My daughter just returned from a 2 week mission trip to Africa with my husband. After a few days of recovery from jet lag we ventured out to run some errands. It was a glorious day filled with sunny skys and so we decided to ride with the top down on the convertible. We were tooling down the road,wind in our hair on what I thought was a smooth and lovely ride. But then my daughter said with emotion in her voice," I miss the bumpy roads of Africa."
God is calling us all to walk a certain road and we will not be happy unless we go where He calls. Something happened in my daughter's heart when she walked the "bumpy" road that God called her to walk. That road became a Highway to Heaven for her. It brought her such joy and she is changed forever.
Her school tells her she should walk a certain road to get into college,her friends tell her she should walk a certain road to be popular,her doctor tells her she should walk a certain road to be healthy and on and on it goes. Jesus simply tells her,"Follow me!" If you know the road you are on is leading you to heaven it will not matter what it is made of,how narrow the path or whether it is smooth or filled with potholes. The journey may be long and hard but just ahead of you is the One who Loved you first leading you to joy unspeakable.
I have just finished a wonderful book called,Adventure Yourself by Tommy Barnett. The sub-title is,Discover the thrill and excitement of serving God.
In chapter 12 he tells the story of David Livingstone. He was a missionary in Africa in 1840. When he and his brother John were boys they shared with each other their life dreams. John shared that he wanted to grow up to be rich and famous. David shared that his goal was to" follow Christ to the fullest."
David left Great Britain as a young man and died in Africa doing what he loved,sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with tribes of indigenous people. One small tribe loved him so much that they did not want the family to retrieve his body and take him back to Great Britain for burial. Finally,one of the tribesman ripped open Livingstone's chest and cut out his heart and proclaimed,"His heart belongs to us." And so,his body is at rest in Westminister Abbey beside many of the greatest people in world history. By his grave lies a sign that reads:"David Livingstone's body is here ,but his heart is in Africa." Remember his brother John who desired to be rich and famous. He did become rich and famous as he walked the road that the world called him to walk. On his tombstone the marker reads: Here lies the brother of David Livingstone."
So many people who are walking the Highway to Heaven will never be famous on earth like David Livingstone. But they will be famous when they reach their destination. The Bible tells us that we are surrounded by a "great cloud of witnesses". They are cheering us on,encouraging us to take the path that may not always look appealing or even safe.
My prayer for you is simple: May you take time to look at the road you are on. Ask God if this is the path He wants you on. May you follow Him wherever He leads.
dedelang
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Are you Knocking?
Knock,Knock! Who's There?
Just checking to see if anyone is home. :) But seriously, I did want to share what God has been saying to me about "knocking". Matthew 7:7 says we should Ask,Seek and Knock. Asking God for something is easy. We can sometimes do it very passively without much effort. Seeking requires some movement as we read His word and do a little research. Now knocking is all together different." To knock "means to hit,blow,strike or basically, work.
Colossians 3:23 tells us that "Whatever we do,work at it with all your heart,as working for the Lord,not for men.
To knock off means to stop working.
To knock out means finishing a job.
To knock down means to take apart.
I don't know about you,but as I look around me I see alot of people who are really tired and weary and sometimes quite depressed about how life is treating them right now. It is tough out there. But as a Christian, there is something we need to remember: We must not stop "knocking". We can't knock off just because things are hard. We must continue to do what God has called us to do. Let us raise up our hands and hit,strike and pound upon the doors that God has placed in front of us. It is a different door for each of us------------- maybe it's a lost neighbor,a prodigal son,a wayward spouse,an addiction,poverty or depression. We must not stop until we knock down and take apart the walls that are holding these doors in place. These walls consist of pride,fear,anger,lies and misunderstandings. We must open the doors with the truth spoken in love,God's word and prayer. This is not easy,but hard work. Think of 2 boxers in the final round.... it is a draw and both are hardly able to stand,much less fight. But one boxer somehow finds an extra measure of strength and "knocks out" his opponent. A knock out means Victory because his opponent can no longer fight. That is what we need to do right now, find an extra measure of strength to finish the work God has given us. Usually a boxer will gain strength by sitting in his corner for a few minutes to rest and listen to his coach speak words of encouragement and instruction. A cool drink of water brings physical refreshing. That is what we need as well. Take time to come away from the fight for awhile to rest and listen to God's word of guidance and encouragment. You too, will be spiritually refreshed by the Holy Spirit and have that extra measure of strength to knock out the enemy.
