There is a certain darkness to your soul
Unapproachable
A place where no one can come in
Your thoughts remain private
Silence
I’m at a loss on what to say or do
A frown so deep, so low
Profound
Sadness, loneliness or is it anger I see
I cry out to God
Desperate
For His presence to go before you
My words so ineffective
Intercede Holy Spirit
Translate when I don’t know what to pray
Susan Bunts Wachtel
July 15, 2009
This summer I’m finding that my life is going at a different pace in many respects. Make no mistake, following our recent move to our first home, Chris and I are finding out we could be busy every moment of the day and still have things left undone. But thankfully we are a little less busy during the summer months than during the school year.
We are both involved in an in depth Bible studies during the year. Chris attends Community Bible Study and I go to a Bible Study Fellowship class in Santa Ana. The studies go from September through May. Both studies are in depth and require an investment of time.
I’m so grateful for Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). I’ve learned so much over the years. BSF tends to spoil me for other Bible studies, because in comparison they are not as disciplined.
Each summer I find it hard to stay focused when left to my own devises. Sometimes I’ll start a study and before you know it…it’s September and I realize I didn’t complete what I started. There is something about the group dynamic and sharing with other students that holds me accountable and energizes me to study and share what I’ve learned. When studying on my own…I find I greatly miss studying God’s word with a group of women who love the Lord and desire to know Him more.
This summer I felt God leading me to study the Psalms of Ascent through Beth Moore’s study, “Stepping Up”. I already had the audio CD’s but decided to download the video sessions through Lifeway Christian Stores. I thought perhaps if I watch the video…it will fill in the gap that’s missing when I’m studying on my own. So far, so good.
Beth’s studies are much different than BSF. BSF requires me to dig deep and answer more questions about the text we are studying. However though Beth’s studies…I find it helps me to see God in a more personal way. To see the people of the Bible as real people, just like you and me and apply the lessons from their lives to my own.
At church this summer, the normal Wednesday night Bible study has taken a break. As a result…my husband Chris and I are going to hear Bible study teacher David Hocking as he goes through the book of Numbers. Being that I just finished studying it in BSF I’m familiar with the passages…but find that David plumbs the depths of the passage because he can go at a slower pace…going verse by verse, chapter by chapter. He’s not up against the schedule of the school year. Going through the study again helps reinforce the lessons from God’s word.
At the beginning of summer I was perturbed that BSF had concluded for the school year and that our church Bible study was taking a break. I thought…Satan doesn’t take a break and neither should we since we are in the middle of a spiritual battle. But then God convicted my heart. He helped me to see that I wanted something handed to me. I wanted to take the easy and familiar road. But instead…it’s important that I take the time to pursue God and continue to study His word…even when my regular studies break. It gives me a chance to see God and His word through different teachers.
So while Beth’s study is different than BSF…I’m learning to look closer at God and how He cares about each of us and is involved in our circumstances. It’s a different pace…but a good one. One that allows me to sit on the glider in our backyard and study while the sun goes down. I do believe that it’s a setting even Beth would enjoy and feel at home while studying God’s word.
When I received the good news today that my niece is engaged to be married…I started thinking about all the things I’ve learned over the past year. The lessons are many from falling in love, to being engaged, planning a wedding, going on a honeymoon, starting a life together, packing, moving and buying a home to name a few.
So that I might pass along some of the things I’ve learned, remember where I came from and how far the Lord has brought me…I thought I’d write to my precious niece as she begins a new adventure in her life.
Our circumstances are much different in many ways. My niece is young and will soon be starting college. I on the other hand was 49 years old when I got engaged after many years of being single. But there are challenges both of us will face and nuggets of gold that we will find along the way. I don’t want to waste what I’ve learned through hard lessons or forget God’s faithfulness.
There is so much to tell…I hardly know where to begin. But I think I’ll start at the most important and critical element to brave any marriage. That is to make sure that as a Christian you are equally yoked with a fellow Christian. It makes all the difference in the world. At this point…I can’t even imagine what it would be like to marry an unbeliever.
