The Glorious Goodness of the Lord

Greetings dear and precious Sisters-in-Christ, These past few days have been very unusual for me and yet very renewing and refreshing. It was the one year anniversary of my husband's passing and my son who was with me in the hospital room called me up and said, "mom, I'm taking you out to Outback for dinner and have set aside labor day weekend to spend time with you." I was so touched and thankful and so any many other emotions and thoughts were going through my head. My response, "Thank you son that you want to spend some time with me." So Friday after his work he picked up and the dinner was delicious BUT paled in comparison to our conversation about his memories and times with his dad. We stayed for a couple of hours just enjoying ourselves. We made plans for the next day to go to a lighthouse, Marblehead Lighthouse, on the shores of Lake Erie. So Saturday morning at 9:00 we headed there and since it was two and one-half hours away we naturally started up our conversation about our memories of his dad and I chimed in as needed. After the lighthouse tour we had lunch and then went to a wildlife reserve, Ottawa Wildlife Reserve, and drove around looking at all the flora and fauna and were greeted by swans and even saw eagles. The whole day was so precious and being together knowing that we were loved and cared for all those years. We got home at 6:00 and as my son hugged me and started to leave he said, "that was the happiest day that I have had in a long time, thank you mom." He picked me up on Sunday at 10:00 and we did some shopping and had breakfast together and knew that it was going to be okay. I must admit that with all the conversations and the memories I was very exhausted so Sunday evening I was in bed and asleep by 6:30 and did not wake up until 7:30 the next morning. As I reflected on Monday about how the whole weekend went I am so grateful for all the memories and the ability to be able to remember them and to have experienced so many things and places and people in my married life. The best part of all this was that my son and I could talk about how God had and still is in control and without Him we have no idea how our lives would have turned out. The verse that I cling to so often is Isaiah 64:4, "For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him. Let us pray - Abba Father, Gracious and Mighty and Glorious LORD, thank You that our days are ordered by You and You know the number of the hairs on our head and You take delight is us. Lord, I pray for each dear and precious sister-in-Christ that all of her days be filled with Your Lovingkindness and Faithfulness and go before her each day guiding and directing her. In Jesus Name, Amen. The glorious goodness of the Lord,

LyndiaSue

Welcome to the Month of September

Greetings dear and precious Sisters-in-Christ, A tradition was established several years back that a fast of twenty-one days in the month of September would be honored. It was started at the Living Stones Church in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Even though it has been many years since I have attended the church or even lived in Kailua-Kona it has become one of my tradition. As to the fasting part I usually do not fast from foods like it was done there. What I usually do is go deeper in the word or become very sensitive to the leading of the Spirit. This day last year I was with my husband in the hospital. He had been there since the previous Wednesday but today was different. The team of doctor's were telling us that we would need to contact hospice as they were no longer going to try and keep him alive but rather prepare his body for palliative care. As my husband of 55 1/2 years, tried to digest the information we looked at each other and knew that it was time. It was then that I knew - and in that knowing my life suddenly changed. I no longer needed to depend on what the doctor's were doing. I no longer needed to depend on anything at all in my physical world. My mind drifted in the spiritual world. A world where I was very comfortable for the Lord had carried me through so many things and moments in my life. Looking back I realized that it was at peace with ALL that was going on. Yes, it was a comforting peace and quiet peace where the outside world was not allowed to enter into my peace. As the day progressed and other people needed to do the things that had to be done my husband and I were together going along with whatever needed to be done by other people. He was at peace also for he knew where he was going and there was a stillness even when we were together. He passed away the following evening with me and my son by his side. In all the years of our married life there were sweet times and hard times and difficult times and precious times and I must say that the two days - Wednesday and Thursday were very precious days, knowing that we would not be seeing each other this side of heaven. It has already been a year and so many blessings the Lord has given is another whole story to write about. There are two truths that the Lord gave me upon my husband's passing. The first - "sit still, my daughter", (Ruth 3:18) and the second - "you are MINE". He has never left me and I mean all of me. He is my constant, my consistent, and my continuous! I remember talking to a dear sister-in-Christ shortly before my husband passed away, she had told me that Jesus was with her all the time and it would be the same with me. And yes, my testimony today after almost a year is this. He has never left and the embracing love that He gives me each morning is forever etched in my mind. Let us pray - Abba Father, All praise and glory and honor to You. O, Lord, I pray for each dear and precious sister-in-Christ that she would hear Your song being sung over her, feel Your embracing Love, and trust that her days are still being written by You, the author and finisher of her faith. In Jesus Name, Amen. Blessings my dear and precious Sisters-in Christ,

