Continued prayer

Well, this morning my husband had a CT scan and MRI at the hospital. Results of the MRI show something pressing against his spine, which could be causing the leftside weakness and the breathing difficulties. Its good to know the cause. Still don't know the outcome, still scared. I know the Lord is in control. The Lord is always looking out for His children. I need to always be mindful of that. It's not easy. Still scared. Any who feel led to pray, please do. We meet with the neurosurgeon March 3.

Reading ... hearing ... listening

The day I walked and walked and walked (and thus caused pain in my left leg) I had gone to the public library. Only a week ago and so much has happened since. Anyway, I checked out two books and yesterday I finished the second one. Both were written by Jewish authors. The first one, "I will plant you a lilac tree" was written as a memoir by Laura Hillman, a Schindler's list survivor. I remember seeing the movie Schindler's List and now I'd like to see it again. I have read several books about Anne Franck, but it's interesting reading things from a slightly different perspective.
The second book was a novel based on fact. "The Chosen" was written by Chaim Potok. It was his first book, published in 1967. Its about two Jewish boys, similar but different. It talks about hearing silence. Hearing without speaking, without talking, using your eyes, looking into yourself, your soul. Potok had written several more before his death in 2002 and two that I would like to read are "The Promise" and "My Name is Asher Lev."
I haven't done a lot of reading lately and I don't know why. I enjoy reading, getting into the lives of the people in the story. I have several books here at home I want to read, mostly autobiographies. I think the cold weather prompts me to sit by the fire (mostly dream about that since we don't have a fireplace) , drink tea or hot chocolate and read. I like listening to Christian music or Enya playing in the background.
Hearing silence. What do you think. Is it like meditating on God's word, waiting for Him to speak. Often we don't wait, is that when the silence is broken and we stray?
An article I found written by Pamela Murray Winters of Churchton, Maryland said:
"I don't go to Quaker services for silence. I go because in that silence is the ever present possibility, a space for revelation."

Names

What is your name? Thomas Allen? Do you go by that name or do you have a nickname? Tommy maybe or Tom or T.A. or Allen or Al. So many choices. Maybe not even similar to your real name, but something like "Slugger" or "Big Al." Sometimes our parents, the very people to give us our full name, give us nicknames. Sometimes our peers or teachers at school or church, things we're interested in, that's how we get nicknames.
My full name is Catherine Mae, but I was rarely called that. Mostly Cathy. In school I was also called "Oreo" because I liked oreo cookies. My husband calls me Caffie. A former friend called me Kate. My sister and I used to call each other by our (maiden) last names and I still do on occasion.
Does it matter? Should nicknames not be used?
We have a bunny. He has many names. His full name is BeeJay, he was named after his parents, Brendan and Jewell. But he has other names that we call him, all in love and with much affection. Names like Beeber, Hot Rod Harry, Elephant Eddie, Sweet Pea, Sweetie Pie. Silly names, he doesn't look like an elephant or a hot rod. He's just a little bundle of fluff.
Even in the Bible people who were named one thing at birth had different names by the time they died. Jacob became Israel.
Names mean many things, sometimes nicknames can be cruel and remind us of bad times. But I think for the most part, nicknames are fun.

Prayer request

Prayer works. I've seen it, I've felt it. The Lord delivers. He makes promises. He keeps promises. He is always present, always desiring what is best for His children. We all have struggles, health issues, financial issues, social issues, whatever. This time I have a prayer request for my husband, Jim. He's in the hospital. He was admitted this afternoon with numbness in his left arm, a painful jaw and shortness of breath. So far test results show nothing wrong with his heart. But there was talk of possible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He doesn't smoke. He had asthma as a child. It's possible it has returned to wreak havoc on him now. I don't know. There is a reason the Lord allowed this to happen. Another test of our faith. Must stand and walk in His, not faltering. It's not easy, and we don't have any clue what happens next. Whatever it is, the Lord will be with us, helping us get through it, to rise above it.

Walking, visiting, reminiscing

You know, Jesus walked everywhere he went, except for the occasional ride on a donkey. But He walked. Today I walked. Since we've been down to just one car as of mid-November, I take the bus more frequently. I had to go to the eye doctor this morning, so I rode in to town with my husband, and then from there I walked. Walked downtown and uptown and around town and back home. So much for taking the bus. I take the bus Monday through Thursday to get to work. Fridays are my day off. Fridays and Saturdays. Today I got plenty of walking in and I was pretty well tired out long before I ever got home. Jesus must have had plenty of stamina. But I kept going. And then I stopped to visit Anna. I never stop there, I rarely spend more than a few minutes when I see her at church. We visited for 2-1/2 hours. It was such fun. I enjoyed it immensely. And I think she did too. Anna is 3 years younger than my mom would have been if she were still alive. My mom died 10 years ago in September. She would have been 96 this July. Jim's dad was 88 when he died just before Christmas. My friend Louise died in 2002 and she was 91. Since 2002 I have wished for an older friend. I grew up around older people and I've been comfortable with them. Anna's been there. It wasn't until today that I realized it. She has children and grandchildren and she has friends. Always room for one
more. I 'm glad I stopped to rest and to reminisce. I'll have to do it again... sometime soon. Thank you Jesus.

Is this a cult?

I've been reading a bit about Dahn Yoga. Some say it is just an exercise program, others a brainwashing scheme. I don't partake in yoga primarily because I'm not interested in it. But I am a pretty regular user of massage and have on occasion used acupuncture. Are they cults? I don't know. Massage makes me feel good, makes the aches and pains less painful and sometimes go away. I believe in massage. But its not my God. I would think if you are looking at something different that you've never done before and you have the least bit of anxiety about it, you should earnestly seek guidance from the Lord. Of course if you're not a believer in Christianity, then you have another set of problems. I would pray. I don't know what you would do. Anyone have any thoughts?

