Bananas

Posted on February 1, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

Evidence Not Seen a story about a missionary to Indonesia who is taken prisoner by the Japanese during WWII. On death row, accused of being a spy, her only daily activity was climbing the wall of a tiny cell to peek out onto a courtyard and watch other prisoners mill about.

Once she saw an inmate receive bananas through the woven fence. As soon as they appeared the cravings started. She got down on her knees and asked God for just 1 banana.. Yet, there was no one she could think of that was sympathetic to her plight; no one who would do something like that for her. She told God how impossible it was for Him to do this thing for her… never mind.

I love this story and the way she tells it. The honesty about her thoughts, reveals my own words in prayer. How many times have I done that to God? Underestimated Him? Saying,”This is probably too much to ask for, too impossible.” Hmmm, for God? Or for me to believe?

Darlene Deibler Rose’s story continues with a visit from her Japanese prison camp commander with whom she had dared to share the Gospel. He came to see her conditions on death row. He turned away at the dreadful sight, then sent a gift… of bananas. And not just one, but 92! God HAD provided.

Now, when I see something incredible happening, as if straight from God’s hand, I say, “that’s bananas.” It’s an inside joke for us, but it reminds me that God is full of wonderful surprises. His kindness and concern for me are bigger than I can possibly imagine.

Lord, help me to ask You boldly for the impossible. Open my eyes so I can see all of the ways You answer the longings of my heart. I ask for more faith to trust You for bananas. 

ForGlorySake! -Anna

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Memory Work

Posted on January 30, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

I have found memorizing a chapter of scripture is easier for me than random verses. It’s not the words that get lost in my mind, but the address of where they come from! It must be my dislexia raising it’s head. When I commit a chapter to memory, there’s a whole chunk of verses that flow together with an over-all meaning or theme. I don’t have to worry about the exact verse number.

Years ago when my husband was in law school I took up regular scripture memory work. The church we went to stressed it. As the pastor encouraged, I took an ENTIRE year for one chapter and it really stuck! For several years I kept this up and those chapters are forever in my heart. I am finding out (with some brushing up) I can recall them. 

Try it and see. Pick a chapter like Psalm 139 or 91 and take this year to commit it to memory. Write each verse out on a note card and keep the one your working on with you. It’s a WHOLE year, so you can divide the verses up by the months.  I promise You will never regret hiding God’s word in your heart.

I wish so much I had not stopped memorizing each year of my life. How wonderful it would be to know 20 plus chapters by now. According to my New Year’s resolution I’m trying to focus on: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. Philippians 3:13

ForGlorySake! -Anna

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Such Knowledge

Posted on January 28, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

I was listening to the amazing testimony of Darlene Rose (under testimonies). I felt inspired to pull out old memory verse cards and see what I could remember. I’m ashamed to say I’ve forgotten a lot. Never mind, I’ll pick-up where I left off.

The first chapter of scripture I ever memorized was Psalm 139, probably still my favorite passage. Verse 4, Such knowledge is just too much for me to comprehend, what was the writer talking about? What could he not understand? I had to stop and reread it again. I was amazed.

I have not simply meditated on each word in a long time. Pulling out the Amplified Bible I got more details. I made of list of all the intimate ways it said that God knows me. It said I’ve been thoroughly searched out and I’m seen at every waking and sleeping moment. So it’s not Santa Clause after all! I am understood – He gets me. It also said I’ve been sifted and that each word I say is known before I speak it.

My favorite part was that I am beset behind and before and Your hand is laid upon me. I looked it up. Beset completely surrounded or is covered lavishly as with gems or jewels. I am surrounded and lavishly covered by God. I imagine being covered in forgiveness and smothered by His unfailing love. His hand literally on my head as if I’m His treasure. What a beautiful picture; what a wonderful image.

What an attentive Father. Surely I can be still and let Him be God. How wonderful Your love is ever so patient and caring. It’s amazing to think You are interested in me.

ForGlorySake! – Anna

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Frettin' Over Almost

Posted on January 22, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

Worrying over something that almost happened seems so silly. Sometimes I feel like it’s been one disaster for us after another. Pretty scary stuff. But most of what I really feared never happened, I just wasted time worrying over it.

If I could’ve just kept my focus instead of needlessly fretting, I would’ve brought such calm to the situation. Fret, what a great old fashioned word, it means to worry, be discontent, or cause erosion by gnawing with acids. Yikes!!  The longer it takes between praying for something and receiving help, the longer I have for worry to gnaw. And I’ve noticed God lets us wait.

