In Other Words December 9, 2008

Click HEREto be redirected to Heather’s IOW Post. Apparently i’m still having difficulties with my new domain that won’t allow me to us the linky’s for my new blog yet! ARGGG!

Exciting News! December 8, 2008

     Well, my friends Swallowing A Moose has a new fancy home! I have officially moved us to the new site. Although don’t save the link to your blogrolls just yet as it’s being updated in a few days to her official address. Soon to be “Swallowing A Moose dot com.” Yipee!!  Come check her out  HERE!

***Some of you may be experiencing trouble getting to the page this afternoon. They are supposedly fixing the domain name at the moment and that’s put me out of commision until then. Sorry! Check back later or tomorrow and it should be fixed!

My 1st Thankful Thursday- “Silly Sheep” December 4, 2008

          This is the first time I’ve ever taken part in “Thankful Thursday” hosted by Grace Alone. Check out her blog if you haven’t yet! An join us all in this day of thanks each week.

     Today my thanks are being directed to the truth in “a lamb for a household“ being my security in knowing that Jesus was/is concerned about the spiritual condition of my family as a whole.  Not just some of us, but ALL of us. His (The Spotless Lamb) bodily sacrifice on the cross was for them too! Even though some are not acknowledging this gift at this moment, I can rest assured that He is concerned and desires to have them walking in His ways. Which for me brings great peace because that means it’s only a matter of time till it prevails. Thank you Lord for caring about each one of us (specifically my crew). Thank you that you are drawing those “silly sheep” back to the flock with your love. Thank you Lord that you too drew me back into your loving arms with no hesitancy when I was that silly sheep wandering. Thank you Lord for erasing my sin debt and replacing it with righteousness. Help me to daily see all that you have given me to be thankful for and all the things yet to know!

Re-cycled Writing’s ~ “A New View” November 10, 2008

   I’d like to share with you a story I am reading from Mark 5 (also found in Matthew 9 & Luke 8). I’m going to share this story as if I were actually a by-stander in the crowd that day. I hope you’ll enjoy my view of what happened and share your own perspective in how this story speaks/spoke to you too. I am reading from an NLT version of the Bible. For the record this (my version of the story as given below) is not the exact text from the Bible in any translation. As stated i’m telling the story from a different point of view as if I were there that day and what I might have seen. I have woven in the true biblical story. The words in red are those spoken by Jesus himself and are his exact words.

     “So here we all were, the people of the town that is- some believers in this Jesus and some not but curious none the less. Jesus and his disciples were walking amongst us with Jarius, the synagogue leader, in route to his home.  The talk around town that day was that Jarius daughter had taken ill and Jesus was going to see her. As Jesus walked through our streets people were shouting, singing praises, dancing, watching from rooftops, and leaning out their windows. There was this excitement in the air that he was near us. Who knew perhaps he’d heal or teach or just sit amongst us and talk. We all wanted to have time with him to ourselves but there were just so many people. As I was trying to push my way in between others to catch a glimpse of Jesus there was a sick woman who passed me by. I had never seen her before and i’d lived in this town my whole life. She leaned out to touch him but as she did she started to fall and her hand caught just the last piece of his clothing as he passed by. Suddenly, Jesus stopped and asked, ‘Who touched me?’No one spoke up, not even me. Peter, one of the disciples said to Jesus that there were many around pushing and crowding them how could he ever know who touched him. Jesus explained that power had gone out. By this time everyone was hushed because we all wanted to hear what he would speak. This trembling woman walked to Jesus and fell at his feet. Everyone within earshot heard her testify! She shared of how she had been sick for some years and had sought help to the point of her last penny. Also, how she had believed that if only she could touch the edge of his garment healing would take place and it did. It did! She was healed immediately! Jesus spoke to her saying, ‘Daughter, be encouraged. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace!’ I stood there watching this whole miracle take place before my eyes. I had heard of Jesus miracles before, of course, these were second hand stories though. Therefore, I was aware of what he could do but greater than the miracle was how loving He was. He just stopped right there and wanted to hear from this woman personally about her struggle. I saw the love and compassion in His eyes as he looked her in the face and patiently listened. He even called her ‘daughter.’ She wasn’t a child born of him in the flesh. I learned her sickness had made her an outcast in our town, but to Jesus she was just like the rest of us. What a day this was!”

