Fight Like Hell To Stay Out of Hell

(Matthew 7:1-2) “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged…”

In my recent post, The Hourglass of Time, there was discussion by several people at work and those whom I told the story to, regarding this woman’s fate; “Well, she had a choice anyway, she was mean so maybe she deserved eternity in Hell.”

These words make me wince with sadness.

Do we not all know someone that fit this woman’s destiny?

First of all, I do not deserve God’s glory and mercy.

But that is not what I want to share in this post. Let me share a personal story which I can do at this point in my life. Why? Because of God’s forgiveness. And just maybe someone out there will read this and have a change of heart of a situation.

I didn’t grow up in the best of circumstances. My mom now admits that our lives could have been better and I’ll just leave it at that. It has taken my sister and me a long time to recover but we have and we do love our mom. We are survivors. But more importantly, we are Christians.

We have prayed for so long for our mom's salvation. We have prayed for her to know Jesus Christ.

And just what if?

What if someone that did not know our situation, came along and said, “Well, she deserves eternity in Hell?”

What if whoever comes in the path of my mom’s life decides not to fight like “Hell” to keep her out of the pits of Hell!

I think about my mom and how her life must have been as a child, her own pain, hurts and insecurities. And now, I see her through the eyes of my Jesus. The view is contrastingly different.

Who are we to judge? As I see it, Jesus is looking down on His children, praying, calling and asking all of us to fight for every last one of His children.

Our job is not to judge but too gather up every last child through love NOT through threats and empty promises.

How?

Oh, we can’t do it. But our Lord can. And all we have to do if allow Him to flow through us. We are His vessels.

To see our Redeemer in the flesh, to feel His breath, to know He lives ....yes...!!

As I live a forgiven life….. And love a mom given to me by God…. a new freedom.

It's there for all of us.


Mom, I am not giving up on you…I love you
(John 14:6) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.... No other way....

And I would extend my prayers to all my prayers warriors for my mom....With God all things are possible....


Just a note to all my blogging friends...I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate everyone of you... your prayers and your encouragement... You are true friends and I love you all...

The Hourglass Of Time--God or Satan

“I need to go now”, cried one of my peers. One of our patients is in trouble. She is declining rapidly and today she is in the darkest place of her life.

“Satan is after me”, she cried! This poor woman continued to beg for help.

No, she is not saved. She had led a pretty tumultuous life. Oh, some might say she was meaner than a striped rattlesnake. Come to think of it, her own son said, “She had Satan in her.” Our pastor had been out there numerous times to discuss her spiritual “issues”. But as most of us, “I’ll just handle this tomorrow.”

So, what happens when tomorrow comes? The hourglass of time runs out?

Today, her cries were just piercing to the soul as well as heart-wrenching. She pleaded for help. “Get him away, Satan is after me.”

As my peer left to go to her house, I said, “I will be praying for you as you minister to her in this raging war you are embarking upon.

Immediately, I picked up the phone to get others to pray. I cannot imagine losing her (or anyone) to Satan.” I called my husband without giving away her name (rules of confidentiality), and I said, “Please start praying.” And there were others. (Matthew 18:20)

My heart was so heavy all afternoon. I prayed without ceasing. The seconds became minutes and the minutes became hours.”God, You are the God of miracles.”(Like He doesn't already know this) but I kept saying this over and over. And I believe it!

Later, I received a phone call, “How did it go?” I immediately said as I saw her name pop up on my phone. My friend said, “Well, she was too weak to talk and open her eyes by the time I got there. So, I just shared with her how all we have to do is confess with our heart and believe in God’s precious Son.” She went onto tell me in so many words, that she shared with the patient that God is a forgiving God and a loving God. She wasn’t sure if she had made a difference or not.

Or that was until the end of their time together when---

in the last seconds,

through the patient’s weakness,

through the impossibilities and

through our Lord’s faithfulness,

as this little lady, squeezed the hand of our social worker and through her weakest voice , she whispered a heartfelt, “AMEN.”

It was then the realization that most likely a miracle had indeed occurred.

Sometime later the chaplain showed up, but by now, the patient was no longer responsive.

Now, just maybe our patient’s journey is complete!

So what about you, will you make the right choice before the sands of time are absolute?

I Shall Know Him

I Shall Know Him

My boss said “Can you meet with me, I have someone special that wants to see you?” Well, sure after all, you are the boss --smile.

So my suspense rose. Who could it be? But when I saw them, I knew right away. And I will never forget this special family. They meant so much to me, and none of us will forget that special day when God Himself parted the Heavenly doors.

The daughter smiled, “It’s been almost a year.” The mom piped in, “Since we saw the ‘Joy.’” Their faces lit up with such amazing love and healing. I wondered if this day would ever come.

“Watch for the Joy” explains a story of an encounter from a journey Home last year with this family. A day when a piece of Heaven, a piece of Jesus stepped onto the Earth to receive His child. And those around witnessed His miracle.

Today, one year later, this family stands in awe of the miracles that continue to unveil themselves. His wife said to us, “If I had not believed in Jesus before, I sure do now. For when I saw my sweet husband's face aglow and his beautiful smile--when we witnessed the “Joy”, I knew he was seeing Jesus. Our lives have not been the same. We are better for having been where we have been.”

She continued, “We wouldn’t take our loved one back from his place next to Jesus for anything. He’s happy.”

The family presented us with a CD (as they are a talented gifted musical family) named, “I Shall Know Him.” The wife said, “It all makes sense now. For the smile that my husband displayed at his last breath was the moment he saw Jesus. And I have no doubt, he knew Him. “

And the day will come when “I Shall Know Him…” (1John3:2)

A Mom's Embrace

When she was a little girl, she loved to play house. She dreamed of being a mom. The day soon came where she had four beautiful children. Married to the man of her dreams. Life was good.

