When I was a child, I was deathly afraid of spiders. In retrospect, how could I have been so scared of such a small thing that I could have crushed with one well-placed step? I do not base my fear on any ordinary spider though -- but rather, a tarantula. My fear, in part, was due to the 1955 movie Tarantula where a tarantula grew to the size of a building and terrorized a city until they put it to death.
That fear of spiders hung with me for many years after that and as I think back to those days, it reminds me of another insect story in Numbers chapter 13 when the Lord gave Moses the command of sending men to “search out the land of Canaan, which I gave to them.” After searching out the land of Canaan, they returned and reported, “. . .and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers. . .” Remember the conversation the Lord had with Moses afterward, “. . .How long will this people provoke me. . .?"
Why were the people scared and fearful? Numbers 13:31 tells us of the report given by the ten men of the twelve that God sent out to spy the land, “But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” Doubt, unbelief, and fear always points to self and says, “We cannot.”
However, in verse 30 Caleb stilled the people after the initial report and told Israel, “. . .Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” Faith always looks toward God and says, “We can.”
Evidently Israel had forgotten about God delivering them from Egypt and four-hundred years of captivity. They’d forgotten the stories of how God fed their predecessors with manna from heaven, gave them water from rocks, and allowed the drowning of the entirety of Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea. Yet they still didn’t believe in the power of Almighty God. No wonder God was provoked.
So, why are we, even today, as grasshoppers in our own sight? Are our fears causing us to wander in the wilderness today? Are our fears bigger than God? Each of us has to answer that question ourselves because for as many who ask the question, "Why am I afraid?" there will be as many different answers. (I gave you mine. I'm not afraid of them anymore but they still creep me out.)
Although fear is the enemy of faith it can still be a good thing in that it is a warning when something is wrong. God can use our fear as a trigger for faith.
Numbers 14:8, 9 tells us that Caleb and Joshua spoke to Israel saying, “If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.” Sounds strangely familiar to Romans 8:31, which says, “. . .If God be for us, who can be against us?” I personally love the part about “. . .for they are bread for us. . .”
First Peter 5:8 also says to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." Can Satan devour us? You bet. May he devour us? Not on your life. Jesus won that victory on the Cross. Satan only has the power that we give him.
Judy from Oregon asked the Lord one day for enough faith to handle a rough time that she was going through, to which the Lord replied, "You have faith. . .use it." Leave it to the Lord to be short, sweet, and to the point. The Lord gave us everything so all we have to do is. . .use it. Sometimes the hardest thing about victory, is. . .receiving it.
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Next week: Can a Christian Remarry? If I am divorced, can I remarry without feeling like I’ve let God down? Is remarriage a sin? Will I be guilty of adultery if I do remarry? What does God’s Word say about this? In this space-limited venue, I will try and give a few insights as to what I have learned over time.
God bless you all and we’ll see you next Monday. Thanks for stopping by,
Your Host: James Warren
Christian Author
http://www.jameslindquist.net
Check March archive or my Web page for explanation of my names.
http://www.jameslindquist.net/htmfiles/biograph.htm
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
A Big Thank You to Our Troops
I honor our troops and each of us owes them our lives. How many of us take our freedoms for granted while they sleep in mud holes with no heat or running water. I do believe, however, that the people of America are finally coming to their senses.
As we see our freedoms going out the window we are realizing that we’d better stand up and be heard. Soldiers have been standing up for two-hundred and thirty-three years and over a million American soldiers have given their lives in the service of this great country.
With everything going on in the world today, I have to ask myself, what does the soldier think about while lying in those trenches? Does he think about the possibility that he might have to kill a man who is doing nothing more than fighting for his country as well? Is he thinking about the possibility that he may not return in one piece or worse yet. . .not at all. I have to wonder if he has the luxury of thinking about his wife, his children, his friends, or the way of life that he left behind. A split second of misdirected thought can get a soldier killed.
The troops sacrifice themselves so that you and I can watch our TV, worship at the church of our choice, and step into a private voting booth to vote for the person of our choice. Sad as it is, they lay in the trenches for our freedom of speech so that we can speak our mind on a street corner while protesting the war and ragging on the troops.
