Half Way?

I recently turned 50 years old and I have decided to embrace 50. I plan on looking at this as half way point, because I'm pretty sure I'll live to 100 (a healthy 100). If not that is fine too. Why? Because it's God's will.

I will embrace 50 years of learning about God, growing in my walk. 50 years with family and friends, some who have already been taken to heaven ahead of me. 50 years of mistakes. Years ago I prayed to God to give me wisdom. Here is what I have learned in my 50 years of life.  To gain wisdom you have to do some really stupid things! I thank God for this 50 years, and pray that with wisdom in the next some odd years I have yet,  my eyes are totally taken off self, and turned to God. To glorify Him and share Him with others.

Did He Suffer?

Last night I couldn't get to sleep and  somehow I got to thinking about how horrible it would be if your child died. Then I thought about the first question people ask at this time, "did he (or she) suffer?"  It seems to help if the family knows the lost one didn't suffer.

 This caused my thoughs to turn toward  Jesus, and God. God.  He gave his only (beloved, sinless) Son for us...for me, for you!
John 3:16  " For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. 

We are all sinners!
Romans 3:23,  "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"

What a horrible death Jesus experienced on the cross for us! God turned his eyes from him that horrible moment before Jesus' death:
Matt 27:46,  "About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?'  (which means 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'") when the sins of all were placed on Jesus. Such an extreme and  loving acting from both the Father and Son...who both love us.

As the old hymnal we used to sing says, " I don't know why Jesus loves me, I don't know why he cares. I don't know why he sacrificed his life-OH BUT I'M GLAD...I'M GLAD HE DID!"

How in the world can people say God doesn't love them?

Twiddlin' Thumbs, Tx by Robin Dearth

Twiddlin' Thumbs, Tx.

                                             TWIDDLIN' THUMBS, TX           by Robin Dearth

It's 2012, Do You Know Where Your Sustainer Is?

The other day I was reading in the Bible beginning with the "beginning" which is what "Genesis" means.

My Bible has a little prelude to each of the books. The prelude before the book of Genesis talks about there being something refreshing and optimistic about the words begin, start, commence, and open. They stir hope and imaginative visions of our future. (Now don't tell me when you read the highlighted words your spirit didn't flutter about with excitement and happiness when you read them!)

The prelude talks about the book of Genesis revealing the person and nature of God: Creator, Sustainer, Judge, Redeemer. The word SUSTAINER, stood out and made me think of one the examples our former Pastor had used so often in past. He explained that if the sun was a tad bit closer to the earth we'd burn. Or if it was a tad bit farther, we'd freeze. (He didn't say "tad bit" he had actual numbers there that I don't have at hand or  in my noggin' so if someone out there does know the statistics...help!)

In my youth I had several of my own awesome "sustainer visions" of the Lord  in my head. I was amazed at how the human body is made!  Just think of it...no batteries, no extension cords, etc.

Being the "visual person" I am I pictured what it would be like it we did run on electricity. I saw myself walking around carrying one or those long, orange extension cords that are so commonly used outside while doing yard work, wrapped around my arm as I traveled to and fro. This made me so thankful to God that we are not made that way!

Thank You Lord God that you are my sustainer, and what I need to do is keep Your truths and promises wrapped around my heart as I go on my way striving to grow closer to You, Lord. You blew into my lungs the same breath of life as You blew into Adam and Eve and that is the sustaining source that keeps us all alive durning our time here.

Thank You Lord that we are not robots that are programmed to love you having no choice in the matter. Free will, the freedom to choose for ourselves who we will love and serve is just another gift you gave us. What meaning would the word love have if it were not free...free to choose? You "let us go" blessing us with gifts of grace, mercy, unconditional love and Your instructional manual/ love letter- the Holy Bible and a means to return to You (the sacrifice of Your only Son)  and much, much more, waiting for us to return of our own decision to live in Fellowship with You.

Our decision to return to You on our own proves to us both how very much we truly do love You. Thank You Father, In Jesus' name a pray, amen.

Deflating Demons

Honestly, it used to seem unfair that Jesus lived a sinless life... because he was, after all, half God and half man. Of course the "God side" of him always overpowered the man side because-GOD! HELLO?!


Then one glorious day God showed me if I truly am a Christian than I have the same advantage! Yes!!!! Little ol' me! Because I have Jesus in me! Jesus= Holy Spirit=God!

