A Simple Phrase

He spoke it, I heard it, then I did it.

It was one of the most powerful phrases I have ever heard in my entire life.
He didn't say it the first time I went to him, nor did he give me the eternal nugget the second time that I called.
The tenth time I called him with questions he spoke this life changing message, a few potent words when acted upon.

"You need to read the Bible, then you will know what to believe."

Over thirty years have passed since those words were spoken to me. It has been nearly that many years since I last saw him . . . until the other day.

We were at the funeral of my mom's best friend, a celebration of eternal life.

I beckoned him when I saw his face as he stepped over the threshold of the church.

"I am indebted to you for eternity. You spoke a simple phrase that has altered my life. I am forever grateful!"

I reminded him of my story, of the tenth time when I called him on my quest for truth. Then I told him that I have read through the Bible so many times that I have lost count. It doesn't matter to me any longer how many times, I just want to know it better, know Jesus better.

A few people have been touched by the Word because that phrase was spoken to me. Might there be more?

I cannot express strongly enough the importance of that simple phrase. It was like a pebble dropped in a deep sea, the ripples it created continue to seek rest at the shore. Indefinitely they roll.

Thanking him has reminded me of a lot of things. Foremost, it has renewed a prayer in my heart . . . "Lord, give me power-phrases that will impact Your kingdom for eternity. Amen."

Communion

We meet at the table, Bibles open, His supper on our minds.
Fellowship is sweet and full. Ministry flows from one heart to the other. Encouragement. The Lord has been working in our midst, touching the poor and helpless, lifting needy hearts with words of hope. We have seen it. We share.
Wealth of Word, wisdom rich words, pass one to the other. Hearts receive. Hollow of soul, filled. Thirst quenched.
We bow our heads and pray searching our own hearts, asking the Lord for a cleansing. Asking Spirit to find the wrong in our hearts, seeking revelation, the mirror of our soul. "Come Holy Spirit," we pray. Even the children still their chatter. Holiness settles in the room. We are baptized with His presence. Silently we confess.
We take the broken bread and give thanks for His broken body. Broken for us. We proclaim His death. The Father hears us testify. "He was broken for me. "
We lift our cups that symbolizes His blood. The juice, symbolic of the spilled righteous blood of Christ, the blood of the Lamb that was slain to save us, we pray and thank the Father for the blood of His Son. We drink this holy emblem together.
The obedient act of remembrance of Him brings a spirit of joy.
Happiness fills the room. Celebration! We must sing now! We must sing!
Song rises, praise is lifted high.

"What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus!
What can make me whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Oh, precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow, no
other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus!"

There is twinkle in the eyes of the little ones.
The partakers have been strengthened, renewed, blessed until we meet again next week.

Ministry

I have been trying to find my place.

Where do I belong?

Write a book?

Speak? Where? When? To whom?

Youth?

The prisoner?

The mom, the wife, the single woman?

I don't know for sure.

So I pray and pray and pray.

The ministry of intercession is hidden in cocoon of transformation.

I go to work day after day learning the ministry of kindness.

Oh, to be kind to those who are not kind. There are those who cannot be kind. They hurt.

Perhaps my words can bring healing to body, mind, soul, spirit. Let is be so, God.

I long to brush the back of my hand along the cheek of the orphan, wipe their tears away, and give them hope.

My heart yearns to visit the homeless in cities devastated by storms. Offer them my hand of service, my heartfelt prayers, hope for future days.

Ah, the biggest dream, to have my family, my adult children, all circled around me desiring another Bible story and prayer. I would begin the story but midway, relinquish my chair to one of them, to carry on.

This ministry I am involved in looks so different from times past. It has evolved into new places, new people, new ways. I am being stretched into it. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but when the cocoon is opened and my new wings are exposed it will be obvious that I have not been alone in the hidden place. The One who makes all things beautiful, in time, He is with me.

Miah

He yelled my name with sounds of glee when he spotted me walking toward the kitchen door where his little nose was pressed. I can't think of anyone in my whole life that gets excited like that when they see me. I lowered myself to look at him, his twinkle blues even with mine, but he was ready for hugs. After a quick but convincing embrace, he took my face in his little hands, looked into my eyes and said, "kiss!" then planted a moisture enhanced big one on my cheek. A holy kiss. I smiled the rest of the day!

This little man is joy on two feet! He has a joy wiggle in every step he takes! Delight defines him. Adorable! Wonderful! So much fun! Energy, busy . . . yes!

I honestly cannot get enough of him.

My encounter with Miah changed my whole day. Knowing him might possibly change my whole life. The joy wiggle is contagious. I splashed a jolly spirit all over a whole lot of people. Oh, the power of it!

I am heading back over to visit Miah tomorrow to see if I can catch it again!

Thirst

"He forever changed the lives of his children because he stayed thirsty." News Reporter speaking of Hashim Khan World renown Squash Player


Oh, God, let this be said of me! That would be my eternal plea.

Let my thirst for You influence the generations who follow me.

Let their footsteps run toward your altar, that place of joy where You reveal Your face, the deep well that never runs dry.

My heart is settled down and satisfied with the magnitude of Your greatest gift . . . my salvation . . .

thirst for eternal life, quenched.

But the thirst for the abundance of You in my life, Your righteousness, I am forever stirred, longing, always desiring another cup.

I bow before the well of salvation, with face to the ground, drink deeply from the water of life. You offer.  You fill.

Let these words be said in future days:

"She forever changed the lives of her children because she stayed thirsty . . . for more of God." spoken by My Children and their Children.


Give me grace to live a life that thirsts after You . . . forever!

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

The Embrace of God, Husband, and Wife

Morning breaks.
We rise.
He holds out his arms to me, I accept the invitation, and step into his embrace.
I rest my head against his shoulder and he begins to utter prayer.
My words are quiet, yet spoken underneath his. Whispers of agreement echo his heartcry.
He prays for me, then for us.
Our children, one by one, brought before God. We name them and ask
the Lord's blessing on them. Then ask specifically, the things they have need of.
It is nearly the same every day, the prayer that we pray, and yet it is always new, fresh, and empowering.
We begin every new day touching God with our agreement. We press into an invisible triangle.
We have survived many storms under this invisible canopy . . . our God.
He has kept us together.
Our heartbeats are synchronized in these precious moments.
We rejoice in our God, our Maker. He who declared we should be one.
And we thank Him . . . each day.
He hears our prayers and praise, the harmony of our voices touch the heart of God.