Too tired NOT to pray...

I don't know how it is for others, but I know that when I get tired it's hard to focus in prayer. I'd rather keep things short and simple and get my sleep, knowing that I can think and pray more clearly after I'm more rested. I mean, that makes sense right??

However, God's been giving me a paradigm shift in regards to prayer. But first, He had to remind me that it's ok to get tired…Let me share what I mean.

It's interesting the different misconceptions that sometimes altar our way of thinking. One misconception, that I didn't even realize I had, has been how I've perceived my exhaustion from hours spent in ministry or work. I will have a beautiful time with God in prayer and study in the morning, and then throughout the day as I work or minister to others, I'll find myself growing weary…depending on the task, sometimes to the point of exhaustion. The cycle repeats itself again and again. Often, after intense periods of ministry (whether a weekend speaking event, a mission trip, running the program for an ARME Bible Camp, or some other large task) I'll find myself nearing exhaustion and I'll have to collapse for a day or two. At those times my family will tell me, "You really need to slow down and not work so hard. You're going to kill yourself!" And then, sometimes I'll find myself thinking, "If I was really filled with the Holy Spirit, I shouldn't be getting so tired or weary during times of ministry? What is wrong? What am I missing?"

Just this past week I was reading in the book The Mount of Blessings and here's a paragraph that jumped out at me.

"Jesus days were passed in ministry to the crowds that pressed upon Him, and in unveiling the treacherous sophistry of the rabbis, and this incessant labor often left Him so utterly wearied that His mother and brothers, and even His disciples, had feared that His life would be sacrificed." p. 102

Wow - I guess I knew this, but I had forgotten. Even Jesus got weary….He grew tired. Just like me! Even Jesus family thought He was going to kill himself from over work. (Obviously He worked a LOT harder than I ever will!) But He kept going, He kept working, He kept ministering to others with a supernatural strength. What was His secret??

It's the secret we should know well...

The passage continues. "But as He returned from the hours of prayer that closed the toilsome day, they [the disciples] marked the look of peace upon His face, the sense of refreshment that seemed to pervade His presence. It was from hours spent with God that He came forth, morning by morning, to bring the light of Heaven to men. The disciples had come to connect His hours of prayer with the power of His words and works….and their hearts were awed and humbled."

As I read, my heart was awed and humbled as well. And it was so encouraging for me to be reminded…that maybe I'm not off course after all. I  just need to keep walking, but also keep going back to the source of living water for new filling. For I am a leaky vessel…a very leaky vessel!

And then the paradigm shift began...

"Jesus was often found in prayer. He resorted to the lonely groves or to the mountains to make His requests known to His Father. When the business and cares of the day were ended, and the weary were seeking rest, Jesus devoted the time to prayer. 

We would not discourage prayer, for there is far too little praying and watching thereunto. And there is still less praying with the Spirit and the understanding also. Fervent and effectual prayer is always in place, and will never weary. Such prayer interests and refreshes all who have a love for devotion…. If Christians would take home the teachings of Christ in regard to watching and praying, they would become more intelligent in their worship of God." Counsels for the Church, p. 293

You see, the difference between us and Jesus is, when we get tired…we go rest. We go to bed, we stop working, we stop serving others and focus on ourselves! We take a break! However, when Jesus got tired, He went to pray… Oh what a powerful lesson and reminder of what we must do when we grow weary. Instead of turning inward to focus on ourselves, instead of pausing our service for others…we need to pause and take time to pray - not just quick survival prayers…but take the hours with Him we need until we are filled and refreshed once again.

One final passage that I think is very fitting here…

"Let us turn aside from the dusty, heated thoroughfares of life to rest in the shadow of Christ’s love, and learn from Him the lesson of quiet trust. Not a pause for a moment in His presence, but personal contact with Christ, to sit down in companionship with Him,—this is our need. Many, even in their seasons of devotion, fail of receiving the blessing of real communion with God. They are in too great haste. With hurried steps they press through the circle of Christ’s loving presence, pausing perhaps a moment within the sacred precincts, but not waiting for counsel. They have no time to remain with the divine Teacher. With their burdens they return to their work. These workers can never attain the highest success until they learn the secret of strength. They must give themselves time to think, to pray, to wait upon God for a renewal of physical, mental, and spiritual power. They need the uplifting of His Spirit. Receiving this, they will be quickened by fresh life. The wearied frame and tired brain will be refreshed, and the burdened heart will be lightened and encouraged." Signs of the Times,  July 6, 1904, par. 6-7

Some of us may be too tired to pray…but really, we should be too tired NOT to pray. And thus we will grow more like our Lord and Savior every day…refreshed and ready to take on whatever comes our way!

At the end of my rope...

Ever feel like you've come to the end of your rope and you can't take another step?? That was me this past weekend.

To be honest, the past 3 weeks have been very filled from early morning til late at night as I've been working on numerous ARME projects and then completing Nursing paperwork and competency testing for another Travel position. Then last week (before this past weekend), I'd spent orienting at the new hospital where I'll be working as a travel nurse for 8 weeks. On top of 12-14 hour days at work, I was coming home at night to work another 3-4 hours on upcoming ARME Bible Camp programs. Then when I was about to drop, I'd grab a few hours of sleep before I'd get up to spend time with God and then start my day over again.

By the time this past Friday came around, I was exhausted. In fact, I was BEYOND exhausted…my physical strength was gone and my emotional energy was zapped. (I felt like a Zombie!) However, I couldn't stop and rest. I had a full weekend ahead of me as I'd been asked to speak at Mtn View Church here in Arkansas. I would not only be speaking for the Divine service Sabbath, but I had a Friday night message to give, as well as messages all Sabbath afternoon. In my physical and emotional exhaustion, the task looked completely impossible. Although I'm usually bustling with enthusiastic energy when it's time to share, all my energy had vanished, and I found myself looking ahead at the upcoming weekend with great apprehension. "Oh Lord," I prayed… "I don't think I can do it! Why did I commit to speak THIS weekend? I should have put it off to another date!"

