Author Archives: Susan Wachtel

Justice Not Mercy

Posted in Abortion, Murder, Women's Medical Society by

There are crimes so horrific
My heart cries out for justice, not mercy

There are people so evil
The fires of hell don’t seem hot enough

There are hearts are so hardened and calloused
Eternity in hell doesn’t seem long enough

If Abel’s blood cried out to God
How much more so the blood of innocent babies slaughtered in the womb

Lord, I plead for justice
Both here and now and for eternity


By Susan Bunts Wachtel
February 12, 2011


The LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. – Genesis 4:10

After listening to Focus on the Family’s broadcast on 2/11/11, “The Value of Standing for Life”, I wanted to read the grand jury indictment for myself.  Focus shared facts from the case in Pennsylvania in which an abortion doctor had been charged with murder.  Babies from late term pregnancies were aborted, yet born alive, and they were then killed by severing their spinal cord. 

Shows like “The Value of Standing for Life” are difficult to hear.  Reading the grand jury transcript was graphic and horrific.  My mind could not begin to grasp how one doctor and his associates could commit such evil acts at a Pennsylvania abortion clinic over a period of many years.

Our liberal society twists the taking of an innocent human life and calls it “a choice”.

That’s why I was amazed to read that this doctor had actually been charged with multiple counts of murder of aborted babies who were killed outside the womb.

I am so grateful for the grand jury and their dedication to wading through the facts of this case and having wherewithal to bring criminal charges against the doctor and his associates.  I’m grateful that law enforcement and the legal system were able to shut down this abortion clinic. 

I pray that police and the legal system will be able to shut down more clinics.  I pray that this doctor and his staff will be judged by a jury of their peers and if found guilty be sentenced as severely as the law allows.

I know as a Christian I should be concerned for this man’s soul and pray for his salvation.  After reading about the crimes he committed, the best I can do is committing him to the Lord’s will. God alone is holy, righteous and just.  He alone can bring true justice both here and now and in eternity.

While I’m grateful for law enforcement and the court system in our nation, the true victory in abortion will only come by changing the hearts and mind of men and women through salvation in Christ Jesus. 

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The Jury Is In…Abortion = Murder

Posted in Abortion, Infanticide, Murder by

Below are some of the charges against Dr. Kermit Gosnell who ran an abortion clinic in Philadelphia.  In reality it should be called an abortion house of horrors.  Even Hollywood would be hard pressed to come up with a story like what took place there.

If you are like me and the thought of reading such awful, gruesome facts is more than you can take…I ask you to please read it anyways.   Please click on the link to read the transcript of the indictments against Dr. Kermit Gosnell and his staff members. 

http://www.phila.gov/districtattorney/PDFs/GrandJuryWomensMedical.pdf

  • We recommend that Kermit Gosnell be charged with murder for killing Baby Boy A.

  • We recommend a murder charge against Kermit Gosnell in the death of “Baby Boy B,”

  • We recommend murder and conspiracy charges against Kermit Gosnell and Lynda Williams for the murder committed by Lynda Williams in 2006 or 2007 of “Baby C.”

  • There is sufficient evidence to charge Adrienne Moton and Kermit Gosnell with murder and conspiracy in the death of “Baby D.”

  • We recommend that a murder charge be filed against Kermit Gosnell for the murder of “Baby E,”

  • We recommend murder and conspiracy charges against Kermit Gosnell and Steven Massof for killing “Baby F.”

  • The evidence supports charges of murder and conspiracy against Kermit Gosnell and Steven Massof for the killing of Baby G.


“The abortion ruling is a very clear one. The abortion ruling, of course, is also a natural result of this other world view because with this other world view, human life — your individual life — has no intrinsic value.” Francis Schaeffer

What can you do?  How do you process all this or put it in perspective?

http://www.birthchoiceclinic.org/

http://www.citizenlink.com/planned-parenthood/

http://www.peopleforlife.org/francis.html

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Love & Hate

Posted in Uncategorized by

There are times I feel like I have a love/hate affair with Christian radio talk show host Frank Pastore.  Some days he has a wonderful show, very Christ centered, shares the Gospel message and builds up the body of Christ.

