I Corinthians 3:16,17 Don't you realize that all of you together are the house of God, and that the Spirit of God lives among you in his house? If anyone defiles and spoils God's home, God will destroy him. For God's home is holy and clean, and you are that home.
The past year, my blogging has been about Who I Am in Christ. I have learned I am accepted and secure, now I am learning about how significant we all are in Christ.
Down by the falls, pond, stream and in the safety of the cleft of the rock there have been many lessons to drink from. I pray that each time we come to the Father for a drink of water and comfort, he would seal these precious nuggets in our spirits, that we may share with others. That we would be used satisfy their longing in pointing the way to a loving patient Father.
This week I had the privilege of praying for a precious sister in my family of Christians. She was being obedient and laying down a dream for a time of rest and waiting on the Lord for the next job. I placed her in the cleft after she stepped from the roaring falls so she could do just that. Sometimes, in being called away for rest, I like to think of this process of a "lone dove place". It's where we can look quietly from above and observe things below,basking in His peace and listening for his voice and direction. My friend was spent, it was time to re-group and spend time at her Father's feet. She yearns for a closer walk and to be able to produce more fruit in her life. Sometimes we get so busy doing the Lord's work that we forget to stop and go another direction, especially when we are successful at what we have been working so diligently on. But...God, in his amazing knowledge knows what we need and sometimes, that is rest and taking another direction for a season.
Taking care of our physical body isn't the only thing, we need to be willing to stop and care for our precious Church body too. That doesn't always mean we need to run out and take them dinner or give them a quick hug, although those things are important, we need to be willing to stop for a moment and listen to the Lord as he calls their name to our mind. An intercessory prayer is important as well for their well-being. I sense a word of urgency here as I lift her up to the Father. As He brings your name, I will do the same for you. Even if your name is only "Reader" right now. He surely knows who you are and what you need. Take care of your bodies dear ones, they are the only ones you have to use for the Lord's work. They need rest, food and comfort. Your physical body and your church body.
Paul says in I Corinthians 23 All are yours, and you belong to Christ, and Christ is God's.
Have a blessed day my friends in Christ.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Happy New Year 2009 Significant
Finally today, I feel that I can catch up. It has been a rough but joyous time here at the Harris house since my last post.
John 15:16 reminds us...You didn't choose me! I chose you! I appointed you to go and produce lovely fruit always, so that no matter what you ask for from the Father, using my name, he will give it to you. I am going to take one more step and that is the next two scriptures which say, I demand that you love each other,for you get enough hate from the world! But then, it hated me before it hated you.
What a lesson because I feel like I failed but God is so faithful, he picked me up and challenged me to keep going.
It started with my mini-job and a new computer and a new Word 2007...two dangerous things to use on a mind that is computer compromised. Excited, we set up the new computer, loaded, etc. etc, you know all the terms. The next day, my new one blew up too. I lost a lot of information, emails, some submissions, some pieces of my writing and was struggling big-time with a simple 15 hour a week job. I wasn't producing very much fruit. On top of that, I had awful flu almost all of Nov. and then after a week of rest, I got it again. Two days ago it was better and I have come from the land of the dead. Jim is coming out of the woods with it tonight. Poor thing. The first week in the New Year, sob! I was let go. I felt terrible, my pride and everything else exploded but still....I was at total peace and as I felt led to finally go back to my blog site, there was a post from Rose, it was so sweet and I knew that I was still loved and forgiven despite myself.
There were quite of few tests from fellow believers who left me in a cloud of dust and this lesson seemed quite appropriate as I pick up pieces, lick my wounds and start again. It doesn't matter where or how I have been misunderstood, I have my marching orders and that is to keep on loving and producing fruit, especially members of my body in Christ. I can do this on the strength of my Lord and Savior, that is why in John 15:26 he sent me the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. I need them and they need me despite ourselves!
But wait! I forgot to tell you the best part of all...God is faithful to the call on our lives! Yep! I got work published for payment in 2008. What a wonderful gift from Jesus. Friends, I have written and published for years, but this was awesome because one story made it in Faith Deployed and one in Cup of Soup for the Catholic Soul. A story that I wrote three years ago and also a story that I did not send to them for consideration. Jesus took care of that! I don't know how, another wonderful miracle in our lives. Years ago he promised if I would do my part, he would take care of the rest.
May each of you have a Blessed and Happy New Year. I am praying in the cleft of the rock and seeking ways in which to bless you.
Love,
Paulette
John 15:16 reminds us...You didn't choose me! I chose you! I appointed you to go and produce lovely fruit always, so that no matter what you ask for from the Father, using my name, he will give it to you. I am going to take one more step and that is the next two scriptures which say, I demand that you love each other,for you get enough hate from the world! But then, it hated me before it hated you.
