I am rich ...

"... I am rich, 
have become wealthy, 
and have need of 
nothing -
... do not know
that you are 
wretched,
miserable, 
poor, 
blind,
and naked?" 
(Revelation 3:17)

I am rich,
have become wealthy
and have need of nothing.

Are you sure?
Do you really have
everything you need?
In all of life,
are you absolutely sure
there is nothing more?

"To everything there is a season, 
A time for every purpose under heaven. 
A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant, 
And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill, 
And a time to heal;
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, 
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, 
And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
A time to tear,
And a time to sew; 
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
A time to love,
And a time to hate; 
A time of war,
And a time of peace."
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

But,
do you have love?
Do you provide for those
less fortunate?
Are you kind,
patient?
Do you build another up?
Do you rejoice in the truth?
Do you believe in the Lord Jesus?
Do you endure all things?
Do you have love?
(paraphrase of I Corinthians 13:1-13)

"Behold,
I (Jesus) stand
at the door 
and knock.
If anyone hears 
My voice
and opens the door,
I will come in
to him 
and dine
with him
and he with Me." 
(Revelation 3:20)

Do you hear
the call of Jesus?

Do you feel the tug
on your heart strings?

Have you awakened
to the need to be
more than
what you are?

Have you looked
for answers
to eternal questions?

Have you answered
the knock
of Jesus?

Have you accepted
Him on His terms?

Are you complete?

Have you made room
for Him
who came
who comes
who is here
to save you
from your sins?

Or,
have you turned the lock
and refused Him entrance?

Do you still believe,
I am rich,
have become wealthy,
and have need of nothing?

Only if we have Jesus are we rich and wealthy.
With Him, we have need of nothing
because with Jesus we have enough,
we have everything.

As the Lord directs, do

It has been said
 the giving of greeting cards has become obsolete

too expensive has been the cry

or too much work to tackle

it has also been said

the giving of greeting cards is a ministry

a love gift, priceless

a way to stay in touch 

to remind another

they are important to you.

Not everyone

alas, you and I might,

but not everyone else

has connections

to a computer,

to the

world wide web

to be the bearer

or the recipient

of an electronic greeting.

I do send cards

and letters too

for birthdays

and anniversaries

holidays

and other special occasions

sympathy

and retirement

and even

"just because"

I send them

through the mail

I send them by
email

and I send them

through social networking sites.

I do it because I enjoy it.

Not because it is a chore

or an obligation.

I do it because, 

sometimes,

God, in His wisdom,

says to me

to write so and so today.

Let them know you are thinking of them.

Let them know you care.

And so I do.

And I am blessed. 

God sends us reminders.

He finds ways to reach us.
He doesn't discontinue old ways
just because
newer and faster ways
have become available.

"To everything there is a season, 

A Time for every purpose under heaven." 

 (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

"A man has joy by the

answer of his mouth,

And a word spoken

in due season, how good it is!

(Proverbs 15:23)

"Commit your works to the Lord,

And your thoughts will be established." 

(Proverbs 16:3)

"A man's heart plans his way,

But the Lord directs his steps." 

(Proverbs 16:9)

He is my shepherd

The Lord
He is my shepherd
... He can be yours too
He knows me
He knows you

And I know Him
more and more
closer and closer
The relationship deepens
He is always near

But we
are not

When we go
our own way
Follow another path
a road we think
will bring us more
- of what we're unsure -
But when we seek
other avenues
The relationship falters.

He still knows you
He is still near

But you have moved away
and the relationship with
The One
that matters most
is no longer.

He is my shepherd
He knows me
He is always near

And I know Him
more and more
closer and closer
and the relationship
deepens.

Cathy Orrick Luders

12.27.2010

"I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own." (John 10:14)

"The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.  Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23, New Living Translation)

Veiled ... or not?

