The theme of today's post is in fact the name of one of my favorite songs , recorded by Miss Vikki Yohe. I know you have heard someone say , "patience is a virtue" and so it is. I was reading the account of the Apostles regarding the choosing of a new Apostle to replace Judas. The Apostles prayed after proposing two candidates, and then they cast lots!!!!!
The candidate chosen was Matthias. Matthias was numbered with the eleven Apostles and never heard from again. Had the Apostles waited on an answer from G-d they would have known He had Paul, then known as Saul ,being prepared for his 40 year , very powerful ministry. But. . . . . .
I am sure the Eleven meant to do as Jesus commanded them , and we know there was a reason for having twelve Apostles.It could not have been easy for those early church leaders to organize their ministries and certainly they were operating under great confusion. I bet the enemy thought he would reign in that confusion and stop the Church from continuing and developing. Sometimes the hardest thing is not seeking G-d, or even acknowledging Him.The hardest thing is in the waiting. We often convince ourselves that delay means denial. We think because He doesn't answer immediately , that He is saying "no". Sometimes , as in the case with the first Apostles, we make a decision based on what seems to be the best thing to do, because we "haven't heard G-d's Voice yet". Has anyone other than me been guilty of this?
Anyhow , when you are faced with a decision, be patient. Seek God and then WAIT for His answer. Don't let the enemy reign in your confusion. Wait. Believe me , G-d truly is the Sight Beyond What We See , and His response is always best because He alone knows what the end is going to be.
If you have had some issues with patience or with waiting on an answer fromG-d ,here is a resource for you. I hope you will write back and let me know your waiting experiences. Be encouraged !!!!!
Scripture references for today's post- Acts 1:12-26 , 9:1-31
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
I'm Back !!!!!!!
Hallelujah!!! I thank G-d for another Spring!!!!I am happy to blog with you again. My treatment is over ( for good,I hope!!) and I am just full of new ideas , new thoughts and plenty of thankfulness .I certainly thank all who have prayed for me and with me,I thank my caregivers : in the medical community and in the faith community, most of all my husband , family members and friends who have been so much encouragement.
If it seems to you that A Higher Place is taking a somewhat different slant in the days to come, you are correct. We continue as a Biblical Counseling initiative , but we are even more so a ministry of encouragement reaching out to persons battling cancer and other serious illness; both patients and caregivers Through the darkest times in this ordeal, G-d has surrounded me with His Love thru so many Angels , that I cannot do anything but join that band . Sometimes , in following our usual format , our TORCHBEARER may actually be a Scripture, instead of a Biblical Character. Please do not hesitate to let me know when you need prayers of Healing, Encouragement, Peace or Comfort for yourself or your family . Counseling issues such as making the best financial choices, new medical breakthroughs, how to be a friend to someone who's ill will be addressed in this blog , on our radio show and in the newsletter. Look forward to receiving valuable and encouraging information.
I am excited to be attending a re-entry conference here in Philadelphia , PA . I have not been able to be very active in the re-entry community since my illness , but even so , I continue with preparations for Spirit's Rest Transitional Counseling Residence for Women. THE BUILDING IS ALMOST READY!!!!! Those who know me know that this has been a long-time dream and it is amost HERE!!!!
Well, this is the first post in a long time and I hope I am not rambling on too much, but I wanted to let everyone know about the changes, and the new focus we have. Our show will probably broadcast next month on the 2nd Sat at 6PM- www.blogtalkradio.com/ahigherplace. E-mail me at ahp@restoredbythespiritministries.org to suscribe to the newsletter. One thing that will not change is that I am expecting to hear from YOU. Be encouraged- Pastor Norma
If it seems to you that A Higher Place is taking a somewhat different slant in the days to come, you are correct. We continue as a Biblical Counseling initiative , but we are even more so a ministry of encouragement reaching out to persons battling cancer and other serious illness; both patients and caregivers Through the darkest times in this ordeal, G-d has surrounded me with His Love thru so many Angels , that I cannot do anything but join that band . Sometimes , in following our usual format , our TORCHBEARER may actually be a Scripture, instead of a Biblical Character. Please do not hesitate to let me know when you need prayers of Healing, Encouragement, Peace or Comfort for yourself or your family . Counseling issues such as making the best financial choices, new medical breakthroughs, how to be a friend to someone who's ill will be addressed in this blog , on our radio show and in the newsletter. Look forward to receiving valuable and encouraging information.
