Where is your Tennis Ball?

This is a true story about a woman (me), her dog, her family and an adventure with her God.

Trusting God to provide has been one of the biggest areas of trial for me and yet I have seen Him do it time and time again! He seems to especially like to use the little things to help increase my faith and remind me He is with me. 

I work for a well known Tech company in Silicon Valley. This job involves a lot of hours. I have a husband, adult son and daughter, son in-law, 6 grandkids, involved in ministry in my local church. I have a loving sister, extended family and 1 dog. I was diagnosed with MS and Fibromyalgia 20 years ago. I try to balance my time between all of these various lovely folks, health, ministry and commitments. 

One of the things that often gets overlooked is exercising my dog. One day I was lounging on the couch for a bit, I looked over at my dog and thought, I wonder where the tennis ball is? I was thinking that would be a great way to exercise him, along with spending some quality time together.

My mind was quickly turned to something else so I did not go and look for a tennis ball and needless to say the dog didn't get that special attention.

A few weeks later I had taken time off work to attended a wonderful Joyce Meyer conference. I was focused on Jesus and eager to listen for His voice because I was less distracted by my obligations.

My mother in law had flown down from Oregon to go with me, which was wonderful! After a nice visit I dropped her off at the airport. It was a warm, sunny day so I decided to put the top down on my convertible and go for a drive through the mountains.

Earlier, that day, I was speaking with my son who is a very gifted musician. He was at a cross roads in his life. He had made a decision to serve God in full time Worship Ministry but was unclear in what direction. He had several opportunities and he wanted my opinion on what to do next. We talked about being open to the Spirit of God to lead and direct him.

While beginning my drive through the mountains I asked the Lord to lead and direct me to where He wanted me to go. I had my praise music on loud and was worshipping Him while enjoying the beauty around me. 

He led me to our local mountain range which is filled with streams, Wineries and some beautiful views of the valley. With a feeling of great expectation of what God had in store for me, I felt prompted to go up a road I hadn't traveled for a while. I went about half way up the mountain and pulled over. I looked out over the edge to see the beauty below. I looked around and appreciated the scenery but soon felt led to turn around and go back down the hill. 

I did not feel I had gone the wrong way, I felt as though it was part of the journey and it was time to move on. I went down the road and on to a familiar route through the mountains. I stopped at a picnic ground by the reservoir. While overlooking the water, I worshipped and thanked the Lord for His faithfulness and then returned to my car and continued down the road. He and I were on this path together. I remained open to His leading.

Next I came to a dead end and had a choice, I could take the road that would lead me home or continue on. I chose to continue on. The music had me in tears several times as I was just in awe of His love and willingness to hang out with me and take me for a drive. 

Heading down the road I came up on a well known local Winery. I knew that they had performances there as well as dining. I had heard it was lovely and the gate was open. 

I thought it a bit odd, just for a moment, that in my travel with the Lord I had a desire to go to a Winery but I put that aside and moved through the gate.

I pulled up to the large, practically deserted parking lot and picked a spot to park which was  quite a ways from the entrance. I thought this a bit strange that hardly anyone was there but especially that I chose to park so far away, but I felt like walking. 

What's all of this got to do with a Tennis Ball, you might ask? Hold on almost there.

I strolled down the path looking to see if I was intruding on any activity. I saw a couple with their children strolling along as well so I decided if we were intruding we could all get in trouble together, so that was ok because I wouldn't be alone.

I split off from the family and walked and talked with the Lord while enjoying the beauty of the location and moments of solitude. I walked by a group of young people all dressed up sitting and laughing, obviously wrapping up some event that had just occurred. I asked if it was ok to walk around and they said sure. I continued on and found flowers on tables and champagne bottles set aside, as the remnants of a party. Now I understood why I was able to roam freely, they were waiting to close things down. 

I continued my stroll but nothing really stuck out as a particular "God moment" just being with Him was enough. I had no feelings of dissatisfaction just a feeling of contentment with an underlying inkling that He was still leading me to something specific.

I decided it was time to go back to the car. While walking past the remaining people I asked if there had been a Wedding? They said yes and two were singled out as the Bride and Groom. I congratulated them and prayed God's Blessing on them. I said my goodbye and left. Was that it? Was that what I was being led on this journey to do? It felt good as I was in a place of God's love and joy and was able to share that with others.

As I walked to my car I felt a little sad as I knew our journey was coming to an end and didn't really have that life changing moment with Jesus but I rejoiced in our afternoon together. 

