PRECIOUS ONE

Precious in the sight of the LORD

is the death of His saints.

Psalm 116:15

For the life of me, I don't know where this last year has gone. It started very slow that early Thursday morning, February 24 when Brian drew his last earthly breath while in my arms. I couldn't even have imagined such an event had taken place with me, Beverly and Johnny in that hospital room. The months seemed to just drag at first but soon sped up, but my feeling of loss didn't let up in the least.

God has blessed me and mine in this time. We still hurt and wish it away or that we might wake up to find we were only dreaming. However, reality is what it is that Brian is in Heaven with the Lord he loves and faithfully served. Wish I could say that I'm not a little jealous at times, but am more at one time than others.

I've so wanted to honor that my dear man in some way and prayed for the Lord's guidance. About a month ago, after receiving my usual Decision Magazine from the Billy Graham Association, I received the answer. On the inside of the back cover was a feature regarding the Billy Graham Library. We often visited that place once or twice a year in Charlotte, North Carolina. We loved it there...it's a fascinating place that is such a blessing. Billy Graham's life and ministry are remembered there in so many ways. He and his wife Ruth are also buried there. It's such an inspiring place.

The magazine presented a wonderful opportunity. The walkways around the library and grounds are made up of brick pacers. We used to walk on them reading the names of folks alive or in Heaven who had been honored by family or friends, who arranged for a brick in one's honor. As we would walk on those bricks, we often looked down and read names of dear ones being honored.

THAT'S IT!! I almost immediately contacted the BGEA to see how to go about having such a gift placed in a walkway honoring Brian. I asked if it could be finished for February 24. They weren't sure but did arrange it so that I could go view it on Brian's first Homegoing day. Not only did they put a brick in place, but I was sent a duplicate brick for my own keeping. So this last Friday, I, with Bev and Johnny, traveled there to see the brick, that is such a small thing for remembering such a great man. On the brick, I chose to say:

GOD'S MAN

FAMILY MAN

BRIAN LANOUE

Thank You Father for bringing Brian into my life. Thank You for the mutual love you granted us that only You can bring about. I learned so much from him in so many ways, especially about You. I learned as much through observing his life as things he spoke of. I miss him more than words can say, but You have been my constant in every way. Thank You for all You mean to me and our children. Thank You for always listening. In Jesus sweet and precious name....Amen 

 

“I'M NOT ANGRY!!!”

He who is slow to anger is better

than the mighty, and he who rules

his spirit than he who takes a city.

Proverbs 6:32

Like it or not, we live in angry times and it doesn't take much anymore for most folks to “pop a cork.” A problem for us is that we can become angry just because someone else is angry, that may have nothing to do with us. Anger is contagious. We see this as we view our country with people and their causes revealing only angry spirits. It's all around us and an easy trap to fall into.

Having been a case manger with abused or mistreated children (teens included), they often had anger issues they couldn't even give a title to. After several sessions with such precious ones, I would pose the question, “Why are you angry?” I knew the answer to the question, but wanted to hear it expressed in their own words. Many didn't seem to know what anger was because it had been such a part of their lives.

For we believers who love Jesus, there is no room for on-going anger. Anger never stays in it's state because anger grows. Like a small fire that can be extinguished in it's early stages, we too must regard anger in the same way. However, we know what happens to a fire that goes unattended. That fire will grow and spread and the results we see on the evening news. Our anger extinguisher is the Holy Spirit who always desires to quell such emotions.

The above verse can no way be misunderstood. The meaning is clear that we are to put a stop to any anger we may be harboring. Anger out of control can often lead to unfortunate negative actions. As upset as I might become with the ranting and raving of others, the fact is that I can't solve their problems. I have to handle whatever anger there might be brewing inside of me, allowing the Holy Spirit to empower me in being an over-comer in that area.

God says in His Word to STOP IT and we can only do that with the power of the Holy Spirit...we can't do it on our own. We must let Him handle what we don't have the ability to defeat on our own. Only God's peace can quench the fire-like anger that can grip one's spirit.

