Wednesday Treasures: Unexpected "Gifts" Revisited

Note: January 20, 2021.  I originally wrote this post on 7/22/2012.  In searching for something "new" to share with you today for my "Wednesday Treasures", I was led to this post and thought it was a "treasure" for sure.  On this day when many of us are trying to stay focused on positive things and away from the media, perhaps a review of some of God's "miraculous, spontaneous gifts" in your life as well as in mine might a a good exercise for our hearts and minds.  So as you read through my little list of "gifts", which are really treasures, maybe you will be reminded of some special "gifts" that came to your life at just the right time...something out of the blue that you weren't expecting but that God knew you needed and provided it for you right on time.   So read on and hopefully you will be blessed and encouraged today:

Original Post 7/22/2012:

One of my new blogging friends made a comment on my last "Random Journal Day" post, "Saved from the Abyss by God's Miraculous Intervention", that the two items mentioned in the story, the song of the Meadowlark, and the "smiling" rose, were gifts.  Until my friend pointed this out, I had not really thought of them as "gifts", but indeed they were.  They were gifts sent from God at precisely the right moment to rescue me back from the edge of an abyss that was tempting me to take a step closer to the brink of my own destruction.  Not that I would have done anything really crazy, at least looking back now I don't think I would have...but then again, perhaps God saw something different and sent His messengers to call me back just in time.

Thinking of these miraculous, spontaneous events as "gifts" got me to thinking about other things that have happened in my life that were gifts from God to encourage me or rescue me, or even just to delight me at a time that I needed it most. Without becoming too specific, I will list a few...

• A phone call from a dear friend at a time when only God could have told her I needed her to call.

• A card or note in the mail from someone, with words of hope and love and perhaps a little tea-bag enclosed to give me a refreshing reminder of a precious friend.
• An unexpected monetary gift from a loved one, at precisely the exact moment we needed it...and the exact amount that was required to be paid...and that individual did not know anything about that particular need.
• Miraculous intervention from the action of a friend's phone call...who changed the course of the doctor's plans at a most critical time just prior to our son's brain surgery...that very possibly saved our son's life.
• Someone repaying a debt to us that we never expected to receive in this lifetime...and again, at exactly the moment we needed it most.
• Meeting a new friend who seemed to be able to look right into my heart and see how badly I needed a friend at that time.
• A song heard on the radio while driving myself to work, that blessed me so completely that I almost had to pull off the road and take time to worship and praise God right then and there.

• An owl appearing in front of me at the precise moment I needed a sign from God that my Daddy had reached heaven's gate...that was definitely a "God-gift"  (click on this link for "The Last Farewell"

• A beautiful and precious gift of a baby doll, sent from a dear friend whom I have never met personally...made especially for me...just because she wanted to show me God's love at a difficult time in my life...(Click on this link for "Baby Elva's Story" )

Well, you get the idea...I have to stop or I will never be able to post this story because the list just goes on and on. 

Of course the Greatest Gift of all is the Gift of Jesus Christ, My Savior and Lord, Who gave HIMSELF for me, when I most definitely did not deserve His mercy and grace and love.  And He stands ready to present Himself to you as well, if you have not yet accepted His free gift of salvation.  (Ephesians 2:8-10)

I hope that this little exercise has caused you to think about the gifts you have received in your life, and perhaps it might be a good idea to begin your own list. It also makes me want to be more sensitive to ways I can bless others with special "God-Gifts". Once we start thinking this way, we will be amazed at all of the things God will bring to our minds...and we will have to break out into spontaneous praise! His love is so amazing...His mercy so unfailing, His grace is so undeserved...What more can I say? 

Thank You, Dear Lord

for Your blessings on me.

And please help me to be a

blessing to others each day.

Amen.

Moments of Grace: Who Do You See in the Mirror?

Yesterday as I was going through my morning routine of washing my face, brushing my hair and putting on makeup, I caught a glimpse of my face in the mirror that reminded me of my maternal grandmother.  It was a fleeting look, a certain pose that I remembered seeing in a photograph of her that used to hang on the wall in the home I grew up in.  It rather startled me at first, but then it was such a pleasant thought..."I look like my Grandma Tedlie".  No one had ever said that before.

 Since I've recently retired, I have more time on my hands it seems...and I suddenly felt like playing with this little scenario.  After searching out a copy of the familiar portrait of my grandmother, I decided to dress up similar to the way she was dressed, and then see if I truly did look anything like her.  My husband was willing to humor me and said he would do the honor of taking my picture.

