A bit about witnessing...

I don't generally care to be redundant, but when it comes to God showing up, breaking through and changing lives, how can I not?  How can I not say "THANK YOU JESUS" for saving my life, for healing my body and spirit, and restoring my marriage?  How can I possibly not repeat, over and over, all of the things that God has done in my life?  How He never, ever fails to amaze me with his love, that I did absolutely nothing to deserve, yet He continues to pour out so freely only because I believed?

Who wouldn't want to continuously boast about the glorious Son of God, without whom I can do nothing, but WITH WHOM I CAN DO ALL THINGS?

It is not just a matter of desire that I say these things tonight, but one of obedience.  God tells us over and over again in His Word, to tell others about Him.  Those of us who are familiar with the Scripture to some degree, have read this many times, yet so many are reluctant to talk to other people about what their Savior, Jesus Christ, has done in their lives! 

I was recently picking up a new pair of glasses at the local mall, and overheard a couple talking about the delicious dinner they had just finished.  They said they were completely stuffed, and really needed a nap!  Funny how good food universally makes us want to sleep!  So, being the "social butterfly" that I tend to be (which sometimes seems to embarrass my poor husband and son, who remember "not to talk to strangers...) I asked them where they had eaten.  They made the food sound SO GOOD, I was ready to run wherever they had been to ahve my own dinner there!  They were so happy to tell me about the place, the great service they had, the reasonable prices... As a matter of fact, they had no complaints!  And because of their strong recommendation, I'm likely to try this place out sometime soon!  Likewise, had I had a similar experience, I'd certainly tell my friends!

I have been given a story to tell, too.  Mine isn't about a restaurant, though.  Mine is about the Creator of the Universe!  The Savior of the world!  My Provider, The Wonderful Counselor, the Lamb of God, the
bright and Morning Star!!!!!
If you had just eaten the most tender of steaks, with yummy sweet potatoes smothered in creamy butter and cinnamon-sugar, with a side of freshly-picked snap peas from the garden at a new restaurant, and would tell a stranger in an eyglass store about it, then why woudn't you be even more anxious to tell a good friend, or even a stranger,  the story of Jesus, the Bread of Life?!?  (Can you tell I'm in the mood to go to Outback?!)

"Isn't witnessing a job for trained people, like Pastors or something?"
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 tells us "We are Christ's ambassadors...God uses us to speak to you."  Every believer is an 'ambassador' of Christ to a non-believing world.

"I wouldn't know what to say!  What if people think I'm too pushy?"
In the Bible, even those who knew Jesus best sometimes struggled and hesitated to witness.
"...but no one had the courage to speak favorably about him (Jesus) in public."  (John 7: 12-13)
But still, they did!  Your anxiety or nervousness is natural.  We all sometimes struggle with the possibility of being rejected or being seen as foolish.  The following verse helps me out when this lie creeps into my mind as I speak with someone. I think this is the 3rd time I am quoting this in the past week, so God must think its important, or He wouldn't keep putting it on my heart!
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because they do as God requires. (Matt. 5:10)  We should expect that non-believers may or will reject what we have to say.  But consider this:  what if they wouldn't have rejected you? What if they are open to hearing, are seeking God, and you fail to open your mouth that day?  And may I even go so far as to suggest that Jesus could return any day now, and what if He does, just as you are walking away from those expectant strangers, and you just made a decision not to do your job?  The answers to these questions have ETERNAL SIGNIFICANCE!  Understanding, of course, that we could not save ourselves, and we certainly can't save anyone else, and that nobody's blood is on your hands,  don't you think you would have kicked yourself, and said, "What if...?"
 
In Matthew 18:12-14, we read...."it is not my Father's will that even one of these little ones should perish."  He wants us to tell others how they can know Him! So,  tell them!
The Apostle Paul is a great example of a witness to Jesus through his actions as documented in the Book of Acts.  Here was a Jewish man, who had previously committed to persecuting as many Christians as he could.  But immediately after God met him on the road to Damascus,  he immediately began to testify that Jesus IS the Messiah!  And he never stopped witnessing.
"..a large number of people came to Paul's house.  He told them about the Kingdom of God and taught them about  Jesus from the Scriptures." (Acts 9:1-28; 28:20-31)
And the stories of his testimony go on and on...

