He Will Come Back

Dear Readers,

I am living in a very different world right now. I never thought in my lifetime I would experience these humungous changes due to the virus. Many of my friends say we are living in the last days and that it's going to get worse. Well, I woke up thinking about the lovely day ahead of me. How I have experienced self-confinement for 5 weeks now. That means I have had lots of time to read my Bible and do some outdoor gardening.

I think the bottom line is: Jesus will return physically to this world during the great Day of the Lord to establish His kingdom. In the meantime, believers are to walk worthy and battle faithfully as they impact this world for Christ! Here are a few points to consider:

1. Does The Mission grip the mind and heart of early believers and yours also? Acts 1:1-8
2. Are you anticipating the work of the Spirit in your life? Acts 1:8
3. Is this a conviction of yours, the reality of seeing Jesus again? This is the core belief of early Christians. Acts 1: 9-11

I am pretty sure a change is coming. What we're experiencing may be the birth pains... Here are some important truths regarding the return of Christ:

1. You will see Jesus in the future! (either at His return or at death) Acts 1:11
2. It will be the same, Jesus. He will find you!
3. It will be a physical return.
4. It will be in the clouds. Matt. 24:30
5. Do not set return dates. Matt. 24:36-38

You know, there's a lot of info out there regarding views on the rapture...

All I know is that I want to be ready to receive Him. To take this time to evangelize others. To actively serve Christ and yield to the Lord daily.

Happy reading!

Blessings,

Lady D

 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis

© copyright 2008-2020– All rights reserved

LadyD Books

Narrow and Wide Gates

                                                          
                                                                              photo credit: Schramsberg2016-168 via photopin (license)

Throughout the week I observed narrow walkways, sidewalks, paths, etc. Each view brought forth a scripture in my mind. The main focus seemed to be very clear to me. In order to have great peace, one must choose a straight path or narrow way to reach one's goal. In my case, it's staying the course in this sanctification process before I return home to be with my Savior, Jesus Christ forever. I pray these visuals will give you peace and direction to stay the course.

Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. Numbers 22:23-25

                                                                                     photo credit: Giugno in Langa via photopin (license)

Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. Numbers 22:25-27

He made narrow windows high up in the temple walls. 1Kings 6:3-5

for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well. Proverbs 23:26-28

                                                                           photo credit: 2016-05-10 secret wood door(178) via photopin (license)

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-15

                                                        photo credit: 2010_02_28-bois du cazier-105 via photopin (license)

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Matthew 7:12-14 

You see... Satan's Voice:

• Rushes you
• Pushes you
• Frightens you
• Confuses you
• Discourages you
• Worries you
• Obsesses you
• Condemns you

'narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.' Matthew 7:13-14

Make every effort to find it and stay the course, by His grace! You see, God's Voice...

• Stills you
• Leads you
• Reassures you
• Enlightens you
• Encourages you
• Comforts you
• Convicts you
• Forgives you

Enjoy the Lord!

Blessings,

-- LadyD
 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis

A Special Invitation

Easter is a wonderful time of celebration, rejoicing in the good news of Christ's resurrection! As a child, I can recall countless memories of my mom preparing a lamb dinner for our family and friends. Yes, there were red eggs and sweet pastries around the table for all to enjoy. This vivid, joyous scenario reminds me of a scripture, Genesis 31:54

"He offered a sacrifice there in the hill country and invited his relatives to a meal. After they had eaten, they spent the night there."

As a mother of 3 grown children and a happy grandma (YaYa) of 5,  I  have enjoyed inviting family and friends to Good Friday services throughout North County San Diego for many years. This year our local church sent out thousands of mailed invitations inviting folks to join us for our Easter services. I found myself extending "the invitation" to my neighbors and piano clients.

So, I ask myself... Why do I do this? First, I think I would have to say that the motivation of my heart is to share with others because I don't want anyone to miss out on the blessings of knowing Christ and His love for all. There's another reason why I am extending an invitation for you to join us at my church. The warm fellowship and loving community of belonging can be experienced at this friendly church. With that being said, I would like to introduce you to our Pastor and his family.

