Since Easter, I’ve been on what you might say an emotional roller coaster. 

Easter was great.  Had an awesome time at church, didn’t cry until the end when I saw the Police Chief of the town I live near and several others pray over a child who was injured in an accident – praying for God’s healing hand to touch his body.  {Please be in prayer for this young man – his name is Adam.}

During the service, at the end of the sermon, members of the congregation participated in Cardboard Testimonies – where you place on one side of the cardboard poster what you were before Christ and one the other side – who you are after Christ.  Knowing several of the people who participated, I can say that God does a wonderful work in people when they turn to Him.  Though I did not take part, I could have knowing what God has done in my life.

With Easter dinner complete {Thank you momma – it was delicious}, I prepared for the next few weeks to finish out my semester and take my finals.  Finals are over and my semester is complete.   

However, the biggest emotional ride I’ve taken has been these past two weeks.

As you know, I am the mother of an 18-year-old son – Samuel.  These last two weeks have been all about him.  Last week he was in the midst of finals when God showed up.  Before finals week, he had an F in his AP European History class {AP meaning he will get a college credit if he passes that test – we’re praying for a 3}.  Anyway, with God’s help, he managed to do well on his last test {not the final} and ended up going into finals week with a D – one point from a C.  This is where God showed up:  Had he taken the final exam and failed it, he would have failed the class.  However, the instructor decided NOT to give a final exam and whatever the students had in his class, at that time, would be their grade.  Therefore, Samuel ended up with a D in History, relieving his mind of much-needed stress since he had to take a Physics and English Final on the same day – Thank You God for Blessing my son. 

This past week was my finals week and the week of Samuel’s Graduation.  Thursday was Graduation and my day was spent making sure he went to graduation practice and studying for my Statistics final exam.  Finally, it was time to leave and though the day went as “normal” as possible but I can tell you that trying to iron a graduation gown is not worth it.  We arrived at the church, ready for things to begin {gradation started about 10 minutes late because some of the “men” (my son included) didn’t know they ‘had’ to wear a tie so parents were asking fathers and teachers to borrow ties for their sons. 

Ceremony went off as perfectly as possible.  With tears flowing, I celebrated my son’s graduation from high school.  His honors were receiving the Tops Academic Diploma Endorsement and the Tops Career and Technical Diploma Endorsement (must meet certain criteria to qualify) along with a GPA of 3.0702, ranking him 95 out of 230.  In band, he was awarded the 2011 Outstanding Student.  One can say I’m a proud mom. 

(There was one problem with Graduation night though; we didn’t get any pictures of us as a family.  He decided to take his gown off as soon as he could {he’s not a big picture taker anyway} but I did manage to get this one.)

Then after graduation came.  He said he was going to stay just a few minutes longer and then head home – no major plans for a party.  My last words to him via text message were “I’m so proud of you – don’t stay out too late and be careful.” 

I had stopped at McDonald’s to get a quick bite to eat with my youngest son.  Since Caleb had ordered a Chicken Sandwich, we had to wait about 7-8 minutes for them to fix it.  Once, it was ready, we headed home.  About halfway home, I receive a phone call from my husband telling me there was a wreck on the road to our house.  {He always does this so it wasn’t unusual.}  Then he tells me that it looks like a red truck, and then says, it looks like Samuel’s truck.  Well, you can imagine my heart at that moment.  I pulled into a bank’s parking lot and waited for him to be sure.  Sure enough, it was Samuel.  I headed that way as quick and as safe as possible.  By the time I arrived on the scene, the Fire Department was there along with two Sheriff’s Deputies while the EMT’s put the collar thing around his neck.  He was all right.  He was talking.  He was alive. 

The ambulance arrived and we headed to the hospital.  {Caleb went with my mother.}  The hospital was great.  I had texted Samuel’s band director {who didn’t need to hear it from Samuel’s friends} showed up 15 minutes after we got there.  {Thank you Brian.}  Samuel walked away from the hospital at 2 am with a staple in the gash on his head, a band-aid on the cut on his hand and no broken bones or head injury (other than the bruise).  All this after losing control of his truck on a gravel road {the state is repaving the road} and having his truck flip over about three times finally coming to a resting place in the ditch.

Now I know that this blog is mostly about Following Jesus to Serve Jesus, let me assure you that this post fits very well into that theme.

