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Joy unspeakable and full of glory - 1/15/2008 2:11:30 PM
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sisrev
Posts: 855
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From: The South, ya'll
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God is so good!
For the last few days, I’ve this really strange feeling running along just beneath the surface. It’s so odd, almost like a kid anticipating their birthday, or Christmas, or summer vacation. Lets see---my birthday was last month, as was Christmas; it’s a long time until summer---what could it be? Why do I feel all tingly and almost excited all the time? Oh yes---now I remember what this is---it’s JOY!!!
JOY JOY JOY JOY JOY
Joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Amazing grace
What a friend we have in Jesus
Oh, how sweet to walk in the pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms
JOY, JOY, JOY, joy, joy, joy
JOY, JOY, JOY, joy, joy, joy
JOY, JOY, JOY, joy, joy, joy—JOOOOOOOOOOOY!
I am awed and amazed at how often God comes through, right in the nick of time, right when we need Him most, right when we acknowledge how miserably unworthy we are to even lift our hands and our voices to Him. I am so thankful for HIS righteousness. For HIS glory. For HIS worthiness.
He is the glory, and the lifter of my head.
Thank you Lord.
You may not come when we want it, but you’ll be there right on time. You’re an on-time God, yes You are.
_____________________________
My new blog, A Virtuous Woman
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Oh the times, they are a changing… - 1/22/2008 12:24:55 PM
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sisrev
Posts: 855
Joined: 8/7/2006
From: The South, ya'll
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Oh the times, they are a changing…
It was Bob Dylan, wasn’t it, who sang that song? The times, they are a-changing.
I resigned from my church last night. For the last time, I think! I’ve been resigning for the last two months, but my presbyter has kept me praying and seeking the Lord’s will to be sure I was not just quitting, or leaving out of emotion or disappointment. Thank you, Brother Presbyter!
I am disappointed, that’s for sure. Disappointed that things have not worked out better than they did. I think that this particular body was too far gone when I got there, I just didn’t want to admit it. Two people have left already; several others are not “there” enough to count in any kind of meaningful way. That leaves three of us who want to make a go of it, and no matter how hard you try, or how the Lord moves on us few, it is just not enough to rebuild a dying church.
I already knew that I was the District’s last hope for this church. I was the only one willing to even try in the last 18 months that they had been without a pastor. I grasped at many a straw trying to keep hanging on. I did not want the closed, empty building that would result from my leaving to bring a reproach to the work of the Lord that has gone on there in the past. I prayed and prayed for either a life-line or a way out.
The good news is, the Lord has graciously provided both. I have a building without a church, and the Lord has directed us to a church without a building. With the blessing of our District, we are going to join forces. They will get our building, and the building will finally have a church in it again. I am stepping down; the other pastor will step up; and the Lord will move His body forward from there.
I am very happy at the way things have worked out, and very sad as well. I always felt that the Lord was not finished with His church in this location. There is such a need for a vibrant body who can minister to the needs of the community. I could not walk away and leave the building locked and empty and dark.
And now I don’t have to.
Thank you, Lord, for your gracious provision. You may not come when we want, or in the way we would have chosen, but You’re an on-time God, yes You are..
< Message edited by sisrev -- 1/22/2008 12:58:09 PM >
_____________________________
My new blog, A Virtuous Woman
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I go to the Rock - 2/1/2008 5:24:27 PM
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sisrev
Posts: 855
Joined: 8/7/2006
From: The South, ya'll
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“Where do I go,
When there’s no place else to go to?
Who do I lean on,
When there’s no foundation stable?
Who do I run to,
When the storms around are raging,
I go the Rock, know He’s able, I go to the Rock…”
Wednesday night was my last night as pastor of my little church. I held it together pretty well, I think; I only teared up once.
This coming weekend will be very difficult. The other church body that we are merging with is overjoyed at having a building to meet in again. Their musicians can leave their instruments set up, and their Sunday School teachers can put up posters and leave their arts & crafts materials in the cabinets. They can come pray in the sanctuary any time they want to. I am happy for them, really I am. But their joy is coming to pass due to our sorrow.
Yes, the times, they are a-changing. I suspect there will be some hard times for me personally. I am trying to be as helpful as possible, but while I’m smiling on the outside, my heart is breaking on the inside.