I am thrilled to share with you an interview I had with our pastor, Mel Svendsen. Needless to say,  I was excited to read his honest and sincere answers to all of my questions. No, they weren't real hard questions about deep theology but rather, an inside look at the pastor having a passion for loving God and others in our community. Get ready to read... An Interview with Pastor Mel Svendsen.

What background experiences most affected your decision to become a pastor?

 I had parents who were solidly Christian and greatly influenced my love for God and the church. Also, a youth pastor modeled for me the impact you can have on others and the satisfaction that brings. Also, as a freshman in college, I was hired to be a youth pastor in a small church and sensed God’s clear confirmation in my heart that pastoring would be the calling of my life.

 What do you hope people will experience when they attend Riverview Church?

I’m praying that people will experience the presence, power, and love of God in our fellowship as well as a commitment to the truths of God’s Word being taught in all of our ministries.

Can you speak specifically to Bible verses and examples that have greatly impacted your life?

So many verses have influenced my life but certainly Micah 6:8 which was my Dad’s life verse and I adopted it as an early life verse for my life as well. Proverbs 3:5-6 has also been a powerful passage in my life. John 3 has been a passage that has motivated my love for evangelism and how to share the gospel with others.

What devotional book do you use or recommend? 

I would recommend “The Pursuit of God” by Tozer...great book about nurturing a heart and life for God. I also have appreciated “Systematic Theology” by Wayne Grudem. I had the blessing of working with Dr. Grudem at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Dr. Grudem does a great job of integrating theology with devotional writings that challenge our response to the wonderful truths of God’s Word. Recently I have also been reading “Experiencing God’s Presence” by Chris Tiegreen. I would also be remiss if I didn’t at least communicate that the Bible itself is a wonderful source for daily “devotions”. Reading the Psalms, Proverbs, and virtually all of the New Testament can inspire our “devotion” to the Lord. Certainly all of the Bible is worthy of our study but the books I’ve mentioned are typically where you will find inspirational, “devotional” readings to challenge your walk with the Lord.

At what point in your life did you become convinced to trust the Bible?

I was raised by parents who loved God’s Word so I always had a trust in God’s Word. The confirmation of God’s Word grew through my high school years as I was discipled by a wonderful youth pastor. My confidence in the Word of God continued to grow as I fell in love with the study of apologetics especially in the fields of archeology, biology, and earth science which I believe all confirm the authority and accuracy of the inerrant Word of God.

 What Bible insights pertain to a person who wants to develop principles of lifelong success?

Again I would affirm Proverbs 3:5-6 as well as Micah 6:8. For the believer, these verses help us to understand what the Lord expects of us after coming to faith in Him. I believe these verses give us a wonderfully succinct definition of success and communicate principles of success that we can apply to all areas of our lives.

What does the Bible say about forgiveness being less of an emotion and more of an act of the will? 

The Bible certainly commands us to forgive which entails a decision of the will even when we don’t “feel “ like forgiving. We must forgive like Christ forgave us which lays out for believers the standard of forgiveness we need to display in our lives.

How did your near-death experience affect your reliance

on God’s word?

My near death experience gave me an even greater appreciation of the God that we serve and the wonderful gift that life is. We need to view every moment of our lives and potential opportunities to glorify God in all that we do. The experience also helped me appreciate relationships even more in my life. I have a greater appreciation for every moment I spend with my amazing wife and kids. Also, the relationships I have with other believers have become even more precious to me.

 Is there anything in the Bible that you struggle with?

There are teachings in the Bible that I would love to understand better. For example, I would love to have a better understanding of the salvation process and how God works in His sovereignty and wisdom while holding people responsible for their rejection of Christ. I would love to have a better understanding of the amazing way in which God created life and the awesome diversity that He demonstrated in the creation process. One other thing I would mention is that I’m saddened over Hell. I totally believe it exists but my heart breaks over the realization that people who reject Christ are destined for it. This reality certainly motivates me to be a more zealous witness for Christ.

 Is there anything else you would like to say?