What a lesson because I feel like I failed but God is so faithful, he picked me up and challenged me to keep going.
It started with my mini-job and a new computer and a new Word 2007...two dangerous things to use on a mind that is computer compromised. Excited, we set up the new computer, loaded, etc. etc, you know all the terms. The next day, my new one blew up too. I lost a lot of information, emails, some submissions, some pieces of my writing and was struggling big-time with a simple 15 hour a week job. I wasn't producing very much fruit. On top of that, I had awful flu almost all of Nov. and then after a week of rest, I got it again. Two days ago it was better and I have come from the land of the dead. Jim is coming out of the woods with it tonight. Poor thing. The first week in the New Year, sob! I was let go. I felt terrible, my pride and everything else exploded but still....I was at total peace and as I felt led to finally go back to my blog site, there was a post from Rose, it was so sweet and I knew that I was still loved and forgiven despite myself.
There were quite of few tests from fellow believers who left me in a cloud of dust and this lesson seemed quite appropriate as I pick up pieces, lick my wounds and start again. It doesn't matter where or how I have been misunderstood, I have my marching orders and that is to keep on loving and producing fruit, especially members of my body in Christ. I can do this on the strength of my Lord and Savior, that is why in John 15:26 he sent me the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. I need them and they need me despite ourselves!
But wait! I forgot to tell you the best part of all...God is faithful to the call on our lives! Yep! I got work published for payment in 2008. What a wonderful gift from Jesus. Friends, I have written and published for years, but this was awesome because one story made it in Faith Deployed and one in Cup of Soup for the Catholic Soul. A story that I wrote three years ago and also a story that I did not send to them for consideration. Jesus took care of that! I don't know how, another wonderful miracle in our lives. Years ago he promised if I would do my part, he would take care of the rest.
May each of you have a Blessed and Happy New Year. I am praying in the cleft of the rock and seeking ways in which to bless you.
Love,
Paulette
Thursday, November 27, 2008
We are part of Jesus Christ
What do you know??? I asked myself as I got the wind knocked out of me the beginning of the month. On a Spiritual high from our good fortune, once again we were tested in our faith. I have the good fortune of having a "tiny" writing job, just what we needed this month to pay for a huge unknown tumor to be taken out of our precious family cat. To make matters worse, all three of our computers crashed. I have no idea why. We ordered a new one, because I love to write my novels, and free-lance and this job was one where I could work at home. We set it up and overnight, it crashed too. Needless to say,Jim went to Austin, Texas for Thanksgiving without me. The cat needs his stitches out in the morning and I am so far behind in my job, I will need another 15 hours to catch up with the learning curve involved.
But...despite that I got into Isaiah this morning and what good Thanksgiving food it was! Full of encouraging stuffing and meat I can digest. John 15:5 out of the Living Bible says,"Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in Him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can't do a thing." Oh how I long to use all six senses that I have to include Jesus in my being. He is my rock and salvation and all He asks of me is to remain in Him as I travel from day to day. He springs forth Springs of Living waters to quench my thirst and cool my burning soul. He is just and quick to forgive and....to help me forgive those who lack understanding. All my Lord asks of me is to go to Him for the help I need so desperately on a daily basis.
Take rest today my friends and enjoy Thanksgiving with your loved ones. That is my prayer for you as I sit beneath the trees and drink from the Vine of my soul. The juice is sweet and I am willing to share if you need some.
But...despite that I got into Isaiah this morning and what good Thanksgiving food it was! Full of encouraging stuffing and meat I can digest. John 15:5 out of the Living Bible says,"Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in Him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can't do a thing." Oh how I long to use all six senses that I have to include Jesus in my being. He is my rock and salvation and all He asks of me is to remain in Him as I travel from day to day. He springs forth Springs of Living waters to quench my thirst and cool my burning soul. He is just and quick to forgive and....to help me forgive those who lack understanding. All my Lord asks of me is to go to Him for the help I need so desperately on a daily basis.
Take rest today my friends and enjoy Thanksgiving with your loved ones. That is my prayer for you as I sit beneath the trees and drink from the Vine of my soul. The juice is sweet and I am willing to share if you need some.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Protected
l John 5:18 No one who has become part of God's family makes a practice of sinning, for Christ, God's Son, holds him securely and the devil cannot get his hands on him.
This week was one of those, fall on your knees in awesome wonder of God's power, week.
We returned from a wonderful wedding. My sister and new brother-in-law had a beautiful wedding in which all my family was able to attend. It was the first time in thirty years that we were able to all get together. The entire week was full of love and peace despite what could have been a difficult time. There are some of us who have different beliefs politically and religiously.
That being said, it was altogether full of Jesus.