I am excited to be attending a re-entry conference here in Philadelphia , PA . I have not been able to be very active in the re-entry community since my illness , but even so , I continue with preparations for Spirit's Rest Transitional Counseling Residence for Women. THE BUILDING IS ALMOST READY!!!!! Those who know me know that this has been a long-time dream and it is amost HERE!!!!
Well, this is the first post in a long time and I hope I am not rambling on too much, but I wanted to let everyone know about the changes, and the new focus we have. Our show will probably broadcast next month on the 2nd Sat at 6PM- www.blogtalkradio.com/ahigherplace. E-mail me at ahp@restoredbythespiritministries.org to suscribe to the newsletter. One thing that will not change is that I am expecting to hear from YOU. Be encouraged- Pastor Norma
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
5 Signs You May Be Limping Into Your Destiny- Week 6
Okay !!!! Back in the On-line Biblical Counseling Saddle and glad about it!!!!
Our TORCHBEARER for these past few weeks on this CLIMB/ Bible Study has been Jacob. We have been looking at some events in Jacob's life that could bring some encouragement to those of us who have had some questions about what we may be destined to do (or not do!), about G-d's Timing, and /or our purposes aligning with His Purpose for our lives , and how He may very well change the way we walk with Him forever. The Scriptural basis for this CLIMB has come from the Book of Genesis, Chapters 30 & 31.
In Part 1 of this series we look at 5 hallmarks of change. We will save the last - the Life and Death experience for Pt. 2 of the series , which will broadcast on our Live Internet Christian Talk Show(www.blogtalkradio.com/ahigherplace) at a later date. As you may know , our show is on hiatus , but we continue with this branch of Christian Ministry in order to Evangelize and encourage those who may need to know that the Wisdom of the Bible is pure and is to be sought and followed daily.
In Week # 1- So What's Keeping You?Narcissism- Are you perceiving how people look at you as being more important than your obedience to G-d's Directive? When G-d says go , do it! And, leave in love, not confusion (Gen 31:3-19)
Week #2- Helping G-d Out- Frustration-This is an area of unbelief or a lack of faith. Do you think that G-d is not All Powerful ? Be very careful to repent if you discover this on your way to your G-d Ordained Destiny. This is a form of idolatry. Don't try to help G-d out. Realize this is an area where you will need to lean on His Stregnth, and not your own. (Gen 30:37-43)
Week # 3 - G-d silences your influencers- Loneliness - He wants you to be fully accountable and not living in someone else's reality. When its time to make important decisions, embrace the loneliness- at least you have relief from your haters!!!!( Gen. 31:22-31)
Week # 4-Crisis- when new threats arise , or old , unfinished issues cause some insecurity, how do you respond? Remember , whatever G-d has directed you to do , He has already provided a way for you to do it, and He knows past, present & future. You don't always need to be "pro-active". the same g-d working in your life is at work in everyone else's as well.( Gen 32:7)
Week #5 - Life or Death Experience- This is where Pt 2 of this series will pick up , but if you like, you can read ahead and be ready when we resume.-(Gen 32-33).
I hope Pt 1 of 5 Signs you May Be Limping Into Your Destiny has been an enlightening study for you and that you have learned some very interesting lessons about walking into the Place that G-d has prepared for you. I know I certainly have: this CLIMB has been a challenge and many Points of Light have been revealed to me as I prepared this study of some of the events in Jacob's Life.
