Missions

In Other Words!

A. Knight

“We are not built for the mountains and the dawns and aesthetic affinities, those are for moments of inspiration, that is all. We are built for the valley, for the ordinary stuff we are in, and that is where we
have to prove our mettle.”
~ Oswald Chamber~

Laurel of Laurel Wreath Reflections is the precious host this week for “Tuesdays In Other Words”. She has given us an awesome—heart searching—soul speaking—quote. If I may copy the definition she uses….”mettle—one’s disposition or temperament”…hmmmm—this gives me cause for pause.

Saturday, when the boys were playing, Rylan became very aggressive. We were in a valley experience. This happens from time to time. These days, more so as the doctors are adjusting his meds. I had pulled him to another room to talk to him about his behavior. You have to pull his attention to you continually (almost every other word). Having never dealt with an autistic child before, it is a struggle at times—indeed can be a valley. But what the Lord show me about me through Rylan’s life….shows me my “mettle”. My disposition comes through sometimes loud and clear. Especially when my patience is at the very last thread….

I told him that his behavior was not pleasing the Lord. The Lord was not happy with the way he was treating his brother. Hitting, pushing and punching was not nice. I try and keep the conversations short, so the next thing was to “pray” about the attitude and actions. I asked Rylan if he wanted to pray. He nodded his head and laid his head on my shoulder. I could not understand what he was saying in the beginning, but about mid way through some of the words began to become clear….. “…and to dah m-public for which it tand, one mashun unner God indi— (undecipherable) wit libbirddie and just for all…” okay…I know you may not have understood a single word….what he said was not understandable……To me……But to God…(what do you think?)….to me that wasn’t a prayer…it may have “sounded” prayer like…because of the “tempo and inflection” he used, but still not a “real” prayer. But to his mind…it was a prayer. To God it was a prayer. Why? Because God knows his heart. His heart was “sorry” for the way he acted to his little brother.

Here we go to the mountain. After his prayer, we prayed again. For his love to show. It was a short prayer, but you could “see” his love in his eyes. In his heart is the mountain top. Through the ordinary of everyday….God gives us little mountain top experiences….sometimes we can’t see them for the clouds. But I am glad for the journey there….He shows me what needs to be fixed in me.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Psalm 91:1-2

Whether the “dwelling place” is the mountains…or the valley….if God is our Shelter…we are safe. His word speaks to my heart on a daily basis…but when I am in despair…not only does it speak….It HEALS….it is a balm….it is “antibiotic ointment”.

Fear not; for I have redeemed thee,
I have called thee by thy name;
Thou art mine.
When thou passest through the waters,
I will be with thee,
And through the rivers,
they shall not overflow thee;
When thou walkest through the fire,
thou shalt not be burned;
Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Isaiah 43:1-3

Missions

Dinner with a Perfect Stranger Book Give-away!

A. Knight

As promised, I am giving away this book! When I read this, I was overwhelmed with the thought of dinner with my Lord. But if you stop and think about it….He is with us all the time! Whether we take the time to thank Him for the food, acknowledge His presence or not, He is there. Watching…waiting to be invited to our tables, into our homes and into our hearts and lives.
I had purchased this from books-a-million several months ago intrigued with the title. When I sat down and read it one Sunday afternoon a couple of months ago, I was mesmerized. I wanted to sit at that table and look into the eyes of the One that gave His life so that I would have the chance to sit at the “big table” one day….in the not to distant future….
So, if you don’t already have this book….and you’d like the chance to read it, simply leave me a comment on this post or the Thankful Thursday post requesting to be entered into the drawing! The drawing will be held Wednesday, October 10, 2007 and I will announce the winner on Thursday during the Thankful Thursday post!
By the way, if you aren’t presently participating in the Thankful Thursday, let me encourage you to do so. You have no idea how you will be blessed until you do! God will take His flashlight of love and shine it into your heart and allow you to see the things you may be overlooking as blessings!!! If you are one of my regular sweet readers….(which I absolutely LOVE to pieces) —and do not have a blog, I encourage you to read as many of the others participating as you have time for. The Lord will bless you in amazing ways! Take the attitude of Thankful Thursday into your lives on a daily basis. Yes, life is tough…..but it is tougher when we don’t recognize what we have in Jesus!
Now about the book…
The mysterious envelope arrives on Nick Cominsky’s desk amid a stack of credit card applications and business-related junk mail. Although his seventy-hour workweek has already eaten into his limited family time, Nick can’t pass up the opportunity to see what kind of plot his colleagues have hatched.
The normally confident, cynical Nick soon finds himself thrown off-balance, drawn into an intriguing conversation with a baffling man who appears to be more than comfortable discussing everything from world religions to the existence of heaven and hell. And this man who calls himself Jesus also seems to know a disturbing amount about Nick’s personal life.
When he sees the “thirty-something guy in a blue business suit” waiting at the table in the upscale restaurant, he’s still not easily persuaded that the man is Jesus Christ. Cynical and mocking, Nick looks around for hidden mirrors and throws out the first challenge: sipping the wine (a mid-range white) he asks, “Can you turn this wine into water?”
How his dinner partner deals with that and the far more important questions that come up is the theme of Dinner with a Perfect Stranger , a little book that touches on issues rarely dealt with in popular fiction.
I leave you with that!…..kind of makes you hungry for more huh? Even if you aren’t a “blogger”, you can participate. If you post your comments as anonymous, please be sure and e-mail me. I will certainly include you!
Country Life Messages, Thankful Thursdays

