Anyone Need a Hero?

Have you ever needed a hero? Someone to swoop in and save the day? I remember one time when Jonathan and I were driving alone on a busy stretch of highway about 200 miles from home. We were headed home from several days of fun at Disneyland and traffic was quite heavy and as we zipped along in the fast lane.

Suddenly without notice, my car just died going 70+ miles an hour through the mountains known as the grapevine. Talk about a scary situation. And yet, it was as if God in an instant just held out His hand and cleared the way as I pulled my car across 4 lanes of LA traffic and onto the right hand shoulder.

There we sat - safe but alone. It was a Sunday morning and everyone we knew was in church. I phoned and text messaged everyone I could think of. Jonathan and I were in desperate need of a hero. It was about an hour later when I finally reached our Chairman of Deacons and he assured me that he and another Deacon were on the way. That day, they were my heroes.

In 2 Samuel 21:15-22 we find that King David himself was in need of some heroes.

Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted.

The road had been long. The fight had been fierce. King David found himself exhausted from fighting the same old enemy over and over again. God raised up among him a group of men who surrounded the king and said, "You rest. We'll fight this one for you."

Chapter 23 lists the names of David's 37 mighty men. To be a member of this group they had to show unparalleled courage in battle and wisdom in leadership. They were truly heroes in the eyes of the King as they laid down their lives in service - even unto death.

Our churches today are in need of some heroes. Men and women of faith, courage and wisdom who will come alongside their Pastors and Staff who too are weary from the battle. The road can be long. The same old enemy often rears his ugly head and strikes. Many Pastors find themselves walking in David's shoes - exhausted.

How can you be their hero?

• Pray for your Pastor's and their families.
• Send them a card of encouragement.
• Tell them that you love them and thank them for serving so faithfully.
• Offer to make a visit for them.
• As a church family, make sure that you Pastor's get ample time to rest and refresh themselves.
• Allow them time away while the mighty men and women of God do what David's men did and "fight this one for him".

They love you, lead you, teach you, train you, comfort you, encourage you and give themselves in service to you - all in the name of our King! There are a lot of Pastor's out there in need of a hero to take a stand. Will that hero be you?

Unfinished Business

Have you ever felt stuck in life? Is there something left incomplete that has kept you from moving forward. No matter how hard you try, you are just stuck.

The same thing happened with King David. Although David has been described as a man after God's own heart, he often found himself in the middle of some pretty big messes. It is now the latter part of his rule as King. His son Absalom is dead. After years of undermining his authority and causing dissension among the people of God, he has been killed. David then returns to Jerusalem with plenty of unfinished business to attend to.

During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the LORD. The LORD said, "It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death." 2 Samuel 21:1

Through the ups and downs of life there is one thing David had learned how to do and that was to seek the face of God. What the Lord revealed to him that day was that God's blessing was not upon Israel because of the sin of Saul and his household. One thing is for sure, God expects His people to be a people of their word.

Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37

It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. Ecclesiastes 5:5-6a

Saul had entered into a commitment with the Gibeonites to spare their lives. But instead he had chosen to try to annihilate them. Many years later, the people of Israel were suffering for the prior kings rebellious acts. God was calling Israel into account for their actions.

In order for the blessing of God to once again be upon His people, the people had to make things right with the Gibeonites. When David asked what could be done to make amends, the Gibeonites asked that seven male descendants of Saul be put to death and exposed before the Lord at Gebeah.

David did as they asked. The seven grandsons of Saul were put to death on the first day of the harvest. The skies opened up and it began to rain.

How do we deal with unfinished business? How do we deal with things left undone?

• First, we must repent. We have to admit that we have done wrong.
• Second, we must recommit to fulfilling our vow.

Do you have any unfinished business in your life? Is there a broken relationship that needs to be mended? Is there someone you need to forgive or who needs your forgiveness? How about a commitment that you have not fulfilled? Do you feel like the blessing of God has been removed from your life? As the Bible says, examine yourself. Do you have unfinished business?

Beth Moore says, "Rebellion inevitably leads to a famine in our relationship to God. A new beginning is as close as the fresh smell of rain".