On your way to your Destiny , G-d will reveal many stregnths and weaknesses to you about you. Some losses and even some gains may surprise you . As you begin realize that G-d is never caught unaware, don't be surprised at how He changes the way you walk with Him forever. You may strut into your destiny , or you may limp.
Please post your comments below & let us know how this study has impacted your life. Looking to hear from you soon. Be encouraged!!!!!!!
Our TORCHBEARER for these past few weeks on this CLIMB/ Bible Study has been Jacob. We have been looking at some events in Jacob's life that could bring some encouragement to those of us who have had some questions about what we may be destined to do (or not do!), about G-d's Timing, and /or our purposes aligning with His Purpose for our lives , and how He may very well change the way we walk with Him forever. The Scriptural basis for this CLIMB has come from the Book of Genesis, Chapters 30 & 31.
In Part 1 of this series we look at 5 hallmarks of change. We will save the last - the Life and Death experience for Pt. 2 of the series , which will broadcast on our Live Internet Christian Talk Show(www.blogtalkradio.com/ahigherplace) at a later date. As you may know , our show is on hiatus , but we continue with this branch of Christian Ministry in order to Evangelize and encourage those who may need to know that the Wisdom of the Bible is pure and is to be sought and followed daily.
In Week # 1- So What's Keeping You?Narcissism- Are you perceiving how people look at you as being more important than your obedience to G-d's Directive? When G-d says go , do it! And, leave in love, not confusion (Gen 31:3-19)
Week #2- Helping G-d Out- Frustration-This is an area of unbelief or a lack of faith. Do you think that G-d is not All Powerful ? Be very careful to repent if you discover this on your way to your G-d Ordained Destiny. This is a form of idolatry. Don't try to help G-d out. Realize this is an area where you will need to lean on His Stregnth, and not your own. (Gen 30:37-43)
Week # 3 - G-d silences your influencers- Loneliness - He wants you to be fully accountable and not living in someone else's reality. When its time to make important decisions, embrace the loneliness- at least you have relief from your haters!!!!( Gen. 31:22-31)
Week # 4-Crisis- when new threats arise , or old , unfinished issues cause some insecurity, how do you respond? Remember , whatever G-d has directed you to do , He has already provided a way for you to do it, and He knows past, present & future. You don't always need to be "pro-active". the same g-d working in your life is at work in everyone else's as well.( Gen 32:7)
Week #5 - Life or Death Experience- This is where Pt 2 of this series will pick up , but if you like, you can read ahead and be ready when we resume.-(Gen 32-33).
I hope Pt 1 of 5 Signs you May Be Limping Into Your Destiny has been an enlightening study for you and that you have learned some very interesting lessons about walking into the Place that G-d has prepared for you. I know I certainly have: this CLIMB has been a challenge and many Points of Light have been revealed to me as I prepared this study of some of the events in Jacob's Life.
On your way to your Destiny , G-d will reveal many stregnths and weaknesses to you about you. Some losses and even some gains may surprise you . As you begin realize that G-d is never caught unaware, don't be surprised at how He changes the way you walk with Him forever. You may strut into your destiny , or you may limp.
Please post your comments below & let us know how this study has impacted your life. Looking to hear from you soon. Be encouraged!!!!!!!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
5 signs you May be Limping Into Your Destiny - Week 5
I am apologizing for such a long time between posts. There is a health issue that has kept me out of commission for a bit , but we are back in the saddle now!!!! Stay tuned for our summary of "5 Signs You May Be Limping Into Your Destiny". Have you been reading and applying this wisdom ? Have you been recognizing some of these issues in your own life that were showing up in Jacob's life??? I hope so!!!!! Share your comments with us . A. . . N. . D. . . . . Stay tuned, there is more to come! Be Encouraged, Pastor Norma
Thursday, July 15, 2010
5 Signs You May Be Limping Into Your Destiny - Week 4
Crisis is a clear hallmark that you may be limping into your destiny. One action closely associated with crisis is looking back over your life to see if anything , any old bills, unresolved arguments, remaining debts could possibly loom on your new , suddenly rosy horizon. Once you discover that one loose thread, your effort to weave it into your destiny fabric can put you in a crisis. This is not to say that new threats will not appear, but often it is old stuff that rears its head to throw you in a tizzy.