A Plate Full of Thankfulness!

A. Knight


Last week I made the decision to write out “Thank you cards”….not the kind you generally think of….but “reminders” for me of all the blessings of God. I would write each day a blessing….something I am thankful for. No matter how trivial some might view it, if it meant something to me, then I should be thankful.

The Lord started speaking to me some verses that went along with some of them. I have been amazed at the things I have been taking for granted. But when January 1, 2008 makes its grand arrival, I will have filled 100 cards with notes of thankfulness. I am learning to appreciate things more. I am learning to praise God “from whom all blessings flow”.

The picture may not appear at first glance to “go with anything I have written. But just wait…..

Our ladies ministry has a special “tea” once a year to raise money for missions. The tea always has a theme. Last year was my first year participating in said event. I enjoyed it immensely. God was good. My sister Wanda, and our sweet friend Wilma, prepared our table with delicacies from our kitchens, and we set the table with finery. There were grand displays of God’s goodness all around the room.

This year the theme is “The Glory of Autumn”. Last year I had purchased 6 plates and 6 cups and saucers from TJ Maxx. I liked the brown and cream dishes. I liked the feel, the colors and the look of the dishes. But though I searched in every nearby city I could only find 6. We even called some friends in neighboring larger cities and gave detailed description but to no avail. Six was all it would be. Well, if you know anything about TJ—you know that unless it is a “big brand” you aren’t likely to ever see it again. I had called Jeff one day (had a brain storm to check e-bay), and asked him to look on the back of the dishes for a name….he replied…”microwave and dishwasher safe—Fine China”.

My heart really wanted to use these dishes this year for the tea. However, I needed 8. How many do I have? Six. Well, I am THANKFUL that I have friends that love me enough to “keep an eye peeled”. My sweet friend that scours TJ for goodies constantly called me a few days ago and said, “Angie, you aren’t going to believe this….I think I have found your plates.” The way it went down is so “GOD like”—–read on!

If you faithfully trudge through the aisles at TJ Maxx, you know very well how “full” the dish shelves are. Sometimes, you have to literally dig and stack your way to what you want. This store was not any different. Stacks of plates, cups, bowls, platters simply covered every shelf. Every shelf but one. On this lone shelf sat two…..yes I said 2 plates of the sweet brown rose pattern. All alone. Displayed in such a strategic way that she would not miss them. Might I suggest that an angel came through the store just before she did and unearthed them from the piles of china and stoneware and pushed EVERYTHING else aside so that they would not be missed? Well, believe what you will, I happen to serve a God that when He says He will give us the desires of our hearts, I believe He actually meant it. Do you realize that 6 + 2 = 8? Yeah, I thought you’d pick up on that!

Well, not only did He supply the plates…..but my friend’s sister….while on her vacation….was sent a picture on her phone of “what to look for”….and low and behold…..2 cups and saucers. What do we have???? WE HAVE A SET OF EIGHT!!!!! That is what kind of God we serve ladies! He cares about our “tea parties for missions!” I am thrilled beyond words that He took the time to take care of this small detail. Could we do the tea without them? Absolutely. I could have even borrowed some pretty white dishes from my mother that would grace the table with refined elegance…..The dishes themselves will NOT save one soul. But maybe the witness of God’s miracles will impact someones life.

What we enjoy in life matters to God. We matter to Him. Our faithfulness to Him is important.

Psalm 37:3-6 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

We must Trust in Him, dwell with Him (daily walk), delight in Him (be joyous over Him), commit our ways to Him (dedicate our lives daily to Him) and He will gladly shower us with His love, mercy, grace and ……plates, cups and saucers!—-the desires of our hearts! Our hearts desire should be what HE WANTS in us.

Trust Him. Walk with Him. Invite Him to “ride” with you daily. Be joyous over Him–rejoice out loud to Him of His wondrous love and mercy! Your “cups and saucers…..will run over with His best!

Now, as to the book pictured…..I didn’t forget to mention it—-I am having another “GIVE AWAY”. No tricks—-just a treat for someone—-just make a comment that you’d like to be included and I will tell you more about the book and the day of the drawing on Friday.

