Sharing a Sweet Homeward-Bound Moment

I share this homeward-bound moment to tell you that God is looking for messengers who are willing to be on assignment for Him. He is looking for the "whoevers" to step up and say "Pick me to help You carry out Your divine plans for this world. His plans for us were given to us by Jesus "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." (Mark 16:15) And, what is that Good News? John told us in his exhortation from John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that whoever believes in Him, would not perish but have everlasting life." Now, that's Good News and it's also a homeward-bound reality!

Once upon a time, I felt pressured to share my faith. We handed out gospel tracts at events, street corners and even went door-to-door sharing the Good News. Though many were pros at it, It sure wasn’t my comfort zone. Now, my way is to be in the moment, being relaxed and waiting for the heaven-to-earth obvious timing -- an open door or an unquestionable nudge -- to be a light – God’s light to others.

Last week in Red River, NM, I blogged that a store owner had her Bible underneath a basket of crosses. She was overtly displaying her faith. Another store in that town was called “The Way” with a scripture message posted on their front window. They were overtly sharing their faith. I often wear a cross necklace or a t-shirt with a gospel message on it. Now, I wear my "Faith over Fear" face mask. It opened the door for conversation when someone said, "I like your face mask!" BTW, I got mine at Sam Moon's! Those are ways that we can plant a seed into someone’s life. I guarantee you – though many shun the Christian faith and Christian people, if those same folks come against hard times or illness – they search us out because they sense the God-factor in our lives.

What the world needs now is God’s love. How will others know unless they see or hear or feel that love from us? What if a grocery line, a doctor's office a nail or hair appointment became meeting places for divine appointments? I’ve become a listener to that “still small voice” for the opportunity to show God’s love or to speak of God's love. You see, I am overtly sharing the Good News every day in these blogs. I see many of you overtly sharing your faith, too, through your uplifting messages.

Did you know that we have the opportunity to be the answer to someone's prayer daily by simply staying aware of God's little nudges -- and being His voice and His hands extended to a hurting world that needs His love and peace?

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8.

Embrace the Place

Because my car had hit the 90,000 mile point, my car dealership rep advised me that I would soon need to have my transmission flushed to keep it running smoothly. That service would be $180. I thought I might go to a nearby service shop that I had used for a front light replacement. Their price to flush the transmission was only $99. Great savings, but I changed my mind because that “Inner Voice” prompted me to take my car to the dealership for the service. I’m so glad I listened and obeyed that Voice, because they found a greater issue that, if not repaired, would have created a serious problem for me. The other issue repairs were $1700, but my extended warranty took care of it. Whew! Thanks be to God for His still small voice that I've come to know so well.

I remembered hearing a speaker who gave a talk about “Embracing the place where we are today. God knows where we're at and He has a plan for us to fulfill IN THAT PLACE, so we shouldn’t get stressed out if that place is an uncomfortable place. When I thought about the cost of the repairs, first I thought "I can save $81 if I use that service shop – besides it’s much closer to get to than my dealership. Then I thought about that “Embrace the place" message, and realized God knew about the other “issue” before my dealership did, and that prompting I had to take my car to the dealership for the service, was His best idea. He was protecting me from having to deal with a greater challenge. Father really knows best, so I settle in and "embrace this place".

Remember the shepherd boy, David, who eventually became King David? Jesse brought all his sons, except for David, to parade in front of Samuel because he thought one of them would be chosen the next king. After all David was JUST a shepherd boy taking care of sheep. But God knew where David was all the time, and he was the ONE being prepared to lead God's people. We all know David's story -- he was being prepared for royalty while he was embracing his place as he tended his sheep.

Could it be that you're ready to take a job outside the home instead of having to balance all the mommy duties that you have to tackle every day? On the other hand, you know that where you're at right now is part of God's plan for you in this season? Embrace the place. God knows right where you are.

Could it be you're ready and capable to be in a higher profile position at your church, but you're hid as you teach the little children? Embrace the place. God knows where you are.

Could it be that the job promotion you didn't get is part of God's plan today? Embrace the place. He knows.

Could it be that you've been overlooked, like David, for a leadership position, but it's part of God's plan for you to stay right there a little longer? Embrace the place. God has the best plan carved out for you. He sees.

Could it be that the loan that fell through on your dream home was a part of God's plan? Embrace the place. He has just the perfect home in His plans and it will show up right on time.

Yes, our God who knows everything about everything – our past, our present and our future -- has THE PLANS to prosper us, and not harm us. He has plans to give us hope and a great future (Jeremiah 29:11). So let’s “embrace the place” we’re in right now. Embracing the place is being faithful in this place that He's designed for us today. God knows where we're at, and at the RIGHT time and RIGHT place, He will reposition us. In the meantime, we TRUST HIM in the smack dab place He has us in right now and the place in our future. By the way – wherever those places are – He’s already there waiting for us to arrive. So, let’s embrace this place AND that place!

Got Your Ears On? Do You Hear Me?

“Breaker – Breaker 1-9” “Got a copy?” “How do you read me?” “Got your ears on?” That’s CB (Citizens Band – short distance radio) talk. Oh, yes, I was a CB-er in the 70’s and 80’s. My handle (name) was “Honeybee”! I’d say to a trucker on my CB, “You’ve got that one Honeybee. How’s it look over your shoulder (from where he’s coming from)?” My husband, Ron, his sister, a friend who played the guitar, myself, and our two children, traveled across the U.S. back then, in a 28 feet Winnebago – singing and delivering the “Gospel” message in word and song, as The Masters Four Quartet (that’s a story for another day). Talking, and listening, to truck drivers was a great way to stay awake when it was my turn to drive. I'd enjoy listening to them talk to each other about the weather or an accident up ahead, alert each other to a “Smokey Bear” (police) that may be sitting ahead using his radar, and other, sometimes very quirky conversations.

Don't you know that God says to us "DO YOU HEAR ME? GOT YOUR EARS ON?" He loves us so much and He wants us to HEAR Him when He speaks – just like the warnings and advice we give to OUR children to keep them from harm and danger…..because we love them so much. Our Dad (Father God) wants us to be so blessed, that He warns us and beckons us to obey Him. In Deuteronomy 28, we read “If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all His commands, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God.” And God does talk to us and He wants us to listen. He’ll speak to us through a still small voice, through a song or scripture or a message we’ve heard, through a providential circumstance (maybe someone entering our life when we needed someone the most), through a dream or vision, or just a simple “inner knowing” that He has spoken to us by feeling so “right on” with a decision we’ve made.

He’s saying, “I know what’s best for you. Trust me. I’m your Father and I have plans and purposes that exceed your greatest expectations.” And I reply back to Him, “Thank You for loving me so much. You know what’s best for me. I surrender my thoughts and plans to You. I know You will work everything out for my good. Hold me so close to You that I will always recognize and hear Your voice loud and clear. And, most importantly, help me to respond very quickly to your voice in obedience.”

Now, that’s a “big 10-4” (in full agreement)! I agree to listen for God’s voice that is always leading, guiding and protecting me. Yes, I've got my ears on!!!

Until next time, “I’ll catch ya’ on the flip-flop!” (I'll talk to you on my return trip!)