Last night on our way home, we stopped and picked up our grandbabies, Jillian, 6 and Nolan, 5. What a blessing to spend the last day of the year and last day of this decade, with them; I can only imagine what they will witness, in this world during the decades to come in their lives.
Actually, I`m glad that I`m turning 60 in March, I`m so blessed to live knowing that I will live eternally with Jesus our Savior; it took five decades before this "precious gift" became a reality for me. Thank you God, thank you God for your unconditional patience and love!
Ezekiel 11:19-20 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
During my time of unemployment, I have many weeks and hours to ponder the events of this last decade, the new millennium! Knowing that God has big plans for me, I can just envision Him shaking His head, thinking is Linda Ann ever going to get it! God must have called all angel`s, front and center to work overtime, ten years ago when He finally got my attention.
Luke 15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Coming to faith is different for everyone, some are born into families of great faith and it is just a slow natural progression. In my case, even though my family believed in God, we had no real relationship with Him. I grew up knowing about Him, but not "KNOWING HIM." Sure, during my childhood there where times when I flirted with God, but I failed to reach for His hand and hold on tight!
So what happened in the last decade? Slowly, with unwavering dedication, once God got my attention, He relentlessly became my persuader; often taking out his divine baseball bat and whacking me in the head! Constantly using the events of my life to strengthen, teach, nurture and draw me into a closer relationship with Him .
What were the events? March 15, 2001, I celebrated my 50th birthday, without my mother; she died on July 23 2000. That gave me a real shot of reality! Why am I here, what have I done and what am I supposed to do with the rest of my life?
Hum,what else, a gigantic family feud, 9/11, the death of two very dear friends, joining a local church, changing careers, starting a new business, beginning of sobriety walk, birth of grandbabies, loosing two more dear friends, loosing the new business, fearing my husband`s health issues, financial deviation and finally the most important thing that I`ve done in my entire life! In the privacy of my own bedroom, on my knees I finally surrendered my life to God the Father, begging Him to remove the burdens that I could no longer carry! HE HEARD MY CRY......THANK YOU, GOD! Jesus, lived and died on the cross for the forgiveness of my sins, I finally get it!
What an incredible journey, it`s a new year, a new decade, what are God`s plans for the next year, the new decade, only He knows! I will never let go of His hand, as I anxiously await each and every new day! AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL, MAY THE PEACE OF GOD THE FATHER BE YOURS NOW AND FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Job 19:25-27 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---I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Not My Will Day 254
As the end of the year is rapidly approaching I have found myself in a time of great reflection. Not only is the year ending, but we are entering a new decade; how quickly the past ten years have passed. The older I get, the faster times flies, in my younger years I never appreciated the true meaning of that phrase. I definitely get it now!
James 4:14-15 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord`s will, we will live to do this or that."
If it is the Lord`s will, not my will, but the will of the Lord. During the past ten years, the clarity of those five little words have come to life with a powerful impact on my very existence. I now find it very difficult to fathom, that for fifty years on this earth, I thought that I was in control of my life.
Living and loving only to satisfy my own selfish earthly desires. Sure I was a good person, treated people with love and respect but.... Never missing what I did not have; an intimate person relationship with my savior Jesus Christ. Thank you God, for the people, places and things in the past decade that lead me to your open arms. The open arms of true peace, love and joy; the very things I could not find alone.
1 John 2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. AMEN!
James 4:14-15 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord`s will, we will live to do this or that."
If it is the Lord`s will, not my will, but the will of the Lord. During the past ten years, the clarity of those five little words have come to life with a powerful impact on my very existence. I now find it very difficult to fathom, that for fifty years on this earth, I thought that I was in control of my life.
Living and loving only to satisfy my own selfish earthly desires. Sure I was a good person, treated people with love and respect but.... Never missing what I did not have; an intimate person relationship with my savior Jesus Christ. Thank you God, for the people, places and things in the past decade that lead me to your open arms. The open arms of true peace, love and joy; the very things I could not find alone.
1 John 2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. AMEN!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Habits and Routines Day 253
Our habits and routines can produce either positive or negative effects in our lives! The habit of drinking alcohol, over the years, opened the door to a life of dependency and addiction. Carrying on a family defect that has effected generations in my family. However, as I have shared many times, the bondage of addiction is now in the process of being overtaken by faith, hope and sobriety. First there was one, now there are three!
Psalms 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
In His time, God has proven that He is answering my prayers. I thank Him for his faithfullness; I also thank him for nurturing and developing my patience and understanding of His LOVE!
Isaiah 49:8-9 This is what the LORD says; "In time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, "Come out, and to those in darkness, "Be Free!"
Five months ago when I was doing my Little Debbie job, I had acquired some good habits and routines. As I drove my big brown truck, I was as alone with God in the privacy of my traveling sanctuary. I opened each day in prayer, praising, requesting and thanking God the Father for each new day. Often speaking out loud and having many, many conversation with Him through-out my delivery day.
