Oh my LIfe Giving JESUS... Do you KNOW Him?

I'm preparing to do another funeral this weekend. It's not just officiating a funeral to me but God gives me this love and care, empathy for the family as if it was my loved one I've lost. It's divine and hurts so much and yet I believe it allows me to love and minister in a way that God himself would.

As I sit and listen to the stories I want to discern this wonderful life, coupled with scripture to bring hope. I ponder my own funeral... I ponder how truly I could die right now and be so fulfilled knowing my ultimate dream has come to reality as I enter the presence of Jesus.

I've recently been so stirred that I simply just want to talk about this JESUS... truly... I am in LOVE with Him. I share this with Roger, who knows it... and loves it. He tells me I should look up Anne Graham Lotz. I "You Tube" to stumble on this video of her mother's passing. I break down in utter tears thinking of the way Billy says goodbye to Ruth, will indeed be that of my husband, but how she longs for Jesus and now she with HIm. Oh I break... completely break in sobs that my heart too longs for you Jesus. And yet for now you long for me to share who you are to the world, especially in times of mourning. And even this morning Lord you encourage my heart that doing this funeral, is exactly what you desire. "The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning." Ecc 7:4.

I sat beside this wonderful loving husband the day after his wife passed at our Christmas Eve service simply wanting to be there as best I could. On the other side sat the mother of the 21 year old that died only 10 months ago due to the rip tide in the ocean in Hawaii. Their first Christmas to face without their loved ones. Oh is God ever teaching me empathy. As I sat there and listened to the service I took on what they would hear and simply sat between them and bawled with them as I rested my head on her shoulder.

Oh LORD.... for the rest of my life I want to proclaim you JESUS... boldly and lovingly.... so many need you despite the many heartaches we endure in life. YOU are our only hope. I LOVE YOU..... and I give my life fully to declaring you from the depths of grave sites to the highest mountain.

YOU ALONE ARE THE LOVER OF MY SOUL.... I am yours. Completely and passionately. Use me now I pray.

xo

You tube video of song at Ruth Graham's Funeral

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu2E2FUcIiE&feature=related

Roger as you read this, and watch this KNOW I love you and am so thankful for the love God gives me through you, such a godly man. You are a wonderful blessing. "X"

P.s. If you're not willing to die for Christ that please stop saying you're a Christian. He's more worthy than that.

A Reward Worth Reading

From gas pumps to store entrances, cashiers, banks, airlines, drug stores, etc... they are pushing a certain credit card that will give you "REWARDS/POINTS". It takes a long time just to investigate the different perks, compare, etc. I find it quite complex in who offers the best point/reward system. But the marketing idea is brilliant really and evidently has done well as everyone wants to offer their own card now. It tells me that we all want to have rewards, perks, feel valued like we are investing into something. I'm having this moment as I'm pumping gas looking at the nozzle that has an advertisement to double my points with their card. (lol) Then it dawns on me that God's word is really what we ought to be using the most for in that their is great rewards to be had. (Psalm 19:10,11) It says that God's word is worth more than gold, much pure gold.

I believe this to be so true and those of you that know me know the time I spend immersed in knowing His word. This year we as a church have decided to read through the bible together in a year. Despite reading through it many times I too am doing it again with our family as well. It has proved to be of great conversation and once again the deep levels he is showing me in it has me smitten again to how deep, active and alive the word of God is. It's not too late to join us in this reading. You could spread out the last 12 days of reading or download Genesis on your ipod and you'll be with us in no time. Here is a link posted to our daily readings, and I've also included a link as to why I believe God's word to be so important.

Let's make it a year of investment not just with points that we may never even use, but rather every area of our life funnelled by the transaction of His word to our heart.

DAILY READING LINK : http://www.trinitybaptist.net/#/weekends (just click on blue box in left hand corner)

Teaching on God's Word: http://www.trinitybaptist.net/media.php?pageID=7 (it's under the title "And God Said...")

Come on... nothing to lose... MUCH TO GAIN!!!

With you, wanting HIS REWARDS....

C

Master Reset??

Oh how I want to see the world and people more through the God's eyes than ever before. To exchange my own human sight for His, is to see truth and things that really matter. Therefore the eyes of my heart ought to surpass the eyes of my human flesh. Recently just listening to Him I see Him point out in the distance (about 500m) what looks like one of those silhouette black cut outs of a young man leaning up against a tree with his head bowed down. "You see Carrie" ... I can hear Him speak to my heart... "So many of you do indeed have your heads bowed these days." I inquisitively wonder ... and so I look more intently at this silhouette. As I come closer I realize it is a real young boy early in the morning, waiting for his bus with his head bowed. Then I can sense His sadness. "Yes Carrie, you have bowed so many heads to your idols... to your devices.... you don't have time or even respect for me but your heads remained bowed to ipods, cell phones, blackberries, game boys, etc... the saddest part is you don't even realize how deeply entrenched these new gods have become." Sadness flows to my heart as I can't refute it... but the awareness in this moments causes great remorse to fill my soul on what He allows me to see.... O Lord.... may my head remained bowed but only for my ALMIGHTY God and may nothing take your place for you are a jealous God. Exodus 34:14 Do not worship any other god for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. John reminds us to "Dear children, keep yourselves from idols." (1 John 5:21) God is jealous for us, because He loves us. Would you want a God that didn't care but just gave us over .... I don't. But my heart's desire is to please Him and not arouse a jealous anger. I think at this point in our society and this time in life, we need to be mindful not to arouse a jealous anger.... you don't mess with God. As for me and my heart I chose His side, His arms and His ways... idol ipod shall be enjoyed, sure, but will not Master me. Only God shall be my Master.