I can’t tell you how often I thank God for the prayers He said no to. Those times when my heart went pitter patter and I prayed that this one might be the one I would marry, but God said “No”. Thank You Lord…for Your “No’s!
Marriage…as good as it is…is a whole lot of work. More than you can ever imagine. On occasion…I’ll have people ask me if it’s been hard being married after being single for 49 years. My answer and my husband’s answer is a loud resounding “Yes”!
Marriage is wonderful…and I thank God daily for my husband. But I’ve got to tell you…I’m glad I didn’t know just how much work it was going to be…otherwise I might have gotten cold feet. But I’m glad I was relatively ignorant because if I had waited too long I would have missed seeing God at work in our marriage and in changing and conforming both of us in to the man and woman He desires. Marriage is just one of the tools God may use to change us.
Because marriage is a lot hard work, that never ends, in the middle of deep, heartfelt emotions…you need to make sure that you are marrying a man of godly character. That godliness and character, needs to come from a man who loves the Lord, knows and seeks God. One who knows he gives an account to God for how he acts, what he says and even what he thinks in the inward part of his soul.
You need a man with whom you can pray…both together and individually. Someone who will be faithful to lift you up in prayer. Someone who has a tender heart for God and who yields to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.
I don’t care if you are marrying one of the kindest, nicest men that you know. At the end of the day…you are marrying a human being. One, who just like you, is sinful and carries the baggage, pain and hurts that life throws at us. Those scars come out when we are tired, hungry, angry, hurt, lonely, insecure and prideful to name a few.
As husband and wife we see each other at our best and worst…and everything in between. We see each other without our game face on. It’s not long before you start to see the inward person that the world really doesn’t see.
I married a man who is one of the kindest, most humble and gentle men that I know. Yet I didn’t marry Jesus. But thankfully I did married a man who loves Jesus Christ and is growing in his relationship with the Lord. Likewise…my husband didn’t get a guarantee when he ask me to be his bride…that everyday would be a breeze. There are day I’m sure it feels more like he married a category 5 hurricane named Susan.
But the one thing that we do have is Jesus Christ at the center of our marriage. That means that we both have Jesus Christ within us. That God is at work in each of us conforming us into the likeness of His Son. We have the Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin, guides and directs our steps as we yield to Him.
We both know God’s word and what He says about marriage. We hunger and thirst for the word of God which He uses to cleanse us and grow us as individuals and as a couple.
That only holds true if you are both believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Even then…you are going to have your bad times. The times when you are exhausted beyond measure and so tired that you don’t even want to try anymore. That’s where prayer comes in.
God is so amazing and so faithful to answer our prayers. It’s amazing to see God at work in our relationship…as He works in both of us, helping us to yield to His will and plan.
As Christians…we have the firm foundation of God’s word. It’s unchanging and the Bible is the ultimate source of authority in our lives. We have our church and fellow believers who hold us accountable, who pray for us and encourage us in our marriage. We receive godly council from friends and family and from various ministries who share what God says in His word about marriage, family and relationships.
Marriage…I wouldn’t want to begin it or keep it without Jesus Christ at the center of our marriage. I wouldn’t want to be in a marriage with someone with whom I can’t share the most important thing in my life…my God and my relationship with Him.
Dear one…I pray that you too will have a marriage build on the solid, firm foundation of Jesus Christ. May He keep you and uphold you all your days. May your marriage be a reflection of Jesus Christ and His glory and love for and His bride, the church.