Exhausted, discouraged, and feeling like I was facing an impossible mountain, I collapsed Friday morning on my bedroom floor in prayer. "God, I'm at the end of my rope. I feel like I can't take another step. I have no idea how I'm gonna get through this weekend. I'm so tired I can barely think right now, and yet I am suppose to give four messages this weekend and lead united prayer TWICE!!! How can I do this? I feel like I have nothing to give."

I prayed, read my Bible through tears, and prayed some more. "God, if you want me to do this… you have to fill me…you have to give me supernatural strength and inspiration!" Despite my earnest prayers, no angel came to my side (at least that I saw) and no lightning shone across the sky from heaven. I felt no supernatural surge of strength and I began to wonder if I was about to finish my speaking career once and for all.

But sometimes, God is silent for a reason, to test us and to grow our faith. Finally, realizing that time was running out and I needed to get started on my day and final preparations, I told God, "I'm gonna walk forward by faith trusting you to fill me and give me what I need. I don't feel it now, but I will walk forward anyway."

At that very moment my friend Kim texted me… "Just walk forward by faith Mel, and God will give you strength." I'd asked her earlier to pray for me as I was struggling, but she had no idea the nature of the battle. Tears flooded my eyes as a deep peace filled my heart. It was like God was just confirming what I had just decided. The timing of that text couldn't have been more perfect or providential… At that moment, I knew for sure that God was going to walk with Him and give me the strength. And that this would not be the end.

What looks like the end for us may be the beginning for God...

And God proved Himself faithful! In fact, this past weekend at Mountain View Church was one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life. Once I got up to share, it's like this supernatural strength and enthusiasm flooded over me and I spoke with a power and clarity that I have never experienced so completely and fully before. It was amazing, and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that it was NOT me, but God working through me. The whole weekend was a complete miracle and God worked in a powerful way and hearts were changed. But the biggest heart that was changed was mine!!!

I've talked about the Holy Spirit's filling and I've prayed for it for years. I've felt touches of it here and there, and I've always known that God was walking with me. (I have many stories and testimonies to prove this!) However, I've never realized so clearly what God truly wants to do if we will only allow His Spirit to completely fill us and use us. Unfortunately, I had to come to the complete end of myself (the end of my rope) before I realized what I'd been missing, before I realized what He wanted to do. But it was beautiful, it was amazing, it was life-changing. And I will never be the same.

After this past weekend, I re-dedicated my heart, life, lips, voice, and service to Christ again and I told him… I don't EVER want to speak again unless I know that YOU have filled me and YOU are the one talking….not me!!

Truly His power is made perfect in my weakness...

 Zech 4:6 "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."

The Storm Came…and the Daffodils are paying the price!

Some of you have written and asked me… "How are the Daffodils? Did the storm ever come?"  For those of you that remember my post from January 6th about the "Daring Daffodils"... the STORM did finally come!!! And regretfully our poor Daffodils were NOT ready!!

I actually thought it would be just a few days or weeks before we had our first hard winter freeze or ice. But it took longer than I thought…actually, over a couple months longer! It's now mid-February and it's not until THIS week that we really got hit with hard winter weather for the first time here in Arkansas. So I don't blame the daffodils for doubting and continuing on with life unprepared...

And isn't it much the same with us… We've known all our lives that hard times are coming and that Jesus really is coming back soon. But "soon" - how soon?? Most of us probably think, "I know they keep talking about it, but they've been talking about it my whole life! Seriously, I can't see things getting bad that soon. Despite talks of economic disaster and chaos things in the world seem just fine, we probably have plenty of time…"

If we talk like this, we'd be like the men from Bible times...

"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation...But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness," II Pet 3:3,4,10,11

This is a good challenge for me today… "What manner of person ought I to be?" Am I preparing to stand through the fire and live for eternity…or am I just thinking about the joy of the moment or about what I can do to increase my pleasure for tomorrow? Let's learn something from the Daffodils...

My Perfect Valentine...

I've been a hopeless incurable romantic since I was about five years old. Like so many other girls, I’ve spent hours dreaming and praying about my “perfect valentine” – the guy who would send me a card full of “I love you’s” and a dozen red roses on Valentines.

Well the years have come and gone and I'm way past the age I thought I would still be single! I’ve continued to grow through experiences of both joy and pain, and I still haven’t met my prince charming. But my life is so full and complete in Christ, and I couldn’t be happier! While I haven’t always gotten what I asked God for (I’m still waiting for that guy that will send me a dozen red roses), I have to admit that I’ve gotten so much more than I imagined possible.

Let me tell you about my perfect Valentine...my prayers all these years, and the love that has come true! (Click on "My Perfect Valentine" to read…)

"My Perfect Valentine" 

Used by permission of SetApartGirl.com

Live, Laugh, Love…with ALL your heart!!

With another passing year and another passing birthday I am reminded of a couple things. For one, I am realizing that the years are moving all too quickly and before I know it, they will be gone! (LOL - sounds like I'm really getting old, huh?! But you'll understand when you realize what I got for a birthday present this year!!) And two, I need to take advantage of the time I have to live and LIVE MY LIFE TO THE FULLEST FOR GOD!!!!

These thoughts have prompted the writing of this blog as, according to my mother, I have just turned 26 years old!! (For 26 years I've had a VERY full life as I've spent the first 15 years at home, the next 3 at Oklahoma Academy until I graduated from high school, then one year in Norway, 3 years back at OA working as staff and teaching Elementary school, 4 years in College (with a break in between for overseas Student missionary work in Guyana South America), and now I've been a nurse for almost 9 years!! Yes Sireeeeee….that's a lot of math to be figuring! All I can say is these 26 years have been packed indeed and good thing my mom's memory is better than mine - LOL!)

