OK people my self-esteem is at all time low and I need encouragement!! So send it my way!!
But I have to tell you that I can still laugh at myself!!
Today I sat in a meeting and I asked stupid, I mean important questions. Like where is "so & so" etc. I guess it was obvious or something but I really did not know. Anyway, I had a thought...I am a blond joke waiting to happen, asking stupid questions all the while drinking Smart Water.....oh if there was only a song like "Let's hear it for the boys..." but had words aptly chosen for poor little me. I guess that "She's a maniac" may work.....
Anyone ever been in a tunnel??? Does your family like to honk in it? Well mine does and I think that is encouraging because as you move from blinding sun to darkness or darkness to blinding lights the honk is a great indicator that you are on the right path instead of in the open spaces where the horn indicates you are on the WRONG path. lol
If you have some horns you can honk them my way today as I am in a tunnel!!
Now I will tell you more about the name of my blog............simply because it relates to my current circumstances as well - I am just a branch and I must abide in the Vine!
While in Brazil the term was coined because my uncle, Uncle Brother John, led our devotionals before and at the end of each day. We prepared for each journey knowing that all we do is abide. Well one gentleman and myself(who think entirely too much alike - scary!) started coming up with songs about being a branch - just a branch - I'm a branch - etc. We had several tunes in our heads and played a little red light/green light too. We would freeze a little like "walking like an Egyptian" and yell, "I'm a branch!"
One of my favorites was to the tune of a song where you sing: Baby Jaws doot doot doot doot, baby jaws doot doot doot doot, mama jaws doot doot, you get the point. (Linda I should have done this one on video you guys are missing my animation!! I will admit that I am VERY animated!)
I'm a branch doot doot doot doot
I'm a branch doot doot doot doot
I'm a branch doot doot doot doot
Hangin on the vine doot doot doot doot
On the vine doot doot doot doot
On the vine doot doot doot doot
Just abiding my time doot doot doot doot
Abiding time doot doot doot doot
Abiding time doot doot doot doot
I'm A Branch!
Love to all,
Chel - An Abiding Branch
Friday, August 29, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
John 3:16, "Who Do You See?"
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
I do love this word from the Lord so intensely. Not only did he rescue me from the clutches of death but He also welcomed me after I thought I could do this all on my own. When I, in my rebellion, thought I could ignore His voice - Oh praise be to HIM that He did not leave me to my own devices - but by ignoring His voice I had actually said, "Oh but Lord it is best to learn from experience...and how do I know things are good or bad for me unless I try it."
He astonishes me. This love (agapao) beyond all understanding and without limits is expressed to someone like me, sinful, broken, putrid, and hideous. Yet He loved me and all of us so much that He committed His one and only son to be our sacrifice, bestowing Jesus to us.
I looked up a lot of the words found in John 3:16 in Greek via Strongs, and interpreted this summary:
"Indeed, God loved His creation beyond compare in such a way insomuch He supplied His one and only son in order that each and everyone would put full confidence into Him so they will not be destroyed or rendered useless instead giving the exception to the possession of a full active vigorous life wholly devoted to God without end. "
I don't know about you but that blew me away! Our need, His supply so we will not be useless!!!!
How can we have the full active life without end if we do not first put our trust in HIM?
All because He first loved us! I am speechless and breathless.
It reminded me of a poem I wrote in 2003 titled:
Chel - An Abiding Branch
I do love this word from the Lord so intensely. Not only did he rescue me from the clutches of death but He also welcomed me after I thought I could do this all on my own. When I, in my rebellion, thought I could ignore His voice - Oh praise be to HIM that He did not leave me to my own devices - but by ignoring His voice I had actually said, "Oh but Lord it is best to learn from experience...and how do I know things are good or bad for me unless I try it."
What ignorance! But thank the LORD, Oh What a Savior!
