Notable Curtains and Eternal Surprises

      With mounting anticipation, after months of waiting and hours of travel, the final scheme is set. FaceTime from the closet, behind new curtains. Notable curtains.

      Exuberant suspense. 

      Ready. 

      “I talked to Grandpa the other day…” my brother began in his most noble attempt at nonchalant composure. “He is thinking about buying a car…”

      Wow! It didn’t take them long! I think, poised behind those long, brown pieces of fabric. Here they come. My breath almost stops in mid air. 

      “Oh, look. These are our new curtains.” My sisters pause to note the newly hung drapery.

      Forget FT. The time had come. Those noteworthy curtains whoosh back. 

Priceless. Absolutely. Priceless. 

      • • • • •

      My mind is drawn back through the centuries. Another surprise. A bigger surprise. Centuries of waiting, not weeks. 

     That time though, there was not instant recognition. That time, those who had been told that One was coming, the ones who should have been there when He arrived weren’t. In fact, it was as if they were the ones at home, oblivious of what was happening, and those who had not been told were seeking Him. 

      Can you imagine? Heaven has been breathlessly waiting… The time has come… The curtain is about to be drawn away from the character of God. He is about to be revealed in reality. 

      And they are unconscious of it. The gift is undiscerned.

      • • • • •

      My mind speeds forward. Another surprise. Centuries of waiting passed. He is coming again. We have been told. The world will have been told. Still, some will be surprised. 

      But those who wait. They will know. Instant recognition. 

Priceless. Absolutely. Priceless.

Happy Birthday, Rachel!

Some time ago, our hearts were bound,
With ties of friendship dear
For God did sow seeds in the ground,
Where love would soon appear ;)
My sister now, and still my friend,
Though physically not near,
I pray God's blessings start to end
On this your newest year!

A Song to Sing

There is a song I have to sing

Of simple praise unto my King
For He has laid His grace on me
Who would be lost eternally

Were it not for the gift of One
Who loved me as His only Son
Who lived and loved and sought and died
Between two robbers crucified

I could not taste His grace so sweet
Nor ever hope His face to meet
I could not be made pure and white
Had God not pitied human plight

But pitied He and more than this
He walked on earth in holiness
That not of man's nor angel's heart
But of God's own He will impart

No seriph knows the Father's grace
But Adam's sinful, helpless race
Can taste and see its matchless strength
Its height and depth, and endless length

That human flesh- corrupt with sin
Could become pure and whole within
Is tribute to the grace of One
Who will not cease what He's begun

For even in eternity
Upon that clearest crystal sea
This song the saints will ever raise
In earnest, heartfelt, grateful praise

To Him who brought new life and birth,
To dying sinners on this earth
Not just in "them" this change to be,
But also Lord, I pray in me!

Opportunity

  

    Opportunity… that visit not yet made, that smile not yet shared, that duty not yet done. That is opportunity. 

      The seconds tick-tock their way to eternal reckoning. My eyes land upon my desk drawer, reminding me of stationery waiting for pencil led. Opportunity awaits in that drawer. Opportunity to uplift, encourage, strengthen in God the hand of another. Opportunity to praise the name of the Lord… 

      God gives opportunity… 

      What do we do with it? What do we do with it? Opportunity does not force action. That same desk-drawer paper pad can discourage, dishearten, and disconnect a soul from its Creator. 

      Opportunity surrounds us. The fields are white. The laborers… few. What use will eternity show that we have made of the moments given?

      This is our day of opportunity. Whether pencil must meet line, or mop the kitchen floor, whether song must be sung, or disagreeable thing done... that is opportunity. What we do with it? It's up to us. 

Consider It Joy

Long centuries ago, a scripture was penned,

Enlightening the Christian's night
A precept to show, and blessing defend,
It still gives to Christian's their sight
This word in the flame, when taken to heart,
Will comfort, bring hope, and uplift
In floods, just the same, a gift t'will impart,
To buoy those who feel they're adrift

So what is this word, this most precious thought,
That cheers those who heed it's advice?
That tests those who've heard, entreating for naught,
The ones who make gloom to suffice?
Oh, "Count it all joy", is Heaven's high word,
To all who face trial and test
When troubles annoy, and grief seems assured,
This note rings above all the rest

Consider it joy, and count it the same,
When troubles and trials surround
When fear would destroy, all peace in the flame,
Faith holds, and so joy can abound
This joy will not come, apart divine grace,
- It's song is a gift from above -
But will overcome, in trial's dark face,
Through faith in God's mercy and love!

