I was thinking that this month, March 2009, I will have been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and in a wheelchair for 9 years now. That got me to thinking about how my Grandkids said they can't really remember me not ever being sick and in a chair and that they feel bad for me. I had to laugh when they said that and when I think about it now because that is not how I feel at all. Do I miss the days of being able to do what I want and get around on my own? Well of course, I wouldn't be human if I didn't, but I am not sad or depressed or upset in anyway because I know that I am right where God wants me to be.
In Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"(KJV) it talks about a season and time for everything and my season and time for being out of the wheelchair is done and I am now in the season of being where I am right now. I know that God is using me by my having Myasthenia Gravis and other chronic illnesses and being in the chair. I have grown so much in my faith in these last nine years. I have had more time to spend with God and to study and grow and to depend more on God. I have had more opportunities to witness than ever and I am able to understand and talk to others who are facing similar things like I am. I have been able to slow down and concentrate on the things and the work God has for me to do and I truely believe that I am in God's perfect plan for my life. God walks with me through this journey and season so I have peace and I am content knowing that I am doing God's work. God uses us in different ways and our jobs change from time to time but I know that God doesn't make mistakes and that what others see as weakness I see as God's using me to reach others. In a poem I wrote "Vessels" I wrote how others might see me and others like me as broken but we aren't we are just being remade into vessels capable of doing the job God has for us. I wrote this poem after I read Jer.18:4 "And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.(KJV)"
God is the potter and we are the vessel that he will make to be used. Never look at an illness, or handicap as being a broken person but a wonderful vessel that God has made to use for his wonderful work.
As Paul said in II Cor.12:9-11 9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.(KJV)" our strength is made perfect in weakness because of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the power that I can draw on at this season of my life when I have illnesses and am in my wheelchair. I may not physically be able to do what I use to but I have the power of Christ and that makes me able to do so much for him. God's power surges through me and gives me that peace, joy, and contentment and understanding for where I am now. So yes right here, right now, I am RIGHT WHERE I AM SUPPOSE TO BE PRAISE GOD! I thought I would include my poem Vessels that I wrote. It is copyrighted but if you want permission to use it pls send me a note at lhxpmdj@aol.com.
VESSELS
I’m not a broken vessel, just a different one than you.
God made us both different, with different jobs to do!
God is the master craftsman and we are the clay in his hands,
He works us till he forms us into what is in his plans.
He lovingly creates us into vessels for the job he has for us to do.
The job he gives to me is not the same as the one he has for you.
Each job has its requirements to get the job done,
Each vessel is made a special way and matched with just the right one.
Sometimes our work it changes as life continues on,
So the vessel that we now are may need changes to get along.
The job that we are given is a very important one,
We have been specially chosen to make sure that it gets done.
So God never throws the vessel away, but changes he will make
A new vessel you will become, and remember God doesn’t make mistakes.
So I’m not a broken vessel just a different one than you,
God with his loving hands has made us just right for the work that we must do.
Deb Forbes January 2006
Copyright 2008
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Words A Powerful Tool
Words are powerful tools that can be used to help, uplift, and encourage or they can be used to hurt, destroy and discourage. As a kid do you remember the song that the lyrics say "be careful little mouth what you say" well as we get older sometimes we forget this little warning. I was shopping with my husband one time and these teens were being rude and obnoxious and when they came by me in my wheelchair they said "hey look an extreme makeover reject" and then they laughed as if what they said was really comical. These few words were hurtful and degrading and if I had let them they could of really depressed me. Someone else in my place may have been destroyed by these few words. They didn't do anything but speak but those words could be like daggers if I had let them. I considered the source and figured they hadn't been taught better but I also prayed that they would someday realize what they were doing was wrong and change.
This example may be extreme you think but look at all the bullying that is done in schools and online between kids. Look at put down humor that is out there or just name calling that goes on. Words can destroy and hurt and we need to be more aware of what words can do and teach our children to be aware also.
As Christians we need to think about this also. Sometimes Christians can be cruel too with what they say. Gossip is nothing but hurtful, discouraging words. Then there are those who think they are more holy than the rest and proceed to tell others where they are wrong and how much of a better Christian they are than them. Where are these Christians being encouraging with their words when they are putting others down; they aren't! How are they any better than those teens saying what they did to me in the store? We should uphold each other and be encouraging in what we say and do for others not discouraging. James 3:8-10 8 "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." We need to think before we speak and make sure what we say are blessings and not evil as it says in these verses. If we have something negative to say we should stop and pray instead and then pray blessings on the person we were thinking about. The old saying if you have nothing nice to say say nothing at all is true but maybe we could add to that and say a blessing on that person also.
Think about how nice it is when someone says something encouraging to you or tells you you are great or smart or wonderful. Remember how that feels when these things are said. We should try to say something nice to people everywhere we go. It can just be have a good day with a smile and that can be encouraging. We try to do this when we go into the stores where we shop and now we are known there and some of the workers come to me to get a hug and a smile and a kind word and all it took was being nice and speaking to them and telling them to have a good day. Blessings not curses should flow out of our mouths. Remember to say encouraging words to the ones you love and to the people you meet. Pray for those who are negative and have nothing good to say and keep trying to encourage them. Remember words can be powerful to the good or the negative. Let's try to make our words powerful to the good and see how things are changed. Remember like the song says "Be Careful Little Mouth What you Say"
This example may be extreme you think but look at all the bullying that is done in schools and online between kids. Look at put down humor that is out there or just name calling that goes on. Words can destroy and hurt and we need to be more aware of what words can do and teach our children to be aware also.
