Christians Aren’t Perfect, Yet November 24, 2009

Christians Aren’t Perfect, Yet

By Angela Posey-Arnold

“Love……. is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered……” (I Corinthians 13:5 NIV)

“I am not answering that phone again! I’ve got too much to do to talk to her for the third time today.” I snapped looking at the caller ID. I stood right there and let it ring feeling more irritated with each call.

Every day for months the seventy year old fellow church member calls me. She really doesn’t have anything new to say, just chit chat and I am busy! Each time I allow the phone to ring without answering I felt a twinge of guilt in my heart which I promptly ignored. I talk to her at least once a day and I really thought it should be enough. I am not much of a phone talker anyway.

Offering to take her to the doctor turned out to be an everyday affair. We went to two doctors’ appointments and in two days we would be travelling thirty miles to the hospital for her pre-admission testing for eye surgery. In my busyness I never thought about how she must be feeling about the upcoming surgery. I didn’t mind taking her but I did not want to talk about it several times a day. So, I just didn’t.

For the two years I have known Mary she suffered panic attacks and would miss church. Her husband would tell me all she wanted to do was to sleep all day. In the last year since I offered my friendship to her she has not missed church and has not had a panic attack. All she needed was a friend. I enjoy being her friend, just not on the phone every day.

Arriving to the hospital for the pre-admission screening the nurse asked questions as she completed the history and physical. Mid way into the assessment she asked, “Do you have regular sleep patterns?” A silence filled the room slowly Mary answered, “Well, if it weren’t for her, (pointing to me), I would sleep all day.”

I think God jerked me up, put me over His knee and gave me the spat I needed. I felt as if I were about two feet tall and shrinking fast. I asked Him right there for forgiveness, so ashamed of myself. I cannot believe I could be so selfish and uncaring. I learned a valuable lesson; we never know what our friendship may mean to someone else.

Now, when she calls, I pick up on the first ring. It feels much better to be a friend like Jesus wants me to be. Lesson learned, journey on, I pray I never make the same mistake again.

Christians are not perfect, but like me we are learning as we go. Sometimes it hits us like a brick in the head. This is the process of sanctification. I think I just leveled up.

Dear Heavenly Father, You always have time for me. Help me to be mindful of the needs of others, putting You first and others second, myself last. It feels much better that way. In Jesus Holy Precious Name, Amen

©2009 Angela Posey-Arnold

A Letter to You from Your Guardian Angel July 23, 2009

A Love Letter

By Angela Posey-Arnold

Greetings to you, my charge, in the name of The Lord our God and Creator Who lovingly assigned me to you. There are just a few things we need to clear up. I suppose it is odd for you to get a letter from me, your Guardian Angel, but I can’t wait any longer to serve this message to you.

I bring glorious good tidings of great joy. It is in my job description. I know you can’t see me but you know I am there. Remember just last week you felt my presence? Yes, that was me, sent by God to comfort and protect you. I am always with you. Possibly you know my work.

I want you to know that I am not in the little golden pin you see on lapels throughout your culture. I am surely not a trumpet toting porcelain figurine on the coffee table.  

I am a messenger and a protector for you. Everything I do is by command of God. I am very old according to your standards and I have been there with you through every trail and every joy. I was there to hear your borning cry and I will be there the day you leave earth. I am fascinated with you.

Be confident of the daily care and protection I was created for. You are the reason God sent me. But, make no mistake about it; God is the One worthy of worship. It makes me very uncomfortable when humans set us angels higher than we should be. Your worship and all your love must remain with God lest you be deceived.

Sometimes I ponder as you go about your daily business if you really know me or what it is you think of me. So many years have rolled by and I am concerned that you truly must understand who I am and why God created me. I want you to know God’s truth about angels. God is sovereign, only Him do we worship. You worship Him and I worship Him. I want you to know me because I will be a part of your eternal environment.

