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Charles Stanley preached a powerful sermon this morning (from First Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA). Perhaps you will take forty-five minutes to watch and listen to The Birth of Jesus-A Revealing Response.
(I watched Charles Stanley because we didn't have a WiFi signal. I couldn't listen to Family Radio.)
It's Sunday and my choice of worship is Family Radio. I'm repeatedly invited to accompany an RVing neighbor to their church. I explain that I don't attend the institutional church. "I listen to messages on a web site via the Internet and WiFi." Briefly I share that God my Heavenly Father has led me on a journey that opened my eyes to revelations not widely accepted by most denominations. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12)
Those of you who have followed my blog know that I'm a woman of faith and have traveled for months relying on God's itinerary. Many times, I didn't know where I'd be the next day or the next week. Other RVers couldn't grasp my lack of devotion to an established route. They had their plans well defined. ~~ Even as I write this, I don't expect everyone to understand. But, I feel led to share "where I'm coming from." I listen to a different drummer. I'm a horse of a different color.
God is my pilot; He speaks to me!! (There was a time when people were institutionalized because they "heard voices.") At this time, I've been at Wycliffe Associates, in Orlando, Florida, since November 12th. ~~ Next week????
This specific sojourn started in New Brunswick, Canada, in early September. I watched whales jumping in the Bay of Fundy; I saw the ebb and flow of the highest tides in the world. I might have visited Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia but heard the Holy Spirit say "We're going to Escapade." My response: "Oh, I hadn't planned to go that far West. But, OK!!"
Indulge me, please, as I take you through the individual steps that ultimately brought me to Orlando. (1) At the Escapade, I visited with several groups that were recruiting volunteers: Sowers, Nomads, Doves, etc. Talking to the Sowers, I was told "We only take couples." A man walked up and was listening to the conversation. He said: "Wycliffe Associates takes singles." Within hours I had accessed the website and filled out the preliminary application. (2) Amazon(dot)com was another institution that was on-site recruiting Workampers. I listened to the presentation but did not make a commitment. (3) Quite frankly I believed I was being led to volunteer at the Galilean Children's Home in Liberty, Kentucky. That did not materialize (I was willing but not called).
(4) I was hired by Amazon(dot)com. While waiting two weeks to actually start work, I organized and reorganized. During that time I had such an intense desire to listen to Christian music and hear Christ-centered teaching!! Via WiFi and the Internet, I found Family Radio (programming I had listened to for over forty years, in California). I left Campbellsville--and potential employment with Amazon--when I learned I might be handling X-rated and pornographic items. (5) I kept praying for direction about where God wanted me. Should I go to Escapee's headquarters in Livingston, Texas, and volunteer at their CARE center? (6) I had a phone interview with Wycliffe Associates but was told there were no RV sites available in Orlando. Perhaps their location near Dallas, Texas, could accommodate me?! I continued to trust that God my Heavenly Father would reveal my volunteer destination. The call came on Wednesday, November 10, 2010.
(To digress for a moment: I'm now working in the recruiting department and see that it is a **MIRACLE** that I'm "here"!! The screening process is quite detailed but I did not provide the references they require. I didn't list a minister. I didn't specify years of work experience, and/or variety of jobs held during the years. In my humble opinion, God shortened the process and cut through the paperwork!! Thanks in-part to the recommendation of a dear Christian friend in Clayton, Ohio.)
If the reader will go back a short distance in the blog, you'll see that I have a campsite in the exceptionally nice Wycliffe Associates RV Park. I have an excellent WiFi signal!! I can listen, endlessly, to Family Radio. Yes, I'm back to the topic of my choice of medium for worship. I'm ultra conservative about the music I listen too. I don't like the contemporary music in many of the churches; I love the beautiful old hymns of faith. I prefer the King James Bible versus the modern translations.
In the six years since I left California, Family Radio has, by God's grace, been broadcasting Judgment Day of May 21, 2011. Disagree with me (that's OK) but I believe God my Heavenly Father wanted me to hear the message and prepare for the day when Jesus will return for the believers. "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:17) ~~ Question: Where would I be if I had not listened to "that still small voice" in New Brunswick??
Please see my blog Where will you spend eternity?
Just as I was ready to hit the "publish" button for above (12/12/2010), the Holy Spirit said "Tell them about your faith." ~~ Briefly: There are large, beautiful motorhomes and 5th-wheel trailers parked near me. Some of my neighbors question how I can live in such a tiny trailer. Honestly, it isn't difficult to "live" in these tiny quarters. My needs are simple!! My desire is to live humbly and be counted as one of the five wise virgins with oil for [her] lamp when the Bridegroom [comes]. Read the parable in Matthew 25:1-13.
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A girlfriend wrote: "There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
"This week, I found out. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
- The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
- Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
- Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
- The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
- The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
- The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
- Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
- The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
- Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
- The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
- The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
- The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
"So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish. Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone!"
