Gateways to Joy

"M iss Mabel Shaw, one of the first two missionaries sent out to Rhodesia by the London Missionary Society 1915, wrote: 'They told me a lion had been about ... at last I rose to go, and was just about to mount my bicycle when out of one little hut came the old leper headman.   He held a spear between the stumps that once were hands, and he went hobbling along the path in front of me.  I called to him and he stopped and looked around.' 'Where are you going?' 'I am going to escort you to Mbereshi village.   You can't go alone with lions about.' He would not have it.  It was not fitting for me to go alone.  I looked at him, a feeble old man, handless, feet half eaten, his whole body covered with marks of disease, and his face most pitiful.   I said to him, half-banteringly, and with a smile, 'Now what could you do if a lion came?' He drew himself up, and with a quiet dignity said, 'Have I not got a life to give?'  I was silent, se...

I 'am tired.  My back hurts, neck aches, and I want to get back in bed, but I can't.  There's too much that needs to be tackled in the house today. I've been staying up late into the early mornings.  Not for writing, though, sometimes I try and use my time wisely and concentrate on that task.  No, I'm up late now, mostly waiting for my husband.  Remember he and a friend just opened the restaurant...eatery?   Being up late like this with house quiet and no one to talk to causes a mind to travel-think.  And I began to travel, think about what I am doing with myself...my life's work. Cleaning, cooking, refereeing, chauffeuring, encouraging, respecting, loving... all my responsibilities to my family.  This is my high calling service to God. It is my first responsibility—even before writing.   It is: heaven's work.  And I'm proud to be one called to this service.  Being a stay-at-home moth...

Yesterday, while driving my son to his basketball game, I was able to rest and reflect while driving.  Believe it or not lots of times that's how I find the time to unwine. I love Christian radio and yesterday I listened to the late Adrian Rogers. Adrian said there's three things a Christian can do to be sure they don't backslide. Spend at least 15 minutes listening to God from His Word.  Spend at least 15 minutes talking to God through prayer. Find someone to tell about God everyday He said the problem come in because usually, though, we sit with Bible open, or we bend the knee often times we don't devote an entire 15 minutes to these things daily. I do have regular Bible and prayer time, but this morning, I timed myself and spent at least 15 minutes doing the above.  My telling someone about Jesus everyday will surely be me blogging to you, but hopefully...I'm pretty sure God will send someone in my life to disciple. So try this and let me know how ...

T he words still my eyes.  This is where the Father wants His daughter to begin her early morning meditation.  " The sin of Judah is written down with an iron stylus; with a diamond point it is engraved upon the tablet of their heart And on the horns of their altars, as they remember their children, so they remember their altars and their Asherim.  By green trees on the high hills.  O mountain of Mine in the countryside, I will give over your wealth and all your treasures for booty, your high places for sin throughout your borders.  And you will, even of yourself, let go of your inheritance that I will give you;  And I will make you serve your enemies In the land which you do not know; for you have kindled a fire in My anger w hich will burn forever." ~ Jeremiah 17: 1-4 "What does this mean concerning me?"  I asked my Father. I read on.  I'm stilled. "Thus says the Lord, 'Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh ...