Jeremiah 17: 7,8, and 14
Everyone has thought at least sometime in their life about getting on an airplane and escaping into the great beyond! Yep! Sometimes I have that thought several times a day, depending on what the circumstances are.
Where is your great beyond?
"Jesus, come and get me!" or "Give me a ticket to Hawaii, Cancun, Switzerland. . .anywhere!"
Or maybe it is. . ."Wait, What? You don't really think I can go there and do that, Lord Jesus.!"
Okay so I can't go any of those places. Maybe He would make a house call? Have you ever thought how fantastic that would be, if we could call Him on the phone, and He would come right over?
Actually, He does. His Word is our house call.
Jeremiah 17: 7, 8 : But blessed is he (put your name in there) who trusts in the Lord whose confidence is in him. He (your name) will be like a tree planted near the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes; its' leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
His Word tells us everything we need to know about going beyond our comfort zone. It tells us everything we need to know about going through those tough seasons we are asked to experience.
In these verses it is comforting to know that no matter what if I just don't panic and instead trust the Lord, I will stay fresh and make it. If I just don't worry and instead trust the Lord, I will be blessed with bearing the fruit of standing on my ground. Upright and whole. Our part in all this is to send those roots of trust, love, confidence, and belief deep down into Him. He's got it, he always does.
Jeremiah 17: 14 Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed, save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
Psalm 25: 1 Unto you, O Lord, do I bring my life.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
DOES GOD ALWAYS GIVE US. . . .
OUR DREAMS IN LIFE?
JEREMIAH 29: 11/15 says that He has a plan for our life.
"For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome."
Let us start with this idea and expand on it. When you interview people in their older years you will get mixed opinions. "Did you have a dream to do something in specific?" Like travel when you retire, or build a house in the woods and live a much quieter life. Maybe you even put money back and wrote your plan down about how to execute it. Some of those dreams start early in life. I remember hearing my parents talk about things they wanted to do. It was quite interesting to observe their surprise at how so many of them came true even before they were 60. So, in my mind I start forming career ideas and retirement ideas. I was told you get to 65 and you maximize your dream. You stop working every day and get in the RV and start traveling. You must see the world that you didn't get to while you were busy.
Today, however, when I listen to friends who had a dreams are seeing them change and or be totally rerouted. Some are angry, some are perplexed. "So my plan and dream wasn't God's?" "I thought He answered the desires of our heart if we delight in Him?" Psalm 34: 4 and 5. "And, while we're on the subject, my career goals and dreams didn't go the way I had planned either!" "What about that?"
This is a subject we could hash over for a very long time. In one of my small groups we are studying how to tell when we want to do something, or need to make a decision about something; is it us hearing the plan or does it line up with God's Word? Does it line up with God's character, does it line up with other messages we are hearing, or is it beyond our ability to do right now. Is God trying to talk to me and I am not listening? If we know He has a plan for us to bring us peace, hope and success, why aren't things going that way at all?
I am not the end all to having answers here, but this is just one woman's ideas and experiences.
Had my dream for having a "on the road" speaking and writing tour come true, I would have been sent home years ago or been put in the hospital miles from home. Since I was born with Tuberculosis that brought on all kinds of immune deficient diseases that I have incurred over all these years and culminated in the early 90's. It would have been a disaster. When I realized that things were never going to be as I had "dreamed", I asked the Lord for another plan, His plan, but one that have some of the things I felt so led to explore and do in my life time. Now when I look back on all that, I see that life can throw you curves. The dream was strong, those abilities still there, but God just channeled in a dialed back version. I couldn't have ever had the strength to do all I believed in doing. The neat thing here is, that I learned how to let Him re-channel that dream. We all do. Life happens, things we didn't plan on spilling over onto us. Taking care of a loved one. I could name hundreds of examples.
