Lord, Whenever I have too much going on my body and mind go on lockdown and I can't seem to focus. Show me the things that are important today and help me prioritize and let go of the things that don't matter. Give me an attitude of service to others versus a self-centered one. Center me with your peace, your vision, your will. My desire is to please you. Amen
I wrote these words at 8:00 AM this morning in my prayer journal. I leave tomorrow on weekend Woman's Retreat with 400 other women from my Church. My day included laundry, cooking meals for the family for when I am away, packing, phone calls, last minute errands, etc. I just felt overwhelmed with everything I felt I needed to do before I could leave. So, I spent some time first talking with God because I've learned through experience things go better when I do.
At 8:15 AM, fifteen minutes after writing those words, I received a phone call from my daughter. She frantically said, "Mom, did you hear what happened?"
Flash forward one hour earlier.
When we left the house at 7:20 AM an ambulance had gone rushing past our house. Before we were all in the car, two fire trucks had also gone through. We commented this was not good, especially if it was a car accident, given the time of day it could easily involve high school kids. I said a quick mental prayer for whoever might be involved and took the kids to school
As I arrived back in my driveway, two helicopters flew overhead, hospital helicopters. I knew then something bad had really happened. I said another prayer, more urgent this time, for all involved. As soon I was back in the house though my mind turned back to all the things I had to do and I then began my bible study and prayer time.
On the other end of the phone, my daughter is now telling me there was a car accident and five high school kids were hit by a train on the way to school. Four of the five were brothers and she told me their last name.
Eight days ago that name would have meant nothing to me because I would not have known them at all. My daughter said, "Mom, isn't that the name of the Dad and his son who came to your small group last week? I think it is, that's why I'm calling you, I thought you would like to get a hold of your small group leader and see what you could do."
Our church is a large church and to keep a sense of connection we have small groups that get together every week to support each other, do bible study, and pray together. It provides a sense of community that could be hard to get in a large church. Just last week a new man joined us. He brought one of his high school sons along, who participated with our group that night. We learned about the things they liked to do, what is going on in their lives, etc. They go to our church but just now joined our group and up until that point, I had never heard of them before.
The thought immediately came to me that there was no coincidence in the timing of our meeting. God knew that they were going to need a group of fellow Christians to rally around them and he brought us all together just in time for that to happen.
Two hours together, seven days ago, was all the preparation God knew we needed to be in a position to step in to help today. What amazing timing and providence!
When I called my small group leader, she felt the same way. We called everyone else in the group and immediately got everyone praying. One husband and wife went to the hospital to be with the family. Another went to the farm where the boys live to help with chores. The ladies began cooking meals for the Grandparents. The boys lived with there Grandparents and they were responsible for the cooking at the house, someone would now need to fill that role for awhile. More of the men will go to the farm tonight to see where they might be able to help. Whatever needs to be done, we will help do.
Remember my earlier predicament? Remember my words to God? Prioritize my day and let go of the things that don't matter. Give me an attitude of service to others.
Never did I dream my day would go this route when I prayed those words, but I did know without a doubt God's hand was at work.
If I ever have to face something as horrific as what these kids and their families faced this morning, I pray someone else would be willing to let God set their priority for the day and ask to be of service to someone else and, then, maybe, I would receive the same kind of outpouring of love and concern that I hope this family feels today.
I may not be any further ahead in MY to do list but God's agenda was accomplished today and that's all that matters.
I know without a doubt, God is in control, and provides for those who call him Lord. I saw his hand working in the midst of a tragedy today and I rest in peace knowing he will do the same for me.
If you are going through a tragedy of your own, I hope you see how God has provided for you in the midst of it. Share your story with the world and let others know who reigns as King.
WLUK Fox11online.com
Car hits train near Brillion
5 high school students hospitalized
Updated: Thursday, 22 Apr 2010, 11:08 AM CDT
Published : Thursday, 22 Apr 2010, 8:29 AM CDT
TOWN OF RANTOUL - A car carrying five teens on their way to Brillion High School collided with a train Thursday morning, Calumet County authorities say.
The crash happened on East River Road, south of Fischer Road, in the town of Rantoul around 7:30 a.m. Five victims were taken to Theda Clark Hospital in Neenah, some by helicopter and some by ambulance. A 15-year-old boy was listed in critical condition Thursday morning, while an 18-year-old man and two boys, ages 16 and 15, were listed in serious condition. Those four are all related. An 18-year-old woman, who is not related to the other victims, but was also traveling in the car, was listed in fair condition. The 16-year-old was driving the car.
Officials said it appeared the car did not yield to the train. The crossing has a yield sign, but no lights or gates.
FOX 11 has a crew at the scene and will have more information on fox11online.com and on FOX 11 News
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Going overboard?
