I'm a listener and intercessor, and so many have been sharing with me of great struggles, discouragement and hard trials they are facing. I came across this poem today and even though I'm not a boxing fan (reference to last paragraph), I felt this poem and the accompaning footnote, had a lot to say. Most times in life when you're tired of the battles, the struggles, the pain, and you're at your weariest is when you need to fight the hardest, pray the hardest, do all it takes because your victory may just be over the horizon. There are things in life worth fighting for especially when it's hard: your marriage, your family, the pregnancy that doesn't happen, the hope of a job that hasn't arrived yet, and so on. Scripture tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for, things yet unseen. I like the word "yet", it implies that it hasn't happened "yet", but it will.
YOU MUSTN'T QUIT - Unknown Author
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sign,
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest! if you must-but never quit.
Life is queer, with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won if he'd stuck it out;
Stick to your task, though the pace seems slow-
You may succeed with one more blow.
Success is failure turned inside out-
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt-
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.
From Poems that Touch the Heart, compiled by A. L. Alexander
It was James J. Corbett, former heavyweight champion of the world who said: "Fight one more round." When your feet are so tired you have to shuffle back to the center of the ring, fight one more round! When your arms are so tired that you can hardly lift your hands to come on guard, fight one more round! When your nose is bleeding and your eyes are black and you're so tired that you wish your opponent would crack you one on the jaw and put you to sleep-DON'T QUIT, FIGHT ONE MORE ROUND!
Monday, September 21, 2009
YOU MUSTN'T QUIT - UNKNOWN AUTHOR
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Snippet, Holiness Is What I Long For
Trina's Snippets
Holiness
Nancy Leigh DeMoss
“The message of repentance and holiness needs to be proclaimed, heard, and heeded among God’s people in every generation. It must become more than a theological tenet that we politely nod agreement to; it needs to transform the way we think and the way we live.”
“True holiness is the pathway to fullness of life and joy. To be holy is to be wholly satisfied with Christ. Above all, it is to reflect the beauty and the splendor of our holy Lord in this dark world. In pursuing holiness, you will fulfill and experience all that God had in mind when He created you.”
“A commitment to be holy is a commitment to be clean through and through--to have no unholy part. True holiness starts on the inside—with our thoughts, attitudes, values, and motives—those innermost parts of our hearts that only God can see. It also affects our outward and visible behavior: ‘Be holy in all your conduct.’ 1 Peter 1:15
“This passage for purity [1 Peter 1:15-previous paragraph] is what I saw in my dad’s example that made holiness so compelling to me as a young person. Of course, he often failed (and was willing to admit it when he did); but he sought to live a life that was morally upright and completely above reproach; in the way he ran his business,
used his time,
conducted himself with members of the opposite sex,
treated family members and employees,
talked about other people – [including his life mate and children,]
responded to critics,
spent his money,
and honored the Lord’s Day;
in his work habits,
leisure activities,
and entertainment choices—what he read and listened to and watched.
He so loved God that he wanted holiness to characterize every area of his life.”
“Holiness and joy are inseparable companions.”
*"Snippets"--clips, morsels, fragments from something I've read recently...something that has ministered to me or someone else.
They are meant to encourage, challenge, or cause us to ponder.
They may even cause you to run to the nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of the book they are snipped from.
If you forward "Snippets" to anyone, please send it in its entirety, not deleting the original source or author.
If you are on the "Snippet" email list and wish to be removed, please email me. If you would like to be added to the Snippet list, just email me at the below address.
krodgers5@suddenlink.net
Snippets birthed May 10, 2003
Scripture for Memory and Mediation #18 AUTUMN
Isaiah 55:12 NIV
"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field with clap their hands."
Okay, this may seem trivial, but I turn 50 this month. One day I'm at peace with this changing season or my life and the next I want to hold it at bay. As the earth season is now changing from summer to fall, I feel in a sense that my life is going from summer to fall. I have never worried about a birthday before this one and I have been determined for the past 350 plus days (since turning 49) that I would not succumb to being blue over this one. I don't fear death or anything like that, I'm just seeing this birthday as a real change of season for me and I've had a few bouts of the blues. Praise God though, He is faithful to lift me out of this place quickly.
I've always loved this scripture, Isaiah 55:12, because it speaks of joy and hope in change. God first laid this Word on my heart when I left my hometown to move with my husband's job promotion. I looked at it as a God adventure.
