Hanging with Jesus

February 23, 2010 – Leave a Response

While walking today (mind you only 20 minutes), I saw: dolphins, ordinary people doing extraordinary acts of kindness (feeding all the stray cats at the park), Seagulls having a blast chasing each other and dipping down right in front of me, looking at me like: “Watch this, Mom!!” and then meeting a young man named Anthony who shared a special scene with me.   Two Para-sailers took off for flight just three feet from where we stood, it was the most powerful thing I’ve seen.   I saw the chute open and the guy just sitting and swinging in his seat.   I said:  ”Anthony, that’s what it looks like when we’re hanging with Jesus.  He is the parachute over our head that takes us up from here to there!  All we gotta do is sit in that seat and let Him cover us.”   Anthony said:  Amen, yeah, that’s cool.   He is on my heart right now.   A tough looking young man who I know for sure is going to be in heaven one day.  I felt God’s assurance when I walked away and prayed.

Thank You for the days

When I don’t understand

You give us Your comfort:

Your nail-pierced hands.

Mercy and Grace, Salvation so dear,

Fills me with faith, replacing my fears.

11/13/09

CLG

God’s Hands- Make No Mistake!

Elohim – The Creator

November 9, 2009

Inspired by Kay Arthur’s book: “Lord I Want to Know You”  Chp. 2

My son is about to receive his third kidney transplant, and thankfully, I will be the donor this time.  This has caused me to go back to studying the Names of God again, which has strengthened my faith and solidified my hope.  The first five paragraphs are from Kay’s book.  They set up the foundation from God’s Word as to why I believe God’s hands formed my child and there was no mistake.

Colossians 1:16 In Jesus Christ, the Son of God, “all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth.”

Psalm 139:13-14 “He didst form my inward parts.  He didst weave me in my mother’s womb…I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Kay makes reference to Moses saying to the LORD: “Please Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since Thou hast spoken to Thy servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”  Exodus 4:10

And the LORD replied:  “Who has made man’s mouth?    Or, who makes him dumb or deaf, or seeing or blind?  Is it not I, the LORD?”  Exodus 4:11

“But why would God create people who are different from His normal pattern of creation?   Why would He ever permit a sperm to penetrate an egg when it would produce what seems to be a genetic disaster?”

The disciples asked Jesus about the blind man from birth:  “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?”  John 9:2.  Jesus replied:  “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him.”  John 9:3

Kay writes:  “Oh, Beloved, if you are unhappy with yourself, with your child, or with a loved one, run into the strong tower of the name of your Elohim (Proverbs 18:10).   You may not understand how your situation could ever bring Him glory, but you can trust in the name of your Lord.”

Now this brings me to the reason I feel led to share from our own situation.   When my son Kevin was born, his beautifully shaped little body took my breath away.  Nothing could take away the power of God’s Presence and Love in that moment.   Psalm 25:10  “All the ways of the Lord are loving.”  What I did not know in that moment was that this love would require Kevin to face many surgeries in his life. Could this be God’s loving ways?

As the years went by and the number of surgeries climbed, He led me to His Word in Jeremiah 29:11.   I had never read that verse before, so these came to me as though they were meant specifically for our family.  “His plans are for good and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.”

One special day, a Healer/Evangelist traveling through our city at the time felt led to come and pray for our son.   Laying his hands upon his little head, this minister paused, then said:  “There is nothing of this child that is not of God.   This is God’s hand upon him, the way He created and formed him.   There is no darkness, no warfare, this is God.”  He then began a beautiful prayer of blessing- asking God to provide the grace for all his days and to fulfill the purposes of God in his life.

Back to Kay’s book:  “Why were we created?  Why were we born?”  Isaiah 43:1, 3-4, 7 sums it up best:  “Thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob and He who formed you, O Israel….I am the LORD your God (Elohim) …you are precious in My sight…everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”  Man was created for God’s glory.

“Can you see how awesome it is to know that you have been created for God’s glory?   That you are to live in such a way as to give all of creation a correct opinion or estimate of who God is?

Your life is to be lived in such a way as to reflect Him, to show the world the character of God – His love, His peace, His mercy ,His gentleness.  You are to live for Him, to accomplish His will.   To miss this purpose is to miss fulfillment. “

And so, the journey continues that leads to a path of life.  We face all things with Christ who strengthens us.   We thank Him for His ways and the faith and grace He’s blessed us with to give glory to His Name.

