I usually go to our On Wings Like a Dove office downtown on Tuesdays. It is usually fairly quiet and I can get a lot of work done. Today I had several visitors which is always a delight and several phone calls. Some calls and visits were from longtime prodigals we have ministered to over the years and some were new contacts and ways to pray. I found it interesting seeing how my devotional this morning was how God shows us things in others so we will have more knowledge how to pray, not to use it to gossip about the person. I learned that long ago as I watched my dear friend Joan pray for others with the gift of discernment. She has such a relationship with the Lord that she senses when God sends others her way to intercede for them, often total strangers.
Here is part of the devotional from My Utmost for His Highest I read this morning in preparation for my day: " If we are not heedful and pay no attention to the way the Spirit of God works in us, we will become spiritual hypocrites. We see where other people are failing, and then we take our discernment and turn it into comments of ridicule and criticism, instead of turning it into intercession on their behalf. God reveals this truth about others to us not through the sharpness of our minds but through the direct penetration of His Spirt. It is not that we are able to bring God into contact with our minds, but that we awaken ourselves to the point where God is able to convey His mind to us regarding the people for whom we intercede"
WOW! That is powerful. I hope it helps you as you meet those you consider to be failing. I was presented with that face to face today with this long lost prodigal I have been praying for for so long. Things don't seem to have changed much but I want God's mind in regards to her, not mine. What a lesson.
I have now walked two days in a row. Maybe you can keep me accountable to continue. Did I mention you also are in danger of drivers with cell phones in their hands or worse yet, texting while driving. You walkers better be ware!! Then there was the skate boarder coming 90 mph down a hill towards me. I envisioned myself laid out flat on the road by a skateboarder. There are dangers out there my friends.
Sandra
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Spring has sprung
I worked today and we are learning a new computer system and the stress is evident as I pass each employee. I wonder what I am still doing there, only God knows. I know He has a reason and some days I see it. Not so sure today!
I know I am way past due to begin a regular routine of walking (and so do my clothes), so after I provided supper and got Jimmy off to work, I donned my old clothes and off I go. I figured it would relieve some stress if nothing else. It is such a wonderful season of the year so I enjoy the green, green grass, the beautiful flowers (both sight and smell), visiting with neighbors, meeting new dogs, and enjoying the chirping of the birds and the sound of the dove (you see I am attuned to them since I have a thing for doves).
Now mind you, there is the downside of the walk! Cars that go 45 in a 25, dogs that bark and LOOK like they could tear you to pieces, dodging the goose STUFF in the road, and other issues I won't disclose except to women who are 60 and above. You understand!
In the midst of this I was reminded of the Song of Solomn passage: "My beloved spoke, and said to me; 'Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledoe is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away!
How appropriate. I would love to Rise up and go away with my Bridegroom-Lover. How about you? Are you ready my friend? Some days we are more ready than others, huh?
my best to you,
Sandra
I know I am way past due to begin a regular routine of walking (and so do my clothes), so after I provided supper and got Jimmy off to work, I donned my old clothes and off I go. I figured it would relieve some stress if nothing else. It is such a wonderful season of the year so I enjoy the green, green grass, the beautiful flowers (both sight and smell), visiting with neighbors, meeting new dogs, and enjoying the chirping of the birds and the sound of the dove (you see I am attuned to them since I have a thing for doves).
Now mind you, there is the downside of the walk! Cars that go 45 in a 25, dogs that bark and LOOK like they could tear you to pieces, dodging the goose STUFF in the road, and other issues I won't disclose except to women who are 60 and above. You understand!
In the midst of this I was reminded of the Song of Solomn passage: "My beloved spoke, and said to me; 'Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledoe is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away!
How appropriate. I would love to Rise up and go away with my Bridegroom-Lover. How about you? Are you ready my friend? Some days we are more ready than others, huh?
my best to you,
Sandra
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Praise the Lord for working in the heart of the prodigals
I praise the Lord for what He is doing in the hearts of His prodigals. Our son has attended church the past three Sundays without prompting from anyone. You say, what is so amazing about that? Our son has long been in rebellion as he walked away from the Lord. There have been so many folks praying for him in all areas of the country. The Lord is changing his heart and mind and I just want to stand up and praise the Father for what He is doing in his life. This is a small step but one that I have longed for for years. I am reminded of Joel 2 where it talks about the Lord restoring what the locusts has taken. I am looking for that restoration and I pray if you have had the heartache of a wayward child you will be able to see them coming home from the enemies camp one day soon. I join you in praying for that.
