Barb's Blah Blah Blog

A fork in the road

celebrator — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:27:32 +0000

Again and again I come to what I like to think of as “a fork in the road” in my spiritual life. I’m faced with a situation that wants to draw me into fear and dread. Maybe it’s a phone call, maybe it’s something I’ve done or said or maybe it’s just something that’s happened. My initial reaction is to worry and try my best to “fix” whatever the situation is. If there’s no way I can fix it, I’m often left with worry. The fork becomes the choice to either cave into worry or to commit it to God and trust that “He is able to do exceedingly more than I could ever ask or imagine!” The crucial part of this is what I do in the first few minutes. I need to immediately commit it to the Lord and lay whatever it is before his throne of grace. I need to confess that I am powerless to do anything and that it’s in His hands. A neat part of this life situation is that as I commit things to Him, one after another, it becomes a habit and the “natural” choice. The best is that the harder the challenge, the greater the miracle. The more dire the situation seems, the more God is glorified and I’m once again blessed to know that I serve an all powerful, all loving, faithful, awesome Abba father!

“His mercies are new every morning!”

celebrator — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:23:31 +0000

I woke up this morning to the thought “His mercies are new every morning.” How often do we take this awesome truth for granted!

Today is September 11. Eight years ago this day, many lives in America changed. Families were destroyed. People died. Men and women were widowed, and children were orphaned! All because a few men were deceived into thinking the “right” thing to do was to drive some planes into the world trade centers, the pentagon, and another unknown destination.

I remember calling together a prayer meeting that night. The room was filled with people, many of whom had never attended a previous prayer meeting. We were focused on God. We knew we needed his help, his touch, his reassurance that he is still in charge, that he is still God! Through out the months and years that followed, the numbers who came to pray have dwindled to its original size. Why? Why does it take a calamity of this nature to draw us to God? I know it’s not unusual. As I’ve been reading the bible this week I’ve noticed over and over how often the Israelites, God’s chosen people would turn away from him only to fall into the hands of a cruel dictator, to lose a war or to face famine or drought. Again, they would crawl back to God and he would bring them back into his blessing, his protection, his never ending mercy.

How different are we than these people? Not very different at all, I believe! We get so caught up in the affairs of our lives. He’s pushed more and more to the bottom of our priority list. Then, we face a difficult situation,which hopefully wakes up from our spiritual slumber and turns us back to him…completely! Thank God his mercies are new every morning. Where would we be without this truth?

Lord, forgive us for our complaceny: for the many times we replace you with whatever seems important to us at the time. Help us to surrender all to you! Thank you for your neverending love, for the fact that you will always remain faithful because you cannot deny yourself.

“Just Surrender!”

celebrator — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:04:58 +0000

OK, so it’s been 4 months since I’ve blogged. I guess it’s time to get back into the game! With that said, the thing that’s been on my mind lately is the topic of surrender. How many times have I heard…”just surrender it to the Lord”. In whatever situation they’re referring to, they’re right of course. It’s the word they’re using that’s so wrong; “just”. I’ve been realizing more and more how much of a key surrender really is. It’s pivitol to our relationship with the Lord. That’s why it’s so hard. Anything that is so important to our walk with God will be attacked by the enemy. What foothold can satan have if we’re surrendered, really surrendered. The fear he brings won’t work, we’ll be trusting in an all powerful God. Threats of failure, disgrace, rejection, they’ll all roll off our backs if we’re in a state of surrend to our Abba Father. And why? Because along with surrender comes trust. When I looked up the definition of surrender here’s what I found…”yeilding, giving up, admitting defeat.” Simple said, we need to “let go and let God;” to release everything into his loving hands. All through scriture, God tells us to put our trust and confidence in Him and what He can do! The more we catch that reality the more we grow. It’s a simple as that! But be aware…the world, our flesh, and the enemy, satan himself craves that place in our lives. They all cry out, to have that place of control. When we put our confidence in any of them things begin to crumble.

