Plea for Help

Plea for Help

"O LORD, don't rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage. Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak. Heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony. I am sick at heart. How long, O LORD, until you restore me? Return, O LORD, and rescue me. Save me because of your unfailing love." Psalm 6:1-4

Two of my friends are dying. We've been praying for their healing for some time. This past week their families were called upon to make what we've learned to call "end of life decisions." It's a difficult place to be, even for believers who are looking forward to eternity with Jesus.  I know. I've been there twice. 

Oh, how I wanted them healed. I know total healing is to be with the LORD, but I wanted them back--back the way they were when they were healthy.  In that time, Psalm 116 became particularly comforting.

"I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy."
Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!
Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the LORD: 'Please, LORD, save me!'
How kind the LORD is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours!
The LORD protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me.
Let my soul be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me.
He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
And so I was in the LORD's presence as I live here on earth!
I believed in you, so I said, 'I am deeply troubled, LORD.'
In my anxiety I cried out to you, 'These people are all liars!'
What can I offer the LORD for all he has done for me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the LORD's name for saving me.
I will keep my promises to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
The LORD cares deeply when his loved ones die.
O LORD, I am your servant; yes, I am your servant, born into your household; you have freed me from my chains.
I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people--
in the house of the LORD in the heart of Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!"

If we live long enough, or if the Rapture doesn't occur before then, each one of us will go through the emotional transition we call death. We'll shed this earthly "tent" we've inhabited. Our spirits will soar to the joyous union with Jesus that he has promised us for eternity.

Until that time, when we are called to stand aside and let our loved ones "go home," may we be comforted by the knowledge that God is protecting them from something worse, and that He is overjoyed to have them Home.

"Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die." Isaiah 57:1-2

"The LORD cares deeply when his loved ones die." Psalm 116:15

May God's words comfort us when we suffer...for ourselves or for our loved ones.

by Marilyn Allison

Stir Up Love

Stir Up Love

"Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering. For He who called us is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

God is faithful and not like anything or anyone we’ve known before. God’s faithfulness is based on truth, His love for us, and His grace and mercy. Our hope in Christ is not misplaced, but proven throughout history. Daily I see it in my life--not because of me--but because He does what He says.

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works."
Hebrews 10:24

As God’s love and grace is poured into us, let us encourage one another in the same way. He is genuinely interested in us and His example is one we should follow. If you know someone in need, pray for them. Let them know you care. Send a card or a text telling a friend you’re thinking about them. Bring someone coffee or flowers to brighten their day.

"Not neglecting to meet together as is a habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:25

Fellowship doesn’t end with the church service. We need each other more than ever. This world is so messed up. We have to live in the world and not be part of it. That can be exhausting, so refresh each other with the joy of the Lord.

"And Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David and encouraged him in God."
1 Samuel 23:16

The love of God refreshes and renews. Sometimes He puts people in our lives to be His hands and feet. He also uses us in the same way.  

Be a Jonathan

by Eve Montano

The Right Path

The Right Path

"Lead me in the right path, O LORD, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow." Psalm 5:8

Do you ever question yourself whether or not the path you are taking is led by the LORD, or one you've chosen? When I was young in the LORD, I would pray for God's guidance and proceed to step forward on the path that seemed right--without hearing God's answer. After all, I'd committed my way to him, so where I was going was correct, right?

"Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you." Psalm 37:5

I can tell you from experience, the enemy often had a field day with the pits of miry clay he planted in that path I had chosen. Choking on that suck-y clay made me look back at the beginning of the path and call out to God. 

Why? Why is my enemy overwhelming me?

In his goodness, God pointed out my motivation. 

This is a path you have chosen. You asked for my guidance, then closed your ears and forged ahead because You wanted Your way, not mine.

Ouch. In every instance, God was right about my motivation. I was asking him to co-sign what I wanted to do, not asking him what he wanted me to do. There's a qualifying statement in the middle of verse 5--Trust him. If I trust God, I wait for him to speak.

Have you ever given your child instructions and have him or her run off before you're finished speaking? Sometimes they got it right, but--more often than not--they missed the mark because a crucial part of the instruction wasn't heard.

We can be like that with our Heavenly Father.

"Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act." Psalm 37:7a

Yes, we need to be patient, not impulsive. We need to obey the direction to be still in his presence. After all, this meeting ground with him is holy. When we take the time to worship and adore him before we make our needs known to him, we hear his answers more readily. We don't miss a phrase or a nuance in scripture that gives us the answer we were looking for.

"...trust him, and he will help you." Psalm 37:5

Commit...trust...be still...wait patiently. This is our heart's preparation for seeing the plain path God wants us to follow. Only our Abba Father knows whether we need an immediate answer or one that seems delayed. But the waiting honors him. And, it builds our confidence in him.

Trust him, and he will help you.

by Marilyn Allison

Hope Among the Decay

Hope Among the Decay

"And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee." Psalm 39:7

She’s waiting.
I’m worried.

If one more soccer ball crashes against our disintegrating patio cover, it might collapse. At our house, that’s every 2 minutes.  I’ve learned not to judge other mammas. But, seriously...why did this sweetie choose such a precarious place to nest her egg?!

We named her Penelope. She’s the best little mamma, tirelessly tending to the hope beneath her. She wants to be ready when life breaks through. Her delicate frame flutters about, eyes watching for the slightest movement. She rests, but not for long.

Her focus is constant.

My focus has changed.

Instead of wishing we’d tear down our patio cover and replace it with beautiful wood, now I’m praying it stays up. I’m rooting for the budding life, cupped in splintered hands. My eyes go straight to the nest now.

I no longer look at the defective, but at the life I’ve detected.  I love sitting under my creaky shade--cup of coffee in hand--watching with my feathered soul sister for the birth of new life.

We’re so eager to tear down things that aren’t perfectly lovely in our life. We don’t want to look at rickety boards and chipped paint. We don’t want to have awkward conversations and squint to see potential.

Nurturing hope is intentional work. The world doesn’t have patience for this. It preaches,

If your marriage is struggling, tear it down.
If your friend betrays you, close the door.
If your dream shreds easily, throw it out.
If your ministry doesn’t grow, give up.

STOP.

This is the world’s way. It is not God’s way.

Don’t bring in the demolition crew so quickly. Look for life--even if the promise is huddled in a fragile shell.

When the Lord brought Ezekiel to a valley of dry bones, he asked,

“Son of man, can these bones live?” Ezekiel answered, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” (Ezekiel 37:3)

And God did know.

He spoke to the bones,

“I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” (Ezekiel 37:6b)

Ezekiel saw dry bones. God saw an opportunity for a miracle. Anyone can bring death to a situation. Only God can bring life.

Walking away from a valley of dry bones is not God’s way.
Breathing life into them is God’s way.
Raising the dead is His way.
Letting a baby bird hatch in a termite palace, is His way.

Hover over these truths. Be patient. Keep praying. Ask for God’s spirit to breathe into every situation.

Try not to focus on broken boards framing the circumstances. Choose to find the nesting egg, the dry bones that God can bring to life.

Always tend to the hope among the decay.

If you do, you’ll be ready to welcome new life like Penelope.

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

by Jenna Masters

Heart to Heart

Heart to Heart

"The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. " 1 Corinthians 1:18

The CCEA Heart to Heart widow’s ministry held an Ice Cream Social at Beth Ferrari’s home on Sunday June 24th. Everyone enjoyed a bowl of yummy ice cream with a mouthwatering array of toppings.

Cindy Snelling gave a brief devotion about the power of the cross from I Corinthians 1:18, and everyone received a handmade wooden cross with our Heart to Heart ministry logo and the scripture reference included.

Cynthia Stakely shared her testimony about God’s faithful presence in her life, how she met her husband, and the many miracles she experienced throughout her walk with the Lord. It was heartfelt and inspiring. 

Beth’s garden was the perfect spot for an afternoon of relaxing fellowship among truly amazing natural beauty. Beth, Debbie, Susan and Cindy wish everyone a summer of fun family get-togethers and good health.

All widows of any age are invited to join us for encouraging fellowship. If you would like to connect with us or you have any specific prayer requests, please email heart2heart@gmail.com.

Check your email inbox for the next Heart to Heart event coming up in the fall!

Offered by Cindy Snelling