Winds of Change

Its interesting to think that life changes so often with out us really realizing what is happening before our eyes. One day your headed on way, the next day it's the complete opposite direction.  Many times the turns we take on this path of life are completely unpredictable, then once those turns are made we have no clue why they were made. All that we know is that they were made.

This concept is something I've been thinking a lot about in recent months with the coming of our first born any day now. It often has made me stop and think. How much will my whole perception of life change when our Leyla arrives. Sometimes  it's hard to think about what life will be like when she arrives and then other times I'm so ready I find my self asking Leyla, "when are you going to get here?" 

I started thinking about how these thoughts applied to our Walk with Christ and I believe it began leading me to an interesting revelation. It is a revelation that has found it's way into my head before, but as usual maybe God just needed to remind me of it. Sometimes he does that you know. :-)

We are called to live life in the unknown, and as the winds of change send us in a new direction in this life we must embrace the unknown fully relying on Gods guidance with each new direction that comes. It's not always easy to to this but though because human nature holds us back. The beautiful thing is though, that God has already defeated human nature in the form of Jesus.

In the End what it comes down to is this, the unknown comes, life changes, we head down another path, and while we may not understand why, all we have to do is embrace the one who already knows the outcome is beautiful. 

Acts 9 is a wonderful example of how the Winds of Change and change your whole perspective on life.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." 21.3.11 NIV

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you

(2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.

Whispers

It's Simply amazing the things that God teaches us. He tends to use some interesting methods when it comes to teach us the lessons we need to learn. For the longest I have often wondered why he uses the methods. I've asked him several times. "Lord why does it take so much for you to get my attention sometimes, I have always believed I've been open to hearing your voice?" 

One night I was praying much like I do every night  before I "enter the rest," and I believe God showed me something. I argued with him saying "Lord, how have I ever lost sight of your voice?" Let me tell you that was the wrong thing to ask him, because wouldn't you know it, he showed me :-). The Lord discipline is interesting isn't it but that's a tale for another time :-). As humans we are very easily distracted by the things of this world that we loose sight of his voice even when we are trying to stay focused on his name. 

Recently I have been struggling with theses same thoughts, it seems as though over the past month in my devotion time, worship time, and prayer time, this same topic is showing it's self again.  I don't say this to say that I'm loosing sight of Gods voice, I say this because I feel God doesn't want me to fall into the doubt that comes with loosing sight of him.

I read something that really laid it out for me a few days ago and I believe that it is rooted in this reminder. It was similar to this...

My Child, When you stray from my path, simply whisper my name, this will restore my thoughts to the forefront of your mind, and you will know my presence again. --Adapted from The Jesus Calling Book.--

What a statement. It shares the desire of our Lords heart.  It is almost like Him saying. Come Child, speak my name, here my voice, listen to what I have for you to hear. If only we could see when we are straying a little more clearer. then we could all find our own ways to Whisper HIS name. Don't be fearful, whisper. Check out Elijah's whisper of a tale in 1st Kings 19.

"God is working with in you child, giving you the desire to be obedient and the power to do what pleases him." 50.2.13

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you

(2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.

Another Attempt

It’s been quite some time since I’ve done anything similar to this and I know I say this almost every time but I do really enjoy the Idea of writing what God places on my heart for those that are interested to read and share with others. 

I have decided to attempt this little blog again and hopefully this time I will keep up with my posts. I’m not going to say that it is going to be easy but I am really hopeful this time. Your prayers and support would be greatly appreciated.

Here is the plan, I will post something on this blog page at least once a week that I feel God share’s with me. So starting later this week there will be something posted for anyone who wants to read it.  This little post does not count ……

God show me what you’d have me write and how you have me write it. Give me the motivation and the support that I will need to do as I feel you are leading me to do, I know that it won’t e easy to remember but I pray that I will. Be my guiding hand showing me each and every time I write what you’d have me share. In Your Name I pray….

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you

(2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.

The Same God

DEAR READERS,

I have been listing to a CD lately that has been quite encouraging and it made me thing about the scripture...

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

     It's a beautiful gem and is a reminder to us all that no matter what we go through God will always be the same God he has always been. It is a verse that can give us strength, in the days that we struggle with what life thows us. It can give us hope that God is still as powerful as he was in the days of old. Jesus Christ is always with us and always will be.

     I would like to post the link to the lyrics to one song that has really been speaking to me on the CD that I have been listening to...

http://www.newsongonline.com/music/onetruegod.php#same

     I have to say this is such a powerful song, and can be very encouraging when your facing the struggles life has thrown your way. I know for us it has been a difficult last six months and the first time I heard this song, I was in tears because of the impact it had on me. It reminded me that there will be days when it feels like our faith has is failing. The thing I need to remember is that God has always been near and has heard every word I have prayed to him. There were and still are times when it seems like He hasn't but he has. 

