FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

As have sent many sympathy cards this year,

was reminded of this poem.

Find a way to reach out to those hurting.

For Such a Time as This

composed by Judy Janowski

February 15, 2008

Everyone you know

knows heartaches and woes -

physical,

emotional,

financial,

relational,

spiritual.

Heavy burdens

and real concerns.

Refrain:

For such a time as this

God has you on His list.

There is someone you know whose wish

is “please, someone care,” so don’t miss

this opportunity to be like Christ.

God has appointed you for such a time as this.

Everyday someone

loses someone -

fathers, mothers,

sisters, brothers,

husbands, wives -

from their lives.

Their tomorrows

are filled with sorrows.

Refrain

Rather spring, summer,

autumn or winter

every season

there’s someone

who needs Christ in their life.

For such a time as this

you can be like Christ.

Chorus

Be a Barnabas -

an encourager, yes -

someone needs you

to be like Christ, to

hold a hand,

send a note,

to give a gift,

or spirits lift.

Refrain

Someone encouraged you

so be an encourager to

your neighbors,

and strangers,

your old friends,

and new friends.

Today don’t miss

such a time as this.

Refrain

...for such a time as this...

Esther 4:14

...Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement)...

Acts 4:36

Be an encourager.

LEFTOVERS

 

LEFTOVERS

Today I saw a flock of Canadian geese feasting

in the nearby shorn cornfield months after harvesting.

It's January 5^th

and there are snowdrifts.

It appeared it was the harvester's intent

to allow these geese to feed to their heart's content

for these geese were busy feeding their face

as a smile appeared on my face.

These stately geese

did not lease.

Their food was free

to gather, you see.

They were quite content

with food heaven-sent

for it was a gift from God this day -

a brisk January day.

The leftover field corn that had fallen

was as if a blessing from God had fallen

for God does provide for all His creatures.

Sometimes His provision is leftovers.

I was reminded of the story where the harvesters

in the Old Testament were instructed to leave leftovers

for the poor, the widows, and the fatherless to glean.

This was a commandment the harvesters esteemed.

Many were blessed by this practice for life is sometimes cruel.

There will always be the poor, the widows, the fatherless who

need encouragement from those who

gladly share what they have, it's true.

* * * * *

Nothing in life is certain

except for one's salvation.

Consider this this new year: you never know when you might lose your health.

If you lose your health, it undoubtedly will affect your wealth.

Where once before you considered yourself independent,

now you might rely on another as a dependent.

It might be the government's help

set up purposely for when you need help.

It might be second-hand items given

by those who share with a heartfelt donation

coming at the 11^th hour – just when you need.

You have no doubt God saw and provided with their good deed.

Perhaps someone provided a bag of groceries

or cleaned their closet and blessed you abundantly.

These "leftovers" were meant to bless you

and show you God provides for you.

Traditionally you think of leftovers after a meal.

These leftovers stretch your pennies into dollars – a deal.

However your leftovers come,

at some point you'll find they are welcome.

...pick up the leftover grain...

(Ruth) went out and began to glean in the fields

behind the harvesters.

Ruth 2:2-3a

They all ate and were satisfied.

Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls

of broken pieces that were left over.

Matthew 15:37

(The Bible states leftovers were broken pieces.

I have another story highlighting life's broken pieces.)

Photo from a ballfield one summer day.

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

FAITHFUL

 

FAITHFUL

F Faith is having a calm

A Assurance that God does have a plan and purpose

I Irregardless of whatever is causing

T Trouble (worry).

H Holding on to

F Faith that God will provide, when you’re

U Unable to see clearly; knowing that with the

L Lord “nothing is impossible.”

* * * * *

Whatever you’re going through

God has a solution for you.

His plan and purpose will eventually be displayed

though now you’re gasping in dismay or disarray.

It usually takes a while to see

because God is using people like me

to assist Him in His plan

to help man and woman.

Sometimes a hard lesson needs to be learned

while your wilderness journey is endured.

Just keep in mind that God is teaching you

His faithfulness and in time He will come through.

As you learn about God’s faithfulness

you’ll develop a calm assurance.

You’ll learn that nothing is impossible

with the Lord, for He is more than able.

O Lord, you are my God;

I will exalt you and praise your name,

for in perfect faithfulness

you have done marvelous things,

things planned long ago.