Father, keep us calm and concerned about those things of importance that concerns You. May we realize over and over again that You are in charge and always knows what You're doing. As usual, You will always be looking out for our good. May we find the rest in You we so desperately need in our lives. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

 

WHAT A TRIP

And if I go and prepare a

place for you, I will come again

and receive you to Myself;

that where I am, there you

may be also.

John 14:3

Brian was so good in planning family trips from A to Z. First, we knew where we were going. For many years, that was not a decision that had to be made on the spot. Our children pretty much knew that our destination would be somewhere in the Smoky Mountain National Park. But all the other details still had to be taken care of.

Brian always had a time to depart from the house....usually 6:00 AM if not earlier. We knew we would stop for breakfast at a certain city. Driving on eastward, we knew where we would stop for the evening. He knew the eating places and most things between the house and the mountains. On my end, I saw to the washing and packing of clothes, snacks for the car and things to entertain children during the trip. If they had been available, there would never be a computer or I pad in the hands of our children so other things sufficed.

We all knew about the place we were going. In the beginning, booklets and ads were read that would interest us in certain areas of the national park to search out. Through the years, those places came to be very familiar to all of us. Some of the same places became of more interest and physical ability friendly as children grew. Through those years, so much became lovingly familiar to each of us. Even when Brian and I retired to this area, we recalled trips, streams and the unhurried atmosphere of this place.

I love the book of John and often feast on chapters 14-17. I have often referred to these chapters as “Jesus' Famous Last Words.” What He teaches are by far not last words by any means. But right up front, Jesus promises that a trip is in our futures. He went back to Heaven to get things ready for us. Brian didn't have to plan at thing for his trip to Heaven. He had a personal Escort to take him there and show him around. Our info regarding Heaven is limited, but can see many reasons for God's limitation in that area. For each of us, He doesn't want us to be so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good. Jesus said He'll return and take us unto Himself. This won't be just an ordinary venture. It will be more that we can ever imagine. The Smoky Mountains will fade into nothingness compared to our final destination.

Father, thank You for Your every provision for us as we live our lives here, Thank You for Jesus Who came and left to prepare a place for those of us who are in sweetrelationship with You. We look forward to our trips even though we don't have a time line to go by. Come Lord Jesus...Amen

NEVER WALKING ALONE

Be strong and of a good courage,

fear not, nor be afraid of them:

for the Lord thy God, he it is

that doth go with thee;

he will not fail thee, nor

forsake thee.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Every thing regarding our wedding ceremony had been planned for some weeks. Brian and I had gone over everything from attendants, placement on the church platform of participants, soloists and the songs that would be sung. However, breaking with some tradition, we decided to not leave the platform in a rousing hurry. I had a favorite song I loved and Brian knew of it and liked it too. That song was entitled “You'll Never Walk Alone.”

At the end of the ceremony, we moved to the edge of the platform facing one another, holding hands while the soloist began singing:

When you walk through a storm

Hold your head up high

And don't be afraid of the dark.

At the end of a storm

There's a golden sky

And the sweet silver song of a lark.

The song wasn't finished. We then turned, walked back down the aisle, hand in hand, while the soloist finished the song.

Walk on through the wind

Walk on through the rain

Tho your dreams be tossed and blown.

Walk on, walk on

With hope in your heart

And you'll never walk alone

You'll never walk alone.

...Rodgers/Hammerstein

I guess it was a bit of a dramatic exit but through the years, we have often recalled those moments and words, especially in difficult times.

That evening we walked together, but it dawned on me this week that even as Brian is with the Lord and I linger here, the simple fact is that I still don't walk alone even though it seems like it at times. God has promised that He will be an ever-present Person in my remaining years. I'm so grateful for His blessings, guidance, warmth, touching my life through others and still giving me opportunities to serve Him. Yes, it's all very different but I still know I'm not walking alone. My heart misses my groom of that evening but Heaven is right around the corner. Until then I'll keep walking, serving and loving my Lord in every way God sees fit as I am not alone...then or now.

