SUNSHINE ON A RAINY DAY

The Joy of the Son light after the storm

The Oregon rain blusters against my window, then suddenly dances away, only to return with a misty kiss against the house. I smile as I watch it slide off the patio roof. I love the Oregon weather, and rain. 

Still smiling, I turn back to the meat and veggies I am cutting for my hubby's dinner, humming as I place all the ingredients into the cooker. He will be late tonight, but I will keep it warming for him. I reset the heat and place the lid in place, setting the imer. I head to the living room

Settling myself in my favorite chair, I am content. I love this twilight time of the day, when my chores are behind me and I can relax. I boot up the computer, looking forward to what my friends have been up to on Facebook.  Immediately, I see a friend and brother in Christ, Mike Warnke has begun a new blog Souls. (souls2016.blogspot,com. Check it out, and be blessed.)  It was there I spotted the word "blogger". I began to feel excited. I wondered if it could possibly "be".

Let me explain. September 2013 was the last time I posted on my blog This Little Light of Mine.  It was about that time my hubby and I began another battle with the powers of darkness. Our world was turned up-side-down for more than two years.  It was only the love of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit that brought us safely through. We clung to Him, trying not to despair, but we weren't always successful.  Yet, He didn't waver.  His knew the end of the story, allowing us through His grace to grow in our trust and faith in Him.

Somewhere, along the way I lost my blog spot. I totally lost "Blogger". I tried many other avenues, seeking that road which would lead me to my calling. Of course, God had some work to do in me. But, I didn't really understand that along the way; I was simply distressed that I was unable to serve the Lord... thinking I had failed, that I had fallen short.  Oh, for the gift of hind sight before the lesson.

Proverbs 3:3-5a
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes..

Psalm 3:5
But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

Today, there it was.  "Blogger", possibly the treasure in the field, for me. I held my breath and clicked the link. That's when This Little Light of Mine lit the screen. Something I thought was lost forever, was not. It was under the protection of my loving Father, until the time was right.  I yelped for joy!  This is truly sunshine through the storm for me. How thankful I am, for the Lord has once again led me to what I love to do. In His timing. At his calling.

Welcome! I invite you once again to join me as I discover God light shining in my life.

Isaiah 9:2

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. 

Blessings of Joy, Sunny Rowe

 

OUR GREAT COMMISSION OF JOY

Every Christian has a "great commission" which the Lord placed upon us while still in the womb, when He called us His own. Too often, we think the great commission belongs only to the church body as a whole, and so ignore our individual commission. That doesn't change things - we have a purpose in this world, and that is to battle the things of darkness, while showing the light of the Kingdom to those who dwell in the darkness.

We are ambassadors of Jesus Christ to the broken, lost and sick remnant. As ambassadors we must know everything we can about our own Kingdom, and prepare ourselves about the kingdom to which we have been assigned. That means being ready!

Being ready with oil in the lamps, the wicks trimmed and ready to respond to the calling of the bridegroom. We must not be slothful, making excuses for not being ready, because when we hesitate the moment is lost. We are supposed to be bold and strong, but how can we be, if we have not nourished our spirits, and strengthened our spirit muscles in preparation for the battle? How can we battle our way across the battlefield to bring the remnant home if we have missed the training program?  We can't. And we will fall prey to fiery darts and stinging missiles of the enemy if we let pesky things of every day life get between us and our mission for Jesus Christ.

We must be girded for battle.  Not just by power and might, but by the Spirit of the Lord. For the Spirit of the Lord will lead us into the battle, blessing us going in and coming out! And what is the Spirit of the Lord?  A guide. A mentor. A leader. A teacher. Always reflecting the love and compassion, the hope and the salvation of Jesus Christ.
In the Lord's presence there is fullness of joy. There is hope for all eternity. There is peace for what we must accomplish today. And if we will say "Yes, Lord", then the Holy Spirit will spring into action and lead us.  If we will say "Thank you, Lord for what You have done". the Holy Spirit will bring us comfort, peace and joy. 

PSALM 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

He feeds us at His banqueting table, so we are strengthened and filled with the knowledge of good; so that we may recognize (without hesitation) that which is evil.  We must bring the broken and hopeless to this banqueting table; we must sit them at the head of the table, and wash their feet. This is what Jesus would have done. We can do no less. In so doing, we shine the light of the Lord upon their dark and fearful path, and show them the way home.

ISAIAH 25:6 And in this mountain The Lord of hosts will make for all people A feast of choice pieces, A feast of wines on the lees, Of fat things full of marrow, Of well-refined wines on the lees.

Jesus taught us that He is the way, the truth, the light, and that no man comes to the Father in heaven [claims his place in God's Kingdom] except through Jesus Christ. As ambassadors, our great commission is to introduce them to Jesus Christ, and offer them opportunity to join the feast. We must do it as Jesus would do it, with love and joy! It is, after our calling, our great commission... to bring the joy of the Lord's salvation to a starving people.

ISAIAH 29:19  The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, And the poor among men shall rejoice In the Holy One of Israel.

ISAIAH 35:10  And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

ISAIAH 52:9  Break forth into joy, sing together, You waste places of Jerusalem! For the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.

In Your presence, O Lord there is fullness of joy, and at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore... 