Isaiah 25:1

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits -

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things...

Psalm 103:2-5

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

LEGACY

This verse came to mind this morning after learning about another passing.  Have sent out several sympathy cards this winter.

Think how you have instructed many,

how you have strengthened feeble hands.

Your words have supported those who stumbled;

you have strengthened faltering knees.

Job 4:3-4

Job's friend, Eliphaz, spoke the above about Job.  What an example to emulate!

Job was known for:

- his wisdom

- being respected

- being an encourager

- being there when needed

- looked up to

- and so much more, as depicted in the book of Job.

Chapter 1 tells how Job regularly (v 5) prayed for his children.

Chapters record Job talking with God and God answering.  Take note of Chapter 38:1 - the Lord answered Job "out of the storm"!  What storm are you currently facing?  Have you sought God IN your storm?  

In Chapter 42 God asked Job to pray for his friends for not speaking what was right about God's ways.  Verse 10 states that Job prayed for his friends.

Job was a man of prayer.  

In the New Testament James mentions Job's perseverance.  (5:11)

Job persevered despite:

- painful emotional and physical suffering

- not knowing God allowed suffering

- worldly/ungodly advice from friends, including his wife, who all found fault

Job was a man of unwavering faith - I KNOW that my redeemer lives! (19:25)

I know that my Redeemer lives,

and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.

And after my skin has been destroyed,

yet in my flesh I will see God.

I myself will see him with my own eyes.

How my heart yearns within me!

Job 19:25-27

In the end, God blessed him even more than previously because of his unwavering faith.

What will my legacy be?  What will your legacy be?  Known for being an encourager?  Known for being a faithful pray-er?  One of unwavering faith, despite suffering?

Flower:  angel trumpet.

CHANGES

 

CHANGES

There's a house looking worn,

which once was someone's home,

now in disrepair

as if no one cares.

Time has not been kind.

Sagging roof lines.

Gaping window panes.

Weeds growing in the lane.

No light shines.

No laughs bind.

No ones there.

Others stare.

Once a happy place.

Now a ghostly space.

Not cared for.

Life no more.

Forlorn

for long.

Forgotten.

Wood rotting.

There's a barn leaning,

its roof leaking,

its sides missing,

slowly crumbling.

No cattle roaming,

no calves bawling,

no roosters crowing,

no hens clucking.

Acres now left untended.

Rusty implements upended.

A gloom descends

like depression.

Yet – down the road a bit

new construction sits,

rafters stretching toward the sky,

dreams fulfilled by and by.

New replacing old

when land was sold.

Old forsaken.

New for the taking.

What used to take months to build

in two months will be filled

with new dreams and memories

for a young family.

Lights through the window panes.

Laughter heard time and again.

Flowers in a vase.

A happy place.

The old unwanted.

Mortar crumbled.

New now belongs

standing strong.

That once young dreamer is now old

in a nursing home down the road.

Still dreaming in their mind,

though time has not been kind...

for wrinkles and deep lines

increase over time

leaving furrows

and sorrows.

When once they made furrows

in the stony soil,

now they sit

while the clock ticks.

The young have yet to learn

what the old have learned.

Time is a gift

that quickly shifts.

Both had dreams that were the same,

but time has day-by-day exchanged.

Quickly young become old,

though old is like gold.

For knowledge and wisdom

is the gift that comes with aging,

traded for strength and endurance

when physical strength up and went.

If only the young could appreciate

for the old have much to relate

as they sit -

and the clock ticks.

Time slowly changes with each tick-tock of the clock,

but time has many lessons waiting to be taught.

The young are too busy to appreciate what time has brought.

The old are waiting to tell before they become naught.

Take time today to seek out the old

for they have lessons worth more than gold

as they have learned the hard way

that time quickly slips away.

* * * * *

One's life is filled with many ideas, plans, ambitions, hopes, and dreams.

Even if one lives to be 100, life is too short, it seems.

Yet, as Christians when physical life is over and gone

we have assurance that spiritually we will live on

as we believe in Christ's redeeming sacrifice,

His atonement for our sins upon the cross.

Our testimony or witness on earth will also live on

as we share our faith with those who live in our county or town.

Faith can be as simple as words of encouragement

to those with which our life happens to circumvent.