Vision fades
Words seen
but not recognizable
Like snow-covered objects
visible to the imagination
yet not to the naked eye.
Is this the same too
veiled, yet not?
"I see Him, but not now; 
I behold Him, but not near;"
 (Numbers 24:17a)
"Behold, He is coming
with clouds
and every eye will see Him." 
(Revelation 1:7a)

Cathy Orrick Luders 

12.26.2010

When The Lord calls

When The Lord calls
your name
whispering softly,
"Come my child,
your room is ready."

You go,
ready to depart now
for a calmer place
nearer to Jesus
barely aware of what is
left behind
ties of family,
friends too
Tiredness
overcomes you
and God's
still small voice
is what you hear
and what you
answer to

"I'm coming Lord.
I'm coming home."

and those who remain
face remaining time
without that physical presence
but memories linger
and the Lord --
He is nearer still.

Cathy Orrick Luders

12.24.2010

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3)

Jesus is the gift ... the best gift of all

What is the gift?
The gift we seek
The one to give another
The one another brings

What is the gift?
Is it love shared
a sacrifice made
Together
or alone

What is the gift?
on this
Christmas Day?

Who gave the gift?
Who gives it still?

It is NOT Mr. Claus
It is NOT
that one in a red suit
and white beard
who shakes when he laughs
who comes but once a year
and makes you think
he knows what you want
and will bring it too.

No.
It is NOT Mr. Claus.

It was and is LOVE.
It was and is a sacrifice.

Jesus is the gift.
The one we seek
The one we share
Love come down
from heaven above

Cathy Orrick Luders

12.23.2010

"For Unto Us" .....



"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

May you be richly blessed this Christmas!

Christmas ...

Just a few short days and Christmas will be here. Although I've been busy with a Bible Study on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, I'm far from writing another post relating to that. Christmas is on my mind. It's probably on your mind too.

 Jim and I had our annual Christmas Open House this past Saturday. We've been married nearly 20 years and together we've had this event for those many years as well. It is a special time of year, a sort of  "family Christmas," where we invite friends and family and hope for a good turnout to visit and catch up on their activities. We clean and clean and decorate our home, inside and out, with nativities and trees and other knick-knacks of the season. Our home smells of evergreen via candles and potpourri and baking of cookies and candy.  We look forward to it with great anticipation.

Sunday, the day before yesterday ... it was Dec. 19. I thought .... When God says no, do you know? He doesn't always say yes or even maybe. He does say no. But do you know when He does? How have you responded? Are you content? Are you at peace, knowing that the request you've made has been answered and it is not really the answer you wanted? Do you give up or do you instead seek guidance?

Christmas.

What do you want for Christmas? We hear that every year and not just from kids. Adults do the same. They're kids too, just a tad older and not necessarily any smarter. Is your shopping done? Are you happy with your purchases? Are you filled with anticipation, excited to see reactions of gifts given? Have you spent too much or not enough? Does the cost matter?

What do you want for Christmas? Does it change with each passing year? Do purchases really matter or are there more important things to be concerned about?

What do you want for Christmas? I thought. I remembered a few weeks earlier when I was at the dentist, it was being discussed. I thought a Christmas wish would be to have no pain, to have all bills paid. Other things that came to mind were a relationship mended, a promise kept, a roof over our heads, a child to love, someone to come home to, true love.

What do you want for Christmas?

Monday evening, Dec. 20, we watched "The Children's Carol," a Christmas special about The Walton Family at the beginning of World War II. It was shown on the inspiration channel Saturday night and we taped it to watch later.

Today, this morning, I thumbed through the December issue of Mature Living, skimming the headlines and reading the short stories: "Christmas Presence," "Broken Cookies,"  "Come, Let Us Adore Him," "The Greatest Gift! Really?" and "Trimming the Hearts."

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."  (John 3:16-17)
This is the gift.The greatest gift. "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15)
This gift is available to all, but not all receive it, not all accept it. Have you?