 I consider it a tremendous privilege and blessing to serve the folks at Riverview. My prayer would be that Christ would be glorified in everything that happens at our church and that our commitment and legacy would be found in our passion for loving God, loving His Word, and loving others by our Christ-centered fellowship and witness. 

Thank you, Pastor Mel! God's richest blessings to you and your family!

My devotional reading today says,

"Come to Me in joyful expectation of receiving all you need - and sometimes much more! I delight in showering blessings on my beloved children. Come to Me with open hands and heart, ready to receive all I have for you."

Psalm 36:7-9 

Psalm 132:15

John 6:12-13

For those that have been on a journey searching for truth, Jesus says "I am the way and the truth and the life" in John 14:5-7. If you have lost your way, Jesus says in Ezekiel 34:15-17 "I will search for the lost and bring back the strays." My hope and prayer for you dear readers is that you will feel safe and loved in any church you choose to attend this Easter. When we get to heaven one day, we will feel so comfortable and at home in the presence of our Lord.

For more information, visit Riverview Church Website

Happy Easter!

Blessings,






“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2015 – All rights reserved
LadyD Books

We Are His True Beauty

Do you remember reading in 1Peter 3:3-4 about inner beauty? For those not familiar with the passage, it reads...

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight."

This morning I was reading this devotional (His Princess) by Sheri Rose Shepherd while enjoying a fresh cup of coffee. Here's the snippet I wanted to share with you:

You Are My True Beauty

Your real beauty is a work of art--hand-carved by Me. I have given you beautiful lips to speak words of life, beautiful eyes to see Me in everything, beautiful hands to help those in need, and a beautiful face to reflect My love to the world. I know you don’t see yourself the way I do because you compare yourself to beauty idols that will soon be forgotten. I will work wonders that will radiate true beauty from within. And when My work is completed, your character will show off My craftsmanship, and your beauty marks will be remembered by all that were loved by you.

I started to reflect on how blessed I am to have a healthy body and how gracious God has been to me over the years. It's true, I find that it is a balance to be a good steward with clothes shopping and such. For example, I like to purchase something new, sometimes hitting the thrift shops for good deals and then, recycling to give back what I don't need to our local charities. 

But I often think of those not so fortunate that are enduring the hard trial of chemo treatments and experiencing hair loss. My mother experienced the journey of lung and bone cancer. Through radiation and chemo, together we focused on what really mattered... the eternal beauty within. That is, knowing Christ and His love for you!

Now, I'm so proud to be YaYa of 5. These beautiful munchkins are always radiating genuine heartfelt love for me. In their youthfulness, we see Psalm 144:12.  

Then our sons in their youth    will be like well-nurtured plants,
and our daughters will be like pillars    carved to adorn a palace.

Oh, if we could see ourselves from God's perspective and through His lens! So for now, we continue to read His word because we know He is the one who changes lives. Our hearts long to reflect His character. In the meantime, let's be authentic with people about our walk with the Lord. Acts 2: 42

God's beautiful flower garden

Photo for NC Sue - Photo Linkup

Blessings,

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2015 – All rights reserved
LadyD Books

No Need To Walk It Alone

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. -- Hebrews 10:24-25 (Bible Gateway)

As an only child (yes, that's me!) I struggled with fitting in. Belonging to a small family and sitting at my piano and playing for hours was my comfort zone. As I started to experience friendships with many playmates as a little girl, I connected more and more with other families. By the time I reached high school and sang in the choir, I gleaned an understanding of contentment. By that I mean, it was well with my soul to belong to something that was much bigger than myself with other people.

Having known the Lord now for 40 years, and just celebrated our 40th anniversary, it is my experience that we really were not meant to go it alone. It is a blessing to belong to the family of God and merge (grow) with a community of believers. In fact, God tells us to go! You see, the invite is in His word... 'not giving up meeting together.' Once you have seen and felt corporate worship, you will never be the same. Again I think it's belonging to something huge and it makes you feel good inside. (happy)

I believe God has gifted you with a story. Actually, it's His story that He's writing through the testimony of your life. He wants you to share your life story with others. We are called to shine the light wherever we go. What better place than to go to your local church and start the first day of the week resting, hearing the word and having fellowship with God's people.

