Monday, December 31, 2012

Aging with Grace

At the church I attend we have a few "modern day Anna's" elderly women who have lived faithful lives and continue to serve the Lord and others.  I know them personally and I have watched them from afar.  What I mean by "watched them" is I have noticed how they treat others and how they live out their lives.  Here's a list I came across of virtues that describes what a Godly woman looks like and why, when she ages, does not grow bitter.

A woman whose life is transformed and ruled by the word of God
Loves her husband and children
Has a servants heart
Hospitable
Trusts God's control over her life
Intercessor (makes time to pray for others)
Encourager
Never stops growing spiritually
A thankful heart
Invests in the lives of younger women
Generous
She ages with grace

My Anna friends have all these qualities and I am thankful for their example.  Each one has faced many trials and experienced loss and suffering in their lives yet continued to trust God and not allow bitterness to grow in their hearts.  May we age with grace as well as they have.       


Friday, December 28, 2012

HOW TO BE A GOOD CONVERSATIONALIST

It happened after this that David inquired of the Lord- 2 Sam.2:1
                                                                                         
Louie and I are going through the book of 2 Samuel with Pastor Jon Courson on line.  In the second chapter, David was having a conversation with God.  He wanted to know what he should do next, what city did God recommend he go to.  It was a back and forth conversation.  I'm sure the Lord was delighted when David inquired of Him.  I want my questions to bring pleasure to the Lord and delight His heart.  That got me thinking about my conversations with the Lord as well as conversations with people.  I have discovered that people who are enjoyable to be around ask questions.  They intrigue me because this is such a rare and wonderful quality.  Most people want to talk about themselves or don't talk at all.  But then there is the rare occasion when you meet someone who asks questions.  They have found the secret to being a good conversationalist.  They love learning about others, wanting to know about your family,  ministries you are serving in, hobbies and other interests.  By the way, this is one of the secrets to overcoming shyness.  Putting the focus on others and not yourself.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

THE GRACE AMBULANCE

For my grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness- 2 Cor. 12:9

Thought it would be appropriate for my first post to write on the subject of grace.  Hence the name I chose for my blog.  I love the word grace.  It's a beautiful word and one of my favorite words, always has been and always will be.  Many times in my life I have needed the Grace Ambulance to come to my rescue.  God has always been faithful to show up!  I know you have needed that amazing grace many times in your life as well. Grace is God giving us something we don't deserve.  One of the best definitions of the word grace I have heard is this one.  "Grace is the power of God to do good in us and for us" My O My that humbles me.  Want to know how to conquer fear and discontentment?  Have confidence in God's future grace in all situations you encounter.  Not fearing what we shouldn't fear and not wanting what we shouldn't want is faith in future grace.  Faith that God is going to show up and provide everything we will need for that situation. God will send you the Grace Ambulance if you cry out to Him and trust Him.  As we become more seasoned in our walk with the Lord, He will put us in a place where we desperately need Him day by day, minute by minute and that's a hard place to be but a good place to be.  God promised Apostle Paul that His grace would be sufficient for him, and you know, something supernatural took place.  When Paul was weak God was strong in him.  Others will see God's strength in us when we feel weak and depend on Him.  God loves us too much to keep us where we are spiritually.  He wants to grow us in the image of His Son.  Oh that amazing grace that saved a wretch like me!