On the Search

On the Search 

   Not long ago our family was coming from Indiana to Virginia for a visit and a birthday party! Late one night – or should I say early one morning – some of them arrived. We laughed and talked in spite of the hour, and then everyone crashed, getting ready for a couple of big days of celebration to come.

   Early the next morning preparations began. Some of us were in the kitchen; some of us were in the yard when my husband’s parents arrived. Those of us in the house gave our hugs and welcome’s and kept on working. I had just started to wonder if my husband knew his folks had arrived when I saw his mom scurrying through the door. “Had to go out and see my son,” she said. I realized what had happened. She had seen him – where he was – working on a lawn mower. She didn’t wait for him to finish, come in, clean up, and give her a proper hug and welcome. She walked across the unmown, dew laden grass, out to our shed to see her son!

   For the next few days the scene didn’t leave my mind. The Holy Spirit was reminding me through this everyday incident of the grace of our matchless, seeking, Savior! He is on the search! The plight we find ourselves in is no match for His mercy. No excuse holds back the pursuit of His love. No dilemma is too big for His grace.

   In fact, He left HEAVEN in search of each one of us. His search took Him to an old rugged Cross where He shed HIS blood for our sins. He doesn’t wait for us to become all proper and clean on our own. We can’t! It’s His blood that washes us and makes us clean! His arms are open – ready for the hug! Will you receive His love today?

   And to those of us who know Him . . . He wants us to join Him on the search . . .

By:Janene Dubbeld/FGG

Take it with You

“For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” Luke 18:11

Longing

Longing 

Not for fame or fortune would I follow

Fleeting things that cannot satisfy –

I abandon all to hold You closely

To Hear Your sweetest breath

To catch a wistful sigh – 

And then I run to do Your bidding

Once I understand Your heart –

How I long to only move

Within desires YOU impart. 

No intellect to prove –

No judgment stone in hand –

I hear the intake of  Your   breath – Your Word

I bend my knee and stoop---

To write within the sand. 

Take all my willful longing

Any hint of pride

I lay them down for cleansing

At Your wounded side. 

There is no glory of my own

That won’t result in shame –

I seek the honor only of

Your name. 

Calm the rush and hurry

That deafen sounds of You –

Closer, Father, Closer!

Draw me closer now to You.

O many I please intensely the depth of Who You are

This is no simple wish upon a star ---

 But longing – longing mixed with joy

To clasp Your hand!

And trace the markings here –

Within the sand.

                               By:  Janene A. Dubbeld

For God’s Glory

Lifetime Love

It was back in the day of simpler times. She was young -- very young in fact. He was older -- not that much, but enough that they were able to be married and begin married life -- together. Blessed with twelve children, the road of their life had many twists and turns, but, whatever came, they met it -- together.

Dating their grandson, he and I took a trip. A trip back to the state of Michigan to meet his grandma and grandpa Dubbeld. By this time, Grandpa had undergone surgery for cancer in his throat and he talked through a little machine -- but they had weathered this storm -- together.  Learning to understand him was difficult for me -- but Grandma could. The smiles they shared back and forth -- the easy going chuckles -- these were some of the very first evidences I saw of a deep and lasting love.

  

Grandma had a specialty from her many house in the kitchen -- homemade bread. Grandpa AND the family benefited from this dough mixed with love. We enjoyed it -- TOGETHER.

The read the Bible every day -- taking turns reading -- together. They loved to play Scrabble -- together. In the early retirement years, they took many "breakfast dates" right to the Golden Arches -- together.

The years went by, and every time we visited them we saw their deep commitment to the Lord and to each other. They changed, they got older, but the glimmer in their eyes for one another never faded. They were always -- together.

Grandma liked any kind of flower, but Grandpa had a favorite. Grandpa especially liked yellow roses. They had some in their nicely kept yard at the house beside the railroad tracks.  He enjoyed them immensely as they sat on their porch -- simply being together -- watching the trains go by.