Here's my beautiful Grandma:

And here I am, trying to look like her.

Then, crazy woman that I am, I put this on Facebook.  The reviews were mixed.  Some said yes, definitely! Especially the cheekbones. And others said they couldn't see any resemblance at all.  Those who know me well declared that I must be "losing it" and that I need something more to do with my time.  Could be.

As I pondered this I wondered to myself just why did I do this kooky thing? Am I "losing it", or am I just having a little fun and playing "dress up" like a little girl again.  Is that so bad?  One of my friends said that she thought the side by side pictures would please my grandmother very much.  I like that thought. I never got to spend much time with my grandma.  We moved to Florida when I was only five, and my grandparents lived in Ohio.  Consequently, we got to see them only once a year when we took a summer trip to visit.  Unfortunately, my grandmother was not well for quite a few years, and then she passed away when I was fifteen.  So I always felt like I really didn't get to know her and she truly didn't know me either.

Okay, enough of this nostalgia.  What is really going on here? Perhaps it is a type of search for my identity.  I've often wondered about my ancestors, and have thought how wonderful it will be to meet them all face to face someday in heaven and discover who they are and who I really do resemble.

More than all the ancestors, however, I look forward to seeing my Lord and Savior face to face...and hopefully discover that He is the One Whom I resemble most of all.

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."  

2 Corinthians 3:18

Here is an old hymn that expresses my thoughts and desires:

O To Be Like Thee, Blessed Redeemer  By Thomas O. Chisholm, written in 1897.  (Click on the link to hear this beautiful hymn)

O to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Refrain

O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee,
Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

O to be like Thee! full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wandering sinner to find.

Refrain

O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer others to save.

Refrain

O to be like Thee! Lord, I am coming
Now to receive anointing divine;
All that I am and have I am bringing,
Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.

Refrain

O to be like Thee! while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above.

Refrain

"For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.  

Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known."

I Corinthians 13:12

Lord, I pray that day by day I am being changed into Your glorious image. 

Forgive me when I take my eyes off of You and focus more on me or the things of this world.

And thank You, Lord, for the marvelous gift of God...Salvation...

"For by GRACE you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves,

it is the Gift of God,

Not of works, lest anyone should boast."

Ephesians 2:8-9

Amen.

God's Grace Has NO Limit!

My friend Carolyn over at A Word About Words wrote about "cheap grace and costly grace" in her recent blog  post entitled "Simple and Easy". I found myself echoing her words as I read this post today.  I have linked it here for you to check out.

As I read this I found myself singing an old song that I haven't heard in a while, but used to sing frequently. I will write it out for you here so you can sing along.  I wonder if you have found these words to be true in your life as well?  I know I have.  Just look back through the past few months of my posts and you will see that God had to be giving me (and my family) more grace each day.  He still is. He always has. He always will.
Here it is for you:

He Giveth More Grace  (You Tube Video by Ben Markley, vocalist)

by Annie Johnson Flint

"He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;

To added affliction He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace."

Chorus:

"His love has no limit,

His grace has no measure,

His power has no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!"

"When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,

Our Father's full giving is only begun!"

Chorus:

"His love has no limit,

His grace has no measure,

His power has no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!"

"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."  II Corinthians 12:9-10

My friend, if you are going through difficult trials and feel like you have come to the end of your endurance and strength, I hope you will discover that "Our Father's full giving is only begun!"  I know I have...over and over again. When I am at my weakest point and ready to give up, that's when God's grace kicks in and takes over. That's when He picks me up and carries me. 

That's when I realize that I cannot do it alone...I need His grace. I need His power.  I need God's Great Grace.  Listen to this new song by Matt Reddman, Your Grace Finds Me.  His great grace is there for us in all the high and low moments of our lives.  "From the creation to the cross.  Then from the cross into eternity, Your grace finds me...Yes Your grace finds me..."

Knowing that God's great grace is there for us always is a huge comfort to me right now in this present trial we are enduring.  I pray that if you don't know this wonderful Savior Who gives this marvelous grace, that you will seek His face right now.  His amazing grace is there, waiting to save you.

"For the law was given through Moses, but GRACE and TRUTH came through Jesus Christ."  John 1:17

"For by GRACE you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the GIFT of GOD, not of works, lest anyone should boast."  Ephesians 2:8-9

Okay, here's one more song we all should know about grace..."Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound" by John Newton...I won't write all of the verses for you here as many of you already know this priceless song by heart, but my favorite verses are the last two:

"Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come;

'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And GRACE will lead me home."

