Earth: The Great Trust Experiment

Posted on March 30, 2022 by For Glory Sake!

Life feels like one long trust lesson… as if God created earth and humans to see if we would actually listen and obey. The never-ending question being: “Will you trust Me?” The first response was a quick “yes” …until the thought appeared, “I can do this myself.”

Many generations and no-end-of-trouble later… I’m faced with that silent question every day: “Will you trust Me?” Over and over in a million different scenarios, will I submit to God? To know what’s best for me? To guard and protect those I love? To give exactly what’s needed today? To simply look to and rest in The Author and Perfecter of my faith?

Peace, be still.

I love to imagine heaven and the life I’ll have after this one. Searching through scripture from Genesis to Revelation is eye-opening, but frustratingly incomplete. So many questions remain. How will I view my time on earth? What effects does life today have on eternity? Can I possibly grasp the worth of all the gifts and opportunities I’ve been given? Were Adam and Eve the only humans to fully realize -squandered blessings?

Seeing clearly that life is fleeting and Jesus is closer to returning than He was yesterday makes me focus on what’s truly important. I trust Him, because He is God and I am not. I love Him, because He 1st loved me. I love and forgive others, because I am loved and forgiven. I live and die for Him, because Jesus lived and died and rose again for me!

Trusting God (no matter what) seems to be the key to abundant life here on earth and glorious living in heaven with Him. Help us trust You more, LORD!

ForGlorySake! -Anna

 I know the ONE in whom I trust, and I am sure that HE is able to guard what I have entrusted to HIM until The Day of HIS return. 2 Timothy 1:12




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All God’s promises

Posted on March 14, 2022 by For Glory Sake!

Recently I heard a bible scholar say that too many people claim promises from scripture that don’t belong to them. I must say, he’s wrong.

First, God is a personal God who writes my name on the palm of His hand and numbers the hairs of my head. He knows what I’m going to say before I say it and He’s acquainted with all my ways! All my days have been recorded in His book and my years on earth were allotted.

Second, as personal as He is with me, His message is personal: Hebrews 4:12 “God’s word living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow… it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of every heart.”

Third, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “EVERY scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.”

Fourth, one of my favorite verses in the New Testament states: 2

“For ALL the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the Glory of God!” 2 Corinthians 1:20

ALL of God promises are mine in Jesus! Each one has been fulfilled in Him and I belong to Him snd He is mine. I’m even sealed with His Spirit as a guarantee. I Corinthians 1:22 “(Jesus) sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.”

The promises we find in God’s Word are mine and yours, because Jesus’ died & rose again to make it so. You can count on it!

ForGlorySake! -Anna

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Kept Waiting

Posted on January 19, 2022 by For Glory Sake!

29 years ago I got pregnant for the 1st time. David and I were so excited! We had waited 5 years to try for a baby. It seemed like forever. His goal was to 1st pay off all student loans from college and law school. We scrimped and saved and finally it was time. Then 13 weeks into our new adventure, I miscarried. It was devestating.

Before long, I was pregnant again – only a little wiser and more seasoned from grief. I had had time to think about this procreating business. With a heart still-bruised, I got on my knees and did exactly what I did with the prospect of marriage – I prayed.

“LORD, You made this child, it belongs to You. And since I belong to You too, I’m asking for one thing. Not necessarily a healthy child or a perfect child, but a soul for Your Kingdom. I want to be an instrument of righteousness (Romans 6:13) so nothing for the enemy! Take every pregnancy if You must, but only give us children for Your Glory.” I added, “And please protect my heart, because I can’t live in constant fear and worry. We want what You want, they are all Your creations. Just prepare me, because that miscarriage was rough.“

Of course I didn’t hear anything afterwards, but I knew God heard me. I felt sure He agreed with my heart on the matter, so I took that as a promise. I got pregnant 8 times and birthed 5 healthy babies… ending up with 6 God-given children. He softened every blow along the way giving us total peace that He was in control each time. He heard, He saw, and He sent the children He wanted us to love and teach to love Him.

Know- “…And you shall know [with an understanding from personal experience] that I AM the LORD; For they shall not be put to shame who wait and Hope expectantly for Me.” Isaiah 49:23 amp

Labor in prayer- “Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.” Galations 4:19 nlt

Hope- “…but hope that is seen is not Hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?” Romans 8:24 nasb.

Be certain- “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.“ Philippians 1:6 nlt

ForGlorySake! – Anna

“But offer yourselves to God … as instruments of righteousness to God.” Romans 6:13

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I Love where I Live

Posted on January 13, 2022 by For Glory Sake!