Other times, his topics, guest and callers seem to be more befitting an outrageous secular TV show in which you hear the sorted and sinful details of people’s lives.  Those are the days I turn off Frank’s show. 

Today was one of those days.  During the first hour the topic was “what did your parents expose you to that you wished you’d never heard, saw or did.”  You can well imagine in the world we live in today what some of the callers were saying. 

I don’t need to listen to garbage like that and quickly turned off Frank’s radio show.  I wondered just how a topic like that fulfills Paul’s admonition in Philippians 4:8? 

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” – Philippians 4:8

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Playing Hooky

Posted in Carbon Canyon Park by
Recently my husband Chris and I took a break from our normal weekend routine.  Instead of cleaning and yard work, we got a picnic lunch and went to the park.  Of course, my camera was in hand as we walked through Carbon Canyon Park.

It was a beautiful sunny day in late January.

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Dakota’s Nature Photos Giveaway

Posted in Dakota's Nature Photos by

Are you a photography lover?  Whether its photos I’ve snapped or someone else, I can’t resist looking. 

When I first visited Dakota’s Nature Photos I was oohing and ahhing at the beautiful scenery and animals he has captured.  I quickly marked his website as a favorite.  Dakota has a free giveaway for all who participate, so head on over view Dakota’s work.  The only problem you may have is choosing which photography you like best. 

Thanks Dakota for sharing your beautiful work.  Every time I see it, it reminds me of the scripture from Romans 1:20: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”

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Chris’ Prayer

Posted in Jesus Christ, Redemption, Salvation, Sin by

Oh Lord, You have burdened my heart for the lost
My heart breaks at the thought
Of their eternal separation from Your presence

Sin has a tight and powerful grip
Apart from you gracious work of salvation in us
Our eternal destination is sealed

I pray for stony hearts to be turned to flesh
For You to open their eyes so they will see their own sin
Cause them to cry out to You in repentance

A love so great that it moved You
To send Your own Son to die in our stead
A love so powerful sin loses its grip and we are set free


By Susan Bunts Wachtel
February 6, 2011

Dedicated to those who continue to pray for the lost, family, friends, associates, our nation’s leaders and even our enemies. 

Let’s Call It What It Is…Sin!

Posted in Holiness, Jesus Christ, Repentance, Salvation, Sin by

Each day during the week, when I’m able to slip out from work and go get some lunch I’ll turn on the radio and listen to whatever ministry program is on at that time.

About a week ago, a Pastor was talking about marriage and sin.  He used the powerful testimony on how God has transformed his life after he repented from sin and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 

In telling his story he told about how he and his girlfriend, who later became his wife, engaged in sex outside of marriage which resulted in her getting pregnant.  As he continue, my mouth was agape as he said, “My wife committed fornication.”  Was that true…absolutely.  Was it accurate?  He left out the little detail that he and his wife had committed fornication together.

I was annoyed and found myself talking back to the radio.  But it reminded me on how hard it is for us to call sin, sin.  It’s so easy to downplay sin.  Instead of saying I sinned, I may say I made a mistake, or I missed the mark, or I was disobedient.  When in fact the more accurate statement is, “I willfully sinned against holy God.”

That trend had made its way into the church.  We don’t want to offend unbelievers or seekers by telling them that they need to repent of their sin.  Instead we water down the gospel message and tell them that God loves them, that He has a wonderful plan for their lives and came to save them and all they have to do is say, “Jesus come into my heart.”

Whatever happened to repentance?  Whatever happened to sin?  If I don’t recognize that I’m a sinner and the ultimate consequences of my sin why would I see the need to repent?  Why would I see my need for a Savior?  Or to have my sins covered by the precious blood of the Lamb and have my sins removed as far as the east is from the west? 

In a world where sin and its ugliness are downplayed, I believe that God and His holiness and righteousness are not fully comprehended.  Is God a God of love?  Absolutely!  But He is also a God of wrath. 