Nobody knows the actual number of people who have died defending this great nation from her detractors but most statisticians estimate that between 1776 and 2009 one-million ninety-four thousand nine-hundred and seventy-six soldiers have lost their lives in war and conflicts on the battlefield.
That’s one-million ninety-four thousand nine-hundred and seventy-six shattered hopes, dreams, and desires. Each one of those families continued without a father, or a brother, an uncle, or a friend. I am sickened, especially in light of the direction in which our leaders are taking this country.
After all the death and carnage that we have gone through as a nation, it is unconscionable that we would give up and acquiesce to anybody at all, let alone to socialism, period. We are, in fact, spitting in the faces of the soldiers, not only of today, but in the faces of those who have died before them. We are also spitting in the faces of the families who have lost loved ones in battle. In effect, we are minimizing their service, sacrifice, and death. As an American it sickens me and brings me to tears.
I, for one, appreciate those who are serving in the armed forces and who are offering themselves as a sacrifice for my freedom. It is one reason why we cannot allow the present direction of this country to continue, or they sacrifice in vain. May the Lord God richly bless each and every soldier and their continued service. May God protect them from harm and make the enemy as bread to them. In Jesus name.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Psalms 33:12 KJV.
God bless our troops fighting for our cause;
God bless those soldiers who have died for us;
God bless the families who have lost loved ones in the service of our country and
God bless America; may she reign in the hearts of men evermore.
Let freedom ring and may her flag proudly fly forever. It will on my front porch!
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I will post Fear, the Enemy of Faith tomorrow, the 26th of May, as promised.
God bless you all and we'll see you tomorrow.
Thanks for stopping by,
Your Host: James Warren
Christian Author
http://www.jameslindquist.net
Check March archive or my Web page for explanation of my names.
http://www.jameslindquist.net/htmfiles/biograph.htm
As we see our freedoms going out the window we are realizing that we’d better stand up and be heard. Soldiers have been standing up for two-hundred and thirty-three years and over a million American soldiers have given their lives in the service of this great country.
With everything going on in the world today, I have to ask myself, what does the soldier think about while lying in those trenches? Does he think about the possibility that he might have to kill a man who is doing nothing more than fighting for his country as well? Is he thinking about the possibility that he may not return in one piece or worse yet. . .not at all. I have to wonder if he has the luxury of thinking about his wife, his children, his friends, or the way of life that he left behind. A split second of misdirected thought can get a soldier killed.
The troops sacrifice themselves so that you and I can watch our TV, worship at the church of our choice, and step into a private voting booth to vote for the person of our choice. Sad as it is, they lay in the trenches for our freedom of speech so that we can speak our mind on a street corner while protesting the war and ragging on the troops.
Nobody knows the actual number of people who have died defending this great nation from her detractors but most statisticians estimate that between 1776 and 2009 one-million ninety-four thousand nine-hundred and seventy-six soldiers have lost their lives in war and conflicts on the battlefield.
That’s one-million ninety-four thousand nine-hundred and seventy-six shattered hopes, dreams, and desires. Each one of those families continued without a father, or a brother, an uncle, or a friend. I am sickened, especially in light of the direction in which our leaders are taking this country.
After all the death and carnage that we have gone through as a nation, it is unconscionable that we would give up and acquiesce to anybody at all, let alone to socialism, period. We are, in fact, spitting in the faces of the soldiers, not only of today, but in the faces of those who have died before them. We are also spitting in the faces of the families who have lost loved ones in battle. In effect, we are minimizing their service, sacrifice, and death. As an American it sickens me and brings me to tears.
I, for one, appreciate those who are serving in the armed forces and who are offering themselves as a sacrifice for my freedom. It is one reason why we cannot allow the present direction of this country to continue, or they sacrifice in vain. May the Lord God richly bless each and every soldier and their continued service. May God protect them from harm and make the enemy as bread to them. In Jesus name.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Psalms 33:12 KJV.
God bless our troops fighting for our cause;
God bless those soldiers who have died for us;
God bless the families who have lost loved ones in the service of our country and
God bless America; may she reign in the hearts of men evermore.
Let freedom ring and may her flag proudly fly forever. It will on my front porch!
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I will post Fear, the Enemy of Faith tomorrow, the 26th of May, as promised.
God bless you all and we'll see you tomorrow.
