Elizabeth Dianne: November 2020

Monday, November 30, 2020

From Our Fears and Sins Release Us

DAY 3

FROM OUR FEARS AND SINS RELEASE US

Oh, to be released from our fears and our sins! Can you possibly imagine a better feeling than worshipping from a pure heart--a heart totally devoted to God through faith and obedience--a heart that has been circumcised from the filth of this world.

Yes, that's why He came--He wants so much for us to to released. He never meant for us to be in bondage in the first place. He created a perfect setting--the garden of Eden--He walked and talked in the cool of the evening with his most awesome creations--man and woman--created in His image.

But He not only wanted us released, He wanted us totally free and to do that He had to give us freedom of choice.

I have to admit, in moments of human frailty, I am often amused by people who say, "How could a loving God permit such and such?" A domineering, tyrant type God could have prevented it but we have a God Who loved us enough to give us a free will--the power of choice.

And all the while the heart of the Holy Spirit is so grieved, so distressed and suffering to see some of the choices His most marvelous of creations make.

But He will be here soon--our aching hearts, our grieving spirits, our regrets and judgments, our bitterness and sorrow, our most grievous sins will soon be covered because He prepared a way from the beginning to release us from our fears and our sins.

Hebrews 9:22

This Way was Jesus--the perfect lamb of God. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin and so it was that He had a plan. A plan to save us from ourselves. Oh, what love, what absolutely perfect, all-consuming love that He would place our sins upon His only begotten Son--that He should bear the weight of the whole world's sins and not only that but have His Father turn His back on Him.

I cannot imagine the grief of the Father, when because of his Holiness, could not look upon His Son carrying this weight.

Max Lucado says it best in his book No Wonder They Call Him the Savior. I will never forget the first time I read his description of God's suffering, I cried so many tears. But I will save that for Lent.

This Baby turned King who would grow up and walk and talk among us must come first.

Won't you worship with me today?

Come thou long expected Jesus

Born to set thy people free

From Our Fears and Sins Release Us

Messiah, Lord, we worship Thee!

Original photo by Amy Teague Photography, Tulsa, OK. This photo was digitally altered in Waterlogue.

Sunday, November 29, 2020

Born To Set Thy People Free

December 2

Born To Set Thy People Free

(written in 2020)

The words to this song! Charles Wesley covered all the bases in the lyrics to this highly favored old Christmas song.

But sometimes we just don't get it! God wants us to be free! Galatians 5:1 says "It is for freedom that I have set you free."

Amazing, isn't it that God has to be redundant to get us to get it! And then sometimes we don't. In our humans, we might be tempted at times to step in with a stick of dynamite to get our attention BUT the Holy Spirit is a gentlemen and doesn't do that. Most of the time He speaks in gentle whispers I think.

1 Kings 19:11-12 (hover to see scripture)

It may not be the best analogy but the last year of COVID quarantining has made freedom so much more meaningful. There are many of us who have had to quarantine for 14 days or so if we have been near someone who got COVID.

Many of us have severely curtailed the activities of our lives in order to make the world a little bit safer place--to somehow be "free" of this virus that has devastated our planet.

But the freedom of the immortal spirit is what God wants for us.

John 8:32

The truth shall set you free. Jesus says that He Himself is the Way, The Truth, and The Life.

It doesn't seem logical to me to accept part of what He says and not all of it. Some religions say they believe that Jesus was a great prophet but not the Messiah and the One and Only True Way to the Father.

Was He a pathological liar or God come in the flesh. In faith I believe that He is Who He said He is. Would a great prophet deliberately lie? I think not!

So, friend, today, let's wait with hope for this baby turned King who makes it very clear that freedom is what He wants for us.

A bit of trivia--Did you know that Charles Wesley, the writer of the lyrics of this song, wrote over 6500 hymns and was one of 18 children. He was also the younger brother of John Wesley.

BORN TO SET THY PEOPLE FREE!

GALATIANS 5:1

Today, my friend, I pray that you are free. John Piper says that he believes only Christians can truly be free, and I agree with him.

I am including a link below to tell you how to accept this precious babe, born in a manger, babe yet God. No words came from that tiny baby's mouth, but the very breath of Him had flung planets all across the starry skies.

And now He used one of the very things He created to announce His birth, a brilliant star that led the way to the place of His birth in a lowly manger in Bethlehem--God come in the flesh as Jesus!

These words do not make sense to one who has not experienced God but once you choose to make the decision to use the gift of faith that He has given you, it bears witness to your spirit.

You may not be able to explain it all yet, but in your spirit you KNOW that it is true.

Oh, I am getting so excited just telling you about Him. The anticipation swells as my heart prepares to accept Him all over again.

Won't you accept Him also? And welcome Him into this enslaved world. He is the only one Who can make living here a true event of freedom.

I invite you to spend time worshipping Him today.

Sing together with me and all the angels and mighty hosts of heaven--

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Born to Set Thy People Free!

How to. Accept Jesus

I love hearing from you. Email address can be accessed in right hand column.