I looked up a lot of the words found in John 3:16 in Greek via Strongs, and interpreted this summary:
"Indeed, God loved His creation beyond compare in such a way insomuch He supplied His one and only son in order that each and everyone would put full confidence into Him so they will not be destroyed or rendered useless instead giving the exception to the possession of a full active vigorous life wholly devoted to God without end. "
I don't know about you but that blew me away! Our need, His supply so we will not be useless!!!!
How can we have the full active life without end if we do not first put our trust in HIM?
All because He first loved us! I am speechless and breathless.
It reminded me of a poem I wrote in 2003 titled:
Who Do You See
O' woman who do you see, for when you look in the mirror you do not see thee!
You view through a filter, a perfecting lens, you are far too blind to see your own sins!
Do you not know that sin will cause your heart to break?
And it will be the very heart of Christ you will forsake.
By driving a wedge in your life you will be destroyed from within,
You must now relinquish yourself so that Christ may come in.
By going on your own way you will not be useful,
While still denying His gifts with your refusal.
For the life you are living is the very life that God ordained
Now may the life you live Reflect His Holy Name!
Chel - An Abiding Branch
I love this tool that I used to find the Greek meanings http://bible.lifeway.com. Click on the KJV with Strong's then click on the words allowable to view the original meanings.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Share a Prayer!
OK, this is straight from my Believing God journal. I really debated on sharing this but you just never know who has the same size shoe as you so always bring an extra pair! Amen or Oh Me!
Lord, I know that the life you have called me to is purposed to magnify and glorify you! That all the trials and tribulations are so that the end result will be more of YOU and less of me.
Lord help me hand it all over to you Father! Cover my eyes so I see only what you would have me to see. Set my mind upon you and the things of YOU. Devour the repugnant in your sight and set my feet upon HIGH HILLS (thank you Tabby) Please move your love, compassion, and understanding through me to others.
Help me to wholly and totally be concerned only with you and to that degree which you know in my heart. Keep me in your very capable hands and put blinders on me so that as I step out in faith I see not the water but YOU (thank you Sister). Help me think on only these things which are listed in Phil. 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."
Protect my family Lord as your refine us to be more like you and reign all over us!
Keep my eyes on you and your Promised Land (Thank you LORD, thank you Jesus, thank you Abraham, thank you Beth - see DidiLyn I did it!) for me. All obstacles and circumstances aside LORD for it is in you along I will abide.
Lord, I know that the life you have called me to is purposed to magnify and glorify you! That all the trials and tribulations are so that the end result will be more of YOU and less of me.
Lord help me hand it all over to you Father! Cover my eyes so I see only what you would have me to see. Set my mind upon you and the things of YOU. Devour the repugnant in your sight and set my feet upon HIGH HILLS (thank you Tabby) Please move your love, compassion, and understanding through me to others.
Help me to wholly and totally be concerned only with you and to that degree which you know in my heart. Keep me in your very capable hands and put blinders on me so that as I step out in faith I see not the water but YOU (thank you Sister). Help me think on only these things which are listed in Phil. 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."
Protect my family Lord as your refine us to be more like you and reign all over us!
Keep my eyes on you and your Promised Land (Thank you LORD, thank you Jesus, thank you Abraham, thank you Beth - see DidiLyn I did it!) for me. All obstacles and circumstances aside LORD for it is in you along I will abide.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
We Can't Go On Together
with suspicious minds....I too was a skeptic. When my daughter and I went to Brazil last year on mission trip, I saw it bring its ugly head to the top of my mind and heart. I truly wondered if all the people I met could truly be that accepting and loving. And truly be accepting the Savior. I had never seen anything like that in my life. I had seen the power of the Holy Spirit in my midst but WOW and Whoa buddy, It WAS true.
God and I spent many many many moments perhaps hours working this wall down to size that could be stepped over. I was so in love with the country and the people yet I had this lingering thought in the back of mind. Too much tv drama??? I don't know.
We saw many lives changed on the spot. I personally was witness to hundreds of people accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. It took not my amount of faith to be able to see, but all the might from the one in whom I place my faith and my trust. Jesus truly showed Himself powerful to me during that time.
