December 18, 2009

New Year's Resolution?

You may be thinking, "But we haven't even had Christmas yet!" Well, you know as well as I do how super fast time seems to go anymore. Seems like just last week we were watching the leaves change colors here in the Mid-West. But it was really well over a month ago. The Autumn colors are replaced w/ Chritmas lights and New Yrs Day is but a breath away.


Every yr practically, I hear, "Have you made your 'New Yrs Resolution' yet?" Mostly my answer is "No." because I haven't a clue what it could, or should be.


People have so many. Perhaps you've made a few in your lifetime. Lets see if any of these sound familiar: Lose weight. Spend more time with family. Exercise. Get organized. Learn a craft or new language. Read more. Be kinder. Spend more time in prayer.... The list goes on and on as I'm sure you could add a few.


But somethings been running around in my head, most likely the Holy Spirit has been trying to get a message out to prepare us for this new year. It seems many of us think that somehow everything will mysteriously change when that clock strikes mid-night as we ring in a new year. We set off at top speed to "make it happen!" But its not long, maybe a week, a month if we are determined, until we falter. Miss a day or two at the gym. Grab that doughnut for breakfast. Too sleepy for church one Sunday. Blame hormones for why you're snapping at hubby and kids again.... you fill in the rest.


The honest and possibly unbearable truth is this: The same obstacle and challenges you faced, that appeared to hold you back from "being all that you can be" on December 31st, still exist on January 1st! The only change is your awareness of them, and your attitude...somehow influenced by the calender!


Here's a tip for you. If you really want to do something different with your life, ask Jesus to come in and change you. He is the ONLY One with power to truly effect change. The Scripture says Today is the day of salvation. Not Jan 1.


So it looks like you have a choice to make. Either wait for New Years to "resolve" all your issues, and probably be disappointed and possibly even feel like a failure in a month or two, or you can call upon the Lord and ask Him to change your life....today.



Love,
Rebecca Thames
-----------------------

November 29, 2009

The Ultimate Medicine

Lately, I've been really struggling with anxiety issues. I really, often, have a problem admiting it because I'm suposed to be "trusting in the Lord" and being "anxious for nothing!" (Two powerful and fundimental passages in Christian daily living.)
However, I'm learning that doesn't happen on it own, or automaticly. For a while the anxiety got so bad, it started tention at home. With 2 or 3 athsma meds that are designed to rev up your system, nervousness IS a comon factor. Consequently, I got to the point I was on edge all the time that I wasn't sleeping.
The Dr decided I should try this medicine. It really floord me, because it was something my husband use to take for depression! I thought, and questioned her how this could help me. She assured me depression and anxiety are opposite ends of the same spectrum. So, reluctantly, I took the samples home and tried them.
After about 4 or 5 days, I wasn't anxious...I barely felt ANYTHING! Finanally, I decided I'd rather be anxious, than feel nothing.
So after about a week or so, after dropping one of the worst breathing meds, I stopped taking the new pills. After 2 or 3 days I cought myself heartily laughing. Sounds odd, I know, but when you haven't done it for a while, it becomes note worthy. I decided almost conclusively this med was not for me.
The past couple days I felt that

Mathew 14:30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. "You have so little faith," Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?"

Just a few mins ago, the Lord took me to the best medicine ever....

Psa 138
5 Yes, they will sing about the LORD's ways, for the glory of the LORD is very great. 6 Though the LORD is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud. 7 Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me.

November 09, 2009

Jesus Can Touch Through You

Dear Friends,

Something's been stirring in my heart for a while and almost each passing day there's another piece to fit into the picture. Several times in my life, the Love of God has become intensely more real, because He has reached out to me through another person.

Granted, there are those who tend to see visions and claim to have heard an audible Voice from God. Not ever meaning to discount their integrity, I personally believe God primarily reaches us through His Word and through the voice and touch of other people who love Him.

Here are a few examples of how God took something very simple and made a profound impact on my life.