If you think this is just a fun play on words... let me know. But try it first and know that I do not think it is easy or will accomplish everything overnight. As the turtle said...Slow and steady wins the race. There are things I have been praying about and doors I have been knocking on for 20 years and am just now seeing results. Victory is sweeter the longer you strive for it. The job could be almost done..... so don't give up..... KNOCK IT OUT!!!! And that is my simple prayer for you. Let's ponder it together. ddlang
Just checking to see if anyone is home. :) But seriously, I did want to share what God has been saying to me about "knocking". Matthew 7:7 says we should Ask,Seek and Knock. Asking God for something is easy. We can sometimes do it very passively without much effort. Seeking requires some movement as we read His word and do a little research. Now knocking is all together different." To knock "means to hit,blow,strike or basically, work.
Colossians 3:23 tells us that "Whatever we do,work at it with all your heart,as working for the Lord,not for men.
To knock off means to stop working.
To knock out means finishing a job.
To knock down means to take apart.
I don't know about you,but as I look around me I see alot of people who are really tired and weary and sometimes quite depressed about how life is treating them right now. It is tough out there. But as a Christian, there is something we need to remember: We must not stop "knocking". We can't knock off just because things are hard. We must continue to do what God has called us to do. Let us raise up our hands and hit,strike and pound upon the doors that God has placed in front of us. It is a different door for each of us------------- maybe it's a lost neighbor,a prodigal son,a wayward spouse,an addiction,poverty or depression. We must not stop until we knock down and take apart the walls that are holding these doors in place. These walls consist of pride,fear,anger,lies and misunderstandings. We must open the doors with the truth spoken in love,God's word and prayer. This is not easy,but hard work. Think of 2 boxers in the final round.... it is a draw and both are hardly able to stand,much less fight. But one boxer somehow finds an extra measure of strength and "knocks out" his opponent. A knock out means Victory because his opponent can no longer fight. That is what we need to do right now, find an extra measure of strength to finish the work God has given us. Usually a boxer will gain strength by sitting in his corner for a few minutes to rest and listen to his coach speak words of encouragement and instruction. A cool drink of water brings physical refreshing. That is what we need as well. Take time to come away from the fight for awhile to rest and listen to God's word of guidance and encouragment. You too, will be spiritually refreshed by the Holy Spirit and have that extra measure of strength to knock out the enemy.
If you think this is just a fun play on words... let me know. But try it first and know that I do not think it is easy or will accomplish everything overnight. As the turtle said...Slow and steady wins the race. There are things I have been praying about and doors I have been knocking on for 20 years and am just now seeing results. Victory is sweeter the longer you strive for it. The job could be almost done..... so don't give up..... KNOCK IT OUT!!!! And that is my simple prayer for you. Let's ponder it together. ddlang
Monday, July 13, 2009
THis not a Debate
Hello Out There!,
I have had such warm and friendly responses to the things I have been blogging about. Maybe some of the things I have said have been challenging and hard to swallow. I know not all of you agree with my beliefs. I really don't mind if you share those feelings with me. This blog is not a platform for a debate. It is just a place to share about what is really happening in my life. It is a place for honest truth about what I have experienced and what is working to fullfill me as I journey through this life. I hope if anything, this blog makes you think about what is important over the tyranny of the urgent. I hope it makes you take time to ,"BE STILL". I have to admit that I may sound all confident that I have all the answers. I do not.... but I know the One who does. It is not arrogance you are sensing as you read my blog. It is reassurrance that I am loved by God and I can trust Him. He has my "back". My wisdom does not come from myself or my experiences. My wisdom comes from simply obeying what God has told me and seeing with my own eyes that ,It Works!!!!! It is quite simple really ,that is why I always say."My prayer for you is simple." The act of obedience is not always simple.... most of the time it is very hard..... but when put in to play the outcome brings the simplicity of peace,joy and understanding! If you are not a big Bible reader start in Proverbs. Read a proverb every day and begin to obey these words of wisdom. My Prayer for you is simple....."May you have the courage and the strength to obey and may peace,joy and understanding be a constant in your life."As you ponder that, comment on the blog and let me know what you are thinking. Others may be thinking the same thing and it would be helpful to them. ddlang