I saw a sign while riding with my husband, “love where you live.” I’m sure it was all about real estate but it got me thinking, contentment… not only with my address, but my whole life.
When I was born, where I was born, even how I was born (birth order etc.) If my times are in God’s hands then everything about my time came from Him. My talents and abilities (or lack of). He planned it all. 

“So that people may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me. I AM the LORD, and there is no one else- The One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating disaster (adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, displeasure, distress); I AM the LORD who does all these things...Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker— A piece of pottery among the other pottery pieces! Will the clay say to the Potter, ‘What are you doing?’” (God). Isaiah 45:6,9

Either God is in all of my life or scripture is lying. It claims He saw my days before they came to be… He knew if my heart would bend toward Him… He knew whether to count me with His sheep… and even prepared a place for me beside Him.

There is no room for complaint. Whatever and wherever I am, He’s had every detail recorded. I am content knowing He is God and I am not. I love where I live because in all His wisdom – He made it so. And if I’d been born a different person, in another time and another location? I can trust that He’d search and find me there as well. 

But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. 1Peter 2:9

There is peace believing I am here at this very time in history and in this place on earth because of something bigger than I can comprehend. He wanted it so and He is always out for my good.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

ForGlorySake! – Anna

The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in EVERY detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23

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Hedged-In

Posted on January 10, 2022 by For Glory Sake!

My mom used to pray asking that God would put a hedge of protection around me. I imagined very tall bushes… and I wondered exactly how this would protect me and where she got the idea?

The hedge phrase comes from the book of Job where the adversary is complaining to God, “Have You not made a hedge (sakta) about Job and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.” Job‬ ‭1:10‬

Being hedged-in by God comes up again in Psalms. 139 (my favorite passage) says, “You have enclosed/hedged (sartani) me behind and before, and have laid Your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5

Sakta – to entwine, i.e. Shut in (for protection or restraint) –make a fence, hedge (up). 

Sartani – assault, beset, besiege, bind up, distress, fashion,

Those definitions from the BibleHub app reveal not only that God brings protection from evil, but also retrains me from going too far! His enclosure is both an assault and a distress to the enemy. My mom was right! God promises to protect His children from within and without with His hedge.

Ah the beautiful and unseen provisions of God. I will never fully know His loving care until I meet Him face to face. For now, I will continue to marvel at His Word as it lets me peek a bit into His deep, deep love.

How can I not echo the Psalmist: “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain to it (take it all in).” Psalms‬ ‭139:6‬

ForGlorySake! -Anna

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Mysterious New Year

Posted on January 3, 2022 by For Glory Sake!

Every year the same thing happens: the number of the previous year that was so new and mysterious, wraps up and ends being fully experienced and NOT as daunting as I had imagined. Yet I see the number of the Year ahead and I’m hit with that same exciting and scary unknown feeling.

Excited because anything can happen and a little scared because ANYTHING can happen. For instance- my hope is that something new and good will come about with the hearts of our family, to love and serve God fully. My fear comes with what will God need to do to bring us to that completeness and maturity in Him.

I want it all! And I want Him to protect my heart.

What a merciful Father He has been, always gently preparing me and patiently leading me through so many rough seasons. He promised to be there and smooth the path, and He has. He has never left me to sort it out alone. He has never failed to bring good from any horrific situation (if I only waited to see). He’s shown me more of His Glory, year after year.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom should I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom should I dread?… If an army encamps against me, My heart will not fear; If war arises against me, In spite of this I am confident.Psalm 27:1,3

because:

“If God is for (me), who can be against (me)?” Romans 8:31

God is for me. He is with me. Because of what Jesus did on the cross: I was determined before and called; and made righteous; and also glorified (see Bible Hub “interlinear” Romans 8:30). I am His and He is mine. Head to toe, inside and out. There is nothing to fear and everything to Hope! Happy 2022

ForGlorySake! – Anna

“When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, ‘I shall seek Your face, LORD.'” Psalm 27:8

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Babies, babies, babies!

Posted on December 28, 2021 by For Glory Sake!

2021 has been the year of babies for our family. Cousins are multiplying in every direction. We had 2 precious grandchildren born; a boy in May and a girl in November, to go with our other two year old granddaughter. 3 and counting…

My sister also had 2 grandchildren born to their crew: a girl in November and a boy in December. It’s been fun to share all the updates and pictures between family members. So many photos were being sent via text message we had to be careful to label the names to keep from getting confused.

In the midst of all this joy – our daughter, who married in July announced her pregnancy and due-date for next summer! Just the thrill of these new little ones being added makes my head spin. I am reliving all my pregnancies, births and baby-years. With 4 grandkids in the family David and I are officially Grandma and Grandpa and his parents are “the Greats.”