Thanks for stopping by,
Your Host: James Warren
Christian Author
http://www.jameslindquist.net
Check March archive or my Web page for explanation of my names.
http://www.jameslindquist.net/htmfiles/biograph.htm
Monday, May 18, 2009
This Side of the River
After forty-two years. . .our marriage was over. We were so busy reacting from everything that was constantly attacking our marriage, we both became overwhelmed; I became deeply depressed. We’d unintentionally left God out of the picture, which sometimes happens when people go through a torrent of rough times.
I packed up and moved across the Willamette River to my dad’s house. My lack of self-esteem made me question myself as a person and every time I’d notice something I didn’t like about myself, I’d proclaim, “Maybe this is why I’m on this side of the river.”
It was later that I learned that God not only removes things from our lives but also allows the removal of people as well. Do you remember the story about Abram and Lot as they journeyed north out of Egypt? (Genesis 13)
Now Abram and Lot were very wealthy with much gold, silver, and cattle, and the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together. Remember how the herdsmen from both camps fought over the choicest parcel of land? Abram did not want to fight among the brethren.
In a Jewish culture, the oldest always had the right to make the choices for the family. However, Abram turned to Lot and relinquished that right to him. When Lot looked at the fertile plain of Jordan, the lust of his eyes overwhelmed him and he chose Sodom and Gomorrah. He then took his possessions and separated from Abram. History tells us that this was a bad decision.
We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Lot did not realize that the blessings of God flowed through Abram and that the appropriate answer should have been, “Whatever you desire Abram, is what I desire."
Then the Lord said to Abram, look to the north, south, east, and the west and all that you can see, I’ll give to you. When Abram and Lot (whose name means “veil,”) separated, Abram was able to see his purpose and blessing from God.
When the Lord has a purpose for our life and wants to bless us, He sometimes allows the removal of people who are a “veil” to that purpose. Does this mean that the Lord causes divorce? Absolutely not! We do that to ourselves.
God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16) but because of the hardness of our hearts, He allows it (Matthew 19:8). God allowed our separation and divorce because of my ex’s strong desire to leave our marriage. She was bent on leaving. No one but God could have stopped her. I prayed for our marriage and tried to reconcile with her four or five times. Since God is no respecter of persons, I have to assume that I was a “veil” to His purpose for her life as well.
I pray if you are going through a rough time in your marriage, that you please seek the Lord. Don’t make the same mistake I did and leave God out of the picture. A threefold cord is not quickly broken [You, your spouse, and God (Ecclesiastes 4:12)]. Because we left God out of the picture, Satan was able to destroy our marriage. Like Lot's answer should have been, we can answer the Lord and say, "Whatever you desire Lord, is what I desire."
If it is too late for your marriage, I am terribly sorry. I understand; my divorce was not my idea but as the God ordained spiritual leader of my house, I had to take the responsibility for our demise. Although we were culpable, I allowed the strong man to spoil (destroy) my goods [marriage (Matthew 12:29)].
In any event, my advice is still the same, please seek the Lord. He and His Word will encourage you and comfort you just like He has for me, especially in these lonely and hard times. May the Lord bless all of you in your marriages. I pray reconciliation for you. May the Lord also bless those in their singleness. I pray for a peaceful spirit and a quick resolve in your time of need.
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Next week: Fear, the Enemy of Faith. Doubt, unbelief, and fear always point to self, but faith always points to God. Whereas, Christ is the author of faith, Satan is the author of doubt, unbelief, and fear. We have to make a conscious decision with our will, by faith, who we are going to serve.
God bless you all and we'll see you next Monday.
Thanks for stopping by,
Your Host
James Lindquist
Christian Author
http://www.jameslindquist.net
Check March blog archive or my Web page for an explanation of my names.
http://www.jameslindquist.net/htmfiles/biograph.htm
I packed up and moved across the Willamette River to my dad’s house. My lack of self-esteem made me question myself as a person and every time I’d notice something I didn’t like about myself, I’d proclaim, “Maybe this is why I’m on this side of the river.”