This once, very skeptical heart is here to tell you that indeed it was faith but it was also the LORD!
for the previous story go here: http://abidingbranch.blogspot.com/2008/08/faith-cure-for-skeptical-heart.html
Love, Chel
God and I spent many many many moments perhaps hours working this wall down to size that could be stepped over. I was so in love with the country and the people yet I had this lingering thought in the back of mind. Too much tv drama??? I don't know.
We saw many lives changed on the spot. I personally was witness to hundreds of people accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. It took not my amount of faith to be able to see, but all the might from the one in whom I place my faith and my trust. Jesus truly showed Himself powerful to me during that time.
This once, very skeptical heart is here to tell you that indeed it was faith but it was also the LORD!
for the previous story go here: http://abidingbranch.blogspot.com/2008/08/faith-cure-for-skeptical-heart.html
Love, Chel
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Faith: The Cure for a Skeptical Heart
Can’t get something for nothing…What do ‘they’ want?...If it is too good to be true then it probably is…
Pop culture will tell us to look out for ourselves and be watchful so we will not be taken advantage of, but faith tells us to have faith in Jesus and He has the rest of it covered. Hmm, this thought has crossed my mind a time or two. I saw skepticism in action this weekend and it breaks my heart. So many people have been taken advantage of all around us and so many more are hurting. They were very skeptical over our motive in being there.
Our church launched an outreach ministry and our first thing was to reach out to the new apartment complex directly across the street. Not that they are so desperate they need our help but that the church had lost focus of what the church is called to do. The local church has lost sight of the word local. Well, we have lost sight of many words.
Don't get me wrong, our church is involved in many ways within the community, when I speak of what is lost by churches today it is generally speaking. Many churches are on the right track and many are still looking for the grooves to get on the track and stay there. What I feel is that the heart of the church itself is more into hands off service and very little hands on...building relationships and reaching others for Christ by simply being available...
Now, I know it is mostly pride that fuels skeptical heart but still to see people not take the help they may truly need because they are afraid of what it may cost them (because nothing is ever really free right?). Our church had free food and some personal items to offer as well as school supplies for the kiddos. We could all use a little help right now with this economy. The event was success. And I praise the Lord that He allowed us to do this and supplied all our needs - boy is HE able! I just feel this weight on my heart and it is heavy today because of the people who simply sat on their balconies wondering what on earth we were all doing. (Little do they know it has nothing to do with earth!)
I watched them as they watched us. I prayed silently that the Spirit would compel them to come and meet us, we are not what they think we are. I saw members show up that I have never seen help at an event. Truly the Spirit of the Father was there! I watched as a mother and her son joined our fellowship today; they live there across the street! I have watched as the LORD has planted a couple in the apartments who are called to HIS purpose and name's sake. He has placed them in the middle of a community. God is moving without us and inspite of us. Ok, so where can I join in with what God is doing?
We, as the church, are part of that community even if we live 20 miles always. It does concern us and should for each one who sat on their balcony and waited to see what we wanted. There are people everywhere who have been hurt by others, by churches, by neighbors, and these once innocent and welcoming words are now a source of fear and fueling their skepticism.
What is skepticism after all? It is a developed mechanism in order to protect oneself from possible harm. Another word for skepticism is uncertainty (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skepticism).
Well I don’t know about you but it sounds to me that faith is the cure according to Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” WOW!
They only thing that we, as believers, can do is create an avenue where faith can be as contagious as skepticism has been. Do the things for others we wish would be done for us especially when it isn't. Destroy skepticism by being something other than they expected in order to confirm their fears. Be Jesus to them!
If you are interested I have another blog as well that I am going to start placing some poetry and other types of stuff. http://www.racheleposey.blogspot.com/.
Pop culture will tell us to look out for ourselves and be watchful so we will not be taken advantage of, but faith tells us to have faith in Jesus and He has the rest of it covered. Hmm, this thought has crossed my mind a time or two. I saw skepticism in action this weekend and it breaks my heart. So many people have been taken advantage of all around us and so many more are hurting. They were very skeptical over our motive in being there.
