Thin-Skinned or Hard-Hearted

Happy Saturday all you Kingdom Seekers,

I told you in my last post that I had something to share and I've got a little time this morning so I thought I would get on here and talk to ya for a few minutes.

It has been an on going problem for me - being thin skinned. I can't take being talked down to, having someone be hateful to me, being criticized in a negative way (constructive criticism is OK, as long as it's done in love), or just someone being rude or mean to me. When someone is mean to me, Oh it breaks my heart. I will cry and cry over it. Especially when that someone is an extended family member or my immediate family. I've been told that I'm thin-skinned, although I never considered myself so. I've never been sure why I turned out this way; I always thought it was a direct result of my up-bringing. I do not want to be disrespectful or dishonoring to my parents, so I won't elaborate on that. But, this is the way that I am.

This particular 'issue' had been coming up more and more often lately. So, I began to earnestly seek God over it. I wasn't sure how to pray about; I just began to ask God to help me with it. I began to take it before the Throne of Grace and I told God that I didn't really know what to do about it or what His perfect will was concerning this for me. I took this matter of being
'thin-skinned' to my heavenly Father again and again without receiving any special instructions or revelation, either from the scriptures or my husband (these are the two places I look to first for answers or to discern the will of God for my life). Then one day, out of no where, I felt that God spoke to my heart about this matter. I wasn't praying, studying the scriptures, listening to praise and worship music, or anything particularly 'spiritual.' I was up in my bedroom looking for a book that I had misplaced and had this topic of being thin-skinned on my mind when I felt so strongly the Spirit of the Lord. I felt that the Lord spoke to my heart, "Charlotte, you're not thin-skinned; others are hard-hearted. You are tender-hearted as a direct result from being protected from the world. But, others, that are mean and hurtful, are hard-hearted because of their constant exposure to it. And they have knowingly built up a thick skin on their hearts to endure the constant onslaught of an evil, godless world." Wow! What a relief; because I was beginning to think of myself as a weany. I was beginning to think that if I was to ever continue in ministry that I'd better 'toughin-up.' Oh, how I thank God for His ministry of the Holy Spirit to me that day.

You know, my younger boy is a bit thin-skinned. He's only 10, but because of his christian up-bring, he too has been protected from the world. He knows that Christ, for our family, is our life; and because his parents are called into ministry, he is too and there are great responsibilities with that. He has learned to prefer others over himself (especially his older handicapped brother); he has learned to forgive; he is (like all of us) learning to make decisions for himself as to whether his actions are pleasing to the Lord and producing the fruits of righteousness in his life; and he is learning to stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit and allow the Holy Spirit to prick his heart when his actions and attitudes are unbiblical. All of this is making him thin-skinned. I was told that this is not a character trait that I would want my son to have, especially as he grows into manhood. But, I disagree; because there was something else that the Lord spoke to my heart that day - He said, "It's someone who is thin-skinned that is tender-hearted; and it's a tender-hearted person that hears My voice and follows Me." Caleb has already told me that he has heard the voice of the Lord in His heart and that when he is around the lost he has the unction of the Holy Spirit to witness to them (and he does from time to time, but he's still a little shy about it). How precious is that - a 10 year old boy asking someone "Do you know Jesus" or "Are you a Christian." There are many adult Christians that have been saved a long time that don't witness to a soul. But, my 'tender-hearted' 10 year old boy will witness for his Savior. I've told Caleb, "Don't ever change. Don't let the world beat a hard path across your heart. Don't let the hardships of life make you hard-hearted."

One of the character traits that a Christian is suppose to possess is compassion and humility. There is no way you can be compassionate and humble, and hard-hearted at the same time. They're like oil and water, they just don't mix. If for whatever reason you have become hard-hearted, if life has beat you up a bit, and people have treated you bad; remember Jesus didn't do that to you, nor will He ever. Use the hardships of life for something positive; like using that bad experience to minister to someone else that is going through the same thing. It's the only way I know to kick some dust in the devil's face and do some damage to his dark kingdom.

I know these are old cliches, but so appropriate: 'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade;' 'When life hands you scrapes, make a quilt;' 'When life is a mess, let God turn it around and give you a message.' And when you stay tender-hearted through it all, you will look like Jesus and be His compassionate heart to someone else who is hurting.

In His Word and at His Work,
Your Kingdom Seekin' Mama,

Fall Bible Study

Good Morning to all my Kingdom Seekers,

It's been a while since I've been able to post here. I've been sooo incredibly busy. But I love being busy, so I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm grabbing a few minutes to this morning to let you all know I'm still alive and kickin'.