Saturday, November 28, 2020

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

December 1

And so we wait. Not as one waits for his third meal of the day but one who waits as if they have not eaten in days. We ache with pangs of true hunger for a Savior to come and satiate our sin-scarred world.

We wait as one waits for her bridegroom, preparing herself mentally, physically and spiritually--all the while longing for the one who will finally complete her--will comfort her in times of distress and rejoice with her in times of great abundance.

We wait as a watchman waits for the dawning--for that first glimpse of saffron sun on the horizon that tells him all is well. The night is over and the new light has come.

We wait as one without any pride, who is totally vulnerable and knows they are destitute without a Savior. I cannot be good enough. I cannot buy my salvation. I must receive this gift with a heart of acceptance and total dependence on Him knowing that He is the only Way to the Father.

Come, thou long expected Jesus.

Come and fill us with thyself

Come to earth and walk where we walk

Come and give us second birth.

Friday, November 27, 2020

Our New Supreme Court Justice

Listening to Amy Coney Barrett during the hearings for her nomination to the Supreme Court, I was amazed at her knowledge, composure, quiet spirit, and succinct answers to senate members' questions.

If she were a professor at our local university, I would sign up tomorrow for a course under her even though studying law has never been a great interest of mine.

I have been doing some research lately and came across a couple of articles that I think you might like. The first is from the Gospel Coalition website. Here is a link.

Also, in that article it is said that she is a member of People of Praise. That sounded so interesting to me because I believe that God is all worthy of every praise. I wanted to learn more about them so went to their website.

What I read was the most uplifting description of an organization I think I have ever read. It reminded me so much of the description of the early Christian church in Acts. Here is a link to that article.

I hope you are having a great Black Friday. I got out just for a little while to buy myself a new laptop. I had been saving for several months. I bought it online and went to Best Buy curbside pickup to get it. It was the best shopping experience I think I've ever had. I drove straight into a parking space, let them know I was there and had my new laptop in less than 5 minutes. Wow! What a blessing!

I am also getting excited about advent. I want to write my own someday but I don't have a clue about how to get started. I am doing a lot of research on that and praying about it also.

Thursday, November 26, 2020

Happy Thanksgiving-2020

Happy Thanksgiving to you! Ours is going to be different this year. We will not be gathering as we traditionally do but that will not keep us for being grateful for all the blessings the Lord has provided for us in this life.

We have faced many challenging circumstances in the last few years as many of you have also. We faced one yesterday that I didn't give thanks for at the time but now am definitely giving thanks for. The circumstances of it prevented us from being exposed to COVID.

Wherever you are today, I pray that you will have a great day even if you must be alone. Rejoice in the Lord, our Savior and as Oswald Chambers reminded us today, dwell on the tragedy of the cross for God to endure--to have to turn His back on Jesus whenever the sins of the whole world were laid on Him.

Max Lucado's book, No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, describes this is a way that you will never forget.

Chambers says to forget about your own spiritual condition and to dwell on God's sacrifice for us. Immediately, he says, God's power will be evident in us. I am paraphrasing a bit here and he is speaking to believers.

This morning when I deliberately set my mind to do just what Chambers endorsed, I was overwhelmed with great emotion, great sorrow at God's sacrifice but great rejoicing at what was wrought from it.

So, if you have no other reason to rejoice and be grateful today, rejoice in God's ransom and provision for us. What love!

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

I Wish I Had Known

A repost from past pages--and now it has been over 10 years since I wrote this post--where have the years gone?

Recently, I received an email from my daughter-in-law in anticipation of their first daughter's sixteenth birthday. It read:

"I had an idea to create a book for Katelyn with the topic being: “What I wish I had known at 16.” I only have so much to say, but thought it would be great to get wisdom from other ladies who have been a part of her life."

What follows is written to my granddaughter, Katelyn, on the event of her sixteenth birthday.

I wish I had known:

*That grandmothers aren't really old-fogeys--I wish I had known that their hearts feel like they are sixteen forever.

*The difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge and the wisdom to use it in a timely manner.

*How important it is to keep a log of my life.

Corrie Ten Boom says, "Memories are not the key to the past but to the future." I would have journaled so much more.

*That gossip is anything (whether true or untrue) about a person that could bring them unhappiness, a pain in the heart, a feeling of rejection.

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to a man's inmost parts. Proverbs 18:8

*It is important and wise to say good things at the proper time

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Proverbs 25:11

*That an unjust word spoken about me or those close to me is like a darting swallow, seldom finding a place to rest.

Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. Proverbs 26:2

If you have never watched a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, make it a point to and this proverb will come alive for you.

*That everything that happens to me will work out for my good and God's glory, if I am following God's precepts.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

It is our responsibility to know what it means to love God and to act upon that knowledge with wisdom from above. The Bible says if we love God, we will follow His commandments.

*And that even when I am not following His precepts, He can change ashes to beauty in the twinkling of an eye when I exhibit true repentance.

Yes, there are consequences to pay for my actions, but true restoration awaits those with a repentant heart.

*How important it is to follow His precepts in every thought, every word, every action of my life.

*How important it is to allow only wholesome reading, listening and viewing material into my heart, my mind, my spirit.