Even as I'm writing this and thoughts of this becoming the autumn of my life, I am reminded that every day for the past two weeks with cooler weather I've exclaimed that I love the fall and I love the change of season. I think God may be trying to tell me something. (Big smile)
Maybe this autumn season is going to be my most favorite of all since it is my most favorite season in the earth cycle. Today, I go outside and stand in the fall weather and lift up my head to the heavens and exclaim, I will go out, from the spring and summer seasons of my life, with joy and in the presence of my loving Father, I am being led forth in peace. This will be a most joyful season and the mountains and hills will burst into song before me and the trees of the field will clap their hands.
I love autumn!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
A Call to Anguish: David Wilkerson via The Bravehearted Gospel
http://braveheartedgospel.com/Home.html
Scripture for Memory and Mediation #17
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.
He alone is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Fortress, I will not be shaken."
In a world full of turmoil, in our lives full of turmoil we often try to find solace, direction, counsel, or guidance from those around us and they may or may not be able to give us some comfort, some guidance, some encouragement. Ultimately though, they will not be able to meet the deepest needs within us.
I and my family have had to walk through many journeys over the years that have been trying and at times devastating; probably no more than anyone else has had to endure. Individually and as a family we have been immensely blessed to have the love, support, encouragement, and counsel of godly friends. But when push comes to shove and our back is against the wall, there is no other like the Lord, my Rock, my Salvation, my Fortress.
When I used the word “endure” in a preceding paragraph, it short changes the experiences. Yes, we do endure, but we also have the opportunity to grow in our own faith and trust in God. We go beyond leaning on the faith of our faith-strong friends and family to a place of leaning on our Father in a very personal and intimate way. If we press into Him and His Word, we will find He is faithful, loving, and sovereign. In fact, He is the epitome of faithfulness, love, and sovereignty. I have found Him to be these and in this I have found I can trust Him and His work in and through life’s circumstances. He has never left me nor forsaken me. Through the trials of life, He has taken the situation, the issues, the pain, the brokenness and transformed me to the very core of my person and character. He has comforted me in His love, He has weeded out things that needed weeding out of my life and character, He has grown more of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in me, He has been my guide through the turbulent waters, He is my God and my Friend.
I have found my rest in Him, my hope in Him. He is my Rock, my Salvation, my fortress and in Him I will not be shaken. Glory to God!
If you are traveling in rough waters presently, run to Him as if running into a fortress from your enemy. Lean into Him as John leaned upon His chest at the last supper. Rest in Him as Elijah did after His confrontation with the priests of Baal. You will find His agape love, His endless faithfulness, and His royal sovereignty!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Scripture for Memory and Mediation #16
1 John 3:1 NIVI just love this verse. It has always made me feel so precious when I read it, almost like a princess. I'm honestly not the princess type, but this verse makes me feel that way.
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"
Our Father, Heavenly Father, loves each one of us so much that His desire is to lavish His love on us. Lavish meaning, abundant, profuse, generous, excessive. Synonyms: extravagant, liberal, shower, heap on, unsparing, magnanimous. Are you starting to feel it? He wants to shower His love on us excessively, extravagantly.
I used the phrase above indicating that this was His desire, but in fact this scripture says, "He HAS lavished His love on us." He has already and continues to lavish His love on us. Sometimes we just get so wrapped up in our world, our problems (and granted many of the problems people experience are tragic and heart-breaking), our busyness, and even ourselves, that we tragically miss seeing this lavish love. Our pain has calloused our hearts, our busyness has swept right passed it, ourselves have been all-consuming and didn't allow room for Him.
I'm encouraging you today to stop where you are and focus on His love that He is lavishing on you...His love in the gift of salvation, in the spiritually abundant life He wants to give you, in those relationships of those close to you, in nature, in your needs being met, in the precious gift of the indwelling presence of Holy Spirit. I could go on and on and on...but I hope you get the point.
He has and is lavishly pouring His love on you and on me. Sometimes, we just have to take the time to refocus-stop focusing on the negatives and even legitimate pain, and focus on Him. I speak/write from experience.
I hope you begin to feel like a princess (or prince, if any guys are reading this) today as you recognize the extravagant love that has been lavished on you.
Monday, August 10, 2009
He is our true Treasure
My friend, Lisa Shaw, has prompted me to read a book I’ve long had, but have never read until now. This will be one of my life-time favorites
The Pursuit of God
A. W. Tozer
“The man who has
God for his treasure has all things in One.
Many ordinary treasures may be
denied him,
or if he is allowed to have them,
the enjoyment of them will
be so tempered that they will never be necessary to his happiness.
Or if he
must see them go,
one after one,
he will scarcely feel a sense of loss,
for having the Source of all things he has in One all satisfaction,
all
pleasure,
all delight.
Whatever he may lose he has actually lost
nothing,
For he now has it all in One,
and he has it purely,
legitimately, and forever.”
“…in Him we shall find that for which we have all our lives been secretly longing.”
*"Snippets"--clips, morsels, fragments from something I've read recently...something that has ministered to me or someone else.
They are meant to encourage, challenge, or cause us to ponder.
They may even cause you to run to the nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of the book they are snipped from.
If you forward "Snippets" to anyone, please send it in its entirety, not deleting the original source or author.
If you are on the "Snippet" email list and wish to be removed, please email me.
If you would like to be added to the Snippet list, just email me at the below address.
krodgers5@suddenlink.net
Snippets birthed May 10, 2003
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Scripture for Memory and Mediation #15
Hate to admit it, but it's true.
I needed to be reminded, as God does most every day, that He does, indeed, have His purposes for my life and
He will fulfill them.
Speak, Lord, in Your perfect timing for Your servant listens with great anticipation. I surrender All to Jesus, I surrender ALL.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Scripture for Memory and Mediation #14
"Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You.
I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift of up hands."
Post coming....
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Snippet, Our Conscience
Esther, It’s Tough Being a Woman
Beth Moore
“We’ve each been hurt by someone, but no one on earth has hurt us more than those who seem callous to it.
We’re acquainted with trying to deal with the wrongdoing of another while they go on with life, oblivious to our pain.
We fight an urge to corner them in a public place and scream, ‘Don’t you get it?’ If they won’t judge themselves, the fleshly part of us would gladly enlist a group to help us judge them.
The situation becomes even more complicated when you sense that the very person who helped your life to fall apart wonders why you can’t get it together.
There’s nothing quite like someone who hurt you judging you for being hurt.
Now take the scenario I just described a step further.
Imagine how we’d feel about the person appearing more than unconcerned.
What if the person were smug and insidious enough to celebrate our harm?
One of the hardest facts of life to accept is that some people are not sorry for the anguish they’ve caused.
The most twisted among them might even be glad.
…Let’s learn to be thankful every time we feel sorry for even our smallest offense toward someone.
God designed conviction to be uncomfortable so that we’d hurry to repentance and find relief and restoration. Feeling is a good thing, Beloved.
Nothing is more frightening than a seared conscience.”
*"Snippets"--clips, morsels, fragments from something I've read recently...something that has ministered to me or someone else.
They are meant to encourage, challenge, or cause us to ponder.
They may even cause you to run to the nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of the book they are snipped from.
If you forward "Snippets" to anyone, please send it in its entirety, not deleting the original source or author.
If you are on the "Snippet" email list and wish to be removed, please email me.
If you would like to be added to the Snippet list, just email me at the below address.
krodgers5@suddenlink.net
Snippets birthed May 10, 2003
Monday, July 13, 2009
Scripture for Memory and Mediation #13
Psalm 16:11 "You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy."
"You will show me the path of life..."
Who doesn't want to know the "path of life" as set out by God? Wouldn't we all love to see the path of our life? Our Father has made that path know to us in part through His Word. In Psalms He reminds us that His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Rarely has He given me long-term details, but He does guide me and show me the way bit by bit as I seek His heart on the matters of my life and as I obey Him in the step I'm on. Of course, there are times when I'd like the light to shine a little farther down the path and show me what's ahead, but there is an element of faith involved in trusting Him, in trusting His love for me in what's ahead and trusting that He's provided all I need for the next steps. He has always proven to be faithful in His love and plan for me and those I love.
"In Your presence is fullness of joy."
My Father's Word tells me that joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit, His Spirit that lives in and through me. He also tells me that my joy in Him is my strength in this life.
So what is joy? My Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus says this of joy, "pleasure; extreme gladness. Delight, elation, ecstacy, rapture, bliss, happiness, enjoyment, glee, treasure."
Let me interject these in the scripture, "In Your presence is fullness of
[pleasure,
extreme gladness,
delight,
elation,
ecstacy,
rapture,
bliss,
happiness,
enjoyment,
glee,
treasure]."
Are these not two incredibly encouraging and stimulating promises from our Father, to show us the path of life and to fill us with the fullness of joy in His presence?
Can I encourage you to get away and spend some time devoted solely for you and Your Father to be alone. That may be in your prayer closet, a garden, the mountains, your car, a park, a room with the door closed, whereever you can find that time to simply sit at His feet as Mary did.
Worship Him,
Love Him,
Enjoy Him.I pray that as you spend this time in His presence without the distractions of your world that you cling to His promise to receive the fullness of His joy.
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust Him and He will do this." Psalm 37:4 - 5
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Your True Identity
"Each one of us is a rare, one-of-a-kind person, with a God-given destiny to fulfill-a unique call that only we can carry out. But in order to reach our full potential and truly succeed in life, we must learn to accept ourselves for who we are.
The foundation for success is knowing who we are in Christ. This is our true identity. This understanding comes through learning what God says about us in his Word and then getting our mind and mouth in agreement with it. As you and I begin to think and speak the things that God says about us instead of focusing on our weaknesses [or the lies the enemy whispers in our ears through our subconscious minds or through the words of others], we will find the freedom to be ourselves and be the best we can be in all areas of our lives."
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
And They Will Become One Flesh
"31 years ago today I married the love of my life~our love only grows sweeter with time. It's worth it to work through and push through those earlier years when two flesh clash and clang together in their efforts to become one. It is soooo worth it! To God be the Glory!"
God tells us in Genesis 2:21-24,
"But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man and he brought her to the man. The man
said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man. For this reason a man [and woman] will leave his [her] father and mother and be united to his [her] wife [husband] and they will become one flesh."
I believe that as we marry and are united with our life mate the process of becoming one flesh is begun. It's spiritual. It's physical. It's mental. It's emotional. Becoming one flesh is a lifetime of learning to love your mate more than yourself and living that love out in a vast array of ways. It can be a hard beginning, two distinctly different human beings learning to let go of our own selfish selves in an expression of love for another person. That doesn't mean we lose our individuality, but allow room for the other into our being. In the process we become fuller and richer individuals. It is ultimately a beautiful gift and process designed by the LORD God. It is also a process that is facilitated, enabled, and empower by the LORD God as we submit to Him.
When Kerry and I were married, I was given this poem by one of my grandmothers.
Wet it, pat it.
Make a statue of you
and make a statue of me.
Then shatter them,
clatter them,
add some water
and break them
and mold them
into a statue of you
and a statue of me.
Then in mine, there are bits of you
And in you there are bits of me.
Nothing ever shall keep us apart.
She added, "If you don't understand it now, keep it and in later years it might mean more to you. I hope you two will be happy. I know you are both wonderful people, both of you will have to work at making a good life together. Married life is not a one sided thing, but as you go through life and as you grow older life should grow better. I have high hopes for you."
She was right =)
Friday, June 19, 2009
From Amanda Jackson (Beth Moore's daughter)
http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2009/06/burning-down-house.html
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Scripture for Memory and Mediation #12
Psalm 62:8 NIV
"Trust in Him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge."There are times in our lives when we are surrounded by a great host of friends and family. Some of those are so precious and allow us the latitude in friendship to pour out our hearts to them. There are times that that's what we need because it's like a relief valve and the stresses, pain, and pressures are released in being able to share our heart with someone who cares.
Other times we are alone or at least it seems that way. In these times, the stresses, pain, and pressures expand within us so much that we think we are going to burst for lack of being able to release them.
As children of God and Christ followers we know that He is there and cherishes His children pouring out our hearts to Him so that He may pour out His heart to us. But often, we forget that because we need or want someone in the flesh to help us through.
When God had me "stumble" onto this Word, I stood back and spiritually shook my head at myself. He invites us to pour out of our hearts to Him. He is the ultimate friend and listener and really He is THE ONE WITH THE ANSWERS; He is our refuge. I'm just now reminded of the old hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus". I am a great lover of Contemporary Christian music and also Praise and Worship music, but having grown up in church the lyrics of the foundational hymns seem to always come to mind to remind me of the truths I've know all my life.
"What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In his arms he'll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there."
Excuse me now, I think Jesus and I have an overdue appointment.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Scripture for Memory and Mediation #11
Psalm 25:10-11 NIV
"All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of His covenant. For the sake of Your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great."
"All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of His covenant."