Psalm 139:13-4  “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

I love the simplicity of this statement:  ”Do what you love to do.”   I love to sing, write, walk, dance, encourage others, pray, paint, etc.   What you love to do will energize you to do the things you don’t love to do.   What I don’t love to do is:  face hard things with grace.   Dig deeper than my character offers me at the moment.  Receive truth when it injures my pride.   Treat someone with kindness when all they do is hurt me.  Keep trusting when there is no understanding.I love the simplicity of this statement:  ”Do what you love to do.”   I love to sing, write, walk, dance, encourage others, pray, paint, etc.   What you love to do will energize you to do the things you don’t love to do.   What I don’t love to do is:  face hard things with grace.   Dig deeper than my character offers me at the moment. Receive truth when it injures my pride.   Treat someone with kindness when all they do is hurt me.  Keep trusting when there is no understanding.
As I said before, when I do what I love to do first, it enables me to walk by the power of the Holy Spirit to do what I don’t love to do best.

A Beautiful Shape

October 20, 2009   Transplant #3 and now it includes me….I’m privileged to be the next donor for my son’s upcoming 3rd transplant.   After an entire summer of testing, I was given the green light and we are now waiting for the surgery date to be settled.   This process has been quite the roller coaster and has tried my peace, but not my faith.    Here is one of my writings from my journal:   More to follow when I find the time….

During my quiet time with the Lord several days ago, He showed me a picture of what He is teaching me through our circumstances through a visual of a kaleidoscope. It has helped me so much that I wanted to share it in case it ministers to one of you.

It dawned on me that all the elements inside the canister represent the details of my life. Each piece was uniquely chosen by Him; to execute His plan through me. These elements were given by grace with love, to show me the beauty of His plan. It was up to me to keep turning the tube until I saw the beautiful pattern of His design at work in me.

I wept as I saw them drop into form, it was so precious and rare, I couldn’t help but praise Him for all that He’s done, and all that He has in store. It empowered me with more faith, released a greater measure of His grace. I will face whatever storm that comes with courage, I can walk (not crawl) through this valley, and feel His Peace as though a staff were placed in my hand to assist me along the journey.

God is so good, His gifts are so precious, His care so loving. I looked up the word kaleidoscope for you today and perhaps the Holy Spirit will speak to your heart about whatever it is you face in this hour. I love you all.

Carrie

Kaleidoscope

1817, lit. “observer of beautiful forms,” coined by its inventor, Sir David Brewster (1781-1868), from Gk. kalos “beautiful” + eidos “shape” (see -oid) + -scope, on model of telescope, etc. Figurative meaning “constantly changing pattern” is first attested 1819 in Lord Byron, whose publisher had sent him one.

A tube-shaped optical instrument that is rotated to produce a succession of symmetrical designs by means of mirrors reflecting the constantly changing patterns made by bits of colored glass at one end of the tube.

A constantly changing set of colors.

A series of changing phases or events: a kaleidoscope of illusions.

In addition to my website blog, I also blog over on WordPress.com
Here is the link: https://2verycarrie.wordpress.com/

I’m registered as 2verycarrie Hope to see you there. Check out my paintings, if you have time and be sure and order “The Waiting Room” to share with a friend who may need encouragement….

Blessed to be a part of God’s good use for the internet!

Carrie George
An Ordinary Woman Serving an Extraordinary God

Aroma of Christ Series
DECEMBER 15TH, 2008
Have you ever noticed a quality about someone that gives evidence to his or her close relationship with Jesus Christ? There are people whom I’ve met that make me want to curl up at their feet and just be in their presence. It is almost as though they are perfumed with a divine fragrance…the aroma of Christ.

In this series, I would like to develop several areas where we can begin to identify those Christ-like attributes as we ask ourselves:

“Is Christ manifested through me as the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place?” 2Cor.2:14

Recently, a very special young couple, single friends of mine; had decided to push the pause button on their relationship for a few weeks. After being together for a period of time, they had sensed that their hearts were giving them signals that needed to be pondered in prayer. Separately, alone with the Lord, the decision was reached that their relationship had to end, at least for now. They were trusting Jesus with the results, realizing it would cost them great heartbreak. In the Hebrew language, what they did was: “Shama” which means: “to hear, listen, obey.”

Each conversation that I shared with the young man during his time of reflection brought with it a revelation of reverence and awe. As I listened to the contents of his heart, I realized I was in the presence of God’s beautiful gift of grace… a man with a pure heart! Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8

My young friend had a heart to see beyond his own needs – he saw hers! He responded with a divine fragrance, clearly not his own. He saw her need to be alone with Jesus for this time, to help further develop her walk and her reliance upon Him again, instead of reliance upon their relationship together. He also realized that by giving this over to the Lord, he would now experience a deeper expression of his own worship and study of The Word and prayer. He saw that if he took this step of faith and let the love of his heart go, he would be obeying the leading of the Spirit’s guidance in his life. In the Greek language, my friend understood: “hupakoe: which means: to to submit and hearken to what is said. It is the obedience of faith. This gave him a bittersweet joy and peace, mixed with sorrow. (See Note* below)

A sweet fragrance permeated the atmosphere of our phone call, filling my senses with the knowledge of God’s Presence, His Sweet Fragrance. Drawn to this aroma, I asked myself: “What is it about this young man that allows the extract of God’s Holy Oil be released with such power and grace?”