I have had such warm and friendly responses to the things I have been blogging about. Maybe some of the things I have said have been challenging and hard to swallow. I know not all of you agree with my beliefs. I really don't mind if you share those feelings with me. This blog is not a platform for a debate. It is just a place to share about what is really happening in my life. It is a place for honest truth about what I have experienced and what is working to fullfill me as I journey through this life. I hope if anything, this blog makes you think about what is important over the tyranny of the urgent. I hope it makes you take time to ,"BE STILL". I have to admit that I may sound all confident that I have all the answers. I do not.... but I know the One who does. It is not arrogance you are sensing as you read my blog. It is reassurrance that I am loved by God and I can trust Him. He has my "back". My wisdom does not come from myself or my experiences. My wisdom comes from simply obeying what God has told me and seeing with my own eyes that ,It Works!!!!! It is quite simple really ,that is why I always say."My prayer for you is simple." The act of obedience is not always simple.... most of the time it is very hard..... but when put in to play the outcome brings the simplicity of peace,joy and understanding! If you are not a big Bible reader start in Proverbs. Read a proverb every day and begin to obey these words of wisdom. My Prayer for you is simple....."May you have the courage and the strength to obey and may peace,joy and understanding be a constant in your life."As you ponder that, comment on the blog and let me know what you are thinking. Others may be thinking the same thing and it would be helpful to them. ddlang
Friday, July 10, 2009
The River of Life
Matthew 28:19-Then Jesus said the them,"Do not be afraid. GO and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
It is our job as Christians to go where Jesus tells us to go and tell others where they can find Him. He has commanded us to do this. We must obey not only because we love Him but because we want to share the Joy of seeing Jesus, with others. If someone has never seen Jesus they don't know what they are missing. It's hard to make them understand. Sometimes we do a poor job of convincing them because we have been turned down so much so we just give up. A few years ago I wrote ,"The River of Life" to encourage others to keep "telling" .
The River of Life
THIS WORLD IS A GREAT DESERT.
BUT THERE IS A RIVER OF LIFE FLOWING THROUGH IT.
MANY PEOPLE ARE ON A JOURNEY THROUGH THIS HOT,DRY DESERT LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO QUENCH THEIR THIRST.
SOME KNOW THE RIVER IS OUT THERE SOMEWHERE.
THEY HAVE SEEN OTHERS WALKING BACK FROM THE RIVER WITH CUPS OF WATER,BUT NO ONE HAS EVER SHARED A DRINK WITH THEM OR DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO GET THERE.
NOW THEY ARE TIRED AND WEARY AND ANY HOPE OF REACHING THE RIVER IS GONE.
STILL OTHERS, DON'T BELIEVE THE RIVER EVEN EXISTS.
THEY'VE SEEN NO EVEIDENCE OF IT ANYWHERE IN THEIR SURROUNDINGS.
YOU AND I ARE ALREADY ON THE RIVERBANKS,DRINKING FREQUENTLY OF THE COOL, REFRESHING WATER. SOME OF US HAVE EVEN LAID DOWN AND GONE TO SLEEP. BUT WE NEED TO WAKE UP!!!!!
THERE ARE FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS AND MANY STRANGERS ROAMING AIMLESSLY IN SEARCH OF THIS COOL PLACE.
LET'S FILL OUR CUPS WITH WATER AND RUN TO MEET THESE THIRSTY TRAVELERS. WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO KEEP WALKING,GIVING THEM SIPS FROM OUR CUP TO STRENGTHEN THEM ALONG THE WAY.THEY WILL BEGIN TO BELIEVE THE RIVER IS JUST AHEAD AND WILL LONG TO REACH IT TO FILL THEIR OWN CUP. "FOR WHOEVER DRINKS FROM THE RIVER OF LIFE WILL NEVER THIRST" JESUS HAS SAID," I AM THE RIVER OF LIFE." DON'T STOP TELLING OTHERS WHERE HE IS. PLEASE,PLEASE PONDER THAT IN YOUR HEART! MY PRAYER FOR YOU IS SIMPLE IF YOU ARE READING THIS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN JESUS......BE STILL AND SPEAK HIS NAME IN SINCERE SEARCHING.BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR DOUBT,ANGER AND CONFUSION.BE STILL AND WAIT FOR HIS RESPONSE. MAY YOU SEE HIM AND NEVER THIRST AGAIN.ddlang
It is our job as Christians to go where Jesus tells us to go and tell others where they can find Him. He has commanded us to do this. We must obey not only because we love Him but because we want to share the Joy of seeing Jesus, with others. If someone has never seen Jesus they don't know what they are missing. It's hard to make them understand. Sometimes we do a poor job of convincing them because we have been turned down so much so we just give up. A few years ago I wrote ,"The River of Life" to encourage others to keep "telling" .
The River of Life
THIS WORLD IS A GREAT DESERT.
BUT THERE IS A RIVER OF LIFE FLOWING THROUGH IT.
MANY PEOPLE ARE ON A JOURNEY THROUGH THIS HOT,DRY DESERT LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO QUENCH THEIR THIRST.