Contentment is a choice. It starts way before the road gets rough. Choosing to be at peace, with God and where He has me. Whatever circumstances. Believing He has a plan, He’s in control and is out for my good. No fretting, just trusting. It usually turns out to be an almost thing anyway. When it looks like life is about to fall apart that’s the opportunity for faith to grow.

This all sounds so easy… on paper. Not.

The angel in Daniel 12 tells him that through suffering, “many will be purified, cleansed, and refined.” God uses trials of all kinds to change us. Even the little -waiting on Him for direction- kind. And this is His purpose for us: “to present her (the church) to Himself as a GLORIOUS church without spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead she (the church) will be holy and without fault.” Ephesians 5:27

I see the point. I know the path. Now, help me walk it.

ForGlorySake! – Anna

Counselor, sponsor, new friends
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Life goes on

Posted on January 19, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

Life goes on in the midst of crisis. Houses have to cleaned, groceries have to be shopped for, doctor appointments and physical therapy. My dad has been trying to care for my mom, but this is not his habit or nature. This has been quite a struggle and they seem to need more and more help. 

My mom’s shunt surgery went well (4/11), she is functioning better in some ways (a straight walking gate, clearer speech) worse in others (extreme light sensitivity, very dizzy, anti-social). My dad is also telling me occasionally he is confused about this or that, yet can still rattle off account numbers, follow the stock market with precision and talk all things cars.

It is hard to know when and where to step in, they are my parents after all. They work pretty well together and know what they want. We tried a bit of in-home care/ help with chores. Mom only wants me. And yet they will call my sister in Florida when they’ve fallen or are in a dilemma!

I’m going to see them more often to help with things around the house. Dad gets VERY frustrated with his computer. He forgets how to open and close safari and calls me, yelling. Sometimes its a 45 minute trip into Atlanta just to fix the issue. 

With everything else going on, I guess its a good break. Its a slow quiet world at their house, where you work silently and take a slow walk every day. Rain or shine. It gives me moments to pray in the car and a thankfulness for where I come from. It helps me see how short life is and what’s important today. God is my Shepherd. He’s their’s too. He has not left them… and He has not left me.

ForGlorySake! -Anna

Grandma and Papa
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This Slight Distress of the Passing Hour

Posted on January 18, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

Ever think, this is just NOT what I signed up for? Elisabeth Elliot tells a funny story in one of her books about a lady missionary getting bumped off of a cart onto the road as she traveled about on business God had called her to do. She sat there in the mud and told God, “If this is the way You treat Your friends, then it’s no wonder You don’t have more…”

I love that story, but I’m not sure I always laugh off times like that as a slight distress! It’s frustrating to purpose to step out and do what God has asked, only to get knocked on your keister: A child with addiction issues? Now in outpatient? Really?? We feel so lost, so alone, so stupid. What more can happen?

“17For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!],” 2 Cor. 4:17 Amplified Bible

Here again in modern English:
“These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.” 2 Cor. 4:17 The Message

I got it, it’s not about what I see, but all about what I don’t see. Nancy Leigh DeMoss puts it: “There’s a wonderful truth that’s sometimes hard for us to grasp. That is that God doesn’t make any mistakes. Other people sometimes may make serious mistakes that affect our lives. But God is always fulfilling His eternal purposes, and they can’t be stopped by any human failure. If we’re in Christ, our lives are in His hands, and nothing can touch us that hasn’t first been filtered through His fingers of love.”

O Father, help me to dwell on this truth as I sit here in the mud wondering what in this world You are up to. Either way, You are my God and I will stay forever, Your friend.

ForGlorySake! – Anna

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The Joy God Gives

Posted on January 13, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

On my birthday this year a dear friend gave me a little flip calendar that sits on my kitchen counter offering me a word for the day. One particular day in January that seemed full of more challenges than I had the strength to face read:

“Why is everyone hungry for more? ‘More, more,’ they say. ‘More, more.’ I have God’s more-than-enough, More joy in one ordinary day than they get in all their shopping sprees. At day’s end I’m ready for sound sleep, for You, God, have put my life back together. Psalm 4:6-8 The Message

A word aptly spoken is a balm to the heart. I needed reminding that JOY is mine by simply knowing Jesus as my savior. He walks beside me through all of these struggles. Nothing else can give me His peace and rest. I think I’ve forgotten what it’s like NOT to have that joy- in the midst of trouble. My heart aches for anyone who doesn’t.

We’ve started parent support meetings on a weekly basis where we are around a searching group of folks. Many don’t know the hope and peace God offers. At least I never hear them talk about it. There isn’t much joy for sure. What a gift I carry inside. It’s been a good perspective of thankfulness to my Father for His unfailing love. I’m freshly amazed, it’s available to everyone.