This afternoon I talked to a Mother I had met with last week and her son had gone to church today with one of the young men who had been a prodigal himself in the past. What a praise to our LORD who hears our prayers. He gave me the promise years ago from Jeremiah 31 that he would bring our son home from the enemies territory. It is a promise that I have clung to over the years, never doubting He could but questioning at times His timing! As Henry Blackaby prayed with this Mother years ago this prayer, "Lord, help this Mother to never give up!" , I pray that for you in your situation.
I want to leave you with this blessing today from Sylvia Gunter and Arthur Burk's book: Blessing your Spirit.
"I bless you with growing stronger and more persuaded by the power of your faith that brings glory to God. I bless you with being fully satisfied that God is keeping His word to you, no matter how long it takes or how contrary your circumstances might look. I bless you with being fully assured that God is able to keep his word. I bless you with being strengthened in faith by Jesus the suthor and finisher of your faith. ____________, I bless you with faith that has been tested and proved genuine. I bless you with seeing the joy on the other side of all kinds of trials. I bless you with faith that is strong and pure like gold. I bless you with knowing how precious your faith is to God, more precious than gold.
This afternoon I talked to a Mother I had met with last week and her son had gone to church today with one of the young men who had been a prodigal himself in the past. What a praise to our LORD who hears our prayers. He gave me the promise years ago from Jeremiah 31 that he would bring our son home from the enemies territory. It is a promise that I have clung to over the years, never doubting He could but questioning at times His timing! As Henry Blackaby prayed with this Mother years ago this prayer, "Lord, help this Mother to never give up!" , I pray that for you in your situation.
I want to leave you with this blessing today from Sylvia Gunter and Arthur Burk's book: Blessing your Spirit.
"I bless you with growing stronger and more persuaded by the power of your faith that brings glory to God. I bless you with being fully satisfied that God is keeping His word to you, no matter how long it takes or how contrary your circumstances might look. I bless you with being fully assured that God is able to keep his word. I bless you with being strengthened in faith by Jesus the suthor and finisher of your faith. ____________, I bless you with faith that has been tested and proved genuine. I bless you with seeing the joy on the other side of all kinds of trials. I bless you with faith that is strong and pure like gold. I bless you with knowing how precious your faith is to God, more precious than gold.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Newcomer
This is all new to me and without the help of Neil Tolbert, I would probably be still struggling to get up and going! Thanks Neil.
My desire is to be able to share with loved ones of prodigals/prisoners to bring them healing and hopefully restoration in their walk with their loved one who has wandered away from the plan and purpose of the Heavenly Father for their lives.
Some may not be familiar with the term prodigal. In Luke 15:11-32 is found the parable of the prodigal son. It is quite a demonstration of the unconditional love of the Father as He waits for the return of His son. I know the pain He experienced as I have waited 20 + years for the return of our prodigal son. It is a journey I would not like to repeat, but one for which I am most grateful. I have learned of my Lord's love for me as He walked with me, sometimes carrying me, along the way.
Have you ever been a prodigal. I have, and I dare say each of you has as you have disobeyed God's direction for your life. How miserable you are when you are walking away. At least that has been my experience. On the other hand, how wonderful to walking in His perfect will for my life. What peace it brings!
I pray you will feel free to share with me your grief for your child, or other loved one who is in rebellion. Lets be a support for each other as we stand in the gap for them together.
Pray Ezekiel 36:24-38 for your prodigal. It is a prayer of renewal. It is a promise that the desolate land will become a garden of Eden. God says, "I, the LORD, have spoken it, and I will do it."
Sandra
My desire is to be able to share with loved ones of prodigals/prisoners to bring them healing and hopefully restoration in their walk with their loved one who has wandered away from the plan and purpose of the Heavenly Father for their lives.
Some may not be familiar with the term prodigal. In Luke 15:11-32 is found the parable of the prodigal son. It is quite a demonstration of the unconditional love of the Father as He waits for the return of His son. I know the pain He experienced as I have waited 20 + years for the return of our prodigal son. It is a journey I would not like to repeat, but one for which I am most grateful. I have learned of my Lord's love for me as He walked with me, sometimes carrying me, along the way.
Have you ever been a prodigal. I have, and I dare say each of you has as you have disobeyed God's direction for your life. How miserable you are when you are walking away. At least that has been my experience. On the other hand, how wonderful to walking in His perfect will for my life. What peace it brings!
I pray you will feel free to share with me your grief for your child, or other loved one who is in rebellion. Lets be a support for each other as we stand in the gap for them together.
Pray Ezekiel 36:24-38 for your prodigal. It is a prayer of renewal. It is a promise that the desolate land will become a garden of Eden. God says, "I, the LORD, have spoken it, and I will do it."
Sandra
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