Friday, October 30, 2015

MY ALL AND ALL

We all face trials, things that happen to us or things we may even cause.  Often times these trials boil up in us those things we find most disturbing and unpleasant in others.  We sometimes feel entitled to those feelings, therefore bringing us to a feeling of despair and anguish.  

I have a friend who "appears" to be to handle most all these feelings.  I envy her in her no-nonsense approach and dignified manner in which she works through problems and heartache.  I wish I could handle things the way she does.  There is no self pity, no complaining.  Simply quiet resolve and steadfastness.  

Yet, I really don't know what's inside her heart or mind.  I don't know the hurt she may be feeling or if she too feels despair or forsaken.  I only know what appears on the outside.  Perhaps she too, has the the feelings that overcome me, but somehow has the power rid herself of them.

In Ephesians 4:31-32, Paul reminds us to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every for of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."  


But how do I do this when feeling hurt, angry, bitter and rage?  My only resolve is to remember the description of the "Sender" to the saints of the seven churches in Revelation.  He is described as the "holder of the seven stars (angels) of the churches and the One who walks among the churches.  He is the First and Last who died and came to life, the One who has the sharp, double-edged sword (has divine judgement), the Son of God, who's eyes are like blazing fire (has penetrating insight), feet are like burnished bronze (strong and mighty.  He is the One who holds the seven spirits of God (God's Spirit) and the seven stars (the seven churches), Holy and True and holds the keys of David (possesses absolute authority).  He is the Amen (one true God), the faithful and true witness and the ruler of God's creation.  He is the Truth and supreme over all His creation."

If He is all this,  He was and is and is able to forgive me of these iniquities and His Spirit gives me strength to overcome that which He calls me to get rid of.  Along with this, He also calls me to rid myself of guilt, for His blood has covered it all.

I am grateful for the Word.  I am grateful for His conviction, forgiveness and grace.  For as He convicts me, it is not for my punishment but to make me pure and holy.  

Praise be to Him who is my All and All!

Friday, October 23, 2015

MOMMY'S HOMECOMING


In my last post, I spoke of names and name changes. My son just got married and therefore, his bride's last name changed.  I have discovered that names really are important.  They identify, or connect us with others.  My mother's name was Edna.  Edna means "little seed, kernel".  Her middle name was Louise, meaning "well known fighter". And her last name was Drake, meaning "dragon".  Therefore, mom was a tiny little thing, worked hard and fought for her family like a dragon.  Yep...that probably describes her well.

She was petite and was a mamma bear when it came to her children.  Tough in discipline but loved deeply.  She always made the comment, "hurt me but do NOT hurt my child!"

Mom fought hard these past several months.  Diagnosed with COPD, congestive heart failure and low kidney function, she had to press on with great strength to keep going and stay alive.  She wanted to live and wanted to be with her children.  Yes, she was a petite dragon who fought to care for others and experience the joys of life as long as she could.

During the last month, I had the privilege to be with mom during a hospital stay.  We talked about fears past and present.  We spoke about heaven, seeing daddy again and more importantly, seeing her heavenly Father.  We walked through the steps of assurance and mom prayed the prayer of salvation.  This was my wish for her.  That she would know Jesus as Lord and Savior and have a such a personal relationship with Him that she would rejoice in her homecoming.  My sister had been out of the hospital room during this conversation and when she returned, with mom sleeping, she commented on how peaceful mom was compared to when she left for a short while.  It was like night and day.  Yep...that's what knowing Jesus does.  A peace and assurance of His love and faithfulness brings about an inner peace like none other.  Indescribable! 

Mom went to her new heavenly home last night at approximately 10:00 pm.  My sister and brother-in-law were at her side.  I am grateful for my sissy's love and tenderness in being there at that time.  I am grateful for a mother who worked hard, fought hard and raised 5 children with love and compassion.  But most of all, I am grateful for a heavenly Father who met her in His kingdom with open arms, ready to say, "Well done my good and faithful servant".  And I am grateful for His compassion on this sinner's soul to allow me the privilege of knowing she is with Him.

Where will you be?  In a grave or in His kingdom?  If you're not sure, won't you ask Him how you can be adopted as His child and spend eternity with Him?

Welcome home mommy!


Monday, October 19, 2015

NAME CHANGE!



WOW!  What a great weekend we had.  Our middle son was married this past weekend to his beautiful fiance Carissa.  We are so blessed beyond imagination!  Carissa Adamson became the new Mrs. Graham Todd Allen.  One nice benefit to her name change was that she kept her same initials! How many of us get to do that?!

I remember changing my name on my SS card after I was married.  I went from an "R" to an "A". That sounded great to me!  But what was really good, was that I was now identified with a precious family that loved me and took me in as a daughter.  We hope Carissa knows how much we love her and consider her now the next daughter in our family.  Alix now has a sister in crime!

We will have another wedding in February with our youngest, Anthony. Then, Nikki will become the third daughter in the Allen clan.  Our love for each one of these girls is beyond our dreams.  They add a powerful addition to this all male household -  a strength and and assurance of a complete family.

You know, a name change identifies you not as someone new, but as someone claimed.  It's like a seal placed on you as a claim of identifying you to another.

We too, believers in Christ, are given a new name.  A name that identifies our love and faith in the One who has paid the ransom and claims us as His.  We are sealed with this new identity by His Holy Spirit for a lifetime.  My  new name....Christian.  I am claimed by my groom, who chose me to be His bride.  I'm thrilled with my new name.

My prayer is for these two newlyweds to claim their new names.  After all.....adding a "C" to their initials is a blessing and a privilege.

I am so grateful for the blessing of this weekend.  For the beautiful woman my Lord game my sweet son.  Name changes are AWESOME!  Have you added a new initial?

Thursday, October 8, 2015

STALKER FRIEND

When we are children, we make friends with classmates, neighbors, other dance or sports team members and etc.  Sometimes these friends are friends we keep a lifetime.  For others, some move away with their families, go to other schools or join other organizations or teams and we loose track.


As we grow older, we make new friends, form new relationships and bonds and become more selective of those we want to keep close.  Women in particular find other women they trust, women with common bonds and likes and those who have shared the similar experiences to form close relationships with.  But I have found that my closest friends have one thing in common.  We are all sisters in Christ.


I once read that sometimes, God gives us a friend for a "season".  I didn't quite understand this when I first heard it, but later, I came to believe it to be true.  It is a painful thought to think we could have a close friend and things happen to diminish what God had once given as a sweet gift.  It often doesn't take much for these "seasonal" friendships to disappear.  Sometimes it's simply a location change, a schedule change or a tragedy that makes one party move in another direction.


If you  have ever experienced this kind of loss, you know what I mean.  Just recently, I was contacted by an old friend I thought had been a "seasonal" friend.  I had mourned the loss for quite a while.  But you see, my friend would not let our friendship go.  In fact, she almost "stalked" me into reconnecting.  I guess my "stalker" friend didn't believe in "seasonal" friendships and knew more about real friendships than me.


It made me think of my very best friend - Jesus Christ.  He's no "seasonal" friend.  He "stalks" me to stay close because He loves me.  He's relentless in His pursuit.  We've shared much together and he is faithful and trustworthy and always has my back.


I'm so grateful for my "stalker" friend who did not let our friendship just disappear.  God has blessed me with a sister in Christ that will stand the test of time and I will love her for never letting go.  I want to be a "stalker".  I want to be a stalker for Christ.


I hope you know who you are sweet friend!  I am so grateful for you!  Love you much!