I also looked through the December issue of The Pathway, a newjournal put out by the Missouri Baptist Convention. David Tolliver, executive director of the MBC,  wrote the article, "Jesus is the only genuine celebration of Christmas." Included in it was the following poem, "Why Jesus is Better than Santa Claus," which can also be found on the internet.

Santa lives at the North Pole ...
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh ...
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year ...
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies ...
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks,
and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa ...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap ...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is
"Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?" ...
JESUS knew our name before we were born...
Not only does He know our name,
He knows our address too.
He knows our history and future and
He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO ...
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry" ...
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys ...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts,
repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but ...
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree ...
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree....
The cross.

Christmas.
What is it all about?
What does it mean?
What will you celebrate?
What is the real reason for the season?
What do you believe?
What does Jesus mean to you?

Christmas.

Look down, Look Up ... to Jesus

Look down where He lay
born amongst animals
no room at the inn
to His mother, Mary,
a virgin
uniquely chosen by God

Listen to the songs
of Jesus' birth
Away in a Manger





Look down where He lay
Hear the quiet, the stillness
See the sky
a star-filled sky
with one just ever so bright
To show us
where He lay

Look up
in the sky
to the heavens
where the Lord Jesus
reigns
He sits at the right hand
of His Father

Son of God
Son of Man

O Holy One
O Holy Night



Look down where He lay
Look up where He reigns

Set your mind on things above, on Jesus
and you will find the way to true joy.

Cathy Orrick Luders 

12.12.2010

A new song

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."  -- Colossians 3:1-3


I died. Not physically, as in all bodily function ceasing, but spiritually. 
A goodbye to earthly, worldly, flesh things -- 
adultery
fornication 
uncleanness
licentiousness
idolatry
sorcery
hatred
contentions
jealousies
outbursts of wrath
selfish ambitions
dissensions
heresies
envy
murders
drunkenness
revelries 
(Galatians 5:19-21)


No more were they to be the accepting way of life. 


I gave my life to Jesus
The year was 1982
I accepted His birth, His death, His burial, His resurrection
He died for me
Not so I could live to me and mine 
But to Him, to His 


To live as He lived
To walk as He walked 
A hello to 
love
joy
peace
long-suffering/patience
kindness
goodness
faithfulness
gentleness
self-control 
(Galatians 5:22-23)


"And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit." (Galatians 5:24-25)


For I died, and my life is hidden with Christ in God and since I live in the Spirit, I must walk in the Spirit.


"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!" (Psalm 98:1)


A new song, a renewed song, a song of beginning again in God's way, of rejoicing in what the Lord has led you to and through. 
Not an old song, stagnant and full of remorse.
Sing to the Lord a new song! One filled with blessings, filled with joy, filled with peace, filled withlove.
A new song
A new beginning
God's way.

Remember ...

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."  -- Colossians 3:1-3

A verse brought to mind, played over and over, finally served as the reminder I needed.  All weekend I thought on these verses. The reminder didn't come. Not until today. Today I realize, today I remember, I am His, I was raised with Him in new life, and all I think about, all the negative does not belong. I must set my mind on Him, nothing else. There is nothing more important than Him and things above, where He is.  My life must revolve around Him, not me, not my emotions. Thank you Lord for bringing me this verse and for keeping it before me until I finally heard.

How will I know?

I cannot
No!
I cannot

I'm busy
I can't talk now
I have someone here
I'm eating breakfast

No!
I cannot
call you back

What do you want?!

Why, nothing

I'm sorry
I bothered you.

I cannot
call you another time.

Death outside
Death inside
Physical death
Spiritual death

What is death
... the cease of oxygen flow to the brain?
... the loss of another's friendship?

Is it futile
worthless

Should I bother
to seek out another
who, it seems
repeatedly says
you are bothering me

a bother
is it better to stop
calling
if the 'right' time
is not when I call.

How will I know
Will God tell me
when to call
when I won't be a bother

How will I know?

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;" (Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 5a, 7a)

How will I know?
Will God tell me
when to speak
when I won't be a bother?

Will He?