Extraordinary Message

The News channel loudly proclaims the latest. The newspapers put stories into print they consider “newsworthy.” Informative, inspiring, calling for action, declaring an opinion – media has a role in each of our lives.

Unwittingly, we take what we hear and often pass it on! We share it with a co-worker, e-mail it to a friend, talk it over with a neighbor, and it travels.

Simply stating the obvious, many have declared we are living in the “information age.” It’s at our fingertips, before our eyes – everywhere!

Yet, we as followers of Christ have even more of a responsibility! We possess the greatest message – the extraordinary message. The message that brings hope to despair, light to darkness, love to hate.

No race, color, or individual is beyond the glorious power of the salvation message. No follower of Christ is beyond the glorious privilege and responsibility to share His Message!

As our children grow, we often have given them another privilege. But, oh the times we have reminded – with that privilege comes responsibility. A good example is when they are just about ready to be able to drive. They can hardly wait! They are telling us – and anyone who will listen – how soon this privilege is coming. Yet, those of us who already drive realize that with a set of wheels comes much more than privilege. So, we patiently teach and train – and in the joy of receiving their privilege, they also learn and take on responsibility.

We who have been given the Gospel of Christ know the joy and privilege of relationship with Him! There simply isn’t anything else that satisfies the inner longing of the soul. And . . . with our privilege, comes responsibility. To love God, to love others, to SHARE the EXTRAORDINARY message of our Christ, and His saving power.

“O, Jesus – may we go forward today – empowered by Your Holy Spirit – sharing the great news of You in our words and actions! In Jesus name, Amen”

By Janene Dubbeld

For Gods Glory

Take it with You

“It’s news I’m proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with the Jews and then right on to everyone else!” Romans 1:16  The Message

How Much We Miss

“Let’s go for it,” mom enthusiastically encouraged. “It” was a small hike just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The day was so beautiful, and our family had just finished a picnic lunched, followed by the boys and Dad playing some football.

All agreed – some half heartedly, one pretty much out of coercion, but at least three of us were excited to take this journey. “It’s only 1.5 miles,” mom continued. However, we weren’t very far into the “short journey” when Dad began to explain. It was at least 1.5 miles to the farm we were going to tour, and at least 1.5 back.

Still, it was very enjoyable, and everyone was having a great time. Some nearly ran it! They hurried ahead – although we didn’t need to hurry. They conquered quickly – but oh, the things they missed.

They rushed by the brook – some of us stopped to hear it sing. They missed the snake sun bathing itself on a rock. (I didn’t really enjoy that scene too much!) They forgot to view the lush green ferns, the velvet moss upon the rock . . . and missed the beautiful doe, so delicate in her design as she looked at us, and patiently allowed us some time in her world.

Sometimes we carry this hurried concept into our walk with Christ. We quickly pray and read, and hurry off to nowhere. Oh, we took a moment – that’s better than none. We know He’s with us as we go – but to take time to really see and hear what He has to say – when we rush by, oh, how much we miss!

Just like those in my family who “rushed on ahead.” They enjoyed – but didn’t really “take in to its fullest” the grandeur all around. So, we’ll go again – sometime, Lord willing – and time will teach as life goes on the preciousness of taking time to see.

And, Lord – please, teach me. . .

By Janene Dubbeld

For Gods Glory

Take it with You

Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20

Comfy

Our family had a blessing! We were staying in a beautiful cabin in the Smokies that smelled of pine and cedar. When we arrived, “mom” immediately started in on supper — as everyone was already hungry. The picnic table soon served as our gathering place as we enjoyed each others company.

Then, the two youngest members noticed her. A bird, sitting on her nest, in the rafters of her porch. I squinted my eyes and tried to see . . . But I couldn’t make out the details like they could. They could even see the babies.

Soon everyone was finished and on to other events of the evening . . . Everyone except mom and her youngest son. He was looking up at the nest.

“There’s babies,” he was telling me. Then he spread out his arm to show me how the mother was covering her little ones. “She’s doing that so they’ll be all comfy.” My heart smiled at his declaration. Makin ‘em comfy!

It is only the Presence of God that can make us “comfy” even when life turns the nest upside down. “Nest shaking” is all a part of His plan.

It keeps the path to the secret place well worn — and our security remaining where it needs to be — IN HIM!

The comfort of the “nest” is wonderful, but the lessons learned when the nest is “toppled over” have a value beyond the present, and we find a sweeter rest, more blessed peace — near to the heart of God.

He never leaves us — even through seasons of change. His Holy Spirit is our truest comfort and guide — His love is our largest resting place —and, His Presence the light of EVERY day!

Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

“Hiding in Thee, Hiding in Thee,

Thou blest Rock of Ages,

I’m hiding in Thee.”

                                      Cushing/Sankey

“O, God. Give me a steady heart to trust your plan, even when it “shakes up the nest.” Use each circumstance of life to draw me closer to You. Teach me of Your way. Show to me Your power. Live in me and through me always. In Jesus name, Amen.”

Take it with You

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God: How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God that God should repay him? But from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”

Romans 11:33-36 NIV

Life-Time Investments

Life seems to hold within it’s powerful grasp three kinds of people when it comes to monetary investments. Those who have invested in the “right things” and done well. Those who have invested in the “wrong things” and done poorly. And . . . Those who don’t have a clue what an investment even is . . . And couldn’t do a thing about it if they did know!

