A Line in the Sand

Both of these videos are very short, and it is well worth taking the time to watch. Please watch them in order.

For Christians the choice is simple.

“I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil… Therefore choose life.” ~ Deut. 30:15

A line is drawn in the sand…will you choose life?

Get Ready. Get Set. Don’t Go.

I wrote this last night when I couldn’t sleep. Life is changing so much, changing all around me. My heart is torn in two pieces. I want to be so excited about all the changes, but my heart wants to freeze time. I don’t want anything to change. But I do. Life is charging on ahead whether I like it or not. I’m going to buckle down, charge on ahead, trying not to always look back. This poem/song/whatever describes my heart perfectly right now. It’s about my best friend, who is going through the most amazing experience right now. I want to scream with joy for her. But my heart wants to cry.

 What? You’re getting married soon? That’s Great! (That’s Terrifying)

What happened to the four year olds who hated each other?

They were cute.

What happened to the eight year olds who sewed together?

They were precious.

What happened to the ten year olds who realized they were kindred spirits?

They were meant to be together.

What happened to the twelve year olds who sought Christ together?

They were awesome.

What happened to the thirteen year olds who were Double (&) Trouble?

They were amazing.

What happened to the fifteen year olds whose heart’s beat as one?

They were perfect.

What happened to the eighteen year olds who were going to take on the world together?

They were fearless.

What’s that you say? You’re getting married soon? That’s Great! (That’s Terrifying)

There you are, poised to go. Here I am all alone. Your beloved has come along,
and you pray mine is not far behind.

There you are, poised to go. Here I am all alone.

‘Get ready. Get set. Don’t go. ‘”

-March 24th, 2008

(last line from the song Ready, Set, Don’t Go)

In Sickness and In Health…

Most people usually associate the phrase “In sickness and in health” with marriage vows. However God has been teaching me about quite a different kind of “in sickness and in health” application. Almost two weeks ago I came down with a nasty virus, complete with a high fever that was extremely hard to bring down. Thankfully I began to recover, but Saturday afternoon I began having severe back spasms. These have been going on for about a year, but this time was the worst it has ever been. They lasted until Tuesday, and in those four days I experienced much pain and tears, but most of all I experienced God’s sustaining hand. He held me through all the pain, nauseas, sleepless nights, and unanswered questions. I have realized something this year. And that is that pain goes hand in hand with questions. Questions of “Why”s and “When”s; questions that seem to have no answer. God has not answered all of my questions. He hasn’t appeared to me in some magical vision. But He has taught me how to trust Him even in the darkest storm. He has whispered to me the sweetest songs, to sooth my tears, and calm my fears. He has taught me to name my blessings in the midst of a trial. He has taught me to be more sensitive to others in their time of pain.  He showed me that even if this pain lasts until I die His love will still extend farther than this worldly trial. A quote that has been a favorite of mine, and has ministered to me during the darkest times in my life is by someone who knows about darkness. Betsie ten Boom was put into a concentration camp for simply hiding Jews from the Nazis. She went through pain, sickness, cruel and horrible treatment, but in the end she was still able to say “No pit is so deep that He is not deeper still.” The thought of this trial lasting forever brings tears to my eyes. But knowing that Christ is waiting with open arms to comfort and welcome me the very second this life is over makes it all worth it. Knowing that He will never leave me nor forsake me even in this hard time is worth it all.

“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour…” ~ Isaiah 43:1-3

I would appreciate your prayers during this time of recovery. I need wisdom on how to treat this problem, and provision when the answer comes. But I’ll be okay even if the answer never comes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This song has always managed to bring tears to my eyes. No matter how often I sing it, or what I’m going through at the time, it reminds me over and over of His infinite love for me.

“Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God’s eternal day.It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.
When We See Christ”