Mood:  sad

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:...A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; Eccl. 3:1, 4 MKJV

It has been over a week since we learned our daughter-in-law and the grandkids wouldn't be coming back to Nebraska for a visit after all. The car broke down and vacation money had to go to fixing it. Huge blow in a week that had already been loaded with frustrations and disappointments.

We were suppose to go to Omaha to pick up the grandkids this last weekend. We went anyway to visit our daughter and other relatives, and had a nice time. What I've discovered is that even though I'm not wallowing in grief or inviting it, grief cycles around at inopportune times, leaving me sad and fighting tears.

God never said life was perfect, not even for His followers. Life happens and to deny the emotions He placed within us, is to deny Him. So this week, when we were to spend time with our grandkids, I will be cycling through times of sadness. But I know, this canceled visit is for the best, the cycle of healing that will get better and it is OK to grieve.

The time to dance will come.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 7:26 PM CDT

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Psalm 22:11, 19 MKJV Be not far from Me; for trouble is near, for there is none to help. ... But You, O LORD, be not far from Me; O My strength, hurry to help Me!

There is a saying, "There are no athiests in foxholes." Simply, when we're in serious trouble, we turn to the Lord. Problem is, how can someone turn to Him if they have no clue to who God is? In our post-Christian culture we can't assume our neighbors, co-workers, even family and friends know the Jesus of the Bible. He says it's our job to share His message of sin, sacrifice and salvation with those around us.

The question, am I willing to forego my fear and embarrassment to share the greatest news about love & life ever and save lives or do I stay silent, letting those I profess to care about live and die without Christ--proving I don't really believe the message either?

V. 22 I will declare Your name to My brothers; in the midst of thecongregation I will praise You.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 10:07 AM CDT

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Revelation 5:14 GW The four living creatures said, "Amen!" Then the leaders bowed and worshiped.

Worship is one of the best words to describe Heaven. Those in God's presence worship and honor Him. He is their life; their reason for being.

Those on earth who aspire to Heaven, but refuse to honor, obey or follow God now, won't be comfortable in a place where worship of the One they claimed to know but didn't serve here, is a primary occupation.

Something to think about when we stubbornly go our way, instead of His.

Psalm 21:13 MKJV Be exalted, O LORD, in Your strength; we will sing,and praise Your power.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:18 AM CDT

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Psalm 20:7 MKJV Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

We can trust in the police, the military or government to protect, save, rescue, but without a heart, a nation founded and continually built up on Christ, we have no protection at all. Our true protector and provider is not government or military. It is Jesus Christ. I am safe only as I follow and serve Him.

Makes sense I'd study His Word to know what He wants of me. Makes sense I'd stay in communication with Him. And, if I truly believed Jesus makes a difference in salvation, peace and security, personally and as a nation, makes sense I'd want others from family to leaders to follow Him as well.

If my faith doesn't change me or the way I interact with my world, it is no faith at all and I become a hypocrite for claiming beliefs that don't effect or change my life or my world.

Revelation 3:11 MKJV Behold, I come quickly. Hold fast to that which you have, so that no one may take your crown.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:23 AM CDT

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Psalm 19:14 MKJV Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
 
It isn't enough to say, "I'm His," ignoring time in His presence. If I truly belong to Christ, I'll desire to read, study, meditate on Him and be in constant communication with the Creator.
 
Without Him, we have no substance, staying power or foundations. We have no truth, values, or love.
 
Do my actions reflect a life in contact with the God of light, life and love?

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:30 AM CDT

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Jude 4, 16-17 MKJV For certain men crept in secretly, those having been of old previously written into this condemnation, ungodly ones perverting the grace of our God for unbridled lust, and denying the only Master, God, even our Lord Jesus Christ. ...These are murmurers, complainers, leading lives according to their lusts. And their mouth speaks proud things, admiring faces for the sake of gain. But you, beloved, remember the words spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, ...

As believers, we can get comfortable in our own fellowship, our relationship and become lax in praying to God, reading, studying and obeying His Word. Our hearts grow cool to distinct lines of right and wrong, to the point when some enter our fellowship with twisted versions of the truth, we have little defense. We're led astray by our arrogance and complacency.

We're called to a different way. We're called to know and study Truth so we won't be led astray.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:58 AM CDT

Updated: Monday, 14 July 2008 9:59 AM CDT

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Psalm 16:8-9 MKJV I have set the LORD always before Me; because He is at My right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore My heart is glad, and My glory rejoices; My flesh also shall rest in hope;

Cause amd effect. If I commit myself to the Lord, let Him be God and guide, I will not be easily swayed by false things, people or ideas. When I am secure in Him, I will have two important factors humans cannot live without--joy and hope.

And it all starts with my choice to stand with Jesus and do good--no matter what.

