My youngest son, Jessey, (who is in the DEP for the Navy) and I met a mother at the top of the Columbia Tower whose son is in the military and recently deployed. We began to chat about our children and she shared with me her fears and struggles. I shared with her my experience and stories of having all four of my children enlisted and two that were deployed at the same time. I also shared with her one returning injured and the challenge we still face as he heals. She then asked me “How did you do it with two deployed?”. Oh how I wish I could have given her a grand answer of how I stood fast in my faith and held it all together, but the honest answer was, “ Not so good. I prayed more than I breathed. I endured until a fear of mine came to reality and then I walked through it. At the end of it all, God was still good and I learned another level of trust. I learned scriptures to memorize and declare over my children and I learned a strategy for when they go to war again.” Then I prayed with her for her son and her heart that was pioneering through her first deployment and all the fears she will face as a mom.
It is meetings like these that I have more than I can count. As I consider the new things God has brought us to and through, I also must consider a new way to minister and influence others. Is it with Military families? This I do know: God has appointed me as a watchman over my family. To pray, to war, to decree, to declare, to encourage them, counsel them, pray with them and believe in them. They are my circle of influence, they always have been. They are the crowd I teach, the followers I influence, the hungry, the thirsty, sometimes the sick I visit and the poor I give to. As they grow , so do I. I never stop being a watchman over my family, but I do have to change and adapt to new territory and new battles.
The new things I feel stirring are not areas I ever wished for or thought. Do I want to be a woman of influence to understand the deep levels of the fear of our precious children at war? Not so much. But I would be a fool to ignore that God has been teaching me how to stand. It has been like boot camp for my heart. To face fears, tragedies and trials. To do daily prayer push-ups that increase my strength. What I once thought I could never do, I now find myself encouraging others in. Being a woman of influence means to take your trials and learn heavenly strategies. To pioneers and blaze a trail. To fall down and get up again. To face fears and sometimes fake courage. To crawl when walking is impossible. To not quit when quitting is screaming at you to do so. To believe there is a purpose for every hurt and remember your not alone.
Our first place of influence is in our home. Learning during precious times when our little ones are underfoot. Stories times with cookies and coco. Car rides and bible stories. Holding hands on first days of school. Holding hearts when break-up happen. Cheering them on when they chase after their dreams. Biting your tongue when you have other plans. Realizing our children have been teaching us how to be a woman of influence.
Then when the day comes and your sitting in your office, surrounded by pictures of the past, wondering what God has for you now, you can recall all that He had done for you, through you and with you. You can look back and see just where God has used you and how. It might surprise you. It may not be how you imagined your life. It may be better. Psalm 56:9b…This I know, that God is for me. He never waste the trials we have been through. He always has a plan, its just up to us if you want to follow it. No matter how scary it looks or crazy it may be. Your new beginnings and place of influence just might me where you have learned life, just a change of scenery. Don't be afraid to learn how to do new life in in familiar places.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Waiting like a crazy person.
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the Living. Wait for the Lord: be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:13-14
Ask yourself this question: “How long am I willing to wait for God?” With this question comes a challenge of the heart. Can we endure His timing? God’s timing is so odd to us. He seems to take forever but then without notice, He swoops in with such power and effectiveness we wonder why we ever worried about the situation in the first place.
Near a place I used to work was a homeless lady. She lived on the corner, and her home consisted of tarps, blankets, and a giant umbrella. Not to mentions all the bags of “who knows what” that was around her as a fortress. Many have tried to help her. I myself have given her food, spoke with her about Jesus and gave her a book on salvation. Others have offered to take her to a shelter or find a warm place to stay. Her answer was always the same. “No, I am waiting for somebody.”
We were all baffled as to who she was waiting for. Somebody left her there and told her they would be back to pick her up, so she waits. Years have gone by, and she still waits. If the weather gets cold, the law forces her to seek shelter, but as soon as it was considered warm enough to be back on the streets, she was out there on her tarps, waiting. My mind would spin when I would see her. You could see she was not well mentally, but with that aside, I was amazed at her fierceness to wait for her promised one who said, “I will be back.”
In the natural it seems insane, but let’s take it to another level: to fiercely wait for a promise to be fulfilled so much so, that one looks crazy. When I see this precious woman, I am challenged with the question “Are you willing to look ridiculous for Me?” I have stood and waited for promises from God to be fulfilled to the point of feeling foolish. I have proclaimed them, planted myself on them, declared them and wept for them. I have cried out to my Father to fulfill His Word and hold me to His plan.
Hosea 12:4 tells us how Jacob struggled and wept for God’s blessing and favor. Yes, he wrestled with the angel and won. He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him. Here at Bethel he met God face to face, and God spoke to him.
Like Jacob and our little homeless lady, I too have waited for promises to be fulfilled. I even tried to fulfill them myself (not a good idea). So I lay my tarps down, stack my bags of promise around me, and place the umbrella of God’s goodness over me and wait. I wait in the storms that bully me to run away. I wait in the bitter cold of watching others receive. I wait during the scorching heat of trials. I wait while others watch me wait. Maybe I look foolish, ridiculous, and crazy. Then in a blink of an eye, an answer will come, a word of hope will refresh, I will be encouraged in my waiting, and I m reminded once again of the beautiful promise when it was first spoken.
Friend, don’t give up, His Promises are yes and amen. You will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the Living. Wait for the Lord: be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord
Excerpts from Life in Your Losses
Psalm 27:13-14
Ask yourself this question: “How long am I willing to wait for God?” With this question comes a challenge of the heart. Can we endure His timing? God’s timing is so odd to us. He seems to take forever but then without notice, He swoops in with such power and effectiveness we wonder why we ever worried about the situation in the first place.