So as I enter another year of life…what is on my heart…

LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE…to the utmost!

You couldn't complain much around my house when I was growing up. We were always taught to look on the bright side. If tempted to give up on a difficult task, my mom would speak up in cheer leader fashion, "Remember that we are CANS - can do, will do, have done! No CAN'Ts allowed here!" (This was amazing since she herself often lived with chronic pain from a back injury and she was often tempted to get discouraged. Yet when those times came, she'd just encourage my cousins and I to gather around and we'd read the Bible and talk about Heaven together. It was her escape from the pain and what a beautiful escape it was. I'm so excited that someday it will be a reality…not just a dream! What special memories!) Despite many personal obstacles, Mom always encouraged and pushed all of us forward. (And she continues to do so to this very day!! She amazes me, and I think I could safely say that she is still my biggest cheer leader!!)

Another favorite quote of hers, I often heard when I started to grumble or complain was, "Melody - Life is what you make it and you will find what you are looking for!" (In other words, "Stop complaining and buck up!") It has shaped much of my life since… for I've discovered, LIFE TRULY IS WHAT I MAKE IT!!!! If I'm looking for the bad, if I'm looking for things to grumble about, if I'm looking for difficulties, if I'm looking for faults in others, I will find them. But if I look for the good, if I look for the blessings, if I look for the ways God is leading and ways to praise Him, I will always find them! Wow!!

We've all heard the popular "feel good" saying: Live, Laugh, Love! Probably a few of you have it on your wall or coffee table (just like me). Yet it constantly reminds me of the priorities of my life, and the priorities that I strive for in my heart. Let's spend a few minutes and reflect on this inspiring slogan:

LIVE!

What does it mean to truly live? Does it mean we tour the world and accomplish all our "bucket list items" before we actually kick the bucket?

I think that it's all summed up in my favorite verse: John 17:3, "And this is LIFE eternal that they might know thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." Another powerful verse says: "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." I John 5:12. The life that God gives us is not a mediocre life. We aren't giving up anything good so that we can have this life, for the life that He offers is so much MORE abundant than anything we could EVER create for ourselves!

LAUGH!

What does it mean to LAUGH! Is "laughing" even spiritual?? I think that one attribute of God that we often forget about is His sense of humor. (I mean - come on, He made us right? He had to have a sense of humor to do that!)

Listen how one writer describes God's sense of humor:

"Unfortunately, many people in the world picture God as a serious old man, burdened with the incredible task of managing this vast, complex universe and providing adequately for all of His creatures, especially for the fickle, fallible, unpredictable human beings. But God is not old. Neither is He young. It is the passing of time that makes one young and then old. God exists outside of time. God exists in eternity, in an eternal now. And God is not serious, at least in the sense of being burdened with a task that is too big for Him. Is it more difficult to manage the universe than to create it out of nothing? Creation is filled with the humor of God. Consider the giraffe, the kangaroo, the zebra, the ostrich, the hyena and the baboon."

I love that one part where the writer says, "Is God more burdened in ordering the universe than He was in creating it out of nothing?" Hmmmm….good question, huh?? So why are we so often stressed when the waves crash and the strong winds blow?? As another friend of mine often says, "We need to keep our eyes on the face of God - if He's not disturbed or distressed, we have no reason to be either! However, if He's crying, we should be crying too!" But all too often, we mix it all up - as we do most things in life. We laugh when God is crying, and we cry over things that God only laughs about. Want a practical example? We are laughing in our pleasure and plenty, and God is crying for a world that has yet to hear of Him! On the reverse, how often do we find ourselves crying about our trials or the way that Satan makes our life difficult. But God's not crying! In fact, we're told in the Bible that He is laughing, because He knows the devil's day is coming…and soon, sin and evil will be no more! (Ps 37:12,13)

So friends, let's not just learn to LAUGH and have JOY in life, but let us learn to LAUGH at the proper things!

LOVE…with all your Heart!

I think this is my favorite of all! LOVE…what a beautiful gift!! What a beautiful gift we can give to others. But it will never equal the magnitude of the gift that has been given to us.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

He so loved us…that He gave…He gave that we would not perish, but have life…He intended that we not just have any normal life, but life more abundant. And that LIFE He gave, not for us to hoard and keep for ourselves, but for us to share with others. However, we can't share what we don't have. We have to be filled with Him before we can give to others and we have to be emptied of ourselves before we can be filled. And the only way that we can truly be emptied, so that we can truly be filled, so that we can truly LOVE is to be surrendered to Him…for even we cannot empty ourselves of self. It's a work that only He can do!

The "I love you" box...

About 18 years ago (1994, in fact, to be precise) I gave my mom a little "I love you" plaque. On the box I wrote the date with the words, "Don't forget - I love you!" Well…the next year, she gave it back to me with her words under mine: "I haven't forgotten - I love you too!" Well…this started a tradition, and off and on over the years since we have exchanged the box with our birthday wishes, Valentine's greetings, Mother Day wishes, or some other day celebrating our friendship and love. The box has been handed to each other in person, and it has flown across oceans. (It found me in Norway in 1995 & it followed me on my travel nurse career when I left to work in California for the first time in 2006.) While I don't remember all the memories or occasions that we exchanged this box over the last 18 years, the tattered box and the inscriptions scribbled over decades are priceless…in fact, much more valuable than the goodies that usually come inside. Why? Because they represent a life that we've shared…a life lived to the fullest, a life of laughter, and a life of love. There has been trials and dark valleys over these past 18 years…but those times have only made us stronger and helped us become what we are today! And there have been many good times.