Maybe you are thinking this: I've witnessed to friends before, but they don't seeem interested.
I will agree that most of my own friends really don't want to hear another word about my Jesus, and so maybe telling them isn't the answer!  For me, the answer is this:  My actions are, in themselves, a testimony to the world. 
Good or bad, once you tell people you are a Christian, all eyes are on you, and they are just waiting...waiting for you to make one big mistake!  They are waiting for you to be impolite, unforgiving, hypocritical, and just out and out sinful, so that they can call you on it!  What does this mean to me? It means I had better get out there, every single day of my life, after spending a good amount of time in prayer, and try to live out my life, one moment at a time, in a way that lines straight up with God's Word; in a way that allows for God to use me in any way He sees fit; in a way that is without reproach, being fully aware that I am still living in a world filled with temptation and evil.  And through it all, pray that the light of Jesus will shine through me. 

I started this by saying that I don't like redundancy, but I think this bears repeating: Your actions are, in themselves,  a testimony to the world!  If you want to reach the world for Christ, be sure that your actions are not making people think, "I wonder what's wrong with her?!?!"  But instead, let the world look on, maybe scratch their heads, and say, "I don't know what she's got, but whatever it is, I WANT IT TOO."

So, Father God, thank you so much for the words you have impressed upon me to share tonight.  I know I am not always the best example of terrific Christian living, but Lord, I do try.  And inasmuch as I know that I have not nearly arrived, I know that you have me on a wonderfully exciting journey.  I'm not certain of what you have in store for me, but I'll take whatever it is as it comes, and carry it out with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  I know that I may stumble along the way, but Lord, I know that you are with me, and you will direct my path.  Let my daily actions be pleasing in your sight, and please, Father God, give me the courage to continue to speak out, to reach a lost and dying world for you.  Please forgive me where I have failed you, as I will work to correct those things you have so lovingly revealed to me, and let me be a light unto someone's way, that they might come to know the life-giving love that can only come from the acceptance of  Jesus Christ.  For there is no way to the Father but through your Son Jesus.  And it is in His name I pray.  Amen.

I

Grateful...!

It is SUCH a great day! Joshua is home from camp, I am not in the hosptial, and Lew doesn't have some big project planned for the day! Its a little gloomy and rainy, but I like it that way now and then! It somehow brings our family closer together, as we gather together, rather than look for actvities out in the world.

So, at this time of the morning, as my husband and I are getting ready to share in a cup of coffee together (well, we'll actually have or own cups, and we won't be in them!) I'll just update you, my friends, on some fun and exciting news!

Since 1998, I have had a calling on my heart to go back to Graduate School to gain more knowledge of the Bible, teaching biblical principles, and/or Christian Counseling. It must not have been in God's time, because roadblock after roadblock would come my way. I was accepted into one particular program, and one week before classes were to begin, I received a letter with "rules" about the school, whcih included something like, "any use or discussion of the so-called 'gifts of the Spirit,' particularly speaking in tongues, is not acceptable and will not be tolerated on our Campus." And so I called, and politely withdrew from the program. "So-called gifts?" Who the heck...? WHAT the heck?! Anyway, I figured that if God had wanted me to study at that time, he'd have made a path, and so it has gone a few times down the road.

UNTIL YESTERDAY!

S, I'll just backtrack for a second: while I was in the hopsital, I "happened" to see a program on the Discovery Health Network about "A Night in the Life of an Trauma Department Chaplain." Now, you DO know me well enough to know hat I do NOT believe in coincidences, and so, as a therapist, a Christian, and a recent patient in a Trauma Unit, I knew I was supposed to watch it, and I found it fascinating! I never thought much about Chaplaincy. I DO know that when I was in the secular world, and had to be in the hospital, I was always asked if I would like the Chaplain to come and visit me, and I replied with a resounding "NO!"