I need your Comforter, Lord, more than ever before.
Help me not to be a thorn in the flesh to this happy congregation.
Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.
_____________________________
My new blog, A Virtuous Woman
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It's a roller coaster ride - 3/4/2008 12:35:02 PM
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sisrev
Posts: 855
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From: The South, ya'll
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4Him has a song with this line "It's a roller coaster, roller coaster ride..."
This last month has been a time of many ups & downs. Our “merge” weekend went really well. That first day it was awkward at times, but everyone in the larger group has taken much care to help the smaller group feel they are part of the family, and yet not just swallowed up and consumed. After a month, I feel more loved and welcomed than I ever would have thought possible after such a brief time.
For some reason, I think of a sub-heading in one of my study Bibles, “The Lord’s tender care of His overwrought prophet”. Not that I am equating myself with Elisha, but I am thankful that when we need tender care, the Lord is there to provide that for us.
___________________________________
I've been sick with this terrible flu that has been going around. I burned up three of my personal/vacation days from work; the rest of the time, I just made myself get up and go to work, sick or not. It has taken several weeks to start really feeling better, and I still have my moments of exhaustion.
I find it difficult to pray for myself during times of sickness. I wonder if that’s why we’re instructed to call for the elders of the church to pray for us when we’re sick. I think the Lord knows that there is a connection at times between how we feel physically, and how we feel mentally and spiritually.
___________________________________
I am slowly working my way back into ministry; trying to seek the Lord’s will. I don’t want to grasp desperately at the first thing that comes my way, but I don’t want to miss an opportunity that is truly from the Lord. I’m staying busy, but trying not to stay too busy.
< Message edited by sisrev -- 3/4/2008 1:49:51 PM >
_____________________________
My new blog, A Virtuous Woman
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This is a job for superwoman - 4/10/2008 10:52:17 AM
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sisrev
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Joined: 8/7/2006
From: The South, ya'll
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I just got word from my husband that he’ll be flying in next Thursday night. He’ll be home almost 10 days! Hurray!
I can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait! Last time he was home, I was sick the whole time. I didn’t cook, didn’t clean, I could barely function. I made up my mind then the next time he came home, the house would be spotless, the pantry stocked, he’d get homecooked meals every night…
And now reality is starting to step in---my house is a total wreck right now. I mean, the kind where you keep the company on the porch so they won’t see what the inside looks like wreck.
The kind where you may get up in the morning and have to wash and dry underwear before you can get dressed kind of wreck.
The “we’re out of toothpaste and qtips and soap and cereal and bread and milk and everything else” kind of wreck.
So, I guess I know what this means. Marathon cleaning. Hiding stuff under the bed and anyplace else I can find to stash it. Muttering under my breath, “If I ever get this place cleaned up this time I will never let it get this way again”
Oh how the mighty have fallen....
_____________________________
My new blog, A Virtuous Woman
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Render unto Cesear - 4/14/2008 11:48:35 AM
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sisrev
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From: The South, ya'll
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My house is still a mess, but my taxes are not! I finished Federal and one state return. I have one more state to do, but it's not due for another month. I'll probably do it tonight, anyway, so I can file away all of the extra W-2s and forms instead of leaving them out in a pile to "remind me" to do them.
Hurray! One thing down, 99 more to go.
_____________________________
My new blog, A Virtuous Woman
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Time, time, time... - 8/5/2008 1:04:48 PM
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sisrev
Posts: 855
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From: The South, ya'll
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...is on my side, yes it is 
I finally have the time to resurrect my blog. I've been thinking about it for some time, but somehow never seemed to actually be able to sit down and "just do it" as the shoe commercials say.
In the intervening time since my last entry, the house did get straightened up, DH came home not just once, but twice, and I have quit my job and moved again--still in the South, but 600 miles to the east of "home", to Georgia this time.
We are living in an apartment again--this time around it is large and fairly well furnished--I've had to supplement the kitchen things--these furnished apartments never have the sizes or quality of cookware that I like, and there are always some things missing.