I’ve come to discover that surrender comes day by day…issue by issue! It gets easier as we practice it. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be in control. Believe me, I’ll mess things up! I want Him in charge.

II Cor 12:9-11″Each time he said my grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. ¹⁰ That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

My Primary Task

celebrator — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:53:03 +0000

Last year we moved to Houston, Texas after living in NY my whole life! There are a few differences between the 2 states that really caught my eye. One is how friendly people are here. It’s honestly not uncommon to pass someone in the northeast without speaking. We pass so many people. We’d be greeting people all day long! In the south though, most people greet those they pass: at least with a nod. That’s not unusual at all. I, personally, love the friendliness! So I must admit I was more than surprised when I read something Jesus told his followers not to do. Luke 10 tells us that he told them “Not to greet anyone on the road!” That’s unfriendly! I began thinking about it and soon concluded what I thought was the reason. I believe Jesus wanted them focused on their task. He was sending them out with a great purpose. They were to bring the message of his coming kingdom. Greeting people on the way could easily have led to distraction from the mission. This tells me that God is serious about my given task! Spreading his gospel is not something to do when I feel like it or in my spare time. It’s to be my pivotal purpose in life. Everything I do must be second to this!

Unprepared for the journey?!

celebrator — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:52:16 +0000

As I read the bible this morning I was struck by two passages in Luke 9 and 10. In the first, Jesus was speaking to his 12 disciples and in the second it was to a group of 72. In both cases, Jesus was sending his followers out to the towns and villages. They were told to heal the sick, deliver demons, and speak of the coming of the kingdom of God. What caught my attention was that he told them not to take anything with them on the journey; No extra shoes, money, food or clothes. I’ve read this passage dozens of times and I don’t think it’s ever struck me like it did this morning. The things Jesus told them not to bring were necessities. They were not frivolous extras. They seemed to me to be things they needed for the journey. Why would he want them to travel so unprepared? Didn’t he want them safe? As I thought about it I realized although he did want them safe, more importantly, he wanted them fully dependant on God!

How different is my calling today? Ok, maybe I’m not told not to bring an extra tunic, or pair of sandals, but I do need to fully rely and depend on him. The lingo may be different but my calling is the same!

Is He Really all I Desire?

celebrator — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:39:35 +0000

While driving and listening to one of my favorite worship songs, I found myself singing along with the words. “This is my desire, to honor you. All that I desire is in me. All I have within me I give you praise. All that I adore is in you.” As I sang these lyrics I began worshiping the Lord and the thought quickly came to mind, “Is it really?” In all honesty, all that I adore is often not Him! King David is one of my very favorite bible characters. He made mistakes. He was a sinner but it’s obvious from scripture that he had an amazingly close relationship with God. He’s referred to as having “a heart after God.” What David lived out was not perfection, or sacrifice, but intimacy with his maker. He was passionate for the Lord.

Life is all about choices; every day, every hour, often every minute. Luke 6:21 tells us “Where ever your treasure is, there also the desires of your heart will be.” Our choices are driven by what we treasure. We will do what we need to in order to protect and care for what we value: after all, they’re our treasures!

I want to be all out for God! I want to be able to confidentially sing “All that I desire is in you!”

Shaking up my prayer times!

celebrator — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:38:26 +0000

My prayers seemed to be bouncing off the walls! For the past week or so, every time I came before the Lord in prayer I’d finish with a passing thought of “why did I bother?’ I was confused about where this thought was coming from. Was it coming from me? Were my prayers having the affect I longed for them to have? Was I really praying “in the spirit?” I left my time with God bothered and confused. One morning I poured out my heart to him. “God, show me” I prayed! “Give me your wisdom.” It was that day that the Lord assured me my prayers were being heard! James writes, “The prayers of a righteous man are powerful and affective.” He quietly, yet powerfully spoke to me that my problem was that I was listening to the lies of the enemy. Doesn’t Ephesians tell us that we’re “not wrestling against flesh and blood but angels and principalities” A.K.A Demons! He reminded me that my prayers come with authority, as long as I’m praying in faith. I needed to stop asking and begin thanking him for the answers! This has radically changed my prayer life. Now, as requests come to mind, I find myself getting excited!!! As I lift them up to Him, I’m no longer discouraged but excited and filled with anticipation!!

