign).

Mountain Highs to Valley Lows....Part I

We all know that our living and being is supposed to be a form of worship offered to God right? Remember the scripture that says:

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:11

Well, two weeks ago on my new job, I had the awesome opportunity to be able to just close my eyes, look to the heavens, bow down, pray, raise my hands or do anything I wanted to do while worshipping our Father... while I was at work! (Well, actually I was on my lunch, but nevertheless, still at work, and on my job!) And no, 'they' did not come to cart me away! ;-) I know you are wondering, just how did this awesome opportunity come to pass?

I now work at an institution that has a chapel on the grounds! I had been so busy becoming acclimated to the job, meeting new people, finding my way around, etc, that I had sort of forgotten about the existence of the chapel...in fact I did not even know where it was. And in fact, it turns out that I had seen it everyday through unknowing, and unseeing eyes...DUH! For Pete's sake, it has a steeple as big as day on the roof!! Just goes to prove that sometimes we can't always see what is right in front of us, around us....like God's presence, who is always there.

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

Anyway, initially I went over to the chapel out of curiousity. It was a huge cavernous chapel, with high arching ceilings. The dark wood interior wall was interpersed with a light brown stone wall covering. The stain glass windows held depictions of bible heroes and events we all learned about as children.

I settled into my pew on the far left, far away from the other two worshippers on the right side, who were lost in their own personal conversational streams with the Father. As I focused on God, my curiousity quickly melted into an overwhelming flood of thankfulness and gratitude, cocooning me warmly within the knowledge of being extremely blessed.

Okay, so what's the big deal you may ask? Granted, I can always talk to God at my desk, or wherever I am, and I can worship Him through my pursuit of excellence on my job or in whatever I am doing. But to be able to have the freedom and liberty to lose the 'professional face' and just 'be real' with God on my knees in the middle of the workday in a quiet, peaceful, serene place like this chapel, is just an awesome opportunity that I never dreamed of having come true.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

On my other job, I would have seek out lonely places during my lunch time to commune alone with God. Sometimes, I so desperately needed that mid-day connection, the recharging that took place during those times alone, while focused on Him. Sometimes I'd just end up in my car....and it was okay....but I always 'dreamed' of a place (nowhere specifically) where I could go on my job at lunch time to just pray, tune in, focus, and realign myself with His Word.

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. " 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalms 37:4

I am tickled pink about God placing me here in this job, finding this chapel and the mission statement of this institution which seeks to increase our spiritual relationship with God. Well, alright!!

Be Blessed! Check out Part II of Mountain Highs to Valley Lows....
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Mountain Highs to Valley Lows....Part II

As high as I was from the experience in the previous post, "Mountain Highs to Valley Lows....Part I," that very same evening I came hurtling back down to earth, left to crash and burn in the "Valley of Bestillandknow."

Here is my story:

In my Counseling Psychology class, the few Christian students in the room openly admitted that they would feel uncomfortable counseling an openly homosexual person if it were not a Pastoral counseling situation where you could address the Biblical perspective on this. (The instructor has asked each one of us divulge this private information to the class, as part of getting to know yourself, and as establishing a 'confidentiality' between us all...to me it was just a false sense of intimacy). One of the students in the class took great offense to the Christians' disclosure, and she proceeded to lamblast the Christians in front of the class. She finalized her statement by reading this whole diatribe on Dr. Laura Schlessinger off of the internet....and the instructor let her!

Here it is:

For those of you that are not following the recent controversy that has to do with Laura Schlessinger: she is a radio personality who dispenses Advice to people who call in to her radio show. Paramount Television Group is currently producing a "Dr. Laura" television show. Recently she has become a convert to Judaism and has made some statements about homosexuals that have caused the Canadian anti-hate laws to censure her. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet.

Dear Dr. Laura,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can.

When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.

a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness (Lev. 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offence.

d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

g) Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27. How should they die?

i) I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot.

Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them (Lev.24:10-16)? Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws (Lev. 20:14)?

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging. Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Throughout the reading of this, the non-Christians in the class just hooted and howled in laughter....along with the instructor (who before this whole situation had stated that he is a Christian!)

As she was reading this letter, denigrating the Bible and what the Word actually means, I kept my head down and I prayed. I was angry for His sake. How dare they laugh like this. "Remember, be angry and sin not. "

"Lord, give me the words to say." Silence. "Father in Heaven, You are not to be mocked! Please, tell me what to say in Your defense." Deafening silence. "Lord, PLEASE, tell me what to say!!" Silence. "Lord, they need to know the truth...what should I say to them?" Silence.