I am eternal and I am always pointing you in the right direction-toward God. Remember how we sang when Jesus was born. We were pointing you to Him then.

As an angel I already know the fullness of heaven. Someday, my beloved, you will experience it with me. Angels do God’s perfect will and we do so gladly. You can find everything you need to know about me in God’s Holy Word. Don’t pray to me, pray to Him. And for heaven’s sake don’t set me up as an idol. Talk about uncomfortable—that really gets under my wings. I am just a ministering spirit sent to serve the redeemed.

Some humans see us from time to time and some do not. As wonderful as it would be to be visible in your presence God has given you something better. He has given you the greatest gift of all. His absolute presence through His Holy Spirit.

I am far more involved in your world than you realize. That is why I am writing this letter. I want you to know me and the amazing things God’s Word tells you about me and my kind. Reading and meditating on His Word will bring you closer to Him, and that is what I want for you. His Word has over 300 references to my kind. We know He loves us and created us for a very special purpose.

When you die you will not be an angel. You will still be the redeemed. You will have songs to sing that we can’t sing, but we rejoice with you. Some humans may criticize you for believing in me, but don’t let that worry you one bit. You are in better company than they are.

Oh, and don’t be like those Sadducees. They really were ‘sad you see’. We all know what happened to them and they did not believe in us. We watched as the apostles were brought before the no-such-thing-as-angels crowd. Those Sadducees spurned angels; they also dropped from history within a generation. The imprisoned apostles simply obeyed God’s message delivered by none other than yours truly. They changed history’s course forever.

I love Matthew 25:31 “when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him,” Actually, I can’t wait for this day and we are in constant preparation. You should be too.

In closing, my beloved, remember to worship and pray to God. Only the Creator is worthy of worship, not the created. Prepare for the coming again of your Savior Jesus Christ and listen to the Holy Spirit within you. I will be with you. I think you are wonderful.

Angel kisses from heaven,

Your Guardian Angel

The Hole in Your Soul June 24, 2009

Faith Fills the Hole in Our Soul

Hebrews 11:1 KJV Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).

Have you ever read this chapter of Hebrews? I counted the word faith 24 times in this one chapter. Paul illustrates historical examples of how faith worked in the lives of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. Faith brought down the walls of Jericho and closed the mouths of lions. Faith in Jehovah God can set you free. Faith can make you whole.

Faith works the same way today as it did in the days of Daniel. Can you imagine the faith of Shadrach, Meschak and Abednego? Three Hebrew children, who would not worship the King but held tight to their devotion to Jehovah, were cast into a fiery furnace. They were not burned. When we pray, we are demonstrating faith that God is there and that He hears our prayers.

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for. Without faith what hope is there? Hope is the trust that God indeed loves us and answers our prayers. Without hope there is only doubt, fear and despondency. Consider those who are lost and outside of God’s protection. It is a dismal consideration. Without Jesus Christ there is only hopelessness. Some may put their trust and hope in other people or in money but a hope placed in these can only bring disappointment and grief. Men may disappoint and desert you, but God never will. He is always there. When we need Him He carries us when we can’t even walk. Sometimes, the things of this life are overwhelming. Without hope, faith and trust in Him, how can we possibly hope?

Faith is the knowledge that life on earth is not all there is. Faith is in knowing that beyond this life we have life eternal with God. I know people who believe that this life is all there is, that when we die, that is just the end. How sad it would be to go through everyday thinking that all we had to hope for is nothing. As Christians we have faith that one day we will be in heaven and abide with Him. Jesus is the only way to heaven. Do not be deceived. There is one and only one way to heaven and it is through Jesus Christ. John 3:16 is all you have to know to be saved. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son and whosoever BELIEVES in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

In this life on earth we have two choices. We can believe and be saved or we can reject Jesus and go to hell. It is that simple.