When people begin talking about “stock portfolio’s” and “IRA’s” many of us have to resort to the “I don’t knows!”

However, investing is a word that carries with it a whole lot of weight. It’s more than gold coins, or stock, or silver. Investment has to do with putting something in — and expecting something in return.

Long term investments take time to produce their expected end. They take the discipline of saying “yes” to certain things, and “no” to others. It is the future goal of what is coming that makes the discipline and sacrifice of today worth the doing.

As families, we are involved everyday in long-term investments. Commitments that can’t be finished in an hour, a week, or a day, yet, they are given moment by moment. These investments in relationships last longer than a life-time, they reach into eternity.

Into our children . . . We invest! When they are small, and within the influence of home we invest heavily! Christian or non Christian any good parent invests time, energy, money, food, clothing. . . And when those actions are coupled with love they feel us telling them . . . “You are worth it! You are valuable. You are loved!”

We invest in their minds by the words we speak. “I love you . . .” what awesome words to begin and close the day with. When we’ve “messed up” they know it. Simply saying, “I’m sorry . . .” those beautiful words spoken with honest sincerity cause your value to go up in their eyes!

The Christian home finds parents early on instilling within their children this hope . . . “God has an awesome purpose for you in His plan . . .” Nothing could be more true, and even though they may not admit it, it lodges deeply inside the heart of the teen whose world is making them feel topsy turvy and everything seems all mixed up.

Probably one of the greatest investments is sharing the Word of God together. Into their hearts we are laying a foundation that will last long after they are gone from our homes — and after we have left this world for the next. A tool to find the answers — a road map for the journey of life.

When we take the time to LISTEN to what THEY have to say and bring their concerns to the Heavenly Father WITH THEM, we invest the ABSOLUTE that God cares, He loves us, and He is the most important One always.

And, when the day comes they are “out on their own” our investment doesn’t end, just takes more “stock” in prayer . . . In our God hearing, and reaching across the miles to answer. Invest heavily in these family relationships. It’s a wise investment, with eternal return!

By: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

Take it with You

“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children”

Psalm 103:17

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6

Seeing Him

The morning sunlight beckoned me to come outside and begin my day! A walk! That was exactly what I needed to do. Quietly I donned more suitable attire and headed out the door.

Mmmmm . . . a quiet walk, a time to talk with my Lord, already it was promising to be a day of blessing. Creation grabbed my attention at every turn. No ear phones today, just the beautiful songs of the birds. Everything seemed to be pointing my mind to the Creator and His glories.

As I turned to make another round my conversation with the Lord went something like this, “O, Lord, let me see You on this part of my walk.”

Moments later I saw her. My heart dropped a moment. I was on a quiet walk – a conversation with God walk – a peaceful moment before my busy day.

She smiled at me, I smiled back. That did it! The conversation began. Amazingly, in the secret place of my soul God spoke to me. “You wanted to see me on this part of your walk.”

It was then I realized what He was showing me. A friend wanted to be with me – I saw Him in her longing for relationship. She smiled – I saw Him in her smile! We shared together – just as He wanted to share with me. Through the crown jewel of His creation, once again, He showed me Himself!

Refreshed, I could now begin my day.

By Janene Dubbeld

For Gods Glory

Take it with You

“My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 15: 12-14

Divin' In

Summer time seems to often bring about some kind of water related enjoyment. As the temperatures rise, many of us are looking for a place to “dive in!” The children run through sprinklers, or squirt each other with water guns — if they can’t find a pool to head off to.

Mine will take a two mile hike behind our house — just to get to the creek! The lakes are full of people with boats — sometimes to fish — sometimes to race — sometimes to ski — and sometimes to dive off from and take a swim.

When my two older sons were young, we were visiting with some friends. They were blessed with a pool in their back yard, and offered to allow our family some time to have fun together. So, off went Dad and his two little boys . . . Mom was content to “watch and wait!” Into the toddler “floaty thing” went our youngest — and just as quick it flipped him over and was holding him under the water. Before Dad could get him rescued, our oldest son, who was still quite young himself saw his brother in trouble and dove right in the water to help him. However, since he was only learning to swim, this only compounded the problem. Now instead of one boy in trouble there were two! Using all the skill he possessed, God mercifully allowed my husband to rescue both boys.

We too have a “Rescuer” — a Savior who comes to our help. It’s like we are swimming in contaminated water — drowning in the awfulness of our sin. Jesus hears our pitiful cry for help — sees the desperateness of our situation and knows, HE IS the remedy! Lifting us up He rescues us — giving us the water of Himself — the water of life.

Now, we can “dive in” without getting hurt! “Dive in” to the fathomless ocean of His love. His water is pure — without contamination or chemicals. “Dive in” to the miraculous richness of His grace. It’s been provided for us! Swim around in the beautiful waters of His healing for our “woundedness.” Dive in! Get in way over your head — these are “waters you won’t drown in!”

Our Lord wants to take us deeper than we’ve ever gone before. Teach us new discoveries in Him . . . Show us more of His miracles . . . Strengthen our faith. When the “faith waters” are over our heads, we learn to trust Him more — and we know again the beautiful joy of resting in Him.

This summer — dive in to more than the nearest lake, river, or pool — dive into God’s Word — dive into Christ. What kind of new places will He take us — before the seasons change again? Take the challenge! Dive in!

By: Janene A. Dubbeld

Take it with You

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Colossians 3:1-2