But life was not without its heartache. Without its trials and tribulations. She was young when she came to know the Lord. Hoping this would be her shield of protection. And in a sense it was but protection from what?

The day came when she lost a son in a tragic accident. Life was never the same. Then years later, she lost another child, then another and finally she lost her last child. In between these tragic events, her beautiful husband passed away.

As I was admitting her to Hospice a while back, I listened to her story. I had a hard time grasping her pain. I couldn’t really. Who could? After all, if I allow someone else's tragic life to crouch my thoughts too closely, would they become apart of my own world? Or would it be like a contagious disease? We do weird things when hearing horrific news, don't we?

My patient was full of joy, full of life. As she spoke, she told me that she asked God the question I was probably wondering. Maybe it showed on my face but yes, I was wondering, “Why?” Why would a woman ever have to endure outliving her children, especially all of them.

My little lady then said looking me straight in the eyes, “God told me that it was my job to take care of and bury my children, my family and I have done that now. I am done.”

She said this with such reassurance, with such certainty and just as Jesus did on the Cross, "It is finished." (John 19:30)

What a beautiful lady and a honor to get to know her. How she kept her spirit alive is beyond me but she did. And I can't help but think that God will honor this. She truly is amazing.

Last night, my patients family called in a desperate cry, “She is not breathing well.” I wasn't far from her house.

I arrived to see that she was getting close to her journey Home. Earlier this week, she had asked me to pray with her and now the Lord was answering our prayer. “Father, bring comfort, peace but most of all -- may Your will be done.” She smiled. She knew.

Within thirty minutes of my arrival, her journey was complete. She reached up as if to hug someone and then set her hands down gently, tenderly folding them on her chest, allthewhile she took her last earthly breath. It was one of the most peaceful moments I can remember witnessing.

Holy Ground? Oh yes! For she was greeted by her family that had already passed on and hugged every last one of them. All four of her children. And her lovely husband. To watch someone that could barely move a muscle the past week or find the strength to sit up but now find enough vigor to embrace her loved ones --one by one-- is no less than that of a miracle!

Her family is once again--complete!

In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)

And we will all once again be as One…

All in a Mother's Embrace

The Rapture

TURN THE MUSIC OFF BELOW PLEASE AND FEEL THE FULL EFFECT!

Go Gators....

NEED I SAY MORE?

Bring The Rain

So today, my inner soul felt like it was raining...crying big tears...puddles within my spirit.

You ever get that way?

So I'm driving in my car from one patient to another, listening to the radio and praying. And I just cry out to my Lord, "Well, where are You? Can't You just come and sit right next to me. If you can hear me. Or if You even care."

For what seemed like eternity... but in reality was no more than seconds, the radio went silent. And then a song came on. I don't know the name of the song and would probably never recognize it again. But will never forget these words. "My Son came in Your place and died on the Cross. For my love is strong, My love is pure. And all for you ." (paraphrased)

Powerful? Oh, it was as if Papa Himself came down to sit "right next to me."

Lord, bring the rain... if it means being close to You.

Happy 13th Birthday - Hogan

To our Son... Hogan born August 28th... A Red Headed little dude...

He is special beyond words...

he came to know Jesus when he was 4.. I know many of you think.. that is too young.. and at one point in my life so did I...

But let me tell you this little story...

I was in the bedroom while Hogan was playing in the bathtub, bubbles and all. I could see him where I was (for all you that think I might have left him unattended).
And then I heard this scream, "Momma, come here... " over and over again. Now I am just right there so I walk into the bathroom with this little redheaded boy, bubbles dripping off his body. He is holding his heart. I cannot imagine what is going on or through his mind or if he is sick.

"Mom, I have Jesus in my heart." I stood stunned. First, where was this coming from. Now yes we went to church and were very involved. But-- but.....He was adamant that this was a huge event and it had just happened.

So I sat down next to him... "tell me about it son." And as serious as this little four-year-old boy could be, and let me tell you it was beyond precious, he began telling me how Jesus had come into his heart.

That night, my husband and I sat down with him and made a big deal about Jesus' life that was now in Hogan's life as we talked to him. But--- we do not move forward with Baptism or anything as such. We thought, maybe he's too young.

Fast forward to one year later.... We were invited to the Bibleman play with Willie Ames. My now five-year-old was NOT taking his eyes of this show. He was mesmerized throughout the play. (If you are not familiar, this is a show of good against evil. God against Satan.)

Long story short, there was an altar call at the end...I started wrapping up with my sister so I leaned back to talk to her and as I turned back around to get Hogan...

He was gone.

I started to panic. His best friend was with us. I started to yell, "Where is Hogan?" No one knew. So I yell to my sister, we have to find Hogan. I just knew he had been kidnapped and I thought of all places, a Christian play. Who would do such a thing?

I started frantically looking. I see some children up at the front at the altar call and I thought, I will just go look. And who do I see but my little boy on his knees praying. Five-years-old, giving his heart to God. No one had prompted him. Well, I say noone but we know that isn't true. His calling just came very early in life.

I touched his shoulder and he looked up at me and said like I had ignored his plea, "Mom, I told you this last year, I have Jesus in my heart."

I then understood the power of his conviction and his love for Jesus. I told him then through massive tears, that I would go see Mr. David (our youth pastor) and we would make it official.

Shortly after this, his earthly daddy baptized him and myself (another devotional) on Mother's Day.

Our son has not wavered. For on his my space in bold it says, "I LOVE GOD."

Every night before bed, "Mom, let's say our prayers."

I couldn't be prouder but I think it's Jesus that is the One that is most proud.


God bless the blessing given to us 13 years ago...


Happy Birthday son.... welcome to being a teenager...