I asked in January to know God’s unfailing love; to be so full of that love, that it would ooze out of me and onto others. He’s answering my prayers. (Use us Lord)

“From the bottom of my heart I thank You… You’ve always been great toward me- what love! You snatched me from true brink of disaster!… You, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love, and You never, never quit.” Psalm 86: 12-13, 15

ForGlorySake! -Anna

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God's Unfailing Love

Posted on January 3, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

 In November I decided to focus my attention on confidence. Confidence in who God says He is and what it means for me to daily come with confidence before the throne of grace.
I really wanted to grasp what God was trying to teach us in this season of trials and to grow in the areas where we need it most so possibly the high stress will stop.

So much of what I’m learning has been regarding my attitude… as usual. Trial or no trial contentment is what I’m supposed to have. Peace that God is in control and confidence that He sees, He hears and He knows and is working on our behalf. It’s always the same lesson for me, learned over and over through new and various circumstances. Each round of tests seems a little tougher. God is one persistent trainer.

Parental decline, husband’s Illness and surgery, financial loss, and now outpatient rehab for our son. Is God cruel to try us so? No. I firmly believe that this is all for our good…or it can be if we allow Him access to our hearts. I am learning on a yet a deeper level that He DOES love me and that I CAN trust Him. Really? What again? Broken record.

I wish I could pass on my confidence in God’s plan. Even if its just my own kids, but this is a belief you experience. Deep faith must be owned. I suppose we have to walk through the valley yourself. You have to be holding on by a thread and choose to reach out for  His unfailing love, grasping the promises He provides.

For January I want a deeper look into unfailing Love. I want to search out what that truly is; then recognize it everyday. Then I want to be so full of it that it oozes out of me and onto others.

Lord, I thank you for the trials You’ve sent us; hard as they have been. Thank You for proving Yourself to me in yet another way. You never cease to amaze. A tailor-made life… what more could we ask for? Use it all ForGlorySake! -Anna

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My Treasure

Posted on January 1, 2012 by For Glory Sake!

How can I say whats in my heart
How could I ever express
praise to the Gardner of my soul
Creator of beauty from mess.

The only One Who knows just how
to bring forth life from death
teaching the darkness to turn into light
reviving with His Holy breath.

Why would You bother with one such as me?
Why would You take the time?
Your grace, mercy, forgiveness, compassion;
Your unfailing love sublime.

No one compares to a God like You
there’s nothing by which to measure
Yaweh, Jehovah, Father God
Ancient of Days, My Treasure.

ForGlorySake! – Anna 1/1/12

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Thankful Praying

Posted on December 28, 2011 by For Glory Sake!

December was coming quickly and I felt panicked. With our financial situation unchanged, I began begging God for a miracle. What would we do for Christmas and end-of-the-year taxes? How were we going to cover everything needed? Each delema seemed so hopeless and there was nowhere to turn. Where was God?

Sure enough, as it’s happened before, I was lying awake in the middle of the night crying out to Him (silently), when I heard that still small voice say, “Everything will work out by Thanksgiving. Everything will be covered by Thanksgiving.” I was amazed, thrilled and very excited. “Everything? Like all the bills and the debt and taxes and, and everything?“

In the morning, I couldn’t wait to tell David. He cautiously listened as we both decided to wait it out. Nothing happened for the rest of November! Nothing. It’s silly I guess, but I was really disappointed. All I’d ever heard God tell me before, had come true. What was happening? Was I just full of wishful thinking? I couldn’t understand.

December 1st I was out on our driveway before school, taking trash to the curb. The moon was so bright, as I stood there looking up into the sky. “Ok , Lord, what did I miss? I know what I heard You say about Thanksgiving. So what’s up?” All at once I knew, “…by thanksgiving” as in, not a time, but a way.  By my giving of thanks!

OH! I hadn’t thought of it like that. It all made sense to me. I’d been begging, groveling, whining to God; the proverbial woman knocking at the judge’s door. I had forgotten to thank Him for all He was doing? My prayers changed immediately and continue to this day! They sound something more like this:

“Lord, thank You for all You’re doing on our behalf. Thank You for covering our bills, our debt and taxes. You always know what we need before I ask. Your timing is perfect. I can trust You to provide. You make everything work out according to Your plan. Thank You for helping me understand these words. I WILL trust You. I know that You love us”

I promise you God has continued to provide -bit by bit. He somehow keeps our heads above water. Each provision is a miraculous timing. I will continue to wait but with a heart full of thankful prayers. 

ForGlorySake! -Anna

moon so bright
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