Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

Hi Everyone. :) Wow, I don't know about you, but it's time to slow down before I fall down! Doing too much at too fast a pace is wearying, and is beginning to make the important things BLURRY! It can be destructive!

If you're like me and live in a state where there is a seasonal change in the weather that abruptly changes your daily routine... and add to that being a gardener ( mmm.. hmmm :-) which triples your work load at the Fall/Winter transition... you have just been through a flurry of activities, plans and changes in the last 2 months that have your head spinning ...now that Christmas is over.

-I thought- I could stay on top of everything and for a while it was working... but then work and life begins to suffer when I am too tired to perform at 100% anymore! I can only push myself for so long! Lets face it-- It's extreemly difficult to do everything simultaneously on a continuous basis! Sooo, I basically had a melt down, breakdown... what ever you want to call it, this morning. I feel as though I am letting people down, friends, family etc... Part of it is that I have procrastinated a bit too much at different times, and have let myself get behind... then the holidays come and I go into overdrive to catch up!... then burn out! Not good! :-(

Well, I sobbed to the Lord this morning, after getting irritable with family beyond my ability to restrain.... (yeah, I shudder to think of the display if schedules didn't come to the rescue!). So left here alone at my home, I rent the heavens for some help... with ME! Of course you know how GOOD the Lord is... He was right there with the answer I needed! Exactly what I asked Him for.... His presence. (In case you don't know it... everything you need is RIGHT THERE, in His presence!)

Now... everyone is coming out with their blogs about the New Year.... and I'm thinking a lot about that too, of Course! I am certainly making my resolutions and plans, for sure, but that is not what this blog is about tonight. It's about the Answer for TODAY.

Today, I was reminded that the Lord has said to us, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."-Matt 11:28
I love the word studies of the original Greek words, and I needed to know this piece of scripture better this morning, so here's what I found...

"Come unto Me..." from the Greek word deute, a greeting that literally means, "Come-- come now! I am inviting you to come!" ...a joyful welcomeing! (FROM JESUS!)

The word "labour" is the Greek word kopiao, which describes a person who has become completely exhausted due to non-stop, continous work. This is obviously referring to a person who is doing his best to do everything that is on his/her plate who is required to work hard all the time. That's why Jesus beckons this person to come to Him!

He also calls for the "heavy laden"... these words are from the word phortidzo, depicting a person who is carrying a heavy load on his back... whether it is Work, Family, Financial Stresses, or some Personal Burdens. Jesus "pleads" for this person to come to Him!

Jesus promises "rest". This word is from anapauo, a word that means refresh, rejuvinate, reinvigorate, or to revitalize. The Lord is the source of energy... LIFE (you know... the ETERNAL kind, as in He NEVER grows weary, never needs sleep?)

The only way... we can remain continually effective is to make sure we spend time with Him. But (!), to think we can just run into His presence and get all we need in 5 minutes of time, stolen from our own schedules and plans and haphazard lifestyles is a wayward and unfruitful path! Not realistic at all! We need to schedule time to -really- be alone with Him, -really- talk to Him, -really- pour out all our stressers and needs to Him.  We need to go into His presence with the determination that we are going to stay until we receive what we are seeking. No cutting our time with Him short! We need a full charge, don't we? I know I do. I just can't quit until He blesses me. Just call me Israel ...or Jacob, I guess, ...but I do wrestle with God!

Anyway, this morning I told the Lord that I was preparing to come to Him and open His Word, and I told Him that I needed a refreshing (and I wasn't being quiet or cute about it!) and He met me with this word study, that really BLESSED me and charged me up ;)

I really believe that the ONE biggest thing that the Chirch needs today is to learn how to rest in His presence. Notice that Jesus doesn't say that He will come to you... but that you are to come to Him. We have to choose to come to Him and make a deliberate choice to wait upon Him, and He promises that we WILL find rest. I believe this is the key for Christians today to remain steadfast in our life to the Lord. Spending time with the Lord is not a OPTION.... it's the ANSWER!

My Prayer:
Lord, where would I be without you? You are Life, and all life is from You and connected to You! I know that You have been calling to me, beckoning me to COME to You. I am so thankful that today when I called to You, You faithfully met me, no matter how many times I have ignored my need for You! I pray for myself and for the Body of Christ, that we will make seeking You the top priority for each day. May we daily confess before You that the only way we can be continually effective is to spend precious TIME withYou.

I pray for myself, and the Body of Christ, that we will quiet ourselves from the commotion of life and get into Your presence long enough to get everything we need from You to stay on schedule and on track with everything You have called us to do, and You will fill us with your LIFE, and we will be strengthened, refreshed, recharged and empowered to be Your Children and a light in this world for Your Name sake.