To have faith there must be belief. Unbelievers have no hope. Faith is so simple. God made His gospel so simple even little children can understand it. It doesn’t take great intellect to understand that God made us. He loves us and He wants to have a relationship with us. Some scholars have tried to disprove God’s Word. They have taken away their own hope. They try to reason too much about this simple story. By picking apart the Word of God they have made it hard. The brain God gave them has gotten in the way of being able to believe.

Humility and faith go hand in hand. There are times when nonbelievers think they have it all figured out and they feel they have out smarted God. This is a major stumbling block for them to believe. It blinds them to the simple faith that passes all understanding. We as humans are not meant to know everything. If God wanted us to know everything now He would have told us in His Word. What He did tell us is He loved us so much He sent His only Son to die for us. No one can disprove this no matter how hard they try.

All human beings have a big hole in their soul. People try to fill this hole with many things. Money, prestige, fame, fortune, drugs, alcohol, sex but they will always come up empty. The hole will still be there. The only thing that fits in the hole is God and his love for us.

Faith fills up the hole and makes us whole. Trying to fill this hole in our soul with anything but God is like trying to put a square peg into a round hole. Nothing will fit. Nothing will fill the hole except for the power and love of God. He created us with the hole in our soul. He created us to only be completely at peace when we fill the hole with His love.

What we know as Christians is we have the faith one great day every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Now there is something you can put your faith in. There is the hope that fills the hole in the soul. There is the answer.

Dear Lord Help us to demonstrate our faith in You so that others may believe. Help us to help the lost fill the holes in their souls with Your love. Thank you for Your Word and Your peace. We praise You and love you, let Your light so shine that others may see You in us everyday. In Your Holy Name I pray, Amen.

How do you fill the hole in your soul?
Does your faith shine so that others may see something in you that they desire?
How can we reach those who need Jesus the most?

©Angela Posey-Arnold 2008

A Child of the King June 24, 2009

A Child of the King

By Angela Posey-Arnold

See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for He allows us to be called His children—think of it—and we really are!……(1 John 3:1 The Living Bible)

I sit here this morning at my desk and look at a picture of myself and my husband made twelve years ago. I am amazed as I reflect upon all that has happened in our lives since then.

Recalling memories of the past, twelve years ago seems like another life time. Since that time we have been through an intensive and heart breaking court battle leaving part of our family in shambles. We survived a horrible wreck and its aftermath. Our family has experienced illnesses and betrayals that took their toll on us all. There has been heartbreak of family division and the sudden unexpected death of a dear friend.

As I reflect on the trials I realize after every trial came spiritual growth. After every pressing came blessing. Perseverance and faith in God’s promises rang true each and every time. He never let us down and our faith grew. We came through the storms and on the other side of the storm was a rainbow and sunny skies, every single time.

In the trials, in the suffering we saw miracles, one after another. Maybe we did not see the miracle at the time it was happening, but in reflecting the miracles are brought to light. It was a miracle just to have survived some of those things. I am not surprised that we were brought through each trial. Coming out on the other side of each trial brought us closer to God. He promised He would be with us. He was. He never moved. No matter what life has thrown at us—God has kept His promises.

With each trial we had the choice of whether to turn to Him and trust Him or tread water in a desperate attempt not to drown. Too many times I first chose to tread water, leaning on my own understanding and strength. It was a bad choice every time. The bad choices were nutrients to my growth as a Christian. Through trials and tears I learned to pray first. Always pray first.

While going through the extremely difficult court battle with my husband’s ex-wife I felt like I was under attack. She was relentless in her aggressions motivated only by greed and hate. I remember being on my knees in the bathroom of the court house praying for strength. Other than our pocket book being lighter for her efforts—we survived. We grew, learned and continued to love. God never put us down. He carried us right through it.

I am blessed with a family of missionaries. One year while they were on mission I found myself alone in the midst of a storm. Again I was on my knees in a bathroom. (My husband says I could probably find a more sanitary place to kneel and pray).

