SelahV Today by hariette petersen

BLINDED TO BLOSSOMS

I noticed the lone surviving lavendar plant from the twelve I had planted (5 years ago). It had wild morning glories twisting its way amongst its purple stems--what a stranglehold it had.  I'd seen the daisies clustered behind my pecan trees, but their presence did not bring the usual excitement typical for me.  From my kitchen window, I barely gave a glance to the array of giant Foxgloves growing by the fence.  A smile...a nod of praise to the Lord for their perennial presence in my life.  Scripture came to mind..."Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Luke 12:27

Yeah, Lord; I know.  But lilies don't have chronic back pain, I reasoned.  And lilies don't outgrow their attire.  And lilies don't get bronchitis.  And lilies don't have company coming and have a tub to scour and tables to dust. 

Recent weeks of pain had robbed me of enthusiasm.  Oklahoma's sweltering heat discouraged a walk outside.  A messy neglected house simply did not deserve a bouquet to grace the dining-room table cluttered with bills, books and my grandchildren's art renderings. Thoughts of company coming this weekend and the need to clean my home gave little room for musing about the backyard.  All I saw was the need to mow the lawn, the desire to secure my hammock before my friend arrived on Saturday.  Then...

...then my granddaughters came to visit.  They skittered to the patio doors and spotted the giant multi-colored foxgloves.  Maroon, magenta, peach, and pink.  They saw the purple Rose of Sharon.  The "oohs and aahs" punctuated the air with awe and wonder.

"Grama, did you know you had flowers out there?" Haylee informed me. "Can we pick some?"  Within moments she and Kinsey emptied a basket of its wooden blocks and found their scissors and headed out the door.  Normally, I would grab my camera and follow them.  Yesterday I simply slid the door closed to keep out the flies and bees and headed back to my recliner, grabbed a tissue and waited out my three-minute coughing spasm.  My head hurt.  My chest hurt.  My stuffy nose leaked out of my eyes as tears covered my cheeks.

I sat there thinking how little I cared about flowers.  But how wonderfully warm and soothing it felt to have my granddaughters visiting.  Their mom had kept them at bay for days because I'd been feeling so lousy.  And now, their enthusiasm and joy touched a need inside me I had not realized was there.  I knew the girls would soon bounce through the doors with their basket of glory, so I got up and went to the kitchen and filled a clear bowl with water.  I went back to my recliner, blew my nose and waited.

Before the afternoon was over we'd had a teaparty, sat cuddled together watching Popeye and Ben Ten, drank hot chocolate and talked about Vacation Bible School coming up next week.  Haylee was particularly excited.

"I can hardly wait.  We are going exploring.  It won't be like when we went to Australia and saw the animals, or the other year when we, uh...I can't remember now, but we are going to some place new."

"I think you are going to New York this year," I informed.

"WHAT!  Wow, that will be fun!  That's where the big buildings are, and...", and on and on she exolled all she knew about New York City.  "But we don't really go there," she reminded me, "we just explore it in pretend."

I thought about that precious moment.  The wonder of a child.  The expectations. Life.  Joy oozed out of every pore.  Kinsey was caught up in the excitement even though she had no idea why.  Joyous memories of past VBS explorations thrilled Haylee and provoked undiluted positive anticipation.  Oklahoma's heat didn't matter.  Insects didn't matter.  And I'm certain if she had a Summer cold, it would not matter.  Life was a bouquet of grandeur and a rainbow of promise.

Oh, to be young again.  Oh, to let my spirit ride the wings of butterflies and bumble bees.

Later, when the chatter, the joy and the busyness of two little girls surrendered to the stillness of the house, I could not help but stop and try to smell the blossoms in the middle of my dining room table. I'd been all but blinded to the array of maroon, magenta, purple and pink blossoms before my granddaughters came to visit.