And then she was finally finished reading the letter and the class was still falling all over themselves howling, trying to regroup. And I could not respond in God's defense. God had not given me anything to say, so I had no choice but to be silent. My own silence was eating me up alive. I was so angry about their mocking laughter towards the Holy Bible, that I noticed that my hands were trembling.

I just shut down. I did not hear anything else that girl had to say. I got lost in my world with God. "How could You not give me something to say? How could you let Your Word get toyed with like that? How could you let the Christians in the room be belittled like that? Just how could You let our faith be laughed at and scorned like this? I was confident that You would tell me what to say!"

And then He spoke:"Be still and know that I AM God. When the time is right I will speak to them. I do not need to be defended. The Word does not need to be defended.Tonight My Words would have fallen on deaf ears. Besides, you were too angry to be my mouthpiece. My true message would have been lost in your emotions. Thank you for honoring Me with your silence."

And then there was silence. So there huddled down in the the "Valley of Be Still and Know," I finally got my answers. I got up, dusted myself off, and smiled. God in His magnificent wisdom knows all...and yes, He is in charge.

"If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. But rejoice that you participate in the suffereing of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name." I Peter 14, 13, 16

Halleluyah ! \0/

I Just Can't Get Past the Evidence....

I was simply dumbstruck. This past Saturday morning, I was on my way back home having been relieved of my taxicab duties for the morning. As I drove along through the quiet, sunlit residential streets, with their nicely manicured lawns, I looked in wonderment at all of the trees and bushes bursting forth with spring's delicate ripeness.

The trees were proudly displaying the fruit of their winter's pregnancy, each having given birth to the fullness of their labor; the offspring of spring blooms. It was almost as if each individual blossom beckoned in song, calling me by name, competing for my attention!

I was captivated by their beauty; lost in the colors, their scents, getting mired in the the form of the blossoms. Looking from my car windows at the stop signs was not enough. I had to stop the car, get out and just stare. And admire. And worship God.

All of these of these trees pointed to the One who is much greater than I....greater than us. I soon realized their songs of beauty were not calling my name, but singing their individual praises in unison to the Gardener, our Creator, our God who created them and us. As a child of God, whose identity is found in Christ, I had related.

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." John15:4,5

"Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens." Psalm 148:13

"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness." Psalm 29:2

How can His existence ever be denied? As I pondered this question, the chorus of this song came to mind.

"Can't Get Past The Evidence" by 4Him on the WOW 1999 CD.

CHORUS
And I can't get past the evidence,
I can't get past the proof,
I can't get past the evidence
It's impossible to do
I can't get past the evidence
and I can't deny the truth
I can't get past the evidence of You

As I got back into my car, and proceeded on my way home, I was still thinking about that thread of thought, when my thoughts turned to the meaning of Easter Sunday; the day we commemorate as "Resurrection Day." I started wondering about non-believers and what Easter possibly meant to them. Then my thoughts wandered downtown to school...

I sit through inner turmoil week after week, while I am in my Anthropology class. We are being taught that in society today 'civilized and educated' peoples consider evolution as the only viable, rational and logical means of man's existence. What?! Give me a break!!!! There are so many missing links, unknown variables and holes in these evolutionary theories, that it astounds me that these 'civilized and educated' people believe them rather than the Bible!! Why would you use your faith to believe in these man-made theories rather than use your faith to believe in the inerrant Word of God?

"It is written: " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " Romans 14: 10-12

"...and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phillipians 2:10-12

SIGH! Oh well. As you have probably ascertained from reading my blog for some time now, that scriptures and songs come to mind alot of times when I am thinking, and this time was no exception. The lyrics to this next song came to mind as I was pondering the non-believer's point of view versus my point of view. I thought this song was very befitting considering the Holy Day we are in the midst of celebrating.

"Lord, I Believe in You" as sung by Crystal Lewis, which is also on the WOW 1999 CD.


Lord, I Believe inYou
copyright Tommy Walker

Verse 1
Though I can't see Your holy face
And Your throne in heaven above
It seems so far away
Though I can't touch your nail scarred hands
I have a deep and unspeakable joy
That makes my faith to stand

(Chorus)
Lord, I believe in You
I'll always believe in You
Though I can't see you with my eyes
Deep in my heart
Your presence I find
Lord, I believe in You
And I'll keep my trust in You
Let the whole world say what they may
No one can take this joy away
Lord, I believe

Verse 2
Born from above
You are Gods only chosen one
Youre the one and only true way
To the Fathers heart
You died for all sin
Then you rose and now live again
Conquering death and the grave
So that I might live

(Chorus)

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10

"Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Luke 24:45-47

"While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy." Luke 24:51, 52

"We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life" 1 John 5:20

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John3:16

May the Lord add a blessing to the reading of His Word! \0/ Halleluyah! Be Blessed!