This is the first time in several years that DH, DS & I are all living together as a family. DH started working away from home while DS was in high school, then DS was away at an out-of-state college for two years. I left my house and job and lived "on-the-road" with DH for a while, and DS was only with us for holidays or semester breaks. Then DS & I were both back at home while DH was still away. Now, at long last, we are all together for a while. DS is taking internet classes this semester so we can have time together as a family before he graduates and begins to make his own way in the world. We've all had time alone, and time with one or the other, but not all three of us together long term for so long, there are definite adjustments to be made, but oh, so worth it.
DS & I are going back home next week for a few days--he has some business to take care of at the university, I find I have some business to take care of as well, and we are also going to bring a few more things back with us.
After that, I'll probably begin a job search in earnest, so I am trying to enjoy my time off while I can. I've been going to the pool in the mornings several times a week; I've been unpacking and trying to get things in order in the apartment; I've been cooking and baking and enjoying feeding my family again. I'm tempted to start sewing or crafting again, but I hate start new projects that I may not be able to finish when I start working an outside job again. Maybe I can do something small, just to keep my hand in!
We have tried out two churches so far since we've been here. Not sure either of them is a fit, but I hate walking into a new church "cold", so to speak. So we may try these two a little more and see what happens.
Time to make some lunch and then start dinner--how nice to actually enjoy doing that again!
< Message edited by sisrev -- 8/5/2008 4:13:19 PM >
_____________________________
My new blog, A Virtuous Woman
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home again, home again - 8/20/2008 12:54:23 AM
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sisrev
Posts: 855
Joined: 8/7/2006
From: The South, ya'll
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I had a good trip home last week.
I enjoyed seeing my family, visiting my home church, seeing familiar sights, and enjoying the local food. (I've already blogged about the good Louisiana food I enjoyed on a visit home last year!)
While we were home, we went to Natchitoches one day. I love that town--the historic downtown reminds me of New Orleans, only much cleaner! (and on a much smaller scale, of course!) Brick streets downtown, shuttered windows and wrought iron balconies, big old oak trees, beautiful old houses everywhere. We ate lunch at The Landing, they are located in the historic district, overlooking False River. They have beautiful wrought iron grillwork room dividers throughout the restaurant, and dark polished woodwork. And what a menu. I couldn't make up my mind, so I chose an appetizer platter for my meal, so I could have a mixture--mini meat pies (Natchitoches is famous for their meat pies), shrimp with remoulade sauce, fried alligator, fried green tomatoes, and a crab cake. Louisiana on a plate! I couldn't finish it all, but it was fun getting to sample it all, anyway.
I'm always glad to get to go home, but this time I was kind of glad to get back, too. We haven't been at the new location long, I am looking forward to seeing what's in store for us here.
< Message edited by sisrev -- 8/20/2008 11:06:22 AM >
_____________________________
My new blog, A Virtuous Woman
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"Hurricane's a comin' " - 9/3/2008 12:25:29 AM
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sisrev
Posts: 855
Joined: 8/7/2006
From: The South, ya'll
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"Hurricane's a comin' "--I think of those words from Disney's "Little Mermaid" everytime we experience a hurricane watch/warning.
This past weekend I was so torn. We were heading to North Carolina to see a side of my husband's family I had never met. At the same time, hurricane Gustav was bearing down, projected to hit Louisiana, possibly headed straight for home.
I was nervous anyway about meeting DH's family--this is a part of his family that he had lost touch with for many years. He had the opportunity to see them and rebuild a relationship with them a few years ago when he was working fairly close to their area, but this was the first time for DS and myself to meet them and get to know them. Meanwhile, I was concerned about my family back home, my house, all of our possessions. I tried to get my parents to leave and come to Georgia to stay with us for a few days, but they wouldn't leave. My sister was flying in from a trip to Mexico with her husband and didn't know anything about it until they landed back in the states--her two girls were in Baton Rouge, and nobody knew yet whether Gustav would hit the east or the west side of the state.
At one point, I was sitting in the truck outside hubby's family's house, on the cell with my folks, crying because I wasn't there--not that I could have helped, but that was precisely it--I felt so helpless! Why do I do that? I want to try to"fix" everything. I wasn't there, and somehow, they all managed without me!! My nieces made it back home from Baton Rouge, the hurricane went east of home, all they got was wind and rain. My dad does have family that are in the affected zone--no power and water right now, but otherwise they're fairly unscathed. My house and everything in it is still sitting right there waiting for me.