And in a tizzy , we go!!!! In our attempts to be "proactive", we often overlook the fact that as G-d has changed us , so has He changed the situation or the people we are fearing to face!!!!! Time has passed and situations are just not the same as we remember them. We often forget that G-d is in the blessing business (if I may slide in a cliche here!) and the same G-d at work in your life has the Power to work in other lives as well. You do realize this ,don't you?
In the case of new threats to our security, we need to let go and let G-d!!!! ( sorry , another cliche!) I know that it does not seem that simple but the more we try to fight , the less we are allowing Him to fight for us. Believe me , His resources for battle fa r r r r r outweigh ours, and His Point of View sees past, present, and future . We only see in the immediate. Be obedient. Don't let a crisis , perceived or actual keep you from your destiny.
The crisis Jacob faced was meeting his deceived brother , Esau. Jacob knew he had cheated Esau and when ,in his obedience to what G-d told him to do , Jacob set out for home, he did so under a cloud of fear . Here was ( Jacob thought!!) and unresolved argument, an unpaid debt. In making his "proactive' decision to present Esau with a large gift of livestock and other riches in order to appease Esau,( Gen. 32) Jacob forgot that the same G-d he had been encountering throughout his life had also been at work in Esau's life. The only thing Esau required from Jacob was . . the chance to hug his brother after all those years. ( Gen. 33:4) (but we are skipping ahead a bit!!!)
Proactive??? Actually anticlimactic. And so are the crises that loom in your mind as a threat to your arrival at your destiny. If G-d tells you to do it , belive me He has ALL the details worked out , including those we see as a crisis.
Be a part of our on-line community!! Share your experience or your questions and comments below.Click right where it reads "comments", because just thinking about how G-d has brought you through gives you a whole, new Praise!!!! Be Encouraged!!!!!! Pastor Norma
And in a tizzy , we go!!!! In our attempts to be "proactive", we often overlook the fact that as G-d has changed us , so has He changed the situation or the people we are fearing to face!!!!! Time has passed and situations are just not the same as we remember them. We often forget that G-d is in the blessing business (if I may slide in a cliche here!) and the same G-d at work in your life has the Power to work in other lives as well. You do realize this ,don't you?
In the case of new threats to our security, we need to let go and let G-d!!!! ( sorry , another cliche!) I know that it does not seem that simple but the more we try to fight , the less we are allowing Him to fight for us. Believe me , His resources for battle fa r r r r r outweigh ours, and His Point of View sees past, present, and future . We only see in the immediate. Be obedient. Don't let a crisis , perceived or actual keep you from your destiny.
The crisis Jacob faced was meeting his deceived brother , Esau. Jacob knew he had cheated Esau and when ,in his obedience to what G-d told him to do , Jacob set out for home, he did so under a cloud of fear . Here was ( Jacob thought!!) and unresolved argument, an unpaid debt. In making his "proactive' decision to present Esau with a large gift of livestock and other riches in order to appease Esau,( Gen. 32) Jacob forgot that the same G-d he had been encountering throughout his life had also been at work in Esau's life. The only thing Esau required from Jacob was . . the chance to hug his brother after all those years. ( Gen. 33:4) (but we are skipping ahead a bit!!!)
Proactive??? Actually anticlimactic. And so are the crises that loom in your mind as a threat to your arrival at your destiny. If G-d tells you to do it , belive me He has ALL the details worked out , including those we see as a crisis.