Near a place I used to work was a homeless lady. She lived on the corner, and her home consisted of tarps, blankets, and a giant umbrella. Not to mentions all the bags of “who knows what” that was around her as a fortress. Many have tried to help her. I myself have given her food, spoke with her about Jesus and gave her a book on salvation. Others have offered to take her to a shelter or find a warm place to stay. Her answer was always the same. “No, I am waiting for somebody.”
We were all baffled as to who she was waiting for. Somebody left her there and told her they would be back to pick her up, so she waits. Years have gone by, and she still waits. If the weather gets cold, the law forces her to seek shelter, but as soon as it was considered warm enough to be back on the streets, she was out there on her tarps, waiting. My mind would spin when I would see her. You could see she was not well mentally, but with that aside, I was amazed at her fierceness to wait for her promised one who said, “I will be back.”
In the natural it seems insane, but let’s take it to another level: to fiercely wait for a promise to be fulfilled so much so, that one looks crazy. When I see this precious woman, I am challenged with the question “Are you willing to look ridiculous for Me?” I have stood and waited for promises from God to be fulfilled to the point of feeling foolish. I have proclaimed them, planted myself on them, declared them and wept for them. I have cried out to my Father to fulfill His Word and hold me to His plan.
Hosea 12:4 tells us how Jacob struggled and wept for God’s blessing and favor. Yes, he wrestled with the angel and won. He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him. Here at Bethel he met God face to face, and God spoke to him.
Like Jacob and our little homeless lady, I too have waited for promises to be fulfilled. I even tried to fulfill them myself (not a good idea). So I lay my tarps down, stack my bags of promise around me, and place the umbrella of God’s goodness over me and wait. I wait in the storms that bully me to run away. I wait in the bitter cold of watching others receive. I wait during the scorching heat of trials. I wait while others watch me wait. Maybe I look foolish, ridiculous, and crazy. Then in a blink of an eye, an answer will come, a word of hope will refresh, I will be encouraged in my waiting, and I m reminded once again of the beautiful promise when it was first spoken.
Friend, don’t give up, His Promises are yes and amen. You will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the Living. Wait for the Lord: be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord
Excerpts from Life in Your Losses
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Just a Military Mom
I'm not political; I’m just a mom whose children serve. I'm partnering in prayer for our country with several other thousand people. Never have I felt a need to intercede as I do now. To pray for those who are serving, sacrificing and dedicating their lives. To make sure my vote is cast for them and their well being, their future, their lives. That if they are unable to vote, I would pray that every person who knows a serviceman or woman, would rise up and vote on their behalf. Don’t throw this privilege away because you're not political, that matters not: what matters is, one day you will wish you were at least in the loop. Regret will haunt you because you allowed others to make decisions for you, for your friends and family who have sacrificed their lives for you.
I have good reason to Pray for our nation and its leaders. For our president and the soon to be president. For him to concern himself with our military. For him to care for and respect our troops. For him to look after those are serving their Commander and Chief. Our next president must be a person who loves this country, for what it was founded on and who it was founded for. We must pray for our next president; that he values family and the core of it, who values life and the beginning of it, to knows who God is, that his heart and mouth declare "there is a God" and his name is Jesus! We must pray our next president believes in the country he leads. He believes in its beginning and has vision for its future. Who believes in its people, the poor, middle class and elite. Believes that each have a part to play. Each has a part to serve. Each has a part to invest equally. No agenda, no special interest, just Americans doing there part. Remember, I'm not political; I just have children that serve.
Children who have vowed to protect this country, to defend its people and fight for our freedom. Children who believe in this country and for what it stands for. Children who believe in its roots, it foundation, its core. Children who serve a president that should believe in the same. Who should defend and protect those who defend and protect. Unapologetic and proud.
I believe our country should have a leader who remembers what holds our flag together. The breaths that have been given that cause it to wave. The lives that have been sacrificed to give a platform to an elected individual. The blood that has been shed for a freedom to love their God. To believe that when a person, a group, religion or country threatens the liberty that has been fought for, our leader should stand tall in the biblical foundation of our beloved land. His words should be fierce and manners unwavering, his conviction unmovable and his beliefs unshakeable. His speech should be absolute truth and precise. There should be no backing down, no bowing and no apologies to those who threaten our people. If a knee is to be bent it is in the presence of God, asking for His direction and wisdom to lead. It’s not arrogant conceit when you believe in your OWN country, its honorable pride.
We must humble ourselves and pray for our country, this election, for the next president, to be a man of his word. Honesty in his eyes, truth on his lips and conviction in his heart.
As King Jehoshaphat prayed so I pray, "We don't know what to do but our eyes are on you."
Signed,
Holly S. Ruddock
Monday, November 14, 2011
Go Lesson 7 Preparing for the Storms
Whether the weather is cold
Or whether the weather is hot
Whether the weather is wet
Or whether the weather is not
We'll weather the weather, whatever the weather
Whether we like it or not.
In the starting of any Vineyard or Ministry you will have to learn how to weather the storms that come: how to prepare for them and how to recognize them. Some are just natural disaster, some are preventable and some assignments of destruction. Do you know the difference? Do you know how to be prepared for these four storms?
Hailstorms
Freezing storms
High Winds or Hurricanes
Critics
Beings we can not always prevent storm in our lives we need to learn to plan for them
How to prepare for Hail Definition of hail: pellets of ice that fall like rain or a pouring down of something harmful: a barrage of something, for example, missiles or insults according to the WEB dictionary
Hail can attack any time and anywhere and can knock a vineyard out of production for a couple of years by destroying the fresh new buds. Many growers have built hail nets as protection. They look like little tents that are set up. The only way these will work is if the vinedresser is paying attention to the whether are prepared before the hail. They cover the fruit before the storm.
Psalm 27:5-6 - For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. - Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. -
How to prepare for a freeze.