So, I watched this young man on TV. He was in Seminary, and worked night shift at a local hospital, and he'd spend then nights waiting for his beeper to go off, which looked like it happened at the precise second he was finishing counseling with family, back-to-back, evenly-spaced, throughout the night. Leave it to Cable TV! At times, he'd talk into the camera about how his night was going, and he'd comment that he had no idea what he was doing, but just prayed that God would see him through. He was meeting with families whose loved one(s) were either seriously ill or worse, or who may have just passed away in the Emergency Room, or were making decisions whether or not to continue Life Support. He also spoke with some patients, who we grateful to be alive.

What I found most interesting, were his remarks that people tend to seek out God, often for the very first time, and are finally ready when there is a crisis going on. They are desperate to find HOPE in someTHING or someONE, and, in the midst of tremendous fear and grief, they open their eyes, hoping against all hope that the Christian girl at work who has been telling them about Jesus and Heaven all of these years was wrong and that somehow his own son, who had perhaps not ever accepted Jesus, could possibly not have made it up there?! What a horror! And what if YOU were the person that this father was asking? "My son didn't believe in Jesus Christ as his Savior. Do you think he might have gone to Heaven anyway? He was a good kid...just had a few problems..."

Well, now I AM going to learn to minister to these families, perhaps all over the world!  Atttendign Seminary, having not only the time and good fortune, but the requirement to study God's Word, in-depth, every single day, no exceptions, sounds like my dreams come true!  Of course, my unbelieving parents, brothers and sisters, and friends are now attacking my Chirstian beliefs more than ever, and feel I must be brainwashed  to enroll for this program... (Yes, I've been brainWASHED in His Blood!)

"Blessed are those who are persecuted, beacause they do what God requires."
(Matthew 5:10)

So, Father God, I come again to thank you for yet another opportunity, another wonderful path you have set before me.  You have given us each a race-- our own particular race unique to each person, and, God I so love the race you have given me to run!  Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in such an amazing and unbelieveable way!  I pray and trust that you will continue to equip me for this mission, and give me good times of work along with good times of rest.
Thank you, Father, for the knowledge that you are all I need, and that you are always there. And regardless of my circumstances, you make all things wonderful and new.   Please search my heart as I go through this day, and point out anything that is not pleasing to you.  I give it all to you, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Giving Thanks.

Growing up, we had, and continue to have a family tradition on Thanksgiving Day, of going around the table, having each person state what they are thankful for that year. For some reason, this seems to make everyone uncomfortable, and turns into a sarcastic joke-session! I look around at my mother, brothers and sisters with their respective beautiful families, and wonder why it is that they can't express their appreciation for all that they have been given and blessed with! I'm not judging, please understand, just curious about WHY they don't feel grateful? They all have great jobs, terrific kids who don't give them any trouble (!) and enjoy excellent health and financial prosperity. Oh, well. I guess sometimes we take these things for granted, and I'm certain I am sometimes guilty of the very same thing.

"So, Cindy, why are you focusing on Thanksgiving when it is only the end of August?"

Because I have SO MUCH to be thankful for, that I am just busting at the seams to express my eternal gratitude to the only one who deserves it. The One who makes it all possible. The One I cannot do a thing without! My Father, Comfortor, Savior and friend.

So, as I sit here in a wheelchair, recovering from 17 broken bones and pneumonia, having just gotten out of the hospital this past Thursday evening, I would like to take the time to THANK HIM.

"Thank Him?! For WHAT?! For letting you suffer?"

Please allow me to explain: God didn't cause my accident, nor did He sit and watch uncaringly as my lungs filled with fluid. Why would I be angry or bitter toward Him? We are not promised a perfectly happy life here on earth, free of any strife, illness, sadness, or even hang-ups!
What He DOES promise, and I receive this promise only because of my BELIEF and FAITH, and NOT because of anything I've done to DESERVE it, is to always be there with me to see me through even the most difficult of situations.