Cost

Serving God faithfully is costly. Jeremiah learned that, serving 40 years, speaking the words God instructed him to say, even though there was always the chance he would be killed for those words. Doing what the Lord tells us to do can bring great rewards or untold trouble. It depends what you're seeking and where ... are you looking to God for all - or, are you looking elsewhere ...... My husband finished his application for clinical pastoral education. Just getting the application ready has taken considerable time. But it is done now. And tomorrow it will be put out in the mail. He is following and serving God.

Faithfulness

"You cannot be faithful to God

if you allow any unbelief to take root in your heart"

God's faithfulness endures to all generations. Our faithfulness does not always. Only we, ourselves, individually, can answer that truthfully. I was thinking about being faithful ... to a friend ... to God and the same with being unfaithful. It's a lot to think about. I searched my Bible concordance, then I went online. There's lots to be said about being faithful. Lots of view points... from a Christian standpoint and from non-Christian.
It's interesting. As a Christian, a fruit of the Spirit is "faith." We are saved by grace through faith. God offers us this gift, this wonderful gift of His son, who was born, who died for us, all of mankind, the entire human race, who took all of our sins, past present and future on Himself, that we might have eternal life with Him and the Father. When we accept this priceless gift, we become a child of the King, of Jesus, who opens wide His arms to receive us. That's definitely faith. Believing without a doubt that God will keep His word. He said so.
Another interesting thought. Sometimes it seems to be easier to be a "just recently saved" or "new" Christian than it does one who has been walking with the Lord many years. But then again, maybe not. You have to walk ... run ... skip ... dance ... crawl ... with the Lord day-to-day, minute by minute. It's not here today, gone tomorrow. For some people perhaps it is. Guess it depends what it is you're being faithful to and why.
To be faithful to God, you've got to have the right motive. Love - Trust - Believe.
God always has our very best interests at heart. After all He created us. Why can't we just accept it and not worry about anything? I don't know why we can't. Human nature perhaps?

• Have you accepted Jesus as your personal savior?
• How to be faithful to God
• On Being Faithful

And God is .......

G O D . . . IS

* Creator of the heavens and earth ...the universe and all within; *Good; *Ruler over all; * My Father; *All Knowing; *Loving; *Judge; *Never taken by surprise; *Faithful; *Constant; *Risen One; *Always in control; *Holy; *Kind; *Sinless; *Leader; *Restorer; *Protector; *Annointed One; *Provider; *My Comfort; *Concerned; *Praise Worthy; *Considerate; *The Trinity; *Maker of all we have; *King of Glory; *Strong and MIghty; *Disciplinarian; *Teacher of Life; *Mighty King; *Consistent; *Peace; *Joy; *Everywhere; *My Shepherd; *With Us; *Light of the World; * Creative; * Emmanuel; *The Word; * My Savior; *Redeemer; *Merciful; *Faithful; *Truth; *Compassionate; *Awesome; *Amazing; *Gracious; *Righteous; *Jesus; *Higher than any mountain; *Wider than any sea; *Available; *My Rock; *My Refuge; *My Defense; *Not pleased with charges of wickedness; *Owner of the whole earth and all that it contains; *He who turned the sea into dry land; *Angry, saddened, remorseful when sin takes control of our lives; *Willing and able to reach out to the lost, the hurting, the defeated

H I S * N a m e s

*I AM That I AM *Elohim * El - The Strong One *Elah, Eloah, Allah - The Adorable One *El Elyon - God Most High * El-Roi - The Lord That Seeth * Heleyon, Eleyon - Highest * El Elohe Israel - God of Israel * EL Olam - God of Eternity * El Shaddai - The Almighty, All-Sufficient God * El Shaddai - The one who nourishes, supplies and satisfies. The Breasted One * Adon-Adonai -Jehovah Our Ruler * Adonai Elohim, Adonai-Jehovah * Jehovah (JHVH, JAH) - The Independent One, The Eternal, Ever-Loving One * Jehovah-Elohim - The Majestic Omnipotent God * Jehovah-Hoseenu - The Lord Our Maker * Jehovah-Jireh - The Lord will provide (what He foresees, He can furnish) * Jehovah-Rophi (Ropheka) - The Lord The Physician * Jehovah-Nissi - The Lord Our Banner * Jehovah M'Kaddesh - The Lord Doth Sanctify * Jehovah-Eloheenu - Lord Our God * Jehovah-Eloheka - Lord Thy God * Jehovah-Elohay - The Lord My God * Jehovah-Shalom - The Lord Our Peace * Jehovah-Tsebaoth (Sabaoth) - The Lord of Hosts * Jehovah-Rohi - The Lord My Shepherd * Jehovah-Tsidkenu - The Lord Our Righteousness * Jehovah-Shammal - The Lord Is With Me * Jehovah-Makkeh - The Lord Shall Smite Thee * Jehovah-Gmolah - The God of Recompenses * Jehovah-Shammah - The Lord Is There

Visions of Jesus vary with each faith

Consequences of Sin

• Steals Joy .... Psalm 51:12
• Removes Confidence ... 1 John 3:19-21
• Brings Guilt ... Psalm 51:3
• Gives Satan the upper hand ... 2 Corinthians 2:9-11
• Quenches God's spirit ... 1 Thessalonians 5:19
• Brings physical damage ... Psalm 38:1-11 and 31:10
• Causes an ache in the soul ... Psalm 32:3-4
• Breaks God's heart .... Ephesians 4:30
• Opens the door to other sins ... Isaiah 30:1
• Breaks fellowship with God ... Isaiah 59:1-2
• Produces fear ... Proverbs 28:1
• Makes me its slave ... John 8:34 and Romans 6:16