I love listening to The Midnight Cry." We have it on a CD by the Tennessee Baptist Association. Of course I can't find this particular version anywhere on the internet. My husband downloaded it to my computer though. I love the words, what it means to me, who I am in the Lord, where I am going, someday.
I did find this video which I share with you today. May you be blessed.
In searching and finding the above on YouTube.com I also came across this video to share the Lord's message of His Return. ... "and when the rain starts falling, it's too late."
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
God knows
"God is God. He knows what he is doing. When you can't trace his hand, trust his heart." - Max Lucado
God knows
what He is doing
Not I
I barely know
what I am doing
only surface things
they seem
are of consequence
But not so
God knows
what I am about too.
He knows
my comings
and goings
where I've been
and where I've still to go
His purpose is
not always mine
My goals are not
always His
But He is
and I am only a
fragmented
piece of His creation
It should be enough
to rest
in His loving embrace
and be
at peace.
God knows
what He is doing
Not I
I barely know
what I am doing
only surface things
they seem
are of consequence
But not so
God knows
what I am about too.
He knows
my comings
and goings
where I've been
and where I've still to go
His purpose is
not always mine
My goals are not
always His
But He is
and I am only a
fragmented
piece of His creation
It should be enough
to rest
in His loving embrace
and be
at peace.
Cathy Orrick Luders
9.27.2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Sunday events
I turned a corner mid afternoon Thursday, Sept. 23, and the self-imposed misery of this week in remembering past pain started to lessen. I know God played a big part in it and I am grateful for Him as well as the people which He brought me in contact. Most of you don't know who you are, but I do, and I thank you. And those of you who do know, I thank you double.
Tomorrow is Sunday, Sept. 26. There are two events special about this day -- it is International Bunny Day and my husband, Jimmy, was ordained to the Gospel Ministry 34 years ago.
Jim was a Bible student at Hannibal-LaGrange College in Hannibal, Mo., when he accepted a call to be pastor at Spencer Creek Baptist Church in Vandalia, Mo. He served there two years and was instrumental in helping the congregation celebrate its 100th anniversary. A few years ago he decided to return to school and obtain his master's degree to enable him to become a hospice chaplain. He is currently a student at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo., working on a master's in theological studies. He works in hospice.
Our bunny, BeeJay, is 10 years and 3 months old. He thinks (according to his Papa Daddy and Mommy) it is grand he has a special day besides his birthday, which is June 14, Flag Day. In recognition of BeeJay and International Bunny Day, here is a collage I put together in 2007.
Here are some interesting rabbit sites: MyHouseRabbit.com
House Rabbit Society
Tomorrow is Sunday, Sept. 26. There are two events special about this day -- it is International Bunny Day and my husband, Jimmy, was ordained to the Gospel Ministry 34 years ago.
Jim was a Bible student at Hannibal-LaGrange College in Hannibal, Mo., when he accepted a call to be pastor at Spencer Creek Baptist Church in Vandalia, Mo. He served there two years and was instrumental in helping the congregation celebrate its 100th anniversary. A few years ago he decided to return to school and obtain his master's degree to enable him to become a hospice chaplain. He is currently a student at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo., working on a master's in theological studies. He works in hospice.
Our bunny, BeeJay, is 10 years and 3 months old. He thinks (according to his Papa Daddy and Mommy) it is grand he has a special day besides his birthday, which is June 14, Flag Day. In recognition of BeeJay and International Bunny Day, here is a collage I put together in 2007.
Here are some interesting rabbit sites: MyHouseRabbit.com
House Rabbit Society
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Today is That Day
Today is the day
That Day
14 years past
she was no more
a living presence.
That Day
her labored shallow
breathing
stopped.
That Day
I stayed late at work
to finish.
That Day
That evening
That night
Time stood still.
There was no more
time left to explore ...
anything.
Such sadness
in remembering
the events of
That Day
and the many days
and months
leading up to it.
Eight months
she suffered.
A last family picture
was taken
two daughters
and their husbands
and a grandson
not yet 5
Today is the day
That Day
she left us all
here on earth.
And although
my moments
of intense sadness linger
she is in a better place
and one day,
someday,
I will see her again
and
there will be no more
sadness, no more pain
to remember.
There will only be joy.
Joy that she gave herself to Jesus
and she is with Him
in heaven.
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
I thank Jesus she is with Him
and her pain is gone
and someday,
my pain too,
physical, emotional,
will be gone.