Be a part of our on-line community!! Share your experience or your questions and comments below.Click right where it reads "comments", because just thinking about how G-d has brought you through gives you a whole, new Praise!!!! Be Encouraged!!!!!! Pastor Norma
Friday, July 2, 2010
5 Signs You May Be Limping Into Your Destiny- Week 3
Okay, all the signs are pointing that you are just about there!!!! you can feel it!!! All right!!!!! the decision has been made , gonna do it, gotta do it!!!!
"All right! All right! I just gotta talk to somebody!! Let me just pray with some body . Am I sure this is what is right??? Let me call my . . . .
Wow, my mom has been in a meeting for the last 3 hours. My sister is on a class trip with one of her kids. I can't even get my Pastor on the phone. Why is my best friend acting like suddenly he has no opinions about anything? Where is everybody? I can't even find one of my haters. Here I am on the edge of a major decision in my life and there is no one to talk to . Why?????????????????"
I'll bet you have been here , haven't you? Right on the eve of a breakthrough and suddenly; SILENCE. No one to say anything good or anything bad. Plenty of people up to now expressing their opinions and thoughts (whether you wanted them or not!) , about what you should or should not do , say , think, try , go , stay , lead , follow. Now , at the 11th hour- nada. And you never felt so lonely in all your life.
G-d has a way of silencing your influencers . While you' re on the way to your destiny , He wants the choice to be all yours. He wants to make sure you are counting the costs , and not living in someone else's reality. So ,very often, all those people who have been speaking into your life become unavailable to you because they have the power to influence your decision.
Jacob had loaded up his family and posessions and was on the road fleeing from Laban when Laban got the news. ( Gen. 31:22 ) Immediately , Laban overtook Jacob in the mountains of Gilead. However, the night before , G-d had appeared to Laban in a dream and cautioned Laban to say nothing to Jacob, neither good nor bad. (Gen. 31:24) Laban asked Jacob why did he steal away, reminding Jacob that he, Laban had the power to kill Jacob (Gen.21:29) Jacob replied (Gen31:31) that he thought Laban would take away his wives by force if Laban knew Jacob wanted to go. Now ,that would certainly be a powerful influence to induce Jacob not to leave would n't it? So powerful that it may have influenced Jacob right off the path to his destiny!!!!!!!
Share your experiences here where you have found yourself very lonely , just when you thought you needed company the most. Post your experiences because your voice gives stregnth to someone else.
Please enjoy yourselves on this Fourth of July week-end. It is my prayer that everyone will have fun and stay safe. We live in a country where we are free to worship whenever and however we choose. Not all Christians have this freedom. G-d bless America!!! Be encouraged- Pastor Norma
"All right! All right! I just gotta talk to somebody!! Let me just pray with some body . Am I sure this is what is right??? Let me call my . . . .
Wow, my mom has been in a meeting for the last 3 hours. My sister is on a class trip with one of her kids. I can't even get my Pastor on the phone. Why is my best friend acting like suddenly he has no opinions about anything? Where is everybody? I can't even find one of my haters. Here I am on the edge of a major decision in my life and there is no one to talk to . Why?????????????????"
I'll bet you have been here , haven't you? Right on the eve of a breakthrough and suddenly; SILENCE. No one to say anything good or anything bad. Plenty of people up to now expressing their opinions and thoughts (whether you wanted them or not!) , about what you should or should not do , say , think, try , go , stay , lead , follow. Now , at the 11th hour- nada. And you never felt so lonely in all your life.
G-d has a way of silencing your influencers . While you' re on the way to your destiny , He wants the choice to be all yours. He wants to make sure you are counting the costs , and not living in someone else's reality. So ,very often, all those people who have been speaking into your life become unavailable to you because they have the power to influence your decision.