"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger." Psalm 8:2

What a blessing to have the lips of children.  The hope in their hearts.  God knew this day would come when Satan tried to rob me of health, to blind me to the blessings of His glory.  God knew that when each seed from every flower in my backyard died last fall and burst forth in new life this Spring that the girls would come and marvel at their splendor.  God knew they'd offer praise because of the enemies in my life--weariness, illness, and depression.  He knew.  And so He prepared for this day for me to see the blossoms of His love.

How about you?  Do you see Him today?  I hope so.

PRAYER:  Lord, give those who are weary.  Those who are blinded by the sin of life.  Those who cannot lift their eyes.  Give them a child to come and show them the way...to offer praise for Your goodness...to remind them of Your watchcare and to silence the foe and avenger in their lives.

On A Scale Of 1 to 10, The PAIN Is...

...at least 15.  I can't imagine what number I'd assign my pain without the aid of hydrocodone and aspirin.  If it's this bad with the medication, it's a good chance I would not be writing to you.  As it is, I am keeping my eyes closed as I type and check for typos now and then.  How'd it happen? It's freaky.

At a few minutes before noon, I simply reached across the dining-room table for a piece of paper. Pain ripped through my lower back. I couldn't breathe.  Bright light flashed in front of my eyes then darkness seemed to blind my mind.  Nausea grabbed me by the throat; I almost passed out. I stood perfectly still.  Didn't move a muscle.  I held my breath and waited for the searing, wrenching pain to ease.  It didn't.

At present, I need hubby's assistance to walk; he's my crutch. 

I take tiny steps.  Actually it's more like a shuffle. It's excruciating just to get up and stand still.  Suffice it to say, we canceled plans to go junking in Duncan.  All afternoon, I laid back in my recliner trying not to move anything but my fingers.  The simple intake of breath causes pressure pain to hit my back.

This evening I'm praying I don't sneeze--still a bit queazy.  Don't want to wiggle my toes, scratch my leg, or flex a muscle. Most any movement causes greater pain. 

Still, I am compelled to praise the Lord as I consider how good I have it--how much better off I am than all those poor tornado victims in Alabama and Mississippi. I think about the folks in Japan and am grateful.  So grateful.  Though my pain is worse than any I've felt in a long time, it's still less than what others suffer each day.  It's far less than my brother-in-law is enduring with his mouth and throat cancer.  He's on morphine.  I think of the heartache and misery our military face because of lost arms, eyes, legs and more in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Blessed, I am.  Blessed I'll be.  Ever mindful ot the sufficient grace of God that meets the weakness of my temporary trial.  Yes, temporary.  Should the good and merciful LORD decide to leave me in this state for years, it is still but a single intake of breath in comparison to the eternal bliss and comfort I shall have in heaven one day.  So,

"This suffering is all part of the work God has given you. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21)

Odd, when I consider "suffering is all part of the work God has given" me.  I never really thought about suffering as work.  Yet, here it is.  And all I need do to follow Jesus is endure it.  It's easy to recall the suffering of Jesus so close to Easter--so much emphasis has been on His crucifixtion and resurrection.  Not once did Jesus complain in His suffering.  No pity parties.  No grumbling.  Not even an irritable spirit.  Yes, now....now, I can discern how suffering is part of the work that God gives.

"And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."Along with Paul, I stake my hope on resurrection, a time when Christ will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Philippians 3:21

Suffering is not about me.  It's about glorifying God--working through it, submitting to it as Christ Jesus did during His scourging, mockery, and tortuous death.

Need I even pray about my pain?  The suffering?  In light of "Your Father knows what you need before you ask."?  Matthew 6:8

Of course I pray.  I pray that I do not enter into the temptation to grumble, complain and whine.  I praise God for the opportunity to do the work He has given me to do.  Though I cannot stand and cook dinner, fold laundry, or even bend to brush my teeth, I can accept the "work God" gives me. I think the whole purpose for this suffering is so I'd search for scriptures to convey to you, my friends, that God is supplying.  So, this is fine...this is good. I am a woose for the most part, but I can do this.  Yes, I can.

