Carlsbad January 2009
Author Archives: Susan Wachtel
"Finally Home" by Mercy Me
Somewhere There is SomeOne
Today’s technology never ceases to amaze me…especially the internet. While still a novice…even this Facebook rookie has been able to reconnect with folks that have seemingly slipped away.
To my surprise and delight I found Allan Cason on Facebook and added him as a friend. Allan used to go to Kindred Community Church and was part of the worship team and choir during our early years. When writing on Allan’s Facebook wall…I inquired if the singing group that he is a part of, The Sylvia Cotton Singers, had a CD out yet. Much to my delight and surprise the answer was yes.
Not only did Allan respond that The Sylvia Cotton Singers had released their first CD, “Somewhere There is SomeOne”, but he graciously offered to send me one. He didn’t have to ask twice for my address.
During the years that Sylvia Cotton, Allan Cason, Pamela Edwards and Paige Petes were part of the worship team…I so enjoyed their music. So it was with much excitement and anticipation that looked forward to hearing their CD.
After telling my husband Chris about The Sylvia Cotton Singers…I put the CD in. I wasn’t disappointed…it was definitely worth the wait.
There is so much I love about the CD, “Somewhere There is SomeOne”. It has a smooth jazz sound…and the lyrics are very God centered and biblically sound. Sylvia, Allan, Pamela and Paige love the Lord Jesus…their love and heart for worship come through in the music. It’s very relaxing. But some of the songs had my husband Chris and me swaying to the music. There are times you’ve just got to dance and sing along.
The lyrics, which were written by Sylvia Cotton, focus on Jesus…honor and glorify Him. In a sense…I almost found them meditative on the person of Jesus Christ…who He is and His attributes. Sylvia’s talents also include music composition. She wrote both the music and lyrics. Wonderful job Sylvia!
Blessed by God with singing talent…Sylvia, Allan, Pamela and Paige did a wonderful job on their first CD. I hope there are many more to come if the Lord tarries.
I’ll be playing this CD when I want to relax, de-stress or just plain worship the Lord and remember Who He is.
Thank you dear ones for sharing…and congratulations on your first CD. It was marvelous!
Letting Go
So much of life
Is learning to let go
Letting go of people
Who will leave long before I’m ready to say goodbye
Letting go of expectations
Of how I think someone should act
Letting go of my will
Accepting God’s will for my life
Letting go of a dream
Without letting go of hope
Letting go of sorrows
Putting my hope and trust in God
Letting go of my way
Choosing to put others first
Letting go of my sin
Remembering I am dead to sin and alive to Christ
Letting go of bitterness and hurt
Applying the healing balm of forgiveness
Letting go of envy
Filled with gratitude for what the Lord has given me
Letting go of hatred
Walking in love
Letting go of the past
Living in the present
Letting go of taking the easy way
Willing to endure for that which is of eternal value
Letting go of fear
Taking courage in the Lord’s presence
Letting go of failure
Believing that God will redeem my past
Letting go demands for deliverance on my schedule
Instead praying for the grace to endure
Letting go of faithlessness
Asking and believing God for the impossible
Letting go of my timetable
Trusting God and His perfecting timing
Letting go of “Why God?”
Asking “What will You do through this Lord?”
Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 27, 2009
There Must Be A Rainbow
I look up
Find the sky is filled with rain clouds
As far as my eye can see
Overhead dark threatening clouds
Large rain drops start to fall
I’d best take cover
But my eyes are fixed
On the strange golden glow
Surrounding those once ominous clouds
The glow of the sun
Cannot be hid
By even the fiercest storm
I begin to search the sky
For when the sun appears in the midst of the storm
My heart tells me…there must be a rainbow up there somewhere
By Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 23, 2009
Dedicated to my husband, Chris Wachtel. Through the stormy, cloudy times…may we always have hope and look expectantly for the rainbow. Not looking for a sign like a wicked generation, but one who is assured that God is with us, knowing He is faithful and true. Confident that He will deliver us in His time, according to His perfect plan.