     I have been studying this story for two weeks now. The things and lessons i’ve learned have been more than anticipated. I thought i’d share some of my thoughts on this with you and you do the same.

• First thing I noticed is that Jesus called her ‘daughter.’ That to me is a very personal way to address a stranger. Well, this woman was really no stranger to Him since He knows the hairs on our heads and everything about us since the beginning of time. Point being i wouldn’t walk up to the cashier at Wal-Mart and say, “Hey Mom! Your healed! Go in peace!” I’d like to think that Jesus was pointing out that she had been an outcast among men (earthly men) but never to the Man it matters most. I’m so blown away that He is so personal with all of us throughout our lives. From the small to the big. I too am His daughter. Looked down upon with love, favor, grace, mercy, and on & on it goes.
• I’m also fascinated with the fact that the woman was healed when she touched the garment, not Jesus. The point is not that He has to physically touch or not. It just makes me wonder about the vastness of His holiness. Can you imagine the beauty of a robe that is worn by THE King of Kings as He sits in the throne of heaven? I’ve tried to picture it but I can’t think of anything that is worthy enough. Let alone could show how great He is.
• Jesus took the time to ask ‘Who touched me?’ when He didn’t need to.  But Jesus did. He cares so much about us that he wants to hear from us. Sometimes I say to myself i don’t need to communicate with the Lord about my health issues because He already knows so i’ll just trust. He does want me to talk to about them. Even though I have faith in His sovereign will He wants to hear my voice, concerns, and/or faith in Him. 
• This story was faith in action. She touched his clothing because of her faith (a confident reliance in Him). Jarius had humbled himself before the Lord because of his faith. What ought i be doing because of my faith in Christ?
• Lastly, I believe if this view point were really accurate think of how this woman’s testifying could have changed all those others hearing in a remarkable way. Perhaps Jesus’ wanting to hear from the sick woman did something for her emotionally & spiritually all while giving great glory to the Father. See I believe that these situations we encounter in life all have a double blessing. We may not always see or be aware of it but it is happening none the less. I look backwards and see lots of these moments. Do you? Many times i’ve said to myself that the more times I share about my accident the more i’m healed in the deepest parts of me. Perhaps because every time i speak of His grace I personally come to know a bit more of how truly merciful and mighty this Heavenly Father of ours is and that alone is a healing balm like no other.

     This exercise I just shared with you is one of the steps in my speaking book. It helps me to put myself into these Bible lessons and make them relevant to me. It helps me to break down the story and disect it for truths the Lord wants me to know at this time in my life. So now that you know what i’m up to while we’re talking about healing balms I want to leave you with a good laugh.

     My mom was hurting one day and  was laid out on the bed. She asked Carl (my step father) to get her the Tiger’s Balm out and rub in on her hurting spot- must have been somewhere on her back. So Carl goes to the medicine cabinet and pulls out this little jar pops the top off and starts to rub it on mother. Mom is wondering how the heck the Tiger’s balm got smelling fruity when it dawns on her that she had lip gloss in a jar that smelled just like that.  She tells Carl to let her see what he’s got and sure enough it’s the Lip Gloss. <For those of you not aware of what Tigers Balm is let me enlighten. It’s like a Icy Hot in a more earthy form and let me say… It’ll put the FIRE in your muscles for 24 hours +.> Lesson: Be leery, very leery when your husband starts rubbing you down with fruity lip gloss!