It's beginning to rain- hear the the voice of my father-
Saying who so ever will, come and drink of this water-
I promise to pour My spirit out, on your sons and your daughters-
If your thisty and dry, look up to the sky, it's beginning to rain!

Lavished Love

What a time away! God has been so good to me. I left on vacation totally spent. I was mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted. I arrived in CA to the love of family and just a wonderful time.

We had a cookout the second day as my whole family came together at my parents home. I honestly can't remember a time when I laughed so hard. My brother and sister-in-law telling the story about her playing "four-square" with the fourth graders and the injuries she sustained had us all in stitches.

On Sunday I visited my old church and I cannot adequately express the overwhelming sense of love that I felt. This verse comes to mind.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

It was so good to be at home with Gods people once again. Just a glimpse of what the fellowship will be like when we all get to heaven. Oh how I'm looking forward to that day.
This is my Heart Friend Connie. We've sure been through some times together. On Tuesday we went to breakfast and spent the day in a beautiful park, just taking in God's glory. We shared from our hearts..., (although I think I did most of the talking as I unloaded everything that I had been holding in). Thank You God for allowing her to be your ears, your hands, your heart to me that day.



I spent the afternoon and evening with the most precious family I know, the Tajima's. Cindi is one of my Heart Friends - God has definitely knit our hearts together as one. Before leaving that night the entire family joined in a circle and each one prayed for our family. What a gift they have been to our lives.


On Wednesday we headed to the coast for what Randy calls my "Sand Therapy". There's something about the ocean, the waves and just running your hands through the sand. As my Sister, Brother-in-law, Jonathan and I walked the beach at Pismo, God just ministered to my heart. With every sand dollar or sea shell I collected it was as if the stress and strain of life was lifted away.

Just walking and giving praise to my Lord for all that He has done. Exalting His name for Who He is! He is King of King and Lord of Lords. He is Creator of all of the beauty I was seeing. He is the composer of the symphony that I was hearing each time that the waves crashed on the shore. He sent the sun to shine brightly on my skin and the Son to shine brightly in my soul. Oh how He loves me.

Thank You God for lavishing your love on me through my family (especially my sister), through my Heart Friends, through your church, through all of creation! I am truly overwhelmed! Who am I that you would love me this way?

Saturday Steps of Faith #3

Welcome back for Saturday Steps of Faith. This is a place where we can join together in believing God for things great and small.

I'm flying home this morning from a wonderful time of vacation. I look forward to reconnecting with all of my blogging friends.

Today I'm believing God for the opportunity to share Jesus with someone on the way home.

Father, May I be sensitive to your leading!

What are you believing God for?

Magnificent View

Seek Him and you will find Him!

You will find Him in His word!

You will find Him when you pray!

You will find Him in His people!

You will find Him in nature!

God I thank You for showing yourself to me in a marvelous way. The beautiful snow-capped mountains. The magnificent clouds that hovered in the sky! Just seeing the beauty of Your creation drew my heart into an attitude of Worship! For only YOU are worthy of my praise! Lord I love you!

Saturday Steps of Faith #2

Welcome back for Saturday Steps of Faith. This is a place where we can join together in believing God for things great and small.

I believe that God hear us when we pray.

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13

I believe that God answers us when we pray.

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. Isaiah 65:24

This week I'm believing God for a special Word from Him. In recent days, the journey has been long, the road bumpy and at times hard. All along the way I know He has been with me, leading me, teaching me, loving me encouraging me. I'm feeling a little weary and I want to hear His voice clearly and have my Spirit renewed. I'm really looking forward to some time with just me and God. Speak to me Lord, I'm listening.

So, what are you believing God for?

To join in,

• Write a blog today about what you are believing God for.
• Copy the Saturday Steps of Faith button into your post and publish it.
• Return to this site and fill out Mr. Linky. This will allow others to click on the link below and jump over to your website.

I'm looking forward to praying and believing God with you.

UUUGGGGHHHHH - Sorry I forgot the MisterLinky. :-)

Lovin some Chik-fil-A

My post will be short today as I'm on V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N! PRAISE GOD! I am so ready for some time away. Tomorrow we will head to CA, so keep us in your prayers.

I ran across a little funny I'd like to share with you. Enjoy! Don't forget to come back for Saturday Steps of Faith!