Heart Stopping News

 In 1956 I had a little girl friend that I played with when I was eight years old. There's two things I remember about her. One was we watched Elvis Presley on the Ed Sullivan Show at her house because we had no TV at that time. I also recall that my little eight year old heart stopped as I watched the beautiful singing of the handsome idol. The second memory was going to Bible School with her one humid summer night. I climbed up into the car and my friend and I giggled all the way as little girls are prone to do. We were led to a stuffy room with other second graders who all sat on tiny colored chairs with just the right sized table for little kids. A nice lady, who patted my shoulder as she passed, handed me a piece of red construction and another piece of gray paper. The glue was put in the center of the table along with crayons to copy what she wrote on the black board. These words would become the most important words that I had heard in my young life. For the first time I learned I could pray to God. The nice teacher read from the bible that Jesus's friends asked him to teach them how to pray. I wondered why these men would ask Jesus this. Did they notice a difference in Jesus after he had talked to the God of heaven. "Teach Us To Pray" was scrawled on the board as the story was told from the worn bible of the one who held it. "You and I too can talk to God", she said with such love in her voice. I glued the sheets together and cut lopsided lips to finish my masterpiece. I left that little room knowing that I could talk to God. As soon as I could, I tried out this promise I was given that evening. Most of my prayers started like a letter, "Dear God", I would begin. The hot evening ended with a singing of "Jesus Loves Me" which also rang out as a testimony about this new friend I had found.

I guess my faded piece of paper with "Teach Us To Pray" must by now be 65 years old a genuine antique in anyone's book. To preserve the brittle paper, it is kept in a zip lock bag that takes me back to the most important lesson I ever learned.

Praise you, my Dear God for looking at a wee girl and giving her the most wonderful gift. It's funny in a way that my young heart was stopped by a king that sang "Love Me Tender" but was blessed eternally by the King of Kings who tenderly taught me to pray.

Men of Galilee

 

Men Of Galilee

 

When I was a young Christian and raised my kids, I dodged all talk about the return of Jesus. I almost refused to think of the “tribulation” and the world coming to an end. After all, I wanted to raise my family and grow old with my husband. As can happen, I have grown up and grown old in the Lord and look at life through different lenses. I am no longer afraid to read in Daniel a great book of prophecy, and I often flip to the back of my bible to read the God-inspired words given to John the Revelator in the book of Revelations. I wince no more at the mention of the “Rapture”, Jesus’ return, or the anti-Christ, but stand amazed as I behold God’s plan.

 

Prophecy is being fulfilled as things become more evil in our world. My heart breaks for babies killed in the womb, deception and untruth prevail in our land, and the government strips Christian symbols from the American landscape. I have heard Isaiah 5:20 quoted many times during the last several months because the world has indeed been upside down.

What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, the dark is light, and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. Isaiah 5:20 

While the book of Isaiah speaks the truth and we see these scriptures coming past right before our eyes, John’s gospel gives us instruction as to how we should function as we wait. Jesus said to feed His lambs.

As the disciples watched Jesus ascend into heaven, they could not take their eyes off of Him, but two men dressed in white stood beside them, “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky?”

 

I’m afraid I am guilty of gazing into the sky. I have said many times, I hope the Lord takes us out of here. Christian friends and I have been found longing for Jesus to come again with a trumpet blast. Maybe this is our time to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations described in the Great Commission given by Jesus. Though we should be ready to fly, and I believe I am, the work assigned to me before I was born is not finished until that time. Go into all the world and make disciples in all nations, must be carried out, even to our last breath.

 

Men of Galilee, you can keep one eye to the sky, but we still have work to do!

 

My Little One

My Little One

 

While my youngest baby slept, that warmer than usual spring day, I sat on the front porch steps to watch the kids play. I was a little weary but none the less feeling so blessed by my house full of amazing children. Feeling a little guilty for the long rest I took while dishes, laundry and supper prep went undone, I got up and started into the house. Just as I did I heard the voice of my neighbor calling my name. In her hand was a tiny news paper clipping and on her face was a sweet smile. “I have a little poem for you”, she said with that same smile still beaming. As I read the tiny scrap, tears of joy trickled down my face to think of the blessings God has bestowed on me and the awesome responsibility that came with the blessed gift.

My Little One

As I sit here tonight in my bedroom

watching my dear baby sleep,

I can’t help but think of the blessings

That God bestows on His sheep.

I just read aloud from my Bible

To my baby there in her bed

I thank God for trusting her care to me

To be physically and spiritually fed.

May God always give me wisdom

To teach and train her each day

That she may grow into womanhood 

Serving Him all the way.

And I pray as I ponder this evening

That God in His infinite love

Will constantly lead her and guide her,

And prepare her for heaven above.

 

Many times I recited this poem over a sleeping child to remind myself of the blessings He lovingly placed on this forever grateful Mom.

 

As my kids have grown and have their own families I still pray without ceasing for my little flock. I come in humble adoration for my precious Father and Jesus Christ my Savior for bestowing on me “My Little Ones”.

Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. ⁴Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. ⁵Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court. Psalm 127:3-5