I am so jazzed about starting fall Bible study. We begin on Wednesday, Sept. 16th and I will be facilitating Beth Moore's Daniel series. It's one of my favorites (the other being 'Beloved Disciple'). There truly isn't anything else I want to do than study God's Word and then teach it to others (the first being my own family). So many people wonder how can anyone study the scriptures so much? Well, we can study till Jesus comes and never know it all. It's a never ending resource of wisdom and strength. And what makes it so great is that it is soooo practical for our daily lives. That's what I love about God, He's sooo into my dailiness. And, Oh, how I need it. I need God to be in my marriage, parenting, finances, etc. And of course I need Him as I serve others through my ministry outside the church and my service to the saints inside the church.

I have something to share that God has given me, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. I've simply run out of time today. But, please check back later.

Please know that I love you all with the love of the Lord and I am praying that God will be glorified in your life.

Your K.S. Mama,

Fellowship

Happy Monday, all you K.S. Gals,

Just a quick note to let you know that all went well during the whole process of burying my father-in-law. It's so difficult to go through the loss of a loved one; but God gives special grace for things like this and Bob and our entire family most assuredly felt that grace in abundance. The Holy Spirit sustained us through the visitation and funeral, and we are extremely grateful for it. We were very concerned about how our older boy (Josh, 25 yrs. old and mentally handicapped) would handle the whole thing, but he could not have been better; an answer to prayer if there ever was one. And our younger boy (Caleb, 10yrs. old) served as pallbearer and helped to carry his Grandpa's casket; it was so precious!

This part of the journey is over; and we continue to grieve his absence and allow God to heal. Psalm 34:18 says, "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;..." We will never feel the closeness of our heavenly Father any stronger than when we've lost a loved one and our hearts are broken. But, the Lord knows just how to put broken hearts back together.

We are so thankful to all those that were sustaining us through prayer, and request that you continue do so.

But, on the lighter side, myself and a couple of my spiritual daughters are going to church tonight. This is a one night revival and an awesome man of God (that is local to our general area) will be bringing forth the Word of the Lord. It's so difficult for me to ask other gals in the body of Christ to attend a revival or some other function and have them say, "No." I think it is so important for us, in this day and age that we live, to keep ourselves built up in the Lord. No, I don't need to go to a revival, etc. to build myself up in the faith; all I need to do is get my Bible and head for my prayer closet. But, the journey is so much sweeter when we have traveling companions and get out for some girl-time at a church-related event; for me that simply is the best. It's so encouraging to be with other Christian women who are like-minded. In the Strong's Concordance, the definition of the word 'like-minded' is 'equal in soul.' Oh, to have the fellowship of those who are on the same path as you are, pursuing God with the same tenacity as you. What a sweet experience it is when you mention the name of Jesus and a precious sister's eyes light up with anticipation over the conversation that is getting ready to ensue. What a precious treasure it is to have those who are 'equal in soul' and Jesus, alive and fully active, in their life. He's the reason they get up in the morning. I so look forward to the fellowship of other Christian women that love God and are in hot pursuit to know Him; and all the better when we are receiving a fresh Word through one of God's servants.

Gotta run, the girls will be at my house soon and I'm fixing dinner for us (Mexican, Beth Moore would be proud). We're going to feed our bodies, head to church and get our spirits fed, and the dessert will be the sweet fellowship we have with each other - can't wait.

Your Kingdom Seekin' Mama,

I've Seen I Am

Hello, all you Kingdom Seekers,

Today, my husband is celebrating the home-going of his father. Bob's father walked into the presence of the Holy Trinity at approximately 8:30am this morning. I long to see what his eyes are seeing right now. All I can think of is an awesome song called "I've Seen I Am." Here are the lyrics:

I looked into the eyes of a Lion
I felt the courage in His gaze
I heard Him roar my name with passion
As I buried my tears in His mane

I looked into the eyes of a Lamb
And I saw love face to face
And I felt grace destroy my sin
As mercy flowed from those Veins

I've seen I Am, now I know that I am loved
I've seen I Am, now I know who I am

I looked into the eyes of a King
I saw the beauty of Holiness
I heard the Voice of many Waters
As worship poured from my lips

I looked into the eyes of a Savior
I saw love stronger than death
I kissed the scars that bought my freedom
As I lay my head on Your chest

I've seen I Am, now I know that I am loved
I've seen I Am, now I know who I am

I am loved, I am loved, I am loved ..... I am loved by the I Am



Oh, to see the face of the 'I Am.'

We request your prayers!!!