In the precious Name of my Lord Jesus, Amen

Well, my friends... I hope you have been blessed as I was with this that the Lord gave me this morning. I waited all day to share it, because of other obligations. I have to say that it was just as powerful to me tonight as it was this morning :) God is so good that way!

Thank you so much for stopping by to see what I had to say... It means so much to me, ...especially if I can share some encouragement :-) 
Always be Encouraged ...in Him
Much Love ~Rainie

Merry Christmas! :)

The following is a news letter I got from Milwaukee Teen Challenge. It is the testimony of a woman who suffered with an addiction to alcohol, and lost everything, but then the Lord intervened. It brought me to tears.

Please read Libby's story...

I grew up in a loving home. My parents wanted the best for me but demanded a lot. For our family, church was a social event and fashion show. I battled with bulemia and was promiscuous.

For the eleven years, my life was dominated by secret drinking. I had a successful career and a husband my parents approved of, a perfect daughter, and a perfect house. But, I was a miserable alcoholic.

Eight secular treatment centers, several stays in jail for alcohol related offences, battery, disorderly conduct, and 3 OUI's, and my first marriage ended in divorce and I lost (custody of) my daughter when she was 5.

My life began crumbling in June 2007 when my husband totaled our car. I moved in with some people I barely knew, so that I could walk to work. Our home was burglarized while my husband was in jail and my mew roommates kicked me out suddenly because I secluded myself and drank alone in my room every day.

After 2 nights in a shelter, I was forced to give up my bed to a woman in greater need. I went to a filthy motel. When my daughter changed her mind about visiting me, I fell apart and started drinking round the clock, ending up in the hospital with internal bleeding.

I intended to return to work after I was released from the hospital. What happened next can only be explained by God. I picked up the phone without concious thought and called information for the number for Teen Challenge in Milwaukee. That call started an  avalanche of surrender!

Jesus is not only my Savior, but my Lord. God has a plan for my life, not me. When I came to Teen Challenge, my parents softened toward me and I got respect, support, and encouragement! :)

The scripture I stand on is: Lamentations 3:55-58, "I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit. You came near when I called you and you said, 'Do not fear.' O Lord, you took up my case; you redeemed my life."

*from Teen Challenge staff:
"Libby worked in the office throughout her time at Milwaukee Teen Challenge and was a blessing to us helping in the many areas in which she was amazingly good. She is now back with her family."

Libby's story brought me to tears, because I remember what my brother and sister went through in their addictions. It is the desire of my heart to be a hand up to anyone I can that has this life controlling problem. I lost my brother and my sister to the damage of their alcohol consumption, even though they went to Teen Challenge. They both LOVED the program, and both of them even stayed on as a staff member after graduation. Sometimes people do go back to what's familiar, even if it means death, but I still have hope for others who want to change their lives.

I hope this touches someone's life today. There is hope in Christ, and through Teen Challenge there is TIME, and opportunity and support for those who have no place else to turn, and living on 'borrowed time'. They need our prayers and support, both the addicts and Teen Challenge Ministries. Thanks for reading this. :)

God Bless you richly... ~Rainie  

Tomorrow could be a very sad day in America's history.

Pray and Vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin!

               The Night Before Elections

                 'Twas the night before elections 
 
                 And all through the town 
 
                 Tempers were flaring 
 
                 Emotions all up and down! 
 
                 I, in my bathrobe 
 
                 With a cat in my lap 
 
                 Had cut off the TV 
 
                 Tired of political crap. 
 
                 When all of a sudden 
 
                 There arose such a noise 
 
                 I peered out of my window 
 
                 Saw Obama and his boys 
 
                 They had come for my wallet 
 
                 They wanted my pay 
 
                 To give to the others 
 
                 Who had not worked a day! 
 
                 He snatched up my money 
 
                 And quick as a wink 
 
                 Jumped back on his bandwagon 
 
                 As I gagged from the stink 
 
                 He then rallied his henchmen 
 
                 Who were pulling his cart 
 
                 I could tell they were out 
 
                 To tear my country apart! 
 
                 ' On Fannie, on Freddie, 
 
                 On Biden and Ayers! 
 
                 On Acorn, On Pelosi' 
 
                 He screamed at the pairs! 
 
                 They took off for his cause 
 
                 And as he flew out of sight 
 
                 I heard him laugh at the nation 
 
                 Who wouldn't stand up and fight! 
 