To change one's attitude of looking at life negatively,

to seeing God's many blessings – a life of positivity.

Yes, life is filled with troubles and sorrows,

but also interspersed with joys with each tomorrow.

At times we need to look for the positive, a confirmation.

We should not focus or compare with someone else’s blessings.

Comparison causes a downfall and definitely a face fall.

Our countenance, our expression, displays our inner thoughts quite well.

Learn to be an encourager,

to build up one another.

Words that will inspire time and again

for we all need reminding often.

May your legacy be known to all

and passed on through the decades by all.

You have made my days a mere hand breadth;

the span of my years is as nothing before you.

Each man's life is but a breath.

Psalm 39:5

Man is like a breath;

his days are like a fleeting shadow.

Psalm 144:4

A good name is more desirable than great riches;

to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Proverbs 22:1

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Now listen, you who say,

"Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city,

spend a year there, carry on business and make money."

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.

What is your life?

You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

You ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will,

we will live and do this or that."

James 4:13-15

...traveled through that area,

speaking many words of encouragement to the people.

Acts 20:2

We dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,

encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God.

I Thessalonians 2:12

Encourage one another and build each other up.

I Thessalonians 5:11

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself

and God our Father,

who loved us and by his grace gave us

eternal encouragement and good hope,

encourage your hearts and strengthen you

in every good deed and word.

II Thessalonians 2:16-17

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement,

because you have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

Philemon 1:7

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

SHINE

 To go along with verse posted on facebook page this morning:  II Peter 1:19

Shine

composed by Judy Janowski

February 14, 2008

(to the tune of Born Free)

Refrain:

Always be loving, patient, and kind

for God’s purpose for you is to shine

as ambassadors in the family of faith

always illuminating God’s truth.

God’s purpose for you from your birth

is to shine like stars in the universe

to be a shining light in the darkness

so be a light and shine, shine forth.

Shine in the midst of your troubles

proclaiming that God is able.

Others will see your example

for when life seems to be impossible

they need a light that shines forth

showing them troubles have worth,

giving hope in their heartache,

bringing God’s peace to their hearts.

Refrain

Shine in your words, deeds, and actions

for others you’ll be attracting

as you shine bright with God’s light

always proclaiming what’s right,

offering encouragement

to those you have met

with loving understanding and

often giving a helping hand.

Refrain

Others will see your passion

when as a star you do shine -

so shine bright as the stars

today right where you are.

God’s purpose for you from your birth

is to shine like stars in the universe,

to be a shining light in the darkness

so be a light and shine, shine forth.

...shine like stars in the universe...

Philippians 2:15 (NIV)

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

HIBERNATION

 

Hibernation

Winter, seemingly a time of hibernation,

but actually it's a time for rejuvenation.

It's a time of incubation

for most of plant creation

when in collaboration

with the winter season

plant life begins quiet preparation

for a new season of anticipation

continuing generation after generation

as miraculously planned from the beginning of creation.

It's not necessarily a time of relaxation

but an edifying season of fortification

for bulbs and plants begin their restoration

in earth's protected womb where unification

of temperature fluctuation

and frozen precipitation

will end in excitement and joyous exclamation

after a long-awaited-for anticipation.

There'll be a gleeful celebration,

an uncontainable jubilation,

causing one's soul much elation

when with joyful admiration

and heart-felt adoration

this period of silent hibernation

finally gives birth, always bringing inspiration.

A miracle springs forth, an utter fascination.

After this time of hibernation

there'll be a two-fold flirtation

for flowering bulbs and plants attract humans

and bees happily begin pollination,

an affirmation

that this season

of hibernation

is now in cessation.

After the flowers put on their show, you'll note a multiplication

of springtime bulbs or flowering plants increasing their population.

In the plant world it's called naturalization,

a reproduction, a propagation.

Upon investigation

you'll find an accumulation

coming to the realization

that it's time for a division.

So after listening to the weather station,

to ensure a period of no precipitation,

you'll prepare another location

for the over-population

of bulbs or plants needing division -

or maybe you'll share with relation

and gardening friends whose inclination, or perhaps fixation,

is to make accommodation for your accumulation.

After digging in preparation

you'll be ready for hibernation -

a much needed vacation -

for the gardening vocation

causes unwanted activation

of aches and pains in concentration.