Closet Speaker

celebrator — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:14:47 +0000

I was reading in Matthew 25 this morning. It’s about the parable of the talents. In case you may have forgotten, or don’t know, this passage describes a situation where a master gave talents, (portions of money) to three of his servants before leaving on a journey. Two of them used their talents and the money multiplied. One buried his and had no growth to show when his master returned. The two that showed increase were rewarded and praised. The one who buried his was punished and rebuked. As I read this, I was reminded of a time in my life when I buried something the Lord gave me.

I have a prayer language. I speak in tongues. There I said it. This is something most Christians never discuss. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because it’s controversial. Maybe they’re afraid of being labeled. I don’t know, but it just never seems to be discussed, at least not in my circle of friends.

I received my gift when I was in high school. I wasn’t looking for it. I honestly had never heard anyone speak in tongues. After all, I attended a nice “conservative” church and people there just didn’t do such things. Anyways, a man that attended our church was praying for me one day and there it was. I began “babbling” in some foreign language. I didn’t know what was happening. I wasn’t told to “repeat after me” or “just say what comes to your mind.” I wasn’t coaxed at all! “It” just happened. Although I didn’t quite understand it all, I knew it felt great. I still remember the feeling of euphoria. I seriously can only compare it to being drunk. I loved it! (Although being drunk is not something I’d ever really experienced either). The only problem was that I didn’t know where to go from there! I was 16 years old and was just about the only person I knew who had this “gift”. (I did know a few people who didn’t attend our church but seldom spent time with them). So I locked it away and almost forgot about it. When I turned 18 I went to college and soon found a group of friends who shared this same gift. The problem was it seemed to be the center of their lives. Other’s spiritual walks were judged according to whether or not they shared this experience. I soon learned that this is not what I believed and again put my gift back in the closet.

So where am I now? It has taken me 30 plus years to finally come to a comfortable place with my prayer language. I do speak in tongues, on a daily basis. I do not feel any desire to pray in tongues in public. (Although I would, if promped by the Lord). I know my prayer language is no sign of any spiritual superiority. But it is a gift none the less, given to me by the Holy Spirit…to be used. My prayer language is a great tool during my times in prayer alone with God. Sometimes I speak in tongues when I’ve prayed for someone and just don’t know what else to pray for. I allow the Holy Spirit to pray through me “with groanings too deep for words.” Other times I worship Him in a language understood only by the Lord and his angels.

I’m thankful for this gift He has given me. I feel blessed to have received it. I don’t know why God gave me this prayer language. I wasn’t looking for it. But He did, for a purpose. I will not bury it but will strive to use it for His glory.

It’s not about me!

celebrator — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:37:10 +0000

As I sit here this morning, my thoughts once again go in the direction of prayer. On a personal level, my prayer life usually brings me the most blessings and struggles. Since I love to pray and I feel the Lord has called me to a life of intercession, this is the area satan seems to target the most. It is great to know that “His strength is made perfect in my weakness.” This thought brings me tremendous joy and peace.

One thought I have this morning is from Hebrews 11. (This is by far my favorite chapter of the bible). Verse 13 tells us that ”All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not received the things promised: they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.” Vs 39 continues, ”these were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” This blows my mind. Basically speaking, all these great heroes of faith died not seeing the answers to their prayers for our benefit! It reminds me of how it’s not about me!! God is working in my life for the good of others and that excites me, really! Everything I’m going through is for good. All those struggles in prayer are for not only for my benefit, but for the good of others. He will use them. I’m blessed to be in the hands of such a loving and faithful God. And on top of all this, they were eventually “made perfect”. They did see the answers to their prayers and so will I!

Great video

celebrator — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:06:21 +0000

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I just want to share a great video clip I came across. It blessed me and I think it will be a blessing to to you too! Enjoy!

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=1704b4c7e1bd1534f0ce