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He will yet deliver Luke . . .

He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

 2 Cor. 1:10-11

Indeed we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves,

but in God . . .  2 Cor. 1:9

And we do trust in God.

 

 

He’s got the whole world in His hands,

He’s got the whole wide world in His hands,

He’s got the whole world in His hands,

He’s got the whole world in His hands.

 

He’s got little tiny Luke in His hands,

He’s got the Mommy and the Daddy in His hands,

He’s got all the Greene children in His hands,

He’s got the whole world in His hands.

 

And how safe is that!! To be in the hands of God, the Father–to rest in the unmerited, undeserved favor of God! Kristen and Josh are resting in the unmerited, undeserved favor of God! Our entire family is resting in the unmerited, undeserved favor of God!

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

2 Cor. 1:20

Will you speak the “Amen” with us? Will you agree in Luke’s healing? To the glory of God. Then we will join to give thanks . . . for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

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I take Luke to Jesus.

Then little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place his hands on them and pray for them . . . Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Matthew 19:13,14

I want to take Luke to Jesus. For healing. I want the hands of Jesus on my Luke.

Oh, if I could just touch the hem of his garment~~

if I could only go to Him for healing~~

if I could simply say, “Just say the word, Lord, and my grandson will be healed”~~

But, you see, I can!

I have more power now than those followers had who walked with Jesus. Before He went to the Father, Jesus said, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me . . . I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:11-14

 

Lord, Jesus, bring glory to the Father through the healing of our little Luke.

Our prayers are powerful! All-empowered with the Spirit of God. Taken to the Father by the very one who sits at the Father’s right hand – our Savior, the Lord Jesus.

I ask in your name.

And His name is powerful! It’s the name above all names! It’s the only name by which this healing comes!

 

I have faith in you.

We pray over him.

We trust God for his healing.

God is mending the gaps in his heart.

God is closing the duct.

God is opening the vessels.

And so I take Luke to Jesus. For healing. And the hands of Jesus are on my Luke.

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Luke ~~ Bringer of Light

Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name . . . And now the Lord says–he who formed me in the womb to be his servant . . . for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength–“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant . . . I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:1-6

We’ve waited and trusted. In hope and anticipation. Looking for the miracle. Trusting in the miracle. Seeing the miracle. Of healing. Of growth. And of birth.

And now he’s here! Our little(est) baby boy!

His name means bringer of light. Luke Ryan Greene has entered our lives and with him comes the light. The light of life! The light of the future!

This little baby brings light to this Nana!

He is a promise of the faithfulness of God. He is the essence of the continuing heritage God has given our family. He is a reminder of the redeeming nature of an awesome, merciful God who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light!

Little Luke Ryan Greene brings light to my life and to my soul!

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She is my Ruth–my Lynette

She wasn’t from Moab. She was from Michigan.

I loved her first – because he loved her.

I loved her next – because she is precious.

She is a giver. She is compassionate. She is talented. She is creative. She can make something beautiful out of a little bit of nothing. And that’s what she’s done in my life. She takes my nothing and makes something beautiful. When I feel like I’m Mara, she reminds me that God has blessed – that God has worked miracles – that we can trust Him.

And she does these things for me.

She is my Ruth — my lovely daughter-in-law, Lynette.

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. Ruth 1:16-18

 

 

 

 

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. . . to have a daughter like my Kristen

She taught me about true faith.

I saw it in her life.

I heard it in her prayers.

Her baby was sick.

I was overcome with worry.
She trusted.
 
I was frightened.
She believed.
 
I spoke words of fear.
She spoke the Word.
 

When is it? That your daughter grows past you in her relationship with the Lord? That you begin to lean upon her–for strength–to lean upon Him?

 

It is a wonderful thing–to have a daughter like that–a daughter like my Kristen!

 

All your [daughters] will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace . . . This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord. Isaiah 54:13,17b

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Thankful for a Future Hope!

“There is surely a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off”
Proverbs 23:18

Thanksgiving! Turkey and stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie! Sounds wonderful! Our family usually gathers around the table, and before asking the blessing, one by one, we tell what we are thankful for. But this year was different. We didn’t gather. One family went to Decker, Michigan ; one family went to Richland, Michigan; and one family was separated by . . . well, if you have been reading my posts, you already know.

So on this Thanksgiving, Ron and I didn’t feel like sitting around the table.

But we are still thankful!

We are thankful that our children and their spouses love and honor God.

We are thankful for our nine grandchildren and for the two baby boys on the way.

We are thankful that God continues to be our refuge through our most difficult year ever.

We are thankful that we have hope and a future.

And we are thankful that next year we will once again sit around the table, and before asking the blessing, will all tell what we are thankful for.

Further Reading: Jeremiah 29: 10-14

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Heartache is . . .

Heartache  is hearing the sentence: One year in jail.

Heartache is watching your daughter suffer over the reading of his sentence.

Heartache is knowing that the children won’t see their daddy for one year.

Heartache is hearing her sentence: Ninety days in jail.

Heartache is knowing that the children won’t see their mommy for three months.

Heartache is seeing your beautiful daughter handcuffed and taken off to jail.

Heartache is not being able to hug her.

Heartache is knowing her dreams are on hold.

Heartache is carrying her cute green purse home to set in my closet.

Heartache is telling your grandchildren that their mom and dad were sent to jail.

Heartache is answering your grandchildren when they ask if  Mom and Dad will be with them for Christmas: “No, honey.”

“‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10.

Tonight I want to rest in His unfailing love and allow His compassion to envelop me.