For more….”Thankful Thursday” post head on over to sweet Iris’ place and be thankful! It is amazing how you will feel refreshed in spirit when you start thinking of all that we have to be thankful for!!! By the way….Iris, I missed you….glad you are BACK!!!

Missions

Discipleship

A. Knight


(Award created by Management by God–Dan King)

I have been blessed—all glory….for anything that is accomplished through me or anything I do, goes to God. For His grace and mercy in my life. I was honored by Debbie Shank with the pictured award. I searched out the roots of this award and would like to share it with you.

Mathetes is the Greek word for disciple, and the role of the disciple (per the Great Commission) is to make more disciples. The call to make disciples was not given to just the pastors….but to all—of —-us. There are many people in my life that I feel fit the category of living the life before others in such a way as to lead others to Christ through witness, various ministries, prayer and counseling. I now share this award with some of those that have influenced my life, my walk and my heart—-along with countless others! Each individual has their own way of sharing Christ. Unique to themselves. Same servants heart….just different styles. That’s what wins souls. We are not called to be cookie cutter Christians….but are called to live in Christ…in the world He placed us in….with our personality…but His message!

These five all share the message in their own creative ways, and I admire them all for what they do. God bless you all—for you have blessed my life!
e Pastor Juno—your blogging ministry has blessed me—especially since I cannot hear you preach each Sunday!
e Sarah—you have been there—guiding me along the “new journey” of youth ministry blogging! Your encouragement and help goes way beyond what I can express!
e Lynn—how you have prayed—I have felt those prayers lifting my spirits! Your words of wisdom in your posts are incredible! I find constant delight for my soul when I “plop myself” on the spiritually speaking “blogger sofa”! Bless you !
e Vicki—I am revived! I stand near the window (pictured on your blog) and feel the breeze of the Holy Spirit! Your words are a band aid when I need it…cool water when I thirst and necessary redirection to my heart when the Lord feels I need that too! It is too awesome to tell—what an encouragement your blog ministry is to me!
e Melissa—Her ministry in her blog is what the title says….a “Breath of Life”. There you will find life…in Christ….encouragement for the soul. Joy of heart! I have recently added Melissa to my page to make it convenient for me…(probably a bit selfish of me 😉 ), but I wanted to share her ministry with those that visit my page. I have been told by friends/family that they do visit the others on my page. That is encouraging! What you write—-reaches far and wide into the kingdom of God!

There are many names I could add (but was restricted to 5)—as I have leaned heavily on Iris, Laurel, Ellen, and Robin for their godly counsel in my own life. Their blogs are drenched in His Holy Spirit. I encourage you to seek them out from my sidebar. Sting my Heart, Laurel Wreath, The Happy Wonderer, and Robinznest! You will find godly counsel. You will find peace, joy and truth. There are days you will also laugh out loud (scaring everyone around you!), but there is definite joy in the journey with the Father! To these four precious sisters in Christ….I lift my “mouse” in salute to you! Go forth and continue bloggin’ for Christ! I am “sneaking” your “mathetes award” to you with this post—sssshhhhh—don’t tell that I went over the limit!


Galatians 6:10 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
That is what we do daily for one another…..here in this place—-these blogs—-He is here working through us…for us….in us…..all.

God bless you friends!

Missions

Life’s Blessings

A. Knight

This morning the Lord invited me to sit in the breeze with Him. On the swing that sways lazily on my patio. The sun was filtered by the canopy of hickory nut trees all around while lacy trendily moss hangs down in shades of gray. Do you have the picture in your mind?

I felt Him near me as the leaves performed a quick dance across the concrete. His breath. His wind. His trees. His season.
In my blood I felt the excitement begin to build as the much anticipated season approached. Fall. Some call it autumn. I call it Fall. Whatever it is to you. It is God’s sweet breath bringing a reprieve from the hot humid summer.

I began to think of my thankful cards. You know. The ones for the “last 100 days” of the year. The things I have to be thankful for would fill more than just 100 days.

As the hickory nuts fall to the ground with a distinctive “plonk”, I realize that many blessings have fallen into our lives much the same way. We may not have realized it at the time….but then some are hidden in their early stages of “blessedness”.

As the traffic behind the house begins to pick up, a lone bird makes a lengthy announcement for his fair feathered friends. Perhaps an invitation. Perhaps a weather warning, or a special news bulletin, or just maybe, he is simply singing his given song to his Creator.

A few responding songs and whistles call out, then they are silent. I have no idea what the message was. But their Creator knows. He gave them voice. He wrote their song.

“Plonk”. More hickory nuts fall as the wind stirs stronger. More blessings fall into our lives. The nuts are not “our” blessings. They belong to others who reside on these grounds with us. The squirrels.

