Just Breathe

For several years I have battled asthma. I have no idea what brought it on... perhaps allergies, maybe my weight contributed... I don't know. All I do know is that wheezing has become a part of every-day life for me.

Daytime isn't so bad. I can deal with it in the light. (Everything is easier to deal with in the "Light".) It's bedtime when I really struggle. The sound of wheezing fills my ears and keeps me awake at night. Not to mention the coughing and throat clearing that keeps Rod awake... YUCK!

Oddly, I don't recall ever praying about it.

Until last night...

Exhausted, my head finally rested on my pillow. As I lay there (wheezing) I began thanking God - with a full heart - for my family. After about 10 minutes, I had to get up and take my inhaler. When I finally returned to bed, my heart cried out to the Lord : "Please, God... I just want to breathe!"

I drifted off to sleep...

This morning as I got ready for church, I thought about how -(not too often)- our pastor has a "word" of healing for our church body. I also thought it's been quite awhile since there has been such a word given. "Please, God... please give Pastor a word for me. I need to know you hear me."

I entered church feeling a little "off" and heavy-hearted. Worship started, and with eyes closed, I searched for the gates to His courts... the music continued... "I just want to be where you are, Abba..." Then these words came to my heart:

"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord... Serve the Lord with gladness... Come before his presence with singing..." ( ... I'm singing, Lord. ) "Know ye that the Lord is God... it is He that has made us... Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise... Be thankful unto Him and bless His name... For the Lord is good... His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations..."

Then I plead, "I forgive ____ - Please forgive me!"

(This was the prompting of the Holy Spirit, an act of obedience, and important for my release.)

Not another song went by when Pastor came forward on the stage. He apologized for interrupting the worship, but said he needed to obey the Holy Spirit, as he was given a "word" of healing... FOR BRONCHITIS and other BREATHING PROBLEMS!

A wave of - relief ? greatfulness ? awe ? swept over me and I was undone.

Oh, God! You heard my cry! You care for me!

Amen

Confession Time...

Ok, I admit it...

I have ROAD RAGE!!!

It's not really something I'm proud of, it's just a nasty fact.


In the past couple weeks, I've been cursed out (the "F" bomb yelled every other word at me), flipped off several times (not just a quick 'flip', but actually holding it in the air, waving their ugly little bird at me), swerved at, and almost run off the road on several occasions!


One of those times happened to be on my way to taking Jessica to work. When we pulled in to the parking lot, I actually asked her to get out and look to see if I had a nasty sign written somewhere in the dirt on the back end of the car!


Funny, that very morning I had a little talk with Jess about how the Lord was (and is) convicting me about my road rage. hmmmmm...


Don't get me wrong. I haven't resorted to returning the single-digit gesture (yet), nor have I run anyone off the road. I don't carry any weapons, and about the worst is me yelling "BONE-HEAD!" (not out the window, but in my own car).


I considered writing to "ACME", but couldn't find their address in the phone book. I've also wondered how to make my own "Go-Go Gadget" giant boxing glove that would pop out in any direction with the push of a button convienently located on my dash.


As I write this, I am reminded of a couple of verses:


James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.



I confess my road rage...


Jesus, forgive me!

Just Like Me

When I started this blog, I didn't set out to make it all about God, and I certainly didn't intend to include a song in each post... Having said that, and now that I stop and think about it, I don't suppose I can omit my Creator from my very personal blog site, any more than I would choose to omit Him from my person!

Now that I got that off my chest.....

I've had a song running through my mind this past week. We used to play it in our band in the early 80's, and to be honest, I can't remember who the original (female) artist was. I do, however, remember the title and the words : "Just Like Me"

Some of the words went like this:

"Have you ever been lied to? Have you ever been cheated on?

Have you ever been wrong, so wrong... wishing you were gone?

Have you ever cried all night long, thinking something 'bout you is wrong?

Have you ever reached out for a little love, but you couldn't hold on?

Well you're just like me... (chorus)

Have you ever been walked on? Have you ever been talked down to?

Have you ever asked yourself why they do what they do to you?

Have you ever been turned on, just to be turned down?

Have you ever been pushed so hard, you just can't turn around?

Well, you're just like me....."

You get the idea.

We seem to have an epidemic these days of what I call the "walking wounded".

"I HAVE THE RIGHT!..." "I burned my tongue on your hot coffee... My coffee is too cold, give me another one... He makes more money than me... They changed the menu... She hit me... He ignored me... Can you believe he did that?.. Can you believe she had the nerve to say that?.. They shouldn't have... If it were me, I would..." (shall I go on?)

Perhaps it isn't all about what's been done to you or what you've done...

In fact maybe, just maybe, it's not about you at all.

Nap Time's Over, Beloved

I'm not much of a napper. I've found, over the years, that whenever I give in to an afternoon snooze, not only do I feel groggy when I wake up, but I can't get to sleep at night when I should. Now of course I know naps can be refreshing and even a necessity for some (yes you, Deb), but for me I've found it more beneficial to press on through my day and fall into my comfy bed for the night.

There are however, times when try as I might, I can't seem to fight off the sleepies. I wish I could say it's all from my hard day's work, bustin' my backside, yada yada... But the truth is, I am usually overcome when I am sitting and at rest. I let down my guard and settle into my "mode"... relaxing, often reading, maybe staring blankly at the t.v., maybe praying...

...Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed.
Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; Stay here and keep awake and keep watch with Me."
And going a little farther, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup be taken from Me; nevertheless, not what I will [not what I desire], but as You will and desire."
And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, "What! Are you so utterly unable to stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour?
All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.
Then He came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand"...

(Matt. 26:36-45 - emphasis mine)

Wake up!

Nap time's over, Beloved.

Behold, the hour is at hand!