The first story is too long for this post. Simply put, I believed God had given me a promise at age 20 that one day I'd be married. "But remember," He warned, "...it is My Love that will flow through those arms." Thirteen years later, I met Bill. He came for a visit from his home in another state. We talked. We shared. We hugged. We kissed. When he went home, he instant msg'd me. He said he believed that even if nothing came from his visit, maybe God just wanted to show me His Love through his arms. I lost all composure and fled the computer in uncontrollable sobs. I knew I'd had a Divine visitation and a 13 y/o promise had been finally fulfilled.

Of course, we were married a few months later. A couple yrs ago, we had a tornado skim over the roof of our apartment. When I heard the rumble, I thought it was torrential rain hitting the West wall of our apartment. Immediately, my husband declared with unrivaled certainty, "Tornado!"

I was terrified when I saw the front window glass flapping in the wind the likes I'd never seen. I bolted for the bathroom. The only room with no windows, yet the wall bordered the front of the building and would occasionally wobble in the wind like the glass moments prior to my arrival.

This man who was so obviously ushered into my life by the Almighty Himself, is more in tune and connected with the Voice and leading of the Holy Spirit than anyone I've ever known. After my bolt for the bathroom, he instinctively came down the hall, stood in the bathroom doorway. He put his hand on my shoulder and with the most intense look of love on his face said, "Don't worry. We've got angels."

It's without a hint of exaggeration when I tell you the moment... no the second those words went from Bill's mouth to my ears, every last vestige of fear and anxiety immediately drained from my being. It was as if Jesus Himself had reached out and touched me and once again, as He spoke to the stormy seas, "Peace! Be still!"

Just a few days ago, I was having a terrible time breathing. For no apparent reason, an asthma attack just came over me and it really took my breath away. I used all my meds. I prayed. I tried to think of other things. Still the breathing episode continued.

After an hour or two of struggling, Bill came into the room where I was. I hadn't said anything. He just knew. He came in and hugged me and said, "Don't be afraid. You're gonna be fine." I'd never said I was afraid. But within a half an hour, I realized I was breathing fine.

The past 3 days, Bill has had an unusual amount of energy. Normally he doesn't. Last week he fixed the door and windows so cold winter air won't come in, he fixed up a new bird-cage for the parrot, got all the old bird-dust out of the bedroom and took oven cleaner and a chisel to the old cage. By the end of two days ago, he was in so much pain, he could barely move. But that evening he knew I needed help getting ready for bed. I didn't want him to strain. But he offered to help me, because of love. It hurts me to hurt him, but he offered and I couldn't sway him.

This bothered me until the next morning. Once again, the Lord and His perfect timing and perfect way to touch me in the most unexpected ways, hit me in the deepest part of my heart. A song came on the radio just as I was waking up. The chorus said, "Amazing love. How can it be that Thou my God should die for me?"

My husband had once again been a physical illustration of the immeasurable matchless Love of my beloved King. Though my husband risked and offered severe pain to go the extra mile for me to show his love, my Lord Jesus hung on a cruel cross, bled and DIED to offer the Ultimate Ever Lasting Love....for me. And for you.

This post is not only the grace the Lord has shown me through my husband. This is to encourage you as well. If you give your heart to Jesus and allow Him to Love through you... He will. It might not seem like much to you... a kind word... an embrace... a touch... a song... a note... a warm smile. But it might make ALL the difference at just the right moment to the one who needs it the most. :-)

November 02, 2009

Feed Your Faith

Two natures beat within my breast
One is vile. one is blessed.
One I love. One I hate.
The one I feed will dominate!

Love,
Rebecca Thames
-----------------------
Overcome Bias In Popular Media
Be Heard!
http://www.pyrabang.com/go/jclight

October 01, 2009

Beautiful You - Its Really True!

If you ever feel you don't measure up, or not pretty enough...if the world has given you impossible standards of what you "should" look like, please watch this video.
{see lyrics below video}





Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn’t straight her body isn’t fake
And she’s always felt overweight


Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are


There could never be a more beautiful you
dont buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you




Little girl twenty-one the things that you’ve already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you’ve got a man but he’s got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead


Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there’s a man whose love is true
And he’ll treat you like the jewel you are


There could never be a more beautiful you
don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you


So turn around you’re not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It’s not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who’s strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you’ll see through the eyes of a little girl


There could never be a more beautiful you
don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you


More Beautiful You
Johnny Diaz


September 07, 2009

Are You Held to The Past?

