It Is A Privilege

It is Sunday morning and once again I am worshiping from my living room.  I pray for and kiss my hubby good-bye early in the morning as he goes off to serve at two churches, while I sit at home wishing I was going with him. I miss it.  Worship with others.  Gathering together in His Presence!

 Sunday mornings we have the privilege to pick up our Bibles, head out the door and gather together in public to worship our Lord and Savior.  This is truly a privilege.  Look how many people around the world have to gather in secret, risking imprisonment or death.  We have the freedom in America to worship.  I think of our dear friends, Linny and Dw who drive nearly 40 miles across Phoenix to worship at a church that welcomes with open arms children with special needs.  There is a church for everyone of us ........if you find your church uninviting, or not meeting your needs, seek out a place that excites you! 

I spent years fighting Lyme Disease, often sofa bound, isolated in my home and unable to go out into the world.  I would have given anything to be able to get up on Sunday mornings and head to worship in a church, sitting in a pew, surrounded by others who love the Lord.  I don't think I could ever take that for granted again. Sadly, here I am unable to go to church......needing to avoid exposures to sickness, but also just not strong enough many days.  I look forward to getting back to Sunday morning worship!  It. is. a. privilege. 

It is a privilege.  Sunday morning worship! Gathering with others, united in Christ. Let us never take it for granted.   It is a privilege.

The Vein Whisperer

We were in the infusion center at the cancer center last night.......quietly praying as a nurse tried to get an IV line into my rebellious vein.  This journey with cancer has brought with it veins that don't want to give blood and even collapse at times.  The nurse tried, I gritted my teeth as she attempted.....but the vein collapsed so she had to start over.  She said, "You know, I am going to have A. come and do this.  She is really good at working with unruly veins."  And A. was.  She found a vein she liked, and quickly without pain got the IV line placed.  I received the first of a week's daily IV antibiotic injections and we were home by 6:15pm.  They work late at the Cancer infusion center.  When A. left our area, Joel said to me, "She is a vein whisperer...  she knows how to talk to the veins and get them to cooperate!"  She definitely had a gift and was using it to help others.

I have heard of horse whisperers.........even dog whisperers......but a vein whisperer was a new one.  I just love how God is in the midst of our circumstances.  He even provides the right nurse in a difficult situation.

Last Friday I saw the oncologist and because of how weak I was and the low white count, he did a few cultures.  Blood and urine....and an x-ray.  The urine showed two different bacteria growing so thus the IV antibiotics.  I was taken off the treatment pills, but given the monthly injections.  We have seen a bit of improvement with my energy.  I am now able to dress daily and get my own breakfast.  It was that bad.  I still nap twice a day and sleep 10 hrs at night, but then again, I am trying to heal from a surgery that went wrong, two bacterial infections, and I am fighting cancer,  Off the Verzenio I can taste food again, am not nauseated, and a bit stronger.  I expect I will go back on tomorrow, but we will see what the doctor has to say.

We feel like our cancer center here is a real gift.  The staff is helpful, kind, and very efficient.  Dr. Singh is treating my whole body which we feel is so important.  Yeah.  In the midst of this awful journey, we are blessed.

A song that has come to my attention is giving us hope and courage for each day. It is sometimes an effort and a sacrifice of praise we raise, but there is always  a blessing to be found.  Always a reason to give praise.    We are raising a song of praise for a "vein whisperer" today!  The song was created when a young boy at Bethel Church in Redding CA was fighting for his life a year ago.  I remember it well.  A powerful miracle saved this young child and the world rejoiced as the enemy was defeated!
I hope you enjoy it.............

The Warring Angel

"You've got this!"  I have had both friends and family speak these words to me in the past month.  There have been many days when I did not feel like I do.  Nada........One day as I thought about what was and still is ahead, I heard Jesus say, "I'VE got this.  He is fighting for me........for you, too.  Then a book title caught my attention.........."You've Got This Because God's Got You"!  And there it is.  The power behind the words.  The reason I have any handle on this at all is because I believe God has me in the palm of His hands.  He is fighting for me, and Holy lives in me giving me the strength to win this battle.

