Gathered Gleanings (from STREAMS IN THE DESERT, VOL. 1)
“This thing is from me.” (1 Kings 12:24)
“Life’s disappointments are veiled love’s appointments” …Rev. C.A. Fox
My child, I have a message for you today; let me whisper it in your ear, that it may gild with glory any storm clouds which may arise, and smooth the rough places upon which you may have to tread. It is short, only five words, but let them sink into your inmost soul; use them as a pillow upon which to rest your weary head.
This thing is from me.
Have you ever thought of it, that all that concerns you concerns Me too? For, “he that touches you, touches the apple of mine eye? (Zech. 2:8). You are very precious in My sight. (Isaiah 43:4). Therefore, it is My special delight to educate you.
I would have you learn when temptations assail you, and the “enemy comes in like a flood,” that this thing is from Me, that your weakness needs My might, and your safety lies in letting Me fight for you.
Are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not understand you, who never consult your taste, who put you in the background? This thing is from Me. I am the God of circumstances. Thou camest not to thy place by accident, it is the very place God meant for thee.
Have you not asked to be made humble? See then, I have placed you in the very school where this lesson is taught; your surroundings and companions are only working out My will.
Are you in money difficulties? Is it hard to make both ends meet? This thing is from Me; for I am your purse-bearer and would have you draw from and depend upon Me. My supplies are limitless (Phil. 4:19). I would have you prove my promises. Let it not be said of you, “In this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God” (Deut. 1:32).
Are you passing through a night of sorrow? This thing is from Me. I am the Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief. I have let earthly comforters fail you, that by turning to Me you may obtain everlasting consolation (2 Thess.2:16)... 2:16-17). Have you longed to do some great work for Me and instead have been laid aside on a bed of pain and weakness? This thing is from Me. I could not get your attention in your busy days and I want to teach you some of my deepest lessons. “They also serve who only stand and wait.” Some of My greatest workers are those shut out from active service that they may learn to wield the weapon of all-prayer.
This day I place in your hand this pot of holy oil. Make use of it free, my child. Let every circumstance that arises, every word that pains you, every interruption that would make you impatient, every revelation of your weakness be anointed with it. The sting will go as you learn to see Me in all things. ---Laura A. Barter Snow
“’This is from Me,’ the Savior said,
As bending low He kissed my brow,
‘For One who loves you thus has led.
Just rest in Me, be patient now,
Your Father knows you have need of this,
Tho’ why perchance you cannot see. ---
Grieve not for things you’ve seemed to miss.
The thing I send is best for thee.’
"Then, looking through my tears, I plead,
‘Dear Lord, forgive; I did not know.
Twill not be hard since Thou doest tread,
Each path before me here below.
And for my good this thing must be,
His grace sufficient for each test,
So still I’ll sing, “Whatever be
God’s way for me is always best.”’”.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Sacrificial Offerings
"By faith Able offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks even though he is dead.” Hebrews 11:4
Christmas 2011, a memory now, still reminds me of the gifts given, the hectic halleluiahs, surprises that bring smiles, food I’ve eaten until I’m about to ‘fat away’.
While trying to get to the bottom of my desk yesterday I ran across a gift from my almost nine year old granddaughter, Briana Faith. It’s a copied photo of her and three of her siblings with me, before Eliyah was born. That would make her about eight years old. It is carefully taped into a greeting card with a photo opening. She wrapped it herself and wrote a special note to me.
“Hi nana. I hope you like the picture I printed. It’s the one with you on it. The picture that I colored and drew and printed is the one that says Merry Christmas.” And surely she had drawn and colored and written another sweet paper for me.
Do I love that gift? Of course! There are other hand made offerings as well as bought offerings that thrill my heart and go into my Nana’s treasure chest. Briana Faith offered me a gift in faith that I would accept her offering gladly. I hope that I received it with the pleasure that God did with Abel’s gift.
But I’ve always wondered about Cain’s gift and felt rather sorry for him. The rest of THAT story must be relegated to another time and place in my writing.