SOME KNOW THE RIVER IS OUT THERE SOMEWHERE.
THEY HAVE SEEN OTHERS WALKING BACK FROM THE RIVER WITH CUPS OF WATER,BUT NO ONE HAS EVER SHARED A DRINK WITH THEM OR DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO GET THERE.
NOW THEY ARE TIRED AND WEARY AND ANY HOPE OF REACHING THE RIVER IS GONE.
STILL OTHERS, DON'T BELIEVE THE RIVER EVEN EXISTS.
THEY'VE SEEN NO EVEIDENCE OF IT ANYWHERE IN THEIR SURROUNDINGS.
YOU AND I ARE ALREADY ON THE RIVERBANKS,DRINKING FREQUENTLY OF THE COOL, REFRESHING WATER. SOME OF US HAVE EVEN LAID DOWN AND GONE TO SLEEP. BUT WE NEED TO WAKE UP!!!!!
THERE ARE FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS AND MANY STRANGERS ROAMING AIMLESSLY IN SEARCH OF THIS COOL PLACE.
LET'S FILL OUR CUPS WITH WATER AND RUN TO MEET THESE THIRSTY TRAVELERS. WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO KEEP WALKING,GIVING THEM SIPS FROM OUR CUP TO STRENGTHEN THEM ALONG THE WAY.THEY WILL BEGIN TO BELIEVE THE RIVER IS JUST AHEAD AND WILL LONG TO REACH IT TO FILL THEIR OWN CUP. "FOR WHOEVER DRINKS FROM THE RIVER OF LIFE WILL NEVER THIRST" JESUS HAS SAID," I AM THE RIVER OF LIFE." DON'T STOP TELLING OTHERS WHERE HE IS. PLEASE,PLEASE PONDER THAT IN YOUR HEART! MY PRAYER FOR YOU IS SIMPLE IF YOU ARE READING THIS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN JESUS......BE STILL AND SPEAK HIS NAME IN SINCERE SEARCHING.BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR DOUBT,ANGER AND CONFUSION.BE STILL AND WAIT FOR HIS RESPONSE. MAY YOU SEE HIM AND NEVER THIRST AGAIN.ddlang
Monday, July 6, 2009
# 1 Reason
A dear friend just gave me a book titled, "101 reasons I Love God". The very first reason took me back about 40 years. I was sitting in a pew in my little country church when I heard this reason for the first time. On random Sunday nights my preacher would decide to save his sermon for another day and instead would give people opportunities to stand up and give a "testimony". If you are not familiar with this baptist term it just means that they would share something about how God was working in their lives. The short and simple testimonies appealed to me as well as the emotional ones and that is why I remember this certain one.
A lady in my church, whom I had always considered to be one of the kindest women I have ever known, stood up. She said 8 simple words. A small tear fell out of the corner of her eye as she said," I love Him because He first loved me." These 8 simple words spoken by this sincere, kind lady drew me closer into the arms of my Father and I felt His love in a way that still effects me today. These words are actually in the Bible and I never knew it until a few years ago. I was so excited when I found them in 1John4:19- "We love Him because He first loved us."
A few months ago I was meditating on a scripture about faith. People always say to me, "why do you have such great faith in God?" I never know how to answer this question because I know that faith is a gift that God gives and he gives everyone a certain amount. Whether faith grows is up to us. So... I pondered this question out loud to God. "Why do I have so much faith in You?" Like so many times when I am listening and He responds I am always humbled and moved to tears. I wept as I heard Him say into my spirit." Because you believe that I love you."
I wish I could find that sweet lady who had the courage to stand up and give her "testimony' so many years ago. I would say THANK YOU For helping increase my Faith in the One who loved me First. It is the #1 reason I love God!
My prayer for you is simple: May you love the One who loved you first! It is definately worth pondering! ddlang
A lady in my church, whom I had always considered to be one of the kindest women I have ever known, stood up. She said 8 simple words. A small tear fell out of the corner of her eye as she said," I love Him because He first loved me." These 8 simple words spoken by this sincere, kind lady drew me closer into the arms of my Father and I felt His love in a way that still effects me today. These words are actually in the Bible and I never knew it until a few years ago. I was so excited when I found them in 1John4:19- "We love Him because He first loved us."
A few months ago I was meditating on a scripture about faith. People always say to me, "why do you have such great faith in God?" I never know how to answer this question because I know that faith is a gift that God gives and he gives everyone a certain amount. Whether faith grows is up to us. So... I pondered this question out loud to God. "Why do I have so much faith in You?" Like so many times when I am listening and He responds I am always humbled and moved to tears. I wept as I heard Him say into my spirit." Because you believe that I love you."