Love…Aunt Susan
July 7, 2009
Once broken in my sin
Sorrow filled my heart
Until I found Jesus on Calvary’s cross
Now I have peace in my forgiveness
My soul rejoices in my redemption
Not one day
Nor one hour
Nary a minute
Dare I walk in my own strength, power and wisdom
But each step in Christ alone
Susan Bunts Wachtel
July 4, 2009
Over 150,000 people
Had a divine appointment today
Nameless and faceless to most
But each is known by God
The One to Whom we must give an account
The date of that divine appointment
Was set long before we took our first breath
The One who formed us in our mother’s womb
Measured our days and scheduled the appointment
The day and the hour when we will take our last breath
In the Bible
God counsels us
To number our days
He warns us that it is appointed for man to die once
Then comes judgment
There are no second chances
There are no mulligans to be claimed
Though all will stand before God one day
Not all paths will end in heaven
For some another place has been reserved
For those who have rejected God
All of their days
Those who have worshipped a god
Of their own making
They will spend eternity separated from God’s presence
And such were some of us
Until the Son of Man
Set us free
From the bondage of sin and death
He put us on the narrow path
We found there is but One Way to salvation
Through Jesus Christ our Lord
If you confess with your mouth
And believe with your heart
You will be saved!
Susan Bunts Wachtel
June 26, 2009
When the news came yesterday of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett’s deaths…it was kind of shocking. Both were famous people whose careers were at their heights in my younger days…and today they are dead.
It was interesting hearing and reading people’s comments. Some were shocked by Jackson’s sudden death at a young age. Some were upset that most of the press coverage was devoted to Michael Jackson with nary a word about Farrah Fawcett or Ed McMahon’s deaths.
When I read the words, “Two people died today, not just one” I wanted to shout, “No…thousands and thousands of people died today!”
Most of them…you will never know. But their family and friends will shed tears and grieve their loss. Not because they were famous, rich, beautiful or talented…but because they were loved. How many of them died without accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? How many people had a divine appointment that they didn’t anticipate or plan for? How many will be separated from God for eternity in hell?”
As horrible as cancer is…at least Farrah Fawcett had time to prepare herself, to make peace with God if she so desired. On the other hand…Michael Jackson’s death was sudden and unexpected. I’ll bet he didn’t wake up thinking, “I may be dead before the day is over.” It was probably a day like any other.
But God had a divine appointment in store…as He does for each one of us.
Are you ready for your divine appointment?
I turn on the news
Only to hear the reporter inform
The economy continues to spiral downward…out of control
Fear grips my heart
I pick up the phone
Listen to more bad news
Another friend lost their job today
With a lump in my throat I whisper, “I’ll pray”
I open the prayer email
I scan the requests only to find
Another family is facing foreclosure
I fall on my knees and cry out, “Oh Lord…”
All around me the rumors fly
Then we get word
A mandatory meeting…“Be there at 3:00 pm sharp!”
My heart is beating a little faster and my hands start to sweat
Then the Holy Spirit reminds me
Take every thought captive
Meditate upon the goodness and faithfulness of God
Never have the righteous been forsaken
With each bad report
May I be moved with compassion
Fall on my face before my sovereign Lord and King
Not even a sparrow falls without it escaping the Father’s notice
May I count it a privilege
To come before God’s throne in prayer
As I lift up my family, friends and strangers from afar
Cast all your anxiety upon the Lord, for He cares for you
May I delight
Not in possessions
But in the Lord Jesus Christ
May I praise You in the morning and evening…all throughout the day
May I find security
In God alone
When the phone call comes and my hand trembles
May I find peace in the presence of my Master
Susan Bunts Wachtel
June 24, 2009
Dare I let tomorrow
Steal today’s joy
Dare I doubt
Rather than trust and believe God
Dare I hold on to the past
At the expense of today
Dare I hold on to a grudge
While I plead for forgiveness
Dare I esteem the inconsequential
Rather than value that which is eternal
Dare I force my plans
Rather than yield to God’s plan
Dare I?
I dare not!