Our church launched an outreach ministry and our first thing was to reach out to the new apartment complex directly across the street. Not that they are so desperate they need our help but that the church had lost focus of what the church is called to do. The local church has lost sight of the word local. Well, we have lost sight of many words.
Don't get me wrong, our church is involved in many ways within the community, when I speak of what is lost by churches today it is generally speaking. Many churches are on the right track and many are still looking for the grooves to get on the track and stay there. What I feel is that the heart of the church itself is more into hands off service and very little hands on...building relationships and reaching others for Christ by simply being available...
Now, I know it is mostly pride that fuels skeptical heart but still to see people not take the help they may truly need because they are afraid of what it may cost them (because nothing is ever really free right?). Our church had free food and some personal items to offer as well as school supplies for the kiddos. We could all use a little help right now with this economy. The event was success. And I praise the Lord that He allowed us to do this and supplied all our needs - boy is HE able! I just feel this weight on my heart and it is heavy today because of the people who simply sat on their balconies wondering what on earth we were all doing. (Little do they know it has nothing to do with earth!)
I watched them as they watched us. I prayed silently that the Spirit would compel them to come and meet us, we are not what they think we are. I saw members show up that I have never seen help at an event. Truly the Spirit of the Father was there! I watched as a mother and her son joined our fellowship today; they live there across the street! I have watched as the LORD has planted a couple in the apartments who are called to HIS purpose and name's sake. He has placed them in the middle of a community. God is moving without us and inspite of us. Ok, so where can I join in with what God is doing?
We, as the church, are part of that community even if we live 20 miles always. It does concern us and should for each one who sat on their balcony and waited to see what we wanted. There are people everywhere who have been hurt by others, by churches, by neighbors, and these once innocent and welcoming words are now a source of fear and fueling their skepticism.
What is skepticism after all? It is a developed mechanism in order to protect oneself from possible harm. Another word for skepticism is uncertainty (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skepticism).
Well I don’t know about you but it sounds to me that faith is the cure according to Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” WOW!
They only thing that we, as believers, can do is create an avenue where faith can be as contagious as skepticism has been. Do the things for others we wish would be done for us especially when it isn't. Destroy skepticism by being something other than they expected in order to confirm their fears. Be Jesus to them!
If you are interested I have another blog as well that I am going to start placing some poetry and other types of stuff. http://www.racheleposey.blogspot.com/.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
No Sunday School Answer Here
Kim at the Internet Cafe has a posed a question: What is one thing or cause that you are passionate about?
I know it sounds a lot like the Sunday School answer but I am passionate about Jesus! I know that He will fulfill the desires of my heart as long as I keep my focus on HIM and HIM alone. It is so easy to look at yourself or others too much.
I do feel completely called to women's ministry and I know that the Lord will allow this to be my vocation at some point. I am passionate about studying and teaching the names of the Lord. I believe that each of HIS names reveals an important aspect of His character and allows us to see more of Him than we could imagine.
I am passionate about spreading the gospel and knowing that people have security in Jesus Christ.
I do feel completely called to women's ministry and I know that the Lord will allow this to be my vocation at some point. I am passionate about studying and teaching the names of the Lord. I believe that each of HIS names reveals an important aspect of His character and allows us to see more of Him than we could imagine.
I am passionate about spreading the gospel and knowing that people have security in Jesus Christ.
I have a deep passion for my family and love to spend time with them being silly, being serious, and going to church. We love to camp and be out in God's glorious creation. I am passionate about whatever my kids are passionate about! I am passionate about the color purple and writing. I love to write what I learn and I love to learn.
God has blessed me beyond what I deserve and has fashioned each passion in my heart in order that I will please Him with all my heart, my mind, and my strength. I know He will be faithful to finish what He has begun in me.
And that is reason enough to have passion.
God has blessed me beyond what I deserve and has fashioned each passion in my heart in order that I will please Him with all my heart, my mind, and my strength. I know He will be faithful to finish what He has begun in me.
And that is reason enough to have passion.