"When we've been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Than when we'd first begun!"

"Faith without Works is DEAD!" Updated

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."  James 2:26

Photo by Michael Belk, "Journeys with the Master"...

Now don't shut me off before I have had a chance to speak here...I am not trying to stir up a theological debate over faith vs. works.  I am not talking about whether or not we are saved by faith or by works...The Bible is very clear in Ephesians 2:8-9 when it says:

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." 

No, what I want to talk about is the works of the believer after he has been saved.   In Ephesians 2:10 we are reminded that,

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

So, we were created by God through Christ to do good works...it is something that is expected of each believer.  Not as a prerequisite for salvation, but as an action of the heart, an offering of praise and thanksgiving to God as a result of the salvation that we did not, could not earn...a way of giving back to God out of the humility and gratitude of our hearts for such a precious gift.

I was thinking about the story of the "Good Samaritan" this morning, found in the book of Luke 10:25-37.  I'm sure we've all heard this story before, how there was a certain man who was traveling and fell among thieves. And the robbers stripped him of his clothing, beat him up, and left him half dead along the road.

Along comes a priest, on his way to the Synagogue no doubt,  and when he sees the man lying there in his agony and pain, the priest actually crosses over to the opposite side of the road and turns his head and goes on as if he didn't even see him.   Next there was a Levite, a man of the Law, who also drove by and looked the other way...just couldn't be bothered...I'm sure he was on his way to the court to make lots of money off of other unfortunate people.

Now along came a Samaritan...a stranger in that land...a person who would not have been considered a good religious man or even a person whom one would have trusted because of his national heritage and ethnic background...and when he saw that poor man lying in the ditch crying out for help, he stopped, had compassion on the man, bandaged his wounds, put him on his own animal (or in his own luxury vehicle?), and took him to the nearest inn and personally took care of him!

The next morning, when this Samaritan man needed to get on to his destination, he went to the innkeeper and gave him his own money out of his own pocket, and asked the innkeeper to please take care of the injured man, and when he returned he would repay him whatever more he had spent in his care.

Jesus asked the young man to whom He was telling this story which person he believed was a good neighbor to the man who had fallen among the thieves.  The young man replied, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:37)

So now, dear "Christian Friends", let me ask you this, why is it that oftentimes the people who are the first to come to our aid with offers of casseroles, rides to the doctor for chemo treatments, help with babysitting, thoughtful gifts of encouragement and items to comfort us in our time of need are NOT always the church people, our best friends, or even family members?  Why is it that often times the people who show the most concern, love and compassion are total strangers?  In reality they are often people that we would not consider to be "good Christians", as we judge christianity from our lofty, sanctimonious religious balconies of false piety and holiness.  Why is that? 

Perhaps you don't believe that could be true...maybe you think that since you pay your tithe each week at church and you sing in the choir, and you might even attend an extra Bible Study or serve on a committee that you have done your part.  You must be a "good Christian".  Yes, you are saved because you have accepted the free gift of salvation offered only through faith in Jesus Christ, but have you actually thought about your neighbor? Do you turn your head in disgust when you see someone in trouble, perhaps because of their own folly and inappropriate behaviour you think they deserve what they have gotten?  Do you think that because they have lived a less than holy lifestyle (by your standards) that they somehow deserve punishment, disease, an unwanted pregnancy, bankruptcy, foreclosure, divorce, or whatever else...and that therefore you are not required to assist them in any way?  After all, it's their own fault they got into this mess, so let them suffer? And even if that was a good reason,(which I am not saying it is or isn't...may GOD be the judge) what excuse can you give for your inactivity when the injured or sick person IS a good Christian by all standards, and through no fault of their own they are suffering from a dread disease, divorce, bankruptcy, loss of a dear loved one,  etc.

I am just as guilty of this as the person sitting next to me in church on a typical Sunday morning.  We have all come short in reaching out to our neighbors with the love and compassion of Christ.  I know I have failed in this many times. So what can I do about it?  How can I change?  Maybe first of all by praying and repenting of this sin of omission, asking forgiveness, and then asking God to open my eyes to the lost and hurting all around me.  They aren't just people "out there" somewhere...many of them are right next to us...at work, at church, even in our own families.
Link to "Give Me Your Eyes"    "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath is a song that expresses a lot of what I am trying to say today..."Give Me Your Eyes" for just one second...