Yesterday I closed my eyes and Jesus took me into Heaven.  We walked down a familiar hallway, passing all the doors, so I asked Him, "Where are we going"?  He said, "The Throne Room.".  I had never been there so when we went in and I saw God sitting in all His glory on the throne, I went down on my knees, thinking this is where I should be when in God's presence.  But God stood me up and I leaned against Him.  He then gestured with His hand and asked me, "What do you see?"  I looking around and to my left I saw a huge group of people and angels singing praises and thanksgiving to God.  In the middle of my view there was a massive angel in a sword fight with a dark presence that was wearing armor and riding a slate colored horse.  Jesus said to me, "That is the spirit of death."  My heart was pounding as I watched my warring angel fight with this prince of darkness.  Before long the angel beheaded the spirit of death with his mighty sword.  Again, I was reassured that I was not fighting this battle alone.  I then looked to the right and saw a white mist.  In the mist I saw was the word T R U S T moving gracefully to a dance I did not hear or understand.  God's hand then came down out of the sky and handed me a big open Bible.  I thought and spoke aloud to God, "Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."  That is where my visual encounter ended.  As I shared with Joel what I had seen he told me he had just asked God for a word for me during his own quiet time, and God had said, "She can trust Me'.

The Bible is full of scriptures that speak to trusting God, no matter our circumstances.  Isaiah 30:15 is a favorite of mine, along with Proverbs 3.

"This is what our Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says, 

 In repentance and rest is your salvation, 

in quietness and trust is your strength."

Isaiah 30:15

"Trust in the Lord your God and lean not on

your own understanding.  In all your ways

acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:4,5

There is so much going on right now that I am needing to take things just one step at a time.  I look for God in the midst of it all and find many blessings and ways He is showing up.  I see not only God but the doctors "fighting for me".  They are using their knowledge to do what they can to help me get well.  I am grateful.  Yet I know that my help comes from the Lord.  Through His warring angels, His Word, His power.  And so we praise Him, we worship our God who saves!  So grateful.

Warring Sandals and Words of Praise

I woke up with a feeling of anxiety anchored  right in the pit of my stomach.  When did I let go of my peace?  That is a question Pastor Bill Johnson asks himself when he feels any anxiety or undo stress.  Where did I leave my peace?  Anxiety and fear are really the enemy's tools to keep us separated from God, the Lord of Peace and Truth.

I sat quietly with Joel that morning and waited for God......immediately I heard a melody in my head but I could not come up with one word of the lyrics.  I hummed the melody to Joel and he came up with one word.....Lord.  Then eventually  a phrase...."Lord, listen to your children praying..."  With the help of google we came up with an old 70's song........

I closed my eyes again and saw on my feet, unusual sandals.  I asked Him what kind of sandals they were and heard the word "warring".  I then saw a sword in my hand, that turned into a Bible.  The pages of the Bible were turning on their own by a wind.....a Spirit wind I expect.  I heard "Jeremiah" and then "33".  I don't often get scriptures this way, but Joel and I read chapter 33 that morning and I am spending time meditating and studying the chapter and what God wants me to learn from it. I expect it has something to do with the words that jumped out at me in verse 11...."Praise GOD........"  and "sacrifice of praise".  

I confess that part of me wants to say, "enough already"!  Enough with the warring and the praise...but evidently I am still to use praise as a weapon of warfare in my current circumstances.  Get my focus off the problem and on to the solution.  Our Lord really has supplied so many tools for us to walk through life and praise is one mentioned over and over in the Bible.  

I have been reading Ana Werner's new book, "Seeing Behind The Veil" this week.  She mentions often the importance of praise and worship.  It seems to shake up the enemy and his crew of vultures when we praise the name of our God most high.  He hates it.  Not only does it have a devastating affect on Satan but it also centers us as we remember how great is our God!

In some ways, everything we do or say can be a form of worship.  Whether we are taking care of our family, working at a computer, teaching students, sweeping floors, or giving a sermon, we are God's hands and His voice.  We are honoring Him in all we do.  A form of worship and praise.  

