SHARE

So I know this may not be a poem but it has something that I have been thinking about sometime now and I just want to share it. We go to church, hear an amazing message and you leave thinking "wow that really spoke to me, I really want to do all those thing he talked about." But then the conversation changes to "im hungry, are we going to go out and spend money or go home and eat?" Then, well you make think about it a few times more and then... NO ACTION! I am guilty of this, just like everyone else. Habits, routines, schedules, kids, husbands, wives, friends etc. The only way we are going to take these things into action is spending time with our Lord and Savior and praying all day long! So that was one thing I have been thinking a lot about... Another thing is... the lost... everywhere I go I can't help but think about all those people that don't have a relationship with Jesus. And yes you can be a nice person and be an example, but if you don't speak up how will they know that its fruit from the Holy Spirit you are producing?? Just talking about this right now makes me want to weep! "Why Lord am I always thinking about myself??" There are lost people out there and sharing Christ with them is way more important than worrying about things God has already promised He would provide! I am not worthy of anything but Jesus died for me so I can have LIFE.. and the person next to me is dying! Why am I wasting my life here on earth trying to make myself feel better when I have been given eternal life??? So I have been on a mission! I have been praying for opportunities to share with anyone God puts in my path. And guess what?? He gives those opportunities. Just the other day I was getting my nails done and the girl doing my nails was talking to me and God put on my heart.."Share with her".. and so i begin to ask her questions about church and learned that she is from Vietnam and her mother made her promise her that she is to never go to another type of church other than Catholic. So her whole life she felt like she had to obey her. Sad... but interesting. I shared with her a little of my testimony and told her how my relationship with God is what saved me. And then asked her to go to church and even tho she wanted to she felt like she couldn't. So then I asked her if she had a bible at home and she does! I encouraged her to pray to God.. no one else, just God asking Him to speak to her as she reads the bible. And she seemed so happy!... "thank you Lord!" I prayed. The perfect opportunity... she was stuck there for a little while doing my nails and so I got her full attention. Even though I listened to God that time doesn't mean I do it every time. One time I saw a very friendly lady at home depot in the paint section, she asked if i was waiting and then made sure i got the paint I wanted (she didn't work there :-), then the very next day I saw the same lady at the grocery store!! Mason was with me but he was doing surprisingly well, and God kept tell me... "talk to her.. share with her." We saw each other, talked and nothing! A few aisles later I saw her again.. and nothing!!! I left praying, "Lord use someone else to share with her, since I missed my opportunity." And He will. But I was bummed, but it made me that much more excited. A couple weeks ago I shared with a girl I met at a jewelry party and she commit ed her life to Lord right then and there!!! It was the most amazing thing! God used me! But if we pray for that opportunity to share and pray for a heart for the lost he will do it!!! So please don't waste anymore time. Share with your neighbors! Ask them if they attend church somewhere... or whatever God puts on your heart. He will give you the words and strength because this is why we are here, to be used by Him. Love God and love people! If you read this, great! I hope I didn't bore you! :-) Just a nice way for me to share what is on my heart :-)

WAITING

Do you sometimes feel as though you are just waiting? Do you not feel God's presence even though you are reading your bible and praying everyday? Are you facing something difficult and feel as if you are all along? In my hardships and times where I feel like there is no end to the heartache, the Lord was asking me to show what trust is by waiting. "Okay God I trust you, can this be over now?" No because He wants us to find rest in Him, not when everything is going well. Through the last few years I have learned that practicing this really makes you stronger. Waiting may be God's will for you right now so that you can grow closer to Him and He can make you stronger! So rest and be thankful when He brings you though times like these.

I laid it down in silence,
This work of mine,
And took what had been sent me--
A resting time.
The Master's voice had called me
To rest apart;
"Apart with Jesus only,"
Echoed my heart.

I took the rest and stillness
From His own Hand,
And felt this present illness
Was what He planned.
How often we choose labor,
When He says "Rest"--
Our ways are blind and crooked;
His way is best.

The work Himself has given,
He will complete.
There may be other errands
For tired feet;
There may be other duties
For tired hands,
The present, is obedience
To His commands.

There is a blessed resting
In lying still,
In letting His hand mold us,
Just as He will.
His work must be completed.
His lesson set;
He is the higher Workman:
Do not forget!

It is not only "working."
We must be trained;
And Jesus "learnt" obedience,
Through suffering gained.
For us, His yoke is easy,
His burden light.
His discipline most needful,
And all is right.

We are but under-workmen;
They never choose
If this tool or if that one
Their hands shall use.
In working or in waiting
May we fulfill
Not ours at all, but only
The Master's will!
--Selected

All thing God works out for the good of those who love Him. Romans 8:28

So since my last post a lot has happened. Mike was still unemployed and i went on disability early and had Mason November 2, 2009. Through that time we lived on very little money and did our best to trust God to provide. As the months went on He showed himself that He is faithful! Even though we had no idea how the bills were going to be paid, God gave us peace because we new that we were being taken care of. Through this hardship God taught us so many things. For one, to be smart with money and get of debt!!! Two, to always trust in Him no matter what, with Him he will never give us more than we can handle. Three, we learned to love each other the way God wants us to! So as of last week (April 2nd) Mike got a job working at the Penny Saver doing web design. Praise the Lord. And after I had Mason I was let go from my job and is blessed to stay home with Him and collect unemployment! Praise the Lord again!!! So here is a poem that I came across that made me think of my situation and how God made all things good for those who love Him.

