God's Mercy

Psalm 86:19  "I know God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and great in loving kindness.  He hears my cries and keeps me."

I've often said that God's timing in my life is impeccable.  The morning of November 8, 2016, election day, I was reading a book about The Book of Genesis.  The reading that morning was about the destruction of Sodom.  What caught my attention was the bargaining between Abraham and God
regarding that deplorable city.  Abraham believed God loved righteousness so much that Abraham could ask God to stay his hand of destruction if there could be found 50, no 40, no 30, no 20, no 10 righteous in the city.  Abraham dared to test God's patience because he had personally experienced it.  God listened and then spared just the family of Lot.  Not much righteousness there but God's mercy is SO GREAT.

As I remembered and read that story, that afternoon I asked my brother and sister to join me in lifting America to God as Abraham lifted Sodom.  For the sake of the righteous in our great land, would God show us mercy in the election?  He did! But, I woke numerous times that night and recalled all those moments during the election returns and ballot counting when I struggled with my faith.  I had to leave the TV room and go into the dark and quiet of another room and once again focus on the MIGHT of our great GOD.  Lifting my hands again toward heaven I gave America's future to God.

As Charlie and I discussed the outcome of the election, he said, "this did not stop America's fall...it just slowed it down..."  As I considered this, I asked myself "why?" and "Now what?"  I came to this conclusion.  God has given His righteous ones time for one thing.  And one thing only.  Not to live life in the usual.  Not to say, "Whew...that was close".  But, time to share the Good News of Jesus. "SHARE ME WITH OTHERS" He said.  It is interesting that election day came one day after the Fall season time change.  We are given an extra hour - FOR A SEASON.  God is giving us "extra time for a season" to tell others about His grace and mercy and peace.  But, unlike the time change with the seasons, we don't know when His mercy clock on America will run out.

Another part of my thoughts about all of this during the night were these words from Abba Father God.  "Daughter, when you tell others about ME, it won't be easy...you will be rejected...you will be ridiculed...you will be hated".  Not exactly words I want to hear.  So, now I must go to Him for His grace - to be bold...to love others more than myself.   I pray HE will never let me forget the mercy of election night, 2016.

Following God's Lead

Think of it this way:

God: I designed you for deep dependence on your Shepherd-King.  When you don't know what to do, wait while I open the way before you. Trust that I know what I'm doing, and be ready to follow My lead. I will give strength to you, and I will bless you with Peace.

Gini: Lead on, my Great and Awesome Shepherd-King

Memory of Lan and Kyla from 2013

October 25, 2013 ·

Yesterday during Kyla's nap time Landon wanted to play doctor with a few of their bears. I was his assisting nurse. His "buddy" bear had a big boo boo on his foot so I wrapped it in a bandage. When Kyla got up and joined us she was visibly upset by bear's boo boo. I tried to explain it was pretend. When they come today, I will need to remove the bandage and say "all better!" and let her kiss it. :-) :-) LOVE being their Mimi!

A BIG Rainbow

Landon & Kyla called us to tell us to go outside and see the rainbow...than Kyla wanted to come to our house to see it...suddenly a five year old has a lesson re: the vastness of God's creation as Mom explained "the rainbow you see is the same rainbow Mimi and Popi see"

Thunder & Lightening

An amazing display of God's glorious power this morning. I sat in the dark of our living room with a glass wall facing North. The lightening strikes over the ocean to the west and to the north of us led me to read God's responses to Job's complaints. God's power left Job speechless "...I lay my hand upon my mouth in silence..." I, too, am speechless. The storms spoke loud and clear.

Death of a Saint

On Labor Day, 9/5/16, God called home a very special saint.  Bruce Isenhauer of Trinity was known for his deep passionate love of our Lord.  It was evident in his faithful praying over Trinity.

His passing, at age 63 was so swift, it was a shock to us.  Bruce was instantly killed in a head-on-collision in which he was the driver.  The driver of the other car was also killed.  But passengers, daughter and grand son were not injured.

Why Bruce?  Why now?  We will probably never know the answer to those questions?  A wake up call?  Saving Bruce from experiencing turmoil in our church and world?  Don't know.  Don't know the conversations he just had with family in the car.  Bruce was almost a 24/7 conversationalist about his belief.  As far as I know he never passed over an opportunity to speak of and for God.

He saw no boundaries in sharing.  He often crossed over into "another's space" in his enthusiastic way of sharing.  One of the phrases we often heard Bruce say was "God is good...God is good all the time"

Bruce will be deeply missed by many.  Those who knew him well commented on their joy for Bruce to be in the presence of our LORD Jesus.  But, also, spoke of the sorrow and sadness in his earthly absence.  Until we meet again, dear brother (and thank you for serving Holy Communion to Charlie and me and others) the day before you left.

All Knowing Facebook vs All Knowing God

Saw a TV program this morning.  The host read pages and pages of personal data Facebook accumulates on its customers' accounts.  Scary.  Makes me want to break my relationship with Facebook.  It is interesting how Facebook presents itself as my friend...ie  "memories from 2, 4, 6 years ago"  FB starts with "because we care..."  Even my private messages to someone are recorded in Facebook data banks.  Hmmmm   How will this information about me be used in the future?

                                                                               vs

My all seeing, all knowing, all wise, all loving GOD... His Holy Word says He knows my thoughts before a word is spoken.  His Word says He will compassionately love me and forgive me.  His Word says He knows ALWAYS where I am, what I am doing, what my plans are and what my future holds.
But, unlike Facebook I know how this information is and will be used:  FOR MY GOOD.

My dilemma - I have chosen my Facebook friends carefully and I want to stay connected with them.  How?   Not email... again it is the issue of having my thoughts recorded on my computer.  Should I return to writing personal letters?  How many of my friends would stay connected this way... takes more time, cost of paper and stamps...and how would I share photos.  God I ask you to give me wisdom regarding this.