Susan Bunts Wachtel
June 22, 2009
In my despair
You are my hope
In my darkness
You are the light unto my path
When I’m mourning
You comfort me
In my sorrow
You give me joy
When I’m lonely
You are with me
When I’m betrayed and all turn against me
You are my defender
When all is lost
I find riches in Christ Jesus
When I sin
You forgive me
When I’m weak
You strengthen me
When I’m tempted
You provide a way out
When I lack understanding
You give me wisdom
In a world build on shifting sands
You are my Solid Rock
When lies abound
You are truth
When the world tells me I should fit in
You consecrate me
When my soul is disquieted
You give me Peace
When I’m prideful
You humble me
When I’m hated
You love me
When words fail me
You intercede for me
When enemies surround me
You are my friend
When stuck in miry clay
You freed me
When I deserve judgment
You give me mercy
When defiled by the filth of my own sin
You cleansed me
In the unworthiness of my sin
You redeemed me
When I deserved condemnation
Christ was crucified
In death
You are Life
by Susan Bunts Wachtel
June 19, 2009
An easy faith
That requires nothing of me
I come to God as I see fit
On my own terms
Church attendance is not required
No time in my busy schedule
Prayers are uttered
But only in times of crisis
No need to study God’s word
No desire to know truth revealed in Scripture
My faith is more about how I feel
An experience that makes me feel good
No need to share the gospel
Don’t all paths lead to God
My thoughts are not taken captive
There’s not much difference between me and the world
My son whom I love so much
Surely he is good enough
No need to train him up
In the way he shall go
No time to take him to church
When our days are filled with baseball, basketball, football and tennis
God’s warning may go unheeded
By ears who do not hear
Rather than being welcomed home
“Come, enter into the joy of your Master”
There will be a loud and resounding proclamation
“Away from Me, I never knew you”
Susan Bunts Wachtel
June 17, 2009
Each day I long for
Look for
Eagerly anticipate
Your glorious return
The time seems short
You will be coming soon
For Your bride, the church
Any day now
When I see a flash of lightening
Hear the thunder roar
I wonder
Is my Savior coming
Even as I long for that day
Desire it with an unquenchable thirst
I’m reminded
Of those for whom I pray
Each day I lift up their names
Before Your throne
Pray for their salvation
For deliverance from darkness
I pray that family and friends will be set free
Those who believe in counterfeit Jesus
Those who worship a god of their own making
Those who deny the very existence of God
For their sakes
I wait patiently
Pray that they will call upon the name of Jesus
And be saved
Yet…I desire
To gaze up Jesus
Worship Him
The One who is good, lovely and pure
I long to spend eternity in Your presence
Even here may my lips overflow with praises
Even now may my heart sing with thanksgiving
Of Jesus who gave Himself up for me
Susan Bunts Wachtel
June 16, 2009
An easy faith
That requires nothing of me
I come to God as I see fit
On my own terms
Church attendance is not required
No time in my busy schedule
Prayers are uttered
But only in times of crisis
No need to study God’s word
No desire to know truth revealed in Scripture
My faith is more about how I feel
An experience that makes me feel good
No need to share the gospel
Don’t all paths lead to God
My thoughts are not taken captive
There’s not much difference between me and the world
My son whom I love so much
Surely he is good enough
No need to train him up
In the way he shall go
No time to take him to church
When our days are filled with baseball, basketball, football and tennis
God’s warning may go unheeded
By ears who do not hear
Rather than being welcomed home
“Come, enter into the joy of your Master”
There will be a loud and resounding proclamation
“Away from Me, I never knew you”
Susan Bunts Wachtel
June 17, 2009
Each day I long for
Look for
Eagerly anticipate
Your glorious return
The time seems short
You will be coming soon
For Your bride, the church
Any day now
When I see a flash of lightening
Hear the thunder roar
I wonder
Is my Savior coming
Even as I long for that day
Desire it with an unquenchable thirst
I’m reminded
Of those for whom I pray
Each day I lift up their names
Before Your throne
Pray for their salvation
For deliverance from darkness
I pray that family and friends will be set free
Those who believe in counterfeit Jesus
Those who worship a god of their own making
Those who deny the very existence of God
For their sakes
I wait patiently
Pray that they will call upon the name of Jesus
And be saved
Yet…I desire
To gaze up Jesus
Worship Him
The One who is good, lovely and pure
I long to spend eternity in Your presence
Even here may my lips overflow with praises
Even now may my heart sing with thanksgiving
Of Jesus who gave Himself up for me
Susan Bunts Wachtel
June 16, 2009
Oh my soul
Here I am adrift
In a sea of wild emotions
Hope has turned to despair
Depression is closing in
Oh may I not fall into the sin of unbelief
Lord…I feel as though I have been exiled
Banished from Your presence
May I not given in to my feelings
Soul…I must take every thought captive
Find encouragement in God’s word
May I firmly cinch the Belt of Truth around me
When I feel as though I’m drowning
May I reach out and cling
To the Rock Who is higher than I
When I feel abandoned
May I remember Your promises
Assured that You will never leave, nor forsake me
When the darkness descends
May You be my Bright & Morning Star
The Light unto my path
When taunted, “Where is your God?”