Then I had a vision of demons deflating in me. Similar to when you stick a pen in a balloon. New balloons pop quickly. Older balloons when you put a pin in them you have to shove it in there and it still doesn't pop. It slowly leaks out. Some of them you even have to help by pushing the air out of them!

To think, most people say being a Christian is boring! Nothing on earth can compare to the joy I receive when God opens my eyes, revealing to me a little more about Himself!

Internet Evangelism Resources

Internet Evangelism Resources

No Greater Feeling

Have you ever been reading the Bible when all the sudden "whoosh?" That's the only word that seems to describe what happens when God opens my eyes, ears, and mind to His teaching! And let me tell you...no greater feeling have I yet to experience comes close to the touch of God in my soul!

I Feel Sorry for People Who...

...don't watch Spongebob Squarepants. This was a comment I made in the car on our long drive home from Ohio. The show is so cute and my family and I are constantly referring back to something funny from the show.
After I made this comment God showed me that the comment I should really make is, "I feel sorry for people who don't know Jesus and don't enjoy the fellowship with the Trinity every day."
When we were up in Ohio, Ali (my nine year old daughter)came inside from playing with a little girl that lives next to Grandma and Grandpa and told me "Brooke is a Christian, too!"
This declaration came out of the blue so I was taken back a bit. "How do you know that, baby?" I questioned.
"I asked her," was her reply as she walked on by to go get a drink of water.
I pray that she always care, and remains bold in her faith, and that I might be that bold as well...because after all: I really do feel sorry for people who don't know Jesus!

Eve

Adam and Eve. There was a time not too many years past that I considered Eve to be such a weak and selfish woman. But God showed me: she was the first. The first woman, wife, mama, grandma, neighbor....but...who was she to learn from? Her "mama?" Her sister, Aunt, Grandma, neighbor, etc? She was "the first" of many women to listen to the Devils delicious, scrumptious, ingenious (how he makes them sound soooo righteous)LIES.
SUCH AS;

"It was because of my fathers, aunt, who's cousin's, nephew was 'messed up' because his dog died when he was six- gene," that could be her "excuse."


She didn't have "outs" like we do. Books, upon, books, upon what makes us "tick."
Man. She didn't even have the Bible! Think and ponder. Chew on this, meditate on this Christians...no Bible: Gods love letter, manuel, to mankind. Again, I say: "Man."

(Too be continued....)

Inner Insight: Proof

GENESIS 2:7 "the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being."

In my Life Application Bible the notes at the bottom say this about this passage: "'From the dust of the ground' implies that there is nothing fancy about the chemical elements in our bodies. The body is a useless shell until God brings it alive with his 'breath of life.' When God removes this life giving breath, our bodies once again return to dust. Therefore our life and worth come from God's Spirit."

MY THOUGHTS:
Several months ago I went to a funeral and as in all funerals I've been to we all had our turn to view the body. As I approached the body it was obvious that Mr. Brother in Christ was no longer in attendance...all I was viewing was his temple of God for the last some odd years. Before I had even read the verse above and it's notes I remember thinking "that's just an empty shell. Like a locust shell you happen on that is empty."

This is proof to me that I am saved by faith and through Jesus' death on the cross. Because the Holy Spirit in me revealed this knowledge to me. I know I have probably read this in the Bible hundreds of times-but forgot. The Holy Spirit, however, brought it back from the depths of my memory (which has been nothing to brag about lately) to teach me more and deeper knowledge about our Lord.

Another time that is proof that Holy Spirit is at work is as a child I always had this feeling that I was being "watched." As if I were on stage playing out a role that was not rehearsed but about who I really was and was becoming. Like an actor on stage I could almost hear groans from my fans (saints in Heaven) as I did wrong, cheers as I made good decisions, and tears as I was hurt for one reason or another. Over forty years later as I was reading Randy Alcorn's book: HEAVEN he talked about the Saints in Heaven cheering us on! There is a Bible verse that was there to verify this...I will find it and add it on in the future.

There is no way as a little child who didn't go to church or Sunday School at the time could possibly know this! This was given to me by God, who I have always known and been aware of since my first memories (read about this under my blog TESTIMONY).

