LORD, when I don’t understand what You are doing in trials and tribulations, may I remember that You are good all the time. Help me to remember that You never waste our trials. For those who love You and have been called according to Your purposes, You are working ALL things together for good. Help me to not only walk by faith, but pray in faith, trusting that You are Who You have revealed Yourself to be in Your perfect and inerrant Word of God. When I feel helpless and don’t know how to help someone, may I be confident that You are able to help them and do a marvelous and might work in their life. You are able to do exceedingly, abundantly and beyond what I can ask or think.
David Platt’s Response to Heaven if for Real
Be Prepared to Be Blessed
While I didn’t have a lot of people leave comments on my recent post “Blessings from a Precious Friend”, I did have a few people that responded and they will be receiving a book from the giveaway of Ruth Stingley’s book Speak to Your Heart – 70 Biblical Blessings to Encourage and Challenge Yourself and Others.
Congratulations to:
Denise at Just Me, Being Me and The Lighthouse of Prayer
Jim Allis at his blog Jim Allis
Loralee at Little House on the Ridge and This & That
I know that the Lord will bless you through Ruth’s book…I will also try to contact you via email to get your mailing address. Please feel free to send me an email at susanwalkergirl@gmail.com.
For those who are interested in learning more about the book please check out Speak to Your Heart website and Amazon.
Scripture Pics – Roman 9:25-26
Strange Fire – A Hard Read, But Worthwhile
Previously I’ve read books by Pastor John MacArthur and frequently listen to his sermons and conference messages. Pastor MacArthur has a passion for the Word of God and his teaching is theologically sound. That’s why I wanted to read his newest book, Strange Fire, to learn more about the charismatic movement.
I found Strange Fire very challenging to get through it. This book includes a lot of details about the background of the charismatic movement founders in the early 1900’s and goes through present day. Scripture is interspersed throughout the book and is used as a plumb line to measure the actions, words and deeds of prominent charismatic leaders to see if they are biblically sound.
As a Christian, I was appalled at the teaching, claims and lives of prominent charismatic leaders. It was painful to learn that instead of being run out of town these immoral charlatans, frauds and apostates were applauded, embraced and heralded as healers and prophets. It’s frightening and tragic to think of how many people have been deceived and taken in by this false gospel that dishonors God.
It was refreshing in the last section of the book to see what is the true work of the Holy Spirit is in the world and the life of Christians. This book helped me to understand clearly the importance of sola Scriptura and the importance of using the Bible to evaluate those who claim to be healers, prophets or speaking in tongues. Does what they say and do line up with Scripture?
All in all this was a very painful book to read. Even so, I would recommend this book to Christians so they can better understand a movement that calls itself Christian, but may not line up with the Word of God.
I would also recommend that readers go to the Strange Fire Conference website and listen to or download the messages from the 2013 conference.
I would like to thank Booksneeze for providing me with a free copy of Strange Fire in exchange for an honest review. I was under no obligation to provide a favorable review.
Five Minute Friday – Blessings from a Precious Friend
When my dear friend Ruth told me that she was writing a book of Biblical blessings, I was so excited and could hardly wait until it was published. I looked forward to holding “Speak to Your Heart” in my hands and reading the blessings which she had written.
Ruth Stingley is a prayer warrior. If I’m going through difficult times, need encouragement or wisdom Ruth is a person I want to have praying alongside me. It’s been my privilege to have this lovely woman of God pray for me over the years.
Her prayers are Christ centered and honoring to God. She is realistic and doesn’t deny that bad or difficult things happen. But rather than be overwhelmed by circumstances, Ruth is in awe and overwhelmed by her Heavenly Father, her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit Who dwells within her. She has a confidence and assurance of who she is in Christ and the spiritual blessings that God has given believers. She takes time to meditate on scripture and dwell on God as He has revealed Himself in the Bible and sing His praises.
Because of the many blessings I have received from Ruth, I want to pass those blessings along and offer Ruth Stingley’s book “Speak to Your Heart” to one reader. If you would like to receive this book, please leave a comment and on May 1st, I’ll select one person’s name. If you are the winner, I’ll notify you via email or on this blog. Once I get your mailing information I’ll send you a copy of the book.
In the meantime, check out Ruth’s website Speak to Your Heart and learn more about the author and her book.
Good golly it’s Friday and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge. Head over to “Lisa Jo Baker”, and take some time to read some of the entries from other writers. I can promise you that you will be blessed.
Commit Your Works to the LORD
Passing the Baton
What a nice surprise when I received an email from Wanda at The Watered Soul passing the baton of the Liebster Award to four other bloggers and me.