"Let not your heart be troubled ... ." (John 14:1)
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Memories of sadness
Memories
Sometimes not so good
The day a loved one dies
The events
Leading up to that moment
Sometimes
It is the day
The actual day
Like Tuesday
Sometimes
It is the date
Sometimes
It is something
Special just the two
of you did together
Sometimes
It is a fragrance
An item of clothing
Sometimes
The memory
So invades you
Nothing matters
And
No one can
Touch the hurt away
Although it surely helps
Sometimes
The need
To be with another
Escapes us
And
We are stuck
With ourselves
Oh to go away
Eventually
It will,
It does.
The not so good memories
Move over
Leaving room
For happy and carefree moments
Of another time
Long gone.
Sometimes not so good
The day a loved one dies
The events
Leading up to that moment
Sometimes
It is the day
The actual day
Like Tuesday
Sometimes
It is the date
Sometimes
It is something
Special just the two
of you did together
Sometimes
It is a fragrance
An item of clothing
Sometimes
The memory
So invades you
Nothing matters
And
No one can
Touch the hurt away
Although it surely helps
Sometimes
The need
To be with another
Escapes us
And
We are stuck
With ourselves
Oh to go away
Eventually
It will,
It does.
The not so good memories
Move over
Leaving room
For happy and carefree moments
Of another time
Long gone.
Cathy Orrick Luders
9.22.2010
In Memory of
My Mother
Mae Stoner Orrick
July 31, 1910 – September 23, 1996
Saturday, September 18, 2010
the word / The Word
Today's reading with Dietrich Bonhoeffer took me to thinking about the word "word." Bonhoeffer says, "Every word has its place. Every word is alive and is at home in a certain place."
I never thought about this. Well I supposed I did, perhaps once upon a time. It reminds me of grammar. In searching the meaning of word I came across a variety of thoughts. Here is one person's conception of What Is A Word. Perhaps you have ideas to express as well.
Bonhoeffer says in place of genuine words we now have chatter. Words no longer have any weight. There is too much talk.
What is a genuine word? Is it original, real, true, honest, sincere? Chatter I suppose is saying nothing. Or saying little of any consequence. Too much talk, yet too little being said. Too much of nothing, too little of that specialness, too little meaning, too little truth.
Think again. If a genuine word is original, real, true, honest, sincere, are we not speaking of God?
God is original ... "Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." (Psalm 90:2)
God is real ... "And God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And He said, 'Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' " (Exoduc 3:14)
God is true ... "These Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, 'You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me." (John 7:28-29)
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.' " (John 14:6)
God is honest ... Two of His commandments, "You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:15-16)
God is sincere ... "let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope, without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10: 22-23)
Every word has its place. Every word is alive.
The Word is God, the Lord Jesus. He is alive!
"Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Do not add to His words, Lest He reprove you, and you be found a liar." (Proverbs 30:5-6)
"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)
"But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:36-37)
"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword; piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
I never thought about this. Well I supposed I did, perhaps once upon a time. It reminds me of grammar. In searching the meaning of word I came across a variety of thoughts. Here is one person's conception of What Is A Word. Perhaps you have ideas to express as well.
Bonhoeffer says in place of genuine words we now have chatter. Words no longer have any weight. There is too much talk.
What is a genuine word? Is it original, real, true, honest, sincere? Chatter I suppose is saying nothing. Or saying little of any consequence. Too much talk, yet too little being said. Too much of nothing, too little of that specialness, too little meaning, too little truth.
Think again. If a genuine word is original, real, true, honest, sincere, are we not speaking of God?
God is original ... "Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." (Psalm 90:2)
God is real ... "And God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And He said, 'Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' " (Exoduc 3:14)
God is true ... "These Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, 'You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me." (John 7:28-29)
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.' " (John 14:6)
God is honest ... Two of His commandments, "You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:15-16)
God is sincere ... "let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope, without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10: 22-23)
Every word has its place. Every word is alive.
The Word is God, the Lord Jesus. He is alive!
"Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Do not add to His words, Lest He reprove you, and you be found a liar." (Proverbs 30:5-6)
"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)
"But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:36-37)
"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword; piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Lord is
The Lord is faithful
Greatly to be honored, reverenced
The Lord is mighty
Righteousness and justice
are Your foundation
The Lord is creator
of the heavens, the sea, the land,
of all peoples across the globe
The Lord is worthy
full of mercy and compassion and love
The Lord is Truth
The Lord stands firm
The Lord establishes covenant relationships
The Lord endures forever
The Lord rules
judges, disarms, scatters
opposing forces
The Lord is holy
The Lord is established. He blesses and is blessed and is to be praised.
"O Lord God of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You."(Psalm 89:8)
Greatly to be honored, reverenced
The Lord is mighty
Righteousness and justice
are Your foundation
The Lord is creator
of the heavens, the sea, the land,
of all peoples across the globe
The Lord is worthy
full of mercy and compassion and love
The Lord is Truth
The Lord stands firm
The Lord establishes covenant relationships
The Lord endures forever
The Lord rules
judges, disarms, scatters
opposing forces
The Lord is holy
The Lord is established. He blesses and is blessed and is to be praised.