Throughout my life this has been the pattern: Sometimes the Bible verified what God has already shown me...and sometimes God verifies truths from the Bible in the happenings of my life. Man.

Twiddlin' Thumbs, Tx

In This Beginning

Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning....."


This is confusing to a lot of folk....self included. But I had insight from God the other day.
I used to wonder what did God do before "In the Beginning." Nothing? Then one day He showed me.

I had been toying with a story called "In Vain" about a town named Vain. But the key word here is "vain." Are we so vain as to believe we are the first.... the only in all the galaxies out there...the only ones God created? I believe God showed me that "In the beginning" means in the beginning of our world.

When my girls ask me something I know they cannot comprehend at this age in their lives I tease with them and tell them "none ya" meaning none ya business. Right now....it's "none ya" because if God tried to explain...we wouldn't...couldn't get it. It just isn't time. Actually from God it's really not "none ya..." it's have faith.

Twiddlin' Thumbs, Tx. by Robin Dearth

Testimony

The first memory of my life faded in when I was about 3 years old. I “woke up” in the top of the Oak tree in the back yard…way up high in the trees. My two guardian angels were with me in the midst of explaining they were going to have to go now that I'm older. Though I couldn’t remember a lot of detail as they were fading from my memory fast…I knew this was true…not “play- like” with an imaginary friend. They let me know they'd still be there but not in this realm where I could see them.

Suddenly I slipped and fell. Me! I remember thinking how weird this was. Falling from the top of the tree I remember thinking....how did this happen to ME!? My parent called me a "monkey" because I have always been so sure footed and agile. But then out of nowhere my hand was grabbed and placed firmly on a branch so that I could stop the fall! I felt it...it happened...thank you Guardian Angels and God who sent them.

You know the drill- blank spots here and there. But two things that were always consistent were: I knew I was special and would do great things....and that God was there everywhere I went. I saw Him in the wind, the trees, birds, and people. I felt Him watching me, loving me, teaching me, laughing with me and crying with me. I felt His disappointment in me, but at the same time always opening and closing doors to get me back on the right track.

Cocky little child wasn’t I? In my young little naive mind the feeling that I had “the call” to be special was immediately interpreted in the world’s viewpoint of special. You know… famous for one thing or another. This misinterpretation followed me well through life. But this feeling of being someone special is true just not in the form I had first thought of.

All the children God has called and saved through their receiving His gift of sending Jesus to die and bridge the gap to Him are special. The children that hear Jesus’ knocking at the door of our heart and soul and simply ask Him in…they are special too. Jesus had come to my door and I finally asked Him in when I was in the sixth grade.

Through faith. Because at this point though God was sooo very real to me, Jesus was like a cartoon picture in my head. But through faith I asked Him into my heart to be my Lord and Savior, and my best friend.

It really irritated me that I only had this “cartoon vision” of him in my mind. I so wanted to see Him. And one day I did years later. Was it when I had become the beautiful, loving, pure Godly woman that I so desired to be? Naw! Get this…Jesus became real to me at a time in my life when I became the person I soooo hated that I couldn’t even stand to look at myself in the mirror.

Like Peter who was horrified at the thought that he would actually deny Jesus three times, I was horrified at the things I had done that had always been disgusted by when I saw others doing them.
But this is why He had to come to save me…and this is the thing that finally “clicked” and I saw Jesus as real being…when I saw He loved me so much just like I was. I was at a point I hated myself, but He showed me His love for me…so undeserved. Things have never been the same since!


.

Let's Go Together

Yesterday as I was drving to pick my oldest daughter up from High School after her Colorguard practice I couldn't help but notice the sky. My younger daughter, 9 years old was in the front seat next to me. I was leaning over my steering wheel lookin up and she said,"what are you looking at mom?"
"The sky...look at how weird it looks. Dark clouds one on top of the other just over that one area." I replied.
"Yeah," she agreed. "It does look weird."
I looked at her and smiled and said, "Hey, maybe Jesus is fixing to return!" She smiled too. Then I said, "Here, hold my hand...let's go together!"
So we held hands as we drove to pick up Ci.