My Dad raised us in the church. We attended a Parochial grade school and we expected in church every Sunday as long as we lived under his roof. We prayed before and after every meal. We were baptized and confirmed. Our baptism sponsors gifted us with bibles and prayer books at confirmation. The church prayed for us. He was directing all of this in our lives so why is he so surprised that I am a Christian today?
My Dad commented today that he remembers having to drag my sister and I out of bed every Sunday morning to attend church and now, in his words, we are both going overboard with our religion.
I suggested that maybe we are doing exactly what he intended to happen when he made it a priority for us to get a Christian upbringing.
He said, "No, we have gone overboard."
I, then, suggested that maybe we're not overboard but maybe he's underboard. I'm not sure if this is a word but it gently got his attention.
To this he said, "Yes, that's probably true. I am underboard. I didn't go to church last Sunday because it was Friendship Sunday and they always do extra things I don't care to take part in and I didn't go the Sunday before because they were doing a survey about how you might help serve in the church. I would say I am underboard."
No more on this topic was said but somehow in his mind, I moved from the overboard right, closer to the middle, and he moved further to the underboard left. The distance between he and I remains the same but maybe with the quiet adjustment came the realization for him that's it not my sister and I who are off but rather he who is lacking something.
I love my Dad and I thank him for the sacrifices he has made and the Christian upbringing he made sure we had. I wish he could experience for himself the love and freedom found in the very Lord he made such a great effort to make sure we would know. Isn't it ironic that he is surprised by the outcome of the foundation he helped lay? I know it took a long time to take hold but it did and I wish he would be able to celebrate that not be perplexed by it.
I know the Living Christ, Dad! The relationship has saved my life! I wish you would know him, too! I hope you see Him in me! In my sister! I hope you are able to move from underboard to overboard someday! This is my prayer for you.
Love you Dad!
My Dad commented today that he remembers having to drag my sister and I out of bed every Sunday morning to attend church and now, in his words, we are both going overboard with our religion.
I suggested that maybe we are doing exactly what he intended to happen when he made it a priority for us to get a Christian upbringing.
He said, "No, we have gone overboard."
I, then, suggested that maybe we're not overboard but maybe he's underboard. I'm not sure if this is a word but it gently got his attention.
To this he said, "Yes, that's probably true. I am underboard. I didn't go to church last Sunday because it was Friendship Sunday and they always do extra things I don't care to take part in and I didn't go the Sunday before because they were doing a survey about how you might help serve in the church. I would say I am underboard."
No more on this topic was said but somehow in his mind, I moved from the overboard right, closer to the middle, and he moved further to the underboard left. The distance between he and I remains the same but maybe with the quiet adjustment came the realization for him that's it not my sister and I who are off but rather he who is lacking something.
I love my Dad and I thank him for the sacrifices he has made and the Christian upbringing he made sure we had. I wish he could experience for himself the love and freedom found in the very Lord he made such a great effort to make sure we would know. Isn't it ironic that he is surprised by the outcome of the foundation he helped lay? I know it took a long time to take hold but it did and I wish he would be able to celebrate that not be perplexed by it.
I know the Living Christ, Dad! The relationship has saved my life! I wish you would know him, too! I hope you see Him in me! In my sister! I hope you are able to move from underboard to overboard someday! This is my prayer for you.
Love you Dad!
The Kingdom of God Is Now
The Kingdom of God is not a far off place I wish to live in someday - I live in it now!
The King Jesus is not a King I will worship and serve someday when I get to heaven - I worship and serve Him today!
The laws of His kingdom are not laws I will obey later in heaven - I obey them now!
The ways of His kingdom are not the ways I will follow once I live in heaven - I follow them now!
The inheritance of the kingdom is not an inheritance I wait to inherit - I claim it today!
The army of the kingdom is not one I wait to be protected by - I am protected now!
I believe, therefore, the kingdom of God is within me - now!
It has come for me, I do not wait for it, it lives in me, and I in it.
I serve Christ and walk in His ways which are contrary to the ways of this worldly kingdom here on earth.
I trust in my perfect King that He knows best what I should do, where I should go, and how I should live. I strive to do as He says.
I understand to live this way among a people of a different kingdom will bring me ridicule, rejection, judgement, suffering, and persecution because the world does not know the Lord I love.
I rest in His promises and faithfulness and trust His Word to be true.
On Judgement Day, He will separate the sheep from the goats. He will take the sheep home and relieve their suffering and reward their faithfulness and allegiance to Him as their King.
I want to be a sheep, His child, called home to rest in His love and provision for all eternity.
In the meantime, I want to be a worker in furthering His kingdom here on earth. I don't always know what that looks like but I trust He will show me.
I depend of my King for strength, wisdom, guidance, and approval. It's His approval and His version of success that I seek!
If I am found faithful in His eyes then my life was well spent.
