Susan's Blog: 2012

Monday, December 31, 2012

Christmas Memories - Mosaic Monday

Linking up with Little Red House Mosaic Monday

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Dare I Confess

Dare I confess, I feel a wee bit low these days

My focus is off, not where it should be

On circumstances around me and not on my heavenly Father

Dare I confess, I long to be in heaven

Not in this world riddled with sin

Where evil seems to triumph

Dare I confess, I long for the Rapture

Is it coming soon or many years from now

Only the Lord knows when He will take His church home

Dare I confess, I need to remember

Each day the Lord delays

More people enter the Kingdom by confessing Christ as Lord

Dare I confess, daily walking with the Lord

Sometimes seems hard, but it is so worth it

Achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit within

Dare I confess, I need Your help Lord

To keep my heart and mind stayed on Thee

Saturate me in Your life-giving Word

by Susan Wachtel

December 29, 2012

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The Gift Exchange

As the lights were dimmed

A hush came over the crowd

In the quiet a question was posed

What will you give Jesus for Christmas?

I knew in an instant

As his face came to my mind

Our relationship broken and strained

I would present this to my Lord

A beautifully wrapped package

Rested in my hand

Held close to my heart

Then raised to the Lord

In an instant my burden was lifted

Stress I had felt melted away

Once again my mind was focused

Aware of the presence of the Lord

How did this gift exchange happened

I will never fully know

As I presented my gift to the Lord

His peace filled my soul

by Susan Wachtel

December 12, 2012

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Oliver Twist – Most Excellent

Focus on the Family Radio Theatre did a most excellent job in retelling Charles Dickens’ classic tale of orphan Oliver Twist. It’s a quality production in every aspect, from the cast to the musical score, sound effects and narration.

The talented cast did an outstanding job in bringing these memorable characters to life. The story seems to come alive in the imagination of the listener. The hardest part was waiting to listen to the next CD.

This audio drama is a set that includes 5 CDs and a bonus DVD with footage on the making of the radio drama and interviews with experts on Charles Dickens. After seeing the attention that was paid to the fine details it made me appreciate it even more. I look forward to listening to it again and I want to read the book Oliver Twist.

The DVD also includes some true life, compelling stories on modern day orphans, a subject which is near and dear to the heart of Focus on the Family.

Oliver Twist would make an excellent gift! I do believe that Mr. Dickens would himself be pleased with this radio drama. I highly recommend Focus on the Family Radio Theatre’s production of Oliver Twist.

Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this audio drama to listen to and review. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Five Minute Friday - Giving Thanks

Father as I meditate on Your loving-kindness and goodness

Thanksgiving comes from my heart and is on my lips

Thank You for sending Your Son to bear my sins upon the cross

Because of Christ, my sin debt was marked “Paid in Full”

Thank You for the blood of Jesus Christ

Which cleansed me from all my sin

Thank You for the Gift of Promise

The Holy Spirit, my Guarantee of a future spent with You

Thank You for redeeming this wretched sinner

Taking my heart of stone and giving me a heart of flesh

Thank You for clothing me

In the righteousness of Christ

Thank You for Your life giving Word

Like a river of life for my thirsty soul

Thank You for Your transforming power

Empowering and enabling me to walk victoriously over sin

Thank You for the promise of heaven

An eternity spent with You…the Lover of my soul

By Susan Wachtel

November 23, 2012

If you would like to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday Challenge head over to her website “Tales from a Gypsy Mama”. Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers. I can promise you that you will be blessed.

My Colors Will Be Clear

I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight seeing, smooth knees, color-less dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, "chinchy" giving and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need position, promotions, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my destination is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few. My Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of the One that gave me life, drew the line in blood for me in the hour of my destiny.

I am one of Christ's remnant people. I belong to Him and none other. All I do to bring this life to another is done because of that blood covenant poured out for me.

I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. I must share will all that one more might hear and be drawn from the flaming darkness that longs to consume. Reach for another, touch but one more!

Until that moment...He will have no problem in recognizing me- my colors will be clear!!!

Not only are the words inspiring but so is the man behind them. The above letter was written by a Pastor in Africa who was undergoing severe persecution. On the eve of his execution he sat down and wrote the above note.