So let's just praise the Lord......life our voice to heaven and praise the Lord in gratitude. Another old worship song!   Jeremiah spoke God's words in chapter 33...

" .......the voice of those who will say,

Praise the Lord of hosts

foe the Lord is good

And His mercy endures forever.

and those who will bring the sacrifice of praise 

into the house of the Lord......."

Jeremiah 33:11

A Little Country, A Little Rock and Roll

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am a little bit country, and a little bit rock and roll when it comes to the music that touches my heart.  Of course, number one for me is worship and praise music.  So when I can combine worship and praise with country or rock and roll, I am all in.

Lately I have been more than a little challenged by fear as I manage the strange moving strobe lights that appear in my vision when I am in any kind of bright light.   So, when in need of shifting my focus I put worship music on our Bose speaker (from the kids).

This song has been at the top of my list.  I can't seem to hear enough of it.  I told Joel I was   wondering how I could incorporate this song into my funeral when the times comes.  It is for freedom that Christ set us free!

Anyone else feel in need of a good reminder of God's faithfulness?  A reminder of the freedom we have in Jesus Christ, a reminder that victory is already ours.  Eternal life is ours as Christians. 

Each of us have our own kind of worship music that lifts our spirits and touches our souls.  It may be a hymn, a praise song from the 70's or a worship song from today's vast choice of Christian songs.  It all works.  Even when it is a little bit country or a little bit rock and roll.  T!he message is the same.  Jesus is with us, He is faithful, He died for us, He set us free!   Hallelujah !!

Steeples In The Sky

Joel's country church where he was baptized, confirmed, ordained

As seen from the farm he grew up on

When we travel the back roads to Joel's family farm his brother owns, we are able to see his country church long before we approach the road it is on.  The steeple raises high in the sky, proclaiming God's glory, declaring...."Here we are.....come and worship!"

It always makes us smile as we first lay eyes on Joel's home church, Aastad Lutheran.  His brother and their family still go there, living on the original family farm just a quarter mile away.  There are 17 Dahlens buried in the graveyard next to the church, with more to come including us.  Generations of believers.  So grateful.

Many congregations today worship in a warehouse or place of business.  There is no altar, no cross and no stained glass windows.  Often, no windows at all!  Pastors, ordained or not, dress in ripped jeans, untucked shirts and tennies or shoes worn without socks.  No clerical collars, suits, pastoral robes in sight. Quite a bit has changed over the 60 years I have been going to churches to worship!

As they age, cathedrals and vertical steeples are slowly being replaced across the land.  I realize it is not the building that makes up a congregation, but I will always have a love for the church we chanted about as kids............"This is the church.......this is the steeple.....open up the doors and see all the people." 

Joel has served many a country church, often 2-3 churches under his leadership at one time.  We have fond memories of good times in those churches in Montana, Minnesota, and Iowa.  I remember the sometimes aging beauty of the buildings with their "fingers" pointing to God!

Sadly many of the country churches cannot fill their pews any longer for any number of reasons.  But their unique beauty and tall steeples will always point our eyes skyward to Heaven.  They will always make me smile and give thanks for the faithful..........and for God's faithfulness to His people.

Keep Rocking The Boat

Sunday we were to attend a celebration but it was cancelled,  so we headed to church at a local congregation.  We sometimes go with friends to their church ....other times we go to a large Lutheran church downtown, which is where we found ourselves yesterday.

After services a man we have known for over 20 years came over to me and expressed how good it was to see us there.  He then said, "Say, didn't you go to _______ Church for awhile?"  Even though this was not the first time he had brought this up to us, I replied, "Yes we did!  For over a year."  He asked, "So you go to this service on Sundays now?"  I replied, "Joel is still filling in most Sundays, but when he is not filling in somewhere. we go to _________church with our friends, or attend a Lutheran church like this one.  We like variety.  "  This man's reply was "OH!" _______ church?  "Well, it is really good to see you here."   He had a smile on his face, but a question or two left in his eyes.