Praise God that He is patient, not willing that any would perish, and that He desires that all would come to repentance.  Yet there a day coming, there is a point, when God’s patience will have run its full course, both in our personal lives and in this world.  There is a day coming in which we will have to give an account before God for our lives.  Either I can choose to stand before God in my own righteousness, which is like the emperors’ new clothes.  Or I can stand before God clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

What about you?  Whose righteousness are you clothed in? 

Just a thought…isn’t God’s intolerance for sin part of what makes heaven, heaven?  What would heaven be like with liars, gossips, adulterers and murders continuing on in their sin?  Praise God that when we are saved through Jesus Christ that we can put off the old man and put on the new man.  Praise God that He continues to sanctify us and transform us until that day in which He calls us home.  

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The Obstacle

Posted in Jesus Christ, Revelation by

In Community Bible Study this year we are going through the book of Revelation.  It is a marvelous study.  I think I’ve learned more about the book of Revelation than I ever have before.  It’s fascinating especially in light of current events.  The day when Christ will call His church home to heaven and the beginning of the tribulation seems so very near.

This week’s study was from Revelation 14:1-13 about the 144,000 men, 12,000 from each of Israel’s 12 tribes, who stand on Mount Zion with Jesus Christ.   They have been redeemed and sealed by God to go forth and share the Gospel throughout the world.  They are preaching a message of repentance to a world gone mad.  Even though the wrath of God is being poured out upon sinful man, God continues to reach out to the lost with the message that salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone.  Yet most will continue to harden their hearts and go headlong to their eternal destruction as they embrace Satan and reject Christ.   

Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.  And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.  They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.  These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.  And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God. – Revelation 14:1-5

The description of the 144,000 men is amazing.  They are chaste virgins, not defiled with women, there is no deceit in their mouth and they are without fault before the throne of God.  That is not to say that these men are sinless.  But they have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior and their sin debt has been paid in full by the precious blood of the Lamb.  They are walking in obedience out of love for their Savior whom they worship. 

What is said of these men and their character should be said of Christians.  Can you imagine how much more effective our witness would be if we were chaste, honest and blameless?  One of the most striking descriptions was, “These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.” 

In our study we had a question about what obstacle might keep us from following their example.  To answer that question truthfully, I knew it wouldn’t be pretty as I examined myself in mirror of God’s word. 

My biggest obstacle in following their example is me…my own sinful self.  All too often I’m self-focused.  I take my eyes of the prize of my high calling and get distracted.  I can be undisciplined, lazy and disobedient.  I’m prideful and think more highly of myself than I ought to.  Worse yet, I fail to love God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. 

Lest I get discouraged as I see my many faults and failures…I need get my eyes back on the Lord.  The same Father, who chose these men before the foundation of the world, chose me.  The same Savior, who died for their sins, poured out His precious blood on the cross to pay the penalty in full for my sin.  The same Holy Spirit who seals the 144,000 has sealed me and indwells me. 

It’s not about me and how big or numerous my sins are…it’s about my God and His magnificent plan to redeem those who are lost.  It’s about His Son, Jesus Christ the Lamb of God who alone is worthy to be praised.  It’s about the Holy Spirit who dwells within me and is sanctifying me day by day. 

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.
Jude 1:24-25


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At the End of the Day…A Good Indicator

Posted in At the End of the Day by

A good indicator that I’m trying to get through each day on my own strength, power, wisdom and might is when I arrive home completely spent.  It’s an exhaustion that a good night’s sleep won’t remedy.  In fact sleep often evades me because my mind is constantly on the go.   I feel like I can’t turn it off. 

Along with other changes in recent months, I am not able to listen to my IPod and partake of good solid Christian teaching as much as I used to.  I desperately miss that.  It fed my heart, mind and soul.  Somehow I need to build that back into my daily life. 

I think I’ve let the busyness and demands of life…work, home and responsibilities crowd God out…or assign Him to a small place that I will get to when I have the time.  Ouch!  Not good…not good at all.

Like any relationship…my relationship with God grows when I spend time with Him and listen to Him and share what’s going on with me.  Trust Him with what I’m going through.  Trust His counsel and be quick to obey. 

It’s the time spent in prayer…or opening the Bible and reading with my ear inclined towards God. 