Oil, Water and Wind.
Heaters: Oil heaters and fire are used to warm the vineyard and prevent frost from ruining the vine.
Sprinkler Irrigation: The principle of sprinklers is that relatively warm water gives up heat upon contact with the colder air and/or foliage.
Wind Machines: The principle of the system is to move heavy cold air to prevent a storm cloud and allow the warmer air to replace the colder air near the ground.
John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire - Luke 3:16 NKJV
The only Hebrew word I can find for frozen is lakad Meaning Seized
Proverbs 6:2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken (ceased Frozen) with the words of thy mouth.
We can destroy our own vineyard, our fields or our families with icy words of cruelty. Or we can build them, guard them, direct them warm them and protect them. The word is clear that fruit and our speech go together. Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. - Pro 18:21 KJV
Extra Reading on the tongue Proverbs 21:23 KJV James 3:6 -8 1Peter 3:10 KJV
Preparing for Wind storms
Fast growing vines are more prone to wind damage. Damage to new buds is common when the shoots are tender (green). Later in the season a wind storm can damage the leaves on a mature vine. However, constant winds can cause damage to fruit, by creating callused or scabbed areas where fruit has been rubbed by another plant part.
This is so key. Hear this. A storm can attack in three levels of our ministry. A newly growing ministry is subject to loosing its first growths. A storm can hit later and destroy the mature leaves. but a continuous wind can cause scabbing and calluses to our fruit where there has been a constant irritation.
For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones [is] as a storm [against] the wall. - Isa 25:4 KJV
Read Mark 4:36-41 God knows just the right amount of wind to allow in our lives and on our fields. Too much wind will destroy our fruit, leaves or new budding ministry. However, we need the wind to train us in faith and build strength to stand in it and against it.
Preparing for Criticism
One influential Critic can make or break a Vineyard. If that Critic is having an off day anybody in his path is in for a storm. We see this in food, movies, and consumer reports. Some we should heed to others, we must draw our own conclusions. If you have ever had a critic in your life you know the weight of trying to please the one who may be difficult if not impossible to please. The hoops you may jump through, the adjustments you make to please them. The sleepless night you lay awake wondering what task they have waiting for you to fail at.
You long for a word of praise or a word of affirmation. When they come you feel like you conquered the world and when they don’t come, you feel as if you are under it.
David knew what it was to have a Storm of Criticism. He was chased by this storm of jealousy and hate. He was hounded and troubled by a storm he could not stop, all he could do was run from it.
How does one escape the storm of criticism? Are we to escape it? It seems to me that critics can either pull the best from you or bring out the worst in you. Their demanding way or persnickety taste can either drive you to madness or pull out the courageous soul in you; to face the storm of criticism and stand strong against the wind. We see over and over in the word that God Did not rescue his people from the critics. No, instead he built his people up in front of their critics.
Noah faced it everyday. He was not rescued from the cruelty of men; he was rescued from the wrath of God.
Joseph faced it from his family. He was not rescued from their betrayal; instead it was the betrayal of the brothers that positioned him to save his family.
David wasn’t protected from it. It started with his brothers and continued on through Saul. But it was the pursuit of a mad man that formed the king in David.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the storm; they were not spared from the furnace. No, instead they were graced with the presence of God in it.
Danielle was not saved from the Critics. He was sabotaged by them. And it was his den time that changed a wicked Kings heart.
Psalm 55:8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm [and] tempest.
Storm in Hebrew Caah Pronounced Sa.ah meaning to Rush or windy storm. This is the only time in the bible this Hebrew word is used in the Bible. It is when David is comparing the pursuit of Saul to a storm in his life.
Tempest in the Hebrew word ca`ar Pronounced Sa.ar Refers to a whirlwind or a rage or enraged. Hasten in this text could mean hurry, or enjoy or excited
Here it this way.
I would hurry and be excited to escape the enraged storm that rushes at me
Homework: What storm has been ripping away growth in your life? What storm has callused your heart? What storm has you frustrated with God? Are you words bringing a freeze to your field or fruit? Are you losing growth because of critics or insults? Are you hiding in the tabernacle?
If your heart is callused because of trouble, you need to allow Him to prune the damaged area of your heart. And if you are frustrated with God because of a storm, ask Him where your faith needs to grow. Maybe you need to put the buckets down and start lifting your hands up. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. - Psalm 107:29
Or whether the weather is hot
Whether the weather is wet
Or whether the weather is not
We'll weather the weather, whatever the weather
Whether we like it or not.
In the starting of any Vineyard or Ministry you will have to learn how to weather the storms that come: how to prepare for them and how to recognize them. Some are just natural disaster, some are preventable and some assignments of destruction. Do you know the difference? Do you know how to be prepared for these four storms?
Hailstorms
Freezing storms
High Winds or Hurricanes
Critics
Beings we can not always prevent storm in our lives we need to learn to plan for them
How to prepare for Hail Definition of hail: pellets of ice that fall like rain or a pouring down of something harmful: a barrage of something, for example, missiles or insults according to the WEB dictionary
Hail can attack any time and anywhere and can knock a vineyard out of production for a couple of years by destroying the fresh new buds. Many growers have built hail nets as protection. They look like little tents that are set up. The only way these will work is if the vinedresser is paying attention to the whether are prepared before the hail. They cover the fruit before the storm.
Psalm 27:5-6 - For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. - Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. -
How to prepare for a freeze.
Oil, Water and Wind.
Heaters: Oil heaters and fire are used to warm the vineyard and prevent frost from ruining the vine.
Sprinkler Irrigation: The principle of sprinklers is that relatively warm water gives up heat upon contact with the colder air and/or foliage.
Wind Machines: The principle of the system is to move heavy cold air to prevent a storm cloud and allow the warmer air to replace the colder air near the ground.