The sermon we had just listened to talked about stepping out of our comfort zone and about being open to new things God wants to show us.  In hindsight I would have brought that into the conversation.  As it was, I had "rocked the boat" a bit I expect.

Not too long ago Joel and I listened to people speak about places of worship.  The tone was quite clear......"them vs us".  We found ourselves once again defending mainline churches.  It has been the reason we have with sadness walked away from more than one place of worship or a group.

Jesus is to be the center of our places of worship.  The rest is interpretation, doctrine, and individual needs.   In the past five years we have found that no matter what church we are worshiping in,  we seem to rock the boat when it comes to being Lutherans who believe and walk in the prophetic, speaking in tongues, and God-wants-you-well healing.  It is not often a comfortable position to be in.

The term "rock the boat" did not come from us but from God.  When we were at Bethel church in Redding CA  we went to a personal prophetic session, where we were asked a question by one of the leaders that made us laugh.  He said to us, "Do you two rock the boat?"  It is so strange but God is showing me a picture of you both in a boat, rocking it!"  We expressed our thoughts on this, responding that we do rock the boat in the fact that we are Lutherans who believe and walk in God-wants-you-well healing, speaking in tongues, and seeing the prophetic come to light.  The man said, "Well, God told me you are to keep rocking the boat.  Don't stop rocking the boat.  Keep rocking the boat with love.  When you do stop rocking the boat, that will be when He calls you Home."  So.......we all three said together.....Keep rocking the boat!  (not really ready to go home to Heaven.)

As I told Joel about this conversation with the man we know while on our way home Sunday, he said, "I think you were rocking his boat, Missy."

I pondered this, as I really do get weary of explaining our way of worship, or defending mainline denominations like the Lutheran church for their form of worship or doctrine.  It is frustrating.  I keep thinking there is unity in diversity and it should start in the pew first!  In my search for a church home  for us I found a congregation in Huntington Beach CA that an ELCA pastor started.  He defines himself as a Norwegian Lutheran pastor with incurable Pentecostal tendencies.  That would be a long Sunday morning commute......but it is nice to know that there are others like us out in the world.

Today I realized it probably won't end until God calls us Home.  It seems we are boat rockers.  Evidently God has placed us in this position.....whether sharing healing stories, defending "others" in the them vs us way of thinking, or answering the questions of those who just don't get us.   I cannot say I like it, but I do receive it.  We will keep rocking the boat with love, Lord, as you direct us, until you call us Home.

A Steady Diet

When we were staying at the home of Bethel members in Redding CA, the hosts would have beautiful worship music on their TV flooding the house.  Our room was right up front, a sunroom made into a lovely bedroom, so we could hear the music by Julie True ~ so soft and soothing. 

Worship music that soothes and relaxes.  Joel listens to  "elevator music" whenever he is in the office working.  I decided since he is much more relaxed than me, I need to take his advice and find my own ways to bring peace into my days.

I love Bethel music but a steady diet of it is not relaxing.  I love Julie True, but a steady diet of it keeps me from getting things done.  I guess it is a lot like other things in our lives.  For instance, pancakes!  I love almond flour pancakes with almond butter, fresh strawberries and blueberries and topped with coconut whipping cream.  A steady diet of it would take my apple shape to a whole new level.  I like reading and watching murder mysteries, but a steady diet of them would have me jumping at every noise I hear.

There are a few things we do need a steady diet of.......you know where I am going here. We need a steady diet of God's Word, prayer, worship, and interaction.  We need a steady diet of Papa God in our lives, nourishing us.  Yes. 

A daily diet of picking up the love story that God wrote and fills our heart.  Do you remember writing or receiving love letters to or from someone special?  They warmed our hearts and put a smile on our face.  Well, God's Word is filled with love letters to His kids.  They touch our hearts, change our lives.

A daily diet of giving our Creator thanks and praise.  Praise is a way to communicate with our Father.  It is a weapon of warfare.  It shifts the atmosphere around us and in us.

