Archive for the ‘God's Word’ Category

A WORD FOR ELIJAH

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Go back the way you came

Sometime in to the “meltdown of ‘06″, God decided to make me aware that not only were my circumstances and brokenness not unusual/out-of-the-ordinary nor “special,” but that those nice little Elijah-Sunday-School-stories I had heard so many times held more insight into my own turmoil and God’s plan for my deliverance than I’d ever realized. I wrote about it months later as part of a series of things God taught me during that time (you can read about it here). I remember feeling sheepish to say that as I read about the mighty prophet, Elijah, I truly believe he was depressed. Clinically depressed. What? A mighty man of God depressed? A man who could be God’s instrument to bring the miracle of oil to a widow who thought all was lost and then cry out to God over her dead son’s body and see life return, yet he, himself, scraping bottom, being unable to “pull himself up by his bootstraps”, unable to pray enough, fast enough, read enough Word to just “snap out of it?”

For me, even thinking that about Elijah seemed almost sacriligious. I kinda grew up around a bunch of people who didn’t think true Christians could get depressed – unless they were doing something to deserve it. Or maybe NOT doing something religious they should be doing. (Brennan Manning has wisely advised we’d be better off if we quit “shoulding all over ourselves.)

“I know from experience you can be doing the work of God at a pace that destroys the work of God in you.” Mark Buchanan in The Wild Goose Chase – Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God

I was afraid to ponder the fact that you can be working for God and hearing from Him and being used by Him, but get so physically depleted you become a danger to yourself, others and Kingdom work. Yet, God, the God of the universe, actually seemed to have revealed it to me, for me, this Elijah-may-have-been-clinically-depressed thing. He seemed to want me to know it happens. As part of the human experience, there is sorrow and heartbreak and loss. These are the risks we take for living, for entering relationships with vulnerability, for being alive. There is, in living and loving, the good, the bad and the ugly. There is receiving love and losing it, too. There is joy, but there is pain. There is acceptance and rejection. It rains on the just and the unjust…

The Volcanic Eruption

The meltdown-of-’06 was a tumulteous time, a place of obvious disruption, a clashing cymbal’s worth of huge loss and pain coupled with bitterness and anger that would have made anyone say, “Well, no wonder you’re freaked out and totally empty.” My skin had been melted by the molten lava of an ugliness that affected so many and the resulting ash permeated every gulp of air I tried to breathe. Catastrophic to my heart, I could see no way out. Until God…

The Slow Leak

But hopelessness and heartbreak, despair and loneliness, or a blackness of the soul does not always happen during some volcanic eruption. Sometimes there is a slow drain, a leak in the lifeline, an open door in your storehouse where bandits and thieves walk right in and begin emptying you of your resources and life. It is quieter. No one seems to notice. You ignore the signs yourself. Then one day, you are in the darkness of your own soul and suddenly you hurt everywhere, inside and out, and your pain is hurting everyone around you. The accusations and taunts of the enemy echoes throughout the hollow hallways of your heart. You feel condemned. Depressed.

How did a nice person like me end up in a place like this?

It can’t always be explained. It just is what it is. Sometimes there is no big upset to point back to, no huge event that would make people say “No wonder.” Yet, there you are in the black void trying to act normal. Attempting to “get on with it.” Trying to fill it with something, anything. Usually the wrong thing.

So maybe you know how you got here, to this place of bewilderedness because it was a monumetal event or extreme loss or ripping of your heart. Or, you may not know how you got here bcause everything was fine, good actually and you were smack dab in the middle of God’s will when you woke up to find you’d crossed the border into a painfully lonely place, heavy and hurting, empty and parched. The point is: it happend. You are here.

And just like Elijah, after going through the desert, through discouragement and fear, you are in need of refreshment. Stop for a minute, maybe longer. Just stay put and get some rest, healing.