"O Lord God of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You."(Psalm 89:8)
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Go Forward
"And the Lord said to Moses, Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward." (Exodus 14:15)
Go Forward ...
Surrender
Escape
or
Stand, Fight and Die
Powerful words.
Surrender - give up
Escape - move away from the situation
Stand, Fight and Die.
If you stand
and fight
its realistic to consider death is nearby.
What would you do? What did the children of Israel do when the Lord's servant Moses was leading them out of Pharaoh's land to the Red Sea?
Go Forward ... that's what the Lord said then, that's what He says now.
Go Forward.
The enemy, in this case, Pharaoh, figured otherwise. "For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in."
But God knew what Pharaoh didn't know. God knew what the children of Israel didn't know. And His instructions were to Go Forward.
The same is true today. God knows what we never know. God tells us to Go Forward, even when we are confused, bewildered, trapped. When our back is to the wall and we are cringing. Believe in Him, Trust in Him, be Obedient to Him. He will see us through. He will provide. He is sovereign. He knows all. He sees all.
God delivered the children of Israel from Pharaoh and his army. He said He would. He doesn't go back on His promises. He continually guides us, He gives us insight, He provides wisdom, He leads us to and away. He saves us from the enemy. He delivers us.
Pharaoh thought he would win. But remember, God knew what Pharaoh didn't know. And all the bad and evilness Pharaoh had planned for the Israelites became a blessing to them and death to him. His plan was not God's plan.
It is God's plan that counts first and foremost and in the end. God's plan, God's purpose, God's law, God's blessing. .
"God leads us on an unfamiliar route," said Roger Stacy, Director of Missions with the Gibson, Tenn., Baptist Convention. Stacy presented the message from Exodus 13:17 - 14:31 following the annual meeting of the Northeast Iowa Southern Baptist Association Sunday in Cedar Rapids.
His purpose is to show His glory, to gain honor.
"...I will gain honor over Pharaoh ... that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord." (Exodus 14:4b, 17)
"The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
Go Forward ... and go with God.
Go Forward ...
Surrender
Escape
or
Stand, Fight and Die
Powerful words.
Surrender - give up
Escape - move away from the situation
Stand, Fight and Die.
If you stand
and fight
its realistic to consider death is nearby.
What would you do? What did the children of Israel do when the Lord's servant Moses was leading them out of Pharaoh's land to the Red Sea?
Go Forward ... that's what the Lord said then, that's what He says now.
Go Forward.
The enemy, in this case, Pharaoh, figured otherwise. "For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in."
But God knew what Pharaoh didn't know. God knew what the children of Israel didn't know. And His instructions were to Go Forward.
The same is true today. God knows what we never know. God tells us to Go Forward, even when we are confused, bewildered, trapped. When our back is to the wall and we are cringing. Believe in Him, Trust in Him, be Obedient to Him. He will see us through. He will provide. He is sovereign. He knows all. He sees all.
God delivered the children of Israel from Pharaoh and his army. He said He would. He doesn't go back on His promises. He continually guides us, He gives us insight, He provides wisdom, He leads us to and away. He saves us from the enemy. He delivers us.
Pharaoh thought he would win. But remember, God knew what Pharaoh didn't know. And all the bad and evilness Pharaoh had planned for the Israelites became a blessing to them and death to him. His plan was not God's plan.
It is God's plan that counts first and foremost and in the end. God's plan, God's purpose, God's law, God's blessing. .
"God leads us on an unfamiliar route," said Roger Stacy, Director of Missions with the Gibson, Tenn., Baptist Convention. Stacy presented the message from Exodus 13:17 - 14:31 following the annual meeting of the Northeast Iowa Southern Baptist Association Sunday in Cedar Rapids.
His purpose is to show His glory, to gain honor.
"...I will gain honor over Pharaoh ... that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord." (Exodus 14:4b, 17)
"The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
Go Forward ... and go with God.
Yesterday
8:35 p.m.
Won't go away
Bothersome
Moments past
when
nothing
No pain
No unrest
Moment or two or more past
... many yesterdays.
Try
to put
thoughts
toward Jesus
Sometimes
hard
to do
Movement here,
there
Twinge
of pain
striking
vengeance
Don't like
where I am
Imagine
uncountable more
don't like
where they are
Seek
comfort
envelope self
within
God's
sheltering wings
Swim
head swaying
not to any tune
don't want to fall
Comfort
fails
Can't find release
Restricted.