Before the semester had started, I had a dream that I couldn’t make it so my Statistics’ final exam.  I pushed it aside and wrote about it in an earlier post.  However, for the past few weeks, I’ve had a feeling that something bad was going to happen.  satan tried to tell me that my child was going to die {He’s a liar in case you didn’t know}.  Even made the comment to my Accounting professor that the only way I wouldn’t take a final was if something happened to my children.  However, every time that thought or feeling came upon me, I prayed, No, God please watch over my son and protect him.  You can’t take him now. 

The power of prayer is strong and alive. 

After posting on Facebook and calling my friend, Becky, that Samuel had been in an accident – prayers went toward Heaven on behalf of my son.  {I didn’t find out until Friday, that my friend Mary, and my cousin Jim, had done the same – Thank you.}  I wish I could personally thank everyone who prayed individually, but I can’t so – THANK YOU – love y’all. 

God is faithful, merciful, and gracious.  I firmly believe that it’s because of prayers (and a couple of angels) that my son is alive and walking around today.  Looking at his truck is proof enough.  Funny thing is – the air bags did not deploy.  Don’t know why {around Thanksgiving he was driving our van and out of nowhere, the air bags deployed for no reason} they didn’t. 

 Also, Samuel had posted earlier, before he left the parking lot of the church, these words “Emergency vehicle already, hope no one’s hurt.”  Friends had asked if was him, and he said no.  How prophetic those words were within about 20 minutes of him posting that.  I was wondering why his friends were confused when I posted on his Facebook page that he had been in an accident, to please pray (and they did). 

It pays to Follow to Serve Jesus.

Thanking and Praising God that my son is alive.

Love, {Lorna}

PS – the recipient of the book, A Call to Die, is number 2 – Dianne {looks like a lunch date!}

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it.  What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?  Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with his angels, and then He will reward each person according to what he has done.” – Matthew 16:24-27

Thank you!

Thank you for taking this 40-day journey with me through the book, a call to die by David Nasser.  I pray that you have gleaned something from each post.  Nasser has stated on day 40 that “We are at the end of this book, but I hope you are at the beginning of a fresh, dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.”  I agree.

So what do we do now?

Well, for starters, I will be taking a break from posting until after May 13 {unless the Lord says otherwise}.  During this time, I will be concentrating on finishing my semester (I have two finals to study for) and preparing my oldest son for Graduation {Yes, he is a member of the Class of 2011!}.

Nasser writes, “The message of Jesus calls us to make choices about him, about ourselves, and about how we live.”  True!  This doesn’t mean that once we’re finished with a Bible Study, we put aside what we’ve learned and move on.  No, we take what we’ve learned and apply it to our lives. 

Though Nasser wrote this statement, it comes from my heart also:  “One of my biggest hopes is that you have developed new disciplines as you have gone through this book [blog series].”

That is why I’ve decided to give away a copy of Nasser’s book, a call to die.  I normally don’t do this but within the pages of a call to die is some rich, deep material that I was blessed to read but you weren’t (unless you already own a copy). 

So, leave a comment with your name and favorite ‘thought’ from this series.  I’ll use random.org to draw for the name of the person who will receive the book (on May 14th).  If I know you personally, sounds like a lunch date to me; if not, I’ll mail it to you (but please don’t leave your address until you know you are the one who will receive it at which time I’ll ask you to email it to me.)

I pray that this series has challenged you in your walk with Christ.  I pray that the Lord will bless you and yours and that you have a HAPPY EASTER!

Love, {Lorna}

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20

My thoughts today are on what my Savior had to endure for me today.  {I’m sorry Lord.}  He died so that I could live.  He died so that you can live. 

It may be Friday, but Sunday’s Coming! 

In fact, Sunday’s already come.  Now what are we supposed to do.  Jesus tells us exactly what we are to do – Go and make disciples of all nations!

Nasser writes, “Jesus called us to teach the world his truth.  Teaching is not just from a book.  Jesus taught his disciples with a combination of words and actions.”

I’ve recently finished reading the book, Radical, by David Platt.  It’s a book that has caused not only me to think, but others as well.  Read what the Radicalthebook.com has to say:

“Do you believe that Jesus is worth abandoning everything for?”

In Radical, David Platt invites you to encounter what Jesus actually said about being his disciple, and then obey what you have heard.  He challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated a God-centered gospel to fit our human-centered preferences.  With passionate storytelling and convicting biblical analysis, Platt calls into question a host of comfortable notions that are common among Christ’s followers today.  Then he proposes a radical response: live the gospel in ways that are true, filled with promise, and ultimately world changing.