Wisdom from my cat November 4, 2008

Mr. Kitty Bubba Sleeping in Warm Laundry

      Do any of you have pets like me? You know the ones that I like to refer to as “momma’s boys.” Let me elaborate a bit. I have two cat children- one calm, one not so calm. But both very smart! Skilled in entertainment center climbing, garbage rummaging, the fine art of hairball creation, blanket hogging, pillow stealing, and knowing when Barry or I have pulled into the parking lot. In case your not aware we live on the 5th floor of a condominium with interior hallways. My cat knows when we pull in or when I step out of the elevator and he’s waiting for me at the door with his less hyper comrade.

     This weird ability was discovered in our first year of marriage when Barry was watching a game and I came home. The cat got up off his lap, went to the door that faces our hallway, and sat there crying. Two minutes later there I am. He knew it was me! We laughed at how smart he is in distinguishing when it’s us or when it’s just one of the other 146 owners here. Crazy huh?! He knows me, his mommy, over all the other neighbors and visitors. Isn’t that cool!?!

     Today I wanted to talk about the story of the Shepherd & His Sheep from John 10:1-21. In this story Jesus is telling the listeners about the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. He explains…

4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.  5 They won’t follow a stranger, they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.

     What do you think about that? His sheep know His voice! How well tuned in are we to our Shepherds voice? Can we distinguish him from the thief and robber? Do we even stop to listen for him often or just when a crisis hits? I haven’t always been so good at listening for His voice. Many times in my life I just listened to what I selfishly wanted and ran with it. Only to be found compromised.

     When I read this story yesterday I immediately thought of Kitty Bubba (my lil’ guy) and how he listens for only Barry or I- mostly me. Kitty Bubba won’t come for strangers or even get near a stranger unless he sees me giving him the okay. He trusts me and knows my voice. Of course, He takes after his human mother and doesn’t always listen to my  No’s and don’t do that’s.

     I hope as time goes by that we all will be so incredibly tuned in to the voice of our Lord that we won’t even miss a sneeze! (Hmmm…Does God sneeze?) I want to know my Lord, His Presence, His Voice, His Desires above all the other noise in my head!

     We know where this story goes don’t we…. The Shepherd became the spotless Lamb nailed to a cross. He became sin so that we could become sinless. His blood paid the full price and redeemed us. Now His Holy Spirit wants to clean the wax out of our ears and remove the scales from our eyes! Hallelujah!

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

This is just one of many lesson’s I’ve learned from my cat.

 

Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving October 29, 2008

I am looking for as many bloggers as I can find that would like to participate in a bloggy “Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving.” I dreamed this idea up as a way to give thanks to the Lord for His work in each of our lives by sharing our testimonies with the world wide web on Monday, November 24, 2008. That’s the Monday before Thanksgiving guys! Many of you may choose to leave that post up for the entire week and I encourage that. My prayer is that this sharing of our testimonies will not only encourage each other and give Glory to our Lord but also to those who happen  upon our blogs. 

 The instructions will be posted up on the dedicated blog until the day of the event so you can find them there as you prepare or for uses of copy & pasting the blurb. I realize there may be many of you who have never written your personal testimony. The more I write about my testimony the more goodness I see in how the Lord worked in my life. Here’s a tip on a format of which I have written and helped me to write my testimony. Ask these questions:

• Who were you?
• Who was He?
• What happened?
• Where were you?
• Who are you now?
• Who is He?

I’m excited to embark on this journey of Giving Thanks! I hope you all are too. If you want let the word out on your blog please by all means i’d appreciate any help I can get. Direct back to my place if you want.  I need all the help I can get with putting the scoop out there in the blog lines that WE, THE CHILDREN OF ONE AWESOME GOD, ARE ABOUT TO TESTIFY! Whoo-hooo! Many people are out there searching. Let’s point them to WHO to get filled up by!

If your interested in taking part sign up in my comments and i’ll remind you as we get closer to that time! Hopefully this early notice will help us generate more to join and give us ample time to seek the Lord in prayer as to what and how He’d like us to share our stories.