As I approached the car my eyes were drawn to the ground below. There lying on the ground was a new Tennis Ball a few feet by the drivers side of my car. I looked around and didn't see any Tennis courts or anyone in sight. I began to laugh while being amazed at His goodness. I thanked Him for the ball and got in my car. I was quickly reminded of my thoughts about my dog and the desire to grab a tennis ball. I began to see the purpose of the journey. 

He was showing me that He is faithful and will meet my needs and desires in ways that I most likely would not expect. That Tennis Ball was a sign of His provision. It wasn't that I couldn't afford a tennis ball it was a declaration that He was aware of my desires and if I will be open to His leading He will fulfill the longings of my heart.

I was also made aware of the timing of the journey. The leading here and there, the stops along the way. Those moments of beauty and reflection were not wasted. They were part of the path, not only to reveal His Love a bit more each step of the way but also to pace the time to reach the provision.

You see, The Tennis Ball was not there when I got out of the car to go into the Winery. I found it after I continued to follow His lead. He was directing me as I continued to walk by faith while stopping to share His goodness with others along the way. 

This spoke to me about being aware of the opportunities He brings my way. Of taking the time to be used by Him. Then I also realized that someone else at some point was used by God to leave that Tennis Ball right where I would find it. Unless of course it literally dropped down from the sky.

This declaration of provision and fulfillment with joy carried me home. Then I had a sense of urgency to go and share it with my son. He was sitting alone in his room just watching TV. 

I began to share with him what the Lord did for me that afternoon and that this revelation was not for me alone but for him as well. He needed to know that as He allows God to lead him and remains open to be used by Him, that the Lord would fulfill his deepest desires and provide what he needs when he needs it.

This reminder of God's faithfulness was not only an encouragement to me but has been used to continue to strengthen my faith. In a world of financial uncertainty coupled with the responsibilities of my job, my ministries, my health, minimal time with my children, grandchildren, family, friends and dog, God chose to reveal Himself to me through a Tennis Ball.

Where is your Tennis Ball? Is it hiding under a bush, on top of a building, in your home, places in the distance? He longs to lead you and meet your desires. He even stirs up the desires in you in the first place so that you would be on the path He has laid out for you to reveal Himself. This is not only to strengthen your faith but to share His Love and Himself with others a long the way. Choose to walk in thanksgiving today and just see what He will do.

By the way, our dog loved The Tennis Ball. He jumped around filled with joy for a time of fellowship with me and finally some much needed exercise!

4 days turns into 6 months- Thousands healed and saved- and I was there!

When I was a new believer I was blessed to attend a church where a revival broke out in San Jose, California at Calvary Community Church. It was the Mario Murillo Crusade back in the early 80's. It was a crusade that was intended for 4 days and lasted 6 months, an estimated 250,000 people attended. It was incredible, night after night- healing's, salvations, great teaching, worship, people clamoring in to hear the man of God.

Our faith was at the highest like the people in this picture. There was a buzz going on in the bay area. We'd float back to our day jobs with words of excitement and great anticipation about what God would do next. We were carrying the overflow of God's Spirit out to the workplace. It was such an Incredible time to be a New Believer. We had people coming and going from our cubicles where we were sharing the Word of God and inviting them to the Crusade.

What is stopping us from seeing that same mighty move of God today? I believe it's our unbelief and complacency. Overtime maybe things haven't happened the way we thought they should. Maybe God didn't answer our prayers the way we thought He would. So we've become disappointed and maybe even bitter. And/or we began to see success in our own efforts and hard work so we became self-suffiient and filled with pride. Maybe we've just had our heads down and solely focused on the task at hand, either way we've stopped the flow.

If our enemy, satan, can't stop us from accepting Jesus as our Lord  and Savior then his next tactic must be to stop us from sharing Him with others!

Don't forget there is a real battle going on and the enemy wants as many souls in hell as he can get while our Lord wants all to be saved.

Do you remember the mighty things God has done for you? Do you recall the joy you had when He first called your name or the way He was there just in the knick of time, the way He carried you through those trials? Our faith has dwindled by our pride, selfishness and things of this world and we need to get excited again about the things of God.

7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? Gal 5:7

4 For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. 5 And the ones who win this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. 
1 John 5:4-5

It's time brothers and sisters to say ENOUGH! If we want to see revival in our surroundings it must start with ourselves. Where do we being you might ask?

1- We must humble ourselves before the Great Creator, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Who snatched us from the pits of hell and consciously turn away from the lies of self sufficiency and doubt.

2- We MUST get back into God's Word and build up our faith.