This time down on my knees in a hospital cardiac unit bathroom. My husband was having an emergency heart catheterization. I cried out to God again. He, so loving and kind, answered me. He strengthened me and carried me through to the other side of the storm. The doctor said that my husband had the cleanest pipes he had ever seen. The problem was misdiagnosed acid indigestion, Praise God.

Have you ever watched a father and a child? The father picks up the child; the little one starts to squirm and is ready to go again. The father keeps his watchful eye on the child because he knows even though he must let the child learn by his own mistakes, he will stumble and fall. The father knows he needs to be there to catch the baby.

It won’t be long until the child stumbles and the father is picking the child up again and again and again. God is like that with us. He picks us up and lifts us up when we choose to let Him. He allows us free will but He keeps a watchful eye on us knowing that we will learn from our mistakes, but we will stumble. And when we do He is there. He sees us stumble. He hears our prayers. He picks us up and dust us off and heads us in the right direction.

When life gets so heavy that we can’t move He is faithful. The miracle of it all is He is always there. Oh, I may loose sight of Him and try to fix everything on my own. He understands. I think He just shakes His head and says, “There she goes again.”

So when life throws me another curve what am I going to do? Am I going to hit my knees first and turn to Him or will I worry, fret and freak out until finally as a last resort I fall on my knees and pray?

I think I will look back on all the times His love has seen me through. I have learned. I hope next time, I will seek Him first. Next time I will rest in His arms and quit squirming so much. In doing so, the next 12 years will be so much better.

Thank You God for Your everlasting love. I know that I am just as a child, lost without You. I am so thankful for Your love. It is so awesome to know You are always there. Help me to always look to You first knowing Your love is there, all I have to do is reach up. Wonderful it is to know I am a child of the King!! Glory and praise to You. In Jesus Holy Name I pray. Amen.

©2008 Angela Posey-Arnold

Searching for Laminin April 2, 2009

I received an interesting email today, with no author attached. This seems to leave me free to post to my blog sites.

As a daughter of God, a whosoever, a believer of all things Godly, and a lover of Jesus Christ, I figure this seemingly new “breakthrough” in science will not make Fox news tonight. The email caused great joy in my heart but no big surprise as I am familiar with the ways and thoughts of God. I don’t understand them all but just by reading His Word and living a Christian life I know how incredibly awesome He is. Because of my relationship with Him I know that I know that I know–He is the One and Only. This new “science” just thrilled me. I love it when science has no other choice than to prove God. It blesses my soul.

 Whatever your belief, your religion, your relationship, I think you may find this interesting and maybe worth some further research. Go ahead–google it, watch the video, go to snoopy snopes.com, see what you find. I find it awesome!! I thank my God Jehovah for again showing us His way, His truth and His plan. I believe He is smiling today as this encircles the internet and causes nonbelievers to pull their hair out–and causes believers to shine brighter, smile bigger, hope fulfilled again.

 I will post here the email I received. This is pretty incredible – the video he speaks of is on the snopes.com website or on YouTube.

  The Glue That Holds us Together 

 You medical, and non-medical, folks – if you haven’t already seen this, you will love it!  This is a pretty neat story and an interesting thing that few of us know. It’s brief, so please read. (FROM A DOCTOR) 

 A couple of days ago I was running (I use that term very loosely) on my treadmill, watching a DVD sermon by Louie Giglio… And I was BLOWN AWAY! I want to share what I learned…. But I fear not being able to convey it as well as I want. I will share anyway. 

 He (Louie) was talking about how inconceivably BIG our God is… How He spoke the universe into being… How He breathes stars out of His mouth that are huge raging balls of fire.. . Etc. Etc. Then He went on to speak of how this star-breathing, universe creating God ALSO knitted our human bodies together with amazing detail and wonder. At this point I am LOVING it (fascinating from a medical standpoint, you know.) …. And I was remembering how I was constantly amazed during medical school as I learned more and more about God’s handiwork. I remember so many times thinking…. ‘How can ANYONE deny that a Creator did all of this???’ 