The Bible says Abel offered God a better sacrifice and was commended as a righteous man. Able, by faith, speaks even though he’s dead.
Briana Faith sacrificed her time and effort to make my Christmas gift. It’s sitting on my desk where I can smile at it and remember her sacrifice. I will remember ALL of the gifts I received this Christmas from loved ones who sacrificed to bring me pleasure!
Abel had faith; Able sacrificed; Able was righteous; Able was remembered. Just in case you don’t remember, Able was Adam and Eve’s second son and Cain’s brother. What did he do? He offered fat from some of the first fruits of his flocks as a sacrifice to God. (See Genesis 4:1-8)
What will I sacrifice for God today? Will my offering be commended by God?
Christmas 2011, a memory now, still reminds me of the gifts given, the hectic halleluiahs, surprises that bring smiles, food I’ve eaten until I’m about to ‘fat away’.
While trying to get to the bottom of my desk yesterday I ran across a gift from my almost nine year old granddaughter, Briana Faith. It’s a copied photo of her and three of her siblings with me, before Eliyah was born. That would make her about eight years old. It is carefully taped into a greeting card with a photo opening. She wrapped it herself and wrote a special note to me.
“Hi nana. I hope you like the picture I printed. It’s the one with you on it. The picture that I colored and drew and printed is the one that says Merry Christmas.” And surely she had drawn and colored and written another sweet paper for me.
Do I love that gift? Of course! There are other hand made offerings as well as bought offerings that thrill my heart and go into my Nana’s treasure chest. Briana Faith offered me a gift in faith that I would accept her offering gladly. I hope that I received it with the pleasure that God did with Abel’s gift.
But I’ve always wondered about Cain’s gift and felt rather sorry for him. The rest of THAT story must be relegated to another time and place in my writing.
The Bible says Abel offered God a better sacrifice and was commended as a righteous man. Able, by faith, speaks even though he’s dead.
Briana Faith sacrificed her time and effort to make my Christmas gift. It’s sitting on my desk where I can smile at it and remember her sacrifice. I will remember ALL of the gifts I received this Christmas from loved ones who sacrificed to bring me pleasure!
Abel had faith; Able sacrificed; Able was righteous; Able was remembered. Just in case you don’t remember, Able was Adam and Eve’s second son and Cain’s brother. What did he do? He offered fat from some of the first fruits of his flocks as a sacrifice to God. (See Genesis 4:1-8)
What will I sacrifice for God today? Will my offering be commended by God?
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Jacob's Lesson in Leading
HEART THOUGTS…from Helen“
“Then Jacob said to him (Esau), “My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young….
“So let my lord go on ahead ...While I move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that of the children…”” Genesis 33:13-14.
Jacob learned a lot from his wrestling match with God just prior to his reconciliation with his twin brother, Esau.
Jacob remembered his shepherding skills with his father-in-law, Laban. Eastern shepherds lead, they do not drive.
Jacob recognized the limitations of the little ones, the children, the nursing ewes and cows.
Jacob revealed tenderness in his character. Jacob, who wrestled with God, demonstrated bravery in speaking up for those who couldn’t do so.
******How many of us need to slow down as we delve into 2012?
• Slow down for the benefit of those in your care.
• Slow down and remember your shepherding skills, to lead, not to drive.
• Slow down and recognize the limitations of those in your care.
• Slow down and reveal the tenderness that hides beneath the toughness.
• Slow down and remember your struggle with God and how he changed your life… slowly.
“Jacob said…”the children are tender…while I move along slowly at the pace of the droves and that of the children.”
“Then Jacob said to him (Esau), “My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young….
“So let my lord go on ahead ...While I move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that of the children…”” Genesis 33:13-14.
Jacob learned a lot from his wrestling match with God just prior to his reconciliation with his twin brother, Esau.
Jacob remembered his shepherding skills with his father-in-law, Laban. Eastern shepherds lead, they do not drive.
Jacob recognized the limitations of the little ones, the children, the nursing ewes and cows.
Jacob revealed tenderness in his character. Jacob, who wrestled with God, demonstrated bravery in speaking up for those who couldn’t do so.