You know, I've been realizing for a long time, I like my security. I like to know what's going to happen. I like to be the one to take care of everything--is that concern, or control???
I'm realizing some other things, too. I've been a little bit upset with God lately. A while back I realized how unhappy & discontent I was with the "stuff" of my life, and I did a lot of praying and fasting, asking the Lord to change things, or change me. And then when the changes came, they didn't come in just the way I thought they would, and they didn't look just the way I thought they would look. I realized recently that I actually got every single thing I had prayed about--it just didn't look the way I thought it would be. How's that for ungrateful?
I've been avoiding God, I think, kind of like Adam & Eve in the garden. It's not that He didn't know where they were and what they had been up to, but He asked them anyway--"Adam where are you?" and even, "Who told you that you were naked?"
I guess the first step is admiting what you've done, and why. Lord, I've been pouting. And so ungrateful. And scared. I got what I wanted, and now I have to either put up or shut up.
Please forgive me, ungrateful wretch that I am.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Sometimes we need a hurricane, to help us remember our priorities. (People first, property last!)
Help me, Lord, to re-order my priorities. Help me to set my affections on things above, and to trust you to take care of the things below. Help me to remember what I based this blog on in the beginning:
"....whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
May it ever be so, Lord!
_____________________________
My new blog, A Virtuous Woman
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RE: Faithful in a little - 9/16/2008 11:21:02 AM
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sisrev
Posts: 855
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From: The South, ya'll
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I tend to be an all or nothing person when it comes to my housework. Other things, too, but in the house it really shows. I actually do like things to be clean, and orderly, and beautiful. I also tend to procrastinate, and put things off until there is so much to do that I get overwhelmed, don’t know where to start, and ignore it even more, hoping that a fairy godmother will just come along and work her magic wand, and “poof!”, it’ll be done. (doesn’t work right without the sound effect, you really do have to have the “poof!”)
Well, guess what I've discovered? There is no fairy godmother, no magic wand, and no “poof!” The terrible, awful, really horrible truth is, I am my own fairy godmother. And my wand doesn’t seem to work anymore. Which means I have to do it myself.
I find, though, that each room or system in my house has a certain key element, a certain little something, that if I take care if it first, the other things will begin to fall into place. In the bedroom, it’s making the bed. I hate to admit how seldom I do that at times. I go through phases of doing it regularly, then I go through phases where the only time the bed gets made is when I change the sheets. I do find, though, that if I make the bed, I will automatically pick up a little more around it as I go through the day. Today, for instance, I folded & hung some clothes, and started to leave the folded ones on the bed--but they looked so out of place on that made-up bed, that I took the additional seconds it took to open the dresser drawer and put the clothes inside.(Other wise, they would have stayed there till bedtime, at which time I would have grabbed them off the bed and sat them on top of the dresser instead of inside, where they probably would have stayed—unless they got knocked off, then they’d be unfolded, on the floor, and I probably would have just re-washed them and started the same vicious cycle all over again.
And speaking of laundry, if I once get it all caught up, I can manage on one load a day, rotating through lights, darks, whites, and jeans, then repeating. But if I don't keep up, the next thing I know I have 10 loads! So then I have to do 2 or 3 a day (or more!) till I get caught up, then start my regular cycle again.
In the kitchen, it’s starting off with a clean kitchen, cleaning as I go, and doing the major cleanup immediately after dinner. If I think to myself that I’ll go into the living room and clean the kitchen, later the next thing I know, I’m ready to go to bed and the kitchen is a mess. Then againg, I don't know how many times I’ve started to clean the kitchen up after dinner, only to find that I have to empty the dishwasher of clean dishes first, so that I can load it back up with the dirty ones. But if the dishwasher is emptied in the mornings, I will load it throughout the day as things get dirty; and if the kitchen is clean when I start dinner, I will wash things as I go as I make dinner, instead of stacking it all until afterwards. Then after dinner there isn't so much to do to get things cleaned up. So the trick , again, is to do the little things that make the big things go so easily.
