Out of Our Comfort Zone

Out of Our Comfort Zone
courtesy Google search

This post is a gleaning from Pastor Jerry’s sermon, as he read from Luke 15 about the scribes and Pharisees being disturbed because Jesus ate with sinners. 

Jesus did many things that to others were out of their comfort zone. 

When he was accused of eating with sinners, he at first gave them a story about the lost sheep.  The shepherd placed the 99 safely in the fold, but left his comfort and went seeking that which was lost.

The men, did not understand this story as it was too simple.  Jesus then told the story of the Prodigal Son, who requested his share up front of his inheritance.  When he had squandered it all, he finally realized that he was FAR away from his comfort zone.  He did not consider his father’s broken heart. 

He was not sorry for his wastefulness, but was sorry about his final pig pen condition.  He realized his father’s servants had it better than he presently did and he decided to return home and try to become one of his father’s servants.

His father welcomed him home, and called for a celebration, which was more for the father’s benefit than for the young man.  This feast honoring the younger son caused discomfort to the older son.  He was not happy because the father had never given him a similar banquet.  Would you say he was normal to be this uncomfortable?

How does the young son now live, knowing he is forgiven by his father?  Does he feel “at home” and comfortable in his present forgiven state?  How does he view his brother who harbors jealousy?  The sad fact is that in the home (and church) there is often friction.  Living in peace calls for a walk of forgiveness.

How do we react when a sinner comes to the Lord, and decides to visit our church?  Do we rejoice and welcome him, or do we get pushed out of shape because he is not as mature in Christ as “we are.” 

King Pharaoh reneged on his promise to let the Israelites go.  Once his discomfort was removed he changed his mind.  Actually he had no intention of releasing God’s people.

Satan has sinners in bondage in his zone.  Although there are support groups, rehab centers, the truth is the Devil does not want to let them go.  Only Jesus can set them free.

There will be a lot of people in heaven that you and I never thought would be there.  Jesus is at the back fence letting them into his kingdom as His Holy Spirit stands guard.

We may be called to leave our comfort zone to welcome new converts into the fellowship of believers, and assist them to grow in Christ.  They will need help to understand all that God has available for them. 

 

Time to get comfortable perhaps in a new zone!!

This post is shared with Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays

Also Linked up with Michelle’s Hear it on Sunday

 

Chiropractic Care



Chinese banquet
courtesy photobucket.com

 

Our Son, Dr. Steven Moon just celebrated thirty years as a Doctor of Chiropractic Care.  This is the story of how it all happened.

In College Steven had taken courses to become a licensed x-ray technician, and soon after graduation he obtained work at a local Kaiser Hospital in their x-ray department. 

It was close to Christmas and we had decided to have a Company dinner at a wonderful Chinese restaurant in Castro Valley.  Along with our Roofing crew, we also invited our family to join with us to celebrate Christmas.

Steven and his wife sat across from us, and all the roofing crew were complaining that their backs hurt and that they needed to see the chiropractor.  Someone spoke up and said we need our own chiropractor in the family.

My husband mentioned to Steven that his Chiropractor's son had just graduated from Chiropractic school and joined the practice, and did Steve know what it took to become a Chiropractor? 

It captivated Steven as he said."I didn't know, but I know how to find out."  Steve went to Dr Palaski's office and asked him how to become a Chiropractor. Doctor Palaski was very excited and wanted him to go to his school in St Louis, but Steve didn't want to move so he checked the phone book (it was before the internet) and found two schools close by, 

We agreed to help him with tuition, in exchange for free family treatments.

It turned out that he was only missing a few credits that could be gained by taking evening classes and so it began.

Kaiser arranged his hours so he could work and begin school.  Near by where he lived there was a chiropractic school that was accepting new students.  True to our word, we paid the tuition and the first and second year went well.

The school was still getting their full accreditation and it appeared that Steve needed to transfer to a school in Oregon that would give him his certification. 

We loaned him a car so he could attend school so far away, and we gave him a referrence so he easily rented a comfortable apartment in Oregon.  When he was settled, he phoned several of his classmates and they also transferred to Oregon.   Kaiser in Oregon offered him enough work in their x-ray department to pay his current bills.  Again we stepped up with the school fees.

The training at the school in Oregon prepared the students to become a chiropractor, but they could also do minor surgery and one interesting thing they learned was how to deliver babies. 

I don’t think Steve ever used that knowledge in his chiropractic practice.