It's been four years since I last saw the box…and honestly, I had forgotten all about it. But when I received it again (today) for my Birthday and Valentine's combined, I couldn't help remembering and being thankful….thankful that I have people in my life to share such special boxes! :-)

"Live, Laugh, Love" may be a cool slogan, but I believe these words should portray something deeper…deeper than what the world has made them to mean. A life is not just to live, but to be lived to the fullest for Christ - with all our might. Ecl 9:10


When we say "Laugh" it should mean something deeper than the passing glee of a joke or having a good time. It should portray a joy that goes to the depths of our very soul! A joy that cannot be shaken and trusts Christ even in the dark valleys and through the storms.

And when we think of "Love," it should mean loving with all our heart. A heart that looks above its own needs and desires and is willing to sacrifice for the better good of others, and most importantly for the glory of God.

"And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." Duet 6:5

So, as I celebrate another year of life, I have to smile…smile that I have the gift of life and smile that I am loved, not only by friends and family, but by a Heavenly Father…a Father who doesn't just TELL me to live and love, but shows me how!!

 With all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my might… 

Just imagine if we really LIVED this verse to its fullest!

Challenging Prayer Thoughts...

Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God. --Andrew Murray

I have so much to do that I spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it.—John Wesley

Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan --John Bunyan

Of all the duties enjoined by Christianity none is more essential and yet more neglected than prayer. --François Fénelon

There is a general kind of praying which fails for lack of precision. It is as if a regiment of soldiers should all fire off their guns anywhere. Possibly somebody would be killed, but the majority of the enemy would be missed. --Charles Haddon Spurgeon

When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy. --Corrie Ten Boom

When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don't pray, they don't. --William Temple

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers, pray for powers equal to your task. --Phillips Brooks

The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men…Men of prayer." --E. M. Bounds

Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons; but they are helpless against our prayers. --J. Sidlow Baxter

God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede. -- Oswald Chambers

There is nothing that makes us love a man so much as praying for him. --William Law

Rich is the person who has a praying friend. --Janice Hughes

Notice, we never pray for folks we gossip about, and we never gossip about the folk for whom we pray! For prayer is a great deterrent. --Leonard Ravenhill

Prayer does not fit us for the greater work, prayer is the greater work. --Oswald Chambers

I would rather train twenty men to pray, than a thousand to preach; A minister's highest mission ought to be to teach his people to pray. -H. MacGregor

Heaven is full of answers to prayers for which no one ever bothered to ask. Billy Graham, Encounter Weekly, 1996

Come Join us Feb 18th - Praying for Rain

For questions e-mail: armebiblecamp@gmail.com or call: 503-482-9439

As long as You are glorified...

Isn't it interesting how we have no problem taking the blessings from God - just heap them on! But if there come trials or pain (which is often His work tools to shape our character), we think He's abandoned us or that He's being cruel! And our whole attitude changes… now does that make any sense?? Did God change?

I just read this poem today on a friend's blog (Thx Timothy) and had to repost it. I usually don't post so many poems - as I really like to write and share more original Melodious thoughts. But it seems I've come upon a few powerful poems lately, so I hope they are a blessing!  This one is profound…

- Mel


As Long As You Are Glorified
by Mark Altrogge

Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings
Yet not welcome any pain
Shall I thank You for days of sunshine
Yet grumble in days of rain
Shall I love You in times of plenty
Then leave You in days of drought
Shall I trust when I reap a harvest
But when winter winds blow, then doubt

Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified

Are You good only when I prosper
And true only when I'm filled
Are You King only when I'm carefree
And God only when I'm well
You are good when I'm poor and needy
You are true when I'm parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You're still God in the darkest night

So quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart in you

Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified

The result of being truly FILLED with the Holy Spirit...

Once it was the blessing, now it is the Lord

Once it was the feeling, now it is His Word

Once His gifts I wanted, now the Giver own

Once I sought for healing, now for Himself alone

Once was painful trying, now 'tis perfect trust;

Once a half salvation, now the uttermost.

Once 'twas ceaseless holding, now He holds me fast;

Once 'twas constant drifting, now my anchor's cast.

Once 'twas busy planning, now 'tis trustful prayer

Once 'twas anxious caring, now He has the care

Once 'twas what I wanted, now what Jesus says

Once 'twas constant asking, now 'tis ceaseless praise

Once it was my working, His it hence shall be

Once I tried to use Him, now He uses me

Once the power I wanted, now the Mighty One

Once for self I labored, now for Him alone!

ARME returns to Pine Springs Ranch, CA - Jan 2012

 Here's a few memories from our powerful weekend together!!

 Above Dave and Calvin welcome attendees to the camp with prayer...

 Our beautiful lodge and facility

 Welcome on opening night and allowing Teri to share her testimony! She attended ARME for the first time in Hawaii last November and returned this camp with 13 of her church members. Amazing!!! If only everyone was such a great recruiter, this would spread like wildfire! ;-)

 Starting the meetings off with United Prayer…right from the beginning we could sense the Holy Spirit's blessing. It was so beautiful.

 Pastor Myers showing how we can find Christ in ALL the scriptures.

 Times of prayer and Bible study… the powerful combo that changes lives!

 Sabbath sermon with the Patel brothers - here you can see our packed out meeting room! We probably had over 600 on the weekend.

 These guys have an amazing testimony…God is good! Lawrence, one of our powerful testimonies from 2010 (a gang leader turned Evangelist) is partly responsible for helping these two boys desire to learn more about God. Praise God! And NOW they are preaching and sharing their story...

 All night prayer meeting… so beautiful to see God's people praying together. Over 200 stayed up all night for this event.

 Bible study time during the all night prayer.

 Special time of intercession - praying for specific needs that people have!

 Smiling friends - Brian and Miae

 The Heir Force program - the kids learning about God and having fun!