After his time of refreshment, the prophet Elijah was instructed by God to go back the way he came to finish the task of anointing the next king and get help (in the form of a young prophet) in the process. It can be a long way back, but God’s call on us isn’t finished yet. There is something to be completed by the Author and Finisher of your faith story. There are things you’ve yet seen unleashed for you and through you. A surprise from God awaits you right in the very place you were once drained of life, the dry, and deserted path. What was once barrenness will be different this time – water will gush forth and barren places will bloom. Don’t miss it. All is not lost. God is not through with you. His love will not let you go. He is at work, even now. Turn back. The wilderness will rejoice and blossom…

THIS VIDEO: From about minutes 2:30 to 5:00, you see an African desert become flooded by a mountain rainfall from over 100 miles away and the desert gets soaked and begins to bloom and is fruitful. It happens there 2 or 3 times a year. It’s what I see in my mind reading the words below. And you can see how if it is true in that natural desert, that a place barren and dry and seemingly dead can come back to lush life unexpectedly and quickly, you can see it is true for you, too. The desert and parched land will be glad…

Point me in the direction of restoration and recovery~

(adapted from a sermon from Grace Church in the UK and from the Book of Isaiah, chapter 35)

Go back the way you came…

The desert and the parched land will be glad

Go back the way you came…

Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert

Go back the way you came…

The burning sand will become a pool and thirsty ground bubbling springs.

Go back the way you came…

You’re not the only one

Go back the way you came…

Build in time for rest, food and drink

Go back the way you came…

What are you doing here?

Go back the way you came…

The wilderness will rejoice and blossom, like the crocus it will burst into bloom

Go back the way you came…

Be strong. Do not fear. Your God will come.

Go back the way you came…

May gladness and joy overtake you and sorrow and sighing flee away

Go back the way you came…

Build in time for rest, food and drink. This is probably a Sabbath-season for you, a time holy to the Lord, for you ~ from Him.

ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you--rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Isaiah 60.1, Amplified

Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.

Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs.

In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

And the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35.6, 7, 10 NIV

Posted in God's Word, Health, Sleep/Sabbath Rest, Stuff I actually think, Worship | 2 Comments »

Bad sign

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Not IF, WHEN….

Isaiah 43

Israel’s Only Savior

1 But now, this is what the LORD says—

he who created you, O Jacob,

he who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

3 For I am the LORD, your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I give Egypt for your ransom,

Cush and Seba in your stead.

Posted in God's Word, Stuff I actually think | No Comments »

WHO, the question seems to be, DAT?

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

I recently announced my apparent connection to both 2010 Super Bowl teams.

You can read about that here. Not that I am taking credit for either team making it to the top, but I did live less than an hour away from both Indianapolis and from New Orleans at various times in my life. I am just saying, I seem to be a common thread for football greatness. Not the only one, but a common one.

So, the question is posed, “For whom will Jeanie root during the Super Bowl?” I know this has caused much concern for many people, especially since everyone knows that not only do I not get football, I don’t ever even watch it except long enough to pass by and say “Those are some stinking tight pants,“…AND in light of the fact that I once had life-threatening food poisoning following a Super Bowl party. Yes, there has been great speculation about my loyalties. Which is really a moot point since I don’t do football, for crying out loud.

Really, the question should be: who will win ~ And whether I have the ability to influence that outcome, and it is obvious I do and I shall. So, my choice is?…

Well, people, come on. I wrote that previous Super Bowl post, which was the first time in over 800 blog posts football has e-v-e-r been a topic, right after the Saints beat the Vikings in that fairly spectacular overtime win (the field goal ring a bell?). And I added gold letters to the black font to leave a little trail, a clue as it were, for the future.

THEN this week, an old family friend* from like ~ 30-gazillion years ago (who once played Jesus for my dad’s Palm Sunday and Easter productions, first by riding up to the church wrapped in a white sheet on a donkey and later, hanging on the cross in possibly the same white sheet, before going on to utilize that divine-wig plus a red bandana at a church dinner-on-the-ground to emulate a Willie-Nelson-type character) sent me a Saints shirt {annonymously} in an effort to sway me. Additionally, my brother Joe-the-pastor has been telling me the Saints are God’s team and very persuasively backing it up with scripture:

1 Sam 2:9 He will guard the feet of his SAINTS, but the wicked (Colts?) will be silenced in darkness!

Psalm 16:3 As for the SAINTS who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.

Psalm 149:4,5 For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. Let the SAINTS rejoice in this honor and sing for joy…

Daniel 7:18 But the SAINTS of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever- yes, forever and ever.

Rom 8:27 …the Spirit intercedes for the SAINTS in accordance with God’s will.

1 Cor 6:2 Do you not know that the SAINTS will judge the world…?

So who is it going to be?

Well…The Saints have that cutie-patootie, Drew Brees. But the Colts have Peyton Manning. I don’t know a darn thing about him myself, but several sportscasters seem to adore him. I liked a lot of people from Indy when I lived there, though Louisiana boasts the most interesting of characters. Hoosiers are good, middle American people. The mosquito rules in the Bayou. All these things must be weighed in the balance.

