All things new

I received a phone call from my parents this morning, and I have found it kind of comical. My parents purchased a used motor home a few weeks ago, and with absolutely no background in this area, my dad calls me at least once a day with questions. Now, I can answer some of them, having lived in my RV for the past 9 years, but not all of them. This morning was a different story, because I knew exactly what the problem was. Their refrigerator/freezer had died - the smell of ammonia was extremely strong so now what. For their dilemma it is an easy fix, get a new refrigerator. But it really made me think, why is there no easy fix, when our bodies wear out.

For the last 4 weeks, I have been helping with a hospice assignment. My rule has always been: NO PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY HOSPICE!!!!!!!! I can't say that loud enough, and have turned down so so many jobs because I knew just how much my heart could take. BUT........ 4 weeks ago, a family called me, one whom I have done hospice for, for 4 separate members - and they insisted on me doing this current hospice job. But there is one small problem - her name is Lindsay and she is 6. She has Leukemia and not doing well at all. As I watch her little body fail I think about how I can handle doing "old people" hospice because they have lived their life, and here Lindsay isn't lived at all yet. But you know, we are promised that one day, we will be given a new body - one where there are no aches and pains, where everything will work exactly as it was designed. On certain days, I long for this day, and wish that the Lord would return just so that the aches and pains would go away. But until that day happens, I will continue to do my best to put a smile on my face and encourage those, who will in all honesty, probably get a new body before I get mine. I will also continue to pray for those around me that are struggling with "parts wearing out". One friend is on the transplant list for a new Kidney - Another one starting the process to get on the transplant list for new lungs and liver - another that will be getting a Bone Marrow transplant soon - God willing.

God keeps reminding me, on this earth, we will have troubles, and so I guess He was trying to warn us that there would be aches and pains, but the day will come when that will be gone, and our mortal bodies will be replaced with ones that will never wear out, never disease, and never fail us. Lord, hasten that day.

So for those of you struggling, with your mortal bodies, don't lose heart - we will get new bodies if we don't lose heart and give up. I guess this goes for anything - Don't lose heart, I've read the back of the book and we win. So until then

I'm walking with the King,
Sandy

Finding the Right Key

I house sit alot, and was contacted by a new family last week. After coming and meeting the family, it was decided that Yes, I would be willing to come and stay with their "kids" while they were gone for a couple of weeks. The interesting thing, is that this could become a "regular" thing, and the dad works in another state and so the mom likes to go and visit regularly - but I am deviating from my subject. When I met with the family, after deciding that I would come and house sit and "kid" sit for them, before I left, I was given a house key. This is not an usual thing, as I have an ashtray in my car, full of people's keys, that I house sit for. And most of the keys, I don't return, I just keep for the next time. There are times that I never see the families that I house sit for, as I go and do my thing, and leave a bill and just get a check in the mail. I find this interesting, but that may be another blog for another day.

I came to the house today and found that the key that I was given, didn't work. Now what was I going to do??? First time house sitting job, and I can't even get into the house. To add insult to injury - the couple was currently in flight to their destination, so I couldn't even call and ask them if they had a hide a key somewhere. In the course of meeting with the family previously, I remembered that she told me who her parents were, and so I nervously called them, explained the situation and asked them if they had a key to the house. Sure enough, they did, and her father quickly brought me the key - and so now I can house sit for the next couple of weeks.

Shortly after getting in the house, my phone rang and I was called out to work again - thus the late hour that I am posting this blog. But I thought about this scenario most of the evening - and it is interesting the things that have gone thru my brain. I could have gone through every key on my key ring, and none of them would have given me entrance into the house.

How many times, do we try to reach God, through every avenue except the guaranteed method? There are many people who think that going to church is going to get them past those pearly gates. If going to church doesn't do it, maybe giving to charity will, or maybe doing good works, Paying it forward, will catch God's eye and gain us entrance into that Eternal city. Some people try to do it through knowledge and education - some work hard and have lots of financial resources, so maybe they can buy their way in. Just like no other key except "THE" key was going to let me into this home, there is only ONE key for us to reach God. Jesus is that Key - He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one enters to the Father, but through HIM. I am so glad that I learned what the Key was a long time ago, so I don't have to waste my time trying to figure it out. I have to admit, sometimes I look at other things wondering if they would make it easier, but I always come back to Jesus and thank Him for being all I ever need.

Just something to think about.
Walking with the King (or maybe that should be with the Key),
Sandy

A blog a Day - I Must be crazy

I have had several people tell me that I need to blog more often, and now I have been challenged to write a blog, every day, for the month of July. I really had to think about whether or not, I wanted to commit to doing this, but finally decided to do it.