"I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength!"  Philippians 4:13

I know I'm not alone.  I know my Redeemer did more than save my soul.  He left me with the Holy Spirit.  He gifted me with His strength and He assures me with:

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 2:9)

What a mighty, prepared, think-ahead God we have!  What a peace is mine!  Amazing, don't you think?  selahV 

FUNERAL SONGS I want when I die

When I die don't cry for me.  In my Father's arms I'll be.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnwQ51Q3pWc

No more night...no more tears...no more sadness....no more fears.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZKXUBomnAg

Praises to the Great I Am, we will live in the Light of the Risen Lamb! 

SO THANKFUL FOR GOD'S MERCY

Sometimes life doles out the most difficult circumstances.  Crucial.  Threatening.  An innocent action coupled with foolishness can be one's undoing.  Consequences may loom that has one quake in fear of the unknown.  The pit can be so wide and deep the possibility of getting out of it is beyond any control or ability we may assume we have.  We can only bow our heads, bend our knees and pray for mercy.  Like Joseph, sometimes what others mean for evil, God means for good.

Sovereignty.  God is in control.  Always.  Sometimes He simply wants to remind us that only He can make the difference in our lives.  Sometimes He wants to show us how much He truly loves us and hears our pleas for His divine intervention.  When our stupidity leads us to the edge of an abyss, He indeed holds our hand when we slip and stumble. 

I stand amazed at the mercy of God.  Over and over again, He pours out mercy when we deserve none.  I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever.  May I continue to offer to others what God so readily gives me and mine.  May we give Him all praise for every detail of our lives.  Every single detail.

Thank You, Lord, for friends who pray when I need them.

Thank You for Your constant love and goodness.

Thank You for Your intervention and mercy.  selahV 

DOES ANYONE HAVE A PRAISE?

I do!  I do!  In fact, I have a few of them:

The Blizzard of February 1st blessed me with the presence of my husband for three whole days.  We hunkered down and enjoyed one another's company.  We've sipped hot coffee, dined on egg-sandwiches, gorged on chicken stew, nibbled on cinnamon-raisin toast, and simply reveled in a time of rest and quiet.  For breakfast yesterday, Hubby made French Toast for me.  Such a sweetheart God has blessed me with!  He's got the "gift of service" and a heart of love.  Today he braves the 20-degrees and goes to the streets once again as a courier.  May God keep him safe.

My son-in-law came over yesterday and shoveled off our driveway and front porch.  Now we can easily open the front door and get the newspaper.  He even salted the sidewalk and porch.  It was 12 degrees yesterday.  Brrr-rrr.  That is a concerned and caring son-in-law, don't you think?  May God pour out multiple blessings upon him for his unwavering use of his "gift of service". 

Our diligent newspaper man delivered our newspaper every single frigid day.  I often hear the paper hit our front storm-door at 3 a.m. when he stops his four-wheeler at the street and tosses it onto the porch.  It's always within a foot of the open door.  He is a diligent, conscientious man.  We are blessed to have such service.  A big tip is going his way this month.  May God bless this man's life with goodness and comfort.

My sister-in-law from Florida emailed me and told me she is sending us several pounds of Acini de Pepe.  What's that?  It's a teensey round pasta we've used for nearly 46 years of marriage to make homemade chicken soup.  When I lived in East Hartford, Connecticut, we use to go down to the Italian Store on Main Street and scoop out as much as we wanted from the open barrels of pasta.  Mmmmn, mmmn, good!  That was pasta!  But I am so blessed to have a sister-in-law who cares enough to take the time to purchase the pasta we cannot find here in Lawton, Oklahoma City, and Wichita Falls, Texas, then wrap it up and mail it to us.  (Yeah, we've asked the grocers to order it...not helpful.  Hard to believe we can't get it here when Italian Wedding soup is so popular.) Nevertheless, I can hardly wait to make the soup and hear my granddaughters' glee when they get the soup with "little balls" in it.  May the Lord multiply blessings to Valerie for this act of kindness to us.