I'm sure that many of you have heard or seen the little story, on a keychain or surrounded by a picture frame perhaps, called "Footprints" or "Footprints in the Sand." For those of you who haven't, basically, it is a poem of sorts, by someone who says that when she is going through easy times, which I call "Mountaintops," she can look down in the sand and see two sets of footprints, her's and God's. But, when tmes get tough, when she goes through the real trials (Valleys, to me) she only sees ONE set of footprints! She asks God, "Why is it that in the worst of times, when I needed you the most, that I only see one set of footprints, and you are no longer walking beside me."

She writes God's answer in this very poignant way: Oh my child, my precious child...at those most difficult times, the times when you see only ONE set of footprints, it is those times that I CARRIED YOU.
Please understand that this is not a scripture passage, but something that someone who chose to remain anonymous, wrote, to express that GOD IS FAITHFUL. Tht despite our circumstances, and no matter that we have done absolutely nothing to deserve this awesome measure of His grace, He does promise in His Word that He "will never leave us or forsake us!"
He loved me before I even knew Him. He saved me from myself and my misguided ways.


He carried me....

So, Father God, I am here today to meet with you, to sit humbly at your throne of mercy and grace, where I dont' deserve to be, but where you give me the privilege to come and speak to and WITH you any time I care to or need to, and you will meet with me and hear my prayers.
I am ever so grateful for the incredible love you have shown me, even during my times of disbelief! I thank you for the time you gave me in the hospital, that even though I lied in bed most of the time, feeling ill in my physical body, that you allowed me to rise above my circumstances and remember that YOU ARE GOD, and YOU ARE ALL I NEED. To remind me that 'God, I CAN'T," but 'God, YOU CAN.' For the constant reminder that your grace is sufficient for me in any and all my situations, and that you have not changed your plan for my life that I WILL PROSPER and I WILL RISE ABOVE my circumstances, no matter how hopeless they may look to me or to others.
I will sing of my love...."You're all I want...You're all I ever needed. You're all I want. Help me know you are near."
Finally, Father, thank you for so many answered prayers, but mostly for one that I have prayed over and over and over again, for the past 15 years. It is my prayer you answered, that the Light of Your Son Jesus would SHINE through me, that others would see His light through the example in my own life, and that perhaps just one other life might be changed, even a tiny bit because of my testimony of what you have done for me. For I know I could not save myself, and I cannot save anyone else, but I can continue to sing of your love, with joy in my heart, and continue on my mission to bring as many people to Heaven with me as I possibly can. Please make me a blessing to someone today. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Sittin' around, dreaming about Heaven!

Some of my fondest memories of conversations with my son Joshua, now 14, are those we've had about what Heaven will be like! In the Book of Revelation, God pulls back the curtain on the future, for the apostle John, including a glimpse of "a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21.)"  He writes of the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of Heaven from God (Rev. 21:2)   But the images are so foreign, so unimaginable, so ....unbelievable!  Who, but God himself, could possibly conceive of such a place?  So, we always end up bringing it back to earthly terms, and inevitably wind up laughing out loud!

Josh wants to know, if we are at church in Heaven, and he gets a little bored during the Sermon, will he be allowed to go hang out in the lobby for a little while with his buddies? And will they have yummy $1.00 cappuccinos at the "Connections Cafe," like we do at our beloved church?  What if I can't get to sleep at night?  Will we be able to get on the Internet when we want to, or might I be able to do some scrapbooking, one of my little hobbies?  No?  Bummer!  Oh, how we laugh!  "Hey, Mom!  Are we going to have to turn off our cell phones when we go in and out of certain mansions?"  My son hopes there will be signs posted about this, so he doesn't violate any of the rules!  I advised him to put his phone on "vibrate" if he hears a loud trumpet sounding. 

Heaven...