When we returned home, we received a new garage door gift from precious brothers and sisters in the body and then....to really put the frosting on the cake, the mortgage company called with an offer.
They have allowed us to re-do our mortgage at a much lower rate for a thirty year fixed loan and we couldn't be happier. We thank everyone for their prayers over the past two years and can now say that we can afford to stay in our home.
We are so overwhelmed with God's care for His people. He is our provider and protector. Sometimes we think that God doesn't see or care. There seems to be no answers coming and we become discouraged, but Jim and I are here to testify that those beliefs are not true. It really is; in His perfect timing. We are grateful to God and His people today.
May the God of peace be with you all as we enter into the Holidays.
Love,
Jim and Paulette Harris
This week was one of those, fall on your knees in awesome wonder of God's power, week.
We returned from a wonderful wedding. My sister and new brother-in-law had a beautiful wedding in which all my family was able to attend. It was the first time in thirty years that we were able to all get together. The entire week was full of love and peace despite what could have been a difficult time. There are some of us who have different beliefs politically and religiously.
That being said, it was altogether full of Jesus.
When we returned home, we received a new garage door gift from precious brothers and sisters in the body and then....to really put the frosting on the cake, the mortgage company called with an offer.
They have allowed us to re-do our mortgage at a much lower rate for a thirty year fixed loan and we couldn't be happier. We thank everyone for their prayers over the past two years and can now say that we can afford to stay in our home.
We are so overwhelmed with God's care for His people. He is our provider and protector. Sometimes we think that God doesn't see or care. There seems to be no answers coming and we become discouraged, but Jim and I are here to testify that those beliefs are not true. It really is; in His perfect timing. We are grateful to God and His people today.
May the God of peace be with you all as we enter into the Holidays.
Love,
Jim and Paulette Harris
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Not a spirit of fear but of POWER!
2Timothy 1:7 For the Holy Spirit, God's gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.
I must admit there have been times when I have had to deal with fear of other people.
Fear of rejection, fear of being misunderstood, fear of saying or doing the wrong thing and then being corrected in front of my peers. Did you know that that is the number one fear of humans? Rejection from other people. The second biggest fear is the fear of death.
I have struggled with rejection for years and many times was tossing and turning all night about the things...woulda, coulda, shoulda, things that I could have said or done differently earlier in the day. But there is such a thing as "false guilt" and the enemy had me by my hair on that one. Thank goodness for Jesus who died for this weak spot in my emotions.
He says, Love others with His Love, fill yourselves up with the Word and His love. We can indeed love others with His love, even if we don't feel love towards them or don't feel love and acceptance coming from them. Our job is to cling to the vine of our Savior and produce fruit. We can't do it by ourselves. We need to go and be filled everyday so that the blessings can fall out of us upon others.
Give your fears precious ones to Jesus and press in to the mark of the high calling in your lives.
I was once encouraged by a precious friend in Jesus to actually step into the fear and embrace it with Jesus and move forward in what He called me to do. I did and guess what?? As I pressed, the fear evaporated. I was a conqueror in Jesus!
Let's come together this week and Praise him in the falling midst with arms upheld as King's Kids for His death on the cross bringing us the freedom to do our assigned work.
Have a great week in Jesus!
Love,
Paulette
www.pauletteharris.biz
comeandsitawhile.blogspot.com
I must admit there have been times when I have had to deal with fear of other people.
Fear of rejection, fear of being misunderstood, fear of saying or doing the wrong thing and then being corrected in front of my peers. Did you know that that is the number one fear of humans? Rejection from other people. The second biggest fear is the fear of death.
I have struggled with rejection for years and many times was tossing and turning all night about the things...woulda, coulda, shoulda, things that I could have said or done differently earlier in the day. But there is such a thing as "false guilt" and the enemy had me by my hair on that one. Thank goodness for Jesus who died for this weak spot in my emotions.
He says, Love others with His Love, fill yourselves up with the Word and His love. We can indeed love others with His love, even if we don't feel love towards them or don't feel love and acceptance coming from them. Our job is to cling to the vine of our Savior and produce fruit. We can't do it by ourselves. We need to go and be filled everyday so that the blessings can fall out of us upon others.
Give your fears precious ones to Jesus and press in to the mark of the high calling in your lives.
I was once encouraged by a precious friend in Jesus to actually step into the fear and embrace it with Jesus and move forward in what He called me to do. I did and guess what?? As I pressed, the fear evaporated. I was a conqueror in Jesus!
Let's come together this week and Praise him in the falling midst with arms upheld as King's Kids for His death on the cross bringing us the freedom to do our assigned work.
Have a great week in Jesus!
Love,
Paulette
www.pauletteharris.biz
comeandsitawhile.blogspot.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