                 So I leave you to think 
 
                 On this one final note- 
 
                 IF YOU DONT WANT SOCIALISM 
 
                 GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!

I am "Joe the Plumber-the electrician", 
...and I agree with the content of this message

God Speed, America!
~Rainie

Yup, this is my 3rd, 3-day fast in 3 weeks. I don't really remember why I dropped the ball in the blog dept on day 3 of week One of fasting... I just haven't really had much time to be on MySpace all Summer, and things haven't slowed down yet.

Sooo, I'll cover what I remember of week one....

 The 3rd day was spent in a hospital waitingroom for my Mom, who was getting an elective surgery... (which helped keep me busy away from home). I got a lot of reading done in the waiting room... found some AWSOME  Recipes!!! LOL!  When I went home that night, I was getting uncomfortable sensations in my legs mostly... but also in all my muscles... It was like I was on speed or at least Benedryl (which I never take unless I HAVE to, because I HATE the feeling). I was desperate to quit the fast because of that. ( but you know there will be toxins being cleansed and some uncomfortable feelings in any fast!)

I found out that I was probably drinking too much water! I had washed out my electrolytes and potassium, was having restless leg syndrome all over my body! I managed to sleep through the night pretty well. No headache! :) So I added a potassium supplement to my regime, and continued drinking at least 3 quarts of water a day.

It actually felt great the day I broke my fast the first week ...with my first meal the next morning of grits, english muffin with butter and coffee... I was in heaven! I had so much energy and a very positive and twinkly (lol) attitude. I dove into some paper work that had been piling up and got a lot accomplished. I felt like a big heavy, wet blanket had been lifted off my spirit and body! I wish I had written about it at the time, but oh well... I know my brain fog had greatly cleared! That ment soooo much!

Ahead to today... week 3 day 3

At week 3, day 3 I am feeling so much more clear headed. The fog is vanishing by degrees. I feel lighter in so many ways... I want to try to explain what these 3 weeks have done for me...  (9 days total fasting over 3 week period)

I had really been feeling oppressed, stuck in a rut I couldn't describe, sad, but almost emotionless, unable to show emotion of joy or happiness. Just felt totally stressed out (and this had been a struggle all through this summer). I was praying about my state to the Lord and He gave me an image- like a video. 

Visuals always speak a thousand words you know! I saw myself, in a 'hole'... of sorts, and over the course of time, fine debris began to silt in around me. I could see the years replaying in my mind (maybe the last 10, definately the last THREE), and as the silt built up around me I became more and more immobilized... crowded and 'packed in' with all the debris of life, into my little 'hole'. I saw my self going through all the phases of stress that the last several years had brought into my life.. ( and trust me there was QUITE a bit of real-life stress) and in this visual the Lord gave me, I was seeing how the -effects- of that stress had packed me into a tight place where I truely felt immobilized.

Yesterday I was talking to a friend about my fasting experience and what it was doing for me. I told her that I was being washed from the inside out, and that the debris, like sand, that was so heavy was being washed away and I was being freed up, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Like I said... it's like a giant wet blanket has been lifted off of me. Each fast just improves my state more and more :)

I am so Glad that our God knows that we need to fast, and that He gives us so many examples to follow. He is the source of my inspiration and my success. Every time I get myself into a hole like this,,, hopefully before the need ever gets this bad again, I am going to take the time to let Him clean me out. Not eating is really a BREEZE compared to being immobilized and weighted down with the debris of life crowding out all your spiritual and mental AND physical freedoms.

I am more spiritally exhilerated after week 3 of fasting than the previous 2 fasts. The first week really helped me mentally get sharper, week 2... I lost 6 lbs (that always feels good! :), and this week it's a return of a greater desire to follow Him more closely... once again. (plus 4 more lbs! :) He is the cat's meow people! I have such an incredible insatiable desire for more of Him right now :) I can hardly contain it! I still have the rest of the day today, before I break  fast tomorrow morning, so I am hoping for some good fruit as I pray for each of you who are reading this to be blessed. Thanks for joining me, and for your prayers. You are a blessing to me... BIG time! :)

Be Blessed and Encouraged In Christ,

Peace, and Much LOVE!!!  :)

~Rainie

Well, I really had to bite the bullet today... The day started out headache free, but with seeming brain fog, that made me want to sleep. BUT... I had to work so there was a struggle. I just got busy with the work at hand and made it through. A little gardening outdoors helped.

The fact that I have a new puppy, who needs to learn to walk on a leash helped. I got out and took her for the trial walk and ran into a friend who walks her dog 4 or 5 times a day. Another female dog... and she, Bailey-the dog, didn't take to my Sarah very kindly. But we each kept our pets at our sides and they were polite enough to sit, while we humans talked. Then, I found out that I had to walk faster than Sarah, to get her to follow me, instead of trip me or tangle up my feet :).

