A Satisfied Spirit Book Review|still lolo

Still LoLoLife can be tough and life decisions even more so.  Add to that a horrible accident that results in a Traumatic Brain Injury and the loss of an eye and a limb and one might begin to question whether life is even worth it.    Strength….strong faith…supporting family and friends…

This beautifully told story by Lauren Scruggs, and her family, give personal insight into the life of a talented and gifted fashion reporter who does not let this horrific injury change the journey God has given her.  Of course, she gets depressed from time to time, deals with learning how to use prosthetic devices, wonders why this happened to her, and sometimes pushes family and friends away in her efforts to deal with her “new normal”.  Through all of this her faith in the One and Only God keep her moving forward, preparing to ‘take up where she left off’.

I highly recommend this book! Not only for those who have experienced life threatening injuries, but also for those who have sat by their side.  The parents, siblings, friends and supporters who wait day after day, in the fog of not knowing, for the eyes to open and the recognition to set in.   To hear the voice of the injured say, “I love you!” and to know others have been encouraged to go on through your story is life changing.   God is still performing miracles!

I had no idea when I started reading “still LOLO” that it was going to be a book of healing for me.  3 years ago, on October 30, my husband fell over the cat gate between the den and the kitchen.  Unknown to either of us, a blood vessel had broken in his brain.  About 3 hours later he came into the bedroom and said something was terribly wrong.  I did not realize the extent of his injuries until the brain surgeon spoke to me after a 7 hour surgery and said that he had only a 50% chance of survival.  The blood that had pooled in his head has shifted his brain right of center.  He was kept in a chemically induced coma for 20 days.  In the TICU unit he was cared for by the best of nurses and doctors, kept in constant prayer by churches, family, friends and many we did not know, and held lovingly in the arms of the Great Healer Himself, God.  When he was finally allowed to awaken, a great miracle had occurred.   Within a week he could eat on his own, knew where he was and the people around him, and was ready to go into rehab.  What could have been 3 to 4 months in a constant care situation, lasted 39 days.  He left the hospital on day 40, able to walk from the wheelchair to the car and was home for Christmas.  Yes!  God is still performing miracles!

In compliance with Federal Trade Commission regulations:  I have been provided a complimentary copy of Still Lolo by Tyndale House Publishers.

Passionate Pursuit

How is your spiritual life?  Who are you depending on in your walk with Jesus?  Is it your pastor? Your Bible study leader? Sunday School teacher? Mom? Dad?  Mentor?  I sure hope not!  Although each of those people can help push you forward YOU are the only one responsible for your Christian growth.  If you want a real love relationship with the One and Only, you have to do the work.

Persistence and passion are the key.  My awesome husband will tell you he knew I was God’s choice for him the moment he laid eyes on me (at the Defiance County Fair).  I, however, had a different plan for my life.  I was never getting married since I intended to have a stellar, career as an opera singer.  God definitely had other plans for my life.  As we talked, over the next hour or so, he passionately, persisted, in his pursuit of a date with me.  I said yes and 45 years later, 41 of them married, I do not have a moment’s regret.

The same concept applies to our life with Jesus.  He is passionately pursuing us.  He wants to be part of who we are.  Unless we determine to do all that is necessary there is no relationship.  So what does that entail?  The same thing we do to build ‘people’ relationships.  Spend time with Him.

Love Jesus

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.   Deuteronomy 6:5

Thy word, have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against You.  Psalm 119:11

Prayer Lily

A Satisfied Spirit Fears Not

No Fear

Throughout scripture we are told not to be afraid.  Why is that?  God knew, when He put Adam and Eve out of the garden, that fear would be a part of everyday life.  So then what do we fear?  For me,  it’s something will happen to someone I love when they are not near me.  Or, there won’t be enough money for everything we need.  Or, not enough time for what I need to get done.  Or, someone will not like how I look.

We fear because we are worriers, we are anxious about the unknown.  I know that God has me in his constant protection, that He is caring for me personally, yet I still give in to wandering thoughts about what will happen if?…

It’s interesting to me that when the Bible talks about fear it is connected to a specific cause.  God told Joshua not to fear when he took over after Moses.  He simply said,  “Take courage, fear not, I was with Moses and I will be with you!”  The angel, messenger from God, said to Jesus’ mother, “Fear not”, you are blessed and highly favored.  God is with you!”  The angels at the tomb told the two Marys not to fear.  (Mark 16)  In Acts 18:9 Paul is told not to fear but to speak out.