So, what is keeping you from going? Why walk alone? My heart hurts to think of so many people that feel very inadequate and live in isolation. You know, God has loving care and compassion for you. He promises not to abandon you. He will always remember you! Gen.30.22 (Bible Gateway)

Having played the keyboard on various worship teams for over 30 years, I love all the beautiful songs about God's amazing grace. How he gives us a second chance, forgives us and lifts our guilt when we are deeply sorry for doing things are own way. The invitation for God's eternal plan of salvation is to come, just as you are.

Once you have made the right decision to follow Christ, then gather around all the other team players. No, no one is perfect but you'll find love, support, encouragement and prayer partners. Honestly, we really need accountability and that's a good thing. Now you can reach out to others who are weary in walking alone, feeling depressed and hopeless. Read about How To Defeat Discouragement.

We (collectively) have found hope in Jesus. We can sparkle for Him. No need to walk it alone... Won't you attend church?

Blessings,






 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2015 – All rights reserved
LadyD Books

How To Defeat Discouragement

Look to Jesus... God will help you!

For some it seems that with the new year... well, here it comes! You know, the January blues. Why is it that many experience discouragement not just during the coldest of winter months (and especially at Christmas time) but throughout seasons of their life? In helping others, I have often listened to their heart cry, "Every day seems longer than the day before."

Depression is a painful experience, a feeling of hopelessness. Whether you experience rejection, the loss of a loved one or perhaps you are experiencing a child getting into trouble... it all feels the same. Discouragement is an old problem and depression is one of the most common and oldest of all disorders. Depression is a warning sign that we are moving into deep waters. As I gaze upon the girl in this photo, she appears to be preparing a meal and yet pondering if there will be enough food for her brothers and sisters. Her thinking patterns of negative thoughts may dictate an anticipation that her current difficulties will continue and she sees a future life of hardship, frustration and deprivation.

I have read in many counseling books that 'discouragement is no respecter of persons.' It can hit the 8 year old girl as well as the seventy year old, rich or poor and the Christian as well as the non-Christian. So, let me ask the question... How do you feel and act when you are discouraged?

For many, they feel defeated in the struggle and believe there is no hope. In 1 Kings 19:4, Elijah had said that he had had enough of life and had prayed that he might die. But the Lord in His mercy had not taken him at his word. Have you ever felt that way? Read about how Elijah escapes from Jezebel from the Bible Gateway Passage.

Walking it alone.

Here are a few steps to despair:

1. We lose Biblical perspective. The way you perceive your life, your job, and your family is discolored when you are depressed. It seems distractions and deception set in.

2. We focus on problems and disappointments.

3. We begin negative self talk. There is a general loss of self esteem. The person feels less positive about himself and questions his value.

4. Isolates from other believers because of a fear of being rejected. The depressed person cancels favorite activities, fails to return phone calls and seeks ways to avoid talking with others. Basically, he/she pulls away from the church.

Defeating Discouragement

Our Pastor talked about defeating discouragement last Sunday. Pastor Mel at Riverview Church said,

"As new creatures in Christ, believers can face problems with a new perspective and strategy that affirms God's sovereignty."

We need to keep doing the right things. We need to keep moving forward by faith without retreating in fear. (Take action!) 

Choose to believe the character of God. Remember that God is with us even in our discouragement. Choose to rejoice in the Lord! Trust God at His word. (1 Kings 19:11-13)

Choose to share your problems with a trusted friend. Reconnect with God's family. (1 Kings 19:18)

Choose to wait patiently for the Lord to act.  (Psalm 27:14)

God is faithful and will bring a good result. (1 Kings 19:6-10)

One final thought...

Because God loves me He stands with me when I have reached the rock of despair, when I see the real me and compare that with His righteousness, holiness, beauty and love. It is at a moment like this that I can really believe that God loves me. Yes, the greatest of all gifts is God's perfect love!

Be changed by God's word! One place you may want to read your Bible is Bible Gateway.

Blessings,






“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2016– All rights reserved
LadyD Books