But oh, the joy, the elation, the appreciation

of colorful flowers after winter's hibernation.

Earth's rebirth - rejuvenation -

giving God glorification!

* * * * *

Everyone's so excited for spring

to finally, at last, begin.

There's an excitement in the air

as days turn sunny and fair,

then bees return

when flowers bloom.

Each year we see rebirth take place in the earthly realm,

there is also rebirth in the spiritual kingdom.

Rebirth or spiritual birth as in salvation,

Jesus forgiving our sins offering redemption.

A free gift when Jesus paid the way

upon Calvary's cross on Good Friday.

Jesus redeemed us – He paid the way.

Sin's penalty was satisfied that day.

Yes, it was for us Jesus died

on that cross with His arms open wide.

Arms outstretched in everlasting love

as if enveloping us with a hug.

And it was for us Jesus arose again

ensuring everlasting life would begin

the day we confess in our heart

then rebirth will give us a new start.

Each spring brings rebirth or earth's revitalization.

Spiritual rebirth is conversion bringing salvation.

I will send you rain in its season,

and the ground will yield its crops

and the trees of the field their fruit.

Leviticus 26:4

The Lord will open the heavens,

the storehouse of his bounty,

to send rain on your land in season

and to bless all the work of your hands.

Deuteronomy 28:12

Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime;

it is the Lord who makes the storm clouds.

He gives showers of rain to men,

and plants of the field to everyone.

Zechariah 10:1

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,

miracles that cannot be counted.

He bestows rain on the earth;

he sends water upon the countryside.

Job 5:9-10

He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness

and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

in whom we have redemption,

the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:14

When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,

he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done,

but because of his mercy.

He saved us through the washing or rebirth

and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

whom he poured out on us generously

through Jesus Christ our Savior,

so that, having been justified by his grace,

we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:4-7

Life Is a Garden Party

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THROUGH

DRAFT

I seen posts recently suggesting one choose a word for the year.  I've been coming across the word THROUGH the past few weeks.  That's going to be my word of the year.

Am reminded of Andrae Crouch's song THROUGH IT ALL -

I've had many tears and sorrows

I've had questions for tomorrow

There's been times I didn't know right from wrong
But in every situation
God gave me blessed consolation
That my trials come to only make me strong

Through it all. through it all
I've learned to trust in Jesus
I've learned to trust in God

Through it all, through it all

I've learned to depend upon His Word

I've been to lots of places
I've seen a lot of faces
There's been times I felt so all alone
But in my lonely hours
Yes, those precious lonely hours
Jesus lets me know that I was His own

Through it all, through it all
I've learned to trust in Jesus
I've learned to trust in God

Through it all, through it all
I've learned to depend upon His Word

I thank God for the mountains
And I thank Him for the valleys
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through
For if I'd never had a problem
I wouldn't know God could solve them
I'd never know what faith in God could do

Through it all, through it all

I've learned to trust in Jesus,

I've learned to trust in God.

Through it all, through it all,

I've learned to depend upon His Word.

In deciding a photo for this post, a butterfly came to mind.  What a transformative  journey the butterfly has from birth - from a dot of an egg CHANGING into a caterpillar - when it consumes like its life depends on it, CHANGING into a chryllis - seemingly a time of rest but also a time of preparation/maturing for the next stage of life, before struggling to CHANGE from something nondescript to something beautiful - with wings - that introduces freedom (versus confinement), which amaze all who watch its flight.  

What an awesome example of how our struggles are met to mature us.  We go about life providing for ourselves, then life brings situations that make us feel confined (when, not if), we're at wits' end as to what to do.  Perhaps God allowed it to be a time of rest, to seek God, which matures our spiritual journey.  After we learn whatever spiritual lesson God has in mind, life takes on a new beauty.  We have a freedom that we didn't realize before.  

Change into/transform = metamorphosis.  

Yes, life is filled with change, struggles, troubles, problems...daily.

Our THROUGH IT ALL is meant to change/transform us.  To grow our faith, to learn to trust, to seek and rely on God, to encourage others in the faith.

THROUGH - not remaining, but a rebirth, a transformation, on the other side.

When you pass THROUGH the waters, I will be with you;

when you pass THROUGH the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

When you walk THROUGH the fire, you will not be burned.

Isaiah 43:2