Pastor Stuart was explaining the beatitudes today and how being humble was such a part of learning about changes in our lives. Being flexible. Meek isn't weak. It is picking up your pieces and re-stacking them according to what you hear TRULY believe He honors those dreams by turning you down another road. Please don't be obsessed with your dream and vision. If you are - you will miss the road sign to another adventure. Life isn't always fair, that is true, but it is still your life and God formed you. He clearly formed you. Psalm 139. So He knows. He knew you would come down this road. Do it with a Joyful and Glad heart. He knows what He is doing. It could be better you know. How will you know if you don't try it.
JEREMIAH 29: 11/15 says that He has a plan for our life.
"For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome."
Let us start with this idea and expand on it. When you interview people in their older years you will get mixed opinions. "Did you have a dream to do something in specific?" Like travel when you retire, or build a house in the woods and live a much quieter life. Maybe you even put money back and wrote your plan down about how to execute it. Some of those dreams start early in life. I remember hearing my parents talk about things they wanted to do. It was quite interesting to observe their surprise at how so many of them came true even before they were 60. So, in my mind I start forming career ideas and retirement ideas. I was told you get to 65 and you maximize your dream. You stop working every day and get in the RV and start traveling. You must see the world that you didn't get to while you were busy.
Today, however, when I listen to friends who had a dreams are seeing them change and or be totally rerouted. Some are angry, some are perplexed. "So my plan and dream wasn't God's?" "I thought He answered the desires of our heart if we delight in Him?" Psalm 34: 4 and 5. "And, while we're on the subject, my career goals and dreams didn't go the way I had planned either!" "What about that?"
This is a subject we could hash over for a very long time. In one of my small groups we are studying how to tell when we want to do something, or need to make a decision about something; is it us hearing the plan or does it line up with God's Word? Does it line up with God's character, does it line up with other messages we are hearing, or is it beyond our ability to do right now. Is God trying to talk to me and I am not listening? If we know He has a plan for us to bring us peace, hope and success, why aren't things going that way at all?
I am not the end all to having answers here, but this is just one woman's ideas and experiences.
Had my dream for having a "on the road" speaking and writing tour come true, I would have been sent home years ago or been put in the hospital miles from home. Since I was born with Tuberculosis that brought on all kinds of immune deficient diseases that I have incurred over all these years and culminated in the early 90's. It would have been a disaster. When I realized that things were never going to be as I had "dreamed", I asked the Lord for another plan, His plan, but one that have some of the things I felt so led to explore and do in my life time. Now when I look back on all that, I see that life can throw you curves. The dream was strong, those abilities still there, but God just channeled in a dialed back version. I couldn't have ever had the strength to do all I believed in doing. The neat thing here is, that I learned how to let Him re-channel that dream. We all do. Life happens, things we didn't plan on spilling over onto us. Taking care of a loved one. I could name hundreds of examples.
Pastor Stuart was explaining the beatitudes today and how being humble was such a part of learning about changes in our lives. Being flexible. Meek isn't weak. It is picking up your pieces and re-stacking them according to what you hear TRULY believe He honors those dreams by turning you down another road. Please don't be obsessed with your dream and vision. If you are - you will miss the road sign to another adventure. Life isn't always fair, that is true, but it is still your life and God formed you. He clearly formed you. Psalm 139. So He knows. He knew you would come down this road. Do it with a Joyful and Glad heart. He knows what He is doing. It could be better you know. How will you know if you don't try it.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
OUCH!!!!!!!
Read Numbers 22: 10-34. In fact I would recommend that you read further into this book on this story of Balaam and his donkey.
Perhaps you have read this story before:
The short version of what is happening here is that Balaam was a sorcerer. People called on him to place curses on individuals or countries so they win over them or steal from them. The King of Moab wanted Balaam to use his powers with God to place a curse on Israel. In doing so, that magic might just cause God to turn against His own people. The King of Moab (named Balak) wanted to have complete power and he was sure he didn't have the resources to win out over the Israelites. Balaam had mixed feelings about God. He believed and talked with God, yet he had his other foot across the line in magic and Idolatry. There was money involved here after all too! He went to God three times to ask about going. God told him three times - do not curse these blessed people. Finally God got irritated and allowed him to take his trusted, long time favorite donkey and proceed to Balak's country to get the goods.