The King Jesus is not a King I will worship and serve someday when I get to heaven - I worship and serve Him today!
The laws of His kingdom are not laws I will obey later in heaven - I obey them now!
The ways of His kingdom are not the ways I will follow once I live in heaven - I follow them now!
The inheritance of the kingdom is not an inheritance I wait to inherit - I claim it today!
The army of the kingdom is not one I wait to be protected by - I am protected now!
I believe, therefore, the kingdom of God is within me - now!
It has come for me, I do not wait for it, it lives in me, and I in it.
I serve Christ and walk in His ways which are contrary to the ways of this worldly kingdom here on earth.
I trust in my perfect King that He knows best what I should do, where I should go, and how I should live. I strive to do as He says.
I understand to live this way among a people of a different kingdom will bring me ridicule, rejection, judgement, suffering, and persecution because the world does not know the Lord I love.
I rest in His promises and faithfulness and trust His Word to be true.
On Judgement Day, He will separate the sheep from the goats. He will take the sheep home and relieve their suffering and reward their faithfulness and allegiance to Him as their King.
I want to be a sheep, His child, called home to rest in His love and provision for all eternity.
In the meantime, I want to be a worker in furthering His kingdom here on earth. I don't always know what that looks like but I trust He will show me.
I depend of my King for strength, wisdom, guidance, and approval. It's His approval and His version of success that I seek!
If I am found faithful in His eyes then my life was well spent.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Noble Men
But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. Isaiah 32:8
What does it mean to be a noble man?
What are noble plans?
What are noble deeds?
I believe a noble man is a Godly man.
I believe noble plans are plans in accordance with God's will.
I believe noble deeds are the acts we do in the name of Jesus to serve others and to glorify God. It's the living out of God's will for us in our lives.
A man without a saving faith in Jesus Christ is not a noble man. He has not gained nobility yet by becoming an adopted son and co-heir to the kingdom of heaven. He has not entered the royal line.
A man without a saving faith in Jesus Christ cannot, therefore, make noble plans because he will not be seeking the will of his Father in heaven. Instead, he will make plans out of the desires of his evil heart and in accordance with worldly measures. To the world, his plans will look very good but they are not noble plans flowing from the King of Kings.
A man without a saving faith in Jesus Christ cannot do noble deeds because he has no idea who Jesus is, what Jesus would want him to do, nor how to glorify the living God.
A man who does not have a saving faith in Jesus Christ will not understand a noble man, his plans, or his deeds. To follow someone God's will, to go against worldly standards, or to put others ahead of yourself will be foreign concepts to him who does not know Christ.
The saved should act like noble men making noble plans and doing noble deeds. We should be bringing glory to our Father in heaven who saved us through the blood of his Son, Jesus. We should be seeking God's will and doing it.
To those who are not yet noble men, do you know God loves you, and wants to bring you into his Kingdom as co-heirs, as well?
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his One and Only Son, that whoever believes in him will have eternal life.
Noble men take heart when the world does not understand your plans and deeds for our God who saves will also redeem and reward those who walk in His ways. Your actions may also work with the Holy Spirit to draw others into a life of nobility.
What does it mean to be a noble man?
What are noble plans?
What are noble deeds?
I believe a noble man is a Godly man.
I believe noble plans are plans in accordance with God's will.
I believe noble deeds are the acts we do in the name of Jesus to serve others and to glorify God. It's the living out of God's will for us in our lives.
A man without a saving faith in Jesus Christ is not a noble man. He has not gained nobility yet by becoming an adopted son and co-heir to the kingdom of heaven. He has not entered the royal line.
A man without a saving faith in Jesus Christ cannot, therefore, make noble plans because he will not be seeking the will of his Father in heaven. Instead, he will make plans out of the desires of his evil heart and in accordance with worldly measures. To the world, his plans will look very good but they are not noble plans flowing from the King of Kings.
A man without a saving faith in Jesus Christ cannot do noble deeds because he has no idea who Jesus is, what Jesus would want him to do, nor how to glorify the living God.
A man who does not have a saving faith in Jesus Christ will not understand a noble man, his plans, or his deeds. To follow someone God's will, to go against worldly standards, or to put others ahead of yourself will be foreign concepts to him who does not know Christ.
The saved should act like noble men making noble plans and doing noble deeds. We should be bringing glory to our Father in heaven who saved us through the blood of his Son, Jesus. We should be seeking God's will and doing it.
To those who are not yet noble men, do you know God loves you, and wants to bring you into his Kingdom as co-heirs, as well?
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his One and Only Son, that whoever believes in him will have eternal life.
Noble men take heart when the world does not understand your plans and deeds for our God who saves will also redeem and reward those who walk in His ways. Your actions may also work with the Holy Spirit to draw others into a life of nobility.
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