I also have a praise for all you readers.  I've had record site-views the last few months.  Am grateful that even though you may not comment, that you find my thoughts worth reading. Many of you have searched my archives when my writing was inconsistent due to my accident.  I realize that lately I've done a bit of whining and complaining about the insurance thing.  But I assure you that I'm only venting the idiocy of it all.  It just makes so little sense to me that God gives us brains and we "strain at gnats and swallow camels" when it comes to treating one another with fairness and caring.  I realize that the people I am dealing with at the insurance company are just following the rules and instructions of their company's bidding.  They are just people....working and trying to put beans on their own tables each week.  I tell them I know it is not their fault when I debate the "issue" and claims with them.  God loves them and asks us to "walk humbly and treat others kindly" even when things are difficult.  We are not exempt from doing right when "right" eludes us.  I can't imagine having their jobs.  May God bless them with goodness and wisdom to make the right decisions under pressure.

Little things--blessings and praises--have a way of multiplying and growing taller than the mountains of difficulty we may have in life.  It makes sense to "count it all joy when we encounter trials."  These trials and difficulties are God's sandpaper to strengthen our faith, develop our patience, and deepen our trust in His all-sufficient grace and watchcare.  The mountains of difficulty are made into molehills when we count our blessings and look at the little things of life for which we can offer praise to our Father, the Most High God.

So.....Anyone have a praise?  selahV    

 

Wrong Thinking, Number 5 of 11

Think with me for a minute, okay?  When you think about yourself and your accomplishments, do think you are worth about the same as a "Dum-dum" lollipop wrapper?  Do you relate more to the butterscotch sweetness of the solid ball of sugar once blanketed by that paper wrapper?  Or do you feel more like a tiny square of useless litter that belongs in the trash?  I've often felt like the latter--the "litter".  Basically, that comes from a lifetime of being told I was that "wrapper".  This brings me to Number 5 of my little series on "Wrong Thinking that causes us problems". 

DISCOUNTING THE POSITIVE:  (DtP).

If you are afflicted with "DtP", you insist that your accomplishments or positive qualities "don't count".  You discount any positive someone points out about you.  You find it extremely difficult to accept compliments.  You find it tremendously guilty accepting validation for anything you do.

I love my stepmother (hold that thought).  She came to live at our house when I was five-and-a-half.  When my father unloaded the U-haul (or whatever kind of truck it was), with all her belongings, her three-year-old and seventeen-year-old sons, I felt like we'd been invaded.  The number one thing I remember being unloaded was a metal horse that moved up and down and rolled forward when you stood on the metal stirrups.  Excitement bubbled up inside my heart as I moved toward it.  With one fell swoop, my exuberance was slapped away when my new step-brother pushed me aside and was validated for doing so.  "That's not yours, honey.  That is Thomas's."  That was the beginning of being told or shown that love, praise, and goodies belonged to her youngest son--not me.

I tell you that little story, not for sympathy.  No, I tell you to shed a glimpse of understanding into what caused a rather timid child, who'd been abandoned by her birth mother at age 3, to grow up with low self-esteem.  Abandonment coupled with favoritism for another--neglect coupled with verbal abuse, can warp the mind of a child and cause them to grow up thinking they "don't count".  But still, I loved my stepmother.  I came to understand her mental illness that went untreated and undiagnosed for her lifetime.  I also came to realize that what she was, and how she treated me, did not determine my ability or my worth.

The joy in discovering that God loved me and sent His Son to die for me, long before I was ever born, exploded within my heart with an intensity that I cannot begin to express with words equal to its splendor.  Growing in Christ showed me more and more of the mystery of God's love, the sovereignty of His love, the abundance of His love, and the watchcare of His love, the provision of His love, the mercy of His love, the forgiveness in His love and the acceptance of His love.