I don't know about you, but wouldn't we have heard God after three times? Or did he hear him, but then the almighty God decided to basically say "Whatever!" Go! So, we would have done the same.
This passage of scripture has always made me nuts. God stopped him on the trail three times. He even gave voice to the donkey to tell him -"STOP! You fool STOP!" Well, maybe not like that, but pretty much.
What did Balaam do. He beat the donkey up. The donkey even ran him into the side of the mountain to get his attention. He beat the donkey again. Idiot! When I read this story this week again from the Daily Bread, I get so impressed with the whole flesh thing we have going on. Our way. We will do anything to twist things around to make it turn out to benefit us. And, so I settled down and thought about how God sets up obstacles sometimes to remind us of our foolishness. We an blame the enemy all we want. However, I agree with the idea that we need to look at how is God trying to get our attention in His mighty effort to protect us. The ouch was multi-purposed here for me. I felt sorry for the donkey even though he was just the messenger. "Don't shoot the messenger!" Good thing to put in your mind somewhere for further use. Asking God for His truth as it stands, is first and foremost. Asking yourself - "What is my motive for this adventure?" "Will it bring glory and honor to God, or is this glory and honor just for me?"
Are you dealing with some obstacles in your path? Good time to put your God glasses on and not your rose colored glasses on.
Donkeys were all-purpose vehicles back in those days - used for transportation. Balaam looked at his donkey with great anger for not only saving his life, but for making him look foolish. Beware at who or what you are getting irritated with when a message comes through an obstacle. It most likely is God wanting to protect you from yourself.
God is an awesome Father figure! Trust Him, with everything.
Perhaps you have read this story before:
The short version of what is happening here is that Balaam was a sorcerer. People called on him to place curses on individuals or countries so they win over them or steal from them. The King of Moab wanted Balaam to use his powers with God to place a curse on Israel. In doing so, that magic might just cause God to turn against His own people. The King of Moab (named Balak) wanted to have complete power and he was sure he didn't have the resources to win out over the Israelites. Balaam had mixed feelings about God. He believed and talked with God, yet he had his other foot across the line in magic and Idolatry. There was money involved here after all too! He went to God three times to ask about going. God told him three times - do not curse these blessed people. Finally God got irritated and allowed him to take his trusted, long time favorite donkey and proceed to Balak's country to get the goods.
I don't know about you, but wouldn't we have heard God after three times? Or did he hear him, but then the almighty God decided to basically say "Whatever!" Go! So, we would have done the same.
This passage of scripture has always made me nuts. God stopped him on the trail three times. He even gave voice to the donkey to tell him -"STOP! You fool STOP!" Well, maybe not like that, but pretty much.
What did Balaam do. He beat the donkey up. The donkey even ran him into the side of the mountain to get his attention. He beat the donkey again. Idiot! When I read this story this week again from the Daily Bread, I get so impressed with the whole flesh thing we have going on. Our way. We will do anything to twist things around to make it turn out to benefit us. And, so I settled down and thought about how God sets up obstacles sometimes to remind us of our foolishness. We an blame the enemy all we want. However, I agree with the idea that we need to look at how is God trying to get our attention in His mighty effort to protect us. The ouch was multi-purposed here for me. I felt sorry for the donkey even though he was just the messenger. "Don't shoot the messenger!" Good thing to put in your mind somewhere for further use. Asking God for His truth as it stands, is first and foremost. Asking yourself - "What is my motive for this adventure?" "Will it bring glory and honor to God, or is this glory and honor just for me?"
Are you dealing with some obstacles in your path? Good time to put your God glasses on and not your rose colored glasses on.
Donkeys were all-purpose vehicles back in those days - used for transportation. Balaam looked at his donkey with great anger for not only saving his life, but for making him look foolish. Beware at who or what you are getting irritated with when a message comes through an obstacle. It most likely is God wanting to protect you from yourself.