Your K.S. Mama,



Johnathan David, The Awakening, I've Seen I Am

Alongside Us

My Dear Kingdom Seekers,

I ran across this devotional in my 'Women's Devotional Bible 2' from Anne Ortlund and it really ministered to me; so I want to share it with you:

A mother once took her little boy to hear Paderewski, the great pianist. At the beginning there was simply a bare stage with a spotlight focused on the grand piano and bench. The mother and son had come half an hour early, and eventually the little boy got restless. Somehow, the mother got absorbed in reading the program, and when she finally looked up, his seat was empty! She looked everywhere around her, and he was nowhere to be seen.

Then - her heart was in her throat - suddenly she heard the sound of "Chopsticks." There he was on stage, in the spotlight, picking away on the long concert grand!

"Get him out of there!" came voices from the crowd.

"No!" cried a European accent from the wings, and the great Paderewski strode on stage. "Boy, keep going. I'll help you."

And he sat down on the bench next to the little fellow and began adding fabulous improvisations - chords, patterns, runs and additional melodies - as the two of them entranced the packed house with "Variations on Chopsticks"!

When we pick at our pathetic little prayers - when we live our pathetic little lives - suddenly we are not alone. Someone has come alongside us - none other than the Almighty Spirit of God! - and we have moved into a duet of greatness beyond our dreams.

I hope this will help all of us understand how powerful our prayers can be when the Holy Spirit adds a super-natural, power-packed punch to them. We may not feel sometimes that our prayers have enough faith, or enough power, and sometimes don't even get above the ceiling. But, be assured, that when the Holy Spirit gets ahold of our inadequate prayers, they are more than sufficient to move the heart of God.

God bless you today my Kingdom Seekin' Sweeties,

Your K.S. Mama,




Anne Orland, Women's Devotional Bible 2 NIV, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 1995, pg. 1267

Patient Endurance

Hey, all you Kingdom Seekers,

A very quick post here to talk about 'patient endurance.' This is a subject that I am preaching to myself about lately and also in my mentoring / discipling. The Bible tells us in Rom. 2:7 -

To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

The KJV calls endurance 'continuance.' The Lord through His Word is exhorting us to continue. But, continue in what? Let's look at what the Apostle Paul tells his spiritual son to continue in:

1 Tim 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Paul is telling Timothy to watch over his own soul/flesh and over the doctrine he had been taught; and continue in them. This is what we are to continue in. The word 'doctrine' in the Greek means teaching. So, we are to adhere to good, sound, biblical teaching and continue in it.

Patiently endure whatever God has in your life right now and continue in what you've been taught; knowing that everything is filtered through the hands of the Father. All the while praying for His strength, protection from the enemy, and for our own right responses to the trials and tests of life.

Be blessed today my Kingdom Seekin' Sweeties,

Your K. S. Mama,

Home Making

Happy Friday, all my Kingdom Seein' gals,

I have been recently drawn by the Master to re-evaluate my efforts at becoming the Proverbs 31 woman - UGH! But, as difficult as it may seem at times, it is what is mandated for women searching to live their lives biblically. No born-again woman of God can deny the role that she is called to as it's described in scripture. However, there is no condemnation on those gals that have to work outside the home. All of you working wives/mothers have my prayers, as you have double the responsiblity to carry - my only advise is to do all you can today and believe God for tomorrow; and do all as unto the Lord and for His glory. But, that principle apply to all of us, whether working in or out of the home.

I came across a book called 'Home Making' by J.R. Miller and I would like to leave you with a quote from this book that has inspired me to continue in my endeavor to be the Proverbs 31 woman and to make my home a place that is a sanctuary for my family and an inspiration for others:

A German sculptor occupied eight years in making a marble statue of Christ. When he had wrought two years upon it the work seemed to be finished. To test his success, he called a little child into his studio, and, showing her this statue, asked her, “Who is that?” She looked at it and replied, “A great man.” The artist was discouraged. He had hoped that his conception of the Master had been so true that the pure eye of the child would recognize it at once. He began anew, and after a year or two more had passed he invited the child again into his studio, and pointing to his new statue asked the same question as before: “Who is that?” She looked at it in silence for some time, a feeling of awe and reverence sweeping through her heart and expressing itself on her face, until with eyes full of tears she said in low and gentle tones, “Suffer little children to come unto Me.” This time his work was not a failure. He had produced a figure in which the untaught instinct of the child saw the feature of the Redeemer. His work had stood the severest test.
A somewhat similar test must be applied to all our home making. After we have done all in our power in building up a home, the husband his part, the wife hers, the parents theirs, the brothers and the sisters theirs, and when our home life is full and complete, before we can say that we have realized the ideal of a true Christian home we must prove its spirit. What impression would our home and its life make upon a pure and simple hearted child?

http://www.jr-miller.com/

Your Kingdom Seekin' MaMa,