 With my little girl - enjoying the meetings!

 Dawn - Kim and I - accidently all dressed alike! I love these girls with all my heart!!!!

 The Grey sisters - Heidy and Cindy

 More Heir Force fun...

 Heir Force sharing time at ARME Family night...

 The whole group - Family Picture - January 2012

 ARME Staff January 2012 PSR

Every ARME we all wonder how things can get any better. But serving God always gets better. This camp was so powerful, that afterwards our entire team was united in the fact that we need to make ARME a full time ministry. Already we have people all over the world asking us to come and host an event… so pray for us as we consider what God would have us do for the future of ARME.

We must WAIT...

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried:

Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate, 

And the Master so gently said, "Child, you must wait." 

"Wait? You say, wait! " my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By Faith, I have asked, and am claiming your Word. 

My future and all to which I can relate
Hangs in the balance, and YOU tell me to WAIT?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign. 

And Lord, You promised that if we believe

we need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply! 

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate 

As my Master replied once again, "You must wait."
So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut 

and grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting.... for what?" 

He seemed, then, to kneel, and His eyes wept with mine, 

And he tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run. 

All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.
You would have what you want ~ But, you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint; 

You'd not know the power that I give to the faint; 

You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair; 

You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there; 

You'd not know the joy of resting in Me 

When darkness and silence were all you could see. 

You'd never experience that fullness of love 

As the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove; 

You'd know that I give and I save.... (for a start),

 But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

The glow of My comfort late into the night, 

The faith that I give when you walk without sight, 

The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked 

Of an infinite God, who makes what you have LAST. 

You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee, 

What it means that "My grace is sufficient for Thee."
Yes, your dreams for your loved one overnight would come true, 

But, Oh, the Loss! If I lost what I'm doing in you! 

So, be silent, My Child, and in time you will see 

That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me.
And though oft' may My answers seem terribly late, 

My most precious answer of all is still, "WAIT."

" WAIT "

Beware of Idols...

I remember the first time I ever came face to face with real Idol worship. It was during my first mission trip in High school. We were in Bangkok Thailand and passed by some temples (which were actually everywhere) as we were sightseeing. (See the picture I took above!) I grew up reading Bible stories and hearing about people in ancient times that worshipped idols. And I grew up hearing about the people in foreign lands that bowed down and worshipped idols. But growing up hearing these things and then seeing it in reality with your own eyes is vastly different. The solemn reverence with which the worshipers approached the golden idols was amazing, and the devotion that was evident in their eyes was saddening. Many of them spent hours prostrate on their faces before the idols in worship, and many were probably pleading for forgiveness for past wrongs. I was astounded and heart broken."How can these people worship something made of stone? How can they pour their lives away before a lifeless statue? These people need Jesus!" I cried. No one answered, and my peers tried to console me gently. After all,  it was my first glimpse of idol worship…and I was just a child.  

Many years have come and gone since that first real life exposure to idol worship…and my heart still cries. But it's not just crying for the people in foreign lands anymore…it's crying for the people of our own land. We, the civilized religious citizens of the Western world live in a land of idol worship. In fact, sometimes, I am shocked to even discover idols in my own home…

Idols in our world come in various shapes and sizes…and they aren't usually images of stone like in old times. Sometimes they are giant, and sometimes they are quite small. Sometimes they even live and move and breath…things alive, yet very far from God. 

We were just returning from our trip out West a few days ago when this gigantic structure loomed on the horizon.  From a distance it looked like a large space-craft had landed. "What's that?" my little niece asked. Without even stopping to think, I replied… "It's an idol…a very large idol!" (It was actually the Phoenix Football Stadium, home to the Arizona Cardinals. And that thing was massive!) In fact, it was sooo impressive, I kinda had this mixture of awe and appalling sadness as we drove by. (See the YouTube: Idol Worship Then & Now to see what I mean)

"Why do you say it's an idol?" asked my inquisitive little friend. And so I began to explain to her how an idol is anything that takes our time and focus away from God and the eternal priorities of heaven. She was somber and deep in thought as she listened. And I was somber and deep in thought as I spoke.

Lest we be too hard on others in our modern world , what about the idols of our own homes and the idols that we still cling to in our own hearts? Are there things in our lives that we don't think we could live without….things we have unknowingly come to worship?? The T.V. maybe, staying abreast on the latest talk radio or news, following a celebrity, Facebook, gaming, surfing the web (which by the way is one of the biggest sports American's play now days!). Maybe it's a certain style of life, a certain style or brand of clothes, certain food, trying to attain a certain career, a relationship, a status…or maybe we've made "ministry" our idol - since it strokes our ego and puts us on a self-righteous pedestal with others and God. Speaking of self-righteous, I think the biggest unchecked idol is often ourselves. This one is so often overlooked, yet unless God truly has control, we are naturally inclined to please our-SELVES and live for our-SELVES and worship our-SELVES!! It's not about God anymore but about us…and about us trying to get Him to endorse our actions with His stamp of approval! If that doesn't constitute the truest form of "I"-DOL worship - I'm not sure what does!

This past year, after an hour of united prayer at one of the conferences we were covering, someone brought us a expensive watch that had been left in the room. At first we thought someone had forgotten the watch by accident, but then we found a note that had been left with it. It went like this:

"This watch has not been forgotten but is being surrendered. I knew better and I should never have bought it. It has become an idol to me. There have been many layers in my heart between me and God, but now there is one layer less. Praise the Lord. Ezek 36:26" 

The one who surrendered the watch back to God did not leave their name - why? Probably because they no longer needed a pat on the back from man. They were looking alone for the approval of God. And isn't that the way it should be for all of us? Too often we live for the approval of men (or those around us) rather than that of God! (I know this has been my own struggle…I get too concerned with what people think and forget to ask what God thinks! I forget that it's for His glory alone that I live.) What a testimony and quiet rebuke that "surrendered watch" has been to me and to countless others. 