We're told that we'll have "perfect bodies," which will really  be heaven to me, having packed on a few extra pounds over the years!  Will our "bodies" resemble humans in any way, or will be be little smokey spirit waves or something? And, on a more serious note, will I be with my husband and son, or will we even know we ever had those relationships at all?  Will we be in a giant Praise and Worship Service for eternity?  Continuously praising God in song?  Awesome!  That happens to be my favorite past time!  Oh, the conversations we have, just dreaming, pondering, wondering...

It was initially surprising that my dear son and I seem to share some strange fear of Heaven, as most people do about the unknown.  This is one subject that has always fascinated me.   But in my 15 years as a Christian, I have talked to many other Believers about their true feelings about going to Heaven, or their "readiness" to go to Heaven, should Jesus return today, as He very well might!  "Behold! I am coming soon! (Rev. 23:7)  But when?!?  What a cliffhanger ending to an awesome Book!   Most people I've spoken to say that they feel like they should want to go to Heaven right now, to a perfect place to be with our Father, but they almost all agree that they have at least some degree of fear of the unknown that the thought of Heaven presents.  Of all the things to be afraid of in life, I don't think that our Lord would want us to consider Heaven among them.

I have come to this conclusion: I am living out my life with the goal of spending Eternity with God! This is that we all run the race to get!  With God, its not how you start, its how you finish, and I want to finish by spending my eternity with Jesus!  I'm dedicating my life to this!  If God desired for us to know precisely what it would be like for us on a day to day basis, He would have given us that information in His Word, don't you think?   He has so much in store for us, things He can't wait for us to see!  So much time spent preparing...

In times of trouble, many people say that God won't give you more than you can handle,  and I think this applies to the fantastic as well!   What if God pulled that curtain all the way back for us today?  We'd likely be so dumbfounded at the glory of it all, that we'd all wind up crashing our cars into trees or falling down flights of stairs in our utter dismay!   Perhaps God simply wants us to continue to humble ourselves before Him daily until His return, and just be grateful for the provision He has made for our eternity; that tremendous sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ,  without asking so many questions.

That said, I'll try to leave my silly fears and insecurities about the future at the Pearly Gates, and when my name is found in the Lamb's Book of Life, and Jesus says, "Well done, my good and faithful servant," I'll go running into His arms, into His Kingdom, and live happily ever after. Between now and then, however, I believe I'll be springing for that $1.00 cappuccino in our "Connections Cafe" every Sunday...because you never know...!

A Prayer, Just Because...

Dear Father God,
As I go to lay my head down to rest, following a difficult and wonderful week, temporarily sick in my physical body, but filled with your Holy Spirit, I come to meet with you. humbly, to give you thanks. As you watch from your throne in Heaven, where you have prepared a place for ME, may your name be glorified here on earth. There will come a time when Jesus will come to meet us in the clouds, and we will be caught up with Him and taken to live with you eternally. And all I had to do to win this wonderful prize, was to simply ask.. to come to you with my childlike faith, even as small as a mustard seed, in as much or as little as I knew of you, and say "Jesus, come into my heart. I can't do this life without you. I know I don't deserve your saving grace, for I have sinned so much. But today, I want to give my life to you. I pray that you will forgive me of my sins. I want to change. Please help me to change and to be more like you. Amen." And in that instant, you sent your Holy Spirit to live in my heart, to direct my path and be my Comforter. So, becasue of the Comforter who lives in me, I could get through this week in the hospital, and rejoice in the knowledge of your plan to prosper me, and in your promise that you will never leave me or forsake me, in a way that no human could ever promise. So many others have dissapointed me, but you could never disappoint. I pray that I will not dissappoint you too much when I awake and start a new day. Please search my heart, and point out anything that is displeasing to you as I go about my day, and I promise to correct it.
Please bless my friends as they go about the business of thier days, and help them and encourage them through their struggles. Use me, Father, in any way you will. I am here, and I will follow you wherever you will lead me, and go wherever you will send me. Please let me be a blessing to even one person in the new day, as I have been so blessed by others in your Kingdom.
In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

WORSHIPING GOD...

