I Can See Clearly Now

"I can see clearly now," my niece, Shanna's, facebook status read. Shanna just had Lasik eye surgery and can see great without glasses or contacts for the first time since she was eight years old. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT) says, "Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely."

One day soon we will have full body Lasik surgery, physically and spiritually. Oh, what a day that will be! As I prepare for Easter the excitement grows for Jesus' return. As we walk through this world of trial and sorrow, half blind or impaired in other ways, we can look forward to the day we shall see Him face to face. We will be perfect and complete in every way.

"Just a-wearying for you,

Jesus, Lord, beloved and true;

You'll be coming back again,

Under all I say and do,

Just a-wearying for you."

"Some glad day, all watching past,

You will come for me at last;

Then I'll see you, hear your voice,

Be with you, with you rejoice;

How the sweet hope thrills me through,

Sets me wearying for you."*

*Poem from devotional, Streams in the Desert (March 27), by Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman

Family picture of Shanna (before she threw away her glasses) with her firstborn child, Olivia, who was born 12/16/2009. Shanna can now see Olivia grow up with perfect clarity, without the aid of glasses. Praise the Lord for the blessings he gives while we wait for our full body overhaul!

From the Trash Heap to Fame

A black man, son of a sharecropper, wanted to buy a home in rural South Carolina. The neighbors worried that if he moved next door to them, he wouldn't take care of his house and yard. Determined to prove them wrong, he worked 12 hour shifts, 4 days a week at a can factory and bought a modest home on a few acres in Bishopville, South Carolina. With the exception of attending church, he spent most of his time working in his yard. To grow his treasured garden he went to the local nursery and asked permission to take home the dying plants they had thrown in the trash heap.

The art and beauty this man named Pearl Fryar created with these discarded plants is nothing short of amazing. A self-taught horticulturalist, his 3 acre yard now a famous topiary garden represents one of the most majestic and magnificent gardens I have ever seen. Pearl's garden is a picture of our Redemptive God, the Master Gardener. He seeks the lost and discarded and prunes and trains them to excel beyond their wildest imaginations. The Master Husbandman redeemed me from the trash heap of the world where I lived only for myself. He picked me up, planted me in Georgia and clips away the selfishness, anger, and bitterness that holds me back. He continues to prune me year after year causing me to bear fruit and accomplish things I never thought possible.

Pearl gives us God's perspective on life by saying things like, "There's always gonna be obstacles. The thing is, you don't let those obstacles determine where you go. With our God, "Nothing shall be impossible unto you (Matthew 17:20). So today, welcome the Gardener's pruning. It may hurt for a little while, but the results are worth it all.

"Follow Me, and I will make you" . . .

Make you speak My words with power,

Make you channels of My mercy,

Make you helpful every hour.

"Follow Me, and I will make you" . . .

Make you what you cannot be-

Make you loving, trustful, godly,

Make you even like to Me. *

Pearl and his mastery of horticulture have given him much acclaim. So renowned for his topiary skills, he recently appeared in a John Deere commercial. For more information about Pearl Fryar rent the documentary, "A Man Named Pearl" or visit his website at: http://www.fryarstopiaries.com/.

*Poem from Streams in the Desert devotional by L.S.P. (full name not given)

Picture of one of Pearl's topiaries found at Google.com - Image results for Pearl Fryar

Another Sleepless Night?

Have you ever woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't get back to sleep? I'm sure you have. We all experience this problem every now and then. I can't remember who gave me this very effective advise, but it works. When you can't get to sleep, start praising God A-Z. You choose a name or word to praise God for from from A all the way to Z. You have to get creative in some spots. Here are some of my favorites: I praise you God for being . . .

ALPHA and Omega,

BREAD OF LIFE,

CREATOR,

DELIVERER,

EMMANUEL, God with Us,

FAITHFUL FATHER,

GOOD SHEPHERD,

HEALER,

INCREDIBLE,

JESUS,

KING OF KINGS,

LORD OF LORDS,

MASTER PHYSICIAN,

NISSI, our Banner of Victory,

OMNISCIENT,

PROTECTOR,

QUINTESSENTIAL,

REDEEMER,

SAVIOR,

TRUSTWORTHY,

UNFAILING,

VICTORIOUS,

LIVING WATER,

EXTRA SPECIAL,

YOUTH RENEWER

ZION'S KING

The times I have made it to Z (and I have a few times), I am so encouraged. I know I can rest easy trusting God to do what he does best, without me worrying about it. I usually fall asleep in his arms soon after.

I hope this works for you, too.

Left Alone

Left Alone! These words conjure up different emotions in each of us. Some of us hate to be alone, others relish it. To be left alone without God, would be horrible. But when we get alone with Him, great things happen.

• Jacob became a prince (Genesis 32:22-32).
• The greatest miracles of Elijah and Elisha took place (1 & 2 Kings).
• Joshua received successful battle strategies (Joshua 5-6).
• Gideon and Jephthah were commissioned to save Israel (Judges 6:11-12 & 11:29).
• Moses called to lead Israel out of captivity (Exodus 3:1-10).
• Cornelius learns he must call Peter to hear the good news of the Gospel (Acts 10).
• Peter learns he must share the Gospel with Cornelius and all gentiles (Acts 10).
• John the Baptist grew strong in spirit alone in the desert (Luke 1:80).
• John the Beloved closest to God on the island of Patmos (Revelation 1).

Jesus himself set this example. The Gospels record many times when he got alone to pray. Just like he did for the Patriarchs listed above, I trust he has mighty purposes in mind for us behind the command, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen" (Matthew 5:6).

This remains the goal of my ministry, to stay inspired myself and to help others to stay inspired to get alone with God and listen. Revisiting these old stories did it for me! There is nothing in this world like spending time with Jesus! Won't you stop right now and spend some quality time with our precious Savior?