It was later that I learned that God not only removes things from our lives but also allows the removal of people as well. Do you remember the story about Abram and Lot as they journeyed north out of Egypt? (Genesis 13)
Now Abram and Lot were very wealthy with much gold, silver, and cattle, and the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together. Remember how the herdsmen from both camps fought over the choicest parcel of land? Abram did not want to fight among the brethren.
In a Jewish culture, the oldest always had the right to make the choices for the family. However, Abram turned to Lot and relinquished that right to him. When Lot looked at the fertile plain of Jordan, the lust of his eyes overwhelmed him and he chose Sodom and Gomorrah. He then took his possessions and separated from Abram. History tells us that this was a bad decision.
We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Lot did not realize that the blessings of God flowed through Abram and that the appropriate answer should have been, “Whatever you desire Abram, is what I desire."
Then the Lord said to Abram, look to the north, south, east, and the west and all that you can see, I’ll give to you. When Abram and Lot (whose name means “veil,”) separated, Abram was able to see his purpose and blessing from God.
When the Lord has a purpose for our life and wants to bless us, He sometimes allows the removal of people who are a “veil” to that purpose. Does this mean that the Lord causes divorce? Absolutely not! We do that to ourselves.
God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16) but because of the hardness of our hearts, He allows it (Matthew 19:8). God allowed our separation and divorce because of my ex’s strong desire to leave our marriage. She was bent on leaving. No one but God could have stopped her. I prayed for our marriage and tried to reconcile with her four or five times. Since God is no respecter of persons, I have to assume that I was a “veil” to His purpose for her life as well.
I pray if you are going through a rough time in your marriage, that you please seek the Lord. Don’t make the same mistake I did and leave God out of the picture. A threefold cord is not quickly broken [You, your spouse, and God (Ecclesiastes 4:12)]. Because we left God out of the picture, Satan was able to destroy our marriage. Like Lot's answer should have been, we can answer the Lord and say, "Whatever you desire Lord, is what I desire."
If it is too late for your marriage, I am terribly sorry. I understand; my divorce was not my idea but as the God ordained spiritual leader of my house, I had to take the responsibility for our demise. Although we were culpable, I allowed the strong man to spoil (destroy) my goods [marriage (Matthew 12:29)].
In any event, my advice is still the same, please seek the Lord. He and His Word will encourage you and comfort you just like He has for me, especially in these lonely and hard times. May the Lord bless all of you in your marriages. I pray reconciliation for you. May the Lord also bless those in their singleness. I pray for a peaceful spirit and a quick resolve in your time of need.
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Next week: Fear, the Enemy of Faith. Doubt, unbelief, and fear always point to self, but faith always points to God. Whereas, Christ is the author of faith, Satan is the author of doubt, unbelief, and fear. We have to make a conscious decision with our will, by faith, who we are going to serve.
God bless you all and we'll see you next Monday.
Thanks for stopping by,
Your Host
James Lindquist
Christian Author
http://www.jameslindquist.net
Check March blog archive or my Web page for an explanation of my names.
http://www.jameslindquist.net/htmfiles/biograph.htm
Monday, May 4, 2009
The Good Ole Days
The birth of my first great grandchild reminded me of how scary newborn infants can be. I’d forgotten how fragile they actually are. How can something be so soft, cuddly, and delicate and at the same time, be so scary?
Because of an infant’s fragility, they are totally dependent on their parents. The only thing they know how to do is. . .drink milk, pooh, and sleep. However, they eventually learn to sit-up, stand, talk, walk, run, and get into things.
Then something happens. They develop intelligence and minds of their own. With it come opinions, decisions, and rebellion. Then comes the influence of peer pressure, girlfriends, boyfriends, and rings in the nose, tattoos, and more rebellion, but hey, we still love them because they are our kids.
This person that was once totally dependent on us is now leaving home and striking out on his or her own. They know everything and have forgotten all about us. They don’t visit as often as we’d like and they are learning different things than what we taught them.
All of a sudden the house is empty. . .and quiet. . .very quiet.
The peace is great for about a week then we realize that their dependence on us effected us in another way. . .we needed them as much as they needed us. After all, we were dad, mom, friend, nurturer, provider, teacher, counselor, protector, and personal guidance coordinator.
We supplied their food, clothes, roof, toys, medical attention, and even consoled them when they were down. We supported them at school plays, games, teachers meetings, PTA, and now. . .they were gone.