 Louie went on to talk about how we can trust that the God who created all this, also has the power to hold it all together when things seem to be falling apart…how our loving Creator is also our sustainer.  And then I lost my breath. And it wasn’t because I was running my treadmill, either!!!

It was because he started talking about laminin. I knew about laminin. Here is how Wikipedia describes them: ‘Laminins are a family of proteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding of basement membranes in almost every animal tissue.’ You see…. Laminins are what hold us together…. LITERALLY. They are cell adhesion molecules. They are what holds one cell of our bodies to the next cell. Without them, we would literally fall apart.

And I knew all this already. But what I didn’t know is what they LOOKED LIKE.  But now I do. And I have thought about it a thousand times since (already)…. Here is what the structure of laminin looks like… AND THIS IS NOT a ‘Christian portrayal’ of it…. If you look up laminin in any scientific/medical piece of literature, this is what you will see…

Cell Structure Laminin Cross

 

 Now tell me that our God is not the coolest!!! Amazing.

The glue that holds us together…. ALL of us…. Is in the shape of the cross. 

 Immediately Colossians 1:15-17 comes to mind.  ‘He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. > For by Him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible > And invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; > All things were created by Him and for Him. > He is before all things, and in Him > All things HOLD TOGETHER. ‘ > Colossians 1:15-17 >

Call me crazy. I just think that is very, very, very cool. Thousands of years before the world knew anything about laminin,  Paul penned those words. And now we see that from a very LITERAL standpoint, we are held together… One cell to another… By the cross. 

 You would never in a quadrillion years convince me that is anything  other than the mark of a Creator Who knew EXACTLY what laminin  ‘glue’ would look like long before Adam breathed his first breath!!

Jesus Died for You January 27, 2009

In continuation of the series of devotionals for the upcoming lenten book, today’s devotional is a testimony of how God speaks to our hearts. Thanks to Mrs. Freda Crumpton for sharing this.

Jesus Died For All

 

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies ( John 11:25NIV)

 

Read John 11:25-57

 

 

A mirrored cross graces the First United Methodist Church in Haleyville, Alabama. The front of the cross is smooth and plain but the sides and the top are broken pieces of mirror all glued together. Each broken piece placed side by side and on top of each other with cracks in between both large and small.  We use this cross for many different worship altars.

 

Recently in a service we used this cross. As I sat down I realized I was sitting directly in front of the cross. All I could see was my reflection in the cross. I sat there for a few minutes thinking ‘this cross is for me.  Jesus died on that cross because of me.  He gave His life for me’.

 

Although deeply touched I became uncomfortable, maybe it was mostly guilt or just plain shame, whatever it was I changed seats with someone else.

 

Gaining courage to look again at the cross I could no longer see just me.  I saw the faces of my friends, my loved ones, my church family, some were broken, some were cracked, some small, others larger, then I knew. The cross is ours. Jesus died for all of us.  None of us are worthy, we all are guilty and full of shame but God’s Grace through His son Jesus is free to us all. His marvelous grace makes us free to live forever.

 

Heavenly Father, All praise and thanks be to You. Your grace and love went to the cruel cross of Calvary to save us and set us free. With Jesus we are free indeed. We love you and praise You forever. In Jesus Precious Name, Amen. 

 

Prayer Focus: Those who don’t know Jesus.

 

Thought for today: Jesus died for you.

 

©Freda Crumpton

 

 

Reach Out January 22, 2009

Over the last few days I have had the gracious opportunity to lend my writing assistance to my Mother and two of her dear friends and sisters in Christ. They all attend the church where I grew up, Haleyville First United Methodist Church in Haleyville, Alabama.

The Pastor initiated a new program for Lent this year. He asked for 40 people to write a devotional. Just one per person. These devotionals are to be used in a Lenten Worship Devotional Booklet in service of the Lenten Season.