Since then, we've seen people so impacted in prayer that they've given up expensive cameras, jewelry, music, destructive relationships, their life savings…one young man even gave up his long hair...not because we (or anyone else) told him too, but because God convicted him to let go of his idol.  Others I know have walked away from successful careers that fostered pride and power to careers that required sacrifice but reached others for eternity. And I could share testimony after testimony...

The official definition of an "idol" is actually: "Something that takes the place of God, Any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or devotion." 

In the scripture time and time again we are admonished, “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3) Inspiration goes on to tells us:

"Whatever we cherish that tends to lessen our love for God or to interfere with the service due Him, of that do we make a god. Idolatry exists in the church-goers today as verily as in the days of Noah. But when His commands are obeyed, the human family will be elevated, ennobled, and exalted. O that you would search the Scriptures with prayerful hearts, and a spirit of surrender to God! O that you would search your hearts as with a lighted candle, and discover and break the finest thread that binds you to worldly habits, which divert the mind from God! Plead with God to show you every practice that draws your thoughts and affections from Him. God has given His holy law to man as His measure of character. By this law you may see and overcome every defect in your character. You may sever yourself from every idol, and link yourself to the throne of God by the golden chain of grace and truth." Maranatha, p. 48

It's easy to always point the finger at others. (I'm pretty good at it myself!) It's easy to excuse ourselves because of the day and age in which we live…after all, idols are accepted and applauded and celebrated in our culture. And if you've ever spent much time gazing at them, you have to admit they really are quite fascinating. Like Princess Diana, for example. I don't know of her being a follower of Christ, but her life was enchanting to follow….and millions did, as they have countless others. Is it any wonder the rich and famous celebrities of the world (and those striving for that status as represented by the picture above) have become an idol to so many around the world?! 

I think it's interesting that another definition of an "idol" is: "A mere image or semblance of something, visible but without substance, as a phantom, a figment of the mind; fantasy." 

You see, all the idols of the world are only passing semblances of something, but they have no substance in and of themselves. Just like phantom pain is indeed real for an amputee (and yet it's only a figment of the mind), the idols we embrace in our day and culture do give the semblance of real joy…but they are without lasting substance. They are a phantom that brings pleasure, but in light of eternity they are chaff in the wind.

The real One deserving of our worship and adoration is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The One that stretched out the Heavens by His great power and breathed the stars into place. (Jer 32) The One that gave up His life to rescue ours - the ultimate love story. The One whose abiding presence is no phantom, but brings joy everlasting and peace eternal! Once you've experienced what Jesus Christ is, how could you settle for anything less? And once you've experienced what Jesus Christ has to offer, how could you keep it to yourself??

Let me share some profound thoughts a friend just wrote in regards to idols:

Recently, God led me to surrender an idol in my life. It was not something evil or something condemned in God’s Word and so for the longest time I didn’t even realize it was an idol. I always thought idols were things that were wrong – like an ungodly relationship, an addictive habit, a TV or sports icon, or the like. But the thing God was convicting me about was a deeply spiritual friendship that was a huge blessing in my life. I considered it to be a gift from God. But even God’s gifts can become idols in our lives when we 1) allow them to fulfill needs in our heart meant to be filled only by God, 2) when we allow them to distract us from Him, or 3) when we refuse to give the gift back to God. This last form of idolatry is described by Oswald Chambers - “Worship is giving God the best that He has given you. Be careful what you do with the best you have. Whenever you get a blessing from God, give it back to Him as a love-gift. Take time to meditate before God and offer the blessing back to Him in a deliberate act of worship. If you hoard it for yourself, it will turn into spiritual dry rot, as the manna did when it was hoarded (see Exodus 16:20). God will never allow you to keep a spiritual blessing completely for yourself. It must be given back to Him so that He can make it a blessing to others.” So even good gifts that have been given to you must be offered back to God in open hands. If we hold tightly to the gift, it is an idol. God wants us to hold it in open hands saying, “God, here is the gift. Take it if you choose.” And often it is not until God asks us to take our gift to the altar of sacrifice – like Abraham took the gift of Isaac to Mount Moriah – and we offer it there that God proves that the gift is not an idol to us.

Thanks Staci, for sharing the thoughts above! In closing, let me share one of my favorite verses.

"And this is Life Eternal, that they might know THEE, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." John 17:3

As we stand on the edge of eternity, let us ask God to put the search-light on our heart and life and show us what idols we may be still holding on to, what things we have put in place of Him…for we want nothing to keep back the blessings that He is just waiting to give. We want nothing to keep us from Him!!!

"Beware of procrastination. Do not put off the work of forsaking your sins and seeking purity of heart through Jesus. Here is where thousands upon thousands have erred to their eternal loss. I will not here dwell upon the shortness and uncertainty of life; but there is a terrible danger—a danger not sufficiently understood—in delaying to yield to the pleading voice of God’s Holy Spirit, in choosing to live in sin; for such this delay really is. Sin, howeversmall it may be esteemed, can be indulged in only at the peril of infinite loss. What we do not overcome, will overcome us and work out our destruction." Steps to Christ, p. 32

"Lord, teach us how to worship YOU and only YOU! Amen…"

Becoming a True Man...

Becoming a true godly man…it's not something I personally aspire to attain…because, after all, I'm not a man, I'm a woman! :-) But…I do admit, it's something that I pray for and long to see attained by my brothers: my biological brothers, as well as my brothers in Christ. 

For years I've had a few prayers on my "requests list for God," prayers that have not changed or been written off. Even when I see the answer happening, I still keep praying! Why, because I know that these men I pray for are just a work in progress…and there is never a time when they will have arrived. They need continued prayer, just as I need continued prayer.  