Do you know what the shortest time is?

NOW!

Just as soon as it comes, it is over and gone, never to be seen again. What was once the future becomes the past.

All we have is Now. We can never see the future. It is always ahead of us. What has already occurred is the past. It can never be changed, or altered. It is dead!

If something is dead, it no longer has a life of its own. Therefore, it can not exert any power, or influence over anyone.

Consequently, the only influence your past, or any event that has passed, can have over you is what YOU give it. That is equivalent to putting yourself under bondage to an evil task-master whom you will never satisfy.

If we reckon in our minds and can believe in our heart that Christ has saved us, not only from our past sins, but from sins against us, and see that the past is truly DEAD to us (unless we dig it up and just enjoy hanging out w/ the dead) WE ARE FREE!

To Freedom! Hope you enjoy it. ;-)


Love,

Rebecca Thames
-----------------------
Overcome Bias In Popular Media
Be Heard!
http://www.pyrabang.com/go/jclight

August 29, 2009

Faith...

Faith is like radar. It always sees through the storm. There's no such thing as "blind faith." Whether faith in God's Word, or faith in evil. (Faith in evil is Fear.) Faith sees and knows. "...faith is... the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Faith works by Love. The victory that overcomes the world is our faith.


Love,
Rebecca Thames
-----------------------
Overcome Bias In Popular Media
Be Heard!
http://www.pyrabang.com/go/jclight

August 10, 2009

Dear Child...

Dear Child,


When anything is broken, its never the same again. There are always memories, yet in time they lose their sting. Yet, in times of sorrow and grief, if we are willing to look up, you can see a nail pierced hand of Jesus reaching gently to wipe your tears...then you see His eyes sharing your tears. He too has been wounded...rejected..lied about...betrayed. Yet His Love took His broken heart to the Cross so He could set you free and overcome death itself and all its power to wound and seperate you from ones you love. So even though its hurts now, the Master Physician has the cure. :-)

June 02, 2009

Reaching the End of Hope

When things are going smooth as silk
Just the way it ought to be
Normally not much time is spent
Considering future calamity

Testing, trials, difficulty and pain
Things we think don't apply to you and me
Until the darkness fills the sky
Sometimes we often can not see

The path to take...the road to go
So unclear's the day
You try everything you know
But can not find the way

To undo what has been done
Or mend a heart thats broken
Repairing a relationship
Or take back words you've spoken

No time machine to take you back
To undo whats been done
Only grief and tears and rain
Just waiting for the sun

Sometimes its seems you've done everything
You possibly could do
But nothing seems to help at all
Wondering if you'll make it through

Then at last you realize
As tears begin to flow
After doing all you knew
You've reached the end of hope

Hope in changing whats inside
of circumstance or self
You've tried and failed so many times
Must turn to Someone Else

You've read of transformation
Of healing and New Birth
Now it is the ONLY way
Your life will be of worth

For you know that in yourself
there's nothing you can offer
But what you need is to be re-written
By Life's All-Mighty Author

When we get to the end of ourselves
And there's nothing left to give
Then we reach past the end of hope
And let God through us Live



March 21, 2009

Problems Get You Down?

I went to church Sunday Evening for the very first time since the first week in November. It'd been so long, on the way there I wondered if I'd feel like a visitor. That turned out ok, but I learned something else.




A lady named Joyce, who goes to my church, had MANY health issues last yr and almost died. Yeah, I'd had a lot of health issues, but probably never was near as close to meeting my maker as she was.





Even in recent days, when its difficult to breathe or if the pain tries to come back in my ribs, I think of Joyce. Counting her food grams and still probably on a bunch of meds stay alive.





Even though it helps me not to feel so sorry for myself to think of what someone else is going through, what helps the most is to remember the the God who created this universe, sustains us both. It also helps to remember that nothing is for nothing.





