Thursday, May 14, 2009

Finding Mary and Discarding the Bustier !

A BLOG BREAK


Find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. —Ephesians 5:10-11

We learn what pleases those closest to us primarily by spending time with them. By trial and error we also discover things they like and dislike. When it is a relationship we really desire to develop, it becomes fun to make the other person happy.

The Lord has His own ways, too, and He wants us to know them and adjust to them.

We may think they are odd—at first—but the benefits of accepting Him as He is and adjusting to what pleases Him will result in great blessing and peace.

We have the wonderful advantage of having the whole Bible at our fingertips. This surely leaves us without excuse.

Unless we are careful, we will not only begin to take ourselves too seriously, but we will also fail to tune into the ways of the Spirit—simply because we already presume that we know them so well.

For we too must learn—by experience—what pleases the Lord. This means spending time with the Lord and developing a sensitivity to His ways. We must find out what pleases Him.

Excerpted from The Sensitivity of the Spirit (Charisma House, 2002).


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I fear that the past 6 years in my life has caused Mary to go into hiding and I have become Martha. I did not know that I was making the journey from Mary to Martha over these years but alas I was. The enemy is so subtle that we do not see him working in our lives, but he is working in our lives.

I so miss the days that I sat at HIS feet and enjoyed the communion that only HE can bring.

I have become a Martha. I cry more than I laugh, and if you knew me you would know that something was wrong. I am a character with a capitol C. Always have been. I wake up in the morning laughing and going on and that usually grieves most people but that is who I am, or should I say used to be.

I have moved out of HIM and abiding in HIS strength to handle the day to day of our lives and I have moved into myself and my strength and how many of you know that will not work for long.

Two years ago hurrying around trying to get things done, taking care of Mom and Dad and my business and my home and still having two houses to flip and get rid of, I put on my wonder woman suit with it Bustier and boots and dug my heels in and said I AM WOMAN HEAR ME ROAR!


Mary over at Mary's Writing Nook.. I know this made you smile!

This past March, I crashed. It was not a pretty sight. It frightened my brother, not to mention my sweet DH. My roar became a whimper and my boots and my wonder woman Bustier became tattered rags. I had moved into my own strength and it failed me.

While visiting with my sweet Jean just weeks before she went on to be with the Lord. It was words from her sweet lips that tore my heart and exposed Martha. While we talked we spoke of the times when we remolded an old church building and watched as our congregation grew.

We spoke of the many Sunday mornings that we rocked that old church house until the floors shook. We laughed and spoke of the days that God truly met us in a way that we have not seen since. It was then, through eyes cloudy with sickness that she looked me in the eye and asked me what was I so busy doing that I am not doing what HE has called me to? Just what are you so busy with? She has no idea how that impacted my life but I will share that with her one day. I went there to minister to her but God had other plans.

I sat quiet that afternoon after leaving there and I allowed her words to linger in my mind until the Spirit of the Lord broke my heart. Too busy with what? I do not know.

Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

I have removed my business sign from my front yard and over the next couple of month I will close my shop. It is very time consuming and I will begin to do some of the things I love and my son Chris is going to take the business. I have moved around some outside swings and my plan is to go out side during the day and just read and talk to the Lord. Too much time has passed since I have spent quality time with HIM.

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There is NO doubt in my mind that the Lord intends me to be here talking of things of the Lord because that was the original reason for my blog. I want to talk of things of the Lord on my blog, but I want new and fresh things, I want the spirit of the Lord to be alive and living in the words that I type. The Lord so wants to bring life into lives that are suffering and hope to those that are hopeless and I want to be a part of that........ So for a short while I am going to spend quiet time with HIM...

Love you each lots and lots and I will be stopping by each of you from time to time...

AND in these days of uncertainty remember : LOOK UP for your Redemption draweth nigh!



P.S.

I have created a new blog next door :) called Life At My House. That is where I will post most of the time about fun things and things going on out here. I will keep my Samaritan Women just for the times that the Lord gives me something to say. I think I will do better if I keep this just for those times. I want in the blog world Samaritan Women to be only food for the spirit.

So go over to my house and put your sweet face in the following place so that you will know when I come back!

Life At My House

Go over and follow my other blog.

Love Ya's.

28 comments:

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I too love you!!!...m.

Shirley said...

Oh Denise....I'm sure God is smiling at you right now...you are truly one of His faithful servants and I am so blessed to have become friends with you....I desire a closer relationship with God also..
but I have let things in my life hinder me...I listened to Joyce Meyer this morning and God spoke to my heart...I pray that I will heed to His voice and make some changes in my attitude about some things that I have to live with...
I think you know what I mean...I will be praying for you and looking forward to you returning.

Hugs to you.