 Happy Writings, 

Heather

PS~ Thanks to the the following people for helping me by posting on their blogs about the event:

Angie @ Knightly News

A Story Begin’s… October 27, 2008

     You won’t believe it!!! Today October 27, 2008 is the day I started the book (I’m saying ‘the’ book because it’s sole credit belongs to the Lord. I couldn’t write it if He didn’t open my eyes and give me the words). It has finally happened!!

     Why today you ask and not years ago or right when I came home from conference?? Well, to that I reply, “It wasn’t time yet.” The Lord hadn’t filled me in yet. But over the past 4-5 days He’s opened my little earth eyes to something He’s working on presently and so we start or rather finish this journey together. An oh how I can’t wait!!!

     I don’t think i’ll ever sleep tonight. I’m just so happy to start this because I know the Lord will be ever present as I surrender my heart and hands to Him. I don’t know about ya’ll but I get all giddy when the Lord shows up like that.

     Thanks for letting me share the big news with you. Who knows how long this will be in the process. LOL… Hint: Could be a while because I’m a slow learner. I’m the reason the Lord has such good patience. I think He’s used to waiting on me. I say that jokingly.

FYI- Anyone interested in doing a bloggy carnival of testimonies? I was thinking that it would be something great for us to put up on our blogs for the week of Thanksgiving. Since we can all give thanks for God’s work in us, right?! If anyone is interested in it let me know via e-mail or comment and i’ll figure out how we can all link up and then post. Perhaps do a Mr. Linky (I know wordpress users can’t enjoy that but those of you that are bloggers could.). Let me know what you think and if that’s the case i’ll come up with an idea and we’ll pull it off that week!

Prayer for Teresa October 23, 2008

Good Morning My Beloved Readers!

I wanted to share with you a prayer request for a young woman named Teresa. I received a request for prayer for her from my best girlfriend Sarah. She works with Teresa’s mother-in-law. 

Teresa is a 37 year old wife, mother of three, and now congestive heart failure patient. She is in need of a heart transplant and is in the midst of testing up at my old stomping grounds- Tampa General Hospital.

My request is for you to stop right where you are and take one minute or twenty to lift her up in prayer. This is a difficult time for the families, her children, and husband as they start this journey together. Let’s pray them through this guys! To God be the Glory!!!

Lord,

I pray that you will use this journey with Teresa and family to make yourself known in a powerful & mighty way to each person involved. I pray Lord that they will all draw nearer to you for peace, understanding in life’s storms, and comfort. I pray You will give this mother a healing touch in a way that will leave the unbelieving involved dumbfounded. Give her strength Lord to be strong through this fight for You! I love you Lord and I trust that Your ways are far better than ours even when we don’t understand. Thank you for hearing the prayers of your children. Thank you for your endless love, your joy, your strength, your making sense of hard times, and most importantly your grace Lord. I ask these things in the Name of Jesus. Amen!

UPDATE at 11:00 AM Thursday as per Brenda:

Shane just called me, there is good news today….Praise God and the power of Prayer! I believe that God is working his miracles!

They put Theresa on an IV drip last night, not sure what meds are in it, but as of right now it has already started to work. She has color coming back to her face and lips and her heart is functioning 4% better than it was yesterday. Her liver is functioning better as are her intestines which was causing the nausea. She is in a special ICU and will be there for 5 to7 days, when they send her home she will have a fanny pac for the IV drip 24/7 for the next 6 to 9 mos. The drip is to help make her heart stronger and hopefully heal to the point of no transplant needed (this is the goal). Thank you for your support! Keep those prayers going!

The Mouth Behind the Moose (Heather) says…. PRAISE & GLORY BE TO GOD!!!