I felt connected, loved and constantly aware of His presences; it was as if others also felt his presences, as I often shared and prayed this total strangers. It`s a joy to got back and read some of these precious memories.
Much to my dismay, I have slowly fallen away from my faithfullness to daily prayer. My routine has changed; life as, an at home wife and caregiver, during my hubbies surgery recovery, has taken time from my dedication to prayer. It has taken months, slowly but surely my prayer life has suffered.
Yes I still pray, but my mind and soul desire to reconnect, something is missing. What am I going to be about it? Change my routine, get back to the committed and devoted time of prayer. I thank God, for my free will and for my sincere desire to desire HIM.
Psalm 18:1-3 I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliver; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuse. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to he LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. AMEN!
Psalms 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
In His time, God has proven that He is answering my prayers. I thank Him for his faithfullness; I also thank him for nurturing and developing my patience and understanding of His LOVE!
Isaiah 49:8-9 This is what the LORD says; "In time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, "Come out, and to those in darkness, "Be Free!"
Five months ago when I was doing my Little Debbie job, I had acquired some good habits and routines. As I drove my big brown truck, I was as alone with God in the privacy of my traveling sanctuary. I opened each day in prayer, praising, requesting and thanking God the Father for each new day. Often speaking out loud and having many, many conversation with Him through-out my delivery day.
I felt connected, loved and constantly aware of His presences; it was as if others also felt his presences, as I often shared and prayed this total strangers. It`s a joy to got back and read some of these precious memories.
Much to my dismay, I have slowly fallen away from my faithfullness to daily prayer. My routine has changed; life as, an at home wife and caregiver, during my hubbies surgery recovery, has taken time from my dedication to prayer. It has taken months, slowly but surely my prayer life has suffered.
Yes I still pray, but my mind and soul desire to reconnect, something is missing. What am I going to be about it? Change my routine, get back to the committed and devoted time of prayer. I thank God, for my free will and for my sincere desire to desire HIM.
Psalm 18:1-3 I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliver; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuse. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to he LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. AMEN!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Reflections Week 37
Thank you God. for the birth and incredible gift of your Son, JESUS CHRIST. Thank you for the HOPE and PEACE for the days to come.
This is the day that the LORD has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. AMEN!
This is the day that the LORD has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. AMEN!
Peace Returned Day 252
Thank you God, for the return of my inner peace, was I slightly off center, because of a the yearning for family and friends that I miss so dearly especially during the Christmas season. Thank you for the wonderful memories and the ability to recall them.
Luke 24:36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
I must confess, that before the development of my intimate personal relationship with Jesus, I would have allowed Satan to draw me into to his lies. Enticing me deeper and deeper into his deceitful embrace. Ephesians 4:27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
Job 1:12 The Lord said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
For many years, I did not truly understand of power and presence of Satan. Without godly wisdom, I battled the principalities of evil, alone! Satan attacks us spiritually by trying to weaken and destroy our faith in God.
James 1:13-16 When tempted, no one should say,"God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
In the past months of my unemployment, I have reflected with great intensity the past decade of my life; I thank God for this gift of time. Events, death of family members and friends have greatly increased my faith in God and lead me to His word.
It is my prayer for the new year, that He will continue to draw me closer and closer to Him, opening my heart and mind with Godly wisdom and confidence to share His word.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your heart. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk the road, when you lie down and get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your house and on your gates.
Luke 24:36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
I must confess, that before the development of my intimate personal relationship with Jesus, I would have allowed Satan to draw me into to his lies. Enticing me deeper and deeper into his deceitful embrace. Ephesians 4:27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
Job 1:12 The Lord said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
For many years, I did not truly understand of power and presence of Satan. Without godly wisdom, I battled the principalities of evil, alone! Satan attacks us spiritually by trying to weaken and destroy our faith in God.
James 1:13-16 When tempted, no one should say,"God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
In the past months of my unemployment, I have reflected with great intensity the past decade of my life; I thank God for this gift of time. Events, death of family members and friends have greatly increased my faith in God and lead me to His word.
It is my prayer for the new year, that He will continue to draw me closer and closer to Him, opening my heart and mind with Godly wisdom and confidence to share His word.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your heart. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk the road, when you lie down and get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your house and on your gates.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
CHRISTMAS 2011 Day 251
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS! The reason for celebrations on this day will never change!
THE GREATEST COMMANDMENTS:
Jesus replied; "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like this;"Love your neighbor as yourself."
MERRY CHRISTMAS, AMEN!
THE GREATEST COMMANDMENTS:
Jesus replied; "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like this;"Love your neighbor as yourself."
MERRY CHRISTMAS, AMEN!
Friday, December 24, 2010
July 23, 2000 Day 250
Sunday July 23th the day that the doctor warned me about, the day that my mother pasted from this life, to live eternally in the presence of Jesus. Mom had a bleeding ulcer that ruptured causing her death. Months earlier doctors discover this ulcer, advising surgery to correct the problem.