But the deciding factor for me? The food! Seafood Gumbo, Red Beans and Rice, Roast Beef Po’ Boys, Jambalaya, Crawfish {pie…which I have never actually had}~Omygosh (or me-oh-my-oh, like the song says). Hands down, the SAINTS are winning the Super Bowl and I give them my full support! Yes. Because of the scrumptious food. I have spoken. I may not watch the game. But the common thread has decreed it so.

The crowd goes wild with approval (or whatever).

PLUS – no one from Indiana sent me a t-shirt. That hurts.…Jeanie…WHO DAT?, indeed…

*”A Saints fan” from Robert, La-you know who you are…Thanks for the EXTRA-LARGE t-shirt.

Pictured: Guini modeled the shirt in matching shoes. There is a full roster on the back. I have never heard of these people.

Posted in God's Word, Memories/Melancholy, Songs I am singing, Stuff I actually think, TV, Movies, Books, and Entertainment | 6 Comments »

Keeping Watch

Monday, February 1st, 2010

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

But I will defend my house [realm of responsibility, family, home, God-given appointment]

against marauding [evil, destroying] forces.

Never again will an oppressor overrun my people,

for now I am [keenly aware, eyes wide open, warily prepared] keeping watch.

Zechariah 9.8

watchful synonyms: alert, all ears, attentive, careful, cautious, circumspect, guarded, observant, on guard, open-eyed, prepared, ready, vigilant, wakeful, wary, wide-awake

Posted in God's Word, Home, Marriage, Mi familia, Stuff I actually think | 3 Comments »

Happy Birthday to My Dad

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Happy Birthday, Dad~

Seventy-one years ago today Ressie Belle, widowed just weeks earlier by a tragic automobile accident, cradled you in her arms: a son who would carry on his father’s name, A. Ross Moslander. A tough start during hard times. But you have done that name proud. You’ve lived vigorously, for both yourself and the father you never knew.

No one in the world could ever doubt you were born for God’s purposes, papasan. Since you found Jesus and He found you under that starry sky on Missouri farmland when you were 15, you’ve been on an adventureous journey of faith with all the Type-A, driven energy of an Olympic runner, his eyes set on the prize.

And you have spurred the rest of us along ~ thousands of friends and relatives and acquaintances and church members along the way, but especially your family, us kids. And your zeal burns hot into the next generation, your impact is just getting revved up. I am spending my life trying to keep up with my amazing dad.

You are the Psalms 127 and 128 man, dad. You are the man in Psalms 112: you are blessed and your children are mighty in the land. Your heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Your family is fruitful and growing and you have received so much heritage from the Lord (talk about a full quiver!). Your sons and grandsons are like arrows in your hands – the enemy does not want to contend with you when he sees this army you have unleashed in the land! Look at your children and their children and now their children’s children: we all love you, honor you, respect you and celebrate you!

Happy birthday, holy man. Happy Birthday, my dad and my hero. I love you….Jeanie

NOTE TO SELF: Call dad. Wish him a happy birthday.

Youtube: Got together the other night for dinner and sang to you. Stephanie and Gavin weren’t there, but the rest of us Rhoades-Kelleys-Powers were. Note at the end Rocky saying “I wish you could see me,” because apparently I was obscuring him-which he could have mentioned before we did this! That booger! {And I think Tristan had to ask when we were finished singing if it was for Grandpa Moslander! Haha.}

Posted in Birthdays/Anniversaries, God's Word, Grandkids, Mi familia, My most unforgettable people, Photos of the Fam, Prayers for a God-full life, Songs I am singing, Stuff I actually think | 4 Comments »

GUEST BLOGGER ~ Robin Thinks…

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

Read the rest of the post here.

Robin is one of my favorite people in the entire world and just also happens to be married to my brother, Joe.

Concerning New year’s Resolutions, Robin has decided to forgo the usual list of to-do lists to be tackled or goals to be mastered in exchange for pursuing the following:

Joy. I want to feel joy.

Moments. I want to ponder them.

Love. I want to love loving and not forget to do it.

Hope. I want to always hope because without it, the heart gets sick as the great book of Proverb says.

Stillness. I want to be still. Still enough to see the hurts of others, the milestones of my children, the twinkle in someone’s eye. Still enough to hear the voice of God.

Peace. Oh yes..the proverbial peace. But not world peace. It will never happen for the Bible tells me so (until that great day when the trump will sound). I want peace in this life that only Christ can give me as I really, really know and trust that He is the Keeper of my life. Those are the things I really want for my new year.