John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire - Luke 3:16 NKJV
The only Hebrew word I can find for frozen is lakad Meaning Seized
Proverbs 6:2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken (ceased Frozen) with the words of thy mouth.
We can destroy our own vineyard, our fields or our families with icy words of cruelty. Or we can build them, guard them, direct them warm them and protect them. The word is clear that fruit and our speech go together. Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. - Pro 18:21 KJV
Extra Reading on the tongue Proverbs 21:23 KJV James 3:6 -8 1Peter 3:10 KJV
Preparing for Wind storms
Fast growing vines are more prone to wind damage. Damage to new buds is common when the shoots are tender (green). Later in the season a wind storm can damage the leaves on a mature vine. However, constant winds can cause damage to fruit, by creating callused or scabbed areas where fruit has been rubbed by another plant part.
This is so key. Hear this. A storm can attack in three levels of our ministry. A newly growing ministry is subject to loosing its first growths. A storm can hit later and destroy the mature leaves. but a continuous wind can cause scabbing and calluses to our fruit where there has been a constant irritation.
For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones [is] as a storm [against] the wall. - Isa 25:4 KJV
Read Mark 4:36-41 God knows just the right amount of wind to allow in our lives and on our fields. Too much wind will destroy our fruit, leaves or new budding ministry. However, we need the wind to train us in faith and build strength to stand in it and against it.
Preparing for Criticism
One influential Critic can make or break a Vineyard. If that Critic is having an off day anybody in his path is in for a storm. We see this in food, movies, and consumer reports. Some we should heed to others, we must draw our own conclusions. If you have ever had a critic in your life you know the weight of trying to please the one who may be difficult if not impossible to please. The hoops you may jump through, the adjustments you make to please them. The sleepless night you lay awake wondering what task they have waiting for you to fail at.
You long for a word of praise or a word of affirmation. When they come you feel like you conquered the world and when they don’t come, you feel as if you are under it.
David knew what it was to have a Storm of Criticism. He was chased by this storm of jealousy and hate. He was hounded and troubled by a storm he could not stop, all he could do was run from it.
How does one escape the storm of criticism? Are we to escape it? It seems to me that critics can either pull the best from you or bring out the worst in you. Their demanding way or persnickety taste can either drive you to madness or pull out the courageous soul in you; to face the storm of criticism and stand strong against the wind. We see over and over in the word that God Did not rescue his people from the critics. No, instead he built his people up in front of their critics.
Noah faced it everyday. He was not rescued from the cruelty of men; he was rescued from the wrath of God.
Joseph faced it from his family. He was not rescued from their betrayal; instead it was the betrayal of the brothers that positioned him to save his family.
David wasn’t protected from it. It started with his brothers and continued on through Saul. But it was the pursuit of a mad man that formed the king in David.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the storm; they were not spared from the furnace. No, instead they were graced with the presence of God in it.
Danielle was not saved from the Critics. He was sabotaged by them. And it was his den time that changed a wicked Kings heart.
Psalm 55:8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm [and] tempest.
Storm in Hebrew Caah Pronounced Sa.ah meaning to Rush or windy storm. This is the only time in the bible this Hebrew word is used in the Bible. It is when David is comparing the pursuit of Saul to a storm in his life.
Tempest in the Hebrew word ca`ar Pronounced Sa.ar Refers to a whirlwind or a rage or enraged. Hasten in this text could mean hurry, or enjoy or excited
Here it this way.
I would hurry and be excited to escape the enraged storm that rushes at me
Homework: What storm has been ripping away growth in your life? What storm has callused your heart? What storm has you frustrated with God? Are you words bringing a freeze to your field or fruit? Are you losing growth because of critics or insults? Are you hiding in the tabernacle?
If your heart is callused because of trouble, you need to allow Him to prune the damaged area of your heart. And if you are frustrated with God because of a storm, ask Him where your faith needs to grow. Maybe you need to put the buckets down and start lifting your hands up. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. - Psalm 107:29
Friday, November 11, 2011
A mother’s view of Veterans Day.
A mother’s view of Veterans Day.
Since two of my four children have enlisted in the army, I have viewed Veterans Day in a new light. Don’t get me wrong, I have always honored and respected it. My father who is a Vietnam Vet has always taught me a great reverence for our military. I have buried two uncles who served in the Korean and Vietnam War. Their memorial service was rich with honor and tradition; taps, flags, a gun salute and a pride that you could feel tangibly, rested on the sacred services.
However, my perspective has changed a bit. I mean, how could it not? With two boys serving in the Afghan war, news reports of yet another soldier wounded or worse killed is enough to change anybody’s idea of Veterans Day. Layered with the sweet concern of friends and family wondering how they are doing, mixed with the sleepless nights of vigilant prayer for my sons and their unit, have brought the colors of the Red, White and Blue closer to home than ever before. And now the biggest part of the Star Spangle Banner, my own son home, wounded from war, recovering from a head injury. He is out of my reach physically but not out of my heart.
To see the “Invisible” wounds that my boys and others have sustained wrenches at my very core. I have witnessed their cost up-close and personal. I carry their sacrifice with a pride that only a mother could feel. I can see the Glory of God on the enlisted men and women. I can see their own pride that they feel because of their service and sacrifice. I comprehend the word “Honor” in a fuller understanding. Which brings me to this: Right now at this moment I am spending my “freedom of speech” that my boys are fighting for. I am practicing the right of an American and that right is being protected by my flesh and blood. And for years I took it for granted until I understood the price that has been paid by our enlisted. As I peck away at this keyboard, my children carry weapons to protect and defend that privilege. One heals another still fights, and I am in a safe, warm home, sipping my lattes and caring for my other two children as they spend their freedom going to college, going to church and praying for their brothers. My mother’s heart wraps around this daily. I am more grateful for my freedom than ever before and at times feel guilty for it as well. Maybe that sound weird to you but look at it this way: if your children bought you dinner out of their hard earned money, you would feel pride, gratitude and maybe a bit of parental guilt they spent money on you. Magnify that by 1000, I am spending “freedom” my children are paying for.
