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

The Joy We Share September 14, 2009

The Joy We Share

By Angela Posey-Arnold

“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love.” (1 John 4:18 NLT)

“……and He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.” How I love the great old hymn, “In the Garden”. Hymns bring me closer to Him. (Maybe this is why the songs are called Hymns.) Grand old hymns of the church stand the test of time teaching Biblical truths we hear with our ears and feel in our hearts.

Movies, tangible visuals, on the other hand have a profound lasting effect. I will never forget the first time I saw the movie, “The Passion of The Christ”. Experiencing the movie is probably the closest I will ever come to the reality of the crucifixion as far as actually being there is concerned.

I loved the scenes of Jesus smiling and laughing, teaching and loving. As close as Mr. Gibson came to creating a reality, I believe only heaven will allow us to experience the fullness of Him, the joy, the laughter, His smile like nothing else anyone could ever imagine. In heaven Jesus will take the redeemed by the hand and say to our Father, “she is with Me”. He might have to get angels to carry me because I don’t think I will be able to walk or stand.

The terribly graphic scenes of Mel Gibson’s movie cut like a knife in my soul. To see with my eyes what the crucifixion must have been like for Jesus left me numb. I felt the hurt so deeply I could only shut my eyes to escape the horror of it. As He carried the cruel cross on His torn beaten back, I found myself with my feet up in the seat and my hands tight in a fist. Angry at what they were doing to Him, and aware He endured it for me. I wept and shook, closing my eyes and saying out loud, “stop it, stop it”.

My dear friend Valerie sat silently leaning close to me I could feel her trembling. We couldn’t look at each other and barely could we watch the scene unfolding in front of us. We held hands to keep each other in our seats. I remember thinking, “how can I sit here and watch this?”

How could I not watch? Painful and horrid the truth remained, He did it for me. The love of which is beyond comprehension. As much as I love Him, He loves me more. It is hard to understand sometimes, how He being God could possibly love a weak, silly woman like me. But, He does. He loves me because I am a weak silly woman.

Through His love, behind the very same cross, I am so much more. I am what His love says I am. I am redeemed by love Divine.

I don’t remember falling in love with Jesus. For me it hasn’t been a onetime event. Falling in love with Him happens to me over and over and over. I’ve always loved Him because His grace bore me into a family who loved Him. For His grace I am eternally grateful, so thankful for my parents, grandparents and the church who brought me up in the nurture and admonition of Him. The same precious ones who taught me to sing, “Jesus loves me this I know……”

Digging through piles of first grade report cards and old pictures, I found my baby book one day in Momma’s overstuffed closet. I sat down and read the things she wrote about me. Standing out most in my heart and mind are the words, “Angela loves to hear stories about Jesus.” I still do.

My love for Jesus grows stronger and stronger as He walks with me through my journey here on earth, through trials and storms, betrayals, losses and sadness. He is ever there to love me, catch me when I fall and protect me, giving me strength to survive and live for Him. Even in times when I thought I could make it on my own, He never stopped loving me. I have never stopped loving Him.

As He talks with me through my heart, I hear Him. I know His voice. He never says, “Now Angela, you should not feel this way.” He never turns His back on me or makes me feel I am not important to Him. His everlasting loyalty, His ever present help, His love endures forever. I never have to doubt His love or wonder what His motivation is. My Jesus will never betray me or flippantly toss our relationship aside. He always has time for me. And He will never ever leave me alone. Our love is eternal. He tells me I am His own. He is my Shepherd and I am a happy sheep.

“…….and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other, has ever known.”

My relationship with Jesus is ours and ours alone. No one can take it away. Brothers and sisters in Christ know their own joy in their relationship with Him. It is a personal relationship.

Loving Him is the very one and true thing no one can tell me not to take personally. It is personal, very incredibly awesomely personal. I see Him with my heart, feel Him with my soul and love Him beyond measure.
Everyone has a choice to love Him or not. It is a personal choice and a personal relationship. No one will ever love you like Jesus does. The choice is an easy one for me; my prayer is for each one to choose this awesome love, love like no other.

And so, I sing, loving Him and aware of the sacrifice He made for me……. “I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses…And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other, has ever known.

He speaks and the sound of His voice, is so sweet the birds hush their singing, and the melody that He gave to me, with in my heart is singing……………………………………

©Angela Posey-Arnold 2009

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

4Him2U June 24, 2009

SonRise Writers group publishes a web mag every month. www.4Him2U.com is a source of encouragement and inspiration. Visit, stay a while or subscribe. You’ll be glad you did!!

In The Still November 19, 2008

 In The Still

 

By Angela Posey-Arnold

 

‘3:30 A.M.? Wait, let me find my glasses and make sure the time is right‘, I thought to myself.

 

 ‘Yep, 3:30 A.M. Well, why am I wide awake then? Oh yeah, we set our clocks back last night. My body thinks it is 4:30. Good morning, Lord Jesus. Thank You for a good night’s rest and no bad dreams. Today is the Sabbath, the Blessed Sabbath Day.’

 

 I began going about my regular morning routine. Silently rehearsing the song our choir prepared for worship in just a few hours. The stillness of the morning before the dawn is a perfect time for prayer and devotion.  I quickly made a pot of coffee.