Then the "golden years" began to fade, and nursing home days came calling.  Now they were both in the same nursing home -- same room -- together. Grandma became bedridden, but Grandpa's love was deep. He would get out of his bed, into his wheelchair, sit beside her bed and hold her hand all day if possible -- they were together.

From the nursing home bed, Grandma secretly called in one of her daughters. She had a request -- not for herself, but for the man she still loved so deeply. See, it was the time of year for yellow roses. Would her daughter please go to their yard and bring some in -- for Grandpa?

   

Her "love of a lifetime" was still her lifetime love!

Her selfless act of love from the bed of a nursing home inspires my heart today. They both knew the secret of a love that lasts. True love is commitment -- pass it on!

Take it with You

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. it alway protects, always trusts, always hopes, always persevered. Love never fails. . ." I Corinthians 13; 4-8a

When God Comes Back

   Hurriedly I scurried around the house.  Focused on the many things that were waiting on me I was getting ready quickly when a little voice broke into my consciousness. “Mom, what’s it gonna be like when God comes back?”

   “When God comes back?” I echoed. “You mean when Jesus comes again?”

   “Yeah,” he responded.

   “Oh,”  I said excitedly, “the trumpet is going to sound, and . . .”

   “What about the big book?” He interrupted me. “The big book?” I asked, as I continued in my rush . . . “Oh, you mean the Book of Life.”

    “Well,” I started . . .

    “Where is it?”  He continued.

    “It’s in Heaven,” I began my explanation. “Your name has to be written in the Book of Life for you to go to . . .”

      “Mom,” he said in an exasperated tone, “I’m trying to tell you something here.”

 That stopped me in my tracks.

    “You know that flower I said I made?”  I had to think a moment . . . then, I remembered. He had gotten some clay like sticks for Christmas and had brought me the prettiest flower.

    “Yes,” I answered.

    “I really didn’t make that, Elena did.”

 I went over and sat on the bed. His little heart was convicted! He had told a lie! And while it wasn’t earth shattering to anyone else, He knew He couldn’t get into Heaven with black in his heart. This had to be dealt with – it mattered big time in the building of his character as well as his eternal life! Thanking the Holy Spirit for his tender heart I left what I was doing and went over to where he was.

     I sat on the bed and we talked about it. I explained that I loved him because he was my son, not for what he could do. We talked about the “Book of Life” and how the Bible tells us a choice to lie doesn’t make Heaven our home – but Hell instead!

   He prayed and asked Jesus to forgive him, and asked those involved for forgiveness, too. Peace pervaded His heart as he knew his name was in the book of life.

   My rush to begin the day was interrupted – but somehow, I felt the most important thing of my whole day had just happened . . .

   “Mom, what’s it gonna be like when God comes back . . .”

    Jesus, keep me ready!

 

Take it with You

“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone,  which is the second death.” Revelation 21:7 &8

Other scriptures:  Revelation 21:22-27

I Thessalonians: 4:16-18

Living Matters

   Did you know that Shimea had sixteen sons and six daughters, and they kept good family records? Did you know that Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah the son of Amaziah . . . . as well as others in this family were leaders and they prospered and increased in numbers until they had to go looking for pasture . . . and they found it – “lush pasture, lots of elbow room, peaceful and quiet?” (I Chronicles 4)

   Did you know that God helped the families of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh when they fought against the Hagrites, Jeture, Naphish, and Nodab? Did you know that He helped them because they cried out to him during the battle – he answered their prayers because they trusted in Him? (I Chronicles 5)

   Did you know that David put people in charge to lead music in the house of the Lord after the ark came to rest there? (I Chronicles 6) Did you know that Zelophedhad had only daughters, and that Asher’s sons were all responsible, brave in battle, and excellent in character? (I Chronicles 7)

   By now you may be wondering – why does this matter? When I started reading I Chronicles I sort of thought the same thing. What in the world could I get out of this book of the Bible? Then, the Holy Spirit began to speak to my heart. ALL of these people have a place in carrying out HIS will for the world!