The many different hats that we wore were lost that day. They did not depend on us anymore but that's the nature of the beast. Since the day they were born, their independence is what we groomed them for - daily. We wanted them to learn from their own mistakes and gave them the latitude to do so with free will in hopes that they would derive a better than average chance of survival in the world. We would not always be there to save them.
We got excited about their independence, especially when they'd make the right decisions and then grew from them, but I personally admit that I miss the good ole days when they just depended on me. It’s purely selfish, I know, but. . .
I wonder if God the Father thinks about His children the same way we think about ours, as being fragile, soft, delicate, and drinker’s of milk. We haven’t learned how to stand, walk, or talk the spiritual things of God yet and as infants we are totally dependent on Him.
To help us in our decision making and giving us the chance of survival, God also gave us the latitude of free will. As we grow, our worship and prayer time builds each day and we find ourselves more dependent on Him. He supplies all of our needs.
Then something happens. We develop intelligence and minds of our own. We venture out on our own with our own ministry, doctrines, opinions, decisions, beliefs, and get so caught up in the deeper things of God that in the process we forget about our Abba Father. We have developed our independence through free will and have grown up in the Lord.
We don’t visit Him as often as He’d probably like but we’re learning, working in our ministry, and doing the work of God. However, God still loves us because we are His children. He will never leave or forsake us (Heb 13:5).
As a parent, I taught my kids how to take care of themselves so they could, one day, grow up, and have their independence. However, I miss the validation of that dependence and needing me. I wonder if God feels the same way and doesn’t want to give His children their independence either because He just misses the good ole days, like I do. . .when they just depended on Him.
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Next week: Fear, the Enemy of Faith. Doubt, unbelief, and fear always point to self, but faith always points to God. Whereas, Christ is the author of faith, Satan is the author of doubt, unbelief, and fear. We have to make a conscious decision with our will, by faith, who we are going to serve.
God bless you all and we'll see you next Monday.
Thanks for stopping by,
Your Host
James Lindquist
Christian Author
http://www.jameslindquist.net
Check March blog archive or my Web page for an explanation of my names.
http://www.jameslindquist.net/htmfiles/biograph.htm
Because of an infant’s fragility, they are totally dependent on their parents. The only thing they know how to do is. . .drink milk, pooh, and sleep. However, they eventually learn to sit-up, stand, talk, walk, run, and get into things.
Then something happens. They develop intelligence and minds of their own. With it come opinions, decisions, and rebellion. Then comes the influence of peer pressure, girlfriends, boyfriends, and rings in the nose, tattoos, and more rebellion, but hey, we still love them because they are our kids.
This person that was once totally dependent on us is now leaving home and striking out on his or her own. They know everything and have forgotten all about us. They don’t visit as often as we’d like and they are learning different things than what we taught them.
All of a sudden the house is empty. . .and quiet. . .very quiet.
The peace is great for about a week then we realize that their dependence on us effected us in another way. . .we needed them as much as they needed us. After all, we were dad, mom, friend, nurturer, provider, teacher, counselor, protector, and personal guidance coordinator.
We supplied their food, clothes, roof, toys, medical attention, and even consoled them when they were down. We supported them at school plays, games, teachers meetings, PTA, and now. . .they were gone.
The many different hats that we wore were lost that day. They did not depend on us anymore but that's the nature of the beast. Since the day they were born, their independence is what we groomed them for - daily. We wanted them to learn from their own mistakes and gave them the latitude to do so with free will in hopes that they would derive a better than average chance of survival in the world. We would not always be there to save them.
We got excited about their independence, especially when they'd make the right decisions and then grew from them, but I personally admit that I miss the good ole days when they just depended on me. It’s purely selfish, I know, but. . .
I wonder if God the Father thinks about His children the same way we think about ours, as being fragile, soft, delicate, and drinker’s of milk. We haven’t learned how to stand, walk, or talk the spiritual things of God yet and as infants we are totally dependent on Him.
To help us in our decision making and giving us the chance of survival, God also gave us the latitude of free will. As we grow, our worship and prayer time builds each day and we find ourselves more dependent on Him. He supplies all of our needs.