Thank You Father for Your presence in my life. I'm so grateful for Your indwelling Holy Spirit who never leaves me but always guides, teaches and loves me. You are too wonderful for words for me to know how to express my gratitude. I love You. In Jesus precious name...Amen 

 SECRET PLACES

He who dwells in the secret place

of the Most High shall abide under

the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1

While reading this precious verse, the two words “secret place” caught my eye. Those two words brought back many childhood memories. As far back as I can remember, I loved having secret places, especially up until around age 10 or 11. I picked almost any crook or cranny to set up housekeeping with blankets, dolls, doll clothes and whatever else would suit my fancy.

I could make a secret place almost anywhere. I made tents in the yard, once had a high front porch I could take all my gear under and when my Mother looked for me, she often found me in our coal shed in the backyard. I went there to get a small piece of coal to chew on. It tasted very earthy as I recall.

My reading today took me to a different secret place. I can't say for me that it's any particular place. The place isn't as important as the Person. This kind of secret place for me isn't at church in Sunday school, Bible study or church services. That's too public for such a place. My secret places are any number of places. I have Brian's chair in my bedroom where I love sitting in reading my Bible. I can get in my car and go alone to any number of mountain areas I've come to love for this secret place of mine.

It isn't difficult...just grab your Bible, and Bible only and find that place where it's just Jesus and you. In the last several months, I have direly needed my secret places where the Holy Spirit has spoken to me through the Word and in just being in His presence...just us. What a joy...my secret place. Try it...you'll love it.

For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in

His pavilion; in the secret place of His pavilion;

in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall

hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.

Psalm 27:5

Thank You Father for Your willingness to meet with me any time and any place with no distractions where You can minister to me and I can share with You. I'm grateful that our meetings have been such a comfort to me in these days as well as a real learning time. I'm so grateful for You in every way. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

 

STINKIN' THINKIN'

Let this mind be in you

which was also in

Christ Jesus...

Philippians 4:5

It isn't unusual, when someone makes a questionable comment, for a friend to laugh and say, “You've got a dirty mind.” Those things may be said in relation to something physical. However, a dirty mind can be anything we shouldn't be thinking about. Our minds can be cluttered with all types of negative thoughts. That kind of mind will never be in keeping with how God wants us to think.

There are two ways our thinking can go haywire. The first fact is that Satan loves to take advantage of any weakness we may be facing at any given time. I know this from personal experience. Through the last few months, after Brian's Homegoing, I've rehashed over and over the things I should have done to help with his recovery. There were many things I know I did but Satan wants to stop me with the first part, leading me to thoughts of shame and discouragement. I know I did all knew to do in those hours to encourage an earthly recovery, but God is in charge of those things. Only He is in charge of the departure of His children to be with Himself.

On the other hand, the other major problem in this is me and you. I don't believe we can always blame Satan for negative things that come into our minds. There are times I have chosen what to think about, where I choose to park my mind for moments or more. Each of us has a choice as what will occupy our minds. In Philippians 4, we also find a list Paul presents regarding things we should focus our minds upon. He closes by saying, ...”Think on these things.”

God has equipt us to lead mentally healthy lives. Alot rests on where we choose to focus our thinking and meditating. I realize the world pulls and tugs at our mental well being. I've been there and done that but even the world can't be totally blamed. Without God, the world doesn't know any better. However, the God of the universe in all of His power stands ready through His Spirit to put our minds at rest. It doesn't mean we will never have a care or problem in life. It just means we get those things under control the best we can and leave the rest with God. I know it sounds so simple, but for the most part it means our learning to put our focus where it should be.

Someone once told me to not let Satan drive me nuts. He said, “Stand up and let Satan drop from your lap.” Sounds almost too simple, but that's better than letting him linger to do all the damage he wants. He delights if he can keep us upset...mad at ourselves, others and perhaps even God. Let's be pro-active in this battle for that's what it is.