You know that feeling when you are in love…and you hang on every word that comes out of your loved one’s mouth.  You can’t wait to hear what they will say next.  You treasure and value their advice because their wisdom is combined with love for you. 

I feel like that’s what I’m missing with God.  And I want it back…starting tonight.  I want to hold on to Jesus and not let go. 

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Beware of the Towhee

Posted in Birds, Towhees by

One of our favorite things in our yard is the birds…especially the Towhees.  In recent weeks, one little fellow has started attacking himself in the side view mirrors of our cars. 

Thankfully the damage is nothing more than a little Windex won’t take care of.  It’s quite entertaining as he is determined to make the bird in the mirror go away. 

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For Better or For Worse

Posted in Goodness of God, Previousness of God, Sciatica, Spinal Stenosis by

This probably falls under the “for worse” that Dave warned us about when we took our wedding vows. 

I think I’ve been to the doctors more in the last three months than I have in my entire life.  After having intense back pain for 2 months, my doctor ordered and MRI to find out what was causing sciatica that isn’t going away. 

The results came back pretty quickly.  Within a couple of days my doctor emailed me the diagnosis, “degenerative changes most noticeably at L4-5 where there is severe canal stenosis attributed to a 5 mm central disc bulge.  At the level of L5-S1, there is mild canal stenosis.  This explains your symptoms.”

I’m not too keen taking a lot of medicine and don’t want to be dependent upon pain killers.  I am grateful to have relief from pain through medicine…but want to keep it at the lowest level possible.  After all, I need to function in my daily life…working, driving, shopping, cleaning, attending church, Bible study, etc.

I’ve been amazed as I look back at the previousness of God in how He orchestrated circumstances in my life.  He knew that my work schedule would be more demanding and that I would need my rest on the weekends.  He knew that I would develop a condition in which it’s painful to sit for extended periods of time.  Thus God had me step aside from commitments that took a lot of time and required sitting. 

You never know when you are going through something how you will respond.  I’ve seen God give me the grace I never knew I could have to endure pain.

Until this happened, I don’t think I realized how much what happens to me effects my husband.  I guess that’s part of becoming one.  There are times I have a greater peace about what’s happening than Chris does. 

My husband Chris and I are asking for God to give us wisdom to determine what’s the best course of action to take and for wisdom for the doctor.  That she would be compassionate.  Of course we both know that God is well able to bring a miraculous healing to my back.  Should He choose to do so…we will praise Him.  In His sovereignty, should God choose not to heal me, we will praise Him.  I am learning that God is good all the time.  His goodness is not dependent upon Him making my life easy or perfect. 

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Something I Can’t Ignore

Posted in Homeless by

On Thursday morning, I was heading out the front door for my early morning walk…only to be stopped in my tracks as I looked across the street. 

Directly in front of our home was a baby stroller, a baby bottle and something else.  At first I couldn’t tell if someone had dumped a big bag of trash or what it was. 

I immediately turned around walked into the living room and called out to my husband Chris who had fallen back asleep in his chair.  “Chris, wake up…I need you to come out here with me!”  Chris normally doesn’t wake up really quick…but I guess after being startled he jumped out of his chair and followed me out on the front porch.

I pointed across the street and asked, “What is that?  Is it a dead body or is that someone sleeping on the sidewalk?”

I don’t remember if Chris answered…but I head across the street to find out.

I approached the person cautiously.  I looked down on the bundle of blankets and saw a woman’s brown hair.  I couldn’t tell if there was a baby bundled up with her or not.  I didn’t know if she was dead or alive.

I said, “Sweetheart, what’s going on here?”

The person in the blanket stirred quickly and was looking up at me.  It was a middle aged woman, obviously homeless and she had slept on the street overnight.  When I asked her again what was going on she said that her husband had punched her in the face and she had left home.  I asked her when that had happened and she said it was over a year ago and since then she has been living out of her car. 

What do you say to that?  I don’t remember what I said, but she kept on talking.

She went on to tell me that she lives in her car and usually parks her car on a street behind Home Depot.  But there was the crazy guy named Curt whom she was hanging out with.  Now he was talking about torturing her and killing her and she was frightened. 