Words Given by the Lord October 13, 2008

Hi All! I wanted to share a very interesting e-mail I got today. I felt that this was so incredible that I just had to post it up for the masses to read. God is so incredible! My mother read this to me over the phone and I got teary eyed at how God can just make stuff happen that seems beyond belief. This just goes to show that when we are yielded the Lord can really work. In this story He more than made Himself known. I hope you enjoy this. The day’s are drawing nearer to this election and we as children of the Most High need to utilize the power of the bended knee. We need to bend our knee’s for this nation and for the lost living in it that their eyes will be opened to Truth.

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From: Pastor Mark Arnold (Lebanon, OH)

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Dear Friend,

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This past Tuesday, the McCain / Palin bus came through a little town called Lebanon, Ohio.  The LORD allowed me to go to the rally giving them a message that He wanted me to personally deliver.

Sunday Night – a burden hit me that would only shake me to my knees – I prayed and wept for our nation.  Never has my heart been so broken before God.  I literally interceded for these wonderful people who do not deserve all the hate against them. . . . 

Monday and into Monday Night – the burden of prayer was so heavy that I was literally shaking and could not stop weeping.   

 

 

(I didn’t know that they were coming to Ohio.)  I prayed and walked and wept and walked. . . . on and on.

Tuesday at 2:00 A.M. – God spoke these words to me – “Go turn the radio on!”   Immediately the reporter’s words were -“McCain & Palin bus to be in Lebanon later this morning for a 10:00 A.M. rally!”

Immediately on hearing that news, I heard God again…

God said, “You are to go.  You will meet them and give them a message for Me!”

…I didn’t stop praying until I drove over to the town and parked the car.  The News would later report they were expecting

5,000 people and the actual head-count of those who had been scanned was more than 10,000 people. 

I simply obeyed…and God actually told me where to stand, who to talk to…and when to be on the move. . . . . and even those standing beside you may just be an Angel.

I struck up a conversation with an agent on the ground – he simply said, “I can’t allow you to stand here!”  Here is where the bus was going to actual pull up.  They had to make a much larger perimeter so the entire area was now being moved back several blocks… He told me to go through the metal detector zone and just watch from the back.  So, that’s what I did.

Looking over the shoulders and backs and heads of all those people…I knew it would take a miracle for what GOD told me to do. 

As I was standing there, two Boy Scouts came running up my back…literally, they almost knocked me to the ground because they were running so fast behind me…. Their Scout Leader and several smaller boys were behind them…but as the first two were trying to push through the crowd, saying they were late….the smaller scouts were left in their dust.  The Scout Leader who was with a McCain Rep from the state grabbed me and told me to bring the other Scouts up front as they continued to push through. 

As  the Rep was shouting back at me……the people parted just like God parted the Red Sea!  When I got there I was fifteen feet from the podium…  GOD said, “Stand here, and don’t move from this spot.”

Within five minutes.the bus pulled up and around the other side McCain, Sarah Palin and her husband Todd stepped up and the speeches took off.  I was where God placed me…and even Sarah Palin and Todd were standing on my side of the stage.  

I made eye contact, I gave them thumbs up gestures…and I knew they were just happy to see me standing there.  Ha Ha 

…A little lady who stood by me, reached up and told the Rep that they had promised a picture with her because she was the one who had lost a son in Iraq recently.  The Rep confirmed she would get a picture with them and they would talk to her.  When McCain came to hug her… he immediately shook my hand and following his moment with her, I shook his hand … I said, “God wants you to know that I’m praying for you, Sir!”  He thanked me and kept smiling.  I repeated that phrase to him five times!  He grabbed my hands and looked right into my eyes and said, “I won’t make it without prayer.  Sir, thank you for praying for me, and don’t let one day go by that you don’t pray for me.  I need all the prayers that I can get. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!”

As he moved to my right Sarah Palin came over to my left side…standing over the crowd and then looking at the little lady who had lost the son. Sarah came and got on her hands and knees on that side of the stage and hugged that little Mom, telling her, “…it was not in vain…”It was at this moment Sarah Palin reached out for me to help her up and as I was assisting her to stand I was now face to face with her and GOD said, “Open up your Mouth and I will fill it.”