I have just returned from a 4-5 day hospital stay, where I was treated for pneumonia. If you've been following, or have known me, you know that the summer of 2009 has been a bit of a physical calamity for me. But for a VERY CLEAR REASON, I am not all that disturbed by it, and actually feel quite content! "Are you crazy, Cindy?" In the hopstial 4 times, 14 broken bones from a car accident, 2 weeks in a rehab, and living in a hospital bed, unable to walk since July 14th, and not again until mid-September???
At most other times in my life, I'd be completely withdrawn, depressed, lonely, and self-pitying. But at THIS time, I'm just fine. Actually, I felt quite lucky to have 5 days completely to myself. I never got so much done! I read the whole Book of Acts (5th Book of the New Testament, about the Early Church,) did a bunch of homework for a Bible Study I'm working on, and was fortunate that the hospital had satellite TV, which carried a Christian TV network 24/7!
It was so funny-- so many staff members commented on my "odd activites," Like waking up way before sunset to pray and read the Bible, singing praise songs quietly while having diagnostic tests performed, etc. One nursing assistant asked, "Have you always been so religious?" I had to laugh, and she didn't get it, but I told her that I am not at all religious but I am a Christian!
Do YOU know what I mean by that? To me, "religion" is about lots of rules and regulations, and repetitive prayers. But that's not what church is like for me. First off, "Church" is not about a building! Its about where YOU, or you and others gather to worship God! Church can take place sitting on our bed, under the stars on a Friday evening, or, yes, in a lovely new building that cost us all a pretty penny to build. God doesn't live in a building, He lives in His people! So, worship in your living room, or worship in a huge church buidling, or worship in the bathtub, but for God's sake, WORSHIP HIM!

I happen to adore going to church, and do everything in my power to get there despite my recent circumstances. Will God be angry with me if I don't? Doubt it! I just enjoy the fellowship of my Christian friends, hearing God's word from the mouths of different annointed Pastors, and to have an opportunity to serve others. In my church, we are free to worship as we please. No strict rules. Come as you are. God will meet you there!
I love to publicly show my love for Him, and thank Him for healing me of pneumonia in 3 days, and delivernig me from so many other things! When I want to tell Him how blessed I am by the sacrifce of his Son, and that because of this, I get to spend Eternity WITH HIM, and I CAN'T WAIT! And I want to scream it to the top of the rafters!
And if I want to sing, "My chains are gone! I've been set free! My God, my Savior has ransomed me! And like a flood, His mercy reigns! Unending love, AMAZING GRACE!" at the top of my lungs, with my arms in the air in submission to Him, and my face turned toward Heaven, then I can go ahead and DO that, and it doesn't matter who likes it or doesn't, because GOD DOES! The Bible tells us that "God inhabits the praises of his people!" DON'T HOLD OUT ON GOD!
To end this, I'll revisit the hospital for a moment. God gave me a Bible verse that helped me through, although I could hae found thousands that would bring me comfort. The verse He gave me in the Emergency Room was this:
"For I have a plan for your life, A plan to prosper you and not harm you, a plan to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11)
Now, did He think I didn't know this? Of course not! I love this verse from the Old Testament. But God wanted to remind me, in that difficult moment that my future was not to include being hooked up to oxygen, IV tubes with antibiotics flowing through them, breathing treatments, and heart monitors.
He was reminding me that He had all of my days planned out before the beginning of the world! And a long tme ago, He showed me that He has awesome plans for me, if I stay within His perfect will. So, all throughout each day, I said to myself over and over, God HAS PROSPERED ME ALREADY. THIS IS NOT MY LIFE. THIS EXPERIENCE DOES NOT DEFINE WHO I AM! THIS IS TEMPORARY.
"For my plan is to give you hope and a future!"
How can you NOT want to follow the one and only God, the Creator of the Universe, the author and perfector of our faith, when He's literally got the while world in His hands, INCLUDING YOU?????
Again, for a free bible or just to chat about how to find God (He is not hiding!) e-mail me with contact info at cbuchanan@dejazzd.com
I'm not a strange psychopath, just a girl, sharing God's love, because I do love Him, and because He told me to.
Love,
Cindy

God woke me up at 2 AM to write this!