In spite of her Alzheimer effected mind, my mother made the decision not to have the surgery. I can still her her saying, "Linda, I`m 75 years old and I`m NOT going to have another surgery!" "Do I really want to correct this problem; only to be sitting in a corner going blag, blag, blag, blag...., not knowing what day it is , or where I am? Totaling depending on someone for my daily care!"
Mom was still lucid enough to realize the truth, yes the ulcer could be corrected but, the surgery would more than likely accelerate the progression of her Alzheimer`s. Lamentations 3:17 I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. (Co-ink-dink, mom died in room #317???)
After numerous agonizing conversations with family, doctors and nurses, together we finally agreed that mom would not have the surgery. She and my step-dad moved in with Rick and I and we were committed to make the best of our situation.
Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
After only 3 short months the inevitable happened; on a beautiful July day, the family of Mabel Frazer loving gathered around their dying mother. It was such a blessing from God for our entire family, brothers, sisters, spouse`s, grandchildren and great-grandchildren where at her bed side for that final farewell. Thank you, God!
The most astonished thing happened, mom was looking at each of us with eye to eye contact. I had missed the love in her eyes for years, she had lost this precious gift, to her disease. There were so many parts of her that had been robbed from each of us. She had slowly become a shell of the loving caring mother that we had known all of our lives. I missed and mourned her long before this day!
The hospital pastor joined us as we shared his reading of mom`s favorite, The 23rd Psalm, The Lord is my Shepperd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name`s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the day of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Mom`s lip gently moved as she tried to recited her favorite psalm.
With out a doubt this was the most difficult day of our lives, I tried to quickly exit the room, I could no longer hold back the overwhelming outburst of tears. My sister-in-law, Mary stopped me. No don`t go Mom wants you...with amazing strength mom sat up in bed, grabbed my hand, looked me in the eyes and said, "are you O.K.?"
What a precious gift. My mother was dying, but she wanted to know that I was O.K! Ten years later, as I reflect on this day, we truly witnessed Jesus Christ in that hospital room. No doubt, the room was filled with God`s angels reaching out to each of us! We had all witnessed unconditional LOVE. What a precious memory that opened the doors of my heart and mind to allow God`s prevenient grace to touch my life. God`s, grace, mercy, love and His son JESUS CHRIST are the ultimate gift each and every day of our lives.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day---and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
As Christians it is our privilege and responsibility to share the good news of JESUS CHRIST to all the world. Amen..................MERRY CHRISTMAS!
In spite of her Alzheimer effected mind, my mother made the decision not to have the surgery. I can still her her saying, "Linda, I`m 75 years old and I`m NOT going to have another surgery!" "Do I really want to correct this problem; only to be sitting in a corner going blag, blag, blag, blag...., not knowing what day it is , or where I am? Totaling depending on someone for my daily care!"
Mom was still lucid enough to realize the truth, yes the ulcer could be corrected but, the surgery would more than likely accelerate the progression of her Alzheimer`s. Lamentations 3:17 I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. (Co-ink-dink, mom died in room #317???)
After numerous agonizing conversations with family, doctors and nurses, together we finally agreed that mom would not have the surgery. She and my step-dad moved in with Rick and I and we were committed to make the best of our situation.
Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
After only 3 short months the inevitable happened; on a beautiful July day, the family of Mabel Frazer loving gathered around their dying mother. It was such a blessing from God for our entire family, brothers, sisters, spouse`s, grandchildren and great-grandchildren where at her bed side for that final farewell. Thank you, God!
The most astonished thing happened, mom was looking at each of us with eye to eye contact. I had missed the love in her eyes for years, she had lost this precious gift, to her disease. There were so many parts of her that had been robbed from each of us. She had slowly become a shell of the loving caring mother that we had known all of our lives. I missed and mourned her long before this day!
The hospital pastor joined us as we shared his reading of mom`s favorite, The 23rd Psalm, The Lord is my Shepperd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name`s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the day of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Mom`s lip gently moved as she tried to recited her favorite psalm.
With out a doubt this was the most difficult day of our lives, I tried to quickly exit the room, I could no longer hold back the overwhelming outburst of tears. My sister-in-law, Mary stopped me. No don`t go Mom wants you...with amazing strength mom sat up in bed, grabbed my hand, looked me in the eyes and said, "are you O.K.?"
What a precious gift. My mother was dying, but she wanted to know that I was O.K! Ten years later, as I reflect on this day, we truly witnessed Jesus Christ in that hospital room. No doubt, the room was filled with God`s angels reaching out to each of us! We had all witnessed unconditional LOVE. What a precious memory that opened the doors of my heart and mind to allow God`s prevenient grace to touch my life. God`s, grace, mercy, love and His son JESUS CHRIST are the ultimate gift each and every day of our lives.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day---and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
As Christians it is our privilege and responsibility to share the good news of JESUS CHRIST to all the world. Amen..................MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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