May I remember…while He is invisible
God is never inactive
May I seek You Lord
Bask in the glory of Your presence
See my life in light of Your purpose and plan
May I find hope in Your radiance
Comfort in Your word
Peace in Your presence
Susan Bunts Wachtel
June 14, 2009
Have you had the experience that when the Pastor is preaching…you feel certain that the message is just for you? That’s what I experienced today. I felt as though Pastor Philip De Courcy was preaching a message designed especially for me. I’ll bet you a lot of folks felt that way this morning.
It was the right message and was in God’s perfect timing.
Pastor Philip preached a message out of Psalm 42 -43 on despair and depression. The word of God not only comforts and acts as a healing balm but it challenges us to “get a grip” . In this instance…take every thought captive.
This poem was motivated by and composed from the notes I took from today’s sermon.
This summer in an attempt to stay in the word of God, I decided to work on Beth Moore’s study, “Stepping Up, A journey through the Psalms of Ascent”.
Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), which I participate in during the school year, breaks during the summer. At church this year, our Wednesday night Bible study is also taking a break for summer.
My natural tendency is to be lazy or let everything that is urgent push out the important and necessary things of life. Things like studying God’s word so that I may know Him better. Thus…I need something so that I can be disciplined and study God’s word regularly. If left to my own devises I wouldn’t study passages in depth. But with the abundant resources that are available these days I can stay in God’s word…even when my regular studies break.
I’ve grown to really appreciate Beth Moore’s Bible studies because I see the people in the passages as real people not characters in some fictional story. The lessons God is teaching through their lives I’m able to apply to me. Through Beth’s studies…I’m learning to look deeper into God’s word.
In going through the introductory session there were a number of thoughts that resonated with me.
These thoughts touched me because of challenging circumstances in my life. You know the ones that leave you longing for the glorious and soon appearing of Jesus Christ.
I find even in challenging and difficult times…if I keep my eye on Jesus Christ and try to walk with an eternal perspective…it makes the daily load bearable. There is a purpose in what God allows in our lives.
That’s easier said than and done. But it’s made easier as I know God more and more through His word. Through daily study and prayer. Then when the bad times hit…I’ve developed a habit that will help me keep my bearings.
It comes down to a matter of trust. Am I going to trust Jesus Christ and who He is? Believe what He’s revealed about Himself in His word? Remember His faithfulness and merciful and gracious hand towards me in the past? Or am I going to look at my circumstances and doubt God? When I trust and believe God…I can trust my circumstances in the hand of the Master who loves me.