So, out of obedience to Him, I'll be blogging now withno clear idea yet of what He has in mind for me to write! We'll find out together!

For a girl who has spent the past month in a hospital, then a Rehab, with 14 broken bones, and currently living in my Family Room on a hospital bed, you'd think I'd be bored out of my mind! No! I'm very busy!
You see, I have a new job! I could have started it when I was much, much younger, but didn't choose to. Why not, I don't know, because its SO much fun!
The interview was a breeze! All I did was tell the "decision-maker" that I didn't want to do what I used to do, and I really wanted to start working for Him, every day for the rest of my life! I told Him about some problems I've had in the past, that I really wanted to turn away from those things, and He nodded with complete understanding, AS IF HE ALREADY KNEW!
I've got THE BEST BOSS! This guy walks on water! He can do no wrong!
And if you LOVE variety, you'd love my job, too! Every day is different! Some days I make lots of phone calls, and I just get to chat with people. Other days, I have a lot of reading to do. Most of it is from the same Book, but other times, I read about what other people,THINK about that Book! I listen to great music all day, that just warms my heart and makes me feel good, and, while my Boss doesn't sing out loud much, as far as I know, he REALLY seems to enjoy listening to Me sing! As if I am singing to Him! So, I do!
One downside is that I don't get a weekly paycheck. I don't mind though, because the benefits are the best in town! See, he's a doctor--sometimes even called "The Great Physician," and has healed so many people of their afflictions, myself included! He gives you free wisdom and care for LIFE, so that you always know exactly what to do Sounds crazy, I know, but its like having this awesome free GPS for your life: one that never gives you the wrong directions! For examle, I realy want to go to Heaven one day, so I can punch "h e a v e n" into my GPS, and get clear instructions on how toget there! LOL! And talk about retirement benefits! We have been promised a MANSION to live in FOREVER! On a street paved with gold! There are many, many mansions available,if you're interested in looking into this! No closng costs, taxes, or any hidden costs!
At first, my husband didn't want me to sign on with this man, because part of the contract is that I give 10% of all of my income to HIM! Whoever heard of PAYING someone whose work you do? But the more I give to him, the more rewards I seem to get!?!
The following is a true story, I promise!: One month, we didn't have enough money in my account to pay our personal bills,let alone this 10% promise. I felt terrible! I know He expects that 10% My husband (who signed-on too)) and I sat beside each other, looking at the low balance in our checkbook. We happened to be sitting in church at the time, so we decided to PRAY about what to do. ... We KNEW we didn't have the money to give 10% away, and with what we did have, I had really wanted to buy some new shoes. I had just had bunion surgery, and all of my shoes were now a size too small, and were just killing my right foot! But, we said we'd give our 10%, and so we did, wondering how we'd make it through the week, with little in the fridge, and a few unpaid bills.
So, this was on a Sunday. Three days later (I kid you not) I went to check the mail, quickly so as to avoid looking at any bills, and saw something that looked like a bill, but I didn't recognize the return address, so, curiously, I opened it.
In this envelope was a letter from my health insurance company, telling me that I had OVERPAID a hospital bill, and "Enclosed, please find a refund check in the amount of $2,365.29." Over two-thouand dollars?!?!
Weren't we just sitting in church looking at the sorry little balance in our checking account? So, I did get one pair of shoes, and the next week, we were able to give this fabulous guy 35%!

So, if you are laughing along with me, perhaps nodding your head in agreement that this kind of thing happens to you, too, I'll be right back with you!

BUT, if you are still thinking," What the heck is this girl talking about?! She's off her rocker!" then read carefully please!

To you who are wondering about my crazy story, let me clarify: Everything I've said about my "Boss" is true. 100%. And if He sounds pretty cool to you, let me tell you more.

He is the Creator of the Universe! Yes, God Himself! Don't believe in Him? Not sure? Neither was I, until I was 31 years old (about 15 years ago.) I WANTED to know Him, but I had some concerns?