3- We must get back into the safety and fellowship of other believers.

4- We must get back to church and Bible studies and invite others to join us.

5- We must put off our feelings of inadequacy in the things of God, step out in faith and just watch Him show up.

How can we see God move if we don't give Him the opportunity to do it?

Let's pull our heads up from our own paths and start looking around to see where God is moving. Let's open our eyes and look in the eyes of the people He is bringing us to reach for Him. There is a thirsty dry world of people out there who would give anything to just have a drop of the Living Water that lives within us.

8 There was a man in Lystra who couldn't walk. He sat there, crippled since the day of his birth. 9 He heard Paul talking, and Paul, looking him in the eye, saw that he was ripe for God's work, ready to believe. 10 So he said, loud enough for everyone to hear, "Up on your feet!" The man was up in a flash - jumped up and walked around as if he'd been walking all his life. Acts 14:8-10

37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Matt 9:37

Let's get excited about our God again! Let's join Him in His quest to save the world from hell. Let's believe that He is Who He says He is and He can do what He says He can do!

Dearest Lord-

Please forgive us for turning our backs on You. Forgive us for taking You for granted and letting unbelief and pride seep into our lives. Forgive us for focusing so much on the task at hand that we've taken our eyes off of You.

Thank You Lord for loving us so much that You eagerly reach out to take us by the hand once more, pull us up, dust us off, give us a hug and join us in our steps of faith. To You be all the Glory, the Honor and the Praise. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Preparation

Preparation


Preparation: is defined as the action or process of making ready or being made ready for use or consideration

Our lives are filled with opportunities for preparation. It's how we embrace these opportunities that will help to formulate how we think and act in our everyday lives. So what do I mean?


God always has a plan! Just like with our move to mom's house last August. To the outsider someone might look and see what we did as crazy and without purpose. We listed it and moved out of our 4 bedroom fully remodeled house, in 4 days. It was on the market the next week and sold the first day it was shown.

God had a plan for us, to pick up Prop 13 keeping our taxes low for the future. Others not knowing this didn't understand why we acted so quickly but we knew and that's what mattered.

The move was slightly chaotic but we had a peace because God was in control and we knew it.

When Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords came to the earth and was born in a cave/manger in Bethlehem to the outsider it could seem like it was unplanned. But God was in control and They knew what They were doing.

When it was decided from the very beginning that God would be born in the flesh to die to save the world, God knew exactly how it needed to happen. God even gave clues throughout time of what was to come and yet people didn't understand. God knew where the birth needed to occur, where Jesus needed to be baptized, beaten, die, buried and rise from the dead.

He had foretold The Birth of Jesus in the Book of Micah


2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. " Micah 5:2

Then about Christ's purpose in Isaiah

1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Isa 40:1-3


1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. Isa 53:1-5

God had a plan and it was all prepared.

Just like He had a plan for Jesus the Christ, He has a plan for you and me. Stop looking at the outsiders for direction and confirmation if accepting Him is the right thing to do, they may not understand. Look to the One Who has The Plan and make a choice to join Him and millions of others who have accepted His Plan for their lives.

God has brought you to this time in your life, He has tugged at your heart and is calling your name. He has made all of the preparations, all you need to do is accept them and Him as Lord and go along for the ride of your life, right into Eternity!

Through the desert of your dry and empty heart God has prepared a Way by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savor, The Living Water, He will freely flow in you; giving you New life, power through His very Spirit living within you and Victory over the circumstances of this life and death onto Life Everlasting.

Prepare ye the Way of the Lord! Come Lord Jesus Come!!

More of us or more of Jesus?

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psa 19:14

What makes our hearts acceptable in God's sight? More of us or more of Jesus?

If we want our hearts and minds to be more like Jesus then we need to spend time with Him. We need to sit down, press in, bow our hearts, open our arms, put our thoughts on Him. We must repent when He reveals an area of our flesh that needs to change. Ask The Spirit for His help. He is our strength and our redeemer. He longs to help change us to be more like Jesus. 

If you actively do this you will see Jesus revealed more and more in your daily life.

I have had a lot of things that needed to be transformed in me and thank God He is still at work daily revealing my areas that need to change. One area that He has helped me with that I have seen victory in is cursing.

I used to cuss with the best or worst of them. That's just how we spoke in my circle of friends. When I became a Christian I found that my new circle of friends didn't talk that way. It takes real effort not to blurt out a cuss word. Sometimes it seems that that is the only way to get someones attention or express yourself. When you work in the world you can be surrounded by people who curse. So how can you be in the world but not be a part of the world?