As she was talking I was trying to access her and the situation and what I should do.  Part of me thought I should go inside and call the police. 

Instead I went inside to get her something to eat and drink brought it out to her.  When I gave her the food I asked her what her name was.  She responded, “My name is Sue.”

“Sue, I’ve to got go, but before I leave let me pray for you.”  So I held Sue’s hand and I prayed for her.  While I was praying she asked me to pray for Curt too.  When I finished Sue thanked me for the breakfast and prayer. 

I then went on my walk and saw Sue get up and head down the street wrapped in her blanket.

The next morning I found a container and a magazine sitting on the lamppost by our walkway.  In the container was a note from homeless Sue in which she thanked me again and asked me to pray her children and herself.  Sue said that another neighbor, whom she had encountered while he walked his dog, came and jump started her car so she could drive. 

Like most folks these days…the reality of homelessness is something that I see every day.  Be it a person sleeping at a bus stop or someone asking for money outside a store.  Sometimes I’ll buy them something to eat.  More often than not won’t give money because I don’t want them using it for alcohol or drugs. 

While I can drive by the person pushing a shopping cart down the street or the person sleeping at a bus stop…I couldn’t walk by or drive by what I encountered on Thursday morning.

While I was talking with Sue…a number of our neighbors drove by and didn’t bother to slow down.  If for no other reason than concern for the neighborhood, I would think they would stop to see what was happening.  That bothered me that my neighbors didn’t stop…it really bothered me. 

I don’t know if what all Sue said was true or real, but I do know that I couldn’t just pass her by.  I couldn’t pretend like I didn’t see her.  She must feel invisible some days as people do everything they can to avoid eye contact…for fear they may have to get involved.

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What is my Isaac?

Posted in Uncategorized by

This week I’ve been getting back into my normal weekly routine following the Christmas and New Year holidays.  As soon as I return from my morning walk, I turn on the radio to listen to Chuck Swindoll’s Insight for Living as I get ready for work.  His current message is about Abraham and his obedience to God’s command to sacrifice his son Isaac?  Chuck went on to ask, “What is your Isaac that God may require of you?”

I started thinking…what is my Isaac?  What would God require of me to lay down, be willing to sacrifice, in obedience to His command?  Like Abraham, would I be quick to obey?

Is my Isaac my husband Chris?
Our home?
Is it my job?
My health?
Is it a hope or a dream?
Our finances?
Is it the approval and acceptance of man?

Each year it seems like God has taught me to loosen my grip on things and even people.  To hold loosely and be ready to say, “Thy will be done.”  Last year and in recent months, it feels as though God has been deconstructing me by removing people and things that I love from my life.  Testing me to see if I love Him more than the gifts He has given me.  Obviously the test is for me because God already knows how I will respond.

Even if I do okay on one test…I can’t afford to be complacent.  I must realize that there will other tests and trials.  By the grace of God…some I will pass.  However, there will be some tests that will reveal things within my character, attitude or the thoughts and intentions of my heart that are sinful and ugly and need to be dealt with.  Tests may reveal that I’ve let something creep in and take the place of God being first in my life.  How will I respond to those test results? 

One thing that comes to mind is that I don’t need to fear those tests that God may allow in my life.  I can trust Him because He is good all the time.  Unlike me, God is not sinful and His motivation and purpose is always good and come from a pure, undefiled heart.

So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” – Luke 10:27


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Where ever you go, there you are

Posted in Full Armor of God by

This morning I had a divine appointment but I didn’t know it.  I thought that our kitties were just hungry and waking me up early on New Year’s morning so they could be fed.  Indeed they were hungry…but the Holy Spirit had a message that I needed to read. 

I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or bad thing…but once I’m up…I’m up.  Very seldom can I go back to sleep after I get up.  So after feeding Rudy and Junior, I started a pot of coffee brewing and headed into the office to check the computer.  While my email was updating I looked at one of the websites that I check regularly, Joshua’s blog A Warrior’s Heart. 