In 2 Corinthians God is refered to as "the Father of mercies," and "the God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. "





So if your problems got you down, turn your eyeballs outward. Look around and I'm almost sure you'll find someone worse off. Who knows? You may even be able to help them feel better. Then chances are very good that you'll feel better too! :-)





Love Always,




Rebecca



February 03, 2009

Who Are You?

Have you ever asked that age old question, "Who am I?" Maybe we all have at one pt or another along life's journey. It may be a deep and difficult one for some. Mostly because the answer is so much more than your name.






The sad thing is, many think the answer lies somewhere in their occupation. Like, "I'm a lawyer" or "I'm a police officer" or "I'm a corporate executive." Problem is, in this unstable world, if you put your identity in your job and you lose it, then who are you?






One preacher said that God made us "Human BEings" not "Human DOings." Just maybe, if we could ever stop relying on what we do to identify ourselves and be content to just "BE", we would be more at peace.






Have you ever thought you'd be happy if you could be like someone else? Maybe the popular classmate, or the buff athlete, or your favorite TV or Movie personality? Why is it so few realize that your uniqueness is a gift? You have something NO ONE else on this entire planet has; to see the world from your own perspective, your own talents, and there are the people only you can relate to.






I leave you with a little gem I heard on the radio the other day, on Turning Point w/ David Jeremiah, "Until you learn to appreciate your uniqueness, you'll waste your whole life trying to be someone else."






SELAH! (Let's pause and think about that.)







To Your Uniqueness!



Rebecca

January 16, 2009

Whats Your Earliest Memory?

Time to Remember Pt 2









My earliest memory was my fourth birthday. My father was still living, so he was able to come in to my crib and carry me into their bedroom, where a beautiful blue cake was waiting.









They encouraged me to blow out the candles. However as tiny as I was my cake was enormous and I had no idea how I could get to all the candles. I think they finally helped me.








It's only a brief glimpse, but I remember being together, and I remember that beautiful blue icing. I later found out that my mother thought it was purple, and she had worked so hard on it trying to get it just right. It didn't turn out the way she wanted, but it was absolutely beautiful to me.








Even though that was the earliest thing I could put a date next to, there are so many other shadows in my childhood. Glimpses and snatches of color and shapes, peoples faces, small activities. Like the time I remember laying on my parents bed plucking my father's guitar strings, while they were in the living room watching TV, I guess. The guitar was enormous next to my tiny body. I had to reach up over the side to reach the strings. They heard me too. I guess they decided I would be a musician,after that.








Oh how I loved music. I still do. I remember my father singing to us at night, with his beautiful big guitar. Some people said that he sounded like Chet Atkins. Others said he should go to Nashville, but he didn't want anything to do with the star life. He was content with his little family. My mom said she used to sing with the symphony orchestra in Albuquerque. Too bad I never saw any of those days.








The earliest memories I have of my mother were working hard, fixing wonderful meals, taking care of the house and wrapping up my broken bones... mostly after the doctors had refused to touch me, or removed her previous wrappings, just to get an x-ray. She spent a lot of time propping me with pillows and making clothes that were easy for me to get in and out of. She crocheted a lot too. Taking an odd jobs sewing and crochet... anything she could get for a little extra money.










So many memories. I remember God making a way for my sister to go to a private school for 12 years with my mother on widows benefits and my sister and I on SSI. It's really physically impossible or financially impossible except for God.








I remember being carried around on a pillow, or a canvas, and maybe even a padded Board, taken from place to place. I remember dreaming of a chair that I could push myself. When I was six years old, I got one. But I could only push it a little. Then I remembered for years, dreaming of a chair that I could just push a button and it would go, exactly the direction I wanted it to, so I could keep up with people. And they wouldn't have to push me around. At the age of 13, that dream came true.








It's amazing how you can envision things in your mind and they happen. Or just maybe, God puts a dream in your heart, or a promise from His heart to bless yours, and though it may seem like a lifetime until it comes... It will come. Don't lose heart. From six to 13 is a long time. When your child.











And I remember dreaming about living on my own. People said it could never be done. Don't most people say that? Do you have a huge dream? Small minded fearful people that maybe never tried anything outside the box in their whole life! I knew it was going to be hard, but I never stopped dreaming.