God is an awesome Father figure! Trust Him, with everything.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
On my facebook Faith Souder it is spelled out. John put together our hand out and it loaded on that site. But will not load here. I ran copies of the brochure that came with the statue. The brochure goes into detail what each piece was for back in Roman days and then how we can apply it to our need for full armor each day. Some of you will get copies, and some of you need to let me know if you want this mailed to you. shirley.faith.souder@gmail.com
Ephesians 6: 10/18
Sunday, January 20, 2013
AND ANOTHER YEAR FOR JOHN!
www.soudersentinel.blogspot.com - if you want to know more about our evening January 19th.
or facebook. I put a whole photo album of pictures there. faith souder. If you are not a facebook participant, I will put those on here too.
John's 32nd year with ACD Festival Group as their volunteer Poster Artist. The ACD Festival had their annual Board of Directors Meeting at the Museum. Dinner was catered for free from Goegleins'
and always, their food is fabulous. The poster is revealed at the foot of the staircase each year where
Dave Kurtz from the paper takes a group picture and also John revealing this year's Poster.
It is a 1936 Auburn - who is owned by Rick James, CEO of Metal Technologies. The airplane is owned by Phil Allison who is the pilot for Metal Technologies and was part of his family owned business downtown Auburn. The Auburn Airport that was located out on North Indiana Street is also featured.
Afterwards we were invited to the open house for Bill and Maary Hohler's new automobile museum.
It is the former station owned by Dick Foster. It is across from the old YMCA. Bill Hohler is the President for the ACD Festival. Everyone is excited this year, because of the new Director Sarah Payne who is also part time administrator for the RiverFest in Ft. Wayne. She grew up here and has since returned to live and work part for the Festival. She will lend a lot of new ideas and fund raisers to the ACD Group.
I added that top picture because it was 50 degrees out and years past when we went to these functions, I would have snow boots, and all kinds of extra clothing, plus have to run the car before we went home. Its amazing! The lake was totally unfrozen again. Last year, we had sun and 25 degrees.
And, so for some of you this is overkill, but there is new life breathed into the group this year, and everyone is enjoying new ideas and working together in a way they haven't for the past few years.
=====================================================================
As for other news: I am volunteering to work with the Dekalb County Community Foundation for Scholarships. I will be assisting them with taking in applications for scholarships, grading, scoring and interviewing upon occasion. They are a very impressive organization and am looking forward to learn more and be a part of all they do for the community.
My book Embracing Emotional Forgiveness is being reinvented. I have changed the name and size of the book and will be adding more pages. "Fix Your Future So It Does Not Reflect Your Past" (Embracing Emotional Forgiveness) will be in a 5 1/2 by 7 1/2 format. 2nd edition will be reprinted before April 1st. I really should write a piece on Women living with retired husbands 24/7. I thought I would split laughing last night when four of us were comparing notes. One of the car owners wives, was telling how her husband just had to accompany her to the grocery store. She said, "You just haven't experienced life until you reach up for a product to put in the cart, step back and run into your husband instead." Then she said, He wanted to know "why did you chose that particular product. . .", and then she said he was grounded fro the grocery store. We had some good chuckles and how I should write about what to do. Yeah, what?
While you ponder that, have a good week. Assume the position of prayer and asking God for how you can help Him this week bless others.
or facebook. I put a whole photo album of pictures there. faith souder. If you are not a facebook participant, I will put those on here too.
John's 32nd year with ACD Festival Group as their volunteer Poster Artist. The ACD Festival had their annual Board of Directors Meeting at the Museum. Dinner was catered for free from Goegleins'
and always, their food is fabulous. The poster is revealed at the foot of the staircase each year where
Dave Kurtz from the paper takes a group picture and also John revealing this year's Poster.
It is a 1936 Auburn - who is owned by Rick James, CEO of Metal Technologies. The airplane is owned by Phil Allison who is the pilot for Metal Technologies and was part of his family owned business downtown Auburn. The Auburn Airport that was located out on North Indiana Street is also featured.
Afterwards we were invited to the open house for Bill and Maary Hohler's new automobile museum.