Though Joshua is young, I find that both he and his sister Rachel have maturity that I wish I had when I was their ages.  Rachel also has a blog that I frequent regularly…Hope Journey.  You might be thinking what in the world can a 51 year old woman learn from someone 30 years younger?  Actually quite a lot.  Both Joshua and Rachel share from their heart.  They are well grounded in the Word of God and love God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength.  

Today Joshua posted “Living Radically for Christ Pt. 5”, in which he talks about believers counting the cost of following Christ.  One of those costs is that the moment we become a believer in Jesus Christ, we are engaged in a lifelong battle against a powerful foe who HATES US.  Satan hates God and he hates man who is created in God imagine.  He is a liar, deceiver, destroyer and a murderer. 

We engaged in that battle every day…whether we know it or not.  The enemy goes around like a roaring lion…seeking whom he may devour.  He wants to have you and me for lunch.  Think about a hungry lion prowling around just waiting for the opportunity to devour his prey.  In the Greek the word devour means to “drink down, swallow down, devour, swallow up, and destroy.”  Think about that lion as he tears into the flesh of his victim.  Those powerful jaws clamping down and tearing into the flesh of that living creature and bring about an excruciating, certain death.  It’s probably not a death that comes swiftly.  That’s what Satan, our enemy, wants to do to believers. 

I read God’s word and know that truth.  I believe it and I know it from experience.  Yet how easily I believe the destroyer’s lies. 

Christ won the victory over Satan on the cross.  On the cross, Jesus Christ paid our sin debt in full.  On the cross both sin and death were defeated.  God gave witness to that victory three days later when Jesus Christ rose physically from the dead.  Praise God…that He has given us His Word.  In the Bible, God tells us how we can be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might.  How we can put on the full armor of God. 

Recently, God reprimanded me saying, “Susan, walk as you pray.” 

One of my daily prayers is that I will take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  That will put on the full armor of God: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, that my feet will be shod with the gospel of peace, that I will put on the helmet of salvation, take up the shield of faith, wield the Sword of the Spirit and be praying always. 

Though it’s a New Year…it’s the same me that was there yesterday.  One, who when I walk in my own wisdom and strength, I so easily fall prey to the enemy.  No matter where I go, there I am.

I do believe that I need to be mindful how weak I am in my own strength and wisdom.  Instead I need to submit myself to God, resist the devil so that he will flee from me. 

Thank You Lord for the reminder that it’s a daily battle that’s fought minute by minute…and I can’t afford to be lazy.  The cost is too great.  Thank you Joshua for speaking the truth from God’s Word.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. – James 4:7

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— Ephesians 6:10-18

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Today

Posted in New Year, Today by

I’ve decided I want to approach the coming New Year with a “Today” kind of attitude.

Goodness knows 2010 has been a challenging year for me personally, for family, friends and even our nation. 

As I passed through some difficult waters one thing that helped was to take it just one day at a time.  When I was uncertain about what tomorrow would bring…I was able to say, “Thank You Lord for what I have today.”  When faced with overwhelming demands…I asked, “What do I need to accomplish today?”

When I have troubles or trials…it’s helpful to know that it’s for today.  I don’t know what tomorrow will bring.  But by God’s grace I can get through today.

I can be grateful for what I have today and not be presumptuous and demanding on the goodness and grace of God for tomorrow.  I’m not guaranteed tomorrow…but I do have today.

May I be dependent upon the Lord today.

May I pray for what I need today.

May I praise and worship God today.

May I confess and repent of my sins today.

May I be ready for the Lord’s soon return today.

This is the day the LORD has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

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Focus, Focus, Focus

Posted in Uncategorized by

Why is it that it’s so easy to get my focus off of God?

When my focus is on me…I’m prideful.

When my focus is on others…I’m insecure.

When my focus is on things…I’m superficial.

When my focus is on self righteousness…I’m legalistic.

When my focus is on man’s praises…I’m fickle.

When my focus is on what I can see….I’m faithless.

When my focus is on Christ…everyone and everything else falls into its proper perspective.


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So Cold

Posted in Missing Person, Patrick Bunts by

This fall and winter it’s been unusually cold and wet here in southern California.  Tonight the weather forecasters predict that it will be 39 degrees…now that is just plain burr chilly burr especially for this southern California weather wimp!