Am reminded.
We are
one in the spirit
We are
one in the Lord
...in life
in death
in life ever more
A time will come
A season
Tomorrow
May never like
where we are
but
with Jesus
we have
hope
for a better
hereafter.
Video by Jars of Clay
Won't go away
Bothersome
Moments past
when
nothing
No pain
No unrest
Moment or two or more past
... many yesterdays.
Try
to put
thoughts
toward Jesus
Sometimes
hard
to do
Movement here,
there
Twinge
of pain
striking
vengeance
Don't like
where I am
Imagine
uncountable more
don't like
where they are
Seek
comfort
envelope self
within
God's
sheltering wings
Swim
head swaying
not to any tune
don't want to fall
Comfort
fails
Can't find release
Restricted.
Am reminded.
We are
one in the spirit
We are
one in the Lord
...in life
in death
in life ever more
A time will come
A season
Tomorrow
May never like
where we are
but
with Jesus
we have
hope
for a better
hereafter.
Cathy Orrick Luders
9.13.2010
Video by Jars of Clay
Monday, September 13, 2010
Checking in at Google Reader
I decided to visit Google Reader today and see what i might have missed since the last time I checked in. Obviously, I should stop in more often.
I learned Jimmy Dean died in June at age 81. I remember before he became synonomous with sausage he sang ... "Big Bad John" (1961).
I learned Jimmy Dean died in June at age 81. I remember before he became synonomous with sausage he sang ... "Big Bad John" (1961).
Gardner Denver, which once had a foundry in LaGrange, Mo., is moving its corporate headquarters from Quincy, Ill., to the Philadelphia area according to a Sept. 8 story in the Hannibal Courier-Post. Support services would remain in Quincy, but relocation to a major metropolitan area "was necessary to the long-term growth of the company," said President and Chief Executive Officer Barry L. Pennypacker.
The foundry in LaGrange had been idle and in terrible disrepair for the past several years. I used to live in the town of 1200 and remember it being a mainstay for most of the towns' men. When it closed, employees were left high and dry. Gardner Denver sold the foundry in 1995. This past August (I read about in the Canton Press-News Journal) it was sold to a firm in Dubuque, Iowa. Read that story here.
Of course, the Canton Press-News Journal has also been sold. But I knew that. I am a regular subscriber to the weekly newspaper, so even though I'm often receiving it from one week to three weeks late, I do get the news. The Steinbecks are still connected to it, but are no longer in charge of the purse strings. If you want a look online, click PNJ.
Loving God, Loving People
"Loving God, Loving People." That was the title our pastor gave to his message from Mark 12:28-34 this past Sunday. It sounded so familiar. And well it should be. After all, it was part of Immanuel's theme just a year ago (Looking Back / Looking Forward through Loving God, Loving People) in celebration of its 50th anniversary.
That's what its all about. Loving God. Loving People. "...First of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. ... and the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31)
The gods of all other religions are false. We are misguided when we follow them. There is only one God and we are to love Him, praise Him, honor Him, give glory to Him with our entire being.
And we are to love our neighbor -- that one who is near. There is no one who is far. Every single one of us has a neighbor with whom we can share God's love.
Knowing the commandments and agreeing with the Lord they are right and lawful and true, is good, as Jesus says to the scribe who visited him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."
But knowing and agreeing is one thing. It is as Mark 1:15 says, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Repent .... and believe. ...
That's what its all about. Loving God. Loving People. "...First of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. ... and the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31)
The gods of all other religions are false. We are misguided when we follow them. There is only one God and we are to love Him, praise Him, honor Him, give glory to Him with our entire being.
And we are to love our neighbor -- that one who is near. There is no one who is far. Every single one of us has a neighbor with whom we can share God's love.
Knowing the commandments and agreeing with the Lord they are right and lawful and true, is good, as Jesus says to the scribe who visited him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."
But knowing and agreeing is one thing. It is as Mark 1:15 says, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Repent .... and believe. ...
in whatever state I am
The apostle Paul said, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." (Philippians 4:11) I remember one time asking my mom what happiness was to her and she said, "a state of mind."
I'm thinking I am not yet content in whatever state I am in, because if I was, isn't it reasonable to think I would have no worries, no fears, no concerns that get the best of me? I know where to put my fear and I know that if I spend my time worrying and fretting I am not trusting God to take care of things. I know this in my head and in my heart. I know "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) Christ will provide me with the strength needed to do whatever it is His will to do. He has, He will continue to do so. When I focus on me, there is no strength. I have none, I have nothing, without Him. He alone will carry me through, to the very end, of all and everything I am to do.