I stepped into the ring today
Before I knew it the bell had rung
The fight was on
The first punch was doubt
Followed by a blow of discouragement
Well aimed at my heart
I didn’t have my gear on
Soon I was blocked on all sides
Couldn’t even lift my head
I cried out
Sought deliverance from my Lord
Silence ensued as I waited
In the heavenlies
A battle raged
Between unseen forces of good and evil
Suddenly…there was a break
I was freed
Saved from a powerful foe
I emerged weary, worn and tired
While no human eye could see it
A battle was waged in the heavenlies
May I cling to my risen Savior
Daily equip myself with the armor God has provided
Remember the battle belongs to the Lord…Jehovah-Nissi
Praise God the enemy is a vanquished foe
The crushing blow was wielded at the cross
His victory certified when Christ arose from the grave
Susan Bunts Wachtel
May 27, 2009
He sat in the pews among us
Heard sermons proclaiming God’s Word
Sang the great hymns alongside us
He was with us, but not of us
Sermons were heard
But his heart was not convicted
Hymns were sung
But there was no worship in his heart nor praise on his lips
He tasted the Bread of Life
But did not eat
He sipped the Living Water
But did not drink
His heart has become hardened
His ears accustomed to tuning out the Word of God
The Holy Spirit knocks at the door of his heart
But that knocking will one day cease
He has been enlightened, tasted and shared
In the goodness and mercy of the Lord
Yet he continues to sin
There is no sign of repentance
Oh Lord
May he heed Your warning
That it is impossible for those who have fallen away
To be brought back to repentance
By Susan Bunts Wachtel
May 31, 2009
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
It was sobering hearing a Bible study taught by Pastor Dave Dunn on Hebrew 6:1-8. We all know people who sit alongside us in church that are not Christians. They hear the Word of God but continue unrepentant in their sin. Tuning out the warnings of the Holy Spirit.
There may be some who give the appearance of being a Christian, but there is no growth or demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit in their life. While there may be no overt sin, their hearts are far from God and they will one day walk away. They are in church, but not in Christ. Oh Lord, may they not presume upon Your mercy and but turn to You for forgiveness of their sin. Today is the day of salvation.
Oh Lord, may I examine my own heart, mind, will and actions. Measure them against Your Word. May I have ears to hear and a heart that is quick to repent and turn to You.
How is it
I feel far away
From the One who will never leave me?
How is it
I feel deserted
By the Him who will never forsake me?
How is it
I feel separated
From God who indwells me with His Holy Spirit?
How can I
Trust my feelings
Which contradict the Word of God?
How can I
Believe the enemy’s lies
Rather than remember God’s faithfulness?
Susan Bunts Wachtel
May 15, 2009
This poem was written on a low day, in which the enemy’s attacks were many. Finally relief came in answer to prayer. I found hope and peace when I encouraged myself with reminders of God’s faithfulness and through the truth found in His word.
With all that’s been going on in our lives in recent months…I wouldn’t have guessed I’d be writing about Disneyland. But after a brief visit…my heart is full and my mind is mulling over what we encountered.
The Disneyland that I remember fondly from my youth sure has changed.
To celebrate Valentine’s Day and the anniversary of our first date I surprised Chris with annual passes to Disneyland. I figured in the coming months, especially after we purchased a home, it would be a nice getaway.
After a busy, hectic and stressful week…I decided to surprise Chris by getting away for the evening. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been to Disneyland. Maybe 10 years or more. In those intervening years I’ve changed a lot. My Christian faith isn’t just a “go to church on Sunday” kind of faith, but instead it’s deep abiding faith. It influences everything I do, say, see and participate in.
My desire is to seek God fully, to love Him and obey Him. There are days I’m still too full of myself and make poor choices…but thankfully under the guidance of the Holy Spirit I continue to grow daily. I’m forgiven for those times when I sin and by His grace I don’t repeat those sins.
I guess my point is that I see everything in my life through the filter of God and His word.
So when Chris and I went on a ride that I had been on many times in the past…I was surprised by my reaction. Instead of seeing the magic of the animation and adventure…I was seeing it through adult eyes…and one who loves Jesus Christ.
Pirates of the Caribbean…who wouldn’t like that ride? Well…namely me.
Pirates are not good people. They are evil people who engage in all manner of sin and revel in it. Remember recent the events when Somali pirates kidnapped a ship’s captain?