Father, I need Your help. I can become upset so easily when things come to mind that are upsetting. So often I have chosen to mull those things over and over, becoming frustrated and at times, defeating. You are more powerful than Satan or any circumstances I face. Help me to lean on You heavier than ever before. Thank You for Your love and grace in my life. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

LEST WE FORGET

They forgot God their Savior

Who had done great things

in Egypt.

Psalm 106:21

Since I was a very little girl, there was a medium-size statue that was in place outside our local VFW building. It was of a severely wounded soldier probably from WWI. I think now it was representing WWI because of the helmet that was on the soldiers head. He was in a slumped position looking severly wounded. Engraved at the bottom of that statue were and still are the words LEST WE FORGET. I can recall asking my Mother about that statue and what those words meant. She simply said that we should never forget the soldiers who were wounded or died in the war. That was her statement, short and sweet.

Today in my reading in Psalm 106, I found it to be quite historical God's people had been in the wilderness hopefully heading out of Egypt and going to the Promised Land. It ended up being a longer trek than expected because of the sin of the people but things didn't get better. God provided for them and protected them. They didn't get everything they wanted but still were cared for. They were complainers that grew into anger and gross sin.

Moses at one point went to Mt. Sinai where God gave him the Ten Commandments. Meanwhile below that, people were out of control with their sin. It all didn't erupt all at once but they had gone into just about every kind of sin from lust and envy to even sacrificing their children to Baal. In it all they came up with a golden calf, an idol they all could worship, dance around and continue in their sin.

What could of happened to bring the people to this. God had done everything that was in the well being of the people but it just didn't seem to be enough. Much had started with their attitudes toward the leadership God had provided in Moses. This is often where deep sin starts with many. People resist authority and the same is true today.

We can look at those peoples mind-set when it comes to sin. There seemed to be no restraint at all let alone remembering God's goodness in their lives since leaving Egypt. It would seem there was nothing too bad they wouldn't partake in. There was no regard for God at all...their memories of God had all but vanished with little memory of Him and His goodness.

We live in such a society today. God isn't totally forgotten, but for many, they seem to be close. Who would have thought we would have come to all the debauchery we know of in our country on a daily basis. We can be critical of it all and maybe we haven't forgotten God, but it can happen so easily if not just in intermittent ways. There may not be the statue of a soldier in our town but all of us have been exposed to a cross where our Savior died for us. Mentally, we should picture that saying at the bottom of it....LEST WE FORGET. For the born again believer, I would hope that we wouldn't forget that ultimate sacrifice given for us by a very loving God.

Thank You Father for all You've done for us in loving and providing for us everything we need. May we be in such relationship with You that we could never forget Your love and goodness in our lives, both past and present. In Jesus' precious name...Amen 

 

YEP, IT'S REAL

And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld His glory,

the glory as of the only

begotten of the Father),

full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

Sunday evenings at 6:00 was a time our pastor had a question/answer time prior to the service at 7:00. Anyone could ask him a Bible question as long as it was done with a good attitude. I loved these sessions as they were for the most part educational. However, on one particular evening, I found myself anticipating the pastor's answer to a question I thought was too simple. The young man stood and asked, “What do you consider the most important verse is in the entire Bible.” I, like others, probably thought we would hear about John 3:16. After all, it's probably the main verse memorized by Christians and maybe even among some non-Christians as well.

He directed us to turn in our Bibles to John 1:14. He wanted us to see it with our own eyes. I must admit I hadn't paid much attention to the verse that is written out at the top of the page of this blog. There were some important things he pointed out, the most important being that Jesus, the Messiah, born in the flesh to walk the dusty, dirty and sinful world had arrived. Whether recognized in the moment as the Messiah, the fact was that it's just Who He was.

Without the fact of that verse, the pastor pointed out that we wouldn't have a Bible as we know it, if at all. The Old Testament from the beginning points to a coming Messiah and the rest of that story is told in the New Testament.

The disciples had the privilege of beholding Jesus in a huge variety of everyday circumstances and in it all, beheld His glory as only the Father could bestow. He was also full of grace and truth, so noticeable to His followers.

Have you and I truly beheld the glory of Jesus? May it be so for each of us.