I have been blessed to be able to be the editor for these three devotionals–My Mother’s, her dear friend, Maryanna Foster and a very special lady whom I have always known, Mrs. Freda King Crumpton. I could start with how Mother knew Freda when she was a baby and how Freda babysat me when I was a baby but let’s just suffice it to say, we are all life time church family.

As a Christian Writer I read and wrtie devotionals and articles everyday. I read many other writer’s but it is rare to obtain stories from real Christians who spend their time serving and blessing others in many ways besides writing about it. Since they so graciously asked me to edit their peices I have been blessed by each story. I have asked each of them if it is okay for me to share their stories. They are excited about that.

In this form I will share each story in my blog. In another form these will all be submitted for publication.

My prayer is that you are as blessed as I have been by these three servants of God. I will post My Mother’s first. If you are blessed by this, email me and I will pass it on to them. They would love that.

Outreach

By Bonnie Posey

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10 NIV)

Being of a ‘certain age’ and a member of Haleyville First United Methodist Church most of my life, I have always been confident we were a church doing the Lord’s work. Several years ago a brash young preacher assigned to us took a very good deep look at us. In love and honesty he said, “You are the best church I have ever seen at taking care of yourselves, now you are going to reach out to others. This church is going to reach out next June to the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. It will be a mission outreach.”

My initial response was, “I will plan the trip but I am not going out west in the summer, it will be too hot.” Famous last words. My husband, Merle, said “Sure, we can do that.” So away we went along with 32 other people from this church and two other congregations in our district. Each person seeking something different. Some just looking to sightsee the Indians or Monument Valley. But all were available to be used by God. I’ve learned, God is not looking for ability; He is looking for availability, willing vessels to be used by Him.

Personally, I became available to the call I had been hearing since I was a teen sitting in the balcony of this same church hearing missionaries sharing their experiences in far off lands. God has shown me the call to mission and outreach can be in a ‘not so far off land’. It can be in New Mexico, Eastern Kentucky, Cherokee, North Carolina, Wyoming, and Mississippi or right in your own back door. Possibly every Tuesday morning serving on the Helping Hand committee.

When I made myself available to be used by God for His purposes He used me to reach out to others. All of us have the potential to do great things for God with the gifts and talents He has so graciously given. God is looking for willing vessels with an open heart to be available for Him to work through.

“God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.”

Dear God, You love all Your children. Teach me to use my time and gifts to serve others. In Jesus Holy Name, Amen.

www.angelaposeyarnold.com

Relinquish Control January 20, 2009

Surrender-Heaven Rules

God is in control.

“………….. your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules”. (Daniel 4:26 NIV)

“I didn’t hear you buzz.” I said to my Mother on the phone.

 “I buzzed ‘yahoo’ several times, it looks like you are online but you are not answering me.” She said.

“Well, I must have a sound problem. I’ll have to call tech support if I can’t fix it.” Ending our conversation pretty sure I would be calling tech support.

With so many companies outsourcing jobs overseas calling tech support rarely connects me with an English speaking individual. I try to be courteous and kind but there are just so many ways to say, “excuse me, what did you say? I am so sorry; I didn’t understand the last five things you said. Would you mind repeating?” The language barrier can be frustrating.

 Connected with tech support and a patient lady named Rafe who lives in India, together we checked sound settings on my computer. Unsuccessful in regaining the sound on my lap top she said, “I need to take control of your computer.”

 Cautiously agreeing I watched as she examined the inner workings of my laptop.  I suddenly realized she had unlimited access to my most personal information. My computer was completely vulnerable to attack and all my writing, my work, at her mercy.

Surrendering control to a complete stranger is disconcerting and uncomfortable. As a writer, it would be a disaster if my files were corrupted. Fear gripped me as I saw her open my documents file. I prayed to prevent panic.

 Trust and peace eased the grip of fear as she continued working. Soon she had corrected the sound problem.  My computer was fixed and back in my control. Surrendering control is difficult, especially if we don’t know we can trust the person taking control. We surrender control in many aspects of life. To pilots, politicians, other drivers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, each could disappoint us or make a mistake.

