Sweet Sounds From Heaven

Yesterday as I was headed home from church, I mentally visualized my refrigerator and decided to stop in at a sandwich shop for a carry-out lunch. Bopped in and immediately offered service. Decided on the sandwich and toppings and headed towards the cash register. As my server was rolling up my sandwich, I asked if they still honored senior citizens. Slowly continuing the roll and glancing up he said, “yeah?” ~ with an expression on his face like “what’s that got to do with you?” I admit, I was amused and said, “well, I’m still a senior.” With that, the guy standing next to me followed by three grown teenagers, said “she’s lying, make her show her I.D.” It’s been decades since my I.D. was requested.

I opened my wallet and flipped to my drivers license with picture I.D. Then the girl behind the glass, preparing another sandwich, stopped what she was doing to take a closer look at my picture and birth date. Without delay she glibly proclaimed, “it’s a fake, I don’t believe it.” By this time, everyone in the line is amused and I’m holding up traffic. Stunned, I said, “look I’m 65 years old.” The guy next to me in line, said, “you were born in 65?” I’m thinking What a ruckus, and all over 40 cents. By this time, I have my pointer finger out and said “look mister, I probably taught you in school.” Now, everyone in the restaurant is anxiously waiting for the out come. We were all laughing; this had turned into a circus. I didn’t go in there to entertain everyone, I went in for a sandwich. However, God knows when we need a jolt of joy.

I pondered the situation on my way home and wondered what had really happened in the restaurant. Nothing that happened was anticipated (except I got my sandwich) however, it all turned out good because everyone who got involved laughed very heartily, and I don’t think they were laughing ‘at me’ ~ although this is debatable. In reflection, the most incredible thing is that it seemed I was fighting for the right to be “old” ~ and I thought that was quite odd. On the other hand, I was accused of lying and reproducing fake I.D.’s, albeit, in a kidding manner, so it seemed. I believe for fighting for certain things, but this was a bit ridiculous. I’m thinking, with everything happening in our world today, I need to pick better battles.

Philippians 1:9-10 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight ~ that is, that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment; so that you may surely learn to sense what is vital and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value, recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences; and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless, that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach the day of Christ, not stumbling nor causing others to stumble.

Gosh! With all the revelation knowledge available to us today, sometimes, I just can’t figure it all out. So, you go figure!!! P.S. The sandwich was good, thank you Jesus!!!

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Sometimes things happen in our lives that cannot be reversed. That’s the reason we need to make perfectly sure what we are doing is going to produce the desired results. I realize that often things are beyond our control, and consequently, we change our course of action. We refer to that shift as “going with the flow.” As long as we are flowing with the Spirit of God, this is a good thing. If we have the attitude of “whatever” ~ the results can be devastating.

Our nation has been dealing with this healthcare reform bill for over a year and it has turned into a total debacle. It is amazing to watch the process change, but somehow keep the message the same. Actually, the package has gotten worse ~ more confusing and convoluted. This thing is so big now, that only a miracle from God Almighty can fix it. He majors in miracles and I am not going to let go of my faith that He can and will show Himself Strong on behalf of Righteousness, and that Truth will prevail. Remembering that the government is upon HIS Shoulders is my stronghold. We serve a mighty BIG GOD.

Today I changed my bedding and washed my sheets. This involved only my decision. No vote count. No 3000 page bill. Just me doing my thing right here in my little house. Placing a small amount of bleach in the water and swishing it around seemed to me to be a good thing. Didn’t expect the results I got. When I pulled my favorite sheets and pillow cases out of the washer, they were spotted with big lighter circles. Oh No!!! was my first reaction. Nevertheless, realizing that what is done is done and cannot be undone, I started seeing the light blue sheets and pillow cases in a different light. Actually, the lighter circles looked like big fluffy clouds on a clear blue sky. Not so bad to think that I’ll be sleeping on the clouds.

I wish the healthcare reform bill could be so easily fixed with a simple adjustment of thinking. Unfortunately, that is hardly the case.

Proverbs 14: 12 & 16: 25 There is a way that seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it are the ways of death. Proverbs 21: 1,2 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He will. Every way of man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weights and tries the hearts. Proverbs 26:27 Whoever digs a pit for another man’s feet shall fall into it himself, and he who rolls a stone up a height to do mischief, it will return upon him. Proverbs 29: 25 The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever leans on trusts and puts his confidence in the Lord is safe and set on high. (sleeping on the clouds). Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is tried and purified; He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him.

Climb up in His Strong Arms and Rest, knowing that none of this took Him by surprise. He is still on the throne. He is the Ways and Means Committee. Stay in FAITH, Believing. This is an opportunity for the whole world to view a miracle. Our God is FAITHFUL!!

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Sunday night while watching Norvel Hayes on the God TV channel, my memory raced back to the early days of my Christian walk. I may have been born again one year and was growing with leaps and bounds. A co-worker called and said, “hey Sandra, what are you doing at lunch today?” I responded that I brought my lunch and as usual planned to eat it at my desk. He said his hair dresser had a devil and asked if I wanted to go with him at noon to cast it out of her. “Sure, the lunch can wait.”

We rode together to her home, which she also used for her Cosmetology Business. My friend was right, she did indeed have a devil. I don’t really know that much about casting out devils, but I do know that if the person possessed wants to keep her devil, the fight is on. I also know that Spirits recognize Spirits, although I did not know that back then.

We walked in and immediately did not feel welcome. We both realized we were in a war. Neither one of us could understand how she knew this was not just an ordinary hair cut day. Who told her? ~ we didn’t. There was little if any conversation. She was throwing things against the wall just to watch them break, and we were flinching and prepared for dodging plates and saucers, as our eyes bugged out.

I don’t really know who called the police. This was long before cell phones, however when the cop car arrived in front of her house, we took that as our cue to exit stage left and headed for friendlier territory. Neither one of us were afraid of devils then, and we are not afraid of devils now. Nevertheless, with wisdom comes understanding which is essential in correctly dealing with the affairs of life. We learn as we grow, which is a whole lot better than learn as we go. Some of those learn as we go lessons are risky and can be very expensive.

Back at my office, I sat there and ate my brown bag lunch and pondered the situation. I realized some things are not for babies. Dealing with devils is not patty cake and sometimes it takes longer than a nap. That scripture in I Timothy about not putting a novice in office has a double meaning. Babies need help, but as we grow up, we learn how to maneuver though life successfully and stay out of jail, which is the snare of the devil.

Another friend and I used to go door to door ministering the gospel. Sometimes, the atmosphere was heavy and dark. Often, once back in the light of day, we’d look at each other and say, “don’t call me, call Norvel.” Devils were recognized, but we were not ready for a fight. Know what you’re up against. Choose your weapons wisely. Otherwise, hang close to home and enjoy your peanut butter and jelly sandwich until you are big and bad. “Gentlemen, start your engines,” is not what you want to hear when you just got off training wheels. Growing up is a process. Enjoy it and minimize the pit stops.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. There’s no resisting prior to submitting.

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