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So I (Lorraine) spent an hour (or more) reading information provided by Google. Here's a good website re: Twelve Days of Christmas.
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(Click the above "link" to view the card.)
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I did not attend devotions this morning. My body is still healing from the food poisoning and/or overindulgence of items not a regular part of my diet. ~~ I arrived in my office at 9:15 and found a note lying on the computer keyboard. I'm so grateful for kind words from a missionary I met two days ago.
Dear Lorraine
I want to write this quick note to you to say thanks for talking with me the other night. Thank you for the encouraging words you shared with me. I really appreciated it and enjoyed talking with you. Please pray for my family (Rosalie, wife, and children, Bethany, Gwen, and Faith). Thanks.
Thank you also for being so willing to help out and volunteer with WA. Your willingness and participation is and will help advance God's Kingdom.
In Christ,
Dwight Erickson
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The scripture verse printed inside the note card: "When your Words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight...." (Jeremiah 15:16 NIV)
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Postscript, 8:00 PM: I was so motivated by Dwight's "thank you," I stayed at the office computer until 6:30 (and didn't leave for lunch), and made over seventy calls during the day. I enrolled three or four new (potential) volunteers!! I love my new job!!
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Yours truly has been quite health conscious for three decades. Recently, I've succumbed to eating snacks and food items that are available everywhere. Rich tasting desserts are preceded by an array of main course potluck homemade items. Unending snacks spread on beautifully decorated tables in the office. Shame, shame on me!! I sample a little bit of everything!! Last night, and today, my body is rebelling and I'm really experiencing intestinal distress. (I'm sick!) Keep me in your prayers?!?! The temptations will escalate during the next few holiday weeks. The potluck suppers, and opportunity to dine out with fellow volunteers, will multiply (I'm told) as the RVers begin to arrive and fill the campsites. Activities every day.
Fortunately, I've been able to "sleep in" and take it easy this morning. My work schedule doesn't start until noon; I'll be making phone calls to the West Coast.
Charles Stanley preached a powerful sermon this morning (from First Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA). Perhaps you will take forty-five minutes to watch and listen to The Birth of Jesus-A Revealing Response.
It's Sunday and my choice of worship is Family Radio. I'm repeatedly invited to accompany an RVing neighbor to their church. I explain that I don't attend the institutional church. "I listen to messages on a web site via the Internet and WiFi." Briefly I share that God my Heavenly Father has led me on a journey that opened my eyes to revelations not widely accepted by most denominations. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12)
In the six years since I left California, Family Radio has, by God's grace, been broadcasting Judgment Day of May 21, 2011. Disagree with me (that's OK) but I believe God my Heavenly Father wanted me to hear the message and prepare for the day when Jesus will return for the believers. "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:17) ~~ Question: Where would I be if I had not listened to "that still small voice" in New Brunswick??
Just as I was ready to hit the "publish" button for above (12/12/2010), the Holy Spirit said "Tell them about your faith." ~~ Briefly: There are large, beautiful motorhomes and 5th-wheel trailers parked near me. Some of my neighbors question how I can live in such a tiny trailer. Honestly, it isn't difficult to "live" in these tiny quarters. My needs are simple!! My desire is to live humbly and be counted as one of the five wise virgins with oil for [her] lamp when the Bridegroom [comes]. Read the parable in Matthew 25:1-13.
A girlfriend wrote: "There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
For many years I have loved the music of Marty Goetz. At 4:40 PM I felt compelled to search the Internet for information--and a concert schedule. To my amazement, Marty is performing tonight in Orlando. As much as I would love to see and hear him (again) I won't attempt to drive in to a city I have never visited. (Furthermore, it has rained almost all day!!) He will be in Florida after the first of the year. Maybe I'll have courage to drive to one of his concerts?!?! Please take a few minutes to listen to this gifted artist.
I did not attend devotions this morning. My body is still healing from the food poisoning and/or overindulgence of items not a regular part of my diet. ~~ I arrived in my office at 9:15 and found a note lying on the computer keyboard. I'm so grateful for kind words from a missionary I met two days ago.
Yours truly has been quite health conscious for three decades. Recently, I've succumbed to eating snacks and food items that are available everywhere. Rich tasting desserts are preceded by an array of main course potluck homemade items. Unending snacks spread on beautifully decorated tables in the office. Shame, shame on me!! I sample a little bit of everything!! Last night, and today, my body is rebelling and I'm really experiencing intestinal distress. (I'm sick!) Keep me in your prayers?!?! The temptations will escalate during the next few holiday weeks. The potluck suppers, and opportunity to dine out with fellow volunteers, will multiply (I'm told) as the RVers begin to arrive and fill the campsites. Activities every day.