I'm not really sure what road these blogs will take, but I will do my absolute best to write some type of blog everyday. Now, this will all have to be contingent on my having internet access, but I will do my best to live up to this commitment. Those of you who read my blog, if you can think of something you want me to blog about, feel free to shoot me an e-mail and I will do my best to accommodate those requests.

My prayer during this time is Psalm 19:14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, My (firm and impenetrable) Rock and my Redeemer." My prayer during this coming month is that my blog would be pleasing to my God, and might offer some encouragement to those of you who read it.

I must be crazy to do this, but I do have to admit, I am kind of excited to be undertaking this. So walk with me during this time, as we see where this leads.

Walking with the King, Sandy

Deer at the River

Yesterday, I was blessed with seeing 2 deer along the Yakima River. I was traveling on Hwy 24, from Moxee to Yakima, and just happened to look down at the old KOA campground - and there were 2 deer. They were walking towards the river - and so I am assuming that they were heading for a drink. The thing that made this unusual, was that it was in the middle of the day - and usually you only see the deer during the cool of the evening or early in the morning. I slowed down, but didn't want to impede traffic, but it was really neat for me to see.

I was reminded of the scripture - Psalm 42:1-2 " As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"

I think of some of the things that have been going on in my life the last 3 months, and I totally understand this scripture. I think I can even understand, these 2 deer, seeking "living water" in the midst of the day. Sometimes the heat is turned up, and we will do just about anything to go and meet with God, for a thirst quenching drink, for some refreshment, some cooling down. Psalms 23:2-3 states As He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.

I am so thankful for those times of restoration, the times where He gently guides me to areas of quiet waters and cool meadows - where He can minister to me in exactly the areas that He needs to.

I'm not sure where you are at, but remember even in the "heat of life" He wants to restore our souls, but we have to be willing to "thirst for Him". John 7:37 states "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink." I think, as the day of His appearing draws close, it would be wise to become thirsty for the things of God - otherwise, in our dehydration, we will miss out on His wonderful blessings for us.

Just a thought.
Walking with the King,
Sandy

Being Thankful - a new perspective

I have always tried to be Thankful and remember all the blessings that I have been blessed with. Sometimes it is harder than others - but right now, I am in a Great place, and am excited to be part of what God is doing and how He is blessing me right now. It is interesting to be saying that, because I am in the middle of something that is so hard for me. I am going through a Mount Moriah experience, but in the midst of the "stripping away" - the blessings keep flowing, and it makes me so excited to see what God is up to. I have my eyes set on a goal, something that will happen in November, and really feel in my spirit, that it will be at that time and in that place, that I will then understand the last year. But until then, I continue to keep my eyes on Him and remind myself that God is truly faithful - and can be trusted. He has NEVER failed me and never will.

In all of it, I was reminded of how truly blessed I am. Maybe those of you who read my blog, need to be reminded of what things to be thankful for, because at the place that you are in your life right now, things aren't looking so good. There are a lot of things that are happening in your life, and you need a little something to help put things in perspective for you.

If you find it hard to get to sleep tonight, think of the homeless family who has no bed.
If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair think of the people in this world who have no automobile.
If you have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for 3 months.
If you despair over a relationship that is in trouble, think of the person who has never known
what it is like to love and be loved.
If you are grieved with your boss, because he won't let you work a 4 day work week so that you
can have a 3 day weekend, think about the woman who works 12 hours a day, 7 days a week,
just to have enough money to put food on the table for her children.
If you are frustrated because your car broke down a mile from your destination, think of
the paraplegic that would give anything to make that walk.
Should you notice a gray hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient, who is going through chemotherapy, who wishes they had some hair to examine.
When you are sick and tired of your children's messes, think of the parents who just buried their child because of a terminal illness.
When you find yourself discouraged because you can't figure out what your life's calling is - be thankful - because there are those who didn't get to live long enough to even think about it.
If you wish your children would just sit down and be quiet - think of the single mom, who has just been given the news, that there is nothing else they can do for her 6 year old who has leukemia.
And last but certainly not least, if you find yourself the victim of another person's bitterness, ignorance, smallness, or insecurities, remember things could be worse - you could be that person.

Hopefully this helps put "the little things" into perspective. Be thankful!

Walking with the King, Sandy

Sealed with God's Spirit

I am so thankful for great devotionals that put me in my place and remind me of my place in Christ.

I had one today that really hit me between the eyes. I want to share it, because I am sure that I am not the only person that needs this right now.