My Page - Christians Like Me: FREE TO BE

My Page - Christians Like Me

What ever the circumstances, no matter if my day is filled with Sonshine or storms, the Holy Spirit rains on me.  And the Lord has taught me to be free in Him.. I am free to "be". There is nothing holding me back, but me.  It may be lack of confidence in who I am. I may be wonder that the Lord would choose me to use. I may feel fear of what others think of me. All I know for certain is that for years I tried to "soft pedal" Jesus Christ to the world. Oh, sure,  I was blessed to minister; I was blessed to see people come to the Lord. Still my spirit "itched" within my body. It was then God showed me I was like a giant ice burg - 90% of me under water, unseen, with just the top peeping out.
I was given the talents to be a sales person and a teacher. These two readily work hand-in-hand, because a teacher must sell the student on the idea of learning something. Then the teacher must "stack the sale", as any good sales person would. Stacking is the method of adding to sales by making available and suggesting more items to go with that sale. So, as a sales person I have little difficulty is presentation and closing. Yet, surprisingly enough, when it came to the most important thing in my life ... the one true treasure in my field,  I have been timid (in the past) for fear. I must ask myself, fear of what? Offending someone?  Being ridiculed?
Guess what, self!  I have found that offending, and being offended can be accomplished perfecting well whether or not I tell the world about Jesus Christ. I remember when I first began my Facebook page. I would add a bit her and there about Jesus. Put my toes in the water, saying "Amen" to other folks' evangelical messages.  But you see, that wouldn't work for me, because I wanted friends.. I wanted people to like me.  Yes, I still want those things. We all want that. But as time went by I found the little remarks posted  here and there, denigrating anything Christian,  only provoked me into action.
I serve my risen Christ! And I will let him decide who gets to be my friend.  I will wait upon Him, and while I wait, I will wait - I will serve.
Jesus taught us very plainly in the parable of the talents, the sad outcome when we bury our treasure instead of sharing it with the world.  He forewarned us of how we, who are salt, can lose our flavor, and become as nothing.  And He assured us that we can accomplish anything He sets before us, because He is the mother lode, the vine; we draw strength and richness from Him. He was amazed that we could have a banqueting table before us, but settle for scraps, instead of a sumptuous meal. Here we have a banqueting table, a feast.. and we  hide our faces from it!
The truth is, we will never want for anything, and we will never be forsaken. For ours is the Kingdom of Heaven, forever, and ever.
Look out world, here I come.  For I am free!!

SPIRIT WINGS

Some birds live in cages, they sing a quiet song,and like them I could sing for only you. But, Lord your love released me to sing a different song, and soar above the captive life I knew. Spirit wings, you lift me over all  the earth bound things, and like a bird my heart if flying free. I'm soaring on the song your spirit brings. O' Lord of all, you let me see the wonder of your majesty. You lift me up, you set me free on your spirit wings.

I AM FREE

Through you the blind will see
Through you the mute will sing
Through you the dead will rise
Through you all hearts will praise
Through you the darkness flees
Through you my heart screams
I am free
Yes, I am free

I AM FREE TO RUN.. I AM FREE TO DANCE .. I AM FREE TO LIVE FOR YOU.. I AM FREE..
YES I AM FREE

Isaiah 61:1 NKJV  The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound...

Galatians 5:1 NKJV  Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

A THANKSGIVING WISH

May every day be a Thanksgiving day for all of us!

THE OLD MOON WITCH

THE OLD MOON WITCH
Sunny Rowe [c. 1983] 







When the pale gold moon lifts high at night,
and forest creatures scurry out of sight;
Then across the darkened, shrouded gloom
Comes a high-hatted figure riding on a broom.

She's a dandy crone in black gown and hat
as she stalks the heavens with her one-eyed cat.
Their yowling cries climb to fevered pitch,
and the night belongs to the old moon witch.

With gleeful cackle she swoops over land;
Every black-hearted villain at her command.
While she shrieks and dips, and onward she flies,
fetching at random lost souls for a prize.

If you want to see her, if you want to look,
better go down early; find a secret nook
where  you can hide out safely 'til the morning light
from demon forces on Halloweve night.

By cauldron bubbling she sets her broom well,
Calling forth all the demons up from hell.
Crying Up you Jackels, there's work to be done
before the horizon meets the morning sun.

From trembling earth, romping in disguise,
Your darkest nightmares dance before your eyes!
Your heartbeat quickens and your mouth goes dry,
with petticoat rustles of the witch passing by.

She mounts her broom lifting towards the sky.
All earth will shudder, many spirits cry
until silver light gives way to the gold,
The work of the pagans will be swift and bold.

When you're safely home, secure in your room,
You'll think of a witch and a cat on a broom.
Though demons vanish when daylight is met,
the Old Moon Witch you will never forget!

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. [Matt. 5-14-16]

Proud to be an American!

A friend of mine posted the other day that perhaps [because I feel so strongly] I have been called to patriotism! It took me back for a bit.. but it is true. God put it in our hearts to claim, stand for and love the land He has given us. The best example of this is the ongoing struggle in Israel.

President Kennedy said it best: Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

What can we do for God but to honor, respect and love that which He has given us. I pray that every day is a star-spangled, glory hallelujah day for each American. It will never be perfect in the eyes of man, but if we start looking for the good, then we can withstand the not so good.