A daily diet of prayer.  Talking to our God about all our needs, desires, dreams, hopes, and listening.  Quietly listening and looking for Him to show up.  He is always communicating with us, we just need to tune in.  Ask, seek, and you will find. 

A daily diet of worship.  Lifting our voices, our hearts, our eyes to our God.  It takes the focus off our our circumstances and on to the One who Heals, Saves, Loves. 

A daily intentional stepping into a relationship with Him.  He is always with us.  He lives IN us for Heaven's sake.  Well, really for our sake.  Share with Him just like you do your spouse or loved ones.  Let Him love on you...........

This is the kind of steady diet we need to be nourished ~ body, soul and spirit. 

Warfare Worship

This morning as I quietly mediated an angel appeared in my mind.  He was big and powerful and barefoot!  He turned around and began walking with purpose down a hallway.  As he walked he pushed with his right hand on a door to the right flinging it open to reveal bright light that hurt the eyes.  He continued forward and pushed open another door revealing the same light, and then yet a third where he stopped and stood quietly.

As he opened these doors I walked behind him and at the first door I stood and lifted my hands and said one word......Hallelujah.  At the second door I again stopped and lifted my arms and said, "We praise you Jesus".  At the third door the light was so so brilliant and powerful I got down on my knees and gave thanks.  I heard the words, "Worthy is the Lamb! Worthy is the Lamb!"  The angel then disappeared.

Over the past few months the concept of praise being a mighty weapon of warfare has continued to "hound" me.  In devotionals, on Facebook, during Bethel teachings, and as of late, in Havilah Cunnington's new book "Stronger Than the Struggle" due for release on January 9th.  Havilah is a leader, teacher, and pastor at Bethel Church and School, and I am part of her large book launch team,  I am enjoying very much an e-copy of the book. One thing she talked about "warfare-worship" and it certainly resonated within me.  Today's meditation during my quiet time only affirms to me the need for praise and worship.

Here is an idea (not mine)!  Everything we do is a form of worship to our Lord if we release it all to him.  From the mundane to the miraculous we worship our creator with our words and actions.  OR...we do not.  There are only two choices.   Besides the mundane or the miraculous, there are times we need worship to be a form of warfare.

When we were at Bethel and received the prophetic words at our private personal session, one of the people asking God for words for us told us that when mountains come to us (and we all face them ) we will laugh with joy when we stand before them BECAUSE we know what is coming.  We know that God's promises to us are on the other side.  We laugh because the joy of the Lord is our strength.  I confess that this year has sometimes been difficult for us with a few health mountains, and, too, the struggle to know where we belong.  My first reaction is not always to laugh with joy.  It is not to praise.  My words and actions do not always proclaim how good my God is.  Guess that makes me pretty human.   

But if praise is a weapon of warfare....if warfare-worship holds the power it did for Jehoshaphat to win a battle against many forces and for Jacob to break down the walls of Jericho, we best take notice.  If God tells us to intentionally worship and praise, we best be obedient.  "Praise is the highway to the throne of God".

Worship positions us for intimacy with God.  Worship positions us to keep our focus on the One, while doing battle because the Lord does fight for us.  Sometimes we are told to stand firm, sword in hand, alert and courageous in the battle with the enemy.  Sometimes we are told to rest and trust Him to fight for us.  Sometimes we are told to praise him, doing warfare-worship by lifting our voices, our hearts in praise to the One.  For, as I was told this morning....worthy is the Lamb!  Worthy is the Lamb!!!

He Is Risen!

"As air is in the atmosphere of the Earth, 

glory is in the atmosphere of Heaven.  

It lifts us above the earthly, 

into the very presence of God."

Ruth Heflin

Yesterday was a beautiful day here in our corner of the world.  The sun was shining, the skies were blue and it was warm enough to open doors and windows, as we welcomed in the fresh Spring air.  It was also Easter Sunday, for Christians who celebrate our risen Savior.  Oh Jesus......we love you!