You are sealed with God's Spirit
Ephesians 1:13 "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your slavation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."

My Prayer for Today: Lord, I am so thankful that You have sealed and guaranteed me! Forgive me for those times when I speak badly of myself, judge and condemn myself, or put myself down in front of others. I should be proud or and thanful for who I am, because the blood of Jesus has cleansed and redeemed me. You were so convinced that I was free of defects that You sealed me with Your Spirit, giving me Your ultimate seal of approval. Help me appreciate that great work You have done inside me! Thank you for guaranteeing, overseeing, and assuring me that no force on earth and no demonic powers can stop me from arriving at my ultimate heavenly destination. I pray this in Jesus' name!

My confession for Today: I confess that I am "sealed" with the Holy Spirit. My contents are intact and in order. I am approved, endorsed, recognized, affirmed, sanctified, and notarized by the Spirit of God. Because God has "sealed" me, it is guaranteed that I am going to make it to my final destination. When demons see the seal of God on me, they know they are not to mess around with me! I am a special package, to be treated with special care. Angels watch over me, and guard my safe passage from one place to the next. Evil forces may attempt to mess with me, but the seal of God guarantees that I'll arrive safely and complete! I declare this by faith in Jesus' name!

365 Days of Power by Rick Renner - Harrison House Publications

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This is probably one of the greatest devotionals that I have ever used, and I have used a lot. - LOL Today I needed this confession!!!! I am excited for what God is going to show me, and do through me, as I journey towards my final destination with Him. Like I said, I'm sure that I am not the only one that needs this today - so please apply it to your life if necessary.

Walking with the King, Sandy

The invitation

The Invitation
It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for,
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream,
for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow,
if you have been opened by life's betrayals
or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain!
I want to know if you can sit with pain,
mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own,
if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic,
to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul;
if you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see beauty even when it's not pretty, every day,
and if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes!”
It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.
It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

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I got this "writing" from a friend and it has really made me stop and think about what we look for in friendship, and what is most important. I wrote a few weeks ago about fighting for a friendship and my friend who is deciding what to do with her marriage. As she and I sat and talked last night, she told me that she was done, thru, and that she was okay with that. As she shared, the one thing that she said was "I'm loosing me - I worked so hard to become someone I liked, and I don't want to lose me." As she shared more of the gory details, I wanted to insert my opinion, but instead I just listened - and by the time she was done, I had to agree, that it probably is best that they split, at least for now - because the kids don't need to be raised in an environment of constant fighting.

When I got home, I thought of this poem and had to read it again. It has made me think about me, and do I fit into this 'mold', and it made me think of others that are in my life, and are they toxic relationships, or ones that really bring out the best in who I am and who God has called me to be. Didn't sleep much last night, because soul searching, has a tendancy to do that. Sat at the computer this morning at about 2am - and the words just didn't blend - but now my fingers are dancing on the keys, as my brain is over-riding the emotions.

This "invitation" is important to me for several reasons. It gives me something to "shoot for" as I realize the importance of the words. Is this the kind of person that I am, I'm not there yet, but I can say that I think I am well on the road to being the person that God is calling me to be - one that likes themselves, and doesn't loose themselves to be someone else, just to have a friend. I am learning I can be honest about myself and "take off the mask" and if people don't accept me for who I am - that is their loss. It also gives me a yardstick to measure by. What kind of people do I surround myself with, healthy ones, or toxic ones? Now please don't think that people that are going thru a rough time, are toxic people - usually they are the most healthy ones, because they are actually able to be honest with themselves. Then there are some people, they seem to really have their "stuff" together, and they are as unhealthy and toxic as they can be, but don't see it. Bob Marley is quoted as saying, "Truth is, everybody is going to hurt you; you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for." With God's help, I am starting to weed out those people in my life that aren't worth suffering for - thus "toxic" people. Those that drain me, never giving back, those who are "takers and users", thinking of themselves. I want to surround myself with people who are "true" friends, in the good the bad and the ugly - those that push me to be all that God wants me to be, as I encourage them to do the same.

Lord, help me to be the person that You want me to be - knowing that You judge me from the inside out. Help me to remember that, when dealing with people - that they are important to You, for their Soul value, and nothing else. Remind me how to be a light, in the midst of struggles and pain, to my world. In the quietness of the moments - calm my spirit, and remind me of Your never failing love, and Your ever present Spirit. And too, for those of my friends, who are struggling right now, give them an extra dose of Your Love and Mercy and Grace.

In Jesus Name - Amen.

Just a few of my thoughts this Sunday morning.

Walking with the King, Sandy