 

 

 

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I Dig Deep

“Summon your power, O God;
show us your strength, O God,
as you have done before. . . Rebuke the beast.”
Psalm 68: 28, 30
 
Bad news is frightening. The enemy tries to make me forget the Lord’s faithfulness to me in the past and His promises of faithfulness in the present. Bad news pierces like a knife into my stomach. The enemy twists and turns the knife. I’m suddenly nauseous. Discouraged. The outlook is uncertain.  Depressing. Fears enter my tired, worn mind.
 
I dig deep into my heart. Dig deep to remember my heritage–to remember the heritage of my family–the heritage that belongs to my children. I dig deep and I find the Word – the Word, which is near me. It is in my heart. It was placed there when the righteousness came by faith.
“‘The Word is near you.; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is the word of faith we are proclaiming.”
Romans 10:8
 
And once again, I know the strength He gives – the strength not to fear. I remember the strength He has given me before, I remember His faithfulness, and I remember His promise of my heritage and that of my children:
 
 “All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace.
In righteousness you will be established. Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear.
Terror will be far removed;
it will not come near you.
If anyone does attack you,
it will not be my doing;
whoever attacks you will surrender to you.
See it is I who created the blacksmith . . . who . . . forges a weapon. . .
And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc;
no weapon forged against you will prevail,
and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD.”
Isaiah 54: 13-17
 
The Word reminds me that because my children have been established in righteousness, they will not experience tyranny and terror, nor will I. The attack is not from God; in fact, any who attacks will have to surrender to us. God created the one who forges the weapon. Their weapons will not prevail. Only what God wants will prevail. There is peace in His Word – in His promises. I am desperate for Him at this time. And as I have done a thousand times before, I pray His Word, trusting Him to complete it:
“Summon your power, O God;
show us your strength, O God,
as you have done before. . . Rebuke the beast.”
 
 
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What’s greater?

“He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes” (Psalm 112:7,8).

What’s greater – my fears or God’s promises?
My fears or His Word?
My fears or my God?

Six days until the sentencing. My daughter. My son in law. My family.

I face my fears. I bring them to the light. The Word tells me to trust in the Lord, to keep my heart steadfast, immovable, firm in belief. The Word tells me to keep my heart secure, safe from the enemy. And so I list my fears. And I list His promises–to see which is greater. I know the answer before my pen touches the paper. My fears are many, but they don’t compare to His many promises!

“My foes are many; they rise against me, but I will hold my ground!

I will not fear the war; I will not fear the storm. My help is on the way; my help is on the way.

Oh, my God; He will not delay- my refuge and strength always.

I will not fear; His promise is true; my God will come through – always – always.

Trouble surrounds me – chaos abounding – my soul will rest in you.

I will not fear the war; I will not fear the storm. My help is on the way; my help is on the way.

I lift my eyes up; my help comes from the Lord.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb4VvNq8WEM
(Kristian Stanfill – “Always” – From Psalm 121, Psalm 46, and other passages from God’s Holy Word!)

Now I ask again,
What’s greater – my fears or God’s promises?
My fears or His Word?
My fears or my God?

The answer is, of course, found in the Word. “My dear child, you are from God. Your fears are not from God. You have overcome your fears because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (I John 4:4)

Six days until the sentencing. My daughter. My son in law. My family.

And so, I will have no fear of bad news; my heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. My heart is secure, I will have no fear; in the end I will look in triumph on his foes.

Why? Because my God is greater.

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Grief to Beauty

“His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth, His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden.” (Habakkuk 3:3b,4)

I went to the grave this morning to replace the once pink geraniums and withered vines with a mum plant, bursting with soft purple blossoms, one I knew Mama would have loved.
I hadn’t been to the grave in weeks, an unusual break of custom for me, but after months of faithful visits, tending and watering the summer blooms, often crying, and always reminiscing, a persistent grief had encompassed me, a grief I had been trying to shake by avoiding the tradition. So on this crisp autumn morning, I faced grief in order to bring beauty.

The little country cemetery was quiet. Sunshine flooded the diamonded dew.

As I stopped the car, close to the grave site, two old wild turkeys left low branches of a century-old maple at the edge of the cemetery and flew a short distance to the ground, their heavy bodies lighting not far from Mom and Dad’s grave.

I wondered how many times Mom and Dad had seen these very birds from the kitchen window of their yellow house – across the road from this cemetery – in their daily rituals of watching families of turkeys roam the countryside. I wondered if these two turkeys had followed Mom and Dad to their final resting place, perhaps waiting their own time to pass, as well. They fled when I lifted the latch gate, took the plant, and walked the few, somber steps to the stone.

Together Forever, I read.

“Mama, Daddy,” I cried, as I had so many times before.

As I grieved, I stepped behind the stone and discovered that since my last visit,the bronze plaque had been set in place, the honor bestowed Daddy by the Veterans Administration. I pulled out my cell phone and took a picture of it to send to my sister, but it wasn’t until after I later opened the electronic picture that I saw the rays of sun flooding over the tombstone and into my lens.

I considered the “splendor” of the morning and the sun rays that “flash from his hand.” I was reminded of his “power”– the power that lifted the very souls from Daddy and Mama’s aged bodies; the power that will one day lift those broken bodies out of that grave and transform them into perfect models of their once young, vibrant beings; the power that will bring us all together again; “His divine power” that “has given us everything . . . and has given us his very great and precious promises . . .” (1 Peter 1:4). . .

and the power that consoles my grief in order to bring beauty.