     Everything that life throws us happens for a reason and we while we may never figure it out the reason is there. There will always be a time and a place for every season of our lives good and bad and God truly does know what's best for us even when we don't think he does :-). God's timing is everything in our lives, even when it seems the world is against you.  Keep praying for that breakthrough, it will come.  Take all your fear and doubt and lay it in the palm of HIS hand. 1st Peter states. "Cast all your burdens on him because he cares for you." So just keep holding on and the same God who has been with you from the beginning will lead you through it :-).

     I will be honest it may not be what you want, or what you feel you need but in the end it will be what you need Psalm 37 speaks volumes more to this posting so I encourage you to read it :-) In the mean time "just keep holdin' on."

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you

(2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.

Reflections: Let us Rejoice

DEAR READERS, 

Here is a Devotional Blog I wrote back in January. I didn't get the chance to post it then so it's posted as a reflection today. I don't really remember the exact date but I hope that it brings some kind of Joyful noise to your souls :-)...

The LORD'S unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!" Psalm 32:10, 11

God controls and allows every detail of our lives. Nothing happens without His knowledge and approval. It may seem like he doesn’t care sometimes but we all know deep down that he truly do care and that he cares a whole lot. So often we see a situation coming and begin to think “How in the world are we going to get through this?” and the answer may seem simple but it requires us to let go.   

My mother always told me “Matthew James, Let go and Let God for once, you can’t fix everything, and if you could why would you need God to save you.” That is so true. Every day, little changes in schedule or small irritations occur. Everyday, we can choose to let these obstacles upset us, or we can rest in the knowledge that God lovingly ordained them as small irritants to help us look to and rely on Him. 

For example, we can grumble about the frustrating traffic jam that is keeping us from getting somewhere on time, or we can remember that God knows about our deadlines and view the time sitting in traffic as an opportunity to pray. We can complain, or we can rejoice. “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, and again I say rejoice, rejoice in the Lord always and again I say……REJOICE…….” :-)

May we allow the knowledge that we are continually surrounded by God's unfailing love to fill our lives and chase away our complaints and fears. Let us always remember that no matter what the circumstance God’s in control and life can always be enjoyable. :-)

Adapted from http://www.christianperspective.net/articles/devotionalthoughts.html

Well that will be it for now, Hopefully will have some more to post a little down the road. I hope you all have a blessed week and that the LORD himself give you joy when you need it the most. :-)

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you

(2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.

Complete Devotion

DEAR READERS,

This is a devotional Blog that I wrote a while back and I want to share it with everyone. I wrote a little blurb on this topic a while back but here is the extended devotional that was the basis for that little blurb. I hope it brings some encouragement.  

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth, give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.”  Psalm 86:11 (NIV)

When I read this the first time it seemed like a pretty good verse.  It reminded me about the passage in Matthew that talked about serving two masters, and the passage in Joshua that talks about choosing this day whom we will serve. Two passages that really speak to the heart, if we let them. In many ways the three ask the same question, What does your heart belong too?

For now we will just stick with the one verse we have before us though.  When we look at this passage in the good news translation of the Bible instead of ‘give me an undivided heart’ it says, ‘teach me to serve you with complete devotion’.  One thing about serving is that it is an action, which means we actually have to do something in our hearts to serve with complete devotion.

In other words, we can’t devote our life to both God and something else.  At some point in our lives there will be things that try to pull our hearts away from God whether we know it or not and we must be able to over come those desires. I believe what it comes down to is this question, How do we serve with complete devotion? It’s simple, we practice letting go and letting God.  Of course it’s not that simple but that’s where the glory of it is. Daily we choose to give our life and our day to HIM.

Whatever is on your hearts today, don’t let it get the best of you.  Think about what it means to serve with complete devotion and take time to ask God “what can I do with this situation today to help me rely more upon you?” Instead of spending so much time trying to figure everything out, give it to God, tell HIM, “LORD, I WILL NOT LET ME, GET THE BEST OF ME, It belongs to you and only you”.

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you

(2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.

Long Time Coming

Dear Readers,

It sure has been quite a long time since I've posted something on this page. I know I say this every time but I really need to get back in the swing of things.  I don't know if I will or not but I want to try to at least. Maybe now with recent changes in the life of The Elliott's this blog will be update more often and maybe not.

I just want to say though the last 6 months or so have been extremely difficult for Traci and I. We have run into some pretty hard situations and aren't through with them yet. I don't need to go into the details at this point in time because it will all come out eventually. Life is full of little surprises though. Even with everything that's been going on Traci and I are still loving and learning about life. Our marriage is still fantastic, we have some wonderful friends and there are little things that keep popping up that make everything we are going through worth it :-).

I just want to end this short little blog with one little word of encouragement...

(I may end up writing a devotional blog on this but I'm not sure yet)

You are God’s child, and God will give you the blessing he promised!  Galatians 4:7

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you

(2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.