Annette said...

I love you~ and I will follow you where ever God leads you, you know this, I am a HUGE fan of yours!
LOVE TO YOU
Annette

Michele said...

I love you too Denise...and I will always be here...or at the other blog...lol!

Hugz,
Michele

Linda said...

Denise...go where God leads you...I will follow...hugs, Linda

LisaShaw said...

I understand dear sister. God bless you as you quiet yourself before HIM and receive nourishment and replenishing in HIM.

I love you.

Denise said...

I love you, and you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Love Bears All Things said...

this is a beautiful post and I understand where you are coming from, sister.
I have signed in to follow you at your house.
Love ya, too
Mama Bear

Karen said...

Bless you sister! May your body, soul, and spirit receive all they need and desire during this season of dwelling at His feet. I will definitely visit "Life At My House" and will always be around for the spiritual food at Samaritan Women.

LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE...GOD'S GRACE said...

Denise, I can not WAIT to see what God is preparing through you to share with us!!

I am always stirred by your posts...I feel so much like you in my own life!! I too have become a "Martha"...how subtle it happened but it happened! I long to be brought back to that point of "Mary"...meaning for me closer to God.

Thank you, friend, for your witness even through the blogging world. How you have touched my life through your words.

So looking forward to your next journey! And I'm already on your new blog!!

Blessings and love!

~Beth

Mary said...

Denise,

This blog is definitely about the gifts of the Spirit. I have learned so much from you. (And yes, Wonder Woman made me smile. hehe)

I will be praying for your healing, my friend. I can't see you as a Martha, but only as a Mary. God knows your heart and He will refresh and heal you. Be still and listen, my friend.

Take care. I will be emailing you from time to time to make sure you are okay.

Love and blessings,
Mary

MelanieJoy said...

Love you too Sweet Friend...
You have spoke to the mind of another Martha this morning. I think the Lord has sent you and Sharon in my life for "such a time as this". Thanks...talk with you soon.

MelanieJoy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kansasrose said...

Amen!!!! sistah!!! AMEN! The time of the Lord draws NIGH. Commune with HIM in your house dear friend, I will be there too. Dancing, laughing, praising HIM! Let's kick off our shoes, go barefoot and SING HIS praises! In the meantime hon, let the Lord's SUNSHINE heat up that beautiful pool to enjoy and swim like Ester! hehe! Love you dear friend!

kansasrose said...

practice those smooth dives and laps girlfriend! Summer will be here shortly! woo hooo!

Maxine said...

Understand perfectly what you've been through. Take your time and let the Lord lead. Going now to visit your other blog.

Sharon Brumfield said...

Hmmmm, and good things are a comin'!
God is brewing a big ole pot of whatever you like to drink...it is going to be a great time of heart to heart and fellowship.
It might hurt a little at first...deep cleaning is usually not a whole lot of fun...but once it is done....oh the joy!
I am excited for you girl. There will be questions answered and wisdom gained!
Look forward to the new tender heart that is on its way!
Love ya and praying.

Mehdi A. said...

I wish your decisions bring light and certainty, and wipe out the face of misery from the lives of those you love.

Fitter After 50 said...

Okay, I will "see" you over there then. I understand what you're saying all too well.

Antiques In Old Town said...

From one Martha to another... GOD is so GOOD ! I need this journey back so badly...Trying to be all in our world today tends to make us angry at those we love most... Bring back the JOY...I'll be drinking in all God gives you..Love You...

JC said...

God is always pleased when we put him first. I realized that this weekend that I to had become a Martha when I want only to be Mary. This post touched my heart in a special way. I'm so thankful blogging brought us together. I will certainy follow your new site.

Anonymous said...

My friend. . Your times are in HIS Hands. Love you:)

Aunt Angie said...

Denise---I know very well the feeling you share.

Mine are as rags as well.

Let the healing begin!

'Tart said...

I will follow you at your new blog too.

May God bless you, as you renew.

kansasrose said...

Just had to peek back and wish ya a happy Mother's day!!! You brighten my days girlfriend from south in Oklahoma! Blessings to you and your HOUSE....and your quiet, happy time communing with our Lord. Enjoy! Happy spring, summer and swimming! ;)


Love ya!

Aunt Angie said...

Just stopping by to check on you again :)

Have a blessed weekend!

Sharon Brumfield said...

You have been on my mind often.
And I want you to know that I am praying....persistently.
Love ya girl....expecting great things from our God for you!

Jennsmere said...

Bless you, Denise for freeing Mary!

I too have felt the call to come back to His feet...a place where I have found untold riches and grace!

Martha has her place of service...but that service must be done in His strength, not ours... I sooooo needed to hear this today!

Bless you, dear one!
Susan