Yesterday when leaving work the sky was filled with rain clouds…but there was a beautiful golden glow. I looked up and just knew that up there, somewhere, there was a rainbow.
Choose This Day
The world tells me
Be open and tolerant
Accept all points of view
All are of equal worth
Be open and tolerant
Accept all points of view
All are of equal worth
But God tells me
Narrow is the path that leads to life
Salvation is found in no other name
Than Jesus Christ
The world tells me
Just do the right thing
Encourages me to feel good about myself
Then I’ll be at peace and at one with the world
But God tells me
Before I came to Christ
I was at enmity with God
In me lies no good thing
The world tells me
The only real sin is to be judgmental
That I should live as I please…put myself first
Without concern about heaven or hell because there is no God
But God warns me
Some have a form of godliness, without power
They are lovers of self
And do not love God
The world tells me
It’s wrong to say Jesus is the only way
Surely all paths lead to God
Who am I to tell someone else they are wrong
But God tells me
That Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life
If I confess with my mouth, believe with my heart
I will be saved!
How can I withhold the truth
From those who are lost and perishing
Blinded by the enemy
Deceived…and believing a lie
There are no second chances
No purgatory to pay for my sin
No good work that will save me
Except one
Only God’s perfect sacrifice
The atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross
Testify I must
Of His redeeming love
by Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 21, 2009
Sunset in California
God is a Painter of unparallel magnificence…He was having a wonderful time this evening with His creation.
On a mini vacation in Carlsbad, California for the weekend. We got some amazing shots…especially of this magnificent sunset. More pictures to follow from our trip. As we were driving to the beach I was in a hurry to get there so I could get my camera out to capture the sunset…and it did not disappoint me. But I was struck with the thought that one day…there will be no more sunsets or sunrises.
My husband Chris Wachtel…was actually willingly photographed a couple of times this weekend. While it looks unreal…the picture is real…no touch ups from Photoshop. With those handsome blue eyes…what girl wouldn’t want to marry this handsome fellow?
The Previousness of God
The previousness of God
At work in my present
Revealed in my future
He is working all things together for good
For this one who loves the Lord
At work in my present
Revealed in my future
He is working all things together for good
For this one who loves the Lord
At His appointed time
He turns wrong into right
Bad into good
Weaving the circumstances of my life
Into the tapestry of His eternal plan
No need to fear
Or waste time with anxiety
Instead I am called to trust Him
When no answers are forthcoming
Or when I don’t understand
Oh to glorify Him
With my life
Testify to the goodness of God
In all circumstances
That is my heartfelt plea
By Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 13, 2009
Because
Because the Lord is my Shepherd
I have…
Joy in my sorrow
Comfort in my pain
Faith in my doubt
Light in the darkness
Peace in the storms
Hope in my trials
Strength in my weakness
Forgiveness of my sin
A never forsaking Friend
I have…
Joy in my sorrow
Comfort in my pain
Faith in my doubt
Light in the darkness
Peace in the storms
Hope in my trials
Strength in my weakness
Forgiveness of my sin
A never forsaking Friend
by Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 11, 2009
Dedicated to special friends for whom I am most grateful. Love you and praying for you dear ones.
Because
Because the Lord is my Shepherd
I have…
Joy in my sorrow
Comfort in my pain
Faith in my doubt
Light in the darkness
Peace in the storms
Hope in my trials
Strength in my weakness
Forgiveness of my sin
A never forsaking Friend
I have…
Joy in my sorrow
Comfort in my pain
Faith in my doubt
Light in the darkness
Peace in the storms
Hope in my trials
Strength in my weakness
Forgiveness of my sin
A never forsaking Friend
by Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 11, 2009
Dedicated to special friends for whom I am most grateful. Love you and praying for you dear ones.
