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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 8/11/2008 11:45:44 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4386
Joined: 4/11/2005
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Rise Above.
This past weekend I had a ‘cry’ day... it doesn’t happen very often. It’s a day when I surrender. The entire world on my shoulders is placed at my Father’s feet and I tell Him that I can’t do it anymore. Do what, you ask? Anything.
It’s a day where I can’t identify the source of my tears… my father’s death, my aunt’s death, relocating, rude bill collectors, a job which is not my idea of a fun job, knowing I will have to send my girls to the worst middle school in town…. feeling alone.
I’m done. I can’t do it anymore… and as I lay on my bed weeping and surrendering… I hear Him.
Help is coming.
Three words. His messages are short when I hear them… but they always pack a punch.
Help is coming… I have no reason to doubt Him. Everything He said in our Bible came to be or is in the process of coming to be. If He tells me, “Help is coming,” than I choose to believe Him.
He led me to open my Bible to James…
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
James 1:2-3 NASB
Life is not easy… our faith must be tested… it will be tested.
... we can't rise above our circumstances until we surrender.
I surrender. I believe. I choose to rise above on the wings of Jesus and live as a daughter of the King.
Love always,
Rachel
Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.
For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name.
Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us, According as we have hoped in You.
Psalms 33:20-22 NASB
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 8/28/2008 1:31:14 PM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4386
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
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Soaking.
Disappointments are everywhere…
They sting.
They hurt.
They cause us to focus on the source of pain.
They block out the happiness we thought we knew…
Wait.
Does finding ourselves pinched by disappointment negate our happiness?
Can we still be happy… and disappointed?
I think so.
I know so.
A small green salamander sunned himself on my window shutter just inches away from my front door this morning. He was exactly at eye-level as I turned around to lock the door on my way out…
He didn’t run… he didn’t move. He just watched.
I wondered if he knew… if he could sense my disappointment.
… and then I felt peace as we quietly gazed at each other.
We shared a moment.
Not moving.
Soaking up the sun.
Soaking up the Son…
Love always,
Rachel
~ * ~
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:22-26 (NIV)
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 11/26/2008 3:05:19 PM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4386
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
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Grateful
There was a table of goods for sale outside of our smalltown grocery store. The sign said 'Teen Challenge'...
I chatted with the men watching over the table... asking them questions about Teen Challenge and in return, sharing stories of my experiences in prison ministry. It was a wonderful time of sharing with my brothers in Christ.
I purchased a simple cookbook entitled Tasteful Treasures. I shouldn't have bought it. I didn't really have the extra money to spend on myself... and the purchase guaranteed one less package under our Christmas tree.
I found myself at the park leafing through the cookbook eager to try a new recipe or two. It was then that I noticed each recipe was submitted by someone directly involved in Teen Challenge.
The recipe that brought tears to my eyes was signed, "Grateful Mother of Graduate."
That's when I realized, it wasn't my money which bought the book...
... it was His.
Humbly grateful,
Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 12/9/2008 4:19:31 PM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4386
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
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Ellen’s Favorite.
“Do you have a favorite verse?” I asked. She had just finished explaining how she was doing her best to read through the Bible. She was bright, she was clean, and her clothes matched every other woman’s clothes in the room. So is life in prison.
I was surprised when she eagerly answered me. There was no delay in her response, “Yes! I do!”
“Will you find it in my Bible?” She turned right to it: John 13:7. She boldly read:
Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
“This is my favorite verse because it tells me that it’s okay if I don’t understand what I’m learning about Jesus right now. God is going to explain it to me later,” she beamed.
How profound.
What trust.
I’m thankful for her journey with Christ. Thankful that she has found a security in Him which others are afraid to embrace.
That day, I prayed with six women who were truly ready to rededicate their lives to Christ. Six women who were so humbled by their life circumstances that an outward profession of faith was no longer scary or un-cool.
… and I will always remember Ellen. I asked her to sign her name next to her favorite verse in my Bible. I will remember to say a prayer for her every time I see her handwriting. I will remember her genuine faith and her journey with Christ.
Love always,
Rachel
…………
There were 2200 inmates in Dawson State Jail that day. 316 people gave their lives to Christ for the first time. 818 people re-dedicated their lives.
It was a good day...
...in Christ.
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