A New Year ;)

A new year has begun for me,
I know not what it holds
I cannot count the joys I'll see,
Until it's path unfolds
I can't foretell the cliff ahead,
The valley I must meet
The dangers through which I must tread,
Or what distress I'll greet

But this I know, in this I rest,
That He the future keeps
Who's felt earth's joys and trial's test,
Whose watch-care never sleeps
This One abides beyond our sphere,
His view sees start and end
On Him, through all this coming year,
On Him we can depend

Dependance is a wondrous thing-
A weakness to pursue
For when to God in faith we cling,
His grace will see us through
Then may we know this more and more,
Our need and His supply
That we will grow to trust the store,
On which we can rely

So in this year may you and I,
Grow more to lean on Him
Who every need can satisfy,
With overflowing brim
Through what may come within its day,
If on God we depend
He'll lead us in His perfect way,
Unto the very end!

INFC_A New Day

      A new day. A new time. Change is here again. Seasons come and go so quickly that it seems only the adaptable person could get accustomed to a change before it changes again. 

      Over the years, we have been blessed, encouraged, challenged, inspired… stretched way out of our comfort zone. Need I say it again? Way out.

      Now, that day is over. Yet it remains. Challenges, blessings, inspiration, these continue to come. Heaven-ordained stretching? It hasn’t stopped. That’s a good thing.

      Heaven ordains it that way. Change may come to us as a very unwelcome thing, yet without change the pool becomes stagnant, the water muddy. More changes are doubtless about to burst their challenges and blessings across our path. But that’s okay. 

      Heaven ordains it that way. Not that our Father in heaven brings about every change that comes upon us, but He can use every change to profit. 

      The words of the hymn dash across my mind: In every change… He. Faithful. Will. Remain.

My friends this day is not yet done,

There's battles still to fight

Eternity has not begun,

There still remaineth night

Though changes come within the day,

We must keep on our course

For pressing on the upward way,

Will bring us no remorse

This thing of change seems to remain,

When surely change must cease 

But at each turn through joy or pain,

We're offered heaven's peace

We cannot fight, we cannot work,

Apart this holy grace

Dear friends, I beg you do not shirk,

To seek Him in this place

When camp is done and home you go,

It may seem dark as night

But this you can both trust and know,

That One for you will fight

Oh friends in trial deep and long,

Our God can hold your home

For each one in His arms belong,

Eternally, at home!

INFC: More to See in Preview Three

The printer that refused to print... Praise God there are stores that sell toner!

Now we need the people to fill the chairs!

Oodles of waffles...

Chopping veggies for lunch.

Sometimes hands... are really the most efficient tool ;)

Ready and waiting

Sneak Peak Preview 2: INFC

Sneak-Peak Preview: INFC

Indiana Family Camp is cooking, set up, prayers, planning, and hours away. It's not too late to come though. :) Visit: www.restoration-international.org/article/4/upcoming-seminars.

See you there!

Between Mizpeh and a Rocky Crag pt. 2

      Wonderful experience though it was, Israel could not remain in Mizpeh forever. Nor can you and I. There is work to do while it is day. The decisions made in Mizpeh must be carried into effect in regions beyond. There is a world to reach.

      There stands a stone between watchtower and Shen. Shen… sharp tooth… cliff… rocky crag. Yes the stone. "Ebenezer" by name. Between that mountain top with God, and a rocky crag. It cries out in warning, encouragement, and remembrance of deliverance in our past history. “Hitherto…”

      The God who has redeemed us, has not yet failed His children, and there is evidence that He never will. One there is who is able to keep us from falling off Shen’s precipice. 

      Ebenezer. “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us”. The promise still stands for those whose inherited and cultivated tendencies would loosen their foothold upon the Rock. This is the Stone upon which we can build in safety when we leave our Mizpeh. 

      Between Mizpeh and a precipice, there is a Rock upon which to rest our weight. It is higher than you and I. “Who is a Rock save our God?” “Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? She dwelleth and abideth on the Rock, upon the crag of the Rock, and the strong place.” Psalm 18:31 & Job 39:27-28. 

      We may be between Mizpeh and a rocky crag. We may feel ourselves on the edge of Shen, of falling off the precipice. But take courage my friends, the Stone which the builders rejected stands here for you and me. 

      Build thereon while it is called today...