Keeper of the Memories
I think this is what it must feel like
To be old
I hold in my hands
Mementos and treasures
To no one but me
To be old
I hold in my hands
Mementos and treasures
To no one but me
Shoe boxes filled with cards
Expressing sentiments and well wishes
From friends and family so long ago
I trace your writing with my finger
Hoping to connect once again
The pictures from old
Of family I never knew
All those who loved you
Have long since passed away
I feel it my obligation to remember
When I see your smile
It causes me to wonder what made you to laugh
You had such serious eyes
What hurt, pain and thoughts
Were burdening your soul
You were a real live person
Who laughed and cried
Who loved and hated
A daughter, sister, wife, mother and someone’s best friend
A son, brother, husband, father and someone’s closest pal
By God’s providence
We are related though we may have never met
I wish I could reach across time
Tell you that I treasure the memory of you
It is with care hold your words and pictures from so long ago
As I hold these treasures from the past
I feel such profound sadness…I want to weep
Through my tears I wonder what will become of my life
What will I do that really matters
Who will remember me
Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 3, 2009
The Morning Report
Condemnation reporting for duty
Master, how grand
We’ve been given another day
To try and thwart God’s revealed plan
To try to keep one more human soul
From receiving salvation through Jesus Christ
To beat down and render His believers ineffective
With the baggage of their own sin
Let me tell you about yesterday’s successes
We have those mired in the muck of their own sin
Blinded to the fact that there is no one righteous
Not understanding that Christ died for them anyway
We have one who calls himself Christian
But temptation achieved great success
Causing him to turn away and fall into sin
Because he failed to take every thought captive
Now instead of sharing the Gospel message
He’s preoccupied with covering his own sin
Lest he be called a hypocrite
Justifying why he chose to do that which God declared sinful
With the holidays upon us
Opportunities abound
Christian thinks she will share the Gospel message
With family and friends yet unsaved
But we reminded her that they are unworthy sinners
Undeserving to receive forgiveness and salvation
Through the sacrificial atoning death
Of that Babe born in Bethlehem, lo so many years ago
We will provoke irritation and disgust
In self-righteousness she won’t want to have anything to do with them
Much less walk in love and be quick to forgive
She’ll abandon her plan to share the Gospel with the ones bound for hell
Instead she’ll be quick to condemn and slow to pray
Focused on the sinner and their sin
Oblivious to the real enemy
The hater of every human soul
By Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 1, 2009
May we be mindful that there is only one true enemy. He desires that we be focused on the sin not the sinner, so disgusted and put off that we won’t think them worthy of sharing the Gospel. In doing so we walk in the sin of pride and self righteousness.
Condemning Power
When I start condemning and stop praying
That’s when I stop believing in a personal God
Who is able to save completely and transform lives
That’s when I stop believing in a personal God
Who is able to save completely and transform lives
When does criticism become sin
When I’d prefer to stand in judgment
Rather than stand in love and pray
When I’d rather shake my finger and say shame on you
Than to look in the mirror and examine myself
See if I had contributed to the fall of another
By Susan Bunts Wachtel
December 29, 2008
Willing?
