Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 68,999
|
Post by Murph on Jan 6, 2008 19:44:24 GMT -6
The church I belong to is about 15 miles from my home and the drive over is very beautiful so I always enjoy driving to and from church. The road is an old one that winds and curves through the countryside past farms and fields. Last Sunday I was blessed to see something very beautiful and suprising.
Out in a corn field several acres large...were hundreds of Canadian Geese. They stretched out as far as I could see. Out in the middle of all those geese stood one pure white Goose.
I had been asking the Lord a question and that one white goose seems to have been the answer. In this life we are just one of millions and millions of people. Because of Jesus we become like that goose...in those millions and millions of people we seem to stand out.
I have been troubled of late. Heard a young preacher tell someone that if we are saved then we "feel" God's presence and power all the time. I differed with him on that and told him that isn't so and went on to explain. When I drew his fire I remembered that one white goose standing out in the corn field.
Faith is believing even when you can't "feel" God's presence and His power. Faith is knowing that even when we can't for one reson or another, "feel" God's presence or Power...it is knowing beyond any shadow of doubt...the Lord is with us and will be to the end.
Then He sends His angels to see us home.
I smiled at the young preacher, chalked it up to his young age...and let it go.
He'll learn one dark night in his own journey and will remember, I pray, what I told him. You don't give up, you pray, stay in the word, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
And I am one white goose...not pure white mind you...just one white goose out in the fields.
From a cave on Higher Ground, Amen.
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 68,999
|
Post by Murph on Jan 6, 2008 20:21:28 GMT -6
This from Lamentations 3 is where I found the peace, strength and hope to go on one dark and bitter cold night, deep in a valley.
"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him."
Amen.
|
|
|
Post by faith65 on Jan 6, 2008 20:56:23 GMT -6
This spoke to me....thank you ,Marilyn, for your strength.....
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 68,999
|
Post by Murph on Jan 6, 2008 22:01:14 GMT -6
I am thankful...
I pray for Grace and Peace for you, Marilyn
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 68,999
|
Post by Murph on Jan 9, 2008 20:04:37 GMT -6
Coming to the cave tonight like Elijah. Going to the very back and pull my mantle over my head. It has been a rough 24 hours. I have prayed to the Lord for the grace and strength to do the work.
Dealing with the children and their families is difficult enough but the systems have gotten so cumbersome that efforts have to be doubled and redoubled. Nothing is easy or clear cut any more. State and federal regulations have made things very complicated. The days of probation work have been replaced with case managment and data entry. Everything is riding on the crest of current theories, coming wave after wave, are "outcome based," and one size fits all. The children are falling thru the cracks and getting lost in the crunch and numbers.
Today started with one crisis, had multiple crisis in the middle and ended with the same crisis it started with. Tomorrow may prove to be tougher than today.
Two more years...Lord give me the strength to go two more years. Then if there is any way, can I leave and go do something else?
That is my prayer.
From the back of a cave on Higher Ground, Amen.
|
|
|
Post by Caretaker on Jan 9, 2008 22:25:32 GMT -6
May our Father envelope you in His awesome love, and minister peace, comfort, and may He renew your spirit and bless your precious heart. May He grant you strength, wisdom, and the endurance to persevere for His glory, and to lay the burdens aside and find refuge in Him. In Jesus' name.
You are in my heart and in my prayers (((((((Sis))))))).
|
|
|
Post by faith65 on Jan 10, 2008 8:20:49 GMT -6
Marilyn, I pray that you have the wisdom of Solomon and that your heart be full of His love and that you have strength to continue on.....you are touching lives day in and day out that need to hear the Word of The Lord.....may His peace be with you always!
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 68,999
|
Post by Murph on Jan 11, 2008 20:12:53 GMT -6
We can learn so much from the Bible and it seems to me most of it from the Saints that are on Higher Ground, the Saints of the Old Testament. I can hear the sound of Saints on Higher Ground and I want to go there, build an altar to my God and worship Him.
I have been reading about Abram. Haven't gotten as far as Abraham so will stick with the name Abram. There is meaning in that for me beyond his name. Studying his journey from Ur of the Chaldeas into Canaan is remarkable. It was a journey from dark to light, from Ur to Haran to Bethel, from unsaved to saved...
But it is his spiritual walk that is drawing my attention. I have been wrong about so many things...and am troubled about them. But I will learn from the Lord thru Abram...
At least that is my prayer and I am grateful for your prayers Brother Drew and Sister Cat.
