Jun. 23, 2008
God's Perfect Provision
Posted in Just Ramblin
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This morning was one of those humbling times when the Lord clearly showed me, that He is indeed in control of our lives, and that He is so very good to us. Sometime I'll tell you about the predicament of having a 28 gallon pop-up-aquarium fountain in my living room, but for now, let it suffice to say, that in the midst of this "situation" I decided that I'd made a mistake and to remedy it I was going to look for a 10 gal fish tank at yard sales or go to WalMart and buy one the first of the month. I forgot to take this seemingly trivial situation to the Lord. This weekend, He literally plunked into my lap a 29 gallon fish tank with all the fixens. And the cost? Dinner with friends, tough to take, huh?? Yup! Someday, I"ll learn to ask instead of trying to take care of it all myself. On another note, I've been really struggling over why I believe what I do and where I fit in things. What I know is that I've been feeling very unsettled about many things for awhile. I knew what I was looking for in a church and I knew no such church existed near me. I just "knew" it. The Lord has, once again, however, shown me that I don't know nearly as much as I think I do. I met a young homeschooling mom last year at a one day conference in our area. She followed up the meeting, by asking about LizBeth being able to help her occasionally with her children (5,3, & 6mo). We were thrilled at this opportunity. Over the year we've spent time together, talked, helped each other in crazy ways. She knew my struggle and my leanings with church and she told me about her church, but it is too far from my house, and I couldn't travel with her, because of her vehicle and the numbers of our children. . . and then the Lord blessed her family with a much needed larger vehicle, which, by the way, just happens to have enough room for my children and I to now attend church with her. LizBeth always says, "Mom, if you want to see God laugh, just tell him your plans" There is no disrespect meant in it - and she is generally right. "Lord, I really would like to be able to attend this church, but it is too far away (45 minutes) and there is no way for us to get there and, and, and. . . " Well, this past Sunday we visited the church - it is tiny - the pastor is elderly - the congregation is small - but we LOVED it! I'm counting down the days til Sunday so I can go back. The coolest thing for me, and perhaps because of his age, the pastor only preached from The Word. There were no illustrations, no secular references, nothing but the Word of God alone. And so much of what he preached, about keeping our eyes on the Lord (remember what happened to Peter when he took his eyes of the Lord?) and how the Lord lets us sink, so we'll get our focus off the world around us and back onto Him -- it was all so pertinent to where I'm at today. If you are out of church, between churches, seeking a church, let me encourage you to hang in there. Many prayers of friends and family have led us from our church at home, into a small fellowship of like-minded believers and I'm so excited about this! Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Jun. 19, 2008
Persecution
Posted in Just Ramblin
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I've had several months now of having withdrawn from normal social interaction, it was working so well for my children, that I decided a lack of socialization might do me some good. In that time, I've found that I had extra time to study God's word. Do you want to know something I learned? If not, stop reading now. If you're still reading, here is what I discovered. I always believed that Christians who were godly, righteous, humble, etc. were the ones who were persecuted. Only those who were really walking with the Lord. However as I've just finished reading through 2Kings (from Genesis) I'm discovering that this is not the case. God's children historically, and consistently came under the persecution of enemy rulers, when they drifted away from the Lord's teachings, commands, directions, etc. He used the persecution to bring His own back into fellowship with Himself. You have no idea what a revelation this has been to me. I really believed that I needed to fear persecution if I walked closely with the Lord. What I discovered is that indeed if I am being persecuted I need to stop and ask the Lord to show me where and how I have strayed from Him, to repent and to let him cleanse and restore me to fellowship with him. It was not the kings who walked with the Lord that were persecuted or taken captive, but those who fell away, those who were more worried about what others would think, say and do, than about what the Lord had already said and commanded to be done. Ouch! So, my challenge to you is this, do you feel you're being persecuted for your faith? If so take a close look around you, inside you, ask the Lord to reveal to you what you need to do to walk more closely with Him, and when He reveals it, do it. You won't be alone! Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Jun. 16, 2008
Cynicism
Posted in Just Ramblin
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I started to post about all the things I'm trying not to be cynical about, but it was such a long, depressing, rambling post that I just hit the backspace key and wiped it out. I wish sometimes my mouth had a backspace key. (I saw that on a sign recently, and it so fits!) Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Apr. 16, 2008
Home Church, Keeping My Mouth Shut and Other Stuff
Posted in Just Ramblin
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I just had to let you know what a struggle it has been to keep my mouth shut and my fingers still lately. There have been so many situations and subjects I'hve wanted to blog on - have my say about - just the Lord has clearly shown me I need to keep my mouth shut. Oh, what a training and growing time this has been. We have been doing church at home for several months, and much like home schooling, I didn't start out with the intent, but it evolved out of the situation we found ourselves in. There is no well established reformed church in our area. Also, I've been desiring to do less "church" and more worship -- which is easier to do at home. I have a friend who unknowingly (or maybe not) keeps me accountable by calling at some point during the week and asking what my family did for worship on Sunday. I don't know if the Lord will have us continue this or if it is just for a season, but I know that I don't miss the busyness of church that I've experienced in the past. Finally, I think it might finally be spring here. We've had several warm afternoons and much of the snow is melting -- though we still have too much in the back yard. The academic year is winding down and we are praying about moving closer to family, in the near future. What is the Lord doing in your life right now? Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Mar. 22, 2008
Lukewarmness in the church
Posted in Just Ramblin
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I've talked to several different Christian ladies recently, from different geographic areas and different walks of life and one thing I'm hearing consistently is about how sad they are to see their church so far from what they believe scripture calls us to be. I see them struggling with a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness for how to advocate change. They've seen Return of the Daughters, they've read Passionate Housewives and Created to be His Helpmate. They know what they need to do. One lady even said she didn't know who she could share these resources with that might not be offended by them. Wow! That is a very sad statement on our Christian community. I've shared them with people and didn't care if they were offended, mostly because I believe scripture and it says that those who love His law will not be offended. The Lord gave me a clear call when I started homeschooling to encourage other single mothers to do likewise for the sake of their children, for the furtherance of His kingdom. I wonder if He's giving me a new call for a new season in my life. I do not want to be offensive, but I do want us, as mothers to return to the truth of the Lord's word. I've become complacent in my own home over the last couple of years. My own sinful flesh has hindered me from things of the Lord. So mom's, whether you are single or not, think about these things. What are we really teaching our daughters? Is algebra really going to be all that important in eternity? I don't think that the Lord is going to be looking at SAT scores or the like, do you? I think we need to fuel in our daughters a passionate fire for the Lord and His ways. In my recent devotional reading, I was reminded that Mary Magdalene was the first one that the Lord revealed himself to after his resurrection - a woman - a believer - a faithful follower. He gave her a command to go and tell the others. She obeyed. But they - the disciples - the men - didn't believe her. Did it change anything? No, she did what she was called to do and the Lord dealt with the disciples accordingly afterwards. I believe this is what we need to do. We need to take a stand, obediently, as a faithful servant, knowing that other believers will not listen or hear. We are only accountable for the job the Lord has given us - we need to be faithful in that and let Him deal with those who don't believe. Ouch! This post was more for me than any of you, but I hope it helps some of you, too. Blessings, MaggieRaye |