Am I willing to live a life
That will glorify God
To accept a delay
Or even “no” to a lifelong dream
Am I prepared to endure the pain
When answers and relief are not forthcoming
Am I willing to trust God
When my life doesn’t make sense
Am I willing to praise His Name
When my circumstances are bleak
Am I willing to persevere in prayer
When God remains silent
Am I willing to cling to Him
When all around me falls away
Am I willing to believe that God is good
When God permits the enemy to attack me
Am I willing to be a blessing to others
When I’m not feeling blessed by God
Am I willing to walk by faith
When sight walking would cause me to doubt God
Am I willing to recognize God’s hand upon me
Not attribute success to my own human efforts
Am I willing to wait upon the Lord
Not proceed according to my will and plans
Am I willing to remember that He is more than able
Not manipulate circumstances to have my way
Am I willing to forgive
The one intentionally hurt me
Am I willing to pray for salvation and forgiveness
Not just for the nice unsaved person…but for my enemy too
Am I willing to remember there is only one true enemy
The one who seeks to kill, steal and destroy
Am I willing to see with the eyes of love
Hope and believe all things rather than believe a bad report
By Susan Bunts Wachtel
December 29, 2008
Without Christ
No hope
No peace
No sense of purpose
No wisdom
No strength
No moral foundation
No truth
No meaning
No reason for right and wrong
No light
No joy
No future worth living for
No defender
No deliverer
Nothing worth dying for
No comfort
No rest
No future secured
No salvation through Christ Jesus
No Holy Spirit dwelling within
No Abba Father to call your own
By Susan Bunts Wachtel
December 30, 2008
Dedicated to the one who reminds me daily of what it’s like to live without Christ and to have no hope or firm foundation. Dear one…I pray for your salvation. That you will one day have the hope of heaven…Jesus Christ
Last Christmas
If I would have known last Christmas was to be your last
What would I have done different
Would I have spent the whole day by your side
Would I have hugged you a little tighter
Would I have held your hands
As we watched the movies of old
Truly believed in my heart
That it is a wonderful life…in spite of all the messes
Would I have gone to the ends of the earth
Found just the right present to bring you a smile
Would I have shared the good news of Christmas
Ensured that you received God’s gift of the Savior
Susan Bunts Wachtel
December 17, 2008
Dedicated to Gayle Merriam Johnson Bunts Lorenat…my mother who died on April 29, 2008.
Through a Glass Darkly
When I downloaded pictures I had taken this last Sunday…I found a number of shots that were not so hot. Especially this one of the cross on the hill at Kindred Community Church. I have so many great shots…but in this picture I can barely see the cross. Instead I’m focusing on the dried wiper marks on the windshield that make everything blurry and hard to see.
At first I was going to delete the picture and dismiss it as just a bad shot. But then I realized it kind of signified what I’ve been feeling in my relationship with God lately.
While my theology is sound…and biblically based…and I know that God will never leave me, nor forsake me…emotionally I haven’t felt a connection with God in the last few weeks. I feel emotionally disconnected.
I’m sure that the busyness of a recent move, unpacking our new home, cleaning and store things from our old place, working too much overtime, having very few minutes a day to rest is contributing to the equation.
I find myself asking God if there is any un-confessed sin in my life that is blocking that feeling of relationship. If there is sin…that He would reveal it to me so that I can take care of business quickly and restore that relationship.
Last night the feeling of disconnect was especially strong. I found myself desperate be connected to God. To have the sense of His presence in my day to day life. I felt like God was absent. I picked up the word of God and found my mind was so busy and wandering through the events of the day and recent weeks that I couldn’t focus.
If I could have snapped my fingers or done something immediate in the moment to feel God’s presence…I would have done it. I felt quite desperate for Him. Almost a physical ache. Those feelings were a reminder of what I had experienced before. After some desperate times…I came to the conclusion that I can get through any circumstance as long as I have Jesus Christ. While I may have to endure unpleasant circumstances or difficult times…it doesn’t compare to living a life without God. To not have relationship with my God…my Savior Jesus Christ…is unbearable. It’s like trying to live without oxygen.
One of the ways I connect with God…and work through issues is to write. It’s there that God ministers to me and counsels me. He helps me to examine what I’m feeling or what I’ve seen through the truth of the Bible.
Because of the exceptionally busy times…I’ve not been able to write. I’ve had no time to be still and abide in God. Instead I’ve been dealing with the demands of life at the expense what’s essential. So tonight…while I’ll pay the price with tomorrow for too little rest…I’m thankful to have slipped away to spend a few minutes with God.
Thankfully during this busy time…I’ve been able to go to church, Bible study and be in prayer. But all that doesn’t substitute for some alone time and connection with God on a very personal level.