*The joy of spending quality daily time alone with this great God of our Universe.

*That it is okay to be me; to walk, to dance to the beat of a different drummer.

*That just because I am the only one standing up for a cause doesn't mean that cause is wrong.

And if you think one can't make a difference, take a look at this incredible photograph by Anita Robertson.

*That a gentle answer turns away wrath

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

*That mercy triumphs over judgment

.........and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! James 2:12

My dear precious Katelyn,

We are so proud of you on so many levels; for your dedication to your education, your passion for God and missions, the way you stand up for what you think is right--your courage.

All of these are gifts that God has given you and you are choosing to use them in the right way.

But keep humility uppermost in mind, knowing that except for the grace and mercy of God any of us can make a wrong choice at any given moment.

That is why it is imperative to stay in God's Word, to seek Him daily and to acknowledge our total helplessness apart from Him.

This is but the tip of the iceberg of the things I wish I had known.

Always remember that God's mercies begin afresh every morning and ours should also.

When we can do this, we will have become a little more like our Savior and that should be our goal.

Happy 16th birthday. I can hardly believe these years have passed this fast.

All my love,
Mimi
September 14, 2010

P.S. We need to have another photography session and SOON!

Monday, November 23, 2020

Streams of Unconsciousness

So, I am starting my second day of posting on this blog after five years of not doing it regularly. How do you like my silly little title, Stream of Unconsciousness? I may, in fact, change the whole focus of this blog since my days seemed to be filled lately with this and that, especially my thoughts.

I am finding it much harder to really focus on a task and get it done before starting another. I guess since my years are greatly diminished in number, I am trying to pack everything in that I can and I end up not really accomplishing as much. I love to accomplish--but that can be an idol. Maybe more on that later.

Today, I would like to share something that I've read almost every year for many, many years. It is from My Utmost for His Highest. Oswald Chambers and Jonathan Can are my absolute favorite devotional writers. I think it is because Chambers steps on my toes constantly--my feet are black and blue and Cahn makes me think outside of my little boxes and learn--oh my, he makes you learn whether you want to or not.

There are many days that everyone of the sentences Chambers writes in his devotionals could become all-time favorite Christian quotes but today I want to focus on just one aspect of his devotional--that of wanting to vindicate ourselves.

He is writing about things that draw us away from God. One thing he writes about is "cares of this world." But what has hit home with me year after year is this:

"Another thing that distracts us is the lust of vindication.

St. Augustine prayed--'Oh Lord, deliver me from the lust of always vindicating myself.'

That temper of mind destroys the soul's faith in God--I must explain myself. I must get people to understand."

I won't spend time expounding on this but pray that the Holy Spirit will enlighten this passage to you. What we do know is that it is not talking about times when we should apologize for our words or our behavior. Some of us spend too much time worrying about how other people are going to interpret our words. We should make sure they come from a pure heart--speak the truth in love and let it go.

I pray that your day is so, so blessed!

I love hearing from you. My email address can be located under the 'contact' button in right hand column.

It has been so many years since I have fiddled with all of this, but I am slowly getting there--getting it back up and running. There are still a few mistakes but I will get them solved soon I hope.

Sunday, November 22, 2020

Blogging seemed to go by the wayside for awhile and now it seems to be coming back.

There is a part of me that really wants to start blogging again so bear with me to see how this works out.

There is so much I want to say and write about so I hope I will discipline myself to do just that.

I really try hard not to waste my retirement years but I don't want to get to hung up on that. There is so much one can get 'hung up' about.

For instance--grammar. It takes a lot of time to edit and make everything perfect grammar wise. So maybe I will do like a lot of other writers these days and take editorial liberties.

You might as well know early on that I am a Christian and that aspect of my life is the most important aspect of my life.

Also, just so you know and can spend your time elsewhere if you choose, I am a conservative. Have always been and imagine I will always be.

I have kept my mouth shut mostly in the past (on social media) about political issues but am feeling rather annoyed at myself that I haven't been more vocal.

So, if you are interested in hearing about how great I think God is in the persons of the Trinity and a few peppered posts about political issues, then you might want to come back and see if I have anything worthy or interesting to write about.

I do have some very amusing stories and some tragic ones also for that matter.

I can't name all of them because of privacy issues but the last nine years of my life have included

*losing my 32 year old nephew to death

*one of my daughters-in-law going through serious cancer treatments and coming out on the cancer-free side

*two total knee replacements

*a son who suffered a heart attack and five bypass heart surgery

*two major back surgeries

*losing my first two great grand babies to miscarriage

*a son and his wife both having COVID

*losing my sister to an early death--my baby sister--the one I had taken care of like she was my own child

*losing our 17 year old granddaughter to complications from ulcerative colitis

There are many people who have suffered far greater losses than I have but a loss is a loss is a loss and I tell you only to let you know that I have known suffering and understand suffering. Loss cannot be compared and my heart goes out to you if you have suffered any form of loss.

But God is still good and I still trust Him and that is the main thing I want you to know. He is, was, and will always be trustworthy in my heart, mind and soul.

I will be adding some of my art also. I hope you enjoy it and that it gives you some sort of peace.