Father, we are so grateful for Your Son. May we love and appreciate Him in these days more than ever before. In His precious name...Amen

 

CHANGE? MAYBE

O LORD, You have searched

me and known me.

Psalm 139:1

A new year is upon us with hopes of change and dreams coming true. In reality, the only real change regarding a new year is within a split second when 2022 changes only by replacing the last numeral (2) at the end of 2022 to a 3. There are some of us who will be happy to bid 2022 farewell. We certainly have great hope for a more positive coming year, of positive change in our culture and our being drawn to Jesus like never before.

For many years gone by in teaching ladies in various settings, I have loved sharing with them some of the truths of Psalm 139. We live in a world of change, but the changes are often disruptive and even heart breaking. An in-depth study of Psalm 139 can be uplifting and spiritually encouraging in so many ways. You see, there's one huge fact we can “hang our hat” on....that is that GOD NEVER CHANGES. He doesn't have to look back on 2022 to His failures, nor should He dread any negative events in 2023. He's in charge and does all things well.

If one has problems with self-esteem, difficult childhoods, abuse in any way and on and on, the acceptance of the facts of this precious Psalm can be life-changing. Please open your Bible with me and jump in.

V 1-6

God knows me entirely, my comings and goings, my ways, every word on my tongue. He has His hand on my life and has hedged me in.

V 7-12

There's no running or hiding with God. We can't escape His watchful eye no matter how much we might try.

V 13-16

God has had His eye on us even from our very beginning. He saw us in the womb and every iota of our human formation has been under His scrutiny. He even had us written in His book before birth. This section alone should alert us as to how God feels about abortion.

V 17-18

We are in God's thoughts. There's no way of counting the times He thinks about us, as the sand of the sea. That's a lot of thinking.

V19-22

As David writes, there is a plea regarding the wicked and how much David would desire God to step in regarding those enemies.

V23-24

These verses are a prayer regarding one's soul searching and prayer for God's leadership in life that would be on-going.

I've written this out so you might look at this chapter and be blessed by God's love,care, protection, provision....all that is unchanging in our lives. Years may come and go, changes may come, but where God is concerned, we can count on His consistency and His never changing character.

Thank You Father for the days You give us. May we use them wisely in serving and loving You, knowing You do all things well through Your everlasting love. In Jesus name...Amen

ANOTHER YEAR

Through the LORD's mercies

we are not consumed, because

His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning;

great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22,23

When I think of New Years, my mind goes back many years when churches celebrated a new year in very festive ways. I remember those times from the age of about six and on through high school. New Year's eve at the church usually began around 8:00 in the evening. There was always an opening church service. Folks could leave after that if they wanted to but most stayed around.

After the service, was a long break for eating. Ladies brought all sorts of food to satisfy hearty eaters. By the time the eating, visiting and cleanup were finished, it could have been ten or ten thirty.

We then moved back to the church auditorium. I remember seeing a really good Christian film, later many that were produced by Billy Graham. That could have taken up an hour or more. Thoughtful mothers had brought quilts and some pillows for little children who by the film time were ready to sack out. They were put down in pews that became their pre-beds.

About 11:30, there were sometimes testimony times and a few minutes prior to midnight, mostly men would kneel at the alter and pray in the new year. With that done, our janitor would go immediately and begin pulling the rope connected to our church bell in the steeple. He would ring that bell heartedly, but upon stepping outside, one could hear other church bells ringing from churches all around town who too had welcomed the new year with their own church families.

So now, we face a new year. I've never believed in resolutions, but have used the word “goals.” Resolutions sounds rather SELF to me but with goals, I have a Heavenly Father who can strengthen me in attaining desired results. No matter how we bring it in or jump into the new year, I pray for us that we will have a wonderful year in the Lord that pleases Him and keeps us close to Him. The year isn't ours...it's His. May we bring glory to our Heavenly Father in all we are and all we do.

Thank You Father for a new year. We don't know what it will bring, but we want it to be a year of service to others but primarily for Your glory. In Jesus' name....Amen