As Christians we need to think about this also. Sometimes Christians can be cruel too with what they say. Gossip is nothing but hurtful, discouraging words. Then there are those who think they are more holy than the rest and proceed to tell others where they are wrong and how much of a better Christian they are than them. Where are these Christians being encouraging with their words when they are putting others down; they aren't! How are they any better than those teens saying what they did to me in the store? We should uphold each other and be encouraging in what we say and do for others not discouraging. James 3:8-10 8 "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." We need to think before we speak and make sure what we say are blessings and not evil as it says in these verses. If we have something negative to say we should stop and pray instead and then pray blessings on the person we were thinking about. The old saying if you have nothing nice to say say nothing at all is true but maybe we could add to that and say a blessing on that person also.
Think about how nice it is when someone says something encouraging to you or tells you you are great or smart or wonderful. Remember how that feels when these things are said. We should try to say something nice to people everywhere we go. It can just be have a good day with a smile and that can be encouraging. We try to do this when we go into the stores where we shop and now we are known there and some of the workers come to me to get a hug and a smile and a kind word and all it took was being nice and speaking to them and telling them to have a good day. Blessings not curses should flow out of our mouths. Remember to say encouraging words to the ones you love and to the people you meet. Pray for those who are negative and have nothing good to say and keep trying to encourage them. Remember words can be powerful to the good or the negative. Let's try to make our words powerful to the good and see how things are changed. Remember like the song says "Be Careful Little Mouth What you Say"
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Go Ye Who Me?
Witnessing is a very important part of being a Christian. We are to share our faith with others. Jesus says in Mark 16:15-16 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."(KJV) Jesus tells them go ye; not send someone into the whole world and tell them about God and to lead them to Christ. The key here is that it is a job for all to do not just some. So go ye does mean you and me also.
Now to go into the whole world doesn't mean we all have to go to the far reaches of the earth as missionaries unless God calls us to do that but it does mean that we witness to our world which includes first our families, then our friends, then our co workers and neighbors and then to all we meet. So you think are we to go stand on a street corner and preach to everyone we see, no not unless that is what God has called you to do but it means that you do tell people about your relationship with God and tell them about God. You don't have to be pushy but you do need to make sure they know that you are a Christian and tell them how to be saved and become a part of Christ's family.
It is more than just telling them about your relationship with God but it is also how they see you in your actions everyday. One of the best witnesses we have is how we live daily. Do you know people that say they are Christians and then the way they talk, or act you wonder if that is true or not. That is what I am talking about its how we live and act that witnesses to others around us. I once heard a person say that if that is how a Christian acts then what's the difference I might as well still do what I am doing it is no different from them. So the witness of that person to the world was not a good one. This is something we all have to think about. When people know we are Christians they know we should be different than they are and they will watch to see if what we say matches what we do. Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."(KJV) At work my husband is known as a Christian and he says that when the others he works with are around him they watch their cussing and the things they say so as not to offend him so my husbands witness is showing and they know that he is different and doesn't want to hear this. There are others there that are Christians and they cuss as much as the rest of them but are embarrassed when they slip around him. He never says anything to them but it is his witness that makes them embarrassed to act that way when they know they profess to be a Christian too and they know the way they talk is wrong. So yes we should go into the world and tell them of Christ and it should start at home. It should be more than just words but our actions and attitudes too. Remember next time you are in a line at a store and the person working there is rude to be kind and not repay them with rudeness also and this too will be a witness. I have been told by my daughter that at times I am too perky and happy but I know she knows why I can be that way even though I have a lot of physical limitations. She would be the first to notice if I wasn't that way too. So remember that joy comes from the Lord and we as Christians should be joyful and remember to let our faces know too. Put a smile on your face and be happy because we as Christians know that no matter what; we have joy in our hearts from the Lord. Now we should Go ye in to all the world and let them know about our Lord.
Now to go into the whole world doesn't mean we all have to go to the far reaches of the earth as missionaries unless God calls us to do that but it does mean that we witness to our world which includes first our families, then our friends, then our co workers and neighbors and then to all we meet. So you think are we to go stand on a street corner and preach to everyone we see, no not unless that is what God has called you to do but it means that you do tell people about your relationship with God and tell them about God. You don't have to be pushy but you do need to make sure they know that you are a Christian and tell them how to be saved and become a part of Christ's family.
It is more than just telling them about your relationship with God but it is also how they see you in your actions everyday. One of the best witnesses we have is how we live daily. Do you know people that say they are Christians and then the way they talk, or act you wonder if that is true or not. That is what I am talking about its how we live and act that witnesses to others around us. I once heard a person say that if that is how a Christian acts then what's the difference I might as well still do what I am doing it is no different from them. So the witness of that person to the world was not a good one. This is something we all have to think about. When people know we are Christians they know we should be different than they are and they will watch to see if what we say matches what we do. Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."(KJV) At work my husband is known as a Christian and he says that when the others he works with are around him they watch their cussing and the things they say so as not to offend him so my husbands witness is showing and they know that he is different and doesn't want to hear this. There are others there that are Christians and they cuss as much as the rest of them but are embarrassed when they slip around him. He never says anything to them but it is his witness that makes them embarrassed to act that way when they know they profess to be a Christian too and they know the way they talk is wrong. So yes we should go into the world and tell them of Christ and it should start at home. It should be more than just words but our actions and attitudes too. Remember next time you are in a line at a store and the person working there is rude to be kind and not repay them with rudeness also and this too will be a witness. I have been told by my daughter that at times I am too perky and happy but I know she knows why I can be that way even though I have a lot of physical limitations. She would be the first to notice if I wasn't that way too. So remember that joy comes from the Lord and we as Christians should be joyful and remember to let our faces know too. Put a smile on your face and be happy because we as Christians know that no matter what; we have joy in our hearts from the Lord. Now we should Go ye in to all the world and let them know about our Lord.
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