If chosen men (and women) had never been alone,

In deepest silence open-doored to God,

No greatness ever had been dreamed or done.*

*from Streams in the Desert (February 27), page 65

The Fight to Remain Healed

Have you ever felt like you have to fight to remain healed? I felt this way this weekend. I have struggled for some time with the ill affects of an addicted loved one. Jesus healed me last October when he connected his command "to turn the other cheek" (Matthew 5:39) with the counseling term detachment. He taught me that I must disconnect for the agony of involvement with the substance abuser to protect my mind and heart from the stress connected to loving someone in this condition.

Jesus is also teaching me that healing, most of the time, is not immediate, but a process. I know I am supposed to love and forgive, but a problem arises, however, when my healing wounds are sliced opened again by hurtful words and repeated accusations. I am thanking and praising our great God in heaven that in the midst of the pain of reopened wounds, he gives me his powerful promises found in his word. He not only gives us his word, but he also gives us comfort through his beautiful creation. I spent this weekend on my farm riding horses with my daughter on our winding trails (photo above).

One devotion I read sent me to Psalm 141:8-10: But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge--do not give me over to death. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me (the ones that cause my wounds not to finish healing), from the traps set by evildoers. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety. I'm also figuring out that I must not step into the traps set before me. Then I won't get hurt. God is good all of the time.

O Dear Lord Jesus,

I am holding on tight to your promises. Keep me from falling into snares that cause my wounds to re-open before they are completely healed. I trust you and only you to help me through this fight to remain healed. You healed me and no one or no thing can take that away from me. I love you Lord. You are my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? You LORD, are the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh (or to slander me), when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall (Psalm 27:1-2). In your precious name I pray. Amen.

Ran into any closed doors lately?

During my quiet time this morning I received great encouragement for moving forward in my efforts to get my Bible studies published, even though I don't see how this will ever happen. A good friend of mine is going through the same thing. What about you? Have you ran into any closed doors in your life or ministry? Are you out of work and opportunities to work are almost impossible to find? Has the Lord closed the door on a ministry you thought for sure you were supposed to do?

The apostle Paul faced the same closed doors. Acts 16:6 records: "Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. Just like he did for Paul, God guides and directs us through closed and open doors.

I found an antique devotional book (from 1925) in my mother's things that I am using during my quiet time for 2010 called, Streams in the Desert. I'd heard of it before, but now I know it must be a Christian classic because I found it in the book section yesterday at Costco. Only the best sellers make it for sale at Costco. It has been excellent so far. God used it to speak to me this morning when at the close of the day's devotional regarding closed doors it included the anonymous poem below:

Is there some problem in your life to solve,
Some passage seeming full of mystery?
God knows, who brings the hidden things to light.
He keeps the key.

Is there some door closed by the Father’s hand
Which widely opened you had hoped to see?
Trust God and wait—for when He shuts the door
He keeps the key.

Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet,
Or answered NOT as you had thought ‘twould be?
God will make clear His purpose by-and-by.
He keeps the key.

Have patience with your God, your patient God,
All wise, all knowing, no long tarrier He,
And of the door of all thy future life
He keeps the key.

Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest,
To know of EVERY door He keeps the key.
That He at last when just HE sees ‘tis best,
Will give it THEE.

—Anonymous

Be blessed and please don't ever give up!

Are All of Your Family Members Saved?

While going through some old papers trying to get organized I found a dog-eared, highlighted wonderful article that I prayed over years ago. I'm so glad I found it again, because I really need it right now. The question in my title comes from Moishe Rosen's (founder of Jews for Jesus) opening paragraph. He wrote,

"I know that I'm a religious fanatic because if we are just meeting, I'll ask you: "Are all of your family members saved?" I am not asking to satisfy my curiosity. To me, the goal of this life is to be saved, sanctified and serving God.

The point of Moishe's article is to help us understand that when parents say things like, "My children professed Christ at an early age, but are not walking with the Lord," we need to stop, look, and listen! We may be grasping at strands of wishful thinking. The world, the flesh, and the devil conspire to keep us from praying at all or to pray amiss.

One way that people pray amiss is to ask that adult children come back to the Lord when they have shown no interest in Him since early childhood. Moishe's urgent advice is: Don't pray for them to come back to the Lord; pray for them to come to the Lord. You can't revive what is not alive.

I am dealing with this situation in my son's life right now. I must face reality and not hold onto the delusion that he is saved, but not walking. He has not shown any interest in Jesus since childhood and when we joined our present church in 2005 as a family, he refused to have any part of it. It's been years now since he has attended church.

What about your family members? Are you praying for them amiss like me? I've decided not to pray that way anymore. While walking in faith, I'm choosing to take the following steps when I pray for my lost loved ones:

Step #1. I'm praying that God will give me strength to endure and to undertake these prayers for lost loved ones as a regular burden.

Step #2. I'm giving my loved ones over to God, that God may speak to them in whatever way He chooses and in whatever circumstances it takes to bring them to Him.

Step #3. I'm choosing not to persuade them in my own power. It is not up to me to try to drive them towards repentance. I understand and acknowledge that they need the moving of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Step #4. I'm deciding to be clear about the term "Christian." A Christian is a follower of Christ, not someone who says, "I believe in God."

Step #5. I'm willing to repeat all of these steps until I see evidence of their salvation. I am trusting my loved ones to the Lord and am accepting His timing and His method of reaching them.

photo of "Salvation Mountain" courtesy of buzzymt, http://www.flickr.com/. Salvation Mountain is a completely man made mountain just outside of Niland, CA. It is made of adobe, tires, branches, hay, car windows, and thousands of gallons of paint. The artist is Leonard Knight.