"I waited patiently for the Lord, He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of destruction, out of the sticky mud.
He stood me on a rock and made my feet steady.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many people will see this and worship him. Then they will trust the Lord.
Happy is the person who trusts the Lord, who doesn't turn to those who are proud
or to those who worship false gods.
Lord, my God, you have done many miracles.
Your plans for us are many. If I tried to tell them all, there would be too many to count!"
In 1974 (October, to be exact) I made a Life in the Spirit Seminar at St. Luke's in Great Falls, Mt. On the 5th night I was prayed for for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. My life completely changed! I experienced Jesus as my Savior and My Lord. He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. (I believe there's a song with those words). It is like this psalm - I cried to Lord for help. I was overwhelmed with my life at that time. I was sinking into the pit of destruction, going down in the sticky mud to be stuck there forever! When I cried out to Him, He heard my cry. He did stand me on a rock - which was Jesus, my Lord, and made my feet steady. I walk on a firm foundation. I have always liked music. In the 50's, 60's, and 70's I collected 45's. I would listen to them for hours. Mostly Elvis! I was a true Elvis fan then. And I collected sheet music and song books and would play the piano as my Dad and my family would sing along. In 1974 when I received Jesus into my life, I still loved music, but He truly did put a new song in my mouth - a song of praise to our God. Now I collect spiritual and contemporary and gospel praise music and love to sing to the Lord a NEW song! My walk with the Lord since 1974 has been so fun, so exciting, so filled with joy. Sure, there are still the same ups and downs, the same problems with my sinfulness - anger, envy, gluttony, worry, etc - I still listen to Elvis, even - but I know my God has a plan for me - and for you. I know he has done many miracles, and continues to do many miracles, and I know I have a deep rooted love of God, and those around me, I have a peace that is not explained by things going on around me, and I have a constant companion in Jesus Christ who is by my side leading, guiding and directing my life. I just need to learn to be obedient and to learn how to hear his voice! If I tried to tell all that He has done for me it would take forever, so I'll do it in small increments. I would like to ask you to pray about times in your lives when you felt the presence of God, or when you know He was directing circumstances around you, and then share them here. They are meant to encourage all of us to stay with Him!
6 comments:
It has been hard for me to respond to this particular writing by Lonnie. I felt that there really was no response for me to write since I don't always see or feel or make myself aware of God's presence in my life. Again and again I have cried out to Him, and again and again and again He has pulled me out of the dark pit of despair and put my feet on solid rock. Today, after reading Lonnie's writing, I realize that, for me, that is the whole point -- we don't ALWAYS stay up out of the pit once God has pulled us out; but, God will never, ever leave us once we have committed. Life is such that we go through dark times, and God is so faithful that He welcomes us "back home" again and again with open, loving arms. WOW!! Our God truly IS an awesome God!
I live where Mount Rainier is visible on a clear day. Mount Rainier is bigger than life and beautiful and changes throughout the day/week/month, depending on lighting, etc. Mt. Rainier sometimes "goes into hiding" for weeks at a time because of rain or smog or clouds, etc. Even though we can't see our mountain, we know it is there and will "come out" again when conditions clear up. That Mountain is a reminder of my God. Bigger than life and beautiful and strong - and our relationship with Him changes, hopefully matures, throughout the course of our life. Sometimes, because of our own circumstances, God seems hidden from us, but we know in our heart of hearts that He is there and will become "visible" to us once our circumstance has cleared up. Praise God!
What special part of nature reminds you of our Heavenly Father? What does He use to make you aware of His working in your life?
P.S. I like Elvis. Listen to him sing "How Great Thou Art" and try to remain without emotion!
Also, I need to add to my above comment. When I circumstances are such that we don't feel God is present in our life, it is HE that we need to call out to. We cannot clear up the circumstance on our own.
This is beautiful, Sharon! What a great illustration from nature of our wonderful God!
As you all know, I love to go camping. And the main reason I love it so much is that I feel like I am communing with my God. I see Him in all of His creation around me. I hear Him in the sounds of the gentle breeze through the trees, the birds chattering, the creek babbling. I truly do hear Him say "I love you, Lonnie! You are mine. I am with you always!" One time a couple of years ago, something happened that is a good example of this. I woke up early early in the morning and went outside to sit and pray. As I sat there, I could feel the nearness of my God and I shut my eyes to enjoy all the sounds and feelings around me. I was just sitting quietly. When I opened my eyes there was a beautiful sight to behold, and I know it was the presence of the Lord. The dew had stuck to each little pine needle, and as the sun shone on them, they were each a different, bright, beautiful color. It was amazing! There was even a spider web that had dew all over it and the light shone through it and made it come through a bright purple color. It was like a million Christmas trees all lit up right there, just for me. I've never seen anything like that since then, but I know it was a "love letter" from God saying to me: "I am with you, and I have created such beautiful things for you to enjoy. I am well pleased with you, my beautiful child." What a wonderful experience. I sat there another few minutes just taking it all in, and when I looked at my watch, 2 whole hours had gone by!
"Be still and know that I am God"! (does anyone know where this scripture is?)
"Fill us with your love every morning. Then we will sing and rejoice all our days." Ps 90:14
"Show your servants the wonderful things you do; show your greatness to their children." ps 90:16
These scriptures sure do speak to this glorious time I had with my God in His beautiful creation! And He will do the same for you when you sit quietly with Him wherever your prayer closet is and listen for the wonderful things He is trying to show you and say to you.
My friend LeAnn passed away on a cold winter's day in Denver. 9 months later, Russ and I were on our way to Boise with all our belongings in tow to start our new life. The following day, LeAnn's Mother was having LeAnn's ashes spread in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. We were not able to attend, but many of our other friends did, and I was sad that we were not able to be there physically. At around One PM on our 2nd day of our trip, we were driving through the drizzly, dreary canyons right south of Provo Utah. It was raining and it made me sad to think my dear friend was gone from this earth and I'd never see her again. I knew the Memorial for her was starting at 1:00, so I started praying for her and talking to her. Suddenly, the sun and a piece of blue sky opened right above me on the highway, clearing a path in the fog. I could see the splendid colors of the rocks on the canyon walls, and the beautiful colors of the fall leaves on trees. And they were every color, glistening in the sun. It lasted just a few moments and then we were in the clouds again. It was a very touching moment in my life. God and LeAnn said 'Hello' to me, and blessed our journey home.
What a faithful God we serve!
Thank you for sharing that story, Kay. I had never heard it before. God took your friend, Leanne home with Him and allowed her a moment to let you know that. He loves you very much.
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