This afternoon I went through the living room, picking up, straightening, and putting away all of those myriad of things that tend to get laid down instead of being put away someplace. Mail, receipts, books, magazines, shoes. Then a quick vacuum of the main traffic areas, and all was well. Sometimes the clutter starts because there is no particular place to put things, but most of the time it’s because I plan to put something down “for now”, and take care of it later, only “later” never gets here. It kind of reminds me of the old commercial where the guy comes into a service station over and over and won’t stop to have the oil checked & changed in his car because it costs too much, then in the last scene, his car is being towed back to the service station while the voice over says, “You can pay me now, or you can pay me later!” I can do it now, or I can do it later, but eventually I will have to do it.
So, here is my "resolve" list--Every day, I will:
Make the bed
Empty the dishwasher
Do one load of laundry, start to finish (including folding/hanging & putting away)
Clean the kitchen as I go, and finish up immediately after dinner if possible
Do a quick pick-up of one room every day
It’s amazing what a difference these little things can make.
(segue to the spiritual stuff)
It’s often the little things in my spiritual life that make all of the difference, as well. The Lord is always faithful, but at times I’m my own worst enemy, and it’s all I can do to stay out of the way, much less walk in the way! I find that if I take care of things as I go—staying in the Word, spending time in prayer, being obedient to those things that the Lord as asked of me—If I stay ‘fessed up, I don’t get messed up!
So, off I go, to learn (again) to be faithful in the little things…
_____________________________
My new blog, A Virtuous Woman
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Kol Nidre - 10/8/2008 9:54:55 PM
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sisrev
Posts: 855
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From: The South, ya'll
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Tonight is Kol Nidre, the eve of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
Jewish and Messianic people everywhere meet tonight to say the Kol Nidre prayer, which means "all vows". Traditionally, on this night you are released from all personal vows you made to the Lord in the past year. It also begins the 25 hour Yom Kippur fast.
As a believer, Yom Kippur is another chance for me to pause and remember that Yeshua Ha'mashiach, Jesus the Messiah, has made atonement once and for all for all of our sins. Prophetically, it's in the portion of the Biblical year that has not been fulfilled yet, and is symbolic of the time that the Jewish people as a whole accept Yeshua, Jesus, as their Mesiach--Messiah.
The video this links to is a cantor saying the Kol Nidre prayer.
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Yom Kippur - 10/11/2008 9:45:09 PM
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sisrev
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From: The South, ya'll
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Thursday was Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
I had the opportunity to go to a Reform Synagogue for the morning & evening Yom Kippur services. (I skipped the afternoon & mourners services). I enjoyed it very much--maybe "enjoyed" is not the word. It was an interesting experience. I know that many of the people who attend Reform congregations are often not religious in the Biblical sense--they tend to have more of a social religion than a personal one. This congregation seemed much the same--lots of kippas but not many tallises were worn. It reminded me a lot of a high church service. Very liturgical and comprised mostly of responsive readings. I know that some people just participate with little notice of what they are reading, but I found the words and the scriptures read to be quit thought provoking.
The gentleman who blew the shofar at the end of the concluding service was an acquaintance of ours from a local Messianic congregation. He has been invited to blow the shofar at the High Holy Days services for this congregation for the last four years. He is one of the most talented people on the shofar that I have ever heard in person.
As a believer, participating in these feast days appointed by God has such a profound effect on me. So many of the so-called "Christian" holidays have become so secular and commercialized that it's difficult if not impossible to maintain any semblance of a deeper meaning to the tradtions. Following these traditions that have no secular or commercail exploitation allows me to keep the focus where it should be--on Christ, the Messiah.
Amen.
_____________________________
My new blog, A Virtuous Woman
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Great is Thy Faithfulness - 12/1/2008 12:38:14 AM
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sisrev
Posts: 855
Joined: 8/7/2006
From: The South, ya'll
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Great is thy faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed
Thy hands have provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto thee.
_____________________________
My new blog, A Virtuous Woman
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Happy Christmakuh - 12/27/2008 2:10:28 AM
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sisrev
Posts: 855
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From: The South, ya'll
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In my family we celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah. As a believer in Yeshua Ha'masheicah, Jesus the Messiah, I especially enjoy the years that the holidays are concurrent.
Jesus, the Light of the World--what better way to celerate the coming of the Light, than by commemorating the miracle of light.
What better way to celebrate the coming of the Source of our freedom, than by celebrating victory over the oppressors?
At any rate, wishing the seasons' best, in whatever way you choose to celebrate.
_____________________________
My new blog, A Virtuous Woman
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