Friendship

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your

mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40 )

Our the 2018 Calendar it reads that Friendship Day is August 5th. I want to celebrate it today!

The last couple of days my body has been fighting a cold. Not a pleasant scrimmage.

Last night I took some cough medicine to try and resolve the post nasal drip. It worked well, and I slepted till 8 a.m. this morning. Once I got up the coughing began. So, I took another dose of the medicine.

About two hours later I hear myself saying “no, not again”. The entire room was spinning. I could not focus with my eyes and I became concerned. A couple of years ago I passed out to wake up on the floor unaware that my pressure had plummeted.

So, what does one do in a scenario like this?

I was concerned but did not think that a 911 call was needed. Was that wise, not sure.

So, I dialed my next-door neighbor Laura and explained to her that I was getting over a cold but presently was feeling disoriented and unfocused. I gave her access to my home and told her to let herself in. Sadly, I was so dizzy and unable to concentrate that I gave her the wrong code. I managed to hang on to my couch and let her in.

Sometimes life rushes by and we forget that we have neighbors and friends that are willing and would not hesitate to help when we are in need.

Well let’s just say the visit went a little deeper that just borrowing a cup of sugar. 

Laura stood with me, helped me, took my pressure and remained until I assured her I would be OK. I left her number on my phone for a quick dial. She literally was at my home in seconds.

My appearance must have looked scary to her. Mixed matched pajamas, no makeup, crazy bed hair as  I wobble from room to room. She remained with me and offered her son who is a nurse to assist me if needed.

My husband left his work place and came home shortly to take care of me.

Well, its been a few hours now and I believe I had a negative reaction to the cough medicine I purchased. It was strong, strong and potent enough to knock my equilibrium and my orientation off.

I thank God it was nothing worse. I also praise God for my neighbor!

Needless to say, I will not be taking that cough medicine again. Just tea and honey for me!

Well, Happy Friendship Day Laura! I appreciate you caring for me when I could barely stand for myself.

Let's hear it for Laura!!

God bless you!Liz

The Bully

“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:15-18 )

Do you ever look back on your life’s trail and wonder how you have been chiseled into who you are today? Life has good experiences and bad encounters. Through it all, life leaves pathways that we can glance back at while creating footpaths toward our future.

In my childhood years I struggled with a skin disease. It could have caused me to run and hide, and to wallow in shame.

Mrs. Brown. That name probably means nothing to you. But to me it is synonymous with kindness.

We are impacted by many stimuli in our world. As a young impressionable life anything could have marked me and set me on a path that would define me as a person. 

Simon, a young Galilean fisherman. That’s who you are Simon, a fisherman. But what happens when he encounters Jesus?

Simon arrives at a crossroad. Jesus is there with encouragement, direction and his life is influenced, impacted and changed forever. 

The footsteps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord. (Psalm 37:23)

“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” 
(Matthew 16:15-18)

Peter’s life would never be the same.

I recall as a little girl, Mrs. Brown asking my mom if I could attend her son’s birthday party. Now that would not normally be significant. But, to me this was a special invitation. Not many received this invite. Actually, no one in my circle did.

Mrs. Brown was my 2nd grade teacher. She saw beyond my skin and impacted my heart. Her kindness still echoes in my life today.

She understood bullying. Even in the 1960’s this spirit that wants to tear down young people was running wild. I was called all kinds of names. Mrs. Brown pulled me out and loved me. Her responsibility was to teach me. The lesson she taught me did not add up like mathematics. I could have read about kindness, but she allowed me to experience it.

Now, many years later I would come to another crossroads. Life continued to be a teacher to me, and Jesus wanted front seat, my whole heart.

God himself invited me to attend his Son’s gathering. No balloons, no hors d’oeuvre or music playing. A gruesome scene, people chanting crucify him. A man named Jesus is hanging on a cross.

Why? What kind of celebration is this?

A few days later I would better understand. Jesus was taking care of the “bully in the courtyard”. Death promised me separation from God. Jesus promised Eternal Life to the one who accepted the invitation. I reached out my trembling hands and said yes.

Just like Peter, my life would never be the same. Sin dealt with at the cross. The Blood of Jesus, his great love for me, covering a multitude of sin.

As I look back, God’s hand of direction for my life is evident. From school teachers who showed me grace and loved me to the ultimate encounter with God’s Son, Jesus.

Life continues to unfold, and the experiences continue to reveal the hand of God everywhere I look.

He is a merciful, gracious, loving Father and his invitation still stands. You are invited.
Will you accept his invitation?

The bully has been taken care off!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) 

God bless you!~Liz

The Song

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16 )

What happens when you are in the midst of a mistake, some oversight or perhaps a miscalculation? I am a worshipper of the Most High God! This Sunday in the middle of the worship service I found myself unable to put together the melody to a simple song. A song that I could probably sing in my sleep. Was this an oversight or a direct hit to stop me from glorifying the Lord?

I have a team of 9 others who love the Lord. I looked over to my vocal backup just to be amazed that the song was still not flowing. What is happening?

The sanctuary is packed, and all eyes are on the platform. They are waiting for songs of praise and adoration to be lifted to the Lord instead they are observers of an unprecedented skirmish on the frontline.

We live in a fallen world where chaos and confusion try to rule. Families are struggling financially, marriages are falling apart, and children are rebelling against the Lord. Do you have a song?

Our weapons are not of this world! (2 Corinthians 10:4) They have divine power to demolish strongholds.

The enemy is coming, but my God is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1b) The LORD fortifies me and protects me from further casualty. He is my defense.

He reminds me to “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within me, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)

Did I read spiritual song? Yes!!

When trouble visits, we must be armed with a song. A song of praise with thanksgiving because the LORD has not forgotten us. If we are in sin, repent and worship the Lord! If the enemy has come to taunt us, open the arsenal and pull out the song of worship. This is a world where the enemy is always on call looking to whom he can devour. Don’t let it be you! Worship the Lord!

All eyes are on the platform. Should not all eyes be on the Lord? This is a distraction.

Stop! Stop all instruments and silence the interrupted song of praise.

I begin to call upon the Name of the Lord. With all the authority He has given me, I go into my collection, weapons of praise. Let’s put our eyes on the Lord.

I hear myself say the words, “Let’s do it like this!” I began to sing a song that has been deep in my heart from the days of old.

“Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!! We praise you oh Lord, you are my defender! I will glorify your Name! You are worthy of all praise and I will exalt your Name.” Can you hear the chorus? Can you hear the applause as we all joined in the praise of God? Hallelujah!!!!

Satan will not prevail. He will not interrupt the worship of God. I am a worshipper of the MOST HIGH GOD and I will indeed exalt HIM!

All eyes on the platform to see what the Worship Leader will do. I will do what I am called to do, I will worship the LORD. I felt His presence and the arrest of the spirit of disturbance and confusion. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

Why tell a story that most would want to run from? Life is those few seconds of choice where we decide if we will cave to confusion or rise to exalt the Lord. Do I hide and wallow in self-pity where Pride leads, or will I come under the Strong Tower and rise with a song of victory! I will rise. 

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.” (Psalm 27:1-2)

Liz Trivia: This was the first Psalm read to me when I got saved almost 30 years ago! You indeed are my Stronghold!

“For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:5)

God bless you!~Liz