Its ironic really, they are risking their lives so I can pray for them freely. And pray I do! I squeeze every ounce of my liberty to pray for my family and the ones defending the right for me to “Trust in God”. I endeavor to use my strength to stand watch for those that stand watch over our country. (God give me the strength to continue that Stand of Faith)
Happy Veterans Day friends. Would it be to bold of me to ask you to spend some of your “Freedom of Speech” to thank a veteran? And would it be too daring for me to ask you to use your “Freedom of Religion” to pray for those who are defending that right? Would you stand in faith with me until all are home and all are whole?
Since two of my four children have enlisted in the army, I have viewed Veterans Day in a new light. Don’t get me wrong, I have always honored and respected it. My father who is a Vietnam Vet has always taught me a great reverence for our military. I have buried two uncles who served in the Korean and Vietnam War. Their memorial service was rich with honor and tradition; taps, flags, a gun salute and a pride that you could feel tangibly, rested on the sacred services.
However, my perspective has changed a bit. I mean, how could it not? With two boys serving in the Afghan war, news reports of yet another soldier wounded or worse killed is enough to change anybody’s idea of Veterans Day. Layered with the sweet concern of friends and family wondering how they are doing, mixed with the sleepless nights of vigilant prayer for my sons and their unit, have brought the colors of the Red, White and Blue closer to home than ever before. And now the biggest part of the Star Spangle Banner, my own son home, wounded from war, recovering from a head injury. He is out of my reach physically but not out of my heart.
To see the “Invisible” wounds that my boys and others have sustained wrenches at my very core. I have witnessed their cost up-close and personal. I carry their sacrifice with a pride that only a mother could feel. I can see the Glory of God on the enlisted men and women. I can see their own pride that they feel because of their service and sacrifice. I comprehend the word “Honor” in a fuller understanding. Which brings me to this: Right now at this moment I am spending my “freedom of speech” that my boys are fighting for. I am practicing the right of an American and that right is being protected by my flesh and blood. And for years I took it for granted until I understood the price that has been paid by our enlisted. As I peck away at this keyboard, my children carry weapons to protect and defend that privilege. One heals another still fights, and I am in a safe, warm home, sipping my lattes and caring for my other two children as they spend their freedom going to college, going to church and praying for their brothers. My mother’s heart wraps around this daily. I am more grateful for my freedom than ever before and at times feel guilty for it as well. Maybe that sound weird to you but look at it this way: if your children bought you dinner out of their hard earned money, you would feel pride, gratitude and maybe a bit of parental guilt they spent money on you. Magnify that by 1000, I am spending “freedom” my children are paying for.
Its ironic really, they are risking their lives so I can pray for them freely. And pray I do! I squeeze every ounce of my liberty to pray for my family and the ones defending the right for me to “Trust in God”. I endeavor to use my strength to stand watch for those that stand watch over our country. (God give me the strength to continue that Stand of Faith)
Happy Veterans Day friends. Would it be to bold of me to ask you to spend some of your “Freedom of Speech” to thank a veteran? And would it be too daring for me to ask you to use your “Freedom of Religion” to pray for those who are defending that right? Would you stand in faith with me until all are home and all are whole?
Friday, November 4, 2011
Go: Lesson 6 Preparing your field for change
In our life time we will experience a vast variety of changes and seasons.
Spring brings a fresh start; spring cleaning, pulling the curtains open and letting the crisp fresh air in.
Summer bring swimming, watermelon, lemon aid stands, picnics, restful long evenings, peaceful afternoons and golden toned skin.
Autumn brings crisp frosty mornings, pumpkin soup, candy corn, the smell of cinnamon, dark nights and the vibrancy of leaves transforming.
Winter brings Christmas lights, Christmas music, family visits, snow flakes, candy making and cookie baking and the ten pound winter weight.
The season I want to focus on is the Autumn season. There is nothing more beautiful than a vineyard in the fall. The colors and the rows and rows of changing leaves look like a rolling ocean of green, orange, yellow and brown. The contrast of the transition is incredible. There are some leaves that are still hanging on to their greenery and others that have succumbed to the yellows and orange hues. It makes for an amazing variety of ‘eye candy‘. One of my most favorite things to witness is leaves floating to the ground. Somersaulting from high above a tree and dancing its way to the ground.
We drove to El Paso to visit our son and were gone for 10 days. In those ten days autumn punched it up a notch here in the Northwest. Our drive home was spectacular once we were out of the southern states. However, as much as I appreciate the fall changes and the leaves falling, I began to feel a little like one of the trees watching its foliage lilt to the ground. Leaving our son in El Paso, injured from war and still not completely well, stirred something in me that wanted to grab and hang on to him with all my might! But I couldn’t. I had to let go. I had to let God be God and I had to go home. This was my moment of my leaves changing, falling and drifting. Although I probably could have used my power to hold onto my son, I had to use Gods power to let go.
There is something about ‘Transition and Women’ that we fully comprehend. We understand it in puberty when our bodies change. We are thrilled to get boobs and wear make-up. We hate periods. We love watching our belly grow with a little one inside of us. We dread transitional labor when our bodies convulse. We embrace it when our hearts go from living for ourselves to living for our children. We fight it when hot flashes and mood swings get the best of us. We wrestle with wrinkles and saddlebags. And we repel against it when the color of parenting changes and we watch our children leave the nest. Then there is the season of grand parenting. All the pruning, color changes and pain of letting go, are rewarded and we are full again.