Our daughter Becky and I traveled to Oregon to witness Steve’s graduation and to celebrate afterwards with a nice dinner.

Adjusting Table
courtesy photobucket.

Steven began his practice by accepting a room in the office of another doctor, and his patient list began to grow. 

When the other doctor raised the rent on his space, Steven searched for a private office all of his own.   The only thing he needed was a special table, an x-ray machine, and a receptionist.  We helped again and were happy to do so.

Dear Steven, Happy thirty years of adjustments.

This post is linked with Ann Kroeker’s  Food on Fridays   

Where even a story about food will qualify

 Also shared at:  “Tell Me a Story”

 

Sadness – Time to Let It Go

This post is linked to Peter Pollock’s One Word Carnival  The word is; SADNESS

Sad Lady
courtesy photobucket.com

Many years ago, I had begun to acquire rental property in the city of Oakland.  In those days, $1000 offered would be a down payment to purchase a nice rental, and the payments to the bank would be covered by the rent.

By the time we met Tom and his wife, I had obtained a great rental property that was close to our church with a basement apartment and an upstairs apartment plus a small cottage in the rear.

My husband was busy working, so I found a handyman to do simple repairs and paint for me.  Then the basement apartment became vacant, and I received a phone call from my Pastor.

He said, “The Home of Peace just called me and wanted to know if we can find housing for a couple and their young son, who just arrived from the jungles of Peru.”  I told him that I would go and pick them up and show them my apartment that was ready.

Tom and his wife liked the furnished place and immediately gave me a months rent.  They also liked the fact that the apartment was so close to our church and they began to attend.

Tom had been traveling the world working on his doctorate and had married an English girl while he was studying at the University of Oxford.  For his research he needed to journey to the jungles of Peru to explore and document about the lives of the natives.

While they were living in Peru a strange thing happened to Tom.  He became a different person and began to do wild things like a mad man.  The natives called him the “Crazy Gringo.” 

During one of his angry spasms, the local authorities took him to the hospital, where the doctors said they could not help him, but allowed him to stay a few days in their clinic.  Tom requested that a missionary come to visit him.  He told the missionary, “I believe I am demon possessed, and I need you to help me.” 

The missionaries were taken back a step of two, because this was an appeal they had never experienced before.  They told him they would go home and read their Bible and return later.

After reading their Bible, they decided that perhaps they needed to fast a day and seek God’s direction before visiting Tom again.

When the missionaries returned, Tom was ready and willing to do what ever they suggested.   Very carefully they laid hands on him and commanded the evil spirit to leave and to never return. 

 

Then they signed the medical release for Tom, and took him, his wife and their baby home with them. 

The missionaries welcomed them to live in their home for six months, while they explained how to be born again and to serve God.  During this time they taught them how to apply God's Word to their lives.

 

James 4:7  Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Tom related his story to us and suggested that we get together for Bible Study and prayer, which we began to do each week.

One evening they brought with them a woman guest that Tom had met at the Berkeley University where he was completing his doctorate.

The woman had heard Tom’s story of his experiences and decided that she might have an evil spirit.  She was continually depressed, and never smiled or laughed.  Tom and his wife had explained how to receive Jesus, but she was still plagued by a sorrowful mood.

As we prayed together, Tom, addressed the spirit in the woman and asked it’s name.  The woman slowly spoke in a harsh voice and said the word, “SADNESS.”

We were novices at all this, and I can’t say we helped the woman much.  She did enjoy the fellowship, and told us that she would begin to read her Bible.  I believe she wanted to keep her SAD outlook on life. 

Proverbs 12:25 (Sadness) Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop: but a good word makes it glad.

At that time, I did not know that it was important to have the person agree that they are willing to give up their negative attitude (spirit of sadness) and receive an opposite attitude (spirit of happiness, gratitude and thankfulness). 

Choices and decisions can make or break us.  If we are experiencing self pity and wallowing in the mire of “poor me,” it is time to get up from there, and to begin to count our blessings. 

When we discover that God loves us unconditionally, and just as we are, then we realize that  he does not want us to remain that way. 

If we are SAD,  perhaps we should exchange sadness for a merry heart according to:

Proverbs 17:22  A  merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones and by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Proverbs 12:15  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkens unto counsel is wise.

This post is shared at: Tell Me a Story
 This post is also Shared with Laura at The Wellspring

Why? Why? Why??