Every week, Wanda takes the time to highlight and direct her readers to other bloggers who have posts that are encouraging, introspective, honest and challenging. Through her blog I have found many treasures. Wanda is a very thoughtful, giving, caring and encouraging woman of God. Thank you Wanda! I so enjoyed reading your responses to Denise’s questions at Refine Me Lord.
Below are my responses to Wanda’s questions:
1. If you could rent a time machine for a day would you like to revisit the past or be catapulted into the future? The day I long for most is the rapture, so perhaps to go forward and see that day and moment when the Lord Jesus Christ will call His church home. But since no man knows the day or the hour of the rapture that may be a little tough.
2. What is one of the best pieces of advice you ever received? From my dear friend Margaret James who knew of my heart’s desire to be married, “Don’t settle!”. Thank You Lord…I didn’t settle and He gave me the man who is just right for me.
3. Which color would best describe your personality? Green, in its many different shades, is my favorite color. Not sure if that describes my personality? But it reflects so much of what I love and appreciate.
4. What is one thing you would include on your bucket list if you had one? I would love to go on a cruise to Alaska and Hawaii too.
5. What is something you once believed was truth but no longer do? Before I repented and received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, I was caught up and believed the lies of the new age movement. In hindsight, I recognize it was a bunch of lies and garbage from the pit of hell. I can’t take any credit for my salvation because I was blind to the truth revealed in God’s Word about Who He is and how I could be saved through the atoning death of His Son Jesus Christ. God alone opened my eye and turned my heart of stone into a heart of flesh.
6. If you were to write a book telling your life’s story what would you title the book? Amazing Grace
7. What is something you would like to change on your blog but not quite sure how? I would like to know how to respond via email to the people who leave comments on my blog so that it shows their comments and my response. Not sure if there is a simple way to do that?
8. When it comes to blogging do you have specific schedule or do you write when you feel inspired? I write when I feel inspired and when I have time. Now that I’m a homemaker, I hope to be able to write more often.
9. What is your favorite way to spend a Saturday? Golly…I’m not sure. Until recently my Saturdays were filled with cleaning and errands. I guess I’ll be finding out.
10. What color are the walls in your favorite room of your home? Gold is the color in my favorite room, our den. We have two beautiful chairs which we acquired when we moved into our home and one has beautiful gold threads in the design. It’s a peaceful and quiet room. It’s the place where Chris and I will watch old movies or some PBS dramas or I might knit dishrags or crochet doilies.
11. If you had to pass along one word of wisdom to next generation, what would it be? Read God’s Word daily, know it well and obey Him in all things. You will never regret it.
In receiving this award I’m supposed to pass the baton along to 5 other bloggers with a new list of 11 questions. I’m passing the Liebster Award to 5 godly beloved bloggers:
Jim at Jim Allis
Michelle at A Heart Surrendered
Debbie at Make It Delightful
David at Pilgrim Scribblings
Ken at Following Jesus
I’d also love to hear from any of my readers answering the questions below.
1. Who has been the most influential person in your life?
2. Where would you like to go on your dream vacation?
3. How old were you when you received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?
4. What do you want to achieve through your blog?
5. What is your favorite book of the Bible?
6. Who is your favorite artist?
7. What new skill, talent or hobby would you want to learn if you had the time?
8. Do you like to read fiction or non-fiction books?
9. What is your favorite time of day?
10. Do you like to sleep in or rise early?
11. What is your favorite animal?
Five Minute Friday – Safe Haven
Long before I had a blog to express myself, writing has been important to me. Writing is the place where I can:
· Work through ideas
· Wrestle with God
· Confess my fears, doubts and failures
· Remind myself of God’s faithfulness in my life
· Tune out the loud noise of this world
· Quiet my mind and think
· Reveal emotions beneath the surface that are impacting what I do and say and choices I make
· Admit I have un-forgiveness in my heart and have the Lord remind me why I need to forgive and show me how
· Learn to love my enemy
· Be real
· It’s the woodshed that God takes me to do business when I have a wrong heart or attitude
· Heal from the hurts and wounds from everyday life
Writing has been and remains my safe haven. Writer is part of who I am.
It’s another Saturday morn and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge. Head over to “Lisa Jo Baker”, and take some time to read some of the entries from other writers. I can promise you that you will be blessed.
A New Chapter
I have now officially begun a new chapter in my life…that of homemaker. To be honest with you, I’m not even sure what that will look like as I ease into this role.
Yesterday was my first day at home. It’s a different pace than my work-a-day world, but at first I have much I need to accomplish. A good and thorough cleaning of our home is top on the list.
Four months ago when I had left my job of 29 years, I brought home boxes of things I had at work including pictures and decorations, cards and notes that I had saved. Where I left them is where they remained until yesterday when I finally had the time to go through the boxes and decide what to keep or get rid of.