Chel - An Abiding Branch
Friday, August 8, 2008
Kicking Unbelief to the CURB!!!
Totally Tubular Thursday is a blur and Friday is nearly a distant memory. My next two weeks are going to be completely busy but I had to stop and admit some things.
This last week in Believing God kicked my unbelief to the curb....woo hoo! Go GOD Go!
I never realized that I failed to believe that He would reward me. To be honest I would never have called it unbelief until I hit day 2.
I know that I seek HIM and I truly do find HIM, but I had never stood on the promise of His rewards! Wow! Where was I? NOT on vacation I will tell you that much.
Do you ever feel trapped in the land of "It is what it is"? Boy, I have so been there. I have moved from angry to depressed to it is what is. And quite frankly, eh hem, I don't like the definition of is. lol Seriously, the "is" is not working for me and the unbelief had to go!
So allow me this......
Thank you my dearest Lord Jesus for Saving me and keeping me for yourself. Thank you for putting enough of you in me that I would long for more and more! Thank you for giving me some of your light that I may see the dark spots and hand them over to you. Thank you for giving me salt that some of the stings of life would be healed quickly. Thank you for being a baby to help me remember you know what fraility is. Thank you for obeying your own parents to remind me of your authority. Thank you for raising Lazurus and not just simply healing him so that the Father would be glorified your existence noted!
Thank you for dying the criminals death so that this worn out bag of flesh and sin could be free and join you in eternity.
Thank you for rising again and promising to return as the most handsome Groom anyone has ever seen and making me part of your Bride and wanting me.
Thank you for freeing me from unbelief so I can believe you will empart power and reward me for earnestly seeking YOU.
Thank you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ~ I love you!!!
From your very simple unworthy abiding branch ~ Chel
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
My Hubby Went Grocery Shopping
This truly Works For Me and saved me 10% too!
There is a drive-thru grocery in our little town called Fresh Lane and it is fabulous! Not only does it offer reasonable prices but you can create your list online to receive an additional 10% off your entire list. I got online while hubby took a shower and whala! I handed him a list when he came out and off he went.
This store offers fresh items and milk at a lower cost than most grocery stores - that is the important thing right! Especially with growing kiddos at home!They carry nearly all the basics and you NEVER HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR!
The list creates an easier trip for hubby to accomplish. Plus, there is a lesser chance that the unwanted (well truly wanted but not needed) items will make their way into the basket. He loves to pick up cookies and all kinds of goodies that are not-so-good for any of us.
So galzzzz, this truly works for me on this Wednesday!
Chel - An Abiding Branch
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Ahhhh, Friendships
Kim at the Internet Cafe has posted a question for the week: "What is one thing that you absolutely love about friendships? Why?
On the other side, what is one thing that you find absolutely difficult when it comes to friendships? Why?"
See there is this one perty little gal who is a fellow SeaChel and she is my best (BFFL) lol, we have been through almost everything together in life and have been there for each other in everything. And can I get a woo-hoo that we will be together eternally!
I would take the highest high or the lowest low with this chica! She's the best, she's a doll, she's a rock - not THE ROCK mind you but one nonetheless, lol. I think I speak for us both when I say that we know what it means to have only one another and we find that it is still absolutely good no matter the circumstances. We have cried rivers and built bridges together, and now that we are in ministry together we hope in the LORD that others will be able to do the same.
That little popular quote is quite dead on, Live, Laugh, and Love. If you are not doing that with your friends, they will drift away in the river of tears and that is one tough bridge to build.
On the downside, when you see a friend struggling and you know that you are not the one to help them through it, it is hard. It is hard when you give friends advice and they turn it around to justify what they are doing. Boy, that makes it really tough. I guess that is why they call it tough love. I may be good at some things but that one is tough for me, no pun intended!
I have learned that just as we go through seasons of good and plenty so do our friends. Just as we go through seasons of drudgery and dispair, so do our friends. Just as we have home troubles of various sorts, so do our friends. The bottom line is that we are learning to love like Jesus! And that is fine by me.