I’m told the only way to conquer my fear is to face it.  Perhaps so but the Word says I don’t have to face it alone.  God is always with me and with Him all the the Angel Armies of Heaven.  Why would I fear with that at my Protector’s disposal?

Whom Shall I Fear by Chris Tomlin

Heavenly Father I know You are always with me, always by my side.  Grant me peace in the knowledge that I need fear no evil.  Give me strength to stand and speak for You.  I beseech You in the Precious Name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior.  Make it so!

I Needed The Quiet

I NEEDED THE QUIET

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God says on the seventh day He rested from His work(Genesis 2:2) and since we are created in His image we need rest too.  In the 23rd Psalm David said, “He makes me lie down…”  Job’s friend Jophar gives him a crumb of reassurance saying, “You will lie down without fear…” (Job 11:19).  With great wisdom Solomon wrote these words, “…when you lie down your sleep will be sweet” (Proverbs 3:24b).  Jesus recognized the need for quiet rest when he said to the disciples, “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31)

In my career as a teacher and principal I learned just how important rest was.  Long hours and a great deal of stress do not help anyone’s health.  Burning the candle at both ends, ends up with nothing when the flames have consumed all the wax.  I finally came to my senses and retired early.  The job was consuming me and I heard the Spirit clearly say this is NOT what I want for you.  You see, even though I prayed every morning that I would keep Him close all day, when I walked through the school doors I quit focusing on Him and started focusing on kids, teachers, parents and all the issues and stress a high poverty, inner city, school brings.  I ended up quite ill from lack of rest, poor diet, and high stress.  When my awesome husband was hospitalized and in a chemically induced coma for 20 days from a Traumatic Brain Injury I had much time to pray, think, and reflect. The conclusion–my career was killing me.  Once the decision was made, a calmness came over me that I had not known before.  I knew without question this was exactly what God wanted.  I needed adequate rest and He already knew this was the only way I was going to get it.  Praise God! I listened! and rested!

Heavenly Father, thank You! for making me aware.  You deserve my total, rested attention.  I want to do that.  Make my life more and more about You.  In Jesus Name make it so!

7 Rules For Life

7 RulesFrom time to time I read something on Facebook that is actually applicable to life.  The 7 Rules of Life resonated in my thoughts, leading me to find scripture that tells me God would want these ‘rules’ to be considered and used by His Children.

Hebrews 12:8 tells us to live at peace with everyone.  If we are doing that we will not need to make peace with our past because there will be nothing there to worry about.

I loved the second one and really gave it some thought.  If we truly believe Genesis 1:27 then we understand that we are defined by God.  How we look and our personal characteristics are the mirror of God’s image.  What other’s think doesn’t really matter when our life is completely centered on the One and Only.

Matthew 6:34 applies to rules 3 and 7.  Our problems, trials, temptations, and challenges look different as time passes.  What may have been a major crisis in our 20’s pales when we look at it through the lenses of our 50’s.  We will never solve all the problems that are in this world, but we can know that in God’s timing everything will eventually work out.

Judging others is a major issue in everyone’s life.  We may be able to convince others on the surface that we aren’t judging them, but…  Matthew 7:1-2 tells us that the consequence of being judgmental is that we will be judged in the same way as we judge others.  Can we at least, if we have to ‘judge’, do so with love, mercy, and compassion?

Why are we so worried about stuff?  We are clearly told in Phil. 4:6-7 to quit worrying.  God is in control.  He has our front, back, sides, tops, bottoms, past, present, and future in His very capable hands.  Let this truth settle in your mind…He wants and will provide what is best for us.

Number 6 is the only one I would question.  I have given God charge of my life.  With that I have given him control of happiness, joy, delight, and all the other good things that are in His storeroom for me.  Ecclesiastes 2:26 says He will give us wisdom, knowledge, and happiness if we please Him.  You might ask how do we please Him.  It’s quite simple!  We learn His Word, know His Son, and share all with others.