I love watching our children experience parenthood and understand why we love them so much. My parents were right saying it only gets better when your babies have babies. I pray that we will be as accommodating and generous as they were and as David’s parents are today. No matter where our kids live (and hope it’s not too far) my heart will stay full of these gracious undeserved blessings.

ForGlorySake! -Anna

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from Him. Psalm 127:3

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Useful Annoyance

Posted on December 28, 2021 by For Glory Sake!

Interruptions, delays, break-downs, redos… these are few of my least favorite things! Yet for some reason, God finds them useful in challenging and maturing me. Ugh. He knows the disruption causes a halt and a choice: pray first or try feverishly to get back on track. As in- make it happen.

Sometimes it takes me several attempts and hours of irritation before I let go and ask for direction. From a natural-born stubborn-headed being – I’ve come a long way! It used to take me days… even years. At about 50 years old I finally decided after 3 attempts with failure, I would entertain the idea that “God might be standing in my way.” Sorta like Balaam (a really bad guy story in the Bible with a great lesson). He finally got a clue when his donkey spoke to him. Numbers 22 is an interesting read!

I want to be a little quicker than that. After 3 tries and I stop and ask God, “Is this a not for now thing?” or “Is this a not at all thing?” or “Is it a ask for help from someone specific thing?” And then I pray for the ability to slow down and see what He wants to teach me. It’s helped a lot on my frontend frustration level.

Computers, phones (my most recent headache), cars, communication, travel plans, illness, bills, household repairs… I keep putting this little habit into practice over big and small annoyances and slowly I’ve learned: God is interested in the details of my day. He works through everything and wastes nothing.

“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways! For who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give Him advice? And who has given Him so much that He needs to pay it back? For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended FOR HIS GLORY. All Glory to Him forever! Amen.” Romans 11:33-36

ForGlorySake! – Anna

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

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Better than Christmas!

Posted on December 12, 2021 by For Glory Sake!

While I’ve been shopping for Christmas gifts, stocking stuffers, prizes for games we play and wonderful goodies to eat, I keep thinking of all the incredible gifts God has given us (Jesus, Salvation, the Holy Spirit) and all He has in store (Heaven, Eternal Life, Rewards)!

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident HOPE He has given to those He called—His holy people, who are His rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. Ephesians 1:18-19

Better than anything I could ever pull out on Christmas day, are the treasures to be revealed in the LORD’s presence. Things I can hardly imagine or envision, but I know with all my heart these gifts will finally fulfill every longing I’ve ever had:

“… the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God.” Rev.2:7

“…the crown of life. (and) …not be harmed by the second death.” Rev. 2:10,11

“… the hidden manna … a white stone inscribed with a new name” Rev. 2:17

“…authority over the nations … the morning star!” Rev. 2:26-28

“…dressed in white (and) …name never blotted out from the Book of Life, (and) confessed before God the Father and His angels.” Rev. 3:5

“…made a pillar in the temple of God, never again leave it (and somehow tattooed with) God’s Name and the name of God’s city and Jesus’ new Name.” Rev.3:12

“ placed with Jesus on His throne!” Rev. 3:21

Someday we will have the best celebration ever! Better than any Christmas or birthday or anniversary, this will be an Awards Ceremony to pale all others, a Wedding Feast of epic proportions and a Triumphal Entry into a New Heaven and a New Earth. What a HOPE!

ForGlorySake! – Anna

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Survivor

Posted on December 12, 2021 by For Glory Sake!

Our family loves the show Survivor! In 2020 we started watching it from the beginning, every episode… and almost always together. It was a joy to find something to share with our adult kids.

We have laughed and stressed and had intense, serious conversations about the contestants. Whether it’s despicable human nature, commendable character or wily gameplay- it’s always educational to hear everyone’s views.

Sometimes my stomach churns over the show’s harsh physical challenges, or my favorite player getting “voted out,” but relating with our children about real-life social issues is worth every minute. When would we otherwise sit around and talk about such crazy controversial issues?!

As our children have grown older, David & I prayed for opportunities to influence and God has answered! It never comes when or how we expect. Probably because Creator-God is so amazingly creative. He has this uncanny way of putting us in uncomfortable situations where we are vulnerable and totally dependent on Him.  

Getting older has only solidified for us that He is God and we are NOT. We are forever being surprised by Him. And yet, just like with the rest of our parenting years it’s in our weakness that He’s made strong. God can use anything to draw families together and closer to Him… even reality tv. 

ForGlorySake! – Anna

To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the Tree of Life in the Paradise of God. Revelation 2:7

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