There are many times since I learned these things that I have wrestled with the DtP thinking.  I have fallen prey to the evil one who has nothing good to say about me.  I have listened to his accusations (and sometimes truly believed them), that I do anything I do, not because I love my Savior and Lord, but because I want the praise of man.  The hardest battle to fight is this one--especially when, along with the negative whisperings of Satan, I audibly hear the voices of people who agree with the Accuser of accusers.

However...

God is faithful.  He forever reminds me I am His child.  I belong to Him.  I am an heir.  I own, through the riches of Christ's glory, my Creator's approval through the blood of Christ which took all my sin away, and blanketed me with His grace.

I often wonder what good my writing does.  I often wonder if what I do makes any difference at all in the kingdom to encourage, edify or bring glory to my Lord.  Every now and then God sends me a visible, tangible validation that what I am doing matters to Him and to others.  It's kind of like getting that "smiley face" on your English essay.  God does that for us, not to puff us up, but to validate us, and to encourage us to keep doing what we are doing, despite the odds against us, despite the whispers of the evil one.

Just yesterday, a precious gal from India--a Hindu transformed by the blood and life of Jesus, "facebooked" me and told me she'd been blessed by some of my devotionals.  She wanted to "friend" me.  What a blessing!  What an honor!  But the greater blessing is that the Lord allows me to now pray for her family to come to Christ, too.  Blessedly for her, her family did not cause her problems with her conversion.  Folks, that is amazing.  Many missionaries have been killed for sharing the gospel in India.  Pastors have had their churches torched, and watched their families and members of their churches slaughtered for daring to profess Christ as Lord.  My new friend reaffirmed something for me yesterday and today.

I am not a wrapper.  Neither are you.  God is working all things together for good to those who are called according to His purpose.  Give your life to Him.  Let Him show you the sweetness He can bring forth from your yielded life.  Don't let Satan, or anyone else, discount your value in this world.  selahV

ADDITIONALS POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

Ten Things To Do When You're Ready to Explode 

When You Want to Know What to Do

When You Are Wrongly Accused  

TODAY IT RAINS, Guest Post by Casey Curtis

Today, a young couple struggles to make ends meet. Today there is rejoicing for a child born; the parents grateful for this life because their second died hours after delivery. Today, a couple wonders if their marriage will make it. Today, a young woman weeps because her family does not understand her faith and rejects her. Today, a student is wondering where he should go to college. Today, a parent is wondering how to pay for college. Today, a woman saved from sin’s snare wonders how she will tell the next man she is no longer available to meet his sexual needs. Today, a once hopeful relationship is over. Today, a married woman considers abortion because she is pregnant from a one-night stand.

Today, the man who has been far from God longs to get back home to where he is loved and encouraged. Today, a marriage is hopeful despite the infidelity of the marriage bed. Today, friends are starting a new chapter of ministry in a large city. Today, a young couple is touring the countryside on their honeymoon. Today, a teenage girl wants accountability for her dating relationships. Today, a teenager would rather not be accountable. Today, a friend who majored in Bible in college has walked away from God and is searching for peace in the pursuit of knowledge apart from Scripture. Today, a 90 year old man prayed to receive Christ after many years of rejecting Him. Today, a pastor preached the funeral of a woman who took her own life. Today, a pastor lost his job because the budget can’t handle his salary.

Today, a family member is caring for a child with the H1N1 flu. Today, I get to spend time with seven high school senior girls and communicate God’s Truth; praying they will listen and obey. Today, a husband whose wife is expecting their first child awaits a call back from a job interview as bus driver; having been fired from his church because the pastor didn’t like him. Today, a single mom is looking for a job; the divorce is final. Today, a friend is beating cancer by a miraculous work of God through medicine and harvesting his own stem cells. Today, he found out his friend with three small children lost his battle with cancer. Today, a father is not sure whether his cancer treatments are working at all. Today, friends are serving Jesus all across our nation and throughout the world. Today, friends who once called on the name of Jesus are walking away from His Truth and living apart from Him.

Today, it rains.