Geographically, the bible land and its time of being written, had more of rainy season and summer season. When the bible mentions winter it is refereeing to the rainy season. And when it mentions spring or summer it is referring to planting and harvest. But here in the area where we are, the seasons have a visual sign that coaxes you into the transition.
In Gen 1:14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, AMP
Or in the KJV Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years;
The Hebrew word for Season is Mawed(moe odd), Meaning -A set time, a sacred time an appointed time. Like being betrothed.
Gen 17:21 But My covenant, My promise and pledge, I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year.
Gen 18:14 Is anything too hard or too wonderful for the Lord? At the appointed time, when the season [for her delivery] comes around, I will return to you and Sarah shall have borne a son. AMP
Gen 21:2 For Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time God had told him.
It wasn’t about Sarah’s age or Abrahams age, it was about them being parents and the appointed time for Isaac to be born. It was Isaac’s season to be a son thus making it Sarah’s season to be a mother. God had a time on His calendar for Isaac to be born and He was not concerned with the age of the parents. God is concerned with the Trust of His people. Although God will not change nor can Change, He loves change!
God is about change because change can show who God is. Sinner to saint. Sorrow to Joy. Sickness to wholeness. Empty to full. But with the seasons and the appointed time He has set to display His goodness and power, He needs people who trust him during times of sorrow, sickness and emptiness. Trusting Him when the leaves are changing and falling to the ground. Trusting Him when the rainy seasons come. Remembering it’s in our trials we grow and learn who God really is.
Mark 6:30-37 tells a story of Jesus’ disciples learning to trust and serve from a place of rest. John the Baptist was just beheaded and Jesus had His disciples get into the boat and go to a place of rest, only to find the crowd beat them to the other side. In their “set aside time” of rest, Jesus was moved to compassion on the people because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He then told His disciples to feed the 5000+ people who followed them. He was taking them away to rest and then put them to work in their faith.
It’s imperative to rest our fields, our hearts and our minds. We must maintain a spirit of steadfastness as we operate and serve from that place of rest. Our winters and rainy seasons are times of positioning and appointments with God. Don’t run from them, go through them.
Please Read Esther 2:5-17
The time of year that Esther was taken from her home was the month of Tebeth. It is around our October-December time. The meaning for this month is “Goodness” though I doubt Esther felt any good could come from being taken from her safe home. She was taken in the winter, groomed for a year and presented to the king in the winter. Even though she was pampered and well cared for, this was a season of aloneness, secrecy, and character building. Esther’s summer had passed but it was for a selected time of goodness. It was for the appointed time of saving many lives and the saving of a nation. All though it was a wintery time for her, she started her season in Goodness and ended it in Goodness.
Esther 4:14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Psalm 74:17 You have fixed all the borders of the earth [the divisions of land and sea and of the nations]; You have made summer and winter.
Or it could be read this way.
You have set boundaries on my land, you have formed my territory like a potter; times of fruit, times of harvest and times of rain.
Facts about preparing a Vineyard for the Fall:
Vinedressers are harvesting their crops and preparing to crush the fruit. Both “harvest” and “crush” celebrations are plentiful this time of year in the valley. Temperatures have been cooler than average this summer, which is leading to a later harvest. Late harvest could mean excellent wine production for the year, as the flavors in the fruit have more time to mature.
Autumn is a great time to do garden improvements and maintenance;
1) Construct a pathway. 2) Sharpen your tools. 3) Improve your soil or mulch the garden beds. A little time spent on jobs, now, will help your vineyards power away in the Spring.
What is your Autumn preparing you for?
What is your time of change, changing in you?
Are you allowing your fruit to be pressed?
Are you sharpening your tools?
Are you enriching your soil?
Are you cutting away the dead pieces that are unproductive and unsightly?
Are you using your time that was used for planning to build walkways and pathways?
Note: The Greek meaning for season is Kairos meaning - a measure of Time, a Fixed Time and an Opportune Time. Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Spring brings a fresh start; spring cleaning, pulling the curtains open and letting the crisp fresh air in.
Summer bring swimming, watermelon, lemon aid stands, picnics, restful long evenings, peaceful afternoons and golden toned skin.
Autumn brings crisp frosty mornings, pumpkin soup, candy corn, the smell of cinnamon, dark nights and the vibrancy of leaves transforming.
Winter brings Christmas lights, Christmas music, family visits, snow flakes, candy making and cookie baking and the ten pound winter weight.
The season I want to focus on is the Autumn season. There is nothing more beautiful than a vineyard in the fall. The colors and the rows and rows of changing leaves look like a rolling ocean of green, orange, yellow and brown. The contrast of the transition is incredible. There are some leaves that are still hanging on to their greenery and others that have succumbed to the yellows and orange hues. It makes for an amazing variety of ‘eye candy‘. One of my most favorite things to witness is leaves floating to the ground. Somersaulting from high above a tree and dancing its way to the ground.
We drove to El Paso to visit our son and were gone for 10 days. In those ten days autumn punched it up a notch here in the Northwest. Our drive home was spectacular once we were out of the southern states. However, as much as I appreciate the fall changes and the leaves falling, I began to feel a little like one of the trees watching its foliage lilt to the ground. Leaving our son in El Paso, injured from war and still not completely well, stirred something in me that wanted to grab and hang on to him with all my might! But I couldn’t. I had to let go. I had to let God be God and I had to go home. This was my moment of my leaves changing, falling and drifting. Although I probably could have used my power to hold onto my son, I had to use Gods power to let go.