******How many of us need to slow down as we delve into 2012?
• Slow down for the benefit of those in your care.
• Slow down and remember your shepherding skills, to lead, not to drive.
• Slow down and recognize the limitations of those in your care.
• Slow down and reveal the tenderness that hides beneath the toughness.
• Slow down and remember your struggle with God and how he changed your life… slowly.
“Jacob said…”the children are tender…while I move along slowly at the pace of the droves and that of the children.”
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Knowing the End from the Beginning
Almost a new year.
The Omega will become the Alpha in a matter of hours.
The end will soon become the beginning. The cycle continues.
Psalm 31:1 “In You O Lord, I have taken refuge
v.14 “But I trust in You, O LORD, I say, “You are my God.”
v. 15. “My times are in Your hands”
…for the end as well as the beginning
You are my refuge
You are my trust
You are my God
You O LORD, are my life.
Blessed be the LORD God, as you close out this year of 2011 and we delve into 2012, knowing that our times are in Your hands, we fix our eyes on Jesus, the AUTHOR and the FININSHER of our faith!
The Omega will become the Alpha in a matter of hours.
The end will soon become the beginning. The cycle continues.
Psalm 31:1 “In You O Lord, I have taken refuge
v.14 “But I trust in You, O LORD, I say, “You are my God.”
v. 15. “My times are in Your hands”
…for the end as well as the beginning
You are my refuge
You are my trust
You are my God
You O LORD, are my life.
Blessed be the LORD God, as you close out this year of 2011 and we delve into 2012, knowing that our times are in Your hands, we fix our eyes on Jesus, the AUTHOR and the FININSHER of our faith!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Gathered Gleanings
THE ROAD AHEAD
I think that human life is much like road life. You stand on a hill,look down and across the valley, and another prodigious hill lifts itself upon the other side.
The day is hot, your horse is weary, and you are tired. It seems you cannot climb that long hill. But you had better trot down the hill you are on, and not trouble yourself about the other one.
You find the valley pleasant and inspiring. When you get across it, you meet only a slight ascent, and begin to wonder where the steep hill disappeared.
You trot along briskly, and when you reach the highest point, you find that there has not been an inch of the hill over which you have not trotted.
You see the impossible height to be illusory. The slight ascent looked almost perpendicular, but when you come to pass over it, step by step, you find it to be a good traveling road.
I think that human life is much like road life. You stand on a hill,look down and across the valley, and another prodigious hill lifts itself upon the other side.
The day is hot, your horse is weary, and you are tired. It seems you cannot climb that long hill. But you had better trot down the hill you are on, and not trouble yourself about the other one.
You find the valley pleasant and inspiring. When you get across it, you meet only a slight ascent, and begin to wonder where the steep hill disappeared.
You trot along briskly, and when you reach the highest point, you find that there has not been an inch of the hill over which you have not trotted.
You see the impossible height to be illusory. The slight ascent looked almost perpendicular, but when you come to pass over it, step by step, you find it to be a good traveling road.
Friday, December 23, 2011
A Personal Christmas Card
O LORD, I want to thank You for Bethlehem, even now war-torn.
Thank You for Jesus, The Bread of Life, Who was born.
Thank You for Mary, surrendered utterly;
(“As is pleasing to Thee, be it even to me.”)
for a donkey, beast of burden carrying them both, quietly.
Father, thanks for Joseph, both leading and following,
obedient to You though not allowing
his doubt to prevent fathering.
Sovereign LORD, how grateful am I
that Shepherds took note of a star in the sky.
For kings, curious, not knowing the reason,
drawn to a manger bringing gifts for pleasing.
Thank You for Angels, that sang out on high,
Glory! Alleluia! Both on earth and in the sky.
LORD last but not least
for a Baby who reigns as Prophet and Priest:
King Jesus! Eternal, Creator, Emmanuel,
a Babe from heaven to save us from sin and hell.
Praises be to the Great I AM
House of Bread, O, Bethlehem!
