| Author | Message | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 413 Registered: 8-2004  |
"Arise, Let us go hence." John 14:31 "Dreaming about a thin in order to do it properly is right; but dreaming about it when we should be doing it is wrong. After Our Lord had said those wonderful things to His disciples, we might have expected that He would tell them to go away and meditate over them all; but Our Lord never allowed "mooning." When we are getting into contact with God in order to find out what he wants, dreaming is right; but when we are inclined to spend our time in dreaming over what we have been told to do it is a bad thing and God's blessing is never in it. God's initiative is always in the nature of a stab against this kind of dreaming, the stab that bids us "neither sit nor stand but go." "If we are quietly waiting before God and He has said - "Come ye yourselves apart," then that is meditation before God in order to get at the line He wants; but always beware of giving over to mere dreaming when once God has spoken. Leave Him to be the source of all our dreams and joys and delights, and go out and obey what He has said. If you are in love, you do not sit down and dream about the one you love all the time, you go and do something for him; and that is what Jesus Christ expects us to do. Dreaming after God has spoken is an indication that we do not trust Him." --My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers Some thoughts to ponder (... and act on!) this morning! Let us pray for each other that we may know when it is time to sit at Jesus feet and wait for direction, and that we may know when it is time to get up and DO what He has told us to do. Blessings, Mary | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 159 Registered: 6-2005 |
Oh Mary! What a perfect quote to confirm what God has spoken to me today. And nice that it came from you, since you are one of those who has been faithfully praying with and for me! I was coming to the forum to say that God has "called me out". Out of Adventism, out of any other Idol. I dont know where I am going...(other than to stand on the solid rock)...but I know who the Shepard is. What a beautiful music lineup God gave me too... 1. Fatih that is real 2. I will stand for you 3. You Shelter me 4. How great is my God 5. No other God but You 6. Shadow of your cross Then the text for the music set: Jeremiah 17:7+ But Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes;its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Hear is my prayer, from a song of course>> Navigation: T \ Tree63 \ I Stand For You Jesus, I stand for You No matter what You lead me through They will chase me out And close me down But Jesus Iíll stand for You Iíll always stand Iíll always stand Iíll always stand for You (X2) Jesus, Iíve stood my ground When unbelief was all around I have felt the sting Rejection brings But Jesus I still stand for You Iíll always stand Iíll always stand Iíll always stand for You (X2) A time will come When everyone Will turn there eyes On the Risen Son But until that day, this world will turn away And so Iíll take Your hand - Iíll always stand for You Guilty of this grace But You took my place So Jesus, Iíll always stand for You Iíll always stand Iíll always stand Iíll always stand for You (X2) Listen here: http://www.tree63.com/istand.htm Im really grateful for the love and prayers from you all, and for Colleen and Richard and your ministry. Im sure I will need continued prayer in the days to come. Oh btw, my name is Lori, but you can still call me JavaGirl, lol. It has special meaning for me. Hugs and prayers, JavaGirl | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 1090 Registered: 7-2003  |
JavaGirl, I rejoice with you and pray that the Lord will be your strong tower and place of refuge in the coming days. He will lead you where He wants you, but I've discovered it takes great patience because it never seems to be on our timetable. Just always remember, He's led you this far, He's not going to suddenly stop leading now even though some days it might feel like it. He's still there, now and always. Chris | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3420 Registered: 12-2003  |
Dear Lori, God is with you! I know how exciting and terrifying, in some ways, it is finally to make this decision. You will not regret it. God will hold you in His secure grip and bring blessings and new family in Him into your life. Praying for you... Colleen | ||
| Wooliee Registered user Username: Wooliee Post Number: 60 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hi Lori, I'm so happy for you! I am just picturing this happy sheep bouncing out in a green pasture toward her Shepherd. "The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear His voice and come to Him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After He has gathered His own flock, He walks ahead of them, and they follow Him because they recognize His voice. They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't recognize his voice." John 10:3-5 You have my prayers! Julie | ||
| Jwd Registered user Username: Jwd Post Number: 183 Registered: 4-2005  |
Lori, Praise God for your Spirit-guided decision. At first freedom in Christ is a bit overwhelming and those dark bats of guilt often appear out of nowhere to zoom down and momentarily frighten us, but they are all imaginary in the end. Take courage to jump out into this freedom, spread your wings and fly; dance and laugh and cry for joy. The more you find yourself being absorbed into Christ alone, the more your heart will radiate "sunshine of living joy." Welcome child of the Kingdom, welcome to freedom in Christ. | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 1339 Registered: 3-2005 |