   Not just Adam, Abraham, Ruth, and Esther. Not only David, and Solomon, and Elijah, and Jonah . . . but the less familiar names as well. The fact is LIVING MATTERS! Life is a gift from God and what we do with the gift He has given us is important.

   His redemptive plan for the entire world is in motion – and all of us have a place within HIS plan. We are part of something so much bigger than the here and now. Everything matters.

   Do you think the sons and daughters of Shimea had any idea that it would be recorded in God’s Word that they kept good family records – or that Asher’s sons knew we would be reading in 2012 that they were responsible, brave in battle, and excellent in character?

   Nope. They just lived, every day, and their living is recorded.

   Today – live it to the fullest! Be EVERYTHING God wants you to be! Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing – give it your BEST! Living matters – now, and eternally!                                        

Take it with You

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Recognition

   It was a routine, travel-time, “pit stop.” The gas station was busy with people fueling up their vehicles, grabbing a drink or a snack, all the normal things people scurry around doing.  It wasn’t an exceptionally clean place, it was crowded and overstocked and carried the smell of stale cigarette smoke.

   As I stood in line, a little child ran toward me – holding out her arms. She wanted me to pick her up and hold her! I looked around for who was with her – and a young couple wasn’t far behind. They seemed fine with it, so I readily answered the request of her little arms and picked her up.

   For some reason, she felt secure in my arms. She didn’t want me to put her down. I gave her back to her mom for a while – then she wanted me to hold her again.  When my husband came around, she was drawn to him, too.

   It was time to go, but she wanted to go with our family! Even as she was in her own car, she kept looking at us and waving. We didn’t know her circumstance, but we prayed for that child. Perhaps it was the light of God’s love that really drew her to us. His Holy Spirit living and reigning within – that is our constant prayer! That He be seen in the middle of ordinary – and that our lives be used of Him to show forth Jesus – and bring Him glory.

   The Scriptures bring us many inspiring accounts, but is anyone more intriguing that Joseph? His faithful life in the middle of sibling jealousy and hatred, slavery, temptation, false accusation, and imprisonment is certainly a testimony worth studying!

   Recently, my husband and I had been encouraged by a message on the radio where Joseph was the central figure. A couple of days later we were listening to scripture when Genesis 41:38 jumped out at me! “So Pharaoh asked them, ‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”

    A pagan king recognized the difference in Joseph – the Spirit of God within him!  He had just come from PRISON – things definitely had not made sense for most of Joseph’s life! Yet, when the King was in need, Joseph possessed the One with his answer.  

   The God Joseph trusted through all the hardships – the Spirit of God that kept him was with him now. The fullness of time had come. As God helped Joseph reveal dreams – God also gave him favor and it minutes he was taken from prison to the second highest in the land!

   O, God – live in me so strongly that those I am around see YOU!

Holy Spirit – rule and reign in me today

Let all who pass by me see You I pray

Saturate my life with light and love of You

Let me be forever, fully, Yours.

Take It With You

“So Pharaoh asked them, ‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” Genesis 41:38

Remembering to Forget

   Unwanted invaders! They tripped the switch of blissful slumber and flashed the before dawn lights of “could have been’s,” and “would have done’s,” soon followed by the colorful “if only’s” and “should I have’s!”

   What brought this onslaught? I wasn’t quite sure, but I ran for help – to the only One who could help! I’m not sure if I even audibly whispered His name – all I know is He was there! Instantly He brought His Word – “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are before. . .

   Immediately I felt a touch – a Presence from a Hand unseen but, oh, so real. Out the door with the unwanted invaders! The light of truth permeated the atmosphere of my mind, my soul, my spirit . . .

   This time of year lends itself to reflecting. Reflecting on the past – but no matter what the past year has brought, today is not forever. Where it has brought joy – rejoice! Where it has brought sorrow – weep. Where it has brought failure – seek restoration, and forgiveness. Whatever it has brought you – bring it to HIM!

   Then, remember to forget – and seek HIM for the future! Today is not forever – and you are never alone.

“Leave the broken, irreversible past in God’s hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.” Oswald Chambers

Take it with You

“. . . this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13b-14