And one forever, encouraging thing about any new beginning is that we get them. I love new beginnings and I love even more that as long as I have breath, God’s mercies are new every morning. He gets it. He knew we would need a fresh start and so He tells us that it’s all ok with Him. Start fresh. Be renewed and free in the start of something new.

Posted in Garden/Food/Seasons, God's Word, Mi familia | 2 Comments »

The Kids are Off to Taiwan and Japan

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

They are in the air.

Dave, Tara, Hunter-Magoo and Stormie left DIA last night headed for Taiwan. Due to the time change and length of the flight, they are pretty much losing the entire last day of the year, but will experience New Years multiple times as they cross varios time zones. I am not sure how that works. I just know they are currently flying far, far away.

This is Hunter’s first international trip and he has been preparing for some time, getting that passport ready and deciding what he will say to “the nations.” He was born for this!

Dave, Tara and Stormie will be leading worship (and some speaking/teaching) at missionary and young adult training conferences for people from all over Asia with the Christian Missionary Alliance group. They start in Taiwan and will spend the last several days in Japan before getting back in mid-January.

Agreement.

The kids travel the world. I stay home and pray. That is our agreement. And this particular trip, I feel led to pray that the love of God will be increased in their hearts, that they will be motivated by that kind of love – that John 3.16 love for the world and that their ministry will pour from hearts filled with love for the people they will come in contact with. You can pray these things over my kids, too, if you’d like, in agreement, because where two or more agree…

Isaiah 12.5 Sing to the LORD for He has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.

Psalm 96 …Say among the nations…

Matthew 5 You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world

And may that same love that has made the truth of John 3.16 the great hope and central truth of everything be in you.

Amen.

google image

Posted in God's Word, Grandkids, Mi familia, My most unforgettable people, Photos of the Fam, Prayers for a God-full life, Stuff I actually think | 6 Comments »

Two Weeks until we Celebrate the Birth of Jesus!

Friday, December 11th, 2009

Guess who’s coming to dinner?!

Kent Henry!

Kent Henry! I wrote about him after Heaven Fest. (pictured: Kent praying for DP during Heaven Fest)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Abba, Father sent His Son~

But WHEN THE TIME ARRIVED

that was set by God the Father,

God sent his Son, BORN AMONG US of a woman,

born under the conditions of the law

SO THAT

He might REDEEM those of us who have been kidnapped by the law.

Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage.

You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted AS HIS OWN children

because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, “Papa! Father!”

Galatians 4.4-6 The Message

He came. He ransomed us, redeemed us, He set. us. free! So this is Christmas!

Tags: christmas, kent henry, Worship
Posted in God's Word, Keep Christmas, Mi familia, My most unforgettable people, Photos of the Fam, Songs I am singing, Stuff I actually think, Worship | No Comments »

Christmas is only 15 Days Away! Let’s Pray!

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

Adopt our Troops in Prayer. I just adopted John V. who is in the army and is married to Aubrie. I will be praying for them daily!

Today is a good day to pray for our Troops!

As our military faces great scrutiny during this hustle-and-bustle of holiday activity 2009, and the talking-news-channel- heads denounce our presence in other countries, even questioning humanitarian efforts, there are those who are serving us faithfully, night and day. Regardless of our own political opinions and views (which they defend our right to have), they deserve our prayers.

An email forward, of all things.

This came in one of those pass-it-on emails. I have no idea who wrote it, but it reminded me of young men and women, especially right now when we hold our families close and celebrate Christmas with gifts and gatherings and eggnog and merriment, who are already in Iraq or Afghanistan or other nations around the world or will be deployed shortly. And I am sobered and humbled by their sacrifice. And reminded to pray.

Part Boy. Part Man.

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as part man, part boy. He’s not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father’s, but he has never collected unemployment either.

He’s a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.

He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.

He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry and knows how to fold his socks the right way.

He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.

If you’re thirsty, he’ll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He’ll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.

He can save your life – or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in it all.

He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.

He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed..

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to ’square-away ‘ those around him who haven’t bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

And let us not forget the women also serving over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so. No entitled princesses here.

‘Lord, hold our troops in Your loving hands… Give them strength and courage as they protect and serve. Guide them through their missions and be a shield before them. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need… Amen.’

Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine, or Airman, prayer is the very best one. Please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground troops in Afghanistan , sailors on ships, and airmen in the air, and for those in Iraq , Afghanistan and all foreign countries.