Surrendering to Jesus is not like that at all. In giving up control to Him there is no worry that He might lead us in the wrong direction or hurt us. Relinquishing control to Him is a relief. Burdens are lifted. By trusting Him we gain peace and hope. By giving up, we win. Accepting that Heaven rules and God is in control we find hope, peace and a joy that cannot be found any other way.

Thank You Father for being in control of my life and this world. What a joy to know You are in control. You are an awesome God. In Jesus Holy Name, Amen

Angela Posey-Arnold 2009

In Her Own Words–InkIt Blog January 6, 2009

“Real life in the real world is a tough, nitty-gritty journey that every pilgrim on planet earth must make. Moving to Disney World is not an option. There will be tribulation; Jesus said so. But be of good cheer. He’s still in the business of guiding and strengthening and healing and overcoming.”

~ When the Glass Slipper Doesn’t Fit by Claire Cloninger and Karla Worley~

I got lost at Disney World. I think I must have been 8 years old, my brother 10. My family travelled from Alabama with several other dear friends to Orlando, Florida during spring break. Disney World was a three day adventure.

So excited about the tea cup ride coming up next I did not want to stop to eat, but everyone else did. There I was in my Mickey Mouse ears pitching a fit because I did not want to eat Polynesian food. My Daddy told my brother to hold my hand and we could go to the next booth and get a hamburger. Off we went into the huge crowd of people, loosing sight of Momma and Daddy.

Somehow we got seperated in the crowd and I found myself very lost and very afraid. I stood still as big strange people walked around me. All I could do was stand there and look for my brother. Everyone was a stranger. It seemed like hours I stood there hamburger in hand waiting on somebody to find me.

I suppose it was only minutes but I looked up and saw my Daddy. I still couldn’t move. He picked me up and hugged me, then he did the strangest thing. He spanked me. He spanked ME. I figured it anyone needed a spanking it would be my brother. After all–he was the one who lost me. But, no Daddy spanked me. The two spanks stung a little but what really hurt was the fear I caused him by “getting lost”.

I just remember being stunned. he found me, hugged me then spanked me. Go figure. Then he said, “Don’t ever, ever do that again.” At the time I was not sure of what I had done. Now I know, I had become distracted. I did not pay attention to my brother holding my hand. I had gotten lost because I did not pay attention.

A similar occurance happened to me at about the age of 18. I left home and went to college and I got lost. Not from Daddy or from my brother, but from Jesus. College was very confusing. The world became more important to me than anything else. I lost sight of Jesus. 

Standing there as life passed by in a sea of Babylonian mentality I thought the world was a party and it was all about me. Trials came, I realized I was lost and it took me several years and many falls to find my way back to where I belonged.

I found myself and I found Jesus again. He never moved. When I fell to my knees and ask Him to forgive me, He picked me up, dusted me off, hugged me and has not let go since then. I know what I did wrong and like my Daddy, Jesus lovingly said, “Don’t ever, ever do that again.”

“Oh Jesus, I won’t.”

Angela Posey-Arnold

Angela

Setting Goals for the New Year 2009 January 5, 2009

Setting Goals for the New Year 2009

Full of Sap and Life

A sermon by Dr. Charles Stanley-reproduced and expounded upon by Angela Posey-Arnold

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
         He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Those who are planted in the house of the LORD
         Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
 They shall still bear fruit in old age;
         They shall be fresh and flourishing,
 To declare that the LORD is upright;
         He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.(Psalms 92:12-15 NKJV)

Setting realistic goals for the New Year remains to be a matter of prayer and listening to God. Many set goals to high to obtain, not realistic and not obtainable. Goal setting requires asking ourselves some questions about the goals we are setting.

God has a plan and purpose for each of us. He will guide us if we let Him. Trying to accomplish task in our own strength will lead to disappointment and frustration. But, if we allow God to guide us, and recognize His leading 2009 will be a year of accomplishments and steps in our journey on this earth.

