Take It Easy...

Remember the oldie - "Well, I'm running down the road, tryin' to loosen my load. Got a world of trouble on my mind"?

Here's the chorus line"
"Take It easy, take it easy
Don't let the sound of your own wheels
drive you crazy
Lighten up while you still can
don't even try to understand
Just find a place to make your stand
and take it easy"

It just keeps running through my mind today because of what the Lord has done.

Since my husband has confessed his salvation, I keep waiting for the Glory of God to fall and anoint him with His Holy Spirit.

I haven't yet experienced the euphoria of emotion because of his salvation. I thought bells, whistles and jumping for joy would accompany his testimony. Nope.

My husband is a very quiet man, a man of a few words. Why would I think that God would change his personality? He's the way God made him.

Salvation doesn't change the man, it changes the way the man is.

The Franklin Graham Festival is coming here in June. We have been preparing for this for a year and a half. There are so many training and educational opportunities before this event takes place, that I had a dilemna on how to be able to participate within the event without ruining my marriage.

Now, that Mike is saved, he has been so understanding (another prayer answered).

FG had an upcoming Christian Life and Witness Program starting last night. So I just prayed and left it in God's hands, that I would like to go with Mike. When he came home last night, he asked me what the evening would hold and I told him that I wanted to go and asked if he did too.

Of course, he said no. Said he didn't need it to witness to people. So it started a whole conversation on witnessing. I told him that I hadn't had 'formal' training on witnessing and that I wanted to be able to KNOW the truth so that when I see someone witnessing in the wrong way, I could say that I KNOW the right way.

He didn't say much about that but said that he was happy and had no worries so why go at all.

I said then, what will you say to people who ask you, why are you happy? What is the reason for the hope that you have? He couldn't answer. So I left it at that.

I just got in the shower and left it in God's hands. Next thing I know, he comes in and says "I think I'll go with you. I don't like staying home alone anymore and I'll go and see what it's like."

See, we have to 'take it easy' with our loved ones and leave it in God's Hands. He knows the desires of our hearts and He's blessed me so much that I'm complacent to let Him do it.

For all of you 'unsaved' spouses, take hope and encouragement. Don't expect fireworks when your spouse gets saved. Expect God to do it in His timing and perfectness.

Expect God. Expect Him to save AS HE HAS PROMISED IN HIS WORD.

He won't let you down.

P.S. I hate the term 'unequally yoked'. Everyone is, because no one is on the same level. I love the feeling of being married to a believer, though. I feel like I finally fit in, even though, I already did.

P.P.S.S. Always look at your unsaved loved one as ALREADY SAVED. God does. He knows the ending from the beginning. So must you.

Salvation is Here!

For all of those spouses with unsaved spouses, there is hope!

My husband committed himself to the Lord yesterday, April 15th.

We'll be married 36 years this June. I feel like a newlywed again.

God is faithful to keep His promises. Promises of household salvation. Promise that if we are persistant and persevere He will honor that. He stored up all my tears of supplication and standing in the gap for my Mike and granted His salvation in a beautiful simple moment.

It's taking me awhile to soak it in. I didn't hear any fanfare or even cry when I heard.

I expected.

I waited for God's response. I told God that this was the year. I wanted Mike's salvation proven, once and for all.

Please don't give up on your lost loved ones. Seek and seek and seek. Knock and knock and knock. Ask and ask and ask. Expect, expect, expect, expect...

You will see the deliverance of God's hand in your life. The timing will be perfect. The results to the Glory of God.

Hallelujah! Salvation has come to my house. Truly I can say "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord."

Shoes In Church

I showered and shaved...............
I adjusted my tie.

I got there and sat..............
In a pew just in time.

Bowing my head in prayer.........
As I closed my eyes.

I saw the shoe of the man next to me.....
Touching my own. I sighed.

With plenty of room on either side......
I thought, "Why must our soles Touch?"

It bothered me, his shoe touching mine...
But it didn't bother him much.

A prayer began: "Our Father".........
I thought, "This man with the shoes.. Has no pride.

They're dusty, worn, and scratched Even
worse, there are holes on the side!"

"Thank You for blessings,"
the prayer went on.

The shoe man said.........
A quiet "Amen."

I tried to focus on the prayer.......
But my thoughts were on his shoes Again

Aren't we supposed to look our best..
When walking through that door?

"Well, this certainly isn't it,"
I thought, Glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer was ended............
And the songs of praise began.

The shoe man was certainly loud. ........
Sounding proud as he sang.

His voice lifted the rafters.........
His hands were raised high.

The Lord could surely hear..........
The shoe man's voice from the sky.

It was time for the offering.........
And what I threw in was steep.

I watched as the shoe man reached....
Into his pockets so deep.

I saw what was pulled out............
What the shoe man put in.

Then I heard a soft "clink".
As when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored me..........
To tears, and that' s no lie.

It was the same for the shoe man.....
For tears fell from his eyes.

At the end of the service........
As is the custom here

We must greet new visitors..........
And show them all good cheer.

But I felt moved somehow.............
And wanted to meet the shoe man

So after the closing prayer..........
I reached over and shook his hand.

He was old and his skin was dark....
And his hair was truly a mess

But I thanked him for coming.........
For being our guest.

He said, "My names' Charlie ............
I'm glad to meet you, my friend."

There were tears in his eyes.........
But he had a large, wide grin

"Let me explain," he said...........
Wiping tears from his eyes.

"I've been coming here for months....
And you're the first to say 'Hi.'"

"I know that my appearance.........
Is not like all the rest"

"But I really do try.................
To always look my best."

"I always clean and polish my shoes..
Before my very long walk."

"But by the time I get here...........
They're dirty and dusty,like chalk."

My heart filled with pain............
And I swallowed to hide my tears

As he continued to apologize.........
For daring to sit so near.

He said, "When I get here...........
I know I must look a sight."

"But I thought if I could touch you..
Then maybe our souls might unite."

I was silent for a moment............
Knowing whatever was said

Would pale in comparison...
I spoke from my heart, not my head.

"Oh, you've touched me," I said......
"And taught me, in part;"

"That the best of any man.....
Is what is found in his heart."

The rest, I thought.................
This shoe man will never know.

Like just how thankful I really am...
That his dirty old shoe touched my Soul.

You are Special to me and you have made a
difference in my life.

TODAY'S THE DAY!!!!!

We will finally close on our 'new' church building today. Hooray!

Now, the work begins. Fun stuff of decorating and re-designing.

Tons of work and tons of rewards to come. New neighborhood and new opportunities to disciple those seeking.

Can't wait.