SHE GAVE JESUS 7 DAYS

Dinah, a young Muslim and member of the morality police, called to mock Hormoz on his television program. "I and my mother are going to commit suicide---while on the phone to your program."

Her mother, the only person she had, was dying of cancer.

"I only wish you could watch me."

Hormoz challenged her. As long as she was going to kill herself anyway, why not give Jesus a chance; seven days.

"I didn't want Jesus to be the answer.

All week long, I thought of everything in my life that was negative.

I was trying to feel depressed.

But each time . . . I was flooded with peace.

I would stop by my mirror, amazed at the smile on my face.

As for my mother, she's well . . . 

and so am I!

Jesus is everything you promised."

Tom Doyle w/ Greg Webster

Dreams And Visions

Is Jesus Awakening The Muslim World?  P.75-81

Thomas Nelson  2012

All I can say is, "Jesus is real!"

AND He is "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

2 Peter 3:9  NIV

When John 3:16 says that "He so loved the world," it is absolutely true.

He loves everyone.

But He loves us, as only God can, completely

and 

One at a time.

Aren't you grate-full?

Lonnie

HOT BUTTONS

"Allow me to be blunt.

Outlawing same-sex marriages,

reducing the number of abortions performed each year,

or displaying the Ten Commandments in every classroom . . .

Will not increase heaven by one solitary person

apart from the proclamation of the gospel."

Robert Jeffress

Twilight's Last Gleaming   p.35

Worthy Publishing   2016

As a new Christian, I was all about doing kindnesses so that people would see Jesus. I wanted everyone to know Jesus and go to heaven, and I thought my good works would accomplish that. After all, Matthew 5:16 tells us that men will see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.

OOPS! LIGHT BULB MOMENT

The Scripture verse says, "LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE . . . that they may SEE your good works and . . ."

Well, what's my light?

I believe it's my testimony--the acknowledgment of Jesus as my Savior and life focus.

I honestly can't find that balance and

 it frustrates me! 

When do I STAND UP? When do I SHUT UP?

Do I wait for someone to ask how I stand on those hot buttons and begin with a mention of the Bible or God lest they don't give me a chance to mention the gospel later in conversation?

Do I randomly ask people how they stand on abortion? Or, maybe I could be a little more subtle. 

It IS election season. 

"Hey, this is a tough political season. What issues matter the most to you?

And why?"

 You know what? That might just work. I bet there are some stories behind thoughts of abortion, gender preference, immigration, or sexual abuse. We may not come away in agreement, but we both might come away with compassion and understanding. 

And maybe . . .

one reluctant to believe will get a glimpse of my incredible Jesus.

"In fact, if we are not careful, we could 
actually 

decrease the number 

of people in heaven

if we ever compromise our long-range mission

to achieve short-term goals."

Robert Jeffress

Living in the Struggle,

Lonnie

TURNING POINT

"The prophet (Micah) reached a turning point 

when he looked away from

the sins of the people 

and meditated on the faithfulness

of the Lord."

Warren W. Wiersbe

Be Concerned  p. 119 Nook

We are all sinners, so I am not pointing fingers, but this is where I often find myself these days. I pray, usually directed toward my desired outcome. (talking politics, here). I read with a frenzy, I suppose, to assure myself and/or so I intelligently share my position; but then I reach the prophet's turning point. I remind myself of God's faithfulness.

Whichever direction the elections go, God Is in control. He has purposes which could result in immediate and obvious blessings or His purposes could lead to difficult times which are always (always) for our ultimate good.

I'm reminded of how I used to pray: 

God, change me but be gentle.

One day, God took me back to a time when our toddler-April fell into some rotted wood. She had slivers inbedded everywhere! 

You have to know that we and the doctors were as gentle as we could possibly be. 

April still cried. 

She was still scared. 

And it still hurt.

Sometimes the path to healing and blessing is through pain.

Trusting Him,

Lonnie

RIGHT PLACE - - - - WRONG HEART

"He leads 
me beside still waters."

Psalm 23:2b

In Psalm 23 The Shepherd With Me, Jennifer Rothschild asks us to draw a tandem bike. Well, that provided my laugh for the day. Then she asks:

Where is your Shepherd sitting?

Where are you sitting? 

"Perhaps you're in the right place but with the wrong heart.

"You're seated on the back of the bike, 
but 
constantly shouting 

directions to your Shepherd

AND CALLING IT PRAYER."

BULL'S EYE!

Sheepishly Yours,
Lonnie

THAT'S THE PAST

"Jesus makes it clear in this moment that she

(the woman who touched the hem of his garment)

is not to be known as the woman with the issue of blood,

but rather the woman who had faith in Him."

Angie Smith

Women Who Fear   p.62

Not remembered for who we were, but for who we are . . .

 His Beloved. 

Men and women growing in faith and faithfulness.

Lonnie

IT WORKS! I MADE A DIFFERENCE!

"We heard you!

You loved the original flavor, shape, and texture of

our cereal so we are bringing it back!

It's people like you that we love to hear from.

We've enclosed a coupon . . ."

POST CONSUMER BRANDS

September 29, 2018

You ought not to mess with a senior's fiber

--as Shredded Wheat makers found out.
😁

But, of course, you know Post Cereals did not change Shredded Wheat for "me." If you read yesterday's blog, you'll understand why I'm so excited.

"A single drop can't make even a puddle . . . BUT TOGETHER . . ."

 There's something else I love about this letter: 

We Heard You!

Don't you so appreciate it when someone has genuinely listened to what you had to say? They may go away with the same opinion that they came with, but they listened respectively. They considered your reasonings and feelings rather than dismissing them as stupid or uninformed.

It's hard folks. It's really hard! 

But, if we come away with a little more understanding and compassion, isn't it worth it?  And what if they give us something to think about; to REconsider? What if it saves or deepens a relationship?

God

This is hard! I'm almost afraid to pray,

But Here Goes:

Help Me Listen.

And . . . help me be heard.

Lonnie

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

"A single drop can't make even a puddle,

but together,

all our little drops 

and God's planning

can make not only a mighty ocean

but a mighty difference."

Madeleine L'Engle w/ Carol Chase

Glimpses of Grace   p.13

HarperSanFrancisco  1996

One of my dollar finds is proving quite enjoyable.

I find this quote pleasreable but especially appropriate, as well. We are less than a week from mid-term elections, so . . .

Short and Sweet: Make A Difference------Vote!

Lonnie

Or, let go of the attitude and let the car in who has raced past several cars to "zipper" in ahead of you all. (Something I'm working on."