First I needed to see what God's Word said about cursing:

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Eph 4:29

Ok, so that is pretty clear, need to have good words come out. I then thanked God for showing me this area that needed to change, repented of it, received His forgiveness and asked for His help to change. Change is not easy, especially with a long time habit.

Here is something that I do daily that helps me fight that battle. Every morning, when I put on the Armor of God (ref Eph 6) I start with the Helmet of Salvation and I speak out the following:

Lord,

Take all of my thoughts captive unto the obedience of Christ, casting down all imaginations and anything that raises it's head up against the knowledge of You (paraphrased 2 Cor 10:5-6)

Help me to see with Your eyes, hear with Your ears, think with Your thoughts, feel with Your feelings, speak with Your words, dream Your dreams and see Your visions.

This is an open invitation to The Lord asking Him to take control and help me throughout the day to be more in line with His thoughts and words.

Speaking Scripture is a very effective weapon that God has given us in tearing down strongholds in our lives. But you can't just say the words, you must believe that what you say is true and believe in the One Who gives you the power to overcome.

Is there an area in your life that needs to change? Go to His Word and find out what He says about that struggle you are experiencing. Maybe it's not cursing, maybe its an addiction or sexual sin. Maybe it's jealousy, greed or pride. God has given us tools to help tear down those things that are preventing the full power of His Spirit from flowing in and through us.

Write out the verses He gives you and begin to mediate on them. Begin to repeat them over and over again. Ask the Spirit to help you to be mindful of that area of weakness. Ask Him to make you keenly aware when that temptation comes and give you the strength to choose not to succumb.

Are you willing to give over that area that hinders you from receiving God's fullness in your life?

Today is the day to make a change. Choose to put God first and watch His Transformation take place. 


6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; Phil 1:6

Keeping it fresh and new

There are two doors to our Master bedroom. One is a pocket door and the other a regular bedroom door. The other morning as I was sitting in the room reading our dog began to whimper and whine at the closed pocket door for access. 

I had already been up and about and I had gone back to bed to read. He however still wanted my attention. He wanted to be where I was and he was getting quite upset that he couldn’t get it in. 

I had a couple of choices, I could just get up and open the door and let him in or I could call out to him to go away. The yelling wouldn’t work because he is an older dog now and has lost his hearing.

All of the sudden I was in a “God” moment. That’s when things are happening around you and you get a nudge that says stop there’s something to learn here. 

So I stopped and observed. You see the interesting point was not that our dog wanted in through the closed pocket door, he just wanted to be with me, where he felt the action was and where he might get some attention. 

The interesting point was that the other door was wide open! But this wasn’t the door he normally came through to see me.

God tugged at my heart and said that’s what so many of His people are doing today. They’re looking for Him and trying to get to where He is, where He is suppose to be, but are trying to get in the same old way that is familiar and getting discouraged and frustrated because they can’t get to Him.

Are you looking for a fresh and deeper relationship with God but saying the same old prayers using only what’s familiar to you? Maybe reading the Bible the same way you have all of your life. The Spirit of God is constant yes but He is a Living Being Who is always moving around in our lives. 

It’s good that we want to be where He is, to hear His Voice, to read His Word but we need to be open to see that He may also have some other ways for us to get to Him.

Years ago I was in a Bible Study and a woman mentioned that in her quiet time she would often just play worship music in the dark, sit and wait on God.

I thought this was interesting so I tried it, and it worked for me too. I could feel His Love pouring all over me. I was getting His attention. Or should I say He was getting mine!

There have been other times when I felt I needed to hop in the car and go for drive and commune with God. There would be no particular destination but usually it would be somewhere in the hills or to the beach, closer to the beauty of His Creation. And guess what He was there too! I’d have the worship music playing, singing of my love to Him and He was right there with me.

I would see the beauty of His creation and watch His breath on the leaves of a tree in a distance.

By my willingness to respond to His prompting and try whatever it takes to get closer to Jesus to search Him out and spend time with Him, my relationship with Him has remained fresh and new over these 33 years of walking with Him.

It’s not to say that there haven’t been deserts in my walk and times of me banging against a closed door to get close to God but it’s been through those times that I have had to learn other access points to get to Him. 

How about you, do you need to experience the Presence of God in your life in a deeper way? How about adding a Sunday School class or Bible Study to your Church morning? How about trying a Home Group to get deeper in God’s Word and learn from others. 