I wish I could find that sweet lady who had the courage to stand up and give her "testimony' so many years ago. I would say THANK YOU For helping increase my Faith in the One who loved me First. It is the #1 reason I love God!
My prayer for you is simple: May you love the One who loved you first! It is definately worth pondering! ddlang
Friday, July 3, 2009
Feedback Appreciated!
Hello friends,family and foreigners,
I know everyone is busy these days and it's hard to give attention to one more thing, but if you can ,let me know if you are receiving this blog and if the few posts have been helpful in any way. Some folks have been so kind and shared already and I thank you. If you would rather share privately just shoot me an e-mail instead. Please know that I pray before I write each post that someone would be encouraged or gain some new insight by what I write. It would bless me so if I knew it was making a small difference. Thanks for listening! Have a wonderful 4th! de
I know everyone is busy these days and it's hard to give attention to one more thing, but if you can ,let me know if you are receiving this blog and if the few posts have been helpful in any way. Some folks have been so kind and shared already and I thank you. If you would rather share privately just shoot me an e-mail instead. Please know that I pray before I write each post that someone would be encouraged or gain some new insight by what I write. It would bless me so if I knew it was making a small difference. Thanks for listening! Have a wonderful 4th! de
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Somewhere in the Valley
When I was a little girl we had "singings" at my little country church. Wonderful little groups would come in from all over and sing songs about heaven,God's love and 'stepping on the clouds". These songs touched me a powerful way. To this day, when I am feeling low I will sit on my porch and sing them. One particular song has been my source of strength when things happen that are so horrific and hard to understand. The melody was slow and haunting and then grew into a victorious anthem. Here are the words:
When I'm low in spirit
I cry Lord lift me up,
I want to go higher with Thee.
But the Lord says,"There is strength in my sorrow,
and Victory in trials for me!
He leads me beside still waters
Somewhere in the valley below.
He draws me aside
to be tested and tried.
And in the valley He restoreth my soul.
It's dark as a dungeon
And the sun seldoms shines.
And I question,"Lord why must this be"
He says,"There is strength in your sorrow.
"They'll be Victory in trials ,You'll SEE!!!
I don't know if you are somewhere in the valley but I am this morning. Something so tragic has happened to such an innocent sweet person that I know. My heart is broken and life seems so cruel. I have done the only thing I know how to do that gives me comfort that lasts. It doesn't come from a bottle,pill or food. It is not about getting some fresh air or exercise. Those things can bring comfort but they are temporary and most bring side effects that aren't always pleasant. No, what I do is turn my attention to the One who knows all things. I cry on His shoulder and seek His embrace.He reassures me that His heart is broken with mine. Pain was not something He intended for His children but in a world where people have choices it happens because of selfishness,carelessness and sometimes mysterious reasons we will never understand. God's love and peace flow into my spirit and I feel strength and hope. It is a supernatural exchange that I can not explain.
My prayer for you is simple: May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, comfort you in all your troubles,so that you may comfort those in any trouble with the comfort you have recieved from God. (2 Cor.1:3-4) Please Ponder This when you are somewhere in the valley! ddlang
When I'm low in spirit
I cry Lord lift me up,
I want to go higher with Thee.
But the Lord says,"There is strength in my sorrow,
and Victory in trials for me!
He leads me beside still waters
Somewhere in the valley below.
He draws me aside
to be tested and tried.
And in the valley He restoreth my soul.
It's dark as a dungeon
And the sun seldoms shines.
And I question,"Lord why must this be"
He says,"There is strength in your sorrow.
"They'll be Victory in trials ,You'll SEE!!!
I don't know if you are somewhere in the valley but I am this morning. Something so tragic has happened to such an innocent sweet person that I know. My heart is broken and life seems so cruel. I have done the only thing I know how to do that gives me comfort that lasts. It doesn't come from a bottle,pill or food. It is not about getting some fresh air or exercise. Those things can bring comfort but they are temporary and most bring side effects that aren't always pleasant. No, what I do is turn my attention to the One who knows all things. I cry on His shoulder and seek His embrace.He reassures me that His heart is broken with mine. Pain was not something He intended for His children but in a world where people have choices it happens because of selfishness,carelessness and sometimes mysterious reasons we will never understand. God's love and peace flow into my spirit and I feel strength and hope. It is a supernatural exchange that I can not explain.
My prayer for you is simple: May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, comfort you in all your troubles,so that you may comfort those in any trouble with the comfort you have recieved from God. (2 Cor.1:3-4) Please Ponder This when you are somewhere in the valley! ddlang
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