Why
courtesy photobucket.com

Today I gleaned from Pastor Jerry’s sermon as he read from Luke 13:1-5 where Jesus reminded his followers that bad things happened to Galileans whether they were Saints or sinners.  

These were not worse sinners, and Jesus urged his listeners to repent lest they too be next in line for disaster.

Religion asks the universal question, Why did this happen?  What is the answer?

Jesus gave a lot of food for thought, and not common answers.  He used parables to illustrate, and left it to his followers to figure out the answer by thinking about it.

The Good shepherd, The lost coin, The prodigal son, Who is my neighbor? And how often do we forgive?  Were a few of the stories Jesus told to cause us to think.

Why is there disaster, disease, and accidents that happen to sinner and saint alike?  Why do people die unnecessarily?   There seems to be randomness in life.

Why do people fail to heed warnings, such as those posted on a pack of cigarettes?

The word, “Repent” comes to mind during this Lenten season.  We are making preparations for the mystery of the resurrection.

Easter has traditions that are fun for children, such as crafts and the Easter egg hunt.  It is the time to welcome Spring when flowers and trees bud and come to life.

Jacob was found wrestling with a man, (who was an angel) and he was prevailing, but the angel touched his thigh and told him his name would now be Israel.

We all wrestle with prayer.  The main aspect is not to come to get answers, but to approach the throne to worship God and to form a lasting relationship with Him.  At times we make prayer too complicated.

If we are angry at God, because we believe He has not answered our prayers, it is good to pray this prayer:   “Lord, help me to love you more.”  Then be in a listening mode.

It is by God’s grace that some of our prayers are NOT answered.  Loss is there, but worry is gone.  Thank God, we are washed in the blood of the Lamb.

We pray that persons will change, but the truth is, neither you nor God can change anyone.  Their will is involved.  Pray that their eyes will be opened to receive truth.

On our way to Easter, we may have more questions than answers. 

 

Know that God is in control, and he has a handle on us all, - - on you and on me.

This post is shared with Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays

 

Dogs Days Repost

Courtesy photobucket

Two of our dogs usually have brown noses, because they dig in our yard a lot. 

Our older Lab, Buck keeps his nose clean because he usually watches; and when the other two discover a mole, old Buck grabs it right quick. 

One day recently, my husband heard a great big commotion, and taking a paper towel he was hoping to retrieve what ever it was.  There was Old Buck carrying this mole in his mouth. 

Buck was not about to give it up, and soon it disappeared from sight.  Ugggh, but that is the way it is with dogs.

This morning, our dogs were again having another hullabaloo, so out went my husband to investigate what all the fuss was about.

He discovered an injured small hawk hopping around in our yard.  Old dog Buck went to the bird and almost tenderly put it into his mouth. 

My husband was there in time to rescue it, and place it on the other side of our fence.  Off it went, hopefully to recover and get better.

I am reminded that Jesus told us to be kind and to think of others, those who are hurting, the poor, and afflicted.  Some need to be rescued and cared for.

There are agencies in each of our neighborhoods that can use volunteers, either as helpers or making contributions with money or supplies. 

Your church or organization may be one that helps others.  Do get involved in some way, always remembering the Bible story of the good man who stopped in the road to help a wounded person, someone he did not know and was not of his race and religion.

Luke 10:34  And the Good Samaritan went to the injured man, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

Love the Lord, Love your fellow man, and do not forget to even love yourself. 

Luke 10:27  And Jesus answered and said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and your neighbor as yourself.”

 

This post has been shared at Friendship Friday with Joy
The subject is DOGS

 

 

Obscene Phone Call

Phone Call
courtesy photobucket.com

 

We had been attending classes each morning at our Bible College, and were busy studying most afternoons.  The days and nights were full of activity and excitement.

Once a month there was a week of special services in the afternoon and evenings and Robert and I had volunteered to work in the prayer room. 

This meant we would get home late after praying with those who had come forward for Salvation or to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

By evening we were tired and sleep was to be welcomed.

One night about 2:00 AM our telephone rang and I grabbed it quickly hoping it had not awakened Robert.  “Hello,” I said.  There was silence on the other end and heavy breathing.

“Hello,” I repeated, but all I heard was the heavy breathing.  In exasperation, I said, “It is late so please go to bed and get some sleep.” Then I hung up the phone.

“Who was that?” asked Robert.  I told him it was a prank call and no one had said anything, except me.