As soon as I arrived home I turned on the heater and went to bring the bird feeders in for the night.  As I entered our home the heat had just come on and I thanked God for our home, heat, running water and so much more.  Then I started thinking what it must be like for those who are homeless.  What do they do when it rains for 7 days straight like it did last week?  What do they do on a cold night like this; where do they go?

Then my thoughts turned to my brother Patrick Henry Bunts who has been missing for a number of years now.  He’s a troubled individual and has made some bad choices in his life and I don’t know what’s happened to him. Patrick’s actions and behavior lead me to believe that he may have substance abuse problems. 

The last time I spoke with him it was probably about five of six years ago at Christmas.  He called the assisted living place where my mother lived to wish her a Merry Christmas.  Our conversation was brief…I wasn’t too keen about speaking to him because of his dishonesty towards a family member. 

If I had known that was the last time I would speak to him what would I have said?

Our mother died a few years after that last conversation.  When she died, I tried to contact my brother to no avail.  He probably doesn’t even know she’s dead.  Each year since then I’ve paid to do a background check to see if there is any information on his whereabouts.  Thus far…the searches have come empty.  They have lots of old data…but for the last four or five years there has been no information on where he lives or works. 

I don’t know if he’s in prison or too drugged up to know night from day.  Is he working and living under someone else’s name and identification?  Is he still alive?   I don’t know…but thoughts of him are never far from my mind. 

If I made contact with him…I’m not sure what I would say.  Part of me would want to hug him, tell him I love him and share the gospel message because he desperately needs it.  There’s another part of me that would like to swat him right upside the head and yell, “What in the world were you thinking!”

When I encounter homeless people in the parking lot asking for money, I think of my brother.  I wonder…is he doing that somewhere?  If he is…what kind of people does he encounter?  What are their responses to him?  How would I respond if I didn’t know it was him?  Would I buy him a meal?  Would I talk with him or turn away?

When it’s a cold night like tonight…I think of Patrick and wonder where he is?  Perhaps one day I’ll find out.  Until then…I’ll wonder and continue to pray that God, who is not willing that any should perish, will bring someone along to share the Gospel message with my brother who is desperately lost.  Lord willing he’s still alive and there’s still a chance.

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A Closer Walk

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While I’d love to sit down and write until midnight, the clock is reminding me I’ll be getting up far too soon and don’t have that luxury tonight. 

As we come to the end of another year…my thoughts are turning to what do I want to do different in the New Year?  How do I want to be different a year from now than I am today?

I know that I want to have a closer walk with the Lord and know Him more intimately.  I know that will necessitate regular Bible study and reading of God’s word and time in prayer.  I will need to have an open and teachable heart and be willing to bend and yield my will to God’s will. 

There were a couple of things that happened today that reinforced that desire for a closer walk with the Lord.

Something I pray for my husband and friends is that they will take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and choose to meditate on that which is true, noble, just and pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. 

The Lord has used frequently used those scriptures to help me reign in my thoughts and words, when in my own will I would be going down a wrong path.  Today was one of those days.  Right off the bat, I could have been offended.  I wanted to go one way and complain to the Lord about what someone did wrong.  Instead God challenged me to do as I pray. 

Once I focused my thoughts…and prayed scripture…I was able to focus and move on.  The offense didn’t even matter at that point. 

Later in the day I had an encounter with someone who is an unbeliever.  As they shared about what’s going on in their life, I found myself so grateful that as a Christian I can know right from wrong very clearly in God’s word.  By knowing it and obeying it…God protects me from so much. 

At the Bible study I attend, this Christmas they handed out little boxes that were beautifully wrapped.  The teaching director asked us to pray and see what God would have us give Him for Christmas.  As the days past by and we got closer to Christmas I was thinking more and more…what should I give God for Christmas. 

It was almost as God was saying the words out loud, “Love Me more.” 

Yes Lord…I want to love You more and know You more.  I want a closer walk with Thee Lord Jesus.  Just a closer walk with Thee. 

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