I had a huge desire to eat today, I could actually smell and taste food... and the thought of just having some coffee was really berating me... like "caaaam aan, you want a cup of coffee.. just get a cup of coffee!".  I had moments where I could have called the whole thing off... but I didn't. (yea!)

Today I will have drank a gallon of water. On my way to my Mom's to help her plant a tree, I bought a 1 liter bottle of Smart Water. It was the first cold water I had drank, and it was good. Gave me some electrolytes too. So I got some book work done, ran to the bank, and mailed a letter to Koree. She is ALSO fasting up in Teen Challenge! :) GO KOREE!!!! So it's me, Des and Koreena, all fasting together.

Thankfully I haven't had to cook for "Mr" yet. He has been eating late and/or coming home and having cereal. After today I think I will be able to cook or prepare food without temptation, (hopefully- i hate temptation!)

So, now I shall read the Bible and prepare for tomorrow mornings prayer gathering. (slight headache coming on, and some weakness in my legs, a bit sleepy, but otherwise, doing pretty well--normal)

     I've been wanting to fast for the last month. Feeling a 'need' to fast, but too many things going on, from A-Z, including visiting Family from Texas. Now it seems that the Lord has cleared a space of time, and with much prayer and pressing need, I entered into  a fasting state of mind this morning, ... or maybe last night after my last bowl of Special K with strawberries and soy milk.

      Today has been a heart wrenching day. (there are other reasons for this, not the abstinance from coffee, or food). Truth is I don't really know any specific reason why I feel so crushed in my spirit. I just know I need to edit my life, and I am starting out by fully focusing on the Lord.

     I was reading Hosea last night. What an amazing book. I think I will begin this fast with a study of this book. I have questions, a Bible and a notebook. I am hoping this gets real interesting.

     Another thought, ...the Lord told me several months ago that He has heard all my prayers for my kids and family, and loved ones... and He wanted me to focus on myself. I wish I could see what He sees, but then again, that is probably what has me so crushed in spirit, inside I know He wants more from me, for me.

     Pastor D, you mentioned a week ago in church that there was someone who had a perpetual spirit of sorrow. Well, with all the loss in my family, I thought there was no other way to feel. But I won't have it any more. It's time for a new way to live, and I am really ready. This has to break. Time to press in.

     5:00 PM, and no hunger! That's helpful! :) Actually the thought of coffee this morning (because I automatically think of that) was not attractive because I didn't want the chemical rush... I was concerned that I would not enter a true fasting state if I have caffeine.

     My headache is slight, but very tolerable. I have drunk about 2 quarts of water... I have a 3 liter jug that I am filling in the morning and drinking through the day. God had to answer my prayers for help with this, because the water tastes real good, and nothing else sounds interesting. I even just gave my Mom all my leftover spaghetti sauce with Italian sausage, and my leftover tortellini. She was thrilled! :) It was really good sauce! I can make more ...later.

     Well, that's about it. I had a rough morning, but the afternoon has seen my state improve. I am relieved, thanks for the prayers that some of you said and sent me! They are much appreciated.

Let Me Ask You a Question...

If you could do something that cost nothing, and that hurts no one, but it would allow you to:

Do The Normal Work Of 10 Years In One Year

WOULD YOU DO IT?

All of these things are reported to have happened to people who fasted and prayed and waited on God.

WHAT IS FASTING?

Webster: "To abstain from food; period of such abstention."

Any other way is not fasting…but starving, or dieting.

SPIRITUAL  FASTING  IS FASTING  WITH  PRAYER

Matt. 17:21 "howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."

This Spiritual power is within the grasp of all followers of Christ. It is not taught and used in very many instances. We live in an age when the world is concerned with POWER. Great and vast amounts of POWER are being conserved and sought after.

BUT…What about SPIRITUAL POWER?

Fasting and Praying is a Means to Accelerate Our Spitirtual Progress and POWER. 

A ten day fast could give us such a deep and wonderful experience with God that ten days in fasting and prayer could last us a life time. Remember the day of Pentecost.

THINGS YOU CAN EXPECT IN A FAST
The first three days are the hardest.

Taking anything into your body but water will only keep you hungry. 

Your fast is over when your hunger returns. That may be three days, two weeks, or a month. If you don't start eating then, you will starve to death.