What a great post Mary. I always like your Chambers devotionals. Thanks Lori for posting those beautiful songs of worship! Again, I want to say that it has been great to watch your journey in the experience of grace in the short time you have been posting here. The Shepherd is faithful. Chris, Good to see you back on the forum! It was so great meeting you in person last weekend, and thanks again for your great testimony on Sat. night. Stan | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 1096 Registered: 7-2003 |
It was good meeting you as well, Stan. Thank you for the kind words. Chris | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 160 Registered: 6-2005 |
Thank you all for praying, and for being happy for me. Im not at all at the point of "bouncing" or laughing, but I have been there in the recent past with God, and I trust that experience will return. Mostly I feel very alone. Just a lot of grief and sadness. Without the support of my husband or son or parents and lifelong friends, I do feel alone. Im anticipating further negative reactions, and just feel a great loss. I do however, feel the presence of God, and feel little doubt about the decision. I question my timing, but I just cant pretend God has not grabbed ahold of me, taken me kicking and protesting to the springs of life, dunked me in His grace over and over, until I came up and called "uncle". (or Abba)--yes, I know that is a bit dramatic, but that is how I experience it. Maybe it would be easier if I felt bitter in some way, I just havent. My experience in Adventism has been more of a stepping stone then a dead end. I love and care for many people, and I wish that I could avoid the pain and upheaval for my family. Please pray for my family with me. JavaGirl | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3430 Registered: 12-2003 |
Dear JavaGirl/Lori, I understand your dichotomous (is that a word?!) feelings. The miracle is that you feel the presence of God. That presence is what He has promised us, and it defies explanation. We can feel held and peaceful even while we feel completely alone and not understood. I've often pondered that we all, ultimately, stand alone with Jesus. I think He wants us to know that He is enough, that He will guard our hearts and care for us and keep us from "dying" as we feel in our humanness that we surely will. And then He brings new family to usófamily that share an adopted Father and share an eternal inheritance with Christ. Another miracleóthe family of God's adopted children is more nurturing and constant than is mere blood. Of course, this reality doesn't remove our longing and love for biological family, but it is an amazing gift that replaces the desperation and depression with hope and eternal confidence. It's such a paradoxóso completely inexplicable in mere words. Praying for you and your family... Colleen | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 162 Registered: 6-2005 |
Sounds like a word to me colleen! Julie and Jess et all, I heard the shepherds voice again. He suggested I quit whining, go get a Venti Sumatra from Starbucks to Celebrate, and listen to some loud Rock and Roll on the way. Oh yeah, and I think there was something about splurging on a manicure....  Hugs and prayers, Javagirl | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2332 Registered: 3-2004  |
Javagirl, That must have been the voice I heard last Friday. I got a manicure, pedicure, face waxing, and my hair done at the same place. I wanted to look nice for me and for all the FAFers I was going to meet that night, but was planning to do it all myself. God had other plans and I enjoyed splurging on myself. God takes very good care of me and I am so thankful. Diana | ||
| Seekr777 Registered user Username: Seekr777 Post Number: 408 Registered: 1-2003  |
Diana, It was truely a joy to meet you last weekend at the FAF meeting. You were glowing but I'm sure it was from within and not all the delightful things you did to get ready. In Christ, Richard rtruitt@mac.com | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 167 Registered: 6-2005 |
Today I discovered a loaf of bread in my mailbox. Fresh baked bread from "the REAL bread company". The irony was not lost on me at all. This after one of the most difficult weeks of lonliness, grief etc. God gave me such clarity last nite, I was up till 3 am. Not only did he "release me" further, he propelled me forward in such a gentle and confirming way. Today is the end of a 21day fast I have been involved in, not surprising that God gave me this gift at this time... Oh btw, when I went out to get Java the other day 0, take a break from the spiritual intensity, and listen to rock and roll. Guess what songs came on?.... Dont look Back______________________Boston Sweet Child 'O Mine_________________Guns and Roses Ive been waiting so long____________Cream (Sunshine of your love) Who says God doesnt have a sense of humor. I just laughed and laughed. Lori | ||
| Wooliee Registered user Username: Wooliee Post Number: 64 Registered: 6-2005 |
Lori, I am so happy to hear that for you! God created our sense of humor, so He must have an awesome one Himself. How could He not? My schedule is pretty crazy right now, and a lot of my prayer time is spent on the run, but you are in my prayers. Julie | ||
| Lindylou Registered user Username: Lindylou Post Number: 133 Registered: 1-2005  |
Lori, Thank you for sharing your journey as it is happening! It is so helpful to me to see how God is working in other people's lives. Sometimes I get a bit complacent and neglectful in my spiritual journey. Your honesty is refreshing. Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing with us. Hang in there! You may be physically alone in this "coming out" - but you can know that there are plenty of real souls out here who are cheering for you. |