Settle in, get comfy, pull up your Bible, read the Good Book, the best book, His book, study His word, listen to His instructions, to His still small voice guiding you, be still and listen and obey.
I'm thinking I am not yet content in whatever state I am in, because if I was, isn't it reasonable to think I would have no worries, no fears, no concerns that get the best of me? I know where to put my fear and I know that if I spend my time worrying and fretting I am not trusting God to take care of things. I know this in my head and in my heart. I know "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) Christ will provide me with the strength needed to do whatever it is His will to do. He has, He will continue to do so. When I focus on me, there is no strength. I have none, I have nothing, without Him. He alone will carry me through, to the very end, of all and everything I am to do.
Settle in, get comfy, pull up your Bible, read the Good Book, the best book, His book, study His word, listen to His instructions, to His still small voice guiding you, be still and listen and obey.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Contemplations
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind (might)." (Matthew 22:37 and Deuteronomy 6:5)
If we do not have the same love as God how can peace invade our inner circle of space and beyond? How can we hope for peace between other nations, our brothers and our sisters?
Love makes the world go round.
Was the music and words of the '60s really so far off base? We called them the love children, hippies. They looked for peace, not war. Perhaps their lifestyle was not all as it should be, but they were searching and perhaps some found.
Below is a video of "If I Had a Hammer" by Peter, Paul and Mary. Listen carefully to the words.
I was a teenager in the '60s. I was in my early 30s before I found all that I was missing ... Jesus.
Some search for meaning their entire lives and never find it - because they are unwilling to cross the bridge to new life, unwilling to turn their lives over to the very one who has control over their destiny. Don't say no. Give your heart to Jesus and follow Him.
~~~~~
Who or what do you think this verse refers to? An email my husband received suggested we pray for our president.
"Let his days be few, and let another take his office." (Psalm 109:8)
~~~~~
"At the beginning of every act of faith, there is often a seed of fear." (Max Lucado)
I agree. Fortunately, our faith in the Lord helps us to overcome our fear.
If we do not have the same love as God how can peace invade our inner circle of space and beyond? How can we hope for peace between other nations, our brothers and our sisters?
Love makes the world go round.
Was the music and words of the '60s really so far off base? We called them the love children, hippies. They looked for peace, not war. Perhaps their lifestyle was not all as it should be, but they were searching and perhaps some found.
Below is a video of "If I Had a Hammer" by Peter, Paul and Mary. Listen carefully to the words.
I was a teenager in the '60s. I was in my early 30s before I found all that I was missing ... Jesus.
Some search for meaning their entire lives and never find it - because they are unwilling to cross the bridge to new life, unwilling to turn their lives over to the very one who has control over their destiny. Don't say no. Give your heart to Jesus and follow Him.
~~~~~
Who or what do you think this verse refers to? An email my husband received suggested we pray for our president.
"Let his days be few, and let another take his office." (Psalm 109:8)
~~~~~
"At the beginning of every act of faith, there is often a seed of fear." (Max Lucado)
I agree. Fortunately, our faith in the Lord helps us to overcome our fear.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
peace ...
"Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons (children) of God." (Matthew 5:9)
During September, Dietrich Bonhoeffer's devotional insights have to do with Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7.
I considered, what is a peacemaker? Someone subdued ... calm, anti war, a quiet spirit?
Does a peacemaker only have peace, be at peace or must there also be an attitude and action of creating peace in our surroundings?
What is peace? Is it the absence of war, the absence of fighting, the absence of hatred for all we oppose? How do we create peace? Can we ourselves?
Bonhoeffer says the children of God "are not only to have peace, but also to create it. ... they renounce violence and revolution ... the disciples of Jesus keep the peace because they would rather suffer themselves than cause others suffering. .. they preserve fellowship where others break it; they renounce self-assertion and are not provoked by hate and injustice. They overcome evil with good."
Peace .... Romans 12 tells us to 10"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. ... 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ... 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. ... 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ... 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Jesus is our peace.
You without Christ
have no hope
No future promise
made complete
through His death
on the cross.
You without Christ
face bitterness
and despair.
Alone,
you are
unwilling
to cross the bridge
Jesus himself
was and is.
You mourn
and are not comforted
You hunger and thirst
and are filled or satisfied
You fight against neighbor,
friend and foe.
Jesus is our hope
Our promise
Our peace
God the Father created all, even us, all of us, every single one of us. God created us. God created animal. God created human. Through Adam and Even's choices, division came and as a result, God created laws/commandments for His people to follow, to bring them to a relationship with Him. Many people did not see the commandments as a relationship tool, but as a painful rule. Couldn't do this, couldn't do that. They didn't want to follow. Didn't want to obey. They were going to do whatever they wanted, disregarding anything else.