In a factory building there are wheels and gearings,

There are cranks and pulleys, belt either tight or slack—

Some are whirling swiftly, some are turning slowly,

Some are thrusting forward, some are pulling back;

Some are smooth and silent, some are rough and noisy,

Pounding, rattling, clanking, moving with a jerk;

***

In a wild confusion in a seeming chaos,

Lifting, pushing, driving—but they do their work.

From the mightiest lever to the tiniest pinion,

All things move together for the purpose planned;

And behind the working is a mind controlling,

And a force directing, and a guiding hand.

***

So all things are working for the Lord’s beloved;

Some things might be hurtful if alone they stood;

Some might seem to hinder; some might draw us backward;

But they work together, and they work for good,

All the thwarted longings, all the stern denials,

All the contradictions, hard to understand.

And the force that holds them, speeds them and retards them,

Stops and starts and guides them—is our Father’s hand.
Annie Johnson Flint

Grandpa Olson went to be with Jesus

Grandpa

As I stand up here and mourn that you are gone

I remember what you said in your last days

As Paul wrote to the Philippians, “ For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you for your progress and joy of faith that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.”

Philippians 1:23-25

You so badly wanted to stay and see your grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up.

But your ultimate desire was to be with Christ in Heaven.

As a child growing up I got to know you as a grandfather who truly loved me.

As an adult, in the last two years I got to know you as a man of God.

You were an example of the two most important things,

You loved God with all your heart soul and mind,

And you loved others.

You were devoted and looked forward to going to church every Sunday.

You even went with me and sat in for two services as I served in the children’s ministry.

You never missed a family get together and your face just lit up when you were around the little ones.

I will never forget when Rory asked you to put her shoes on, you were so fragile, but you did it with compassion.

You never complained about anything instead you were always thankful.

You were fun with all your one liners “fit as a fiddle” and your teasing,

Chasing me with your long arms and trying to cheat while we played Yahtzee.

You were a faithful husband, a loving father, a playful grandfather and great grandfather and a man of integrity, a man of God.

I am going to miss you so much as I grow up and live after your example,

But ultimately I am going to look forward to being with Christ in heaven and seeing you again.

I will love you and remember you always,

Your granddaughter, Bryanna

My Mommy, My Daddy

This blog is one that means a lot to me. Its about my relationship with my mother and father. They may not know this but I love them very much!!! I have gone through a lot with them. I know I haven't always been the greatest... if anything I have been a big pain in the BUTT!!! I hurt right now just knowing what I have put them through. This poem came to me because just recently I spent time with them and even though I was going through a hard time, it was the biggest blessing. The poem is about a time when I was so mad at them I told them I never wanted to see them again. And this was not that long ago. This is my heart... Hurt, asking for forgiveness.

My mommy, my daddy
I have caused you so much pain
Thinking only of myself, I passed the blame
I have been trying to find a way to understand
But I can't see the picture of God's plan.
My mommy, my daddy
I don't think I can live with out you
I know because of me your breaking in two
With tears running down my face
I have been changed by God's grace
My mommy, my daddy
Please forgive me for the way that I have treated you
I love you so much, I wish you knew
I pray that you see Jesus in me
I know that God has huge plans, just wait and see
My mommy, my daddy
I am not going anywhere
Being with out you is too much to bare

Please forgive me!

PATIENCE

This does not include a poem, but I still wanted to share it. I was in the word the other night and an old memory verse came to mind.

"God blesses people who patiently endure testing, afterward they with
receive the crown of life that God promises to those who love him."

James 1:12

This verse spoke to me in so many ways and the thing that stood out the most to me was patience!
We all know it is so hard to have patience when we go through trials so I needed to brainstorm some things that I need to think about and do to help me have patience... this is what I came up with.

1. Eliminate insecurities
   
2. Ask for strength
3. Trust that God is really there to help
4. Live by principle, not by pride
5. Pray constantly
6. Listen to God's instructions and do what He says!!!
7. Do not complain... be thankful instead
8. Seek prayer from your brothers and sisters in Christ
9. Constantly lift up others
10. Admit you are weak
11. Ask for forgiveness
    
12. Control your tongue
13. Put others before yourself
14. Lean not on your understanding
15. and Trust only God to lead you!!!

Please add to the list and as a family we can help each other to be patient in times of testing and in the midst of trials.

DIFFICULTY

Difficulty is something we all go through and I have spent too much time throwing a pitty party for myself. God has been knocking on my heart over and over and I have finally answered! Praise God. Here is a poem that I wrote about difficulty and how God uses it. I hope it touches you.

Difficulty... everything is associated with it.

A break up that led to feeling the Lord's presence and Jesus' touch.

Betrayal by friends that was healed by an amazing fellowship.

Depression and barely holding on that was replaced with an indescribable peace.

Being all alone to having a best friend that is in every way perfect.

Abuse that still needs healing but is promised to be used mightily.

A miscarriage that was unexpected, created a huge heart for God's precious children.

A broken marriage that is too painful to bare but then Jesus romances and chases his bride.

Having no money, and not knowing whats to come, tests our faith; He promises to provide.

The lose of a loved one became the motive to share the word with everyone.

Difficulty... everything is associated with it...

but with CHRIST its always worth it!!!