Funny thing is, a couple of days ago I went out the front door to tell Cigi something. She was out there visiting with her friend across the street. I walked out on the porch and her cell phone, diet Dr. Pepper can was laying there but no Cigi! My first thought was "I got left behind!" Then Cigi came from inside the house she had went in to get something, somehow I didn't hear her come in.
"What are you doing, mom?" she asked. I laughed and told her what just had happened. She said, "Sheese, mom...don't you hear the neighbor mowing their lawn?"
I laughed and said "Yeah...I thought he got left behind too!"

Wonder why this has been on my mind lately? I tell you one thing, it sure makes you wonder about where you'll be, who you'll be with, and what you'll be doing when Jesus returns.

Little Nuggets

SPECIAL NOTE: This is a semi-true story. Well, actually the only part that is true is the part about being held up at a stop light waiting for a chicken to cross the road. It was done in fun on the way home to Texas by me with valued input from my brother and sister. They seem to think I "tweak" my stories to make myself look like the sainted hero...imagine that! My mother, brother, sister, Aunt J and Cousin C are the sweetest, most fun people you could ever wish to know.

The last week of March I talked brother and sister (it took quite a lot of coaxing) into joining me on a trek to Arkansas. I really felt the urge from above to drive mama…my poor little, precious, almost 80 year old mother back “home.”
There are so many tales of inspiration that occurred while we were there but this one really stands out in my mind the most, at least today.

We were coming back from a long day traveling up and over through the Ozark Mountains; through mothers “memory lane.” Having arrived back to Rogers safely we were all wiping the tears from our eyes as we were sitting in sisters SUV, laughing at something cute I had said. The light turned green and brother pressed on the gas pedal. The vehicle slowly started moving but brother was forced to slam on the brakes as the two cars in front of us suddenly stopped. We noticed the lane to our left was at a halt as well.
We sat there a couple seconds when tempers began to flare. With the exception of self… sister, mother, brother, Aunt J and cousin C. all began cursing and waving balled up fists to the cars ahead.
My face flushed red not from anger but embarrassment as mother, brother, sister, cousin and aunt flew off the handle over this inconvenient situation. I remained calm in my never ending Christian state of mind. You can imagine my embarrassment for their behavior… especially brothers, a deacon of his church.
Being the peacemaker that I am I knew what I needed to do. To everybody’s surprise I opened the door, hopped out and walk smoothly up towards the commotion. As I walked, I reached in to my front blue jean pocket and took out a pack of gum. As the reason for the commotion came into my view, I finished unwrapping the packet , slid out a stick of gum,(spearmint flavor as it relaxes me), unwrapped a piece and popped it into my mouth.
“Well hello there.” I said tenderly to the frightened chicken in the road.
I flinched as the verbal abuse continued…not from the verbal abuse but from the various items that were being flung at us. Who knew Aunt J had such a great arm! She hit me dead in the forehead with her cane (which I later returned to her polished and complete with a new rubber tip because the old one had gotten damaged when the doctor removed it hours later from my head) for this is just my nature.
I deducted I needed to take action quickly as the impatient motorist inched closer. The poor little terrified chicken just stood there like a deer in headlights…frozen. I laid my body down across the two lane road between the chicken and cars, stretching as long as my petite little body would allow; sacrificing myself for this chicken, one of God’s little creations.
Amidst all this honking and yelling the little creature began to focus on my soothing voice which encouraged it onward by saying, “Shoo, little chicken…shoo.”
With the little chicken now safely on the other side of the road, I returned to our vehicle to a car full of speechless, enamored relatives satisfied with myself and the end results. We drove past the chicken and I waved a humbled wave to little chicken as I saw it turn and head up towards the fast food building in the parking lot it had caused such a stink to get over to…McDonalds.

LAST NOTE: Oh, and the other part of the story that was true the chicken did cross the road to get to McDonald's restaurant!

Eureka!

My family and I went to Eureka Springs, Arkansas the last half of spring break this past week. It was sooooo wonderful and beautiful! We had such a great time I love my family they are so fun to be with.

We visited Pea Ridge, War Eagle Mill, and War Eagle Mill Caverns. The scenery was so breath taking!

With every turn of my head I was rewarded with pictures of God's handiwork. The beautiful mountains, refreshing springs, caverns with such independant beauty in and of theirselves. Hollows, valleys, wildlife...and it made me think.

The poor unfortunate people who try to convince theirselves that there is no God need to go here. They need to open their eyes, close their Wi Fi's and be still... as they drink in Gods glory. Then it shouldn't be long before they declare, "Eureka!" As they find God.