Jacob had loaded up his family and posessions and was on the road fleeing from Laban when Laban got the news. ( Gen. 31:22 ) Immediately , Laban overtook Jacob in the mountains of Gilead. However, the night before , G-d had appeared to Laban in a dream and cautioned Laban to say nothing to Jacob, neither good nor bad. (Gen. 31:24) Laban asked Jacob why did he steal away, reminding Jacob that he, Laban had the power to kill Jacob (Gen.21:29) Jacob replied (Gen31:31) that he thought Laban would take away his wives by force if Laban knew Jacob wanted to go. Now ,that would certainly be a powerful influence to induce Jacob not to leave would n't it? So powerful that it may have influenced Jacob right off the path to his destiny!!!!!!!
Share your experiences here where you have found yourself very lonely , just when you thought you needed company the most. Post your experiences because your voice gives stregnth to someone else.
Please enjoy yourselves on this Fourth of July week-end. It is my prayer that everyone will have fun and stay safe. We live in a country where we are free to worship whenever and however we choose. Not all Christians have this freedom. G-d bless America!!! Be encouraged- Pastor Norma
Monday, June 21, 2010
5 Signs You May Be Limping Into Your Destiny- Week 2
A hall mark that you could be limping into your destiny is frustration. Either it seems so close , or it appears impossibly far away. So, what do we do? We try to help G-d out a bit, usually with disastrous results!
Laban & Jacob had already agreed the the spotted , striped & black lambs would be Jacob's wages from Laban, so, why would Jacob place striped , spotted branches where the sheep would see them? (Gen.31:41) Jacob was helping G-d out!!!! You see , it was commonly believed that whatever sheep & goats saw at the time of breeding would influence the color of the young. Jacob was trying to rapidly increase his wealth: trying to speed up the Promised Blessingof G-d because he was frustrated and wanted to quickly get away from Laban and back to the place of his ancestors.Leaving Laban was SO close and yet seemed SO far away!!!
When you feel yourself becoming frustrated, do you behave as Jacob did ?Do you openly handle problems and ask G-d's help or do you avoid His Revealed Will and try to help G-d?
This happened to me just last week !I prayed and asked G-d to make a way for me in a long standing frustrating situation. Suddenly,a sliver of an opening that I KNEW had to be a Move of G-d!!!!What did I do ? Instead of trusting G-d for His Promise, I planned to "dramatize " things a bit!! Happily, I caught myself and repented before I actually did resort to scheming and conniving .Happily , G-d quickly forgave me and worked it out just as He had planned.
How many times have you seen this happen in your life or how have you been able to identify this behavior in another experience? Were there disastrous results or was there repentance and forgiveness? Please post your comments- Be encouraged, Pastor Norma
Laban & Jacob had already agreed the the spotted , striped & black lambs would be Jacob's wages from Laban, so, why would Jacob place striped , spotted branches where the sheep would see them? (Gen.31:41) Jacob was helping G-d out!!!! You see , it was commonly believed that whatever sheep & goats saw at the time of breeding would influence the color of the young. Jacob was trying to rapidly increase his wealth: trying to speed up the Promised Blessingof G-d because he was frustrated and wanted to quickly get away from Laban and back to the place of his ancestors.Leaving Laban was SO close and yet seemed SO far away!!!
When you feel yourself becoming frustrated, do you behave as Jacob did ?Do you openly handle problems and ask G-d's help or do you avoid His Revealed Will and try to help G-d?
This happened to me just last week !I prayed and asked G-d to make a way for me in a long standing frustrating situation. Suddenly,a sliver of an opening that I KNEW had to be a Move of G-d!!!!What did I do ? Instead of trusting G-d for His Promise, I planned to "dramatize " things a bit!! Happily, I caught myself and repented before I actually did resort to scheming and conniving .Happily , G-d quickly forgave me and worked it out just as He had planned.
How many times have you seen this happen in your life or how have you been able to identify this behavior in another experience? Were there disastrous results or was there repentance and forgiveness? Please post your comments- Be encouraged, Pastor Norma
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