Then something happens. We develop intelligence and minds of our own. We venture out on our own with our own ministry, doctrines, opinions, decisions, beliefs, and get so caught up in the deeper things of God that in the process we forget about our Abba Father. We have developed our independence through free will and have grown up in the Lord.
We don’t visit Him as often as He’d probably like but we’re learning, working in our ministry, and doing the work of God. However, God still loves us because we are His children. He will never leave or forsake us (Heb 13:5).
As a parent, I taught my kids how to take care of themselves so they could, one day, grow up, and have their independence. However, I miss the validation of that dependence and needing me. I wonder if God feels the same way and doesn’t want to give His children their independence either because He just misses the good ole days, like I do. . .when they just depended on Him.
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Next week: Fear, the Enemy of Faith. Doubt, unbelief, and fear always point to self, but faith always points to God. Whereas, Christ is the author of faith, Satan is the author of doubt, unbelief, and fear. We have to make a conscious decision with our will, by faith, who we are going to serve.
God bless you all and we'll see you next Monday.
Thanks for stopping by,
Your Host
James Lindquist
Christian Author
http://www.jameslindquist.net
Check March blog archive or my Web page for an explanation of my names.
http://www.jameslindquist.net/htmfiles/biograph.htm
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Face to Face with God
I was divorced and living in a one-bedroom apartment, feeling confused and alone. It was a hard time in my life but I had always loved the Lord and been very close to Him. I needed Him now more than ever.
On this particular morning the alarm had just zapped me with its wake-up call so I needed to get up and ready for work. I didn’t normally get up at 4:00AM but I had recently made a new commitment to pray with God for one hour each day. I crawled out of bed, got dressed, and went to the front room for fellowship with God.
I was praying the Lord’s Prayer and had just finished hallowing the Lord’s name. Because prayer is a dialogue and not a monologue, I stopped praying and stood there in the front room with my eyes closed, waiting on the Lord’s response. I could not hear anything in my spirit but continued to wait nonetheless. Then something started to become visible in my spirit.
It was like looking at a movie scene filled with theatrical smoke, only in suspended animation. In the distance, a small speck materialized. I thought to myself, what is going on? What is stopping me from seeing clearly? Why the smoke? The Lord hadn’t spoken to me yet, so I continued to wait on Him. What are you trying to show me Lord? Is there something in me that isn’t yet right with you Lord? Is it stopping me from seeing my vision or keeping me from going into your presence?
I have heard the audible voice of God before but never have I had a vision, so I didn’t know what to think, expect, or do, so I continued to wait.
While I subconsciously played twenty questions with God, the whole scene seemed to come at me all at once; the image grew in size until I could finally distinguish what it was. Although still fuzzy in appearance, it began to look like a plus sign. It continued to grow until there was no question as to its identity, it was the Cross.
In an instant zoom, the next thing I could see was the face of Christ. He was looking toward heaven. His face was not in the distance, but up close and personal. His face was all I could see. How could a face so covered with blood and pain, shine with so much love and compassion; love, as only God can give? I was numb with His presence and didn’t know whether I was shaking because of His presence or because of my awe at the experience; probably a little of both.
Then something happened that I will never forget.
In slow motion, Jesus turned and pivoted His head until He was looking me straight in the eyes. He said, “I love you, Jim.” The presence of God was vibrating in me as I stood there, eyes closed, and looking straight into the eyes of Jesus Christ. Jesus was touching my spirit with His eyes and His voice reverberated in my soul.
By this time I was completely numb from the waist up with the power of God. My knees were so weak that I could hardly stand. As I stood there basking in His presence, His image slowly started to fade. The veil became thicker and thicker until He finally disappeared. I do not know how long I stood there; I only know that Cecil B. DeMille could not have made this scene any more real than the one that I had just witnessed.
By virtue of the smoke that was in the foreground of my vision, I believe that the Holy Spirit brought me back to the Cross just so Jesus could personally tell me that He loved me. It was as though He was telling me that if I were the only person on earth, He would have still died for me.
His visitation that day told me that in those two-thousand years He still hadn’t left or forsaken me. His Word says as much in Hebrews 13:5, “. . .for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” He loved me then and He loves me now. In the loneliness and despair of divorce, those precious words “I love you, Jim,” helped me to go on. His presence refurbished my soul and changed my life.
