"The Time of Your Life"

Fall color is beginning to decorate our land.

 "You can't give life more time. So give the time more life."

Semple Travels reel

Time. I've known people who seemed to have enough time to do all that is important, and others who have no time to do anything. 

No matter what season you find yourself in, I like the words: "give the time more life." Drop things that aren't necessary so you can do things that mean more to you. 

I celebrate 15 years of retirement this week. I've spent most of those days writing for God, via encouraging notes, encouraging articles, encouraging hymn studies. I'm doing what I enjoy and what I believe God has given me to do.

This year my energy level dropped considerably. Took me by surprise. I wasn't ready for it. It now takes me twice as long to write. But write I will. I need to be productive. So expectations have dropped and acceptance has taken over. 

Consider your desires so you can choose what will make you content and fulfilled. If you are in a position where you have to take care of someone, hopefully there will be some quiet time where you can relax and concentrate on a project or reading to bring you a calm settled-ness. 

The following words are from an article Brian Romero wrote. (brianromeroministries.com) He wrote about Anna, who appears briefly in the New Testament. She was 84, but her life was not over yet. She was about to see Jesus.

"There was an older woman named Anna who appears briefly in the New Testament. She had been widowed for many years and was eighty-four years old. Luke tells us that she spent her days worshiping, fasting, and praying at the temple. Then one ordinary day, Mary and Joseph walked in carrying the infant Jesus. Scripture says, 'And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem' (Luke 2:38 ESV). At eighty-four, Anna was not finished. She was about to see Jesus.

"Paul wrote, 'So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day'” (2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV). Paul was honest about what happens to our bodies. Christianity does not require you to pretend that getting older is easy. Your body changes. Your energy changes. You may grieve what you used to be able to do. But Paul refused to conclude that physical decline meant a person’s life with God was declining too. There is still something happening inside you. The Father is not finished revealing Jesus to you because your body has gotten older.

"Your purpose also does not have to look impressive to be meaningful. Maybe you cannot travel anymore. Maybe you cannot serve the way you once served. Maybe nobody is giving you a microphone or asking you to lead anything. But you can still know Jesus. You can still encourage someone. You can still pray for your family. You can still tell someone what Christ has done for you. You can still send a message to someone who is hurting. You can still speak His name. Some of the most important things you do may happen in conversations nobody else ever hears about.

"And when the house becomes quiet, remember that being alone and being abandoned are not the same thing. Scripture says, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27 ESV). Because of the finished work of Jesus, His presence is not limited to a church building, a gathering, or the years when your calendar was full. Christ is in you. When nobody calls that day, Christ is in you. When you eat dinner alone, Christ is in you. When you wake up wondering what purpose another day could possibly have, Christ is still in you.

"So please do not measure the value of your remaining years by how busy you are or how many people need you. Anna was eighty-four when Scripture recorded one of the most important moments of her life. You do not know what conversations are still ahead of you, whose life your words may touch, or what Jesus still wants to show you about Himself. You are not taking up space. You are not too old to matter. You have not outlived your usefulness to God. You are still here, you still belong to Jesus, and as long as there is another morning in front of you, there is still more of Him to know and more of His love to give away."

"So give the time more life." That's what I'm trying to do. Accepting the changes and planning the possible. One day I will see Jesus too!

By His Grace . . .

"Down at the Cross"

 A new Hymn Chorus devotion: "Down at the Cross." Click on the 2nd link down the right side of this blog.

From Facebook page "OldFashionLife2"

"Timely Words from Saints of Old"

A new "Timely Words from Saints of Old" devotion: Dwight L. Moody. Click on the fourth link down the right side of this blog.

"Through It All"

 A new Praise and Worship devotion: "Through It All." Click on the second link down the right side of this blog.

Proverbs 3:3

 A new Scripture Verse Devotion: Proverbs 3:3. Click on the 3rd link down the right side of this blog.

Miracles Still Happen

 

"WomenMadeforHisGlory" Facebook page.

 "I never have difficulty believing in miracles, since I experienced

the miracle of a change in my own heart."

St. Augustine

God is still in the business of miracles. He still brings super natural happenings into the life of His people. A miracle happened last week for me and a friend. Some might call this a "Godwink," which fits the experience also. Let me tell you about it.

I have been trying to write an Advent reflection/devotion for church. I was sent instructions of what they wanted, and for the last two weeks I haven't come up with anything. We were given four Scripture passages to choose from, narrowing it down to focus on one line.

I mentioned it to a friend who I email with each morning that I hadn't come up with anything. I prayed about this again and asked God to help me. About 30 minutes after sending the email, three words came to me that I use often in my writings.  Deep-settled confidence.

I went back to the Scripture passages and found one that fit with my words. In a matter of 30 minutes my reflection was written. This happens often when I'm writing. When I'm stuck and can't bring forth words, God always answers in amazing ways.

Soon after, my phone rang. I answered, said hello, but didn't hear anything. Finally, my friend in Florida said hello. I had just talked with her the day before. She said, "The strangest thing happened. I received a text from my friend and sent her one back. I put my phone down and went out to the kitchen. When I returned I heard a voice on my phone. I picked it up and you were there."

I listened as she told me what her friend was going through. Soon, a voice in my mind told me to read her what I just wrote. When I was done reading it to her, she said it was beautiful and asked if she could send it to her friend who had an important appointment this morning. I took a picture of my computer screen and sent it to her. Her friend received it before her appointment.

A miracle. A Godwink. God provided me words at the exact time they were needed. My friend didn't call me. God called me on her phone. My friend, in need of hope herself, was encouraged. She was able to encourage her friend before she went in for her appointment. 

My friend said, "You have blessed two people this morning." But I knew, God blessed three. 

By His Grace . . . 

PS: The reflection/devotion I wrote won't be used until Advent starts. I'll post it here after it is used.

PSS: Godfidence fits right in with deep-settled confidence!

 A new Hymn Line Devotion: "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee." Click on the 2nd link down the right side of this blog.