It is the former station owned by Dick Foster. It is across from the old YMCA. Bill Hohler is the President for the ACD Festival. Everyone is excited this year, because of the new Director Sarah Payne who is also part time administrator for the RiverFest in Ft. Wayne. She grew up here and has since returned to live and work part for the Festival. She will lend a lot of new ideas and fund raisers to the ACD Group.
I added that top picture because it was 50 degrees out and years past when we went to these functions, I would have snow boots, and all kinds of extra clothing, plus have to run the car before we went home. Its amazing! The lake was totally unfrozen again. Last year, we had sun and 25 degrees.
And, so for some of you this is overkill, but there is new life breathed into the group this year, and everyone is enjoying new ideas and working together in a way they haven't for the past few years.
=====================================================================
As for other news: I am volunteering to work with the Dekalb County Community Foundation for Scholarships. I will be assisting them with taking in applications for scholarships, grading, scoring and interviewing upon occasion. They are a very impressive organization and am looking forward to learn more and be a part of all they do for the community.
My book Embracing Emotional Forgiveness is being reinvented. I have changed the name and size of the book and will be adding more pages. "Fix Your Future So It Does Not Reflect Your Past" (Embracing Emotional Forgiveness) will be in a 5 1/2 by 7 1/2 format. 2nd edition will be reprinted before April 1st. I really should write a piece on Women living with retired husbands 24/7. I thought I would split laughing last night when four of us were comparing notes. One of the car owners wives, was telling how her husband just had to accompany her to the grocery store. She said, "You just haven't experienced life until you reach up for a product to put in the cart, step back and run into your husband instead." Then she said, He wanted to know "why did you chose that particular product. . .", and then she said he was grounded fro the grocery store. We had some good chuckles and how I should write about what to do. Yeah, what?
While you ponder that, have a good week. Assume the position of prayer and asking God for how you can help Him this week bless others.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
SET YOUR MIND! KEEPING IT!
Surely you have heard the saying, "I just got my face cleared up and my mind went fuzzy!"
"The older I get, the less I know!" "I'm in that gofer stage, I go for it, but I can't remember why I went looking for whatever I started. . . "
So how in the world am I going to set my mind to something, when I can't remember why I should keep it on that particular commitment I started? I had a gentleman in my office telling me that there is just too much outside stimulation and distractions. He feels he gets sidetracked and taken off task very easily. I agreed that our television and news media keeps us "going all over the place". He and his wife can't find anything on television that is age appropriate or family friendly to watch with their grandchildren. Or, it could be that you've set your mind to eat better this year. You are already taken off task with the cooking shows on every station and at all times of days. I have had to remove a lot of Rachel Ray's recipes from my sight because they are so scrumptious looking and full of calories.
Everyone but me has an exercise DVD out now. Just turn and point. Its coming up to the middle of January and you are sliding already, right?
So between our age, or media stimulation, and our wonderful carnal nature always rising to the surface, who could set and keep any part of their mind.
I have noticed that I was very good at discipline or setting my mind on a change that I wanted to make, and after 60, something happens. It is like going up a slide. Those steps take a long time to get up to the top, however, the trip down is in seconds. I went from "No thanks, it looks great, but I will need to pass." Now, I think, "I wonder how many pieces I could eat without getting sick!"
Geesh! Everyone of us has a set point. It could be food, golf, sports, drinking too much Dr. Pepper, to television junkie, to you name it. I believe this is all to simple actually. It is still a choice. I knew I needed to set my mind before the first of the year. I did pray and seek God, looked up scriptures, books, made phone calls, and ask friends their opinion. I John 5: 15. If we ask and know He hears us whatever we ask, He answers. Sure enough, the education, the re-entry begins. It is painful but rewarding. If you don't need rewards, or see the fruits of your painful labor you won't find this worth reading. I got through the rough part, had to do forgiveness for myself for being so lazy and stupid, and then the reward. It has been so fun to achieve and see that I can do it, I still got it. I don't got it by myself, however. I still had to have help, and He does. Keeping it - well that takes work.