God the Son
came and lived
and taught and
became
the bridge
dividing us.
He broke down the wall.
He died
for us.
Not for himself.
He died for us.
He became our peace
He became and IS the way.
We can be reconciled with God the Father
Through Jesus
Our Savior, our lifeblood, our hope, our promise, our tomorrow
Today.
Peace... found only through faith and obedience in and through the Lord Jesus.
"...You who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ. For He himself is our peace, and has broken down the middle wall of division between us, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two (Jew and Gentile or unbeliever), thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity." (Ephesians 2:13-16)
Peace is not here, yet it is here.
Jesus is peace.
But until all
bow to Him alone
the peace of Jesus
is only here
for a few ... His followers ... the children of God
and not always then.
Obedience is not always sought after even by God's own.
No violence
No revolution
From the 1960s,
I remember,
'make peace, not war' or was it 'make love, not war'
A John Lennon song
Those who refused to go to war, to fight, were called pacifists. The government and others frowned upon them.
I wonder.
Perhaps their cause
was Jesus.
Perhaps Jesus
was their peace
and they were trying to create
His peace for the rest of us.
It seems it is an ongoing struggle.
Peace is not the same as security. Peace is not the protection of self. Yet, if we are obedient to the commandments of God, if we do what is right and true and place our whole body and soul into into the hands of God and His will, thereby allowing Him to be our anchor and our pivot point,we can have peace ... and security.
"Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." (Psalm 61:2)
God
My Lord
is my rock
my protector
my salvation
my defense
my strength
my refuge
my confidant
my instructor / teacher / guide
my all.
He is the pebble that slew Goliath
He is the stone you stumble over
He is the rock that defeated Satan!
Peace ... only through Jesus forever and ever ... when will we want it enough?
During September, Dietrich Bonhoeffer's devotional insights have to do with Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7.
I considered, what is a peacemaker? Someone subdued ... calm, anti war, a quiet spirit?
Does a peacemaker only have peace, be at peace or must there also be an attitude and action of creating peace in our surroundings?
What is peace? Is it the absence of war, the absence of fighting, the absence of hatred for all we oppose? How do we create peace? Can we ourselves?
Bonhoeffer says the children of God "are not only to have peace, but also to create it. ... they renounce violence and revolution ... the disciples of Jesus keep the peace because they would rather suffer themselves than cause others suffering. .. they preserve fellowship where others break it; they renounce self-assertion and are not provoked by hate and injustice. They overcome evil with good."
Peace .... Romans 12 tells us to 10"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. ... 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ... 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. ... 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ... 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Jesus is our peace.
You without Christ
have no hope
No future promise
made complete
through His death
on the cross.
You without Christ
face bitterness
and despair.
Alone,
you are
unwilling
to cross the bridge
Jesus himself
was and is.
You mourn
and are not comforted
You hunger and thirst
and are filled or satisfied
You fight against neighbor,
friend and foe.
Jesus is our hope
Our promise
Our peace
God the Father created all, even us, all of us, every single one of us. God created us. God created animal. God created human. Through Adam and Even's choices, division came and as a result, God created laws/commandments for His people to follow, to bring them to a relationship with Him. Many people did not see the commandments as a relationship tool, but as a painful rule. Couldn't do this, couldn't do that. They didn't want to follow. Didn't want to obey. They were going to do whatever they wanted, disregarding anything else.
God the Son
came and lived
and taught and
became
the bridge
dividing us.
He broke down the wall.
He died
for us.
Not for himself.
He died for us.
He became our peace
He became and IS the way.
We can be reconciled with God the Father
Through Jesus
Our Savior, our lifeblood, our hope, our promise, our tomorrow
Today.
Peace... found only through faith and obedience in and through the Lord Jesus.
"...You who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ. For He himself is our peace, and has broken down the middle wall of division between us, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two (Jew and Gentile or unbeliever), thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity." (Ephesians 2:13-16)
Peace is not here, yet it is here.
Jesus is peace.
But until all
bow to Him alone
the peace of Jesus
is only here
for a few ... His followers ... the children of God
and not always then.
Obedience is not always sought after even by God's own.
No violence
No revolution
From the 1960s,
I remember,
'make peace, not war' or was it 'make love, not war'
A John Lennon song
Those who refused to go to war, to fight, were called pacifists. The government and others frowned upon them.
I wonder.
Perhaps their cause
was Jesus.
Perhaps Jesus
was their peace
and they were trying to create
His peace for the rest of us.
It seems it is an ongoing struggle.
Peace is not the same as security. Peace is not the protection of self. Yet, if we are obedient to the commandments of God, if we do what is right and true and place our whole body and soul into into the hands of God and His will, thereby allowing Him to be our anchor and our pivot point,we can have peace ... and security.
"Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." (Psalm 61:2)
God
My Lord
is my rock
my protector
my salvation
my defense
my strength
my refuge
my confidant
my instructor / teacher / guide
my all.
He is the pebble that slew Goliath
He is the stone you stumble over
He is the rock that defeated Satan!
Peace ... only through Jesus forever and ever ... when will we want it enough?
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Mississippi River shots
Anxiety is a bit unsettling
Anxiety ...
Grabs hold
Whips us off center
unsettling it is.
Give in
Give up
Forget it.
No use
Lives to live
Ours to live
For whom
For what
For why
Anxiety.
I must,
as you
give it all
to the Lord. ...
Every anxious thought
that creases the pages
of my brain
It is no wonder
my head
aches so.
The Lord knows
what we have need of ....
and what we are to do
about it -
we are
to pray
and trust
and then wait,
fore it will be given
in His time.
So we must
do this ...
we've witnessed God's answers.
He does not delay.
Grabs hold
Whips us off center
unsettling it is.
Give in
Give up
Forget it.
No use
Lives to live
Ours to live
For whom
For what
For why
Anxiety.
I must,
as you
give it all
to the Lord. ...
Every anxious thought
that creases the pages
of my brain
It is no wonder
my head
aches so.
The Lord knows
what we have need of ....
and what we are to do
about it -
we are
to pray
and trust
and then wait,
fore it will be given
in His time.
So we must
do this ...
we've witnessed God's answers.
He does not delay.
Cathy Orrick Luders
9.7.2010
Labor Day Weekend Excursion
struggle against wind and choppy waters
at Clear Lake, Iowa
Orphanage Museum at Owatonna, Minn.
The state-run home for dependent and neglected children
was in operation from 1886 to 1945.
National Farmers' Bank Building, Owatonna, Minn.
Very elaborate
Firemen's Hall, Owatonna, Minn.
Built in 1906
Big Bunny Sculpture
near Science Museum, St. Paul, Minn.
Jim in front of the Charles E. tugboat
stationed at the Science Museum, St. Paul, Minn.
A Train Graveyard
Deserted rail cars line the countryside in the distance
Never forgotten
Labor Day weekend ... gone but not forgotten. This was the weekend my husband and I traveled to St. Paul, Minn., to see the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. That was the primary reason for the trip. But along the way, coming and going, it was a blessed experience. We spent Saturday night at Owatonna, Minn., and attended church the next morning in the St. Paul suburb of Maplewood. Through music and the preaching of The Word, we participated in a very uplifting and powerful worship service at Trinity Baptist Church (Baptist General Conference). Communion/Lord's Supper was held in the middle of the service, rather than at the end, and joyous music surrounded it. Two of the songs (found on You.Tube.com) are below ....
"Lead me to the Cross" by Brooke Frasier, 2006:
"The Power of the Cross" by Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend, 2005:
The message, "A Clear Sign of Salvation," was taken from 1 John 2: 3-6. Obedience is a fruit of the spirit ... Obedience is a result of our salvation. Our love for God shows itself in our obedience to Him, His commandments, His instructions, His will.
~~~~~
Sunday afternoon we found our way to the Science Museum of Minnesota and spent two hours just examining the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, which encompasses way more than the scrolls. There really weren't that many scroll fragments to see, probably about a half dozen. And we couldn't take pictures and postcards weren't available either. Other down sides (we thought) of the exhibit was its use of B.C.E. and C.E., which stand for Before Common Era and Common Era.
The exhibit was mind-boggling. It opened your eyes to what life was like when Jesus walked the earth, what people were like, lifestyles, education, how the scrolls were made and who was responsible for copying them, why scrolls were read, different versions of Scripture, how days were determined, and much more.
Among notes I took:
The original scroll is copied and edited and a new edition is made. There was always an original work, but with all the copying and editing and recopying, error was common, and since only a few people could write, let alone read, the reading of the Scriptures was done by the upper class elite or the Pharisees. It is little wonder the majority of the peoples heard God's Truths at all when His truth was open to such widespread interpretation.
~~~~~
Page excerpts from the new handwritten St. John's Bible were viewable as well. Wow! the book is huge,magnificent, whimsical ... a creative masterpiece. Artwork depicts events of recent times. It is truly an exceptional work.
"Lead me to the Cross" by Brooke Frasier, 2006:
"The Power of the Cross" by Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend, 2005:
The message, "A Clear Sign of Salvation," was taken from 1 John 2: 3-6. Obedience is a fruit of the spirit ... Obedience is a result of our salvation. Our love for God shows itself in our obedience to Him, His commandments, His instructions, His will.