LyndiaSue

God is Light - 1 John 1:5-7

Greetings dear and precious Sisters-in-Christ, We have been having some serious and severe thunderstorms this past week. The kind of storms that roll in and the skies turn to darkness!! A kind of darkness that is eerie and ominous. I do not remember having this kind of darkness in the mid day. It was sunny and then it was dark!! As I watched the dark clouds move accompanying the LOUD roar of the thunder and the bright flashes of the lightning I was struck by the contrast of just how magnificent is the sound of nature and the helplessness of having to wait and see how the scenario plays out. God is so Great and God is Light. As I read 1 John 1:5-7, "This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.", yesterday morning I had to pause and give Him all the glory and praise and worship, for He is the Lord of my life. I also revisited the scene that I had witnessed when the thunderstorm rolled in and the darkness was over the area BUT when the lightning I then saw the contrast. The lightning dispelled the darkness. I know my example pales so much but verse 7 really struck a cord for me. Let us pray - Abba Father, Gracious and Good God, thank You that You have given us Your Word and given us so many promises that at times we are undone with Your Love for us. Lord I pray for each dear and precious sister-in-Christ that she would fellowship with Him and walk in the Light and have the blessed assurance that the blood of Jesus His Son will cleanse us from ALL sin. In Jesus Name, Amen. Walking in the Light,

LyndiaSue

The LORD is GREAT

Greetings dear and precious Sisters-in-Christ, I have delayed in keeping up with my filing and it is beginning to show. When I walk into my room I have small piles everywhere so I guess that is my work for today. We are having major thunderstorms in our area so am sequestered in the house. How about you? What kind of projects do you put aside until a rainy day? Those little things that seem to be placed on a shelf or a table top or even a counter top. Yes, even in this age where more and more things are stored on our tablets or computers there is still a proper place for things. It is the same way with my walk with the Lord - some things I read or listen too and take notes and tell myself that I will collect them and put them in my journal to read later. I set them aside and when it comes time to file my paperwork away there are my little notes waiting for me to place in my journal. Some of the notes are passages that I wanted to memorize and some of the notes are prayer requests from friends and/or family. At the time that I read or listened it was important for me to remember and so here I am going to gather them and give thanksgiving to the Lord for He remembers and He reminds us. It is always His timing and His Will that things of long ago the Holy Spirit will bring it to my mind. How great is our God that He never changes and is eternal and so patient. His Lovingkindness stretches out into the heavens and covers the whole earth. I was reading in Jonah this morning, chapter 2:2-9, his prayer while he was in the stomach of a fish for three days and three nights. Let us pray - Abba Father, Praise to You that even in our darkest moments we call out to You and You answer. O Lord, may each dear and precious sister-in-Christ remember Your faithfulness and Your lovingkindness and Your Love as she walks through her days. Days of dreariness, days of sadness, days of delight and even days that she is stretched so thin, You embrace her with Your goodness and tender mercies. In Jesus Name, Amen. Blessings,