Lord...Let me see the people around me the way YOU see them...those right here in my own family, my neighborhood, my office, my church...help me Lord, not just to see them, but to reach out to them in love...YOUR love, Your compassion, Your heart, Your arms...Your eyes.... and forgive me for all the times I've turned my eyes away, crossed over to the other side of the road, and ignored their cries for help.  And thank you, Lord, for all the people You have sent my way in my time of need...for those who didn't ignore your promptings and who came to my rescue.  Thank you Lord, for total strangers  who oftentimes were the ones who cared the most.  Bless them Lord today...and help me to be a blessing to those You send my way.
Amen.

Counting My Gifts- September 9th - 3 Gifts Framed

Today's "gift" prompt for "Counting 1000 Gifts" is Three Gifts Framed.  (See www.AnnVoskamp.com for more information )

 I've been thinking about this...and the first framed gift I cling to is this one:  This photograph of "My Three Sons", taken back when they were all still a part of our home before they dispersed to their own worlds as adults.  This framed picture could easily count for my "three gifts framed", but I don't think that is where I am supposed to stop.



The next framed gift is this one:

This is the "framed gift" that inspired the title of this blog, and you can read more about that here: "Closed Doors, Open Windows", The Beginning    and here: Another Closed Door or An Open Window? Now, about 2 & 3/4 years later and with 266 posts written, I can honestly say that this framed gift is a gift that keeps on giving.  The little seed of inspiration contained within that frame has indeed opened a window into a world that I did not previously know existed.  I have learned much, gained so many new friends, and have enjoyed the fellowship of new sisters and brothers in Christ all over the world as a result, praise and glory be to God!  I hope someday to find the young lady who gave me this gift and share with her what her selfless act has created.

As I look around my home, I could find so many other framed "gifts" to include in this post today.  There is one picture that I do not have an actual copy of  in my home, but it is a picture that tells the whole story of why I am here in the first place:

The title of this picture is "Forgiven", and although I do not

know the full history of this picture,* it appears to be the one

who hammered the nails into Christ's hands...still holding the hammer,

and being held in the arms of the Resurrected Christ---Totally Forgiven.

Postscript*(Link to the Story of the Painting "Forgiven", by Thomas Blackshear

That is where I am today...Totally Forgiven.

I do not deserve to be forgiven for my sins.

I have done nothing to merit this gift.

It has been given freely by the very One I sinned against.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;

It is the GIFT OF GOD,

Not of works, lest anyone should boast."

Ephesians 2:8-9

These are my three gifts for today.  Wow.  Amazing Grace. How Sweet the sound.

What a Beautiful Way to Start the Day

 I just finished reading one of my blogger friend's blog from yesterday about praying with her spouse...here is the link so you can read it for yourself:  http://blog.martipieper.com/2010/08/pray-love-honor-and-pray.html%20

What a beautiful story...and I know it works. One thing I would add to Marti's thoughts about praying with her husband is that we,(my husband and I) always start our morning with our Bible and devotional reading together...this is with our morning coffee (his) and tea (mine). Starting the day with God's Word, prayer and sharing of thoughts and ideas is such a wonderful way to start the day, no matter what else is going on. Ending the day with prayer and "I love you" makes whatever happened during the day not as significant as the fact that we are together, We three are one...God, husband, and me. What could be better than that?

It is interesting that God led me to this today, as just last night when I was falling asleep, I was snuggled up against my husband's shoulder (armpit...doesn't sound as romantic, but technically that's where I was) and I had such an overwhelming sense of peace, calm, and comfort.  I thought to myself, this is what it will be like to rest in the arms of Jesus someday, perfectly at peace, assured of His Divine love, forgiveness and blessing...safe in the arms of Jesus.  But then, I had to stop and realize, "hey, I'm already there!"  Safe in the arms of Christ, perfectly at peace, assured of His Divine love, forgiven and blessed!  I don't have to wait for eternity to experience God's love and grace and peace...it happens right here and now...when I allow myself the  privilege of believing and accepting that forgiveness and peace.  It is a free gift, mine for the taking, anytime, anywhere, no matter what.

 Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

I love what Paul wrote further in this letter to the church at Ephesus:

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man (woman), that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height, to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."   Ephesians 3:14-19

Oh sisters and brothers...it is my prayer today that you may also know this peace that comes from knowing Christ...that you may also experience the width, length, depth and height...and to know the love of Christ which passes ALL knowledge...and that YOU may be filled with all the fullness of God.   Amen.

Could there be any better way to start your day?