"No, Lord Jesus, Don't Come Quickly!"

Why do we say, "Come Lord Jesus, come quickly?"

Is it because of the pain and heartbreak here on earth?  The very pain we are told we will endure because of sin?  (John 16:33) Is it too  much for us and we just want an easy way out?

Is it because we don't understand and can't comprehend the evils in the world?

Dare I say, "Oh Lord, come quickly." and He actually came?!

Now follow me here.

I know the Lord is not going to return because I asked Him to.  Don't leave me a comment telling me that.  I am trying to prove a point.

Christ and Christ alone knows the appointed time of His return (I Thessalonians 5:2, "For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night." HCSB)   . . . . but follow me here.

Just for a moment.

What if God listened?

"What if," because of our greed and selfishness of NOT wanting to be in pain; to be uncomfortable, that God actually listened and came, "too soon?"

Hmmmm, where does that leave the ones that won't come to know Him, say, tomorrow, or even the next hour?

Oh the souls that would be on my hands!  My heart breaks just posing that very question to  myself!

May I be so bold to say, in pain, in suffering, in heartache, in disappointment, in death, in disaster . . . . that we not say, "Come quickly, Lord Jesus." but "Thy will be done.  Strengthen us.  Use us.  Be glorified Lord Jesus! Use this horrible situation to bring the lost to you!"

I personally have too many friends, family, and even enemies that don't know Him.

So for me, "No, Lord Jesus.  Come in the appointed time.  Give me strength to get through the tough times.  Compassion when it hurts, and Father, I pray you will use every situation to bring glory to you.  Oh God, use us, as believers to bring the lost and hurting to you.  Give us a courage to speak the truth in love that will only come from you!  So be it.  Amen."

Understanding Asperger's and How YOU Can Help

This is not going to be a very popular post and honestly, I don't care.

When I first heard that Adam Lanza had Asperger's, my heart sank.  Fear filled my body and my thoughts rushed, "What can I do to prevent this from happening to my son?"

Christopher has a horrible anger and rage problem, but he has the biggest heart of any child I have seen before.  Well, that is not true, he has the same generous heart as my Kayla and Kaitlyn.  They bless me over and over when they are more concerned for a homeless person than for themselves, or for a child that won't have, or for an animal on the streets.

While I don't have an answer to that initial question, and to keep fear from rising within me every time I see a picture of one of the babies or a story of Adam Lanza, I pray for my son. I put my hand or hands on him, whichever is available, and I pray.  Let your children hear you pray over them!

I am making a point to make sure Christopher understands the difference between good and evil and how satan can take a simple problem and make it huge.  God has opened the door for me to talk more about Christopher's anger with him since the shooting.  Last night he cried because he didn't understand evil and how rage, when used in a bad way is sin.

I have made it a point to not read much about the children and the shootings.  My heart is breaking and I can't.  However, this morning, I saw an article on Fox10 News that EVERY ONE needs to be read.

Parents, it is YOUR job to educate YOUR CHILDREN about children and adults with special needs!

When you see them teasing or laughing, it is YOUR JOB to stop it!  If you do not stop it, you are just as guilty as the child.

We must educate ourselves on Asperger's.

These kids aren't freaks.  

They are just a little different, in a gifted way, but they are also different in a way that "normal" people will never get.

Why you ask?  I'll be glad to tell you.

1.  They don't judge others for the way they look.

2.  They don't de-friend someone because they react differently.

3.  They don't talk about others in a negative way.

4.  They love unconditionally.

5.  They don't care what you wear (or what they wear for that point! lol)

6.  They don't care if your body does weird things when you are nervous.

7.  They don't criticize a child that is rocking back and forth.

The list could go on, but the point is, these children are the least critical, yet they are picked on the most.

Why you ask?  I'll be glad to tell you.

1.  Because they look just a "little" bit different.

2.  They react differently to new situations or change in schedules.

3.  They are the ones getting talked about and teased.

4.  They are not loved unconditionally.

5.  They usually hate to wear clothes and when they do, they probably don't match.

6.  They have weird body movement called tics.

7.  They rock back and forth or side to side when nervous.

I am not making an excuse for what Adam Lanza did, by no means.

It is horrible and he will be held accountable unto God for each of the lives he took.  We can not allow people to use their disorders or disabilities as an excuse to sin!

I'm just saying, as the mother of a child with Asperger's, Tourettes, OCD/Sensory/Anxiety Disorders, that does get made fun of, I can understand his pain and THAT breaks my heart as well.

The Twelve Days of Christmas . . . . Jesus Style!

A friend gave me this.  Not sure if she wrote it or heard it from someone and copied; nonetheless, felt it worth passing on.

On the 1st day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me

~Salvation full and free!

