Wednesday

My Sister's Beautiful Example

(Click below to watch video.)
Life is like Coffee Movie: "Do you know people that just seem to be happier in general? Do you say to yourself, "I want to be more like them"? Often, the happiest people in the world don’t have the best of everything...they just make the best of everything!"

This video makes me think of my precious sister, Velma, who left us on Sunday to go home to Jesus.

She is the oldest of 7 children and I am the youngest. She was an excellent ‘mother’s helper’ for all of her younger brothers and sisters, even taking care of me when I was a baby while our mother was very ill. Our father was a pastor, so we are pk’s, or preacher’s kids.

Velma loved God and had a desire to preach. She became an evangelist while she was still a teenager even before going to college.

While in Bible College she found her preacher-husband and together they pastored churches for many years. They were even missionaries in Cuba, before being forced out by Castro.

She endured more hardships in her lifetime than any person should have too. Perhaps that is the reason I think, she was the strongest person I have ever known.

She certainly knew how to adjust and adapt to any situation. She would tell you though, that it was only by the Grace of God that she continued to find ways to live a full life.

She was widowed before she was 55 with no insurance and very little earthly possessions.

She moved to Oklahoma to take a job in the ORU Prayer Tower. There she ministered daily to numerous people who called in for prayer.

Her health deteriorated due to diabetes. It took her eyesight and both legs, but it did not take her spirit.

Six years ago, after the second amputation, she moved into a nursing home in California close to her daughters.

We felt so bad for her and feared that she would withdraw and isolate herself, but she did not. Again she made the best of a bad situation.

She continued to let the love of Jesus shine through her, and all who got to know her dearly loved her. The Care Center is having a special memorial service for her next week.

She became the President of the Residents, a type of liaison between the owners and the patients. She had a monthly Bible study, which grew from 3 to 22. The staff came to her with their personal and spiritual problems, asking her for prayer.

She hung onto life even when most of us would not, because she would say,
“Maybe I can lead just one more person to the Lord.”

She set a beautiful example for letting the Holy Spirit continue to use her when most people would feel that there were no more opportunities.

She found peace in her situation, because she trusted God to take care of her. Let her be an example for all of us.

Love and Prayers,
Carolyn

Monday

He Met Jesus and Was Changed!

A very good friend gave me the DVD “Obsession”. I watched it with my husband a few nights ago and was so alarmed by what I heard and saw. It is a documentary about Radical Islam and their mission to take over the world.

Using images from Arab TV, Obsession reveals an ‘insider's view' of the hatred the Radicals have for America and Israel. They are teaching their children to hate non-muslims in the name of Allah, hate so intense that they would be willing to kill or die for Allah.

My first reaction was fear and a feeling of hopelessness.

Yes, we need to be aware of what is happening in our world, but should we feel hopeless?

No! We serve the one and only God of the universe. He is sovereign and in control, so we do not need to be afraid.

He is the same God today as He was during the days of Moses when He reminded the people of God’s mercy and protection.

“You must not fear them, for the LORD your God Himself fights for you.”
Deuteronomy 3:22

“Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.”
Deuteronomy 7:9

“For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.”
Deuteronomy 10:17

“Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”
Deuteronomy 20:3,4

I did not think of these scriptures immediately, but the Holy Spirit tenderly guided my steps to find peace.

I still had a heavy heart as I sat at my computer and logged onto Facebook. Earlier, I had made a new fb friend, who is an old friend of my husband, although we have never met.

As I looked at her ‘wall’, my attention was drawn to a video she had posted,
“Jihad to Jesus, Former Muslim Militia Fighter's Journey”.

Jerry Rassamni was raised to hate Christians and he did. He was a fierce enemy of Christians, fighting with the Lebanese Army. Then he met Jesus.

I had to watch!

I was reminded once again, that it is only God who can change the hearts and minds of men. Changed by the power and blood of Jesus Christ!

I invite you to watch it now.



Love and Prayers,
Carolyn

Saturday

Expecting Christ's Return!

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first."
1 Thessalonians 4:16

Do you believe this?
Do you believe that our Savior, Jesus Christ is coming back for us?
Do you believe that it is going to happen very soon?
The signs are everywhere, with all that is happening in the world today.
Are we prepared? Or are we too busy to be watching and praying for our loved ones who are not ready?

"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly."
Luke 21:34

Unexpectedly?
Yes. He is coming soon and we must be prepared and watching!

My pastor is a great Bible teacher and last Sunday his sermon was, "Living in The Shadow of The Caught Up, or The Catching Away".
It was powerful!

I felt in my spirit, as I listened, that I needed to share it with others. So I asked God to show me how to include it in this blog, so that you can hear his message.

The Lord did help me, because He wants us to all understand that we need to be ready.

Please take the time to watch. You will be blessed.

[You need to pause my Playlist at the bottom of the page first.]

Dr. Ben E. Leonard, Church on The Green


Love and Prayers,
Carolyn