During a long fast the built-up toxins, poisons, and fat tissue will be burned up. The body actually "burns up" old decayed food particles. The skin is cleansed, and the kidneys are flushed out. This is why much water must be taken during a fast (at least 8 glasses a day). The lungs unload all the accumulated poisons.

A person fasting will some times smell bad, it is the poisons and dead matter coming out of their skin and breath.

TAKE CARE IN BREAKING YOUR FAST

This lament is ...rather long, yes, and some passages are difficult to 'hear', but it is well worth reading each word and stanza. It is cleansing for the soul, and it is my favorite lament. Please read and be blessed.
                           Click---->     Lamentations 3



                            

Blessings and Peace to your soul...

Trust in the Lord...

Be always, encouraged...

Much Love ~Rainie 

                               2 Thessalonians 3:5 
May the Lord direct your hearts into God's Love and Christ's perseverance.    
      


When I want to define an idea, like Love, and to understand what it means... I go to the 'source'. Everything I believe, know and proclaim, is filtered through the Word of God. This is my source. The Bible, the infallible Word of God.

Let's talk about :
Love has come to be a very misunderstood concept. We often mistake many feelings, emotions and interpretations to the word, Love that confuse the TRUTH about what God calls "Love".  

There is no greater Love than the Love of God.  
            He is the source of Love. 
Love comes from Him, or we would never experience it... ever.    Because He is, we Love.

                  
    Because He is Eternal... and He is Love... Love Never Fails!  

God forms of Love: 
koinonia - Christian fellowship or communion with God or with fellow Christians; said in particular of the early Christian community. 
 fellowship, family - an association of people who share common beliefs or activities; "the message was addressed not just to employees but to every member of the company family"; "the church *welcomed new members into its fellowship"
Agape - 1.the love of God or Christ for humankind. 2.the love of Christians for other persons, corresponding to the love of God for humankind. 3.unselfish love of one person for another without sexual implications; brotherly love.

What about "Tough Love" ???

Hebrews 12: 6-8
...because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

                                                            
...as an emotion, has the power to lead you!  And, where your heart is, your mind and life will follow.  This is a CAUTION to us! The Bible wisely warns us that "the Love of money" is a root of all evil"! ....now would that be "Love" in Your eyes? I would call it Idolatry. 

It needs to be explained that there are some 'things' that some of us use the term "Love" to describe, that are cloaked in the shadows of the definitions that play word games in our minds and lives. LOVE as a guise? Hmmm...

One that makes me sad :(, because it misleads undiscerning minds, is a common statement that has become a banner for illicit Love, and  is a misleading and inappropriate statement, "Love is Love". I'm sure that everyone knows that this is an obvious attempt to validate practicing a form of affection that attempts to cause us to... accept being illicit with Love.  I am not trying to attack anyone here, just trying to get to the defination of true Love:

What we need, in order to embrace what is the highest truth about Love, to enable a greater freedom, and eliminate the ideologies that steal from what is perfect... is to see what perfect Love is.

 This is a scripture definition of the Love of God, which is the Highest form of Love. It's beginning and ending are with God and in Him, and come from the heart, mind and will of God.   His  Love is extended to this world, without repentance or grievous expectations, through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ.  

Another thing about God's Love is it is so amazing...  that even when He knows we have turned our affections elsewhere... He comes after us! His Love is jealous for us! See the following verse from Hosea:
Hosea 3:1
The LORD said to me, "Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes."

Do you know the Love of God? The Love of God is perfect. Perfect Love cast out all fear...
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.


If you haven't experienced it yet... You don't know what you are missing! Seek the Love of God in your life today... Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior... His Love for you- put Him on a cross, and you can trust that kind of Love.

To the rest of us who know Him... here are a few scriptures to refresh your Loving spirits:)
Jude 1:21
Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
1 John 2: 4-6
4The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
1 John 4:7
[ God's Love and Ours ] Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

La-la, la-la, la-Love! <3
I Love you All!
~Rainie

Now That We've Found Love...
What are we gonna DO...
With IT?

Please Magnify the Lord with us on these God honoring blogs! Below is a list of blogs by Christians who Love our Lord and YOU! Show 'em some LOVE!
Clicky! Clicky! :)

SHOULD FORGIVENESS REALLY BE THAT SIMPLE?
The Day I Came To Calvary
Lift Your Chains, He Hold's The Key
Do Not Worry
Love
How, do I love Thee? How do I love Thee!
A Loving, Living God
HALF A YEAR WITH THE BIBLE
W.W.J.D.
WHAT MUST HE HAVE SEEN
ARE WE LIKE THE RICH FOOL?
and...
SLOW OF HEART

Thanks and Bless your hearts! :)


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