After reading his book, it’s caused me to think differently about how I live my life.  Between God’s Word, Nasser’s book, a call to die, and Platt’s book, Radical, Jesus is changing my life.  And now, He wants us [me] to show and tell others about Him so their lives can be changed.  We do that by walking the walk He’s called us to walk, showing others Him through our lives and {Sometimes, it requires talking!}.

“Jesus was well aware what kind of command he was giving the eleven men who were with him, and to us, too.”  He knew that as we live out His commands, that satan would fight us {that’s why we have the Holy Spirit}, and our friends and family might reject us (Nasser, day 39). 

But, He still said, ‘Go and make disciples of all nations!’

Until tomorrow, continue to learn Psalm 46:10-11 and remember – Sunday’s Coming!

Caution:  The following video shows graphic images from the movie, The Passion of the Christ.  However, it is a very powerful moving video.

“Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water;’ so they filled them to the brim.  Then He told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’  They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.” – John 2:7-9

God can use you. 

I used to believe this wasn’t true.  Why would God use me? But He does, and He can you too.  Just like He used Beth Moore.

Nasser begins today’s lesson with one of my favorite Beth Moore stories.  It’s the story of her hair brushing experience in an airport.  She tells of how she was in an airport and this gentleman in a wheelchair had {very} tangled/knotted hair.  She heard God tell her to go brush the man’s hair – which she did and afterwards found out that he ‘needed’ his hair brushed because he was going to see his bride.  She also explains that later she was able to tell the hostess about Jesus.  Beth was in the right place at the right time and God used her.  It’s beautiful. {To watch Beth tell the story, click here or scroll to the bottom of this post.}

At the right place, at the right time.  It’s how God uses us.  We’ve placed ourselves in a position of being available.  The same thing happened to the servants at a wedding feast.

Jesus was at a wedding feast when the host ran out of wine.  This story gets me every time because it was Jesus’ first miracle.  It’s not just about turning water into wine.  Nasser points out that the servants were part of the miracle – “He allows us to participate in his miracles.”  He (Jesus) had asked the servants to participate by getting the vessels and filling them with water.  The servants were in the right place at the right time and God used them.

Love the statement Nasser makes, “God calls ordinary people to do ordinary things so he can do the extraordinary work only God can do.”  We just have to be in the right place at the right time and God can use you.

On this Maundy Thursday, Jesus gave us an example of how it is to be used by God when He washed His disciples’ feet.  But, back to the hair brushing story.  My thoughts are on Good Friday and when I listened to Beth tell the story it reminded me of what condition Jesus’ hair might have looked like and this thought came to mind – Would I have brushed His hair?

Until tomorrow, “Be encouraged!  God will use you.” 

Also, continue to learn Psalm 46:10-11.

Love, {Lorna}

“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes Me.  But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”  — Matthew 18:5-6

A fork in the road.  It seems I’ve covered this topic before (Crossroads).  However, today’s “fork in the road” is much different.  It’s explained in a way that I’ve never considered before but have enjoyed learning about.

Nasser begins today’s lesson writing about Jim Elliot and his prayer:

“Father, make of me a crisis man.  Bring those I contact to decision.  Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me” (Elliot, Shadow of the Almighty, p. 59).

Wow.  I’m not sure if I’m brave enough to pray that prayer.  According to Nasser, Elliot was a radical “and some of us don’t feel all that comfortable with radicals.” But Jesus was a radical and so was Paul. 

Jesus, a radical, who when people met Him, caused them to face “the truth about God and the truth about themselves” (Nasser, day 37).  He was the Fork in the Road.  When encountering Jesus ourselves, we have to make a decision to either follow Him or go the other way.

If we choose to Follow Him, He wants us to be servants.  Not the people on top.  The disciples had this problem.  They were following Him, but they wanted to be part of His “cabinet” so to speak.  They thought He (Jesus) was going to be a King (and He is) and they were going to be the people to enforce His rules (Nasser, day 37). 

But Jesus had a different mindset.  He knew that when people came to the Fork in the Road – when they saw Him – they needed to become like a child.  Nasser writes, “The paradox is that we have the greatest impact for God when we don’t care about fame, power, and approval.”

He (Nasser) tells us “You and I can be a fork in the road for people.  As we live the grace and truth of Christ, it will ooze from every pore.”  As a fork in the road, when people see Christ in us, we’re just pointing them to Him.  It’s ultimately their choice.  Remember, “God is in control.”

So, until tomorrow, think about this:  Are you a fork in the road?

Also, start learning Psalm 46:1-11

Love, {Lorna}