 

Radar, my Chihuahua, woke when he heard me. Patient he held his little bladder while I unlocked the front door. I turned on the porch light and let him outside in the crisp cool autumn air. Not far behind I coaxed my 14 year old Pug who reluctantly emerged from his warm bed.

 

Coffee made, dogs in, my husband sleepily walked in the den where I’m settled in my recliner.

 

“Are you okay? Are you cold? Want me to light a fire?” he said rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

 

“I’m fine, Not a lot of pain this morning, I just woke up and don’t feel sleepy anymore. I lit the fire. I’m fine.”

 

“Okay.” he sleepily kissed the air in my direction and shuffled back to bed.

 

For a few minutes I sat in my recliner. Just still. Listening to the sounds of the morning. The cats outside started moving around as our big dog barked at something in the pasture. This was followed by a prolonged rhapsody from the donkey in the field next to ours. Joy filled my heart.

 

Then I remembered the problems and concerns of life. My heart sank. They began naming themselves one by one, again. Still there, ever present but so nice to escape and forget them for a little while. I began to talk to Jesus again to ask for strength and help to adorn God’s armor.

 

I’ve read how others pray and talk to the Lord. I remembered how my Grandmother prayed and taught me how. But mostly I talk to Jesus like he is my best friend. He is my best friend. He says I can talk to Him anytime and I do. I know He hears me, too. How do I know? Because He answers prayers. He has proved it to me time after time.

 

Most of the time I do all the talking, but not this morning. This crisp cool autumn morning I listened more than I talked. How He communicates with His own is determined by the personal relationship we have with Him. The conversations you have with Jesus are just that, between you and Him.

 

God speaks to us through His Word, through other people and in our hearts. He speaks to us in that still small voice, but sometimes the voice is so clear inside my heart I know without a doubt it is Him. I am one of His sheep. God’s children understand. Sheep know the voice of The Shepherd.

 

God tells us in His Word, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10 KJV)

 

In the quiet and peacefulness of a Sabbath morning I was still. I grasped the Grace, and held on to His love.

 

Before the dawn I could only hear the clock pendulum and the fire crackling and popping in the fire place. Praise and thanksgiving in my heart I relaxed focusing all my attention on being still.

 

“My heart is so heavy Lord. I am weary of the problems of our country….” I don’t think I said the words out loud.

 

‘Read My Word.’  In my spirit I heard Him, “Get into My Word, you have a hunger for it, eat.”

 

“Yes, Lord. Your Word is the answer. I will do that.”

 

“Now.”

 

“Oh? Now? Okay.” He wasn’t kidding.

 

I looked around my recliner for my Bible and it wasn’t near. I woke the dogs who were asleep in the recliner with me. Then unwrapped the quilt I had cocooned myself in. Quiet, so not to wake my husband, I quickly got my Bible off the kitchen table.

 

I situated myself into my comfy place again and I opened the Living Word of God. I did not know where to start nor did I have a specific book, chapter or verse in mind. I opened to Zechariah and my eyes fell to Chapter 14:1 “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh. And thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee” (Zechariah 14:1 KJV)

 

I felt comforted by the first part but the second line reminded me of the money we lost in the stock market meltdown. Somebody divided our spoil alright. I am just not sure who. No matter who, it is gone. What was to be our retirement disappeared into thin air. It was nice to know we had it if an emergency arose, but it is gone. Poof. Gone.  

 

Closing my Bible I pondered the Scripture for a few minutes. Behold, the DAY OF THE LORD cometh. The spoil won’t matter then.

 

Opening His Word again this time to the New Testament the first words I read were, “Be ye therefore ready also; for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”(Luke 12:40 KJV)

 

I looked out the big window toward the east. The sun was rising. The colors of the sky were incredible. Only a sky God could paint. Comforted and awe inspired I watched the sun come up and imagined what it will be like when the Eastern Sky opens and Jesus we see. I was still and I know He is God. The Sovereign God creator of all the earth and He cares about me. Amazing Grace.

 

Imagine the day, the hour when He comes. The old hymn came to my mind, “What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see. When I look upon His face, the One Who saved me by His Grace. And forever I will be with the One Who died for me. What a Day glorious day that will be. When He takes me by the hand, and leads me to the Promised Land, What a Day, Glorious Day that will be.”

 

Jesus is coming to get His church and I am graciously comforted. Among all the uncertainty and chaos of Wall Street, Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue as Christians we can be comforted by the truth.  Jesus is coming again. He is coming.

 

We must be about the Father’s business.

 

Another hymn writer penned these word, “Until then, my heart will go on singing, until then with joy I’ll carry on, Until the day my eyes behold that city, Until the day, God calls me home.” 

 

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20 KJV)

 

Every person, every human will have a choice to accept Jesus or reject Him. My prayer for you my friend is you believe and accept Jesus as your Savior. Ask Him to come and live in your heart. You will be comforted.

 

No man knows the day or the hour. Not even the angels in heaven know. What we do know is Jesus IS coming. How do I know? He reminded me November 1st, 2008 around 4:00 A.M.

 

 ©Angela Posey-Arnold 2008