Getting Serious

1 = tie
2 = Noah
3 = mom
4 = rye
5 = law

Wonder what in the world is going on here? I'm getting serious. The devil knows the Bible all too well, as a christian I should know it just as well. For self defense. The 1-5 is a technique I learned in Harry Lorrayne's book Super Memory Super Student.

We are going to learn to associate a number with a picture. 1 looks like a T so we are going to use the picture tie. 2, n has two down stokes so lets use the word Noah to represent 2. 3, the letter m has three down strokes so we will use the word mom for 3. 4, the word FOUR ends in a R so lets use the word rye for number four. Finally, 5. The Roman number for 50 is L so lets make 5 the word law.

Now that I've confused you lets memorize the first five books of the Old Testament in the Holy Bible. Ready? Good!

Genesis is the first book in the bible. Lets use word association for the word Genesis. It sounds like Jenn (short for Jennifer) is this doesn't it? Now picture a tie (#1)with a face and long eyelashes (which represents our cartoon person Jenn). Close your eyes a few minutes and picture this.

Now, lets go a little faster with the rest. Here's what I worked up for you:
Exodus is the second book in the Bible. Sounds like "excite us." Noah is the picture word for the #2. Picture this...Noah excites us (we're on the ark with him) when he tells us the flood is over. Close your eyes picture this.

Leviticus is the third book. Remember 3 is the word picture mom. Mom brings levi's (jeans) to us.Close eyes and picture it.

Numbers is the forth book. Rye is the word picture for us. (It could be rye bread)
Picture loaves of rye bread shaped like numbers. Picture it.

Last but not least...Deuteronomy. The word picture for 5 is law...what will the law do to Ron and Me. Picture it.


REVIEW

What's the 3rd book in the Bible? Hint: 3 is mom.

What's the 5th book in the Bible? Hint: 5 is law.

What's the 1st book? No more hints, sorry.

The 4th book of the Bible is....

The 2nd book of the Bible is....

Did you do it? GOOD!

When teaching my students to dance I have a saying, "Repetition is your friend! Quote, unquote, Robin Dearth." When you have free time driving, washing dishes, or laying in bed at night, go over this.

I don't know about ya'll...but I'm excited!

It's Morning

It's Morning
by Robin Dearth


"Good lord it's morning," she awoke with a cry,
She lived in darkness despite the sun in the sky.

To arise seemed useless, like chasing the wind,
There seemed no prospect that her pain would end.

Seeing no reason to bother even getting out of bed,
She sank down low, pulling the covers over her head.

Bedside were pills for pain, depression, and anxiety as well,
But they held no power to release her from this personal hell.

Through the worlds eyes this woman was a success,
Yet fame and fortune only added to her inner mess.

Her mind a whirlwind - never once taking a break,
Causing sleep deprivation, fatigue and severe headaches.

Nothing was special; nothing was new,
Ending her life seemed the only thing to do.

She reached out and picked up the receiver,
Her last call for help went out to a preacher.

"I'm tired of fighting and living with this strife,
I see no solution; tonight I'm ending my life."

She shuddered with disbelief when she heard him say,
"Praise the Lord! This is indeed a glorious day!

It's true, you should die, not physically- but to self.
Live for God, His path leads to true, everlasting wealth.

A wealth of love, peace, happiness and a life extremely abundant-
Receive Jesus Christ as Savior now, all you have to do is repent."

A new sensation stirred within her; something was very right!
"All you have to do is pray," he said and she did - with all her might.

"Jesus, I am a sinner, appalled by my own behavior.
Please forgive me, help me; I need you as Lord and Savior.

I do believe you died on the cross and rose from the grave,
For sinners such as I you died, so that you might save.

Fill me, Lord, with the Holy Spirit, and take me by the hand,
Lead me by your nail-scarred hand into the Promised Land.

Praying the prayer she experienced such a sweet release,
The darkness began to depart and her soul fell into peace.

Gone was the darkness that had brought her to her knees,
She fell into much needed slumber - her mind finally as ease.

She slept until morning and awoke freer than the freest man,
Her old self had died; and now she was born again!

"Good, Lord! It's morning!" a new cry filled her heart,
Her glorious walk with Christ Jesus was beginning to start.