It rains, at least on this side of the clouds. For far above them, there is sunshine, as I noticed recently on a flight to California. While this trip was intended for work, and work was accomplished, the Lord had greater things in mind; at least for me. You see, the stories above are of lives with whom I have some friendship or mutual relationship, and their stories made aware to me within the last three weeks. And as a result, this pensive heart has begun to question, “What must we do when it rains?” These stories represent tragedy and triumph. And still, today, it rains.

As I write this, the rain has been steadily coming down outside of my home since early this morning. I love the rain on most days. Figuratively speaking, however, I dread the “rain” of suffering, persecution, rejection, pain, and a life marked by adversity. I, for one, hate rejection and fear that some people won’t like me. This is rain to me, but I can get over it. However, I struggle most with watching the rain in others’ lives. You see, I want to fix the problem and make it go away. But, even the counselor in me knows that mitigation of pain is not always the best option; for pain is often placed in our lives so that we may depend on the One that allows it. Isn’t it Paul who declared,

". . .There was given me a thorn in my flesh, to torment me. . .I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. For when I am weak, then I am strong. . ." 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

It’s in suffering where we realize our inadequacy; our weakness. And yet our culture tells us to “think positively” or to “pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps.” Sadly enough, we’ve opted out of relying on Christ. More so, it seems, we have reasoned our way into believing that somehow He is not enough. Don’t get me wrong, there is a balance here. We must be active in our faith, but faith is acting on His Word. Yet, it appears in our conversations that we don’t know His Word. Oh, maybe we can quote it, but when the rain comes, do we live like we believe it? When the sun abounds, do we live like we believe it?

That’s the question I’m asking myself these days. It’s not enough to know His Word if it doesn’t flesh itself out in our daily actions and words. I hear people say, “I want more of Jesus.” I do too. But, the reality of wanting Him more, at least in my life, is not so much knowing more about Him, but rather, believing and acting on what I do know. Part of that is spending time with Him, in His Word, letting it transform what we think and believe; rather than trying to make it fit our idea of what we want it to be. It’s a battle. It doesn’t always fit with what our culture says. 1 Corinthians 10: 3-6, says it clearly. We must let His Truth break the strongholds that keep us in self-defeating patterns. For when we really believe Him, we will live it. It is faith living!

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. “ Hebrews 11:1

He made the rain. He brings the rain. He is Sovereign. Do you believe this? Will you live it? Will you rejoice when it rains? You see, “it’s not about you, and it’s not about now. It’s about God’s glory and forever.” And while Max Lucado is the one who coined that phrase, it’s the Word of God that declares that message. What must we do, then, when it rains?

"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:6-9

In this journey called life, when the rain comes, remember God's promises never fail!

Bring on the Rain!
Casey Curtis

[Casey is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, TX and lives in Dallas area where she works as the Dallas/Ft. Worth recruiter for Oklahoma Baptist University of Shawnee, OK.  She has a BA in Marketing, a Master of Arts in Christian Education, and a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family.]   

WHY I'M PROUD TO BE CALLED SOUTHERN BAPTIST

1.  First Baptist Church, Triangle, VA (I, my two brothers and father were saved there.)

2.  First Baptist Church, East Hartford, Connecticut (My husband was saved there, my son and daughter were saved there and my husband was called to ministry there. Strong emphasis taught on Missions Home and Abroad.  Churches which have a heart for missions provide an environment conducive for people to hear the call of God in their lives.)

3.  Boyce Bible School, Louisville, KY., (They had great men of God teach my husband to preach the gospel and prepared him for pastoring for nearly 23 years in KY.)

4.  Seminary Village.  (The apartment complex that housed only Seminary students in 1979-82 or longer).  We forged tremendous lifelong friendships in that little apartment.  Peter Lumpkins being one of mine. 

5.  All four of the Kentucky churches which allowed my husband to pastor and me to minister as God led.  The joy of knowing those people comes to my heart daily.  And so many good memories linger.