Let me share a few of these prayers I've been praying over the years:

Dear God,

• May these men grow to fear and honor you above all others! May they seek your approval above the approval of their fellow man.
• May they surrender every area of their lives to you - may they look to you alone for their wisdom and their guidance.
• Help them to know Your purpose and what You have created them to be. May their lives be a fulfillment of your purposes and your glory and not their own.
• Shield their mind from the lies of the enemy. Give them mental strength and confidence, not in themselves, but in the truths of Your Word.
• Strengthen them to resist and flee from the temptations of the flesh and of the world. Hedge them in and protect them from the distractions of the enemy. 
• Help them to be good stewards of the gifts you have given them: of their money, their time, their affections, and their energy. Help them to realize that life is short and only when they seek you first will their lives be filled with your blessings.
• Bless the work of their hands. May every thing that they do prosper and bring honor to you and be used towards the salvation of others. 
• Sustain their health. Give them self discipline, mentally and physically that they may abide by the 8 laws of health, and that they may not waste their time or health on frivolities - video games, television, the cheap and superficial, the lusts of the flesh. 
• Protect them from the attacks of the enemy, but give them just enough trials to keep their eyes upon you and to refine their character. Don't allow them to be crushed, but bruise them so that they may grow.
• Make them men of personal and private integrity - men that will be true to You and to their conscience even when the doors are closed and no one is watching. 
• Bless them with an untarnished reputation - untarnished by the darkness of the world. However, if they are put on trial for being a Christian, may there be enough evidence to convict them.
• Guide in their relationships that they may have wisdom. While seeking to bless and witness to all that cross their paths, help them to only choose their closest companions of men that will point and encourage them to greater heights of surrender, and a closer walk with you.
• Make them men that are willing to sacrifice the good things of life that they may have the BEST thing in life: YOU!
• May they be men of the Word - willing to not just profess the Word, but spend hours studying it and learning it's truth.
• Make them men of prayer - not men that just profess to believe the power of prayer, but men that are willing to spend hours and nights in prayer, agonizing for the lost, agonizing for a closer walk with you!
• Make them men of the tenderest velvet - tender towards others, towards those that are in pain, tender towards the things of God, not afraid to cry, and made tender by the passion of the heart of Christ.
• Finally, make them men of steel - Soldiers that will stand for You even in the face of death. Men that will speak for You even if their life is at stake, men that will live for You even if it becomes the most unpopular thing in the world to do!

God, I give you my brothers, my Father, the men in my life that I respect, and the man I hope to spend my life with (that I have yet to meet). Make them Your Men, True Men!

I will continue to pray this prayer as long as I live, both for my brothers, my teammates in service, and for whatever godly men that God brings across my path. Why: Because even though I can see God answering my prayers even now…I know that their lives are just a work in progress. As deceptions are increasing, so are the attacks of the enemy. Just this past year, I've been saddened to witness men of the highest character have moral falls. No one is exempt from destruction…no one is safe for a moment without prayer. So I will continue to pray for my men…for God's men!

But I have to say - how proud I am to be big sister to two very incredible men!!!!!! 

God is answering my prayers! He's answering the prayers my parents have prayed long before I knew about the power of prayer. He is at work. Yes, I've seen my brothers stumble, I've seen them struggle, and I've witnessed their pain. Yet I've seen them grow stronger through the battles life has given them. I've seen them wrestle all night (yes, all night!!) in prayer. I've seen them spending hours meditating upon God's Word, memorizing scripture and hiding it in their hearts. I've seen them reaching out to others with a love and compassion that is seldom seen from men in this day and age! They aren't perfect, they are still growing, and they have a long ways to go… just like me! But I'm so thankful for these men…godly men, that God has placed in my life. And it is a privilege to lift them up in prayer! (I love you Homer and Daniel!!!!!)

Looking around it's kinda perplexing what has been happening to the godly line of men. But it's no accident. The devil has a plan and he is attacking and trying to strip our men of the godly masculinity that God intended them to posses. It's no accident that they have lost their backbone, their strength, and their determination to stand for truth. It's no accident that instead of being bold defenders of truth, the majority of our Christian men have become lukewarm pew warmers, content to let others do the job! The devil knows what he's up to. But we must not let him succeed… We (both men and woman) can stand against him in this battle. And we stand not alone…

"What shall we then say to these things. If God be for us, WHO can be against us?" Rom 8:31

 

It's also no accident that we are told exactly what is needed:

"The greatest want of the world is the want of men—men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though theheavens fall." Education, p. 57

Just because we've been raised in Christian homes… just because we've memorized many Bible verses and can argue our beliefs, just because we've been home schooled all our lives or taught to eat a simple healthful diet… just because we claim to belong to a "Remnant people"…  just because that or anything else doesn't really make us true men and woman! 

"One’s claim to manhood is determined by the use he makes of the powers that God has given him. The members of the human family are entitled to the name of men and women only as they employ their talents for the good of others. It is when ministering to others that man is most closely allied to God. He who is true to his God-given manhood will not only promote the happiness of his fellow beings in this life, but will aid them to secure the reward of the life to come." RH July 11, 1907, par. 4

To be true men (and woman)…we must not just have Christ, but be changed by Him! Changed to change others!

[Author's endnote: To hear one of the most powerful sermons on what is godly masculinity, please listen to: The Measurement of a Man! It's powerful!

Danger - don't be like the daffodils who are being deceived!

The little green shoots slowly poke their tiny heads up through the soil and dry leaves. "No no! Go back down. Don't come up now!" my heart silently pleads. "Don't you know that the freezing weather is yet to come?" But they don't listen. Beckoned by the warm gentle rays of sun and the deceptively spring-like warm days, they continue to sprout upward.