What can I bring Him?
Who owns and rules all.
Myself…as Mary, at His feet I fall.
Babe in a Manger, True Bread of Life
Asking on others you shine your great Light.
LORD, Most Holy, trembling I kneel at your feet
You, Lord Jesus, is all that I seek.
Bowing in Bethlehem, blest House of Bread,
Satisfied not with the world, only You, instead.
…Helen Lynn
Thank You for Jesus, The Bread of Life, Who was born.
Thank You for Mary, surrendered utterly;
(“As is pleasing to Thee, be it even to me.”)
for a donkey, beast of burden carrying them both, quietly.
Father, thanks for Joseph, both leading and following,
obedient to You though not allowing
his doubt to prevent fathering.
Sovereign LORD, how grateful am I
that Shepherds took note of a star in the sky.
For kings, curious, not knowing the reason,
drawn to a manger bringing gifts for pleasing.
Thank You for Angels, that sang out on high,
Glory! Alleluia! Both on earth and in the sky.
LORD last but not least
for a Baby who reigns as Prophet and Priest:
King Jesus! Eternal, Creator, Emmanuel,
a Babe from heaven to save us from sin and hell.
Praises be to the Great I AM
House of Bread, O, Bethlehem!
What can I bring Him?
Who owns and rules all.
Myself…as Mary, at His feet I fall.
Babe in a Manger, True Bread of Life
Asking on others you shine your great Light.
LORD, Most Holy, trembling I kneel at your feet
You, Lord Jesus, is all that I seek.
Bowing in Bethlehem, blest House of Bread,
Satisfied not with the world, only You, instead.
…Helen Lynn
Thursday, December 15, 2011
GLORY, MAKE IT SHINE
HEART THOUGHTS…from Helen
“We have seen His Glory, the Glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14b)
Back in the early ‘60’s, Bill Jarvis directed the choir at Pendleton Street Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina. As student nurses at Greenville General Hospital, just a few blocks away, a group us girls were coerced into singing one Christmas and discovered what this choir was all about…GLORY! Forever, Bill Jarvis wanted the choir to sing for God’s Glory.
Yes, I actually participated in singing The Halleluiah Chorus with that choir. I do not read music nor am I gifted with voice, just making a ‘joyful noise’ seemed sufficient, as my Daddy used to say.
But that year, Bill hammered ‘Glory’ into my brain. I was so afraid of messing the music up; I followed directions as closely as I possibly could.
Each time he said, “Glory”, he added, “Make it Shine!”
So, this Christmas, as you sing of His Glory---Make it shine! To the Glory of God.
Jesus prayed in His great High Priestly prayer in John 17:24, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see My Glory, the Glory you have given me because You loved me before the creation of the world.”
Addendum: The only other time I’ve seen that Glory by singing (though coerced) took place at McCormick First Baptist Church under the fervent leadership of Dave Becker.
Glory! Make it Shine!
“We have seen His Glory, the Glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14b)
Back in the early ‘60’s, Bill Jarvis directed the choir at Pendleton Street Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina. As student nurses at Greenville General Hospital, just a few blocks away, a group us girls were coerced into singing one Christmas and discovered what this choir was all about…GLORY! Forever, Bill Jarvis wanted the choir to sing for God’s Glory.
Yes, I actually participated in singing The Halleluiah Chorus with that choir. I do not read music nor am I gifted with voice, just making a ‘joyful noise’ seemed sufficient, as my Daddy used to say.
But that year, Bill hammered ‘Glory’ into my brain. I was so afraid of messing the music up; I followed directions as closely as I possibly could.
Each time he said, “Glory”, he added, “Make it Shine!”
So, this Christmas, as you sing of His Glory---Make it shine! To the Glory of God.
Jesus prayed in His great High Priestly prayer in John 17:24, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see My Glory, the Glory you have given me because You loved me before the creation of the world.”
Addendum: The only other time I’ve seen that Glory by singing (though coerced) took place at McCormick First Baptist Church under the fervent leadership of Dave Becker.
Glory! Make it Shine!
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