How about hopping in the car, taking a pad of paper with you and your Bible and listen for that still small Voice as He leads you around.

17 I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. Prov 8:17

13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

After seeing this revelation from God I got up and went out the opened door and peeked around the corner to see our pup sitting and waiting by the closed door. I tapped him on the shoulder, he jumped up and was thrilled to see me standing there, tail wagging away with a bounce in his step.

Is God tapping on your shoulder? Are you eager to be with Him? 

It’s time brothers and sisters to see where He is moving in your life, press in and look to see if there are new ways He wants to reveal Himself to you.

7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matt 7:7

In His Loving Arms

A message of Hope for the parent of the wandering child...

Some words from our Father,

My heart aches with yours as your children stray from the teachings of Me that you so lovingly instilled in them. My eye has not turned away from them. There are lessons each one must learn so that they will come to better understand Who I am and who I have created them to be. Just like you, they will come back. I have them in My Loving Arms. Trust Me and draw hope and faith from My Words.

Prov 22:6 (MSG)

Point your kids in the right direction - when they're old they won't be lost.

Isa 43:4-7 (MSG)

That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. So don't be afraid: I'm with you. I'll round up all your scattered children, pull them in from east and west. I'll send orders north and south: 'Send them back. Return my sons from distant lands, my daughters from faraway places. I want them back, every last one who bears my name, every man, woman, and child Whom I created for my glory, yes, personally formed and made each one.

Isa 43:1b (MSG)

Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine.

I feel God wants to encourage you dear friends today, especially during this Christmas Season not to loose heart. God is at work in your child’s life. He has not given up on them. Draw on His strength that He gives you from the Holy Spirit. You are His instruments and have had to make some tough choices on their behalf. The road of a parent is not an easy one and sometimes it can be very lonely.

Don’t let the enemy consume you with despair, hopelessness and fear. Don’t let him distract you from the Word of Truth. God’s promises are Yes and Amen. Rejoice in the Lord, in His Faithfulness. Remember we walk by faith.

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Still in His Loving Arms

Love unconditionally with His Love. Entrust your child with Jesus. Continue to pray for their protection and their hearts to be turned back to Him, step back and worship Him for He is worthy to be praised.

Nothing is too difficult for our God. He loves them and us so much that He came down to earth to reconcile us back to Himself. Don’t give up, don’t loose heart and remember they are Still in His Loving Arms.

Love and Blessings from your sister Pam.

Is the cost too high?

Do you do what you say you're going to do or do you rationalize your way out?

Hannah was a barren woman and constantly ridiculed by her rival Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife, who was fruitful with many children. Hannah’s husband loved her dearly and gave her extra portions of food because she was without children.

One day Hannah went to the sanctuary and prayed in earnest to God petitioning Him to give her a son, with the promise that she will give the son back to God for His service. The Priest Eli agreed with her prayer and sent her off with a blessing from God.

11 Then she made a vow: Oh, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, If you'll take a good, hard look at my pain, If you'll quit neglecting me and go into action for me By giving me a son, I'll give him completely, unreservedly to you. I'll set him apart for a life of holy discipline. 1Sam 1:11

God heard Hannah’s prayers and gave her Samuel. God provided the very thing she had been longing for but she had made a vow to God, so now what would she do?

What will you do if God answers your prayer with a yes and grants your hearts desire? 

I think Hannah’s motive was primarily linked to the customs of their time. The chief value of a woman in biblical times was first her chastity and, after marriage, her reproductivity. If a woman was barren she had no value.

Hannah didn’t know at the time what role Samuel would play in God’s plan for mankind, a Priest, a Judge, the one chosen to identify King David in the great lineage of Jesus our Savior. All Hannah knew was that she wanted a child more than anything, if only just to find value as a human being.

How many times have you bargained with God? God, if You will save my child then I will .... God if You will heal my father then I will ... But do you follow through with your part? Do you try and justify your way out of giving up the thing that you bargained with because the cost seemed too high? Or when you do respond in obedience is it begrudgingly?

I think we can learn something from Hannah’s response. After her son was weaned she responds with a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving and sacrificially gives her only son back to the Priest to raise and serve God. Read 1 Sam 2:1-10

Granted, now she had value as a woman, but I’m sure there was a connection with her child and the sacrifice of letting him go must have been torturous. We don’t read that part but as women we can only imagine the agony she must have experienced.

So how does God respond to her gratitude and sacrifice? He blesses her with 3 more sons and 2 daughters. More than she could have dreamed possible.

I believe God is always searching our hearts. He wants to bless us