1- does He really even exist?
2- Is the Bible really true, or just a bunch of stories some guys with beards wrote to explain what science couldn't?
3- Or are you thinking," With all of the junk I've done in my life, how could God ever want anything to do with me?
Please allow me to address your very valid concerns.
1--YES, God does exist! He reveals Himself to each one of us every day through His wonderous Creation! I can tell you stories of the things He has done in my life, MIRACLES beyond what I could have ever imagined, but I'm not a Pastor or Minister who can answer this in a "professional way. But if you send me an e-mail at the address below, I'll send you some info that should end your wonder forever. Meanwhle, go dig out your copy of The Bible-most people have one somewhere in the house, and start reading inthe Gospel of John (the 4th Book in the New Testament, for more fabulous info about the Character of Jesus.)
2--Have you been "SO BAD" that God could never forgive you? ABSOLUTELY NOT! God writes in His Word, "For ALL have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God!," and " There is No one righteous, NO NOT ONE!" (Emphasis added.) If you've ever known a priest, Reverend, nun, or someone who seems "SO HOLY!"--believe me, God is telling us that NO ONE is without guilt! He forgives murderers, rapists, child molesters--anyone who seeks Him confesses their sins, REPENTS, or TURNS AWAY from their sins, and sincerely ASKS Him into their heart WILL BE SAVED! Remember my "job interview?" Just tell Him what's in your heart! He already knows it all anyway! Just get honest, tell him you are FINISHED with that old sinful life! It doesn't matter if you've done things you're not proud of! Maybe you're a nice girl but you tend to drink a little heavily, or when your wife nags you in the morning, you may have lashed out at her physically once or twice? Whether you've been unfaithful to your husband, stolen to buy drugs, or maybe you are living a pretty clean life, but just CRAVE that closeness with God and havn't been able to find Him? GOD LOVES YOU! He loves you SO MUCH that he allowed His Son, Jesus Christ, DIE for you!
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that WHOEVER would BELEIVE in him would not perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE! (John 3:16- emphasis added.) WHOEVER means YOU! And ME! Whoo Hoo! THANK HIM for sacrificing His Son for your sins! That's how easy it is to start walking with (and WORKING for) God!

If you are ready to FINALLY live a full and happy life, walking hand in hand with God, all you have to do is say a little prayer, perhaps something like this: (or simply recite this out loud!):

Dear God. I believe that you are the one and only God! I believe that you sent your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for my sins. Right now, I turn away from my sins. Please forgive me for my sins, and change my heart! Please come into my life today and forever! In every way that I know how, I give my life to you today. Amen.

AMEN! That means "And So IT IS DONE!"

If you've just prayed that prayer and made a decision to turn your life over to the care of God, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you TELL SOMEONE!!! God instructs us to do this, but not only that, who wouldn't want to share such woderful news?! That YOU are now a Child of the Living God?! HOW COOL?!
Now, what about those people who might think you are "weird" for making such a decision? Forget about anyone who would try to bring you down right now. EVIL DOES EXIST in the world, and someone may try to take away your joy, but DO NOT LET THEM!
Next, you'll want to get a copy of the Bible. Will you let me send you a copy for free? I don't ever accept any money for sharing God's Word, and I am not writing for any particular church or other group, so you can feel comfortable that I will ONLY send a plain copy of the Bible, with no personal opinions. Just e-mail me at cbuchanan@dejazzd.com, and you can leave your address, or even your phone number if you want to talk more about this. (Sorry, but I can only call US and Canadian numbers...)
Finally, this Sunday, find a church to attend! Tell someone you are a new Christian! They will rejoice with you! You may need to visit several churches before you find one that feels like "home," so take your time!

I started this post by saying " don't know what God wants me to write about. Now, I have no question! It was well worth waking up in the middle of the night, to spend a few hours writing this, if even ONE HEART BEGINS to think about God, even just a little bit.

Love,
Cindy