Our youngest daughter and her son went with us to church where we worshiped with friends and raised our hands in praise and gratefulness for God's goodness.  Praising God.......Worshiping our Lord from a place of victory, embracing His presence ~His glory....rejoicing in His eternal gift to us.  Amazing grace.

Sarah and Jonas

Papa and Gr. Na

Yesterday's "He is Risen" service reminded me of a book I recently began reading.   A book by Ruth Heflin, titled "Glory:  Experiencing the Atmosphere of Heaven".  It came about because I have been seeking answers to define more clearly the glory of God.  How do we experience it?  Exactly what is it?  I was reading a book by one of my favorite authors and this woman's name came up.  I googled her, found out she had written several books on God's glory, and the rest is history.

Ruth Heflin was a woman evangelist who did a great deal of teaching on praise and worship.  She makes several great statements in her book.  She believes that the greatest instrument of praise we have is our voice.  That there is greater change that comes about through worship than through any other means.  When we praise God it becomes a time of worship and worship opens the doors to His powerful Presence.  His glory.

For each one of us it may be expressed a bit differently, but the Bible tells us consistently that we need to praise God.  Scriptures tell us that praise is a powerful tool of warfare, that praise opens the doors to God's Presence.  The Psalms are full of praise!  Praise puts our focus on God and off of ourselves.  It reminds us of His goodness.  Praise ~ Worship ~ His Glory....His Presence.

Not only on Easter, but every day of the year, let us give thanks and PRAISE our Lord Jesus!  Lets praise and worship Him, and as you do so, receive His Presence and glory in you....in the room...in the sanctuary.  His is Risen!!

Pathways Defined, Insights Revealed

Joel and I have been reading a book called Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas.  It is an in depth look at defining our spiritual temperaments, which in turn helps us understand what feeds our souls in worship and in our relationship with God.  There are nine different temperaments Thomas presents to his readers and through studying and answering some basic questions you can see what defines you. It has been very helpful for us!

We have definitely learned more about ourselves and what we are drawn to in worship. We have a strong foundation of faith in the Lutheran Church.  Baptized, confirmed, married, all within it's doors. I graduated from a Lutheran Bible College where I met Joel.  My great grandparents gave the land for their Lutheran church.  Joel's did the same!  We raised our children in the Lutheran tradition, with Joel being an ordained pastor for the past 36 1/2 years.

Still, back in 1972 we would find ourselves at the Lutheran church on Sunday morning and an Assembly of God Tabernacle on Sunday night.  They were certainly different forms of worship, and I felt completely at home with both.  The Philippines found us worshiping in an Interdenominational Church on Clark Air Base and I was involved in a large group of women who gathered to pray for the needs of others, and for healing on a weekly basis.  We sang songs, sometimes chanting Psalms, we prayed and received prayers. We were a group of women who came from different parts of the US and who came from different denominations, but with two things in common.  We were military wives and we believed in Jesus. Women who loved the Lord.  I loved this group!  I still long for such a gathering of diverse Christians who just love on each other and welcome Holy Spirit to be in the midst of it all.  After Joel became a Lutheran minister, those diverse groups were behind us.  Over the years periodically I would find comfort in the familiar and yet struggle with it at the same time.  When I expressed what I was feeling it would sometimes hurt those whom I loved the most.  I did not know how to justify or appropriately share what I felt.  I did not know how to combine the two of me into one style of worship....the enthusiast with the traditionalist.

And then I was introduced to this book that identified temperaments like the traditionalist, enthusiast, sensate, and more. Our friends Mary Lou and Keith brought the book to our attention, we began reading it and it all started to make sense to me.  My spiritual temperament fits into a church that raises it's hands to the Heavens, sings loud praise music, and looks for the supernatural and Holy Spirit to show up and shake up the scheduled service .......or at the least. my heart.  It would be why my top spiritual temperament is as an "enthusiast".  There I was.  Right there in print.  A typical enthusiast.  This is what feeds my soul and awakens my heart in such ways that I could burst with love for my God.  God always works things out!