It had to be his Matthew 5:8 heart. He had purity of heart, which allowed him to see God. It was his response to what he heard… Obedience with purity, the steps of a fragrant call!

May the Lord overflow you with the knowledge of His love…
Carrie

Note* The bitter waters of Marah, Exodus 15:23 were turned sweet when Moses cut a tree and placed it in the waters. My friend told me that the bitter sorrow he tasted could only be turned sweet… as long as his thirst was for Jesus alone, allowing Him to be his peace. Jesus, the Tree of Life, when added to the bitter waters of our circumstances, brings peace and nourishment. Every drop that we drink in the cup of our fate, adding Jesus to the mix brings us comfort and grace.

Ah, the blessings that come to us as we face our mountains, climb the treacherous hills that eventually lead to clear pastures of life….may I share what I processed through my writing the other day? Please read this at your leisure, and know that I am blessed to have you in my life.
I was just doing my bible study this morning and when I came across these verses, they really meant something to me. “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Phil. 1:29 “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.” Phil. 3:10 “Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. the Lord is near.” Phil.4:5

For the past two decades, we have been through medical issues that have not been “cured” and yet we have learned to walk in healing. Does that even make sense? I believe that physical healing is a miracle to behold and the joy and the excitement surrounding these divine events are unparalleled. But for those of us who struggle under the weight of man’s teachings…that ALL shall be healed, and yet do not see the fruition of that theology bear fruit in our own lives, it can be disheartening, discouraging, and disappointing. I choose instead, to believe on Him, His Word, His Sovereign ways.

To walk in healing that is flowing from the river of life is not seen as a miracle, unfortunately. Maybe that’s why we (our family) have been chosen for this. We are to “let our forbearing spirit be known to all men so that the powerful testimony of his love, his grace, and his peace visibly prove…that He is near!!!”

To walk in healing is more than just the physical manifestation of being cured. It includes an inward work of the soul, the empowerment of joy and peace which in turn enables and empowers us to fare the journey with hope. To have joy in the midst of troubles, to be invited to know His voice, to recognize His path of love through the steepest climb of the mountain, is an incredible miracle in the journey of faith. The mountain of adversity that we personally face as a family can transform us into victims if we’re not careful. It’s my choice, I can learn this: “what I practice, I become.” Either a prayer warrior full of faith, or a victim filled with fear, whose life is determined by fate. Not so, not so. Our lives have challenges, yes, I agree. My personal challenges in facing these illnesses with my family have broken my heart at times, but in my broken state, I have discovered His comforting presence to be as real as the air I breathe.
I am healed, I am whole, I am His. Amen.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”
Oftentimes, we say that the Lord is good, and we are delighted with the taste of Him, His Word, when things are pleasant in our lives. But this morning during some quiet time, I sensed a deeper awakening to this verse that helped me to see that the Lord Himself and His Word are always good….no matter my circumstances. I am reaching a new place of understanding in my journey with Him. When I hear difficult news, lab results that send a chill of fear up my spine…I can now fully and whole heartedly say: “Yet I will praise the Lord!” I praise Him because He is good, faithful, pure, holy, love, merciful, kind, gentle in all his ways. If my circumstances are difficult, this does not change who He is. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls. For My load is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

After returning from last weekend’s retreat called “Traveling Light”, I am amazed by the quality of joy, peace, and comfort I continue to feel as I write this today. Jesus, our Burden Bearer, has reminded more than 120 women this past Saturday, of how we become weary and tired when our focus is on anything other than….HIM. He is to be the center of our focus, the center of our heart’s desire, and when He is, we feel His grace. We are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto us. Matthew 6:33 Seeking His face leads to the center of heart’s desire to worship Him, and from there, the blessings of our Savior flow freely into our heart, mind, and spirit. Oh what an amazing God we serve! It truly is in Him that we move and live and have our being! Are you weighted down with burdens? Is your circumstance or trial causing you to lose hope? Allow me to pray His Word over you right now, because He “watches over His Word to perform it.” Jeremiah 1:12 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 In His Amazing Grip of Grace, Carrie