The next night around the same time, the phone rang again.  This time, I told Robert that it was his turn to answer the phone, which he did.

Robert hoped to scare the living daylights out of the person, so he told him, “We have a trace on this phone and will know who you are in three minutes, so I suggest you hang up and never call us again.”   Robert heard a click and decided that took care of it and it did.

No we did not have a tracer on our phone, but Robert used a trick to trick the person trying to trick us. 

I prayed that whoever the person was that he would recover himself from what ever was driving him to make such calls.

Are you ever aroused from sleep in the middle of the night, not by the telephone, but perhaps God is calling you to pray for someone in particular. 

It might not be a long prayer, but do heed the call, because you will know the call is from God asking you to pray, and he trusts you to follow his leading.

 

This post is shared at “Tell Me a Story”

Check out these amazing TRUE Stories at: http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/

This post is also Shared with Laura at The Wellspring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust in a Distrustful World

Namad's Tents
courtesy Google search

Genesis 12:1-4  Now the Lord had said to Abram:  “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.  I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Although I was not in church today, one of our dear ladies telephoned me with the title and Scriptures used for Pastor Jerry’s Sunday message. 

I share with you thoughts on Pastor’s sermon. 

The theme was traveling to a new location and the reasons are always varied.   Sometimes we move to a new area due to health, loss of a job, death in the family and the reasons are many. 

Personally our family arrived in this city for one or those reasons.  We were out of options, so all we could do was trust God and move where He was showing us...

In the Southern areas of California there are fruit pickers who follow from one orchard or vineyard to the next hoping to earn a living.  Some would call them “Migrate farmers.”  Without realizing it these families are trusting God to provide a harvest so they can reap an income.

Another term for migrates would be Nomadic people.  Especially in other lands, the Nomads are generally a people who have no fixed home and move according to the seasons from place to place in search of food, water, and grazing land for their herds.

Such was not the case for 75 year old Abraham, as the land was vast, green and water was plentiful.  However one day, God spoke and told him to leave his Father and brethren and travel to a place that God would show him.  There God promised to make of him a great nation.

When you are comfortable where you are, it is difficult to pack up and move.

At this time Abraham was childless, so this was a surprise message from God.

Abraham believed God and trusted his voice and determined to obey his leading, so he left Haran, taking with him his nephew Lot, all their servants, their herds and belongings and slowly marched toward the land of Canaan.

As time went by, a famine was in all the land of Canaan and God told Abraham to move again, this time to Egypt.

His future was uncertain, and all around him his world was shaking, but again Abraham determined to trust and obey.  So he packed up and went !

Perhaps your world is shaking in this uncertain and untrustworthy world.

It is always time to reach out for God’s hand and trust Him for your future is safe in His hands.e NOMADS demonstrate God’s love through our work and by listening to the people with, NOMADS pretty

Run The Course

When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade
courtesy photobucket.com

With a bad cold, the flue or some of the nasty virus that seem to be going around - - It seems that they just need to “Run their course.” 

Using all available means I try to stop it and cause it to leave early, but to no avail.  It is determined and “Wants to run its course.”

My husband Robert, gathered a handful of our small lemons, and carefully squeezed them; added hot water and honey making us both a comforting hot drink. It soothed our throats!

I missed church last Sunday, and it looks like it will be wise to miss again this week.

Usually on Sunday I take notes on my pastor’s sermon, but this virus hit me hard last week, and I ended up in bed for two days, with chills, runny eyes, nose and a cough.

For some blogging days, I searched my oldest archives and reposted some of my earlier ones, because I just did not have it in me to create. 

My husband says he must have gotten this from me.  (He tells me, “Thanks a lot.)  

Honestly who knows where it came from as everyone in town is sniffing and coughing? 

Funny thing, this cold virus seems to make an annual visit around this time of year.

I thought it was going to miss me this year, and  hoped as much but when it showed up, I pulled out the aspirin, lemons, chicken soup, juices, extra vitamin C,  and was prepared to fight. 

I rebuked, prayed, told it to leave, but it was strong and it seemed that it wanted to finish its course. 

We are to be wise and take care of our health, and for me and my hubby, we are going to stay home for a few more days, eat lightly and keep up the lemonade.

I am reminded that St. Paul believed that no matter what happened to him, it was important to “Finish the course” that God had given him to run. 

Each of us has a different “Race track” laid out for us, and we are called to complete it to the best of our ability.