As I read the cards and notes, they brought back a lot of memories, some good and some painful.
It got me to thinking, how much do I do that emotionally and mentally. How often do I hold on to thoughts and feelings from the past and not let them go? In doing that, don’t I have less room for the present and what’s going on in my life today? Are my thoughts and feelings colored by what I’ve held on to from the past? Do I fail to see people and circumstances through fresh eyes? Is my holding on to things and memories, in part, not fully trusting God?
Perhaps with some peace and quiet in my days, I will be learning a lot. May I have the ears to hear what the Lord Jesus is teaching me through His Word and prayer and the Holy Spirit within me. May I commit each day to the Lord and be about my Father’s business.
Far Beyond
When my circumstances are far beyond me
I acknowledge Your ways are not my ways
Far beyond my understanding
When I’m in the dark place
You are my ray of light
Guiding my next step on the path before me
Father, when I am inconsolable
It’s in Your presence I find peace
It’s You alone Who can comfort me
When grief and tears consume me
You whisper hope in my ear
Jesus, my confidence is in You alone
When words fail me
Your Holy Spirit perfectly translates my groans
Into prayers before Your throne of grace
When my world crumbles around me
You take up the dark and jagged pieces
Work them perfectly into Your sovereign plan
But LORD, right now
I just need You to hold me
Be here with me in my grief
by Susan Wachtel
March 23, 2014
Five Minute Friday – God’s Blessings in Strange Packages
Sometimes God’s blessings come in some mighty strange packages.
If you had asked me a few months ago what my plans would be for the coming year, I would have guessed that our lives would continue to go on pretty much as they always have, including working during the week and occasional vacations a few times a year.
Never would I have guessed the sudden turn our lives would take. Sometimes God allows those clarifying times in our lives to help us to see what’s most important. In the last few months, God has done just that in my life.
He has helped me to see that other things had usurped what should be first in my life…God, His Word, my husband Chris and our marriage, the church and our family and friends.
As a Christian, I think of course God is first in my life. After all the years I’ve wait to find my husband of course Chris is a priority in my life. But when I started to see how I’ve been investing my time and attention in the last few months…I didn’t see God, my husband, friends, our church and our home as my top priorities. Instead I saw work at the top of this list. As a result of how I’ve invested my time and attention, everything else, including that which should be my top priorities had been put on the back burner and fallen short.
After seeing our lives with new clarity and the toll misplaced priorities have taken, my husband and I decided that it is time to have me quit work and stay at home. To take care of my husband and our home that God has blessed us with. To restore order and put a stop to the chaos of our lives. To put God first…to take the time to study and read His word. Not just go through the motions and forget what I’ve just read when I close my Bible.
I’m doing the countdown now…just 6 more working days and then I will be a homemaker. Not sure what all that means or looks like…but I’m relieved and excited. I’m prayerful that the Lord will bless us as we seek to put first that which He has revealed as most important. I’m looking forward to the love, joy and peace that will fill our lives and our home.
It’s another Saturday morn and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge. Head over to “Lisa Jo Baker”, and take some time to read some of the entries from other writers. I can promise you that you will be blessed.
Five Minute Friday – Choose This Day
Time for examination
Looking at where I invest
My time, talents and treasure
Is what I’m investing in
That which has eternal consequences
Or that which is perishing and will not last
Is what I say I believe
Being lived out in my daily life
Or is something askew
I fear my life is out of balance
That which is most important
Has been set aside or put on the back burner
Lord guide me as I choose
To put You first
Make priority that which most important to You
May I fear You
Not what fellow man may say
For I will give an account You alone
by Susan Wachtel
March 1, 2014
It’s another Saturday morn and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge. Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Surprised by Motherhood”. Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers. I can promise you that you will be blessed challenged and convicted.
Living Brave – Five Minute Friday 02/07/14
It’s hard to focus my thoughts these days because I’m weary in many respects and my mind is preoccupied by things of precious little consequence, especially in light of eternity.
What does it mean to live brave…what does that look like in my everyday life?
First and foremost it means having my heart and mind focused on God. To read His word daily, to know what He reveals about Himself, about me, about this fallen and broken world in which I live. About seeing the beauty that’s here even in the midst of sin and brokenness.
It’s about worshiping God everyday…really every moment…in thought, word and deed. Singing songs of praise, worship and adoration. Praising God even when things are amiss…praising Him for who He is. Praising Christ and remembering what He has done for me and all those whom He has called.
It’s about persevering in prayer no matter what. Especially when it seems like God is not answering my prayers and no solution or help is in sight.
It’s about taking the time each day to write about what I’m learning in this thing called life, so I don’t forget it.