From a cave on Higher Ground, 'bout midway up from the back now, Amen.
|
|
|
|
Post by Keith on Jan 12, 2008 10:37:06 GMT -6
It has been a rough 24 hours. I have prayed to the Lord for the grace and strength to do the work. "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness..." (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV)
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27 KJV)
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 68,999
|
Post by Murph on Jan 14, 2008 18:57:06 GMT -6
Thanks Keith, needed a hug. We all do from time to time. No words, just the Word, and just a hug.
This walk of faith includes so many things. There are mountain top experiences that alternate with deep vallys. Today was a day though, to sit on the lip of the cave, knees pulled up, chin resting on knees, and a tear or two tumbling down.
I worked with a remarkable lady for many years some time back. She retired about 6 or 7 years age. She was the Clerk of Court and a mighty fine one too. She taught me alot when I first came on as a Probation Officer. She had a son, Gary, mentally retarded and physically handicapped and her life was devoted to him. When her husband found out their son was retarded and had physical problems he left them and disappeared. Francis raised and cared for Gary by herself.
She developed diabetes later in her life and had to have a foot amputated...but that didn't stop her...didn't even slow her down.
Gary died last night at the age of 35. They had both become very ill...urinary tract infection that resulted in blood poisoning. It went very fast and last night Gary died. Francis is on a ventilator and not expected to live. She does not know Gray is gone.
So I sit on the edge of my cave a little sad tonight. I know the Lord's eyes scan the mountains and that He knows everything. I know He loves all of us very much...I have heard it said that the flags in Heaven never fly at half mast and there is rejoicing in Heaven when a saint comes home. I wrap myself in that and that He sent an angel to bring Gary home and will send one for Francis too.
I will miss my old friend. Seems they are leaving faster all the time.
From a cave on Higher Ground, Amen.
|
|
|
Post by faith65 on Jan 14, 2008 20:59:44 GMT -6
Marilyn-
sending you hugs and praying for peace and comfort for you.....and Francis
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 68,999
|
Post by Murph on Jan 14, 2008 22:53:14 GMT -6
Thanks Faith and I keep you in my prayers, praying for a good outcome for your back.
|
|
|
Post by Keith on Jan 15, 2008 11:28:33 GMT -6
Oh Marilyn, my prayers and hugs are with you, but more importantly during this time, He's with you too...
|
|
|
Post by Caretaker on Jan 15, 2008 11:42:19 GMT -6
Bless your heart Sis.
You and this dear lady are in my most fervent prayers. This has been such a season of sadness and loss, and one begins to wonder if it will continue unabated.
Praise God for His redemption and for our promise of Home.
|
|
|
Post by Rednek32 on Jan 15, 2008 21:13:18 GMT -6
Dear sister Duck,
You have been on my mind and heart lately and in fact I tried to call you tonight a few times but since you were online and couldn't answer the phone I had to settle and call kiefer lololololol (great talking with ya by the way brother).
I think I could use some time here in the cave for a while but I also need to git back to gittin on ya know.
Call ifin ya need anything sister and as always you are in my prayers,
God bless
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 68,999
|
Post by Murph on Jan 15, 2008 22:00:13 GMT -6
Red you are a very special Brother!...I am sorry I missed your call. Often I go on line and go do something else. I have to confess it is to avoid calls. But then I also miss talking to very special brothers. Do what LdySly does. E-mail and tell me to get off line!...she is a "Sly...one" and after all these years we know each other all too well... Ran into another old friend and brother today, Brother Virgil. He is well and working hard on his new site...still has some great studies and posting more all the time. Sorry I got everybody down. Didn't mean to. Thanks for all the encouragment and prayers. Got some good news today. It might snow Thursday...now that is good news. Love snow! Stars are out in abundance tonight...always makes me think of Abraham...which reminds me of all those wonderful promises in the Bible...which reminds me of Who made them...which reminds me of Eternity...and make me think of Heaven...and Jesus is there...which leads me to realize...won't be long and we will all be there too. Now I call that Great News! From a cave on Higher Ground Waiting for snow, Amen. Red...you come to the cave and hang out any time you want...
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 68,999
|
Post by Murph on Jan 15, 2008 22:08:22 GMT -6
Why is it when I think of Brother Bill and Brother Keith I start to hum Amazing Grace? ;D
|
|
|
Post by Keith on Jan 16, 2008 9:09:32 GMT -6
...since you were online and couldn't answer the phone I had to settle and call kiefer... Yeah, and I just realized I was your SECOND choice! Hmmpf... ;D Why is it when I think of Brother Bill and Brother Keith I start to hum Amazing Grace? We're gonna' cut a single of that and it's goin' to number one...NUMBER ONE I TELL YA! ;D ;D ;D
|
|
|
Post by Rednek32 on Jan 16, 2008 17:11:20 GMT -6
well we'll be singing it all the way to Glory Land brother.
God bless
|
|