On the 2nd day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me

~Everlasting life

On the 3rd day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me

~Peace in my heart

On the 4th day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me

~Love for all men

On the 5th day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me

~Joy for my soul

On the 6th day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me

~Power from  high

On the 7th day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me

~A body glorified

On the 8th day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me

~A robe and a crown

On the 9th day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me

~Mansions above

On the 10th day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me

~Streets of pure gold

On the 11 the day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me

~A thousand tongues to sing

On the 12th day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me

~Eternity to praise

If you know Jesus as Lord, Christmas has a special meaning to you; for without His birth, there would have been no death.  Without death, no resurrection.  Which means no hope.  You get the picture.

We have much to be thankful for.

Peace my friends.   

A Thankful Ouch!

Have you ever had a moment when you are listening to a song and the Lord speaks?  I love those moments as I love music.  Music releases a freedom in me that I can not explain.

Happened to me this morning.

Heard THIS SONG and God spoke.

"Stacey, you are critical of others."

Ouch.

"But Lord, I said . . . . when?  And, and . . . . that's not even what this song is about, Lord!"  I said.

"When you listen to others being critical and making judgement against others.  When you think 'someone should know better than that' or are quick to condemn without knowing the facts." says the Lord.

"But Lord . . . "

"Stacey, you are a work in progress.  I choose to reveal myself and grow everyone in the time I see fit.  Not how you see fit."  said the Lord.

"Oh Lord, forgive my critical spirit.  Thank you for loving me and growing me and revealing yourself to me.  Thank you for what you have taught me.  Remind me every time I begin to think critically or judge that you might not have chosen the time to reveal yourself to them yet.  To be reminded they might not be where I am and Lord, let those looking down on me in critical judgement and opinions be reminded that I might not have been shown the error of my ways by you, Lord, not them.  Thank you for speaking to my spirit this morning and showing me that my schedule is not your schedule and your ways are indeed the sweetest.  Thank you for disciplining your child with love and not hatred.  Thank you for redeeming me. Oh Jesus, thank you for redeeming me.  I love you Jesus, Amen."

What a morning it has been and it is only 8:03 a.m!  Hallelujah!

(I've listened to the song twice already and am about to listen to it again.  Take a moment to praise God if you have been redeemed!)

Big Daddy Weave, "Redeemed"

Our Jackie Angel

This year, our Christmas Tree got decorated . . . . twice.

Yes, it fell over.

We purchased a potted live tree this year.  No base necessary.  But for some reason, the pot collapsed.

Regardless, the tree had to be redecorated.

As I went through the countless ornaments and fought frustration, and even anger of so many ornaments that were broken, it appeared that one, of extra special value was not broken.

This picture does not do it justice.

It is an ornament made out of noodles.  One ornament I received had a white face.  One a black face.

I was give this set of ornaments one night on Christmas Eve from a member of the Most Excellent Way.  The church was to be closed the night of our meeting, and we opened our home so those struggling with drugs and alcohol would have a place of fellowship during a time of so many relapses.

A dear friend and several ladies from the Charis House came.  My oldest daughter and I jokingly said, "Hey look, it's a Jackie angel!"  Ever since, when we hang the "Jackie angel" on our tree, Jackie gets prayed for.

This year, Jackie got prayed for twice.

As I type this, tears roll down my face; goosebumps rise, and cause me to wonder if that is why our Christmas tree fell over this year.

That makes me smile a little :)

Pray for those the Lord brings to mind.  There is a reason.  We may never know this side of glory, but there is a reason.

Merry Christmas :)

Ten Years In The Waiting

For about ten years I have been asking God for something.

Not a need.

A want.

You know, those secret heart's desires that are just between you and the Lord?

Yeah.

One of those.

I took a friend to Sam's yesterday to do some grocery shopping; and there it was.

A Bible cover in the form of a purse.

I didn't like the color, but for the first time, I spoke of my "secret" desire to have one to my friend.

In that instant, she said, "Well why did you wait for so long to say anything?!  I could have gotten you one for Christmas ten years ago!  AND for that matter, I have one you can HAVE!"

My heart smiled.

You should not be surprised to hear my Bible, the one I use most, not only fits perfectly, but is the same color.

I have many secret heart's desire tucked away.  I found myself thankful that I didn't go against the Lord and get one, "just because 'I' wanted one" those many years ago.  This blessing sure wouldn't be as nearly significant or meaningful now, would it?

Psalm 37:4 is a very popular verse in the Bible.  It is often misquoted by saying, "The Lord gives you your hearts desire." but that is not it.

The scripture reads, "TAKE DELIGHT in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."

We must take delight in Him first.  When we do this, our desires and His desires will be one.

That makes me smile :)