Internet Church

Have you ever been to Internet church?  I attended this morning.  I showered, dressed, and remembered that my daughter's church was without a pastor.  I wanted a sermon.   Rather than search the yellow pages for a church, I turned on the computer.  A name had come to mind.

It's been years since I saw or heard Bishop T.D. Jakes, of The Potter's House.  It was his name that came to mind this morning.  I watched streaming video and was again moved by the anointing that God has bestowed on this man.  He has gotten a little older, but haven't we all?

Back then, I had recorded a VCR tape (remember those?) one Saturday morning and was really moved by the message.  Sunday morning, about two, my phone rang and a friend and co-worker wanted to know if she could come over.  Something in her voice told me to agree.  As soon as she walked in, she began to cry.  I led her to a rocking chair and turned on my T.V.  The VCR was already set up and I put the Bishop's tape in.  She was still crying and I still hadn't said a word.  I didn't know what to say.  All I knew was that she was prone to severe depression.

When Bishop Jakes began to talk she got very still.  For about an hour and a half we sat there, the only sound the soothing voice of Bishop Jakes.  He told her story.  He told her about her life, her pain, her loss, and her hopelessness.  Except, at the end of the tape, he spoke of hope - the hope that Jesus gives to us freely.  The forgiveness that He has already given.  All we need to do is accept His love, His mercy, His forgiveness; just as important, we need to forgive ourselves.  Our hope lies in what Jesus Christ did at Calvary.

When the tape was over, she stood up, dry-eyed.  There was a peace that I'd never seen before in her eyes.  She began to apologize for interrupting my sleep and I stopped her.  "What would you have done if I had said 'no'?" I asked her.

She looked at me for what seemed like a full minute.  "I had decided to end it all.  I thought of you and told myself that if you said I could come talk to you, I would wait."  She entered extensive counseling the next week.  I do not believe in coincidence.

The Potter's House was just a dream back then.  If you click this link  http://www.thepottershouse.org/ you can see where it is today. Bishop Jakes is still preaching about the love of Jesus Christ and our hope for all eternity,

God described as a shepherd and as a host - both descriptions show God's care of man

I woke up this morning between 1:30 and 2:00 A.M.  So, I've been sitting here browsing through the Bible.  I like the website  http://www.esvbible.org.  There are so many resources to go along with reading.  Also, there is audio to listen to while you read along.  I can close my eyes and listen.

I particularly like Psalms 23 http://www.esvbible.org/search/psalms+23/  If you register, you get all manner of resources.  An example would be that God is described in two ways:  as a shepherd watching over his sheep and as a host who cares for a guest.  

¹ "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

       ²He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

       ³ He restores my soul. 

He leads me in paths of righteousness

        for His name's sake.

  ⁴Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

        I shall fear no evil,

For you are with me;

       your rod and your staff, 

they comfort me. 

⁵ You prepare a table before me

        in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

        my cup overflows. 

⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me 

        all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

        forever.  

No Turning Back: Robbins

No Turning Back: Robbins

3:34 P.M
I have had a productive day, although not in the areas I thought I would.  In my rambling around cyber land, I have run across a blog that is absolutely captivating.
It is here  http://www.craftinessisnotoptional.com and if you are the least bit "crafty" then please give it a look-see.

I was surfing for a freebie baby bib pattern for Rhesa  and this is where I landed.  With over four thousand followers, she has to be superb.  Anyway, check it out.

By the way, the above is Rhesa.  She needs more bibs.  Awww...isn't she is a little doll?

Good Morning

This is the day that the Lord hath made. I shall rejoice and be glad in it. 

I have been reading Dr Stanley's devotional at http://www.intouch.org/.  I urge you to check out this website.  

Dr Stanley has some real-life, down-to-earth teaching that reaches the masses.  He does not talk in a lofty manner, using $50 words.  His teachings reach down into the heart and bring comfort to the wounded.  If you know someone like that, then direct them to Dr. Stanley.  That's all for now.  I may be back later - or not.  If not, know that I have you in my heart and mind even if I don't know you.  Leave a message and I will get to know you.  Google + this post and send Dr. Stanley's link around the world.  Thanks and God bless. 

The New Year

HAPPY 2012

I am late with my good wishes for the New Year, but they are just as heartfelt as if I'd gotten them to you on time.  Anyway, who's to say, "What's on time?"

I'm glad December is over.  Yes, I celebrate Christmas.  Yes, I believe that is the time of year that we celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus, the Savior of the world.  Yes, I'm one of those Christians, one of those who are not politically correct.  But, who's to say, "What's politically correct?"  I don't believe in writing xmas.  It gets on my last nerve.  Lots of things get on my last nerve.  Some might say, "She has a lot of nerve(s)" - they would be right on that score. 

I'm just glad it's over.  Too much traffic.  Too much commercialism, too many crowds (and in flu season, no less!)  I'm tired.  I'm trying to be depressed.  I was depressed yesterday, but today I think I may have talked myself out of it.  Such a waste of time is depression.  Being depressed bores me.  I have some books that need reading and I can't enjoy them if I'm depressed.

What is depression?  Anger turned inward?  Sometimes.  I think for me it's just being too tired for too many days in a row.  Traveling, talking to people (some that you don't even like),  sleeping in the wrong bed - that surely did not come out right.  I did get to see family that I needed to see.  That was good.  God allowed me the love of family and friends, laughter, and good food.

I listened to a podcast this morning (the URL escapes me now) of the persecution of Christians in another land.  It used to be that listening to those things and reading about them made me uncomfortable.  I felt guilty for being one of the "haves" and reading about the "have-nots" made me fidget.  God doesn't want us to feel that way.  He simply wants us to be grateful enough to do what we can, where we can, when we can.

That's it for now.  Comment if you want to.  I would like your thoughts.  I am going to try to monetize this blog, if I can figure out how, and it would help if someone read it once in awhile and clicked on a link or two.  Thanks for reading, even if you just skimmed it.  Have a good day. 

This blog is not in any order, there is no rhyme or reason, nor any particular subject.  It really is the "journey" that counts.  This is part of my journey.

Some friends of mine in Florida have begun a study of Proverbs.  I, and others, are reading along with them.  I am reading from the NKJV (New King James Version) Bible, the Nelson Study Bible, as well as The Message.  The next post will have more information on these Bibles and where to access them online. 

For now, I shall digress and say that this week-end is special.  My granddaughter and HER daughter are visiting.  I can't believe that I am a great-grandmother!  I am so blessed. Have a great day and please leave a comment, or suggestion.  I welcome them and would love to hear from you.  Until next time...God bless.