3 John 11 MKJV Beloved, do not imitate the bad, but the good. He who does good is from God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:14 AM CDT

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II John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.

There is a connection between love and God's principles. You can't have love without Him, or without His commandments. His commandments show love that is faithful, true and one of integrity. Love cares, is sacrificial, even confrontational when needed. Love is strong, dynamic, and builds up not tears down. Free love doesn't exist.

Love comes with responsibilities and obligations.

Psalm 15:1-3 LORD, who shall dwell in Your tabernacle? Who shall dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; he does not backbite with his tongue, nor do evil to his neighbor, nor take up a reproach against his neighbor;...

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:02 AM CDT

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Psalm 14:1 MKJV The fool has said in his heart, There is no God! They acted corruptly; they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.

When an awful crime is committed, people speculate how could anyone could do such and such. When judges aren't just, we're angry and don't comprehend. Yet, the answer is simple. Righteousness, justice, compassion, love emanate from God in Jesus.The further someone is from a relationship with Christ (regardless of what might be claimed), the less, good, honorable and just that person or society will be.

Laws do not change a person's heart. Only God can do that. If we want a society not rife with perversion and evil, Christ-followers must stand up, get our lives squared away with what is right and impact those around us with the gospel message of sin, sacrifice and salvation in Jesus Christ.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:29 AM CDT

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Oh Lord my God, I cried unto you, and you have healed me. Psalm 30:12

He is...When
(c) 2008 Carolyn R Scheidies

He is
The light in the darkness
Chasing away the shadows,
Offering hope
When I wish to give up,
Offering comfort
When I come to Him.

http://IDealinHope.com/author

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 12:47 PM CDT

Updated: Wednesday, 9 July 2008 12:56 PM CDT

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I John 5:2-4 MKJV By this we know that we love the children of God, whenever we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.
 
There is no way around it. We cannot claim the name of Christ or "Christian" if we don't follow His commands. It is like saying, "I'm an American" while serving the enemy. It puts us in the camp of hypocrites, cheaters and liars.
 
If we claim the name of Christ, we need to know Him, communicate with Him, listen to Him, as well as read, study and follow the principles laid out in His Word.
 
Am I truly following Him or am I an"in name only" Christian?

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:54 AM CDT

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I John 4:8-9 MKJV The one who does not love has not known God. For God is love. In this the love of God was revealed in us, because God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him.
 
When things don't go our way. When others don't respond or react as we think they should, what do we do? Bring the matter before God in sadness, or get angry and send out hate mail?
 
While God calls us to confront evil, He also calls us to love people. We can't love and hate at the same time. We can be saddened by an action or behavior and still love the person through Christ within.
 
When we react in hateful ways, we show Christ is not directing our ways and call into question not only who we are, but also whom we represent. Something to keep in mind when anger flares and we're tempted to respond in hateful ways. (We need to focus on the problem, not denigrate the person.)
 
V.11, Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. ...And we have this commandment from Him, that he who loves God should love his brother also.

http://IDealinHope.com/author

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 5:52 AM CDT

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So far today, God,
I've done all right...
I haven't gossiped.
I haven't been grumpy, nasty or selfish.
I'm really glad of that,
But in a few minutes, God,
I'm going to get out of bed.
From now on, I'm probably going to need a lot of help.
                        --Source/Author Unknown

Search me, oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-34

We choose the direction of our day and our attitudes. God's way or ours. Those choices make all the difference.

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http://IDealinhope.com/bookreviews (Check out DEEPER: Living in the Reality of God's Love review)

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:26 AM CDT

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I John 2:4-5 MKJV He who says, I have known Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His Word, truly in this one the love of God is perfected. Bythis we know that we are in Him.

Christians are getting a bad rap these days. Often deserved. Often not. The reason. Many claim the name of Christ who have only a vague concept of who He is, have less knowledge of His Word and believe they can do what feels good and it's ok. It's not. We've raised a generation with only a faint idea of who God is and what He requires.

As Christ followers we need to realize these people are lost for eternity unless we truly live for Christ from knowledge and share His image of grace and life with those around us.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:56 AM CDT

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Psalm 6:2-3 MKJV Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is exceedingly troubled; but You, O LORD, how long?

I hate not being in control. Yet so much of my life is out of my control--disability & limitations, the food sensitivities that have plagued me the last few years, my struggle in my writing/speaking career, finances... Need I say more?

I struggle. I fight, argue, plead and get angry at God. But, you know what I learned as a very sick teen? God doesn't want phony, shallow followers. Our struggles with Him, life and faith are no surprise to Him. Only as we're real with Him, does He become real to us.

If we come to Him, He answers, not always the prayer on our lips, but always the need of our hearts.

v.9 The LORD has heard my cry; the LORD will receive my prayer.

Psalm 7:17 MKJV I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:47 AM CDT

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