Now, when I face difficult circumstances, I remember that voice who exclaimed His love for me that April morning in my front room, and somehow, no matter what, I get through the day and into the next, which is invariably better.
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Next week: “The Good Ole Days.” Babies are so small and fragile they sometimes scare me. I want to pick them up and hug them but I'm afraid of hurting them, squeezing too hard or worse yet, dropping them. They are totally dependent on us. . .Then they grow up.
God bless you all and we'll see you next Monday.
Thanks for stopping by,
Your Host
James Lindquist
Christian Author
http://www.jameslindquist.net
Check March blog archive or my Website for explanation of my names. http://www.jameslindquist.net/htmfiles/biograph.htm
On this particular morning the alarm had just zapped me with its wake-up call so I needed to get up and ready for work. I didn’t normally get up at 4:00AM but I had recently made a new commitment to pray with God for one hour each day. I crawled out of bed, got dressed, and went to the front room for fellowship with God.
I was praying the Lord’s Prayer and had just finished hallowing the Lord’s name. Because prayer is a dialogue and not a monologue, I stopped praying and stood there in the front room with my eyes closed, waiting on the Lord’s response. I could not hear anything in my spirit but continued to wait nonetheless. Then something started to become visible in my spirit.
It was like looking at a movie scene filled with theatrical smoke, only in suspended animation. In the distance, a small speck materialized. I thought to myself, what is going on? What is stopping me from seeing clearly? Why the smoke? The Lord hadn’t spoken to me yet, so I continued to wait on Him. What are you trying to show me Lord? Is there something in me that isn’t yet right with you Lord? Is it stopping me from seeing my vision or keeping me from going into your presence?
I have heard the audible voice of God before but never have I had a vision, so I didn’t know what to think, expect, or do, so I continued to wait.
While I subconsciously played twenty questions with God, the whole scene seemed to come at me all at once; the image grew in size until I could finally distinguish what it was. Although still fuzzy in appearance, it began to look like a plus sign. It continued to grow until there was no question as to its identity, it was the Cross.
In an instant zoom, the next thing I could see was the face of Christ. He was looking toward heaven. His face was not in the distance, but up close and personal. His face was all I could see. How could a face so covered with blood and pain, shine with so much love and compassion; love, as only God can give? I was numb with His presence and didn’t know whether I was shaking because of His presence or because of my awe at the experience; probably a little of both.
Then something happened that I will never forget.
In slow motion, Jesus turned and pivoted His head until He was looking me straight in the eyes. He said, “I love you, Jim.” The presence of God was vibrating in me as I stood there, eyes closed, and looking straight into the eyes of Jesus Christ. Jesus was touching my spirit with His eyes and His voice reverberated in my soul.
By this time I was completely numb from the waist up with the power of God. My knees were so weak that I could hardly stand. As I stood there basking in His presence, His image slowly started to fade. The veil became thicker and thicker until He finally disappeared. I do not know how long I stood there; I only know that Cecil B. DeMille could not have made this scene any more real than the one that I had just witnessed.
By virtue of the smoke that was in the foreground of my vision, I believe that the Holy Spirit brought me back to the Cross just so Jesus could personally tell me that He loved me. It was as though He was telling me that if I were the only person on earth, He would have still died for me.
His visitation that day told me that in those two-thousand years He still hadn’t left or forsaken me. His Word says as much in Hebrews 13:5, “. . .for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” He loved me then and He loves me now. In the loneliness and despair of divorce, those precious words “I love you, Jim,” helped me to go on. His presence refurbished my soul and changed my life.
Now, when I face difficult circumstances, I remember that voice who exclaimed His love for me that April morning in my front room, and somehow, no matter what, I get through the day and into the next, which is invariably better.
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Next week: “The Good Ole Days.” Babies are so small and fragile they sometimes scare me. I want to pick them up and hug them but I'm afraid of hurting them, squeezing too hard or worse yet, dropping them. They are totally dependent on us. . .Then they grow up.
God bless you all and we'll see you next Monday.
Thanks for stopping by,
Your Host
James Lindquist
Christian Author
http://www.jameslindquist.net
Check March blog archive or my Website for explanation of my names. http://www.jameslindquist.net/htmfiles/biograph.htm
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