Lord…help me to keep my focus on You. To be willing to praise and worship You at all times. To trust You in the dark and when it feels You are far away. To bring to mind Your perfect and true Word and to choose to believe You and walk by faith, not by sight.
It’s another Saturday morn and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge. Head over to “Lisa Jo Baker”, and take some time to read some of the entries from other writers. I can promise you that you will be blessed.
Five Minute Friday – Impactful Words
Why your words matter…what a powerful and thought provoking idea.
Immediately it brings to mind memories, both good and bad, of words spoken by me and others.
Words that…
Sting
Hurt
Crush the spirit
Kill
Teardown
Injure
Cut
Are Harsh
Graceless
Bitter
Wrath-filled
Rage
Destroy
Steal
Unforgiving
Words that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Words of life
and death
Good
and evil
Words that…
Encourage
Build up
Heal
Strengthen
Tender
Grace filled
Hope
Thankful
Gratitude
Peace
Joy
Forgiveness
Life giving
Christ centered words
Other centered words
Self-centered words
Words I should never have said
Words I wished I had never heard
Words I regret
Words I wished I had said
Words that can’t be taken back
Words that can never be said
Timely words
Timeless words
Truth
Lies
Opportune time
The wrong time
Words that reveal the darkness of soul without Christ
Words that reveal the transforming work of Christ in our lives
Words that honor and glorify God
Words that bring reproach from unbelievers
Even now, 40 years later, I can still remember words I wish I had never heard. Words that impacted me for life. I also remember the words of those who sow life giving, timeless truth from God’s word into my life.
What words will I choose today? I need to remember that words really do matter.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21
It’s another Saturday morn and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge. Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”. Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers. I can promise you that you will be blessed.
Alone Yet Not Alone – Performed by Joni Eareckson Tada
1/11/14 Five Minute Friday – This Tapestry Called Life
Thank You Lord
For helping me to see
That I’m viewing this tapestry called life
From the back side
That which appears
Nothing more than a tangled mess of threads
Ugly, random and without purpose
Looks much different from the other side
There is a day coming
When I will view this tapestry
From Your side
From God’s perspective
It is then I will see purpose and meaning
In trials and tribulation
I will comprehend that which I could not see
This side of heaven
What seems like justice delayed
Is not justice denied
All Your accounts are not settled
Here on earth
You are patient, merciful and compassionate
To the ungodly and unrighteous
You desire for all to come to repentance
That no one would perish
Those who have been declared righteous
Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross
One day their pain will cease
Their suffering will be redeemed
It is not so with the ungodly and unrighteous
Those who reject Christ’s perfect sacrifice for sin
For they will give an account to God
To the One who is holy, righteous and just
One day I will see
How You perfectly wove the dark threads
Along with the bright and beautiful colors
In this tapestry called life
By Susan Wachtel
January 11, 2014
Yesterday morning I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge. After writing, I had to head out the door for a busy day after a long week. But I still wanted to post something for this week’s submission. If you would like to try your hand at the five minute challenge, head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”. Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers. I can promise you that you will be blessed.
Overshadow
While ironing this evening I realized I continue to think about and focus on a difficult person in my life. I’ve been more focused on the person than on God.
I’ve let this person eclipse and overshadow and what God is able to do in my situation, including dealing with people who are too difficult for me to handle. They are not too much for Him.
If perchance God continues to allow this person to misbehave, He will give me the wisdom on how to respond, the grace to respond with grace, even when it’s undeserved, just like He does with me.
More than anything, I need to be fully focused on the Lord, not my circumstances or people…but God. May God overshadow all that concerns me today.
2014 One Word…Trust
Last year I participated in choosing one word to focus on for the New Year. That word was Worship. For 2014, I considered keeping my one word the same since I didn’t really make worship of God my main focus as much as I should have and wanted to.
After prayer and thinking about what I should focus on this year…I do believe my focus will be on Trust. If there is one area I struggle with more than anything, its trust. Trust of God and trusting people.
In Hebrew the word is batach and means to trust, trust in, to have confidence in, to be bold, to be secure. To cause to trust, make secure. To feel safe and be careless.
In the Greek the word is elpizō and means to hope and to hopefully trust in.
If I can learn to trust God more this year that will be a huge and I think it will have a trickle over effect in trusting people.
Perhaps part of trusting God is knowing that He is worthy and I can reinforce that through worship.
What would the Lord have you focus on this year?
A Good Word on Prayer
Prayer is the struggling speech of the believer infant, the war cry of the fighting believer, and the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in the arms of Jesus. It is the breath, the password, the comfort, the strength, and the privilege of a Christian. So if you are a child of God, you will seek your Father’s face and live in your Father’s love.
Charles H. Spurgeon
Susan's Blog 