Run with joy and stop for those hot lemonade comfort drinks, but most important - - “Finish your course.”

Act 20:24  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

 

Fasting and Prayer Repost

This is a repost of a Chapter from my "Rescue the Stories, Book One."


Drink Plenty of Water
courtesy photobucket.com 

 Mother’s place at the breakfast table was missing!  “Aren’t you eating breakfast today?” I asked anxiously. 

She hesitated and replied softly, “Not today.” 

I put my clean dishes back in the cupboard, and said, “Then I am not eating breakfast either!”

On Sunday our Pastor has called a week of solemn assembly and had asked the members to volunteer to fast a day, several days, several meals or one meal. 

He told all who would participate to be sure they had their Doctors approval and to decide the type of fast each person would employ. 

 

He stated that there is a total fast, with water only, and there was also a fast with juice for those who wanted to fast but could not do a total fast. 

Our reason to fast should be a time to reflect on the Lord and to pray and seek Him.  The Pastor asked us to also pray for revival for our Nation and for ourselves during our fast.

As a fourteen year old girl, I did not think the fast would apply to me, but now I began to view it in a different light.  Mother was my example and I knew I could do anything that she could do. 

“Are you going to eat lunch?” I quizzed her.  She gently replied, “Not today.”  “Well then don’t make me a lunch today either!” I emphatically told her. 

Mother knew I was stubborn, but she also knew I had a very good appetite.  As I prepared to leave for school, she reminded me of some guidelines that the Pastor had taught the day before.  “She urged me to drink lots of water between classes by stopping regularly at the drinking fountains.”

As the lunch hour approached I told myself, “So far so good.”  My girl friend always met me in the cafeteria for lunch, and naturally she noticed I was not eating today.  “Where is your lunch Kitty,” she asked.  Nothing could be hid from her so I quietly shared with her  that I was fasting lunch today. 

 

“NO WAY,” was her answer.  She excitedly told me that I would make myself sick, that I might faint and this was not a good thing to do. 

 

I smiled at her, and said, “Our Pastor told us that missing a couple meals would not harm us physically and that a short fast was actually an excellent thing to do for one’s health.  

 

My friend was not convinced but she held her peace.

That afternoon when I arrived home from school, I asked my mother if she was eating dinner and she quickly replied, “Yes, today.”  “Ok then, me too,” I told her in response.

The following morning as I met my friend and we walked to school together, she gave me her report.  “I told my mother what you did and what you said, and do you want to hear what she told me.”   “Yes,” I replied, “I am all ears.”

My friend was ready to relay her message.  “My mother told me that you were correct - - and that the next time you do a fast - - - I must also do one!!   What a shock to hear, but I was also very pleased.

Since that day, I have fasted several times, and it is always a good plan to have guide lines.  Be sure to drink water and fast to pray and to think on the Lord.

This post was shared at Ann’s Food on Friday site

Also shared at Laura’s Faith Filled Friday

 

The Great Exchange

Gift Exchange
courtesy photobucket.com

 

My mother always told me, “You are the oldest so you must be a good example for others as they are watching you!”

Such a burden placed upon a person to be so proper - - always needing to be GOOD or act just so, because others are looking at you.

I must say that at times, I was not always the best example, but I tried. Even ‘trying’ is also difficult!

Sweating and striving to be that perfect one, simply makes a person worn out and tired. Along with it brings stress and that burned-out feeling.

Some days you just want to say - - - “I just cannot do it! - -

I am finished with always 'TRYING' to be good, and to be that perfect good example!!”

Well, there you go! That is the answer! YOU simply cannot be the perfect example by your own self effort.

The day I realized this truth, Jesus spoke to me, and said, “Let Me live through YOU. Give Me your life, and I will give you mine.” Now that seemed like the perfect exchange, so I went for it!

It was almost like being born again. –  Then I told the Lord - -

“Take My life and let it be wholly yours, and I will allow you to live your life through me.”

That simple confession caused me to be free from the burden of trying, and proving, and living UP TO what God, and others expected of me.

Jesus is IN the Father, and the Father is IN Jesus. I am IN Jesus and He is IN me!

Wow! That analogy takes some thoughtful consideration.  Why didn’t I see it before?

Free and easy is my life now. I allow Jesus to live through me, and He takes all the WORK out of living. I am so thankful for this wonderful and freely given, "Great Exchange!"

This post was shared at Bonnie’s Faith Jam