Three Important Things

 Three Important Things 

II Timothy  4:5 NLT  “…keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”

As I read this, I connected it to stirring up the gifts God has given me. Paul is at the end of his life, and reminding the people that there will be a time that comes when it will be difficult, but these three things will be important to accomplish. And, in reading the scripture in its context, the argument can be made that this is most definitely the time.

Suffering and martyrdom are ongoing throughout the world for millions of Christians. In the free world as we know it, we haven’t faced that level of suffering. Yet, in many places the Bible is banned, and many are being ridiculed even as some are in litigation over displaying scripture. There are churches closing rampantly. Some pulpits have limitations placed on them. Humanity wants to hear only what they agree with and nothing that convicts their hearts. Although grace abounds, the Word of God goes deep into our hearts or motives, convicting and correcting our faults. Am I prepared to face discomfort for the Lord and His word?  Would I suffer for Him?

This post could cause someone to mock me or an algorithm to shun me.  What do you think? 

Working at telling others the Good News sounds easy. Grab a Bible. Buy a Bible study at the Christian Book Store. Invite a few people to study with you. That’s how we share the Good News. Consider though, it could be difficult to schedule and attend faithfully. This is where the word work gets involved. It will take work to make the studying and sharing happen. Reading ahead and understanding before gathering will require one to work out time in their life. Yet, voicing the Good News is not the only way we share. Our daily actions with our family, friends, and strangers are to represent the gospel. I believe that is where the most work will be needed. It will be where the rubber meets the road. Do I demonstrate the Good News in my daily living?

How are you telling the Good News? 

God has given each of us gifts with which we minister. Use of our minds, our time, and our resources help us to stir up those gifts. The word stir visually enables us to grasp how action is required to utilize our gifts in fully answering our own ministry callings. No one calling is more important than another. Some callings are more honored by humans but God honors all. One person’s gift might involve actions behind the scenes while another’s gift might involve actions before everyone. Both are important and necessary. Let’s not forget that we are a body and need each other. I believe that some gifts are for specific seasons of our lives due to the aging of our bodies. Some voices don’t last until older age. Some people will physically diminish and be unable to work in the same gifting as when they had strength. We cannot ignore the importance of valuing and using the time we are given to fully carry out our ministry as God has called us. Which of my gifts do I need to stir? Do I have a ministry for my latter years?

How are you on the time to fully carry out your ministry with the gifts God has give you?

Not Meant to Walk Alone

Walking In the Night

Chorus

Walking in the night is not meant to be alone

On the road you may slip or stumble on the smallest stone

Each step you take His hand is there to guide when you can’t see

You’re not mean to walk alone; I’ve been there I believe

 

Verse 1

There’s danger all around you lurking sight unseen

With no one to hold your hand Fear consumes your dreams

All hopes and plans are threatened by the dark you’re plunging through

Silence overwhelms and deafens Is there no one here but you?

 

Verse 2

No.  Other souls have been here (Yes/See) some are walking now

Reach out for a brother (another) Feel His hand stretched out

Right along beside Him the Greater One does trod

No, you’re not mean to walk alone, quite nears the Awesome God!

 I Have My Father's Love

When I take off runnin to flee my hurtin heart

His love follows my passing, Flowin near, forever, far

Behind, before, no distance, going over and above

If I am or am not asking, I have my Father’s love.

Danette

Spring 2022

I survived the first Christmas...

 Everybody journeys the road of loss uniquely.  It is impacted, influenced, yanked about by their relationship with the person they've lost, the circumstances of the death, the age, the role of the deceased in their life, whether it was traumatic, sudden, or the end of a long life or a long sickness...and the list goes on.

I lost Megan within a year of the end of our family unit of 26 years.  We grief-speaking people call this compounded grief.  Divorce is painful at any time and all the humans impacted in that family unit deal with their hurt, anger, or sorrow differently.  My family unit reeled and we were trying to steady ourselves to go forward in the new normal after split families.  

Megan left us in the middle of the reeling and rocking.  If God had not given me a specific vision, my story may have gone differently.  It is such a profoundly God given word and vision in my heart and mind that I can not explain it with clarity.  I can tell you that within about a day of her passing I had a loving and positive confirmation that all was well.  I call it a vision because I honestly can't remember if it was a dream from sleep or if it became part of my subconcious like a vision.  I can tell you what she said and where we were walking and were about to enter.  It wasn't creepy like she "came" to me.  It was a gift of my viewing a visit with her as it viewing a dream or vision.  As I watched or saw the visit between us, immediate peace and comfort came to me.  

I have held this close to my heart and shared with very few people.  Yet,  at 11 plus years from Megan's passing, I want to share more of the inner road of grief.  I understand that many questions remain for most of us grievers and most especially for those who lose someone earlier in life than is expected.  And, questions do remain for me.  Those will be delved into with other posts.  But, I believe that God will bring us unique comfort if we are willing to see it or feel it.  

Prayers in this season as you celebrate and cry.  Remember, it is okay to enjoy some love and find a little happy when possible.  It makes the darkness not so dark.  And, begins your feet down the path to survival and eventually healing.  I share love with someone that is far away and I can't express it to them now.  So, I share my heart and offer you love from My Father.  He came for the suffering.  Christmas is for us.

Lay it Down

 

 Ch:   Come and lay it down

At my feet, Just turn around

Will you surrender and follow me?

Come and lay it down.

 

V.1   Dark shadows of shame

Let me take your blame

No weight is too great

It’s never too late to...

 

Ch:   Come and lay it down

At my feet, Just turn around

Will you surrender and follow me?

Come and lay it down.

 

V.2   Sad disasters, mistakes

Shattered heart aches

No loss is too great

So why do you wait to...

 

Ch.   Come and lay it down

At my feet, Just turn around

Will you surrender and follow me?

Come and lay it down.

Aug 2021

Danette Hollingsworth

Raw

Cold reigns with no thaw

Wounds ache in the raw

The breath that I need

Comes thin as a reed

No sound comes out

While my insides shout

Left alone too long

 Now weak once strong

Pushed into the air

Care falls to despair

Thoughts too hard to think

A cup I can't drink

Where are you I cried

I'm too empty inside

This doubt is too full

Fear begins its dark pull

This need I can't fill

The empty's too real

Bring shade til I'm done

With these trips 'round the sun

We Are Here

 We are here

Where His kingdom’s come down

We are His

The lost He has found

It’s our joy to be in His presence

We’re his desired and He has led us 

Here!

Repeat chorus:  We are here

Verse:

If You’re weary, He’s your rest

Come to His table   You will be blessed

He’ll walk beside you (Let Him) be your shade

Our Father’s faithful    Don’t be afraid

Verse:

We’re the reason    He came down

Took on our sorrow     That thorny crown

 Made us His people   (His blood) cleansed our sin

Our God is dwelling    With us ‘til the end