There is something about ‘Transition and Women’ that we fully comprehend. We understand it in puberty when our bodies change. We are thrilled to get boobs and wear make-up. We hate periods. We love watching our belly grow with a little one inside of us. We dread transitional labor when our bodies convulse. We embrace it when our hearts go from living for ourselves to living for our children. We fight it when hot flashes and mood swings get the best of us. We wrestle with wrinkles and saddlebags. And we repel against it when the color of parenting changes and we watch our children leave the nest. Then there is the season of grand parenting. All the pruning, color changes and pain of letting go, are rewarded and we are full again.
Geographically, the bible land and its time of being written, had more of rainy season and summer season. When the bible mentions winter it is refereeing to the rainy season. And when it mentions spring or summer it is referring to planting and harvest. But here in the area where we are, the seasons have a visual sign that coaxes you into the transition.
In Gen 1:14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, AMP
Or in the KJV Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years;
The Hebrew word for Season is Mawed(moe odd), Meaning -A set time, a sacred time an appointed time. Like being betrothed.
Gen 17:21 But My covenant, My promise and pledge, I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year.
Gen 18:14 Is anything too hard or too wonderful for the Lord? At the appointed time, when the season [for her delivery] comes around, I will return to you and Sarah shall have borne a son. AMP
Gen 21:2 For Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time God had told him.
It wasn’t about Sarah’s age or Abrahams age, it was about them being parents and the appointed time for Isaac to be born. It was Isaac’s season to be a son thus making it Sarah’s season to be a mother. God had a time on His calendar for Isaac to be born and He was not concerned with the age of the parents. God is concerned with the Trust of His people. Although God will not change nor can Change, He loves change!
God is about change because change can show who God is. Sinner to saint. Sorrow to Joy. Sickness to wholeness. Empty to full. But with the seasons and the appointed time He has set to display His goodness and power, He needs people who trust him during times of sorrow, sickness and emptiness. Trusting Him when the leaves are changing and falling to the ground. Trusting Him when the rainy seasons come. Remembering it’s in our trials we grow and learn who God really is.
Mark 6:30-37 tells a story of Jesus’ disciples learning to trust and serve from a place of rest. John the Baptist was just beheaded and Jesus had His disciples get into the boat and go to a place of rest, only to find the crowd beat them to the other side. In their “set aside time” of rest, Jesus was moved to compassion on the people because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He then told His disciples to feed the 5000+ people who followed them. He was taking them away to rest and then put them to work in their faith.
It’s imperative to rest our fields, our hearts and our minds. We must maintain a spirit of steadfastness as we operate and serve from that place of rest. Our winters and rainy seasons are times of positioning and appointments with God. Don’t run from them, go through them.
Please Read Esther 2:5-17
The time of year that Esther was taken from her home was the month of Tebeth. It is around our October-December time. The meaning for this month is “Goodness” though I doubt Esther felt any good could come from being taken from her safe home. She was taken in the winter, groomed for a year and presented to the king in the winter. Even though she was pampered and well cared for, this was a season of aloneness, secrecy, and character building. Esther’s summer had passed but it was for a selected time of goodness. It was for the appointed time of saving many lives and the saving of a nation. All though it was a wintery time for her, she started her season in Goodness and ended it in Goodness.
Esther 4:14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Psalm 74:17 You have fixed all the borders of the earth [the divisions of land and sea and of the nations]; You have made summer and winter.
Or it could be read this way.
You have set boundaries on my land, you have formed my territory like a potter; times of fruit, times of harvest and times of rain.
Facts about preparing a Vineyard for the Fall:
Vinedressers are harvesting their crops and preparing to crush the fruit. Both “harvest” and “crush” celebrations are plentiful this time of year in the valley. Temperatures have been cooler than average this summer, which is leading to a later harvest. Late harvest could mean excellent wine production for the year, as the flavors in the fruit have more time to mature.
Autumn is a great time to do garden improvements and maintenance;
1) Construct a pathway. 2) Sharpen your tools. 3) Improve your soil or mulch the garden beds. A little time spent on jobs, now, will help your vineyards power away in the Spring.
What is your Autumn preparing you for?
What is your time of change, changing in you?
Are you allowing your fruit to be pressed?
Are you sharpening your tools?
Are you enriching your soil?
Are you cutting away the dead pieces that are unproductive and unsightly?
Are you using your time that was used for planning to build walkways and pathways?
Note: The Greek meaning for season is Kairos meaning - a measure of Time, a Fixed Time and an Opportune Time. Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Go Lesson 5 Being Grafted
As I toss and turn in bed, my mind is busy thinking of what it means to be grafted. Why is it so important for a vinedresser to graft vines into the roots of an established plant. We have already discussed that the ancient vine acts as a defense for the new grafted branch against pestilence. But beside that, why graft braches into a different root system?
World Wide Web info: The best way to graft grapes is to use a "T" bud. It can be used on both old as well as young vines. The key to making the technique work is to make a "bleed cut" about one to two inches below the "T" cut. In this way the vine bleeds at this cut.
The picture of grafting is very detailed and displays how the root system is cut down to just a few inches above the ground. No growth or to show what it is. All of its worth, work and value is hidden underground. There is nothing attractive about the root system. In fact, it is the branch that is being grafted, that gets all the attention. The roots main job is to create a history and growth in the young branch that never would have been, without the grafting.
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. - Isa 53:2 NIV
NKJV) Psalms 18:35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.
To be grafted is to be held. To be anchored to be sustained and in this instance to be lifted up and made great.