I began to find this form of worship online at Bethel Church when I was first on the road to healing. And last summer we found a church here in town that fed both our souls in worship and teaching.  As time went by though, we realized we did not quite belong as Lutheran charismatic prophetic Christians.  So easy to find, right?  So we have been going to mostly Lutheran services again, especially when Joel is filling in.  Great people, great churches, and solid traditional services.

So, this place in our journey found us three Sundays ago at our son Mark's church in Lakeville MN. Hosanna is a "once upon a time Lutheran" congregation of 20,000 members with their own coffee shop, book store, assisted living buildings, and more.  Mega.  As we worshiped with Mark and our grandson Noah, and Jada,  I immediately felt my soul fill up once again with God's presence.  I quietly wept with joy that I could be in a "sorta Lutheran, prays for healing, charismatic, hands raised in praise" Sunday worship.  It. nourished. my. soul.

And because of the book God placed in front of us through dear friends, I was able to understand that this is exactly how I meet with God best, not only in church, but in devotions and prayer.   I need not criticize other forms of worship or desire others to be "like me".   I also need not feel guilty because my Lutheran heritage has widened its boundaries and is nourished more by a different form of worship, as an enthusiast who loves to encounter Holy Spirit and the supernatural.  My soul gets fed through relationships, enthusiastic worship, supernatural encounters, and feeling what I experience with Holy Spirit.  There is definitely room for all forms of worship in God's world.  We are all Christians....having unity in our diversity.

I am still exploring how to blend it all together.  The most important thing may not be where we worship, for God, after all, called Joel to be a Lutheran pastor.  The most important thing may be to learn how I relate best to our Papa God and make sure I take those minutes or hours to nourish my soul as an enthusiast.  I find it so amazing that God in His infinite wisdom created us all unique not only in body, but in soul and spirit. He created each of us, so our spiritual temperaments are also from Him and for His purpose.  And he created us to stretch and grow from other temperaments as well.  I have seen that with Joel, who scored high as a person who relates to God and worships well in nature.  I was not into nature much when I met him, but certainly seek it out now.  It is not at the top of my temperament list, but it has its place in my life.

Certainly, as with all books, we discern and glean from what we read, deciding what applies for us as individuals.  It was fun and enlightening to see our spiritual temperaments defined, revealing deeper insights and some inner peace as to what nourishes our souls.   I love how God guides us along the path He has for our lives, making all things work together for good as He shapes us.  Isn't He amazing!

When.......Then........

When in doubt?  Then worship and praise the One who is the Way and the Truth!

 

When you find yourself a slave to fear?  Worship and praise our Protector

 

When the world is in chaos around you?  Worship and praise the God of peace.

 

When prayers go unanswered?  Worship and praise the One who answers our prayers.

 

When the doctor's report is bad?  Worship and praise our Physician and Healer!

 

When death knocks on your door?  Worship and praise the giver of life eternal!

 

When friends betray us?  Worship and praise the Friend that always stands with us.

 

When depression covers you like a dark cloud?  Worship and Praise Jesus who is the Light.

 

When grief fills your heart.....Worship and Praise in grief the One who understands.

When sunshine fills your days...Worship and Praise the Son.

When joy fills your hearts....Worship and Praise the Giver.

When abundance is overflowing....Worship and Praise our Provider.

When our hearts rejoice.....Worship and Praise the One who delights in you!

When................Then!

 

 

Cultivating Gratitude

Recently I listened to a pastor talk about having an "attitude of gratitude".  We have all heard this little phrase, in fact I expect we may grow weary of  hearing it at times.  I confess, I wondered if I would  learn anything new on the topic.  After all, how many ways are there to talk about gratitude and thanksgiving?  But once again God opened my heart to treasures of His truth, and we all know it is the truth that sets us free, is it not ?

Daniel Armrudtz spoke about how the attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving is a powerful tool against the enemy.  The one who comes to steal, kill, and destroy hates praise and grateful hearts because this attitude leaves him powerless.  Powerless.  So an attitude of gratitude can become our voice of faith, give us strength and protect us as part of the armor of God! There were quite a few insights tossed my way, and the teaching I felt would be a yawner had me scribbling down notes to reflect on later.  Humble pie.  There is always something more God desires for us learn. 