Whatever you need to get to do - start the process.
a. Take your concerns to God - Phil 4: 4- 9
b. Be humble and repentful - I Peter 5: 6-10
c. Ask, Seek, and Knock for a strategy.
d. Wait for it! Its coming.
e. Implement it
f. Reap the benefits
g. Celebrate - but keep at it.
"The older I get, the less I know!" "I'm in that gofer stage, I go for it, but I can't remember why I went looking for whatever I started. . . "
So how in the world am I going to set my mind to something, when I can't remember why I should keep it on that particular commitment I started? I had a gentleman in my office telling me that there is just too much outside stimulation and distractions. He feels he gets sidetracked and taken off task very easily. I agreed that our television and news media keeps us "going all over the place". He and his wife can't find anything on television that is age appropriate or family friendly to watch with their grandchildren. Or, it could be that you've set your mind to eat better this year. You are already taken off task with the cooking shows on every station and at all times of days. I have had to remove a lot of Rachel Ray's recipes from my sight because they are so scrumptious looking and full of calories.
Everyone but me has an exercise DVD out now. Just turn and point. Its coming up to the middle of January and you are sliding already, right?
So between our age, or media stimulation, and our wonderful carnal nature always rising to the surface, who could set and keep any part of their mind.
I have noticed that I was very good at discipline or setting my mind on a change that I wanted to make, and after 60, something happens. It is like going up a slide. Those steps take a long time to get up to the top, however, the trip down is in seconds. I went from "No thanks, it looks great, but I will need to pass." Now, I think, "I wonder how many pieces I could eat without getting sick!"
Geesh! Everyone of us has a set point. It could be food, golf, sports, drinking too much Dr. Pepper, to television junkie, to you name it. I believe this is all to simple actually. It is still a choice. I knew I needed to set my mind before the first of the year. I did pray and seek God, looked up scriptures, books, made phone calls, and ask friends their opinion. I John 5: 15. If we ask and know He hears us whatever we ask, He answers. Sure enough, the education, the re-entry begins. It is painful but rewarding. If you don't need rewards, or see the fruits of your painful labor you won't find this worth reading. I got through the rough part, had to do forgiveness for myself for being so lazy and stupid, and then the reward. It has been so fun to achieve and see that I can do it, I still got it. I don't got it by myself, however. I still had to have help, and He does. Keeping it - well that takes work.
Whatever you need to get to do - start the process.
a. Take your concerns to God - Phil 4: 4- 9
b. Be humble and repentful - I Peter 5: 6-10
c. Ask, Seek, and Knock for a strategy.
d. Wait for it! Its coming.
e. Implement it
f. Reap the benefits
g. Celebrate - but keep at it.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
ACTING OUT!
We had been looking at how God utilizes our talents and abilities. Sometimes we worry we don't have any or are not using them to help our fellow men and women. I have listened to many women and men talk about how they just aren't worthy. They don't feel they have anything to offer and now have no purpose. In Psalm 139 - it becomes very clear that He chose us, he created us in our mother's womb and so therefore we are His design. If He is the greater creator of all you see, then why would He single you out to be unworthy? I admit I get a little unsympathetic about those statements I hear. He has a perfect design made in you. You have the choice, of course, to not believe that.
Psalm 57: 2 comes along and says: I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me (Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them)!
(you could read on in that chapter, there is more to glean)
Then Phil 1: 6 wraps it up for us: And, I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ! (right up to the time of His return), developing (that good work) and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
So, if you desire to be a great football player, pianist, singer, writer, golfer, garden planter; whatever it is, it is most likely something He created in you. Why then, would you say, I am unworthy?
Deut. 31: 8 starts off saying - He goes before, and He marches with you. . . so know He will not forsake, leave you or fail you. . it is a great promise to learn and keep with you.
I have had the nerve to tell some people "Who do you think you are, God?" Meaning, do you think you are higher and more judgmental then God? He loves you as you are, and by the way, how He made you. So stop dissing yourself! Get to know without a doubt, you can be convinced that whatever He started in you, can be utilized, completed, and bring about change.
Set your mind this year to know Him better, believe Him better, and act on Him better.
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