6.  The Cooperative Program.  It help fund our education and provided great teachers for my husband and myself as we prepared for ministry.  It helps so many churches get started and exist until able to stand on their own.

7.  Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong.  Women who gave their all to share Jesus with a lost and dying world.  Their stories and many missionaries' biographies have led the way in inspiring others to give theirs.  WMU--they gave me so much in how to care for others, and present the gospel.  They encouraged me in my prayer life and gave me a love for missions.

God has given me so many blessings through the people in the SBC. In fact, it was at a writer’s conference in Nashville that gave me opportunity in publishing articles for them.  I’ve met, loved and prayed for many a missionary I’ve met at Ridgecrest N.C. That’s another blessing of the SBC. And the Bible studies and authors who’ve been trained in our Baptist colleges and Seminaries.   The curriculum that has led thousands of children to Christ through Vacation Bible Schools and Backyard Bible clubs.  And the Baptist Hospitals who’ve helped save lives, birth babies and heal the broken hearted. There’s much to be grateful for.

Had it not been for the faithfulness of Southern Baptists giving to Annie Armstrong offering, First Baptist East Hartford would never have existed. It started in a YMCA in Connecticut. Had it not been for FBC East Hartford, two men I know would not have gone into the fulltime service for the Lord.

The Southern Baptists have given me and my family far more than I can say while allowing their lights to shine for Jesus.  I am forever grateful to all who have crossed my path.  selahV

SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO..............ON MARCH 17TH

A child was born.  He was no ordinary child.  His birth caused a great stir in hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.  It was 1991.  His dad was there to see it all happen.  And it was a miracle.

Just five days before, his dad was hunkered down and prepared to attack Bagdad in the Desert Storm War should it be necessary. 

A cease fire had called a halt to the bombings in Iraq as they surrendered by the thousands during Desert Storm on February 28th.  Iraq's communications had been virtually destroyed and many Iraqi's didn't know the war was over. General Colin Powell had ordered that no one was to leave the theater of operations.  But the Red Cross placed an emergency call to the child's father.  The doctor strongly requested the soldier's presence in Kentucky as the child's chances of survival were questionable.  The father's commanding officer agreed and sent him out in a helicopter to Saudi Arabia, so he could catch a flight home.  The flight from Bagdad to Saudi was filled with perilous twists, turns and dives to avoid the surface-to-air-missiles aimed at them.

About 30 some hours later, that soldier came walking down the sidewalk in Fort Knox with all his Desert Storm gear on his back and nearly all of Iraq's sand on his body.  He literally looked like he'd just walked off the field.  He hadn't had a shower in weeks.  He'd flown on a commercial plane and he later said he'd felt sorry for those seated next to him.  There was no parades, no balloons of celebration.  But that didn't matter.

The next day Ryan was born on St. Patrick's Day.  The hospital was a buzz with excitement that a soldier had made it home from the war to see his first son born.  And today we celebrate his seventeenth birthday.

I had prayed all during the war that he'd be able to make it home for the birth of his child, and my firstborn grandson.  And God brought him home.  It was one of those miracles that words cannot adequately explain.  But I shall ever praise God for the miracle anyway.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]    

I WILL REMEMBER

 "Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." Ps.34:3

Like a tower reaching high into the sky, my faith holds on to You, oh Lord.  My yesterdays bear witness to Your help in the past.  Like stones layered one by one, each is strengthened by the one before.  In You I placed my trust for mercy, grace and healing.  Your steadfast hand did not fail me. 

In the midst of my pain, You met me and strengthened me with encouragement of others.  You gave me rest when there was no sleep.  You gave me strength when weakness demanded all of me.  You gave me joy though sorrow surrounded me.  You healed me, Lord.  And I praise You for Your goodness to me when none was deserved.  You have shortened the days of my illness.  You have answered the prayers of Your children who have sought Your throne of mercy on my behalf.  May You be glorified and praised!  I will remember Your help; Your blessings will not be forgotten.  selahV