This teaching coincided with another I watched where a woman shared that she sets her alarm on her phone to go off throughout the day as a reminder to stop and worship God for a few minutes.  So I decided this year to do the same during Lent, as a reminder of God's gift of a Savior. Every hour throughout the day and evening my phone alarm plays a few musical notes to remind me to stop, look up, and give thanks. I have been surprised first of all, by how quickly the hours go by!  At times I have been annoyed with the alarm and it's interruptions, but I have been truly delighted  by the added joy I am experiencing during this Lenten practice.  So much so, that I have decided to keep going after Easter. It is a great reminder of where my focus needs to be ~~blessing the Lord Oh my soul!

In giving thanks we are cultivating our relationship with God and proclaiming ~ We love you Lord! We give you glory!  The Bible tells us to give thanks in all things.  And we do that because we know the answer to all of life's problems is found in the One who's name is above all names....Jesus. 

God had much more He wanted to teach me that day I tuned in to yet "another teaching" on thanksgiving.  He loves us too much to leave us where we are at and for that I am grateful!  Now I better sign off as my phone alarm is singing!  Honestly, it is!  Time to go cultivate an attitude of praise and thanksgiving to an amazing God! 

Oh Worship The King

 I have been meditating and studying the many ways we enter into God's rest and this morning as I listened to worship music before Francis Chan spoke at Saddleback Church, I realized that the past two weeks of heavy emotional turmoil were fed by the choices I made in response to the diagnosis from the eye specialist.  Not only was I grieving what was and feeling fearful of what could come, but I began to struggle with my beliefs about healing..  I had many choices in how to respond to the report I was given.....unfortunately for several days...........I retreated to my old ways............

I responded like a powerless victim instead of a power-filled victor.  Fear became my constant companion and I stuffed myself with food for comfort (even on a paleo diet you can overeat), while weeping for hours and then off and on as time passed.  I watched depressing and heavy TV shows and lots of news coverage on the Boston bombings. 

I fed my flesh instead of my soul, and depression set in.

It took me awhile to let go of my desire to focus on the problem and not on my God.  In many ways I was reacting to the doctor's words from another place deep inside.  From soul wounds and from a spiritual foundation I had built that seemed to be crumbling before my eyes...(no pun intended, but not a bad one at that).  The situation was not my choice....my response was.

God began to speak to me about the old ways of coping and He started to shift my thinking back to Him where it belonged.  He also spoke to me about being thankful............rejoicing............and worshiping. I really did not feel like rejoicing, but I began to listen to His call.

Oh worship the King!

I am still unable to head to church Sunday mornings like I did for most of my life.  So I worship from home tuning into to live services on the iPad and/or watching preachers on morning TV.  This morning as I opened our front door I looked around the neighborhood and saw people mowing their lawns, raking their grass, walking the nearby path, kids playing outside on the grass.  I felt sad for them and for me. We were missing out on something wonderful.  Worship! Of course we can worship in many different places, but there is something special about worshipping as a body of believers.

Worship is actually a gift from God, one of many He has provided for us because He loves us.  What I realized today is that worship is also a way of entering into God's rest.  We enter into His presence when we worship.  Remember the song I mentioned before?  In the glory of your presence I find rest for my soul.

Oh worship the King!

When life deals a blow, when fear raises its ugly head, or discouragement settles in, worship!  Worship the King!  Certainly I am not advocating denial here.  We grieve, but we grieve with hope.  We have fears, but we respond to them with faith.  We get discouraged, but we don't build a home there..........we worship and rejoice with thanksgiving just as God's Word tells us.  In this place we enter into His rest.  We find rest for our souls.


Giving Thanks today and linking up to A Holy Experience with Ann Voskamp.

Thank you God:
For the gift of worship
For music that shifts the atmosphere
For songs that bring us into His presence
For being able to sing a new song
For rest for our souls