Loving and Faithful...what a precious gift we have received in our God. When life is a challenge, when hopes are dashed, when questions go unanswered...Our God remains Loving and Faithful. Hold on to it, cling to it, stand on it. Even when you may not feel it or see it in your circumstances...it remains true. He sees and knows the beginning from the end and He, in His sovereignty and in His love for you, sees the big picture and will work all things out for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28).
"For the sake of Your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great."
Because His grace flows so generously, I too often forget how great even my "smaller" sins are against His holiness and purity. I understand that God doesn't see sin in degrees, but in our human minds we see the consequences of our sin in degrees. But my sins, whatever they are, are set against the backdrop of His holiness and purity not against my concept of sin.
Picture this:
In the beginning a canvas covered with these-the holiness and purity of Almighty God; not a flaw or impurity in it. Then...SPLASH across this pristine canvas our sins...anger, envy, coveteousness, bitterness, lies, laziness, neglect of His temple...careless, hateful, or judgmental words, self-focus, prayerlessness, grumbling, idolatry, ungratefulness, waster of God given time...and so much more.Do our sins not stand out in glaring contrast-ugly and painful? Now picture Jesus stepping into the scene and draping the ugliness with a red cloth symbolizing His blood sacrifice covering our sin.
Precious Jesus, THANK YOU!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Power of Your Words
The Power of Your Words
Robert Morris
“Psalm 100 gives us clear instructions for coming into the presence of God. We’re told to come into His presence with singing, to enter His gates with thanksgiving, to come into His courts with praise. Singing, thanksgiving, and praise---all these actions are expressed through words.
The reason satan doesn’t want you to be vocal in your praise to God is because he knows that those kinds of words connect you to God in awesome ways. The simple truth is that the only people who experience the full glory and joy of God’s presence are thankful people.
Satan will do everything he can to discourage you from expressing gratitude and praise. Frankly, he wants you to be a grumbler. Why? Because grumbling is an expression of unbelief and ingratitude (two big ways to short-circuit God’s power in your life.) Praise on the other hand, is an expression of faith and gratitude
“Snippets”—clips, morsels, fragments from something I’ve read
recently…something that has ministered to me or someone else. They are meant to encourage, challenge, or cause us to ponder. They may even cause you to run to the nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of the book they are snipped from.
If you forward “Snippets” to anyone, please send it in its entirety, not deleting the ‘original source of author’”.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Scripture for Memory and Mediation #10
Matthew 12: 34-35
"For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him."
Our words reveal much about us.
I heard a lady say that our words and actions come from the premeditations of our heart and mind. I like that phrase. What are we allowing our minds to think? We have the power to control our thoughts and, therefore, we can control our words. I believe this because Jesus continues as He tells us in Matthew 12:36 "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." We would not be accountable if we did not have the ability to choose and take control of our thoughts and words.
If our words are not revealing the good of God stored in us, what are we thinking about? I have been trying very hard to monitor my thoughts. When I realize a string of thoughts are marinating in my mind that are not inspired by God, but inspired by the enemy or inspired by my flesh, I am trying to intentionally take them captive, putting a halt to them. I'm finding that it's not nearly as hard as you would think.
When Jesus said that our words reveal the overflow of our heart, He is speaking of all our words. Words spoken to someone, about someone, to ourselves, or about ourselves. There's enough in that last line to bleed into another post, but it will have to wait.
Again, Lord, May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart, be pleasing [exceedingly pleasing] in your sight O Lord, my ROCK and my REDEEMER. Psalm 19:14
Father, I thank You for Your correction and direction in my life. I thank You that You love me enough to send Your Spirit to reveal to me anything, everything in my life that is not pleasing to You-"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way, everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24
Friday, May 1, 2009
Scripture for Memory and Meditation #9
"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the ROCK eternal.”
Sometimes there are just seasons of pain, worry, turmoil, fear, or unrest in our lives. I am going through one of those presently. Some issues have been brought to me that have unsettled my spirit.
In my past, I would have prayed, fretted, prayed and fretted. As I've journey along with my LORD, I have hopefully matured in my faith and over the many years I've walked with Him, I pray more than fret. PRAISE GOD. I am crying out to God in faith, hope, and trust...IN HIM.
Last night when another situation was brought to my watchman spirit, I rushed to the Father and have been standing in my trust of Him every moment. When the enemy tries to come in and shake me, I am running to the LORD, the LORD, who is the ROCK eternal.