Sunday afternoon we found our way to the Science Museum of Minnesota and spent two hours just examining the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, which encompasses way more than the scrolls. There really weren't that many scroll fragments to see, probably about a half dozen. And we couldn't take pictures and postcards weren't available either. Other down sides (we thought) of the exhibit was its use of B.C.E. and C.E., which stand for Before Common Era and Common Era.
The exhibit was mind-boggling. It opened your eyes to what life was like when Jesus walked the earth, what people were like, lifestyles, education, how the scrolls were made and who was responsible for copying them, why scrolls were read, different versions of Scripture, how days were determined, and much more.
Among notes I took:
- Only about 10 percent of Judeans could even write their own name.
- The Pharisees/upper class elite did most of the scroll copying and reading
- Jewish women did not wear jewelry during mourning
- The solar (sun) and lunar (moons) were both used in determining days, hence resulting in lots of confusion, especially when festival time rolled around
- There were really two burials. The first burial allows the bodies to decay; the second burial is permanent - the bones are gathered; the wealthy people placed these bones in stone boxes called ossuaries that may have had family names or other inscriptions on them, and then housed in the family tomb.
Going through the exhibit, which included use of personal audio phones, I began to think of C.E. as Common Error rather than Common Era.
The original scroll is copied and edited and a new edition is made. There was always an original work, but with all the copying and editing and recopying, error was common, and since only a few people could write, let alone read, the reading of the Scriptures was done by the upper class elite or the Pharisees. It is little wonder the majority of the peoples heard God's Truths at all when His truth was open to such widespread interpretation.
Page excerpts from the new handwritten St. John's Bible were viewable as well. Wow! the book is huge,magnificent, whimsical ... a creative masterpiece. Artwork depicts events of recent times. It is truly an exceptional work.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
My soapbox or His?
"For now we see in a mirror dimply, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known." (I Corinthians 13:12)
I think of all that is going on in the world today and how sometimes I get on my soapbox only to regret it later.
In talks with My Lord and Savior I'm beginning to understand (I think) it is not my opinions I need to make known, but His Truths.
I am His child as are many of you. But, like it says in I Corinthians 13:12, now I only see /know part of the picture, part of the plan - God's plan. When we have been raised to glory with Him then we will see all. But until then I must share the Gospel, The Word of the Lord - Jesus.
The word of Cathy is of no account by itself, but with the Lord I can be an instrument of His love and mercy and hope.
He will guide me if I listen and obey. Obedience is not something to be taken lightly. We are not to find reasons to not do His will. If we look for objections (like Moses did when God called him - read Exodus 4), then it definitely is not to God's glory, but our own.
And I don't want to be or go there. Do you?
I think of all that is going on in the world today and how sometimes I get on my soapbox only to regret it later.
In talks with My Lord and Savior I'm beginning to understand (I think) it is not my opinions I need to make known, but His Truths.
I am His child as are many of you. But, like it says in I Corinthians 13:12, now I only see /know part of the picture, part of the plan - God's plan. When we have been raised to glory with Him then we will see all. But until then I must share the Gospel, The Word of the Lord - Jesus.
The word of Cathy is of no account by itself, but with the Lord I can be an instrument of His love and mercy and hope.
He will guide me if I listen and obey. Obedience is not something to be taken lightly. We are not to find reasons to not do His will. If we look for objections (like Moses did when God called him - read Exodus 4), then it definitely is not to God's glory, but our own.
And I don't want to be or go there. Do you?
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Make us right again
"10 Create in me a clean (pure) heart; O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your holy spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation (grant me a willing spirit), And uphold me with Your generous Spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You." (Psalm 51:10-13, NKJ)
Make us right again. This we can't do for ourselves, but God can. Verse 12 is not an indication that those born-again can lose their salvation as some believe, but a plea to the Lord that the joy we once had will be restored to us. When we are unfaithful in serving the Lord through sharing of The Word, it is because of sin in our lives. When sin is central to our lives, it wipes out any spiritual work and there will be no blessings from our Lord and Savior. We need to deal with the sin plaguing us. Our Lord and Savior needs to sit on the throne of our heart always and forever.
Make us right again. This we can't do for ourselves, but God can. Verse 12 is not an indication that those born-again can lose their salvation as some believe, but a plea to the Lord that the joy we once had will be restored to us. When we are unfaithful in serving the Lord through sharing of The Word, it is because of sin in our lives. When sin is central to our lives, it wipes out any spiritual work and there will be no blessings from our Lord and Savior. We need to deal with the sin plaguing us. Our Lord and Savior needs to sit on the throne of our heart always and forever.
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