LyndiaSue

Welcome to the Month of August - Psalm 98:1-3

Greetings dear and precious Sisters-in-Christ, Welcome to the month of August! School is soon to be in session and summer vacations are coming to an end. So to start the month off let us read Psalm 98, "O sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him. The LORD has made know His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the end of the earth have seen the salvation of our God." Yes, the LORD is righteous! As I read these verses I was reminded of how many times that life seems to take an unexpected turn and can get complicated in many ways BUT our LORD doesn't change in His love for us. The onset of school approaching can be alarming to some and at the same time the excitement of seeing old friends and meeting new friends is a very good thing. For all of you that have children and/or grandchildren who will be starting or returning to school I pray that these few remaining weeks will be joyful and be a reason to sing to the LORD a new song for He has done wonderful things. The growth of us and our loved ones over the summer is amazing and yet we often forget that the Lord has kept us and secured us with His salvation. Let us pray - Abba Father, Glorious LORD, I praise You for Your righteousness and Your salvation that You have made known. Lord, as each dear and precious sister-in-Christ begins to wind down from the summer activities and begins to prepare for the next season that each one be reminded of Your Lovingkindness and Your faithfulness that You will be the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and be assured that You are in control and You will be with each one of their loved ones wherever they may be. In Jesus Name, Amen. Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth,

LyndiaSue

The Last Wednesday of July

Greetings dear and precious sisters-in-Christ, Yesterday I had to take my car in to have maintenance check and oil change. Routine but still asked God for His favor and for His protection and provision when I got there at the dealership. This was the first time that I had gone without my husband helping me and knowing what they were saying as they walked me the whole process of what needed to be done. The gentleman who received my car explained what it entailed but also what needed to be done to keep the car functioning properly. The wait was about an hour and forty minutes and instead of waiting in the designated room with the television tuned to a channel I decided to take a walk. The sidewalk led me to a park with a small creek at the entrance of neighborhood. The walk was so refreshing and pleasant to see all the houses and how each home owner decorated up their homes. One of the houses was having its roof being resurfaced and the sound of the workers doing the work was also very relaxing. The car dealership sent me videos of the condition of my tires and also the representative explained it very thoroughly. When I got home I was so thankful for His protection and for His provision and continued on with my day. Now this is when it gets interesting - at 4:00 this morning I woke up crying and realized once again I was missing him (my husband). It was then that I realized that if I don't deal with the grief when it appears the Lord will gently comfort me with His Love for it is in the most mundane situations that seem to bring me to tears. Yes, I did rely on him for so many things and yes now I am relying on the Lord but there is somethings that I cannot decide that I am okay. It was a big deal for me to drive alone on the crowded highway and walk through an unfamiliar neighborhood and also know that I was making the decision alone. I am so thankful for the Lord keeping me safely in His arms and surrounding me with His Love and Hope and Joy. As I fell asleep after my crying and said out loud, "I miss him" then the Lord gave the rest I needed and woke up at 7:00. God is so Good and in this time when I am needing extra attention He is there is comfort and quiet my heart. Thank you for letting me share my sisters-in-Christ. Let us pray - Abba Father, Gracious Lord, Glorious LORD, all praise and glory to Your Name. Lord, my prayer for this last Wednesday of July - keep them in Your embrace, lead them into Your presence, guide them as they plan their days and give them Your Peace which passes all understanding. In Jesus' Name, Amen. Grace be with you,

LyndiaSue

Beside Quiet Waters and Restores My Soul

Greetings dear and precious sisters-in-Christ, The Lord has led me to a new place to go walking. There is a local park and for convenience purposes it was much easier to get in my morning exercise and do my quiet time for a couple of years now. It is close to the house and easy enough to go early in the morning while my husband was still sleeping. A couple of weeks ago I felt like the Lord was moving on from walking there so after a couple of days of asking He told me that He had a better place for me to do my quiet time and exercising. The park is about 15 minutes away and as soon as I entered the parking lot I felt like this is going to be an adventure. A have gone for a total of 5 days now and each time I go there is another trail that I can take which leads me to a quiet stream or a covered bridge or a wooden bridge and of course a lake which leads to different streams throughout the whole park. Yes, I am so thankful that the Lord knew that I needed new territory and a refreshing and a renewing. How rich is His tender mercies new every morning. This morning I am reading Psalm 23:1-3, "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." Let us pray - Abba Father, as we stand before You with hands lifted high and with voices of praise we shout Holy is Your name. Thank You O Lord for our very breath this morning and Your strength to continue on this walk of faith. Lord I pray for each dear and precious sister-in-Christ today that she would keep her mind stayed on Thee no matter what the day brings. May she be able to thank You for the minute things happening today and for the chaotic events and even in her silence. In Jesus Name, Amen. Praise to Him,

LyndiaSue