Susan's Blog

Monday, March 18, 2013

The Faith I Want

I was thinking about faith today and here are some reflections on the kind of faith that I want to have:

A defiant faith

Faith that turn the world upside down

Faith that knows the battle belongs to the Lord

Faith that does not lose hope

Faith that sings hymns of praise in the darkness

Faith that praises God when the world expects me to curse Him

Faith that dares to ask the Lord to let me walk on water

Faith that trusts God to shut the mouths of lions

Faith that rejoices in all circumstances

Faith that forgives and prays for those who hurt me

Faith that does not doubt or waver when it seems like the Lord is silent

Faith that looks to the Lord when my world seems like it's caving in

Faith that repents and runs to the Lord when I’ve sinned

Faith that truly knows…it’s all about God

Saturday, March 09, 2013

Five Minute Friday – Not Home Yet

Daily I am reminded

I am not home yet

For I am a stranger

Living in a strange land

A foreigner in a land

Not my own

An ambassador waiting for the King

To call me home before the battle begins

A bride waiting

For the Bridegroom to come take me to the Father’s house

For He has gone

To prepare a place for me

He promised that where He is

There I shall be also

He will come and take me home

And all who proclaim Christ as Lord

We will soon be removed

Before the great and dreadful Day of the Lord begins

When God’s wrath will be poured out

On those who reject God with a hardened heart

Those who close their eyes

In willful blindness

On those who plug their ears

Least they hear the truth and believe

Of God’s promises I am certain

I look back and see His faithful deliverance

I see Noah and his family

Shut in the ark, the door closed by God Himself

Lot and his family were removed before judgment began

Then the Lord rained down brimstone and fire from heaven

The Lord struck down the firstborn of Egypt

But passed over the children of Israel, seeing the blood of the Lamb

I am confident that there is a generation

Who in the twinkling of an eye will be snatched away, caught up

But the dead in Christ will rise first

Together they will be reunited and taken home

Join together with the Bridegroom

At the Marriage Supper of the Lamb

By Susan Wachtel

March 9, 2013

I confess that today I wrote for longer than five minutes.

It’s another Saturday morn and I participating in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Fridaywriting challenge. Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker 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.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Such a Nice Surprise

Imagine my surprise when I received an email from Cynthia at Prayer Notes by Cynthia letting me know that I had won coasters, The Old Rugged Cross, that she had made and designed.

If you haven’t already discovered Cynthia’s blog, head on over. You will find encouragement for your faith and some beautiful and unique art work and crafts. Cynthia also has website at Etsy.

Thank you Cynthia...I feel most blessed.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

1,000 Gifts - February 23, 2013

February 23, 2013 Saturday

22. Thank You Lord for a weekend. Time to care our home which You have provided and a time to worship, study Your word and to rest.

23. Thank You for a bright and sunny day.

24. Thank You for bringing the birds back. During the cold days of winter they seemed to be few. Thank You for our little wrens who are building a nest in our bird house.

Amazing Grace by Michael W Smith

Sorry about the ad that comes first...you can skip it shortly.

Amazing Grace is my absolute favorite hymn and I love this version. It does capture my heartfelt thanksgiving to my Heavenly Father and my Savior Christ Jesus for the incredible and undeserved gift of forgiveness of my sins, eternal life and the promise of heaven.

I want this hymn sung at my memorial service. I want it to be a huge celebration of God and His gift of Amazing Grace.

Freedom Has a Price

Oh how I hate incessant

Whining and complaining

About that which I can’t change

My only choice is to pick my poison

Oh how I hate

The nanny government

Sticking its nose

In the private and personal lives of citizens

Hands reaching through employers

Offering incentives

Dangling the carrot of money

Hoping we will respond like Pavlov’s dogs

Our government has lost its focus

No longer able to defend and protect

Its citizens against evil

Against people and governments bent on destruction

Freedom always has a price to pay

For me, it’s a little over $1.50 a day

To say “No”, my life is my own

It is to God to Whom I will give an account

by Susan Wachtel

February 23, 2013

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.