It’s kind of like a wife who sees her husband across the way at a friend’s party. She sees him from afar and even says, “Hi”. But if she doesn’t spend any alone time with him…away and apart from others…I can guarantee you…the relationship would suffer.
God says in His word that He will never leave us, nor forsake us. I guess I haven’t been showing up to meet with Him personally.
Thank you Lord for being there…and meeting with me once again. May I be a Mary and not a Martha. May I put that which is essential…Jesus Christ…before everyone and everything else.
A Real Live Leprechaun
By golly…I found me a real live leprechaun. Now who would have thought that you’d find him hiding in plain sight? But as I was leaving church on Sunday…I stumbled upon him.
Try as he might to disguise himself as an ordinary man…by singing in the choir and mixing and mingling with everyday folks…I could just tell.
Now I’ll grant you that he’s a wee bit bigger than what I would have figured a leprechaun to be. But hey…I thought the whole leprechaun thing was a myth. So…how’s a girl to know?
Now I’ve got to say…if all
leprechauns can sing like the one I captured on camera…we’d have some great music.
When I confronted him on his leprechaun status…he tried to pass it off as coincidence. But you can’t fool me. I know a leprechaun when I see him. He calls himself Chance…but trust me this was no happenstance.
A Jewel
Dearest Janet…what a treasure you are
A precious jewel in the in the crown of our Savior
Walking in the love of Christ
You show a kind and a gentle spirit to all
Through the strength of our Lord
You are able to bear and endure all things
By trusting in the power and providence of God
You have a hope that endures
Following the example of Jesus
You walk in humility and obedience to the Father
With the knowledge of God’s word
You rejoice in the truth
Through the work of the Holy Spirit within
You have a desire for holiness and purity
Believing with certainty in God’s promises
You eagerly desire the Lord’s return
On this your birthday
We celebrate the gift that you are
We are most thankful for you
Our dear precious sister in Christ
By Susan Bunts Wachtel
November 30, 2008
Dedicated to Janet Corsi
Our friend and precious sister in Christ.
Happy Birthday to one whom Jesus shines through so brightly.
Priorities
Am I more repulsed by the idea of the animal sacrifice in the Old Testament than I am sickened by my own sin which necessitated the shedding of blood to cover my sin?
If I knew the true cost of my sin…would I still choose to go my own way and sin against God and man?
Do I recognize the cost of sin…but choose to turn away and pretend like I don’t see?
Do I esteem the opinions of others over what God says in His word?
Do I care more about my now…than eternity?
Am I living for today…with precious little thought of how it will effect my eternal future?
Do I have a low estimation of God and His absolute holiness and righteousness?
Do I over estimate my own goodness?
Do I question God’s presence in my circumstances?
Will I turn to God in the midst of my suffering?
Will I allow Him to draw me near and comfort me even when I don’t understand why He has permitted my suffering?
If I recognized that I continuously dwell in the presence of holy, righteous, omnipotent God…how would it change me? How would affect what I do and say…my thoughts and emotions?
If I recognized the absolute authority of God…would I be quick to obey and submit myself to His plan?
If I was truly motivated and moved by love for my Savior how would that change what I do?
What if love was my motive…not what I would gain in the here and now…or in eternity?
What if I loved Jesus more…would I want to be more like Him? Would I want to please the one I loved most?
If I were to think of dying today…is there anything that I wouldn’t want to have exposed…laid bare?
If I really believed that eternity was forever…would I share the Gospel message more? Would I feel desperate for my loved ones to not enter eternity without Christ?
Would I worry less about offending the relative who has gone down the wrong path and chosen to believe in nonsense or a different Jesus?
If I knew that my family or friends will spend eternity in hell…asking why I never shared the truth that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior…would I share the truth of the Gospel? Would I tell them that no one comes unto the Father except through Him?
Susan's Blog 