Through His Word we gain a sense of direction and confidence that we are on the right road. As you set your goals for 2009 consider if the goals line up with God’s Word, His purpose and plan for your life. Ask yourself if your desires and goals fit with God’s will. And most importantly determine if the goal you set is something that you can ask God to help you with.

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. (Colossians 3:15-17 The Message)

If you are not sure what God’s will for your life is—Ask Him. Read His Word and He will reveal these things to you. Peace that passes all understanding will follow.

From His Word we know He wants us to continue to bear good fruit though out our lives. Running the race He has set before us. There are many things we can do to grow old gracefully and in service to Him. The following list developed by Pastor Charles Stanley is a wonderful reminder of how to live a life of happiness in service and love. It has nothing to do with Botox or nip tuck. It has to do with the heart.

How to Stay Young and Vibrant—

*Keep Learning—stimulate your mind and learn new things. Especially learn new things about God. Discovering God in new ways and letting Him speak to you. God will be as close as you let Him be.

* Keep Loving—Love God and love one another. Love Jesus. A loving spirit flows and gets rid of tenseness and stress. When you find yourself having a pity party, find someone to help. It is amazing how fast your pity party will be over when you help someone else. Take the gift of experiencing God’s limitless love. Love will overcome unforgiveness. Unforgiveness ages you and forgiveness is freedom for you. You can’t forgive if you don’t love.

* Keep Laughing—laughter is good for the soul like medicine-the Proverbs tell us. It is relaxing and gets rid of stress. Just picture in your mind Jesus laughing. He laughed. Just his loving countenance encouraged laughter and it still does. Just laugh at yourself and with others.

*Leave what God has forgiven you for behind—Leave the burdens with Him after you give it to Him, don’t go back and take it back. Drop the sin and leave it behind. God does not want you living in the past. Keep your mind on what God wants you to do in the future.

*Keep longing and dreaming—it is okay to dream. Long for good things in life and reaching your potential. Dream big dreams and give it to God. He will bless you and take you to heights greater than your dreams. He wants is to be blessed. Use the imagination He has given you. God will allow things when you are obedient to Him, more than you ever could have dreamed.

*Keep looking for evidences of God in your life—recognize His hand in your life and the lives of others. Look for Him with a purpose—the purpose of finding Him. What you focus on is what you will become. Focus on being your best, doing your best and the best is what will happen. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

*Keep language—what your mouth speaks, your ears hear, your brain registers and your body responds. Don’t talk yourself into sickness or old age. Evaluate your talents and gifts and get to work. Your attitude makes all the difference in your attractiveness to others. Smile and be happy. Encourage others.

*Keep laboring—we are designed to move and work, 6 days. Do the Lord’s work and give of yourself to the Master. Design your work to be of eternal value. Lay up treasure for heaven. Writing for me is working for Him. I write to change heaven, to populate heaven, to effect heaven, to please heaven and to please God. The same with the gift of music He has blessed me with. These are gifts He gave me to use for Him.

*Keep leaning on Jesus—No matter what we face Jesus is there. Without Him all is in vain. With Him He is our source.

*Keep listening to God—Ask, pray and listen. Shut your mind to ungodly negative people. Be careful little ears what you hear. Don’t fill your mind with the Babylonian mentality of our culture—it is not all about you—it is all about Him. Fill your mind with things of God.

If we apply these principles to our lives our goals for 2009 will be blessed by God—we will be full of sap and fruitful for the Kingdom of God.

Thank you Lord for Brother Charles Stanley who continues to serve you and give us the messages from Your Word that we need to hear. As we begin this new year of 2009 help us to step in Your steps. God before us and prepare the way. Give us the strength to keep our eyes on You. In Jesus Holy Name, Amen.

©Charles Stanley as related to the congregation—reproduced and paraphrased by Angela Posey-Arnold 2009.