Even the Disneyland ride portrays pirate’s deeds. Let’s see…thievery, drunkenness, kidnapping, sexual immortality, rape, and murder to name a few. However you don’t come away from the ride deeply aware of the wickedness of their sin. Instead you come away humming the tune, “Yo ho, yo ho…a pirate’s life for me”.
Does it strike anyone odd that Disneyland celebrates with lightheartedness the adventures of being a pirate?
On we went to our next ride. How could you go wrong with Splash Mountain? Come on…it’s a kid’s ride.
But this time it wasn’t the ride that caused consternation…instead of was some people standing in line ahead of us. Their behavior caused just about everyone around them to turn away in discomfort or embarrassment.
There were two teen age girls in line, not more than 16 or 17 years old. In their inebriated state, they were engaging in intimate sexual contact with one another. Right in front of families with young children. One of the people around us said they appeared to be on Ecstasy. Whatever it was…they seemed to be on some weird trip and oblivious to everyone around them.
At first I was annoyed by their self centered inappropriate behavior. I was equally annoyed that Disneyland employees seemed to turn a blind eye to their inappropriate behavior. I didn’t know if I should try to find an employee to address the situation or just leave?
Most everyone around us turned away from the girls in embarrassment. Chris and I were glad that our presence blocked the view of a young boy with him mom from seeing the girls.
At first I also turned away. But as the situation continued…I was praying for these girls. Instead of turning away…I was looking at them and hoping that they might actually speak to me. I had a sense of their overwhelming state of being lost. That at such a young age…they were taking drugs and couldn’t distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate public behavior, much less the sinfulness of their actions.
Afterwards I was thinking about their parents. Do their parents have a clue about the depths that their children have sunk? Isn’t the fact that their bodies are heavily tattooed a clue that they may be troubled? What had their parents told them about right and wrong? Or is whatever makes them feel good about themselves that is permitted? Were the girls ever told about what God says in the Bible about homosexuality? Do they have a mom and dad at home? Are they waiting up for them, pacing the floor when they come home late?
When we got off the ride the girls were sitting off to the side. I’m not sure if they were sitting there of their own accord or if a Disneyland employee stopped them and called security.
Even after we left I found myself praying for those girls. Mostly for their salvation. It’s devastating to see young people giving themselves over to sin. Oblivious to the consequences, not only in this life, but for eternity.
If I had it to do over again, I would have probably got out of line and found an employee to address the situation. I would have also been in prayer for these troubled, deceived girls lost in their sin.
But thank you Lord…He is able to save completely all who call upon the name of Jesus Christ and receive forgiveness for their sins.
Lest I feel too good about myself or think I don’t sin, I remind myself, “There but for the grace of God, there go I.”
When I feel overwhelmed
By the daily pressures of life
Will I find rest in You Lord?
When every part of me
Wants to turn and run away
Will I instead run to You so I can face the day?
When the heavy demands
Keep on coming
Will I turn to You and receive the strength to carry on?
When I’m at my breaking point
Will I fall broken before You
Renew my heart and mind in Christ Jesus?
When the world around me
Has stress at every turn
Will I come to You and take peace?
When I’m looking at my circumstances
Tempted to doubt
Will I trust in the One who is faithful and true?
When the world around me
Changes at a breakneck speed
Will I stand firm in the shadow of my immutable God?
When I hunger and thirst
For truth and righteousness
Will I come to the Holy One of God?
When I don’t know what to do or say
Desperate for understanding
Will I ask for wisdom from God who is all knowing?
When I want to escape
Leave it all behind
Will I take refuge in the Lord?
When I feel like I’m going to drown
Overwhelmed by the flood and darkness is closing in
Will I believe God is able to deliver me?
When I’m downcast
Tempted to doubt, grumble and complain
Will my lips praise and glorify Your Name?
Will I choose a life of comfort and ease
Or choose to endure difficult circumstances
If it means Your presence is with me?
By Susan Bunts Wachtel
May 12, 2009
Susan's Blog 