While it is true that squirrels can do extensive damage and should not be considered a blessing, they also perform little acrobatic feats—much to the delight of “young eyes”, who are an absolute blessing. These same acrobatic flips, swings and dances through the trees give me cause to pause. I stop, look and listen. I relax. I breath deeper. I lean my head back on the swing and enjoy the show. Provided completely commercial free by the Great Choreographer of life.

“Plonk”. More blessings. I saw the sights. I heard the sounds. I felt the breeze. I felt the love….of the Creator of all.
Missions

100 Days of Thankfulness

A. Knight

Wow! I am thankful for so much today. First—my sweet man is home safe!!!! I am dancing around in circles!!! Much celebrating!!
Second, Grandbuddy had a bad fall while on the missions trip—but he is okay. He fell from a “ramp” of some sort they were using to move the concrete they were mixing and pouring and when he fell, a piece of re-bar went through his shorts, “right beside his hip”. YOU CAN’T TELL ME THAT GOD DOESN’T DIRECT OUR PATHS!
He is okay. Sore, but okay. Third, I am thankful that my mother and Grandbuddy had a great time and are home safe as well. Fourth, I am thankful that whoever tried to “break-in” our house did not succeed. The Lord sent His angels to protect it, but they may have had a slight delay—but they did prevent the break-in.

I would like to challenge each of you that take the time to read this today. There are 100 days left in this year. What would happen in our spiritual lives if each of us chose to live thankfully for the next 100 days? What I am going to do is write on an index card each day something I am thankful for. I may add a scripture verse to go along with it. At the end of the 100 days, I will have a small stack of “thankfuls” to carry me into the coming year.

We will face some battles, some tough life issues, but I know that even in the midst of all of life…..we can find something to thank God for. Even if the only thing we can think of at the time of “trouble”, is to thank Him for the “ink in the pen”, by which we write on the card! Let your mind carry you through every detail of your day, and think of what it would be like to be “without” some of those things.

There is a commercial on TV right now that shows an individual going about his/her day and suddenly everything around them dissolves into nothing. It all disappears. What would we have to be thankful for if that actually happened? Think about it. Eyes to see. Ears to hear. A heart that beats. Lungs that can breath without assistance. Feet to walk. Teeth to brush. Okay, so I know that there are many, many people that live without some of the very things I just mentioned. But what if you had to give up something? How thankful do we live for the abilities and gifts God has so freely given us?

I am in a very serious mode today. I enjoyed an awesome Bible Study last night —- much to chew on. I shared some of it with my sister, Aimee, this morning as I drove to work. I will share with you as well. Next post.

I love each of you! I am thankful for Lynn over at Spiritually Unequal Marriage—they are hosting Thankful Thursday this week while Iris, is off vacationing and enjoying some special time with her man! Head on over to Lynn’s place and read more thankfuls!!!

Let me hear back from you if you want to join me in the challenge of living thankfully the next 100 days ….. and beyond!

*I apologize…I did not take the time to “count the days” I took someone’s word for it. There are not 100 days left. There are as of this posting, 96 days. However, I am still making my Thankful cards!*

Missions

Toys and Toils

A. Knight

This past weekend was full of sweet sugar and toys! From coloring with new fat crayons, to dragging out all the toys in the two baskets Nana has, we had fun!
I was listening to Joel Osteen’s broadcast one night this week and he was talking about time spent with children. Time they need. Time we need. God teaches us things through our children.
In the honest eyes of a child, we find the heart of God. Luke 18:16 says, “Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ” NLT
To be so caught up in the toils of life and not be able to enjoy the gift of life is prevalent today. Children are just such a gift. To be cherished and enjoyed. Rylan, our oldest grandson, has told me many times while we were playing or just talking, “Nana, you are a toy”. I would tell him back, “no, I am a Nana! You are a toy!” He would giggle and hug me. A treasured moment.
There are a k-zillion (one of my numbers) treasured moments when you spend time with a child. I know from experience. God has used these moments to tell me things about His love for us.
I have noticed something in watching my girls become the unique mothers that they are. When Cy takes a tumble at our house, April doesn’t run to pick him up, she quickly “tells” him he’s okay. Most of the time, he gets back up and keeps on going. If he were hurt, she would hold him and reassure him that it would be okay. That she loved him, and she’d kiss his boo-boo better!

When we stumble, God “tells” us through His Word, that He is right there. That we are okay. That He loves us, cares for us and will never leave us. He will hold us close enough we can hear His heart beat. As much as we love our children and grandchildren, God loves us more.

He wants us to love Him more than anything else in our lives.
Joshua 22:5 says, “But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” The personal instructions of Jesus to the Sadducees and Pharisees, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ (Matthew 22:37)

Loving Him is spending time with Him. Daily. Moment by moment. He is there, in the toil of life and as we play with the magnificent “toys” of His creation. His “little children”.