I remember my mother falling out of her wheelchair in 1995. Broke both her arms. She couldn't do anything for herself. She was in the hospital for one month. Even after she got home, she really couldn't help me with much of anything. Before that she was my sole caregiver. My God sustained me. He kept me alive. At first I didn't even know when I could go to the bathroom or have a drink of water... right after she fell. The Lord sustained me.








For a whole month he took care of me and taught me how to do things for myself that I had never even tried before. Maybe I was afraid before? Maybe my mother was too protective? But sometimes you have to do what you have to do no matter what the costs. And when you're alone, you have to learn how to do a lot on your own.









But the Lord sent people to help me 2... 3... or maybe 4 times a day. Volunteers. Good people. I may have waited some, I never went without. I realized if the Lord can care for me for a month, He could care for me the rest of my life.








Five years after my mother fell, I moved into my own apartment. A lot happened in the meantime, but I know it was the Lord that made it possible.











I remember most of my life, dreaming of having my own vehicle. My mom and I used dream and talk of having a van we could travel around with, in our wheelchairs. We used to plan all the places that we would go. Like out to lunch and then decide to go shopping on the way home. Doesn't seem like much does it? But when you have public transportation, that would be impossible.








I remember when my mother died in December of 2000. Sometime in January, I got a check for the life insurance. It made me angry! It was as though some big corporation was compensating me for my mother with money. Of course, I came to my senses and understood that was what insurance was for. Because of that money in September. I finally had a van that I could ride in, sitting in my wheelchair.









I remember almost all of my life, dreaming of being married one day. There was a longing in my heart, through Times of rejection and loneliness. But then in March of 2002 the Lord brought a wonderful man and into my life...Bill. Funny thing... I really didn't want to be married then. I was very content to be single at that point. I had built up many walls from being very hurt 10 years earlier. But for the grace of God, those walls would have never come down... My Father showed me the key... how to let Bill in. In January 2003 we were married. We just celebrated our sixth anniversary.








It really is amazing, if you look over your life. Yes, there may be some very painful things that you'd rather forget. I still cry when I think about that check after my mother died. How cold and heartless... how it all seemed so final, sending a check to the grave-diggers. On the other hand, all these dreams that I had, from a tiny child on up. Not long ago, I looked back over my life, and I realized that every last one of my impossible dreams come true.













All but one actually. I still dream of inspiring people with songs and poetry. Bringing them closer to a clear vision of the heart of God. Helping them somehow to see just how beautiful he is and how much He loves them. If only they knew. If only they could see the Heart that I have seen. My heart breaks when I think of people who are mad at God, or who think that he's mad at them. If He could send His own Son as a sacrifice to bridge the gap between Heaven and Earth, watch Him die a painful awful, indescribable death... just so we can be near him... how much more love could someone offer than that?













May all your dreams come true, in 2009. But even if they don't... wait a little while. You never know what can happen. :-).













Love always,








Rebecca





January 10, 2009

Time to Remember...Pt 1

(Alters Built become Monuments in Life)







I don't know about anyone else, but I've been forgetting a lot of things lately. Even important things.







After asking the Lord about this tonight,...told Him with tears that I really needed a brain that works to be a good wife, a good friend, and what He truly wanted. I really need to remember.







Suddenly I had a strange feeling this was about more than remembering when the Dr's is, to put bleach on the grocery list, or when the light bill's due. This was so much bigger. It was though the Lord spoke to deep in my heart and said, "Its time to remember. But until you remember the important thing, you may forget everything else." Amazed and blown away by the answer....I closed my eyes and said, Lord....help me remember....when we knew you were orchestrating the events of our lives....in a way that no man could ever touch the glory....help me remember...and tell the world what You have done! Its time. I need to remember.







Memories started flooding to me from some deep hole in the earth....a place I hadn't seen in a long time.







If you want to go on this journey with me, read on and check back soon for more. Leave comments at the bottom to let me know if any of the stories touch you in anyway. Also comment if the story of how God took me from there to here interests my readers or not. Please leave comments or subscribe to updates. Will work more on this soon! :-)







God Bless You All!







Love,







Rebecca