A few days later, I happen by again, only to see that more growth has been made, and they are even more vulnerable than before. Again my heart cries, "It's dangerous. Don't you realize what time of year it is right now? You're going to be destroyed! You shouldn't pay attention to the warm weather…it's deceiving you."

But how can the daffodils know? It may be January, in the dead of winter, here in the Ozarks of Arkansas, but our daffodils are springing forth in their full glory, unprotected and unprepared for the hard times ahead. My heart aches, for they've been deceived by the beautiful days we've been having the last few weeks. It does feel like spring, strangely…but I know it's not.  And our first bad winter storm could strike any day, leaving us buried under mountains of ice and snow.

As I hurt for the destruction that I know is soon to befall our beautiful flowers, I see the oddly similar spiritual parallel that we face in the times we are living in.

Here we, Christ's follower's, sit approaching the end of time on a train that is going full speed, precariously balanced atop a long bridge whose very support is being cut out from beneath us: National debt, pending economical collapse, talks of Sunday laws, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and many other disasters have already weakened the support. And yet, so many in the church today carry on, oblivious to the destruction that lies ahead or to the weakening support beneath. They're caught up enjoying the train ride, singing their worship songs, passing the offering plate for those in need, chatting with their friends on Facebook and twitter about the pleasant warm weather, and carrying on as if all is perfect peace and safety. Very few can be seen really studying their Bibles and trying to learn about what lies ahead. Very few are seen on their knees spending hours and nights in earnest prayer for the unsaved Christian's and lost around them. Very few are aware of the signs of the times and asking God how they can best be prepared. Very few have extra oil for their lamps that have gone out.

You see, the sun is still shining! It's warm outside, the breeze is fare. Even the flowers are still blooming. There's still food on the grocery store shelves, and there's plenty of Bible's resting on our book shelves too. Some people talk of winter coming (a time of trouble - Daniel 12:1), but they've been talking about that for years. So far, everything seems just fine. Things are carrying on just as they always have - at least for the peaceful years we've been alive.

Oh sure, there are a few million people around the world that are starving, and there are people in many third world countries that are fighting to live. There are disasters here and there, but hasn't that been the case for years as well? The chaos in other parts of the world (or the states) hasn't really hurt us too much. For the majority of us in the prosperous West…things continue on as they are. We continue to plan our occasional mission trips, do our weekly duties at church, pay our tithe, invest and sell,  remodel our homes, save up for our new car, dream of our retirement plans, give a cheerful word to those in need, work hard and play hard, and look forward to when we won't have to work anymore. But for the most part, we live in peace. There's no reason for serious alarm, and life continues to be good!

BUT THINGS ARE NOT ALL PEACEFUL AND GOOD!!!!!!

I have this pressing urgency in my heart that we don't have much more time to work for God in freedom, we don't have much more time to prepare…

The deceptions in the Christian world are getting more and more numerous and more and more complex. Satan knows that he has a short time and he's walking about as a lion, seeking whom he may devour. Right and left I have friends walking away from the church and letting go of God because they've been deceived by the warm weather. I have friends that are compromising with sin, and allowing the enemy a foothold in their hearts. I know others, while professing to serve Christ, that have grown complacent and lukewarm…disconnected. They may not have complete peace (and it's obvious), but they aren't agonizing like Jacob did with the angel. They aren't that concerned about their salvation… they think they will be ok. My heart wants to scream… "Wait! Stop! Don't you see? You're being deceived. You can't make it on your own out there. Destruction is coming and you will be destroyed if you walk away from the protection of Christ!! Stop putting all those good activities in front of your time with God. Stop trying to just survive and get by with your devotions. Stop pretending everything is ok with you and God when it's really not. Stop putting on a show! Dig deep ditches!!!! (Like Charissa encouraged us at the recent GYC) If you aren't digging deep (II Kings 3:16), you aren't going to be filled when the rain comes!!!"

But my screams are only audible to God as I cry out to Him in prayer…

My friends, loved ones, and many that I know (even in the church) are off enjoying their time in the sun…their ears seem to have gone deaf to the things of God. They don't realize the nearness of the storm that is approaching...

"Looking down through the ages to the close of time, Peter was inspired to outline conditions that would exist in the world just prior to the second coming of Christ. “There shall come in the last days scoffers,” he wrote, “walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” But “When they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them.” 1 Thessalonians 5:3. 

We have been given this warning…yet so many, like the 5 foolish virgins are unprepared. They've allowed the oil to go out. My heart aches… even more than it does for the soon coming loss of our flowers...

However, there is a ray of hope...

"Not all, however, [will] be ensnared by the enemy’s devices. As the end of all things earthly should approach, there [will] be faithful ones able to discern the signs of the times. While a large number of professing believers [will] deny their faith by their works, there [will] be a remnant who [will] endure to the end." Acts of the Apostles, p. 535

Praise the Lord! How I pray to be part of that remnant…

"The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church.... Many a star that we have admired for its brilliance will then go out in darkness. Those who have assumed the ornaments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christ’s righteousness, will then appear in the shame of their own nakedness." Last Day Events, p. 173 & Prophets and Kings, p. 188

God has given us a time of probabtion…it is NOW!! 

"[A] period of probation is granted to all to prepare for that time. Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His victory is an evidence of the power of importunate prayer. All who will lay hold of God’s promises, as he did, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded. Those who are unwilling to deny self, to agonize before God, to pray long and earnestly for His blessing, will not obtain it. Wrestling with God—how few know what it is! How few have ever had their souls drawn out after God with intensity of desire until every power is on the stretch. When waves of despair which no language can express sweep over the suppliant, how few cling with unyielding faith to the promises of God." Great Controversy, p. 621

The daffodils may not know better…they are just little flowers! But we do…we should. We've been warned! Let's take heed!!