For a moment, think of a time you did something out of the will of God. Your intentions may have been good, but you knew you were going out on a limb and outside of His plan. Maybe it was a purchase, a new job, starting a ministry. There will be time in your life you will be taking a risk and will totally be in the perfect will of God. I am talking about going rogue, taking matters into your own hands and hoping for success outside of Him
Apart from him we are nothing. All that we have, care for or watch over must be grafted, anchored, held by almighty God. The danger of not being grafted is clear: Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. -
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. -
If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. -John 15:4-6 NIV
The field you are called to care for must remain in Him. It must be grafted in Him. It must be dedicated to Him, or it is not of Him. When we marry and submit our lives to our God and our husband we are grafting our future to Him. When we dedicate our children we are grafting our parental choices to Him. When we answer the call of ministry, and we follow Him into unknown territory we have anchored ourselves to Him. Every day you wake up and decided to abide in Him, you are choosing to be held by Him, Anchored to Him, led by Him and part of His life. Doing nothing outside of His will. A branch that is not grafted may produce for a while but it will not produce for a lifetime. Grafting is about longevity, inheritance, future fruit and future generations.
If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches. If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." Romans 11:16-19 NIV
(KJV) John 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Abide means-to remain, to be held, kept, continually, to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure
Hebrews 6:19 KJV - Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and stedfast and which entereth into that within the veil
Greek meaning of an anchor- to stay but it comes from the Root word meaning- the curve or inner angle of the arm, the bent arm
.
Imagine a mothers arms wrapped around her child, nothing is aloud to get in, and that child is most certainly not getting out. The little one is grafted into the mothers arms. He might as well be glued there. This is what it means to be grafted.
Being Grafted means we are anchored to hope the way Zec 9:12 so poetically describes it,. Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. - NIV
What do you need to place in the roots of your Savior. Have you been crying out to God for growth but are seeing little fruit? What pestilence have been harassing you? What have you been trying to achieve on your own? Do you need to heal from hurt and failure and return to your fortress and become a prisoner of hope, once again?
As I put this message together there is the song that continues to play through my heart and head, Natalie Grants Held. I had a substitute teach my messagelast week because I am on my way to see my son in Fort Bliss, Texas. My heart has been longing to see him for nearly a year. He has recently returned from Afghanistan with a head injury. As medical situations continue to rise, I cry out to God to hold him and to hold my heart. I plead for healing and for favor on his life. I praise God that my sons life has been spared and that he is home and on the road to recovery. However during the times of worry, fear, anxiety and stress I could feel my Saviors arms around me. I could see the crook of His arms wrapped around my son. Holding him, keeping him, guarding him.
As I pray for my other son still fighting in the war, I see Almighty Gods arms as shield, protecting him, covering him, securing him. This is what it means to be grafted, to be anchored to be held.
World Wide Web info: The best way to graft grapes is to use a "T" bud. It can be used on both old as well as young vines. The key to making the technique work is to make a "bleed cut" about one to two inches below the "T" cut. In this way the vine bleeds at this cut.
The picture of grafting is very detailed and displays how the root system is cut down to just a few inches above the ground. No growth or to show what it is. All of its worth, work and value is hidden underground. There is nothing attractive about the root system. In fact, it is the branch that is being grafted, that gets all the attention. The roots main job is to create a history and growth in the young branch that never would have been, without the grafting.
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. - Isa 53:2 NIV
NKJV) Psalms 18:35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.
To be grafted is to be held. To be anchored to be sustained and in this instance to be lifted up and made great.
For a moment, think of a time you did something out of the will of God. Your intentions may have been good, but you knew you were going out on a limb and outside of His plan. Maybe it was a purchase, a new job, starting a ministry. There will be time in your life you will be taking a risk and will totally be in the perfect will of God. I am talking about going rogue, taking matters into your own hands and hoping for success outside of Him
Apart from him we are nothing. All that we have, care for or watch over must be grafted, anchored, held by almighty God. The danger of not being grafted is clear: Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. -
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. -
If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. -John 15:4-6 NIV
The field you are called to care for must remain in Him. It must be grafted in Him. It must be dedicated to Him, or it is not of Him. When we marry and submit our lives to our God and our husband we are grafting our future to Him. When we dedicate our children we are grafting our parental choices to Him. When we answer the call of ministry, and we follow Him into unknown territory we have anchored ourselves to Him. Every day you wake up and decided to abide in Him, you are choosing to be held by Him, Anchored to Him, led by Him and part of His life. Doing nothing outside of His will. A branch that is not grafted may produce for a while but it will not produce for a lifetime. Grafting is about longevity, inheritance, future fruit and future generations.
If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches. If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." Romans 11:16-19 NIV
(KJV) John 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Abide means-to remain, to be held, kept, continually, to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure
Hebrews 6:19 KJV - Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and stedfast and which entereth into that within the veil
Greek meaning of an anchor- to stay but it comes from the Root word meaning- the curve or inner angle of the arm, the bent arm
.
Imagine a mothers arms wrapped around her child, nothing is aloud to get in, and that child is most certainly not getting out. The little one is grafted into the mothers arms. He might as well be glued there. This is what it means to be grafted.
Being Grafted means we are anchored to hope the way Zec 9:12 so poetically describes it,. Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. - NIV
What do you need to place in the roots of your Savior. Have you been crying out to God for growth but are seeing little fruit? What pestilence have been harassing you? What have you been trying to achieve on your own? Do you need to heal from hurt and failure and return to your fortress and become a prisoner of hope, once again?
As I put this message together there is the song that continues to play through my heart and head, Natalie Grants Held. I had a substitute teach my messagelast week because I am on my way to see my son in Fort Bliss, Texas. My heart has been longing to see him for nearly a year. He has recently returned from Afghanistan with a head injury. As medical situations continue to rise, I cry out to God to hold him and to hold my heart. I plead for healing and for favor on his life. I praise God that my sons life has been spared and that he is home and on the road to recovery. However during the times of worry, fear, anxiety and stress I could feel my Saviors arms around me. I could see the crook of His arms wrapped around my son. Holding him, keeping him, guarding him.
As I pray for my other son still fighting in the war, I see Almighty Gods arms as shield, protecting him, covering him, securing him. This is what it means to be grafted, to be anchored to be held.
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