Walls

I am not a political person, I vote, I have opinions, but I don't get on soapboxes about them often.  Unless it has to do with Jesus, then watch out.

There is a lot of talk now about building walls.  It is not a new idea.  Not innovative at all.  I am studying in the book of Nehemiah this week, and Nehemiah was involved in the rebuilding of a wall.

The wall around Jerusalem had been destroyed when the city was conquered and the inhabitants killed or made slaves.  The political climate had changed by the time of Nehemiah's story, and he was given permission and help to rebuild what was torn down. 

I highly suggest reading the story and trying to find yourself in it.  You are there...because we all play a part. I could list a number of characters, but I will focus on a generality...Christians in general and the church...those who claim to be followers of Christ Jesus.

The wall was destroyed, and the people were rallied to clear away the rubble and rebuild.  Instead of focusing on the section in their immediate area, Nehemiah led them to rebuild all the way around, even though it wasn't a really tall wall, it was complete, the walls connecting to the gates, more walls connecting to the next gate, etc. etc. They could build it taller and wider after it was around the entire city and the gates in place.

Chapter 3 of Nehemiah tells of the different groups that built different sections of the wall.



I wonder, does the church work together like that?  We should. 

Have some of us left the walls fallen and in rubble? 

Have we neglected to do our part?  Or even worse, are some of us among the ones who ridiculed and were opposed to the rebuilding? 

Lord, help us to see where we need to be rebuilding and repairing, encouraging, sharing, and accomplishing what You have set before us.  Let us not make unholy compromises, let us not be divided but united and committed to repairing broken down walls in Your kingdom.

The Faithful Day #1

 I was able to get the study guide book today.  As I read thru day #1, there is a question:  What expectations do you think believers have of how God reveals Himself? 

I read right on by that...then seemed to be drawn back to chew on it a little. 

How do you expect God to show up in your life? 

Sisters, I wonder if we don't depend too much on our feelings.  We gals are an emotional bunch, and we mothers want to kiss everything and make it better.  Anybody else a 'fixer' other than me? 

Paul admonishes us, with the Ephesians, to have the EYES of our hearts enlightened. 

Our hearts are a seat of emotion,  "The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out.   But I, GOD, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be." (Jeremiah 17:9-10 from The Message).

If we just go on what we 'feel' then we have left ourselves open for deception by the enemy.  Our hearts must have its EYES enlightened so that we will KNOW His calling and KNOW His power, not just 'feel' it. 

I often refer to a place I have...  My 'knowing place'. 

The most intense time of knowing something in my knowing place was when Jett's little body lay on a bed in St. Michael hospital bloody from a gunshot wound.  My emotions did not serve me well, I felt devastated.  But somewhere along the way, the eyes of my heart were enlightened enough that I did not just depend on my feelings, I went to that knowing place...and called for the "...surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe." (Ephesians 1:19 NASB)


Reading and mulling over Gideon's encounter with the theophany that came to him as he threshed wheat, I wonder how long the angel of the Lord had been there.  All the time, I think.  Every moment.  But the eyes of Gideon's heart saw only his circumstances, and he was overwhelmed with his feelings. 

But God made sure Gideon was aware of His Presence.  The angel came, vs.11, then sat, vs. 11, then
appeared to Gideon, vs. 12. 

There is always the Presence of God with us, if we are born again believers, we have the assurance of the Holy Spirit of God.  On days when toddlers are hurt, and on mundane days when we sit at a computer with a dog in the chair next to us......He is with me. 

I purpose that I don't depend on feelings, but on the truth of what He has SAID.  I purpose myself to look for Him with the eyes of my heart wide open, in the ordinary moments of my life.  Moments that He can make EXTRA-ordinary! 

At this stage of life, I have learned from unpleasant experience that God seldom does what I expect. I don't need fanfare, bells and whistles, or any other kind of hoopla.  He is watching me, (and you), just like He watched Gideon. 

Let's expect it, shall we?

The Faithful #1

I don't have the book for The Faithful Bible study, I had intended to go by Lifeway and pick one up, but was not feeling like a trip to Texarkana last week.  I plan to go tomorrow after we get out of BSF and get one. 

In case you don't know, I experienced an episode with my heart on August 14th.  Takotsubo Cardiomyopothy, also commonly called Broken Heart Syndrome.  It is a relatively new condition, discovered in 1990, so there is not a lot they know about it.  My instructions from the cardiologist, after a consult with the Cleveland Cardiac Clinic, was to go home, eliminate all stress, and do no work.  Do nothing that will work my heart, and remove all sources of stress while my heart heals.

I will let you know if I ever figure out how to do that. HA! 

So, I have been mostly at home for the last couple months.  Many of those days I didn't feel well enough to be anywhere else.  I spent 4 days in the hospital, only to come home and spend many more days hidden away in my quiet bedroom. 

I have always had a tendency to hide away.  Not just when physical things are wrong, but when anything was pressing on my mind, I seem to shut down and hide away until solutions come. 

As I watched this video teaching, over and over she said the words 'heart' and 'broken heart'.  I wish I had counted them.  She painted a word picture of Gideon, just trying to get the job done without any conflict or opposition.  Threshing away at what would sustain life. 

Oh how I identify. 

I don't like conflict.  Like Gideon, I will quietly place myself in the background and continue to do what I am SUPPOSED to do.  In my experience, as Gideon's was, God has found me there anyway, and has found a purpose for me to fulfill.  I have often prayed, "Lord use me for Your glory and purpose", only to reply "OH!  NOT THAT!" to an opportunity and call He gives. 

It seems my writing appeals to some folks.  I journaled for a long time before become internet saavy, then I switched to blogging, and then along came social media.  So here I am this morning, sitting with a computer, a Bible, and my brother Gideon.....looking at my situation.

I am hidden away much of the time, but here I sit, sharing my thoughts about Gideon in even a new way in this group online study.  There is MUCH evil on the internet, social media is used for MANY ungodly and unChristlike things, but this is certainly not one of them. 

Sisters, my crisis of health has certainly not been powerful enough to place me out of the reach of God, not beyond fulfilling the purposes He has given for my life.

My crisis of health positions me this morning in a quiet house, with time to read and open my spiritual ears, EXPECTING God to speak to my situation thru Gideon's story.

I have learned that my work as a hairdresser has always been about much much more than a hair-do.  I hope I have served God's purposes in the days I spent behind that chair, not just 'threshing wheat' so I could pay for bread at the grocery store. 

My broken heart will heal, and hopefully I can return to regular routines.  If not, I will trust Him to lead me thru it, just as He did with Gideon....when Gideon was just quietly beating away at that wheat, just trying to survive. 

But we are MORE than just survivors, we are mighty warriors, conquerors!  Rom 8:37 clearly tell us, ".. in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."



I confess, I have a pity party sometimes. 

I wish I could stay as positive as Paul.  I wish I could always say "I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love." (Romans 8:38-39 from The Message)

It is times when I hide away in the winepress, flailing away at my own stalk of wheat, that God will faithfully find me and say "I see.  I hear.  I know.  I understand better than even you do. I know it's not fun.  I know it's hard.  But it's not all JUST about you, Connie." 

It wasn't just about Gideon either.  God used Gideon to change a nation.  Gideon probably never knew while he was alive, all that God would do.  I might look him up in heaven and thank him for being used by God to encourage this old broken hearted hairdresser this morning.