In HIM wholly,
Chel - An Abiding Branch
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Seekers of Rest
I just saw something that struck me as so strange. In New Braunfels, Texas off I-35 there was a church with a huge sign in the front that said the future home of the Fairfield Inn, a Marriott hotel.
So, why is this strange because you believe it to be sad? It is sad but even more so when I point out the strange factor.
An Inn is a place for rest…a lot of people will find rest in the Fairfield but none will find eternal rest. There is a push now that most are not aware of to keep the Bible out of hotels. As the Bible is booted out of the hotel rooms to make way for religious freedom (uh hum), the purpose of the Gideon’s will be lost yes but so will the souls of many!! Those Gideons are such mean people wanting to save the lost!!! How dare they care about someone’s eternal rest, whilst they sleep in their rented comfy (well sometimes) bed. Oh, the nerve…
The Gideons are real and they are out there somewhere. I guess there is a secret headquarters some place but none can hide from Google…A former reporter and now PR founder, Jeff Crilley says, “Google knows all”. So, there is where I journeyed on my quest to find the Gideons and enable the masses to help in this disparity that shall menace our nation.
Do we remember Gideon? If you have taken a Beth Moore study or read Judges Chapter 6, you may know him as runt, the runt of his family. God called him a mighty warrior in spite of his stature. So the Gideons may lay low but they are out there in a mighty way. See these Bibles are placed in hotels a little like he (Gideon) placed his fleece for the Lord to make wet or keep dry as a sign to him. The Bibles provided for those seeking rest will answer their questions and point them in the confirmed direction the Lord would have them go.
Pray for the hotel chains as they are exceedingly purchased by other religious groups and factions. Pray that God will not be taken from the hotels as He was out of our schools. He is God and can go anywhere He wants but how much greater the blessing when He is invited.
He and He alone can give you eternal rest. And my prayer is for the lost but also for the children of God to rekindle that love for the lost and the desire to see that NONE SHALL PERISH.
And like Gideon none of us are big enough or strong to fight this battle but in prayer and faith that rests in HIM the battle will be secured and then they can believe straight into the Promised Land too!
Love, Chel
So, why is this strange because you believe it to be sad? It is sad but even more so when I point out the strange factor.
An Inn is a place for rest…a lot of people will find rest in the Fairfield but none will find eternal rest. There is a push now that most are not aware of to keep the Bible out of hotels. As the Bible is booted out of the hotel rooms to make way for religious freedom (uh hum), the purpose of the Gideon’s will be lost yes but so will the souls of many!! Those Gideons are such mean people wanting to save the lost!!! How dare they care about someone’s eternal rest, whilst they sleep in their rented comfy (well sometimes) bed. Oh, the nerve…
The Gideons are real and they are out there somewhere. I guess there is a secret headquarters some place but none can hide from Google…A former reporter and now PR founder, Jeff Crilley says, “Google knows all”. So, there is where I journeyed on my quest to find the Gideons and enable the masses to help in this disparity that shall menace our nation.
Do we remember Gideon? If you have taken a Beth Moore study or read Judges Chapter 6, you may know him as runt, the runt of his family. God called him a mighty warrior in spite of his stature. So the Gideons may lay low but they are out there in a mighty way. See these Bibles are placed in hotels a little like he (Gideon) placed his fleece for the Lord to make wet or keep dry as a sign to him. The Bibles provided for those seeking rest will answer their questions and point them in the confirmed direction the Lord would have them go.
Pray for the hotel chains as they are exceedingly purchased by other religious groups and factions. Pray that God will not be taken from the hotels as He was out of our schools. He is God and can go anywhere He wants but how much greater the blessing when He is invited.
He and He alone can give you eternal rest. And my prayer is for the lost but also for the children of God to rekindle that love for the lost and the desire to see that NONE SHALL PERISH.
And like Gideon none of us are big enough or strong to fight this battle but in prayer and faith that rests in HIM the battle will be secured and then they can believe straight into the Promised Land too!
Love, Chel
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