Here is what came out…    ”God wants you to know that you are a present day Esther!” [She immediately began to cry]! “God wants to tell you that you are chosen for such a time as this!” “You are called, and chosen to be a leader.”  “Don’t lose heart and don’t fear man.”  “The news and nay-sayers and criticizers are going to be very hateful toward you…  and in the days ahead they are going to turn up the heat…but do not fear.”“You are a present day Esther.   You are an Esther.  You are an Esther!”  “Keep your eyes on GOD and know that He has chosen you to reign!”   “Stay strong…be strong…don’t tire.  Don’t be weary in well-doing.  Be strong.”

Her husband Todd came over and I told him what I told her. He began to cry. I emphasized the fact that he was to guard her at this time…and know that “…she is GOD-CALLED and GOD-ANOINTED.”   …this is a GOD-THING and your wife is a present day Esther…she is for God to use at this time…she is an Esther…she is an Esther…she is an Esther.”    You will be hated…but stand strong…GOD has called both of you to stand!”  “We are praying and I am praying for you…!” 

At this moment, McCain came right to where I was finishing talking to Todd and I told Mr. McCain exactly what I told to Sarah and Todd Palin. “Mr. McCain, …they are called of God and she is an Esther.”  “Don’t lose hope and don’t lose heart.” We are praying for all of you!” 

He shook my hand and with a deep look of understanding what I had just said, he said, “Thank you for your prayers and support…I really do mean that!” And he turned and shook more hands…and I watched them as they went through the crowd.

When I got to my car I sat there for quite a long time…knowing the GOD of the Universe had just used me to deliver a message confirming to Sarah and Todd to realize they are truly chosen vessels of God. 

I wept.  I have not stopped praying and crying.  My heart is full knowing they had to have all the staging and all the hype and all the crowd…but the GOD of Heaven and Earth wanted to give them a Divine-God-Appointment! 

To God be all the GLORY and HONOR.   Do you want to know if I believe God can speak?  Yes…Absolutely!  

Burdened for all of our Leaders,
Pastor Mark Arnold  .

 

Sent out by:
Dr. Jean Chesser
Sr. Pastor Covenant Life Church
11700 Idlewild Road
Matthews, NC  28105

The State of Our Nation October 7, 2008

     Who’s shocked that i’m touching on this subject?? Everyone!?! Since it’s been a week from the last time i’ve written to you all I figured i’d let you in on what i’ve been doing… Trying not to let my blood pressure get revved up at the disaster this nation has become. Heart breaking!

     I get a magazine from the Billy Graham Foundation called Decision every month and if anyone else gets it i’m sure that you will agree it’s full of great stuff! Kay Arthur always writes a final article in there and the September one was quite thought provoking. I wanted to share.

     She was talking about abominations, particularly those of our nation. This talk leading to the problem of sin and the need for repentance as a nation. We have ventured so far from the Lord that in her words ‘truth stumbled in the streets as it did in Jerusalem in the days of the days of the Prophet Isaiah.’ I’d like to leave you today with the last paragraph of her article. It’s something i’ve been thinking about for many weeks now and can’t seem to get off my mind.

     I pray that as you think of our abominations as a nation it will fill you with righteous anger. I pray it moves you to tears. I pray it causes us to humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways and pray fervently for our nation to return to a fear of God. I pray that we will determine that we will discipline ourselves and discover truth for ourselves, that we will go deeper. I pray that we will learn His truth (John 17:17), love it, live it, and hold it forth in the midst of this crooked and perverse generation- and if necessary, die for it. Otherwise America is lost. (This excerpt was borrowed from Kay Arthur’s writing on ‘Cause Her to Know Her Abominations’ in Decision Magazine’s September 2008 issue, page 39.)

     I pray the Lord will have mercy on this nation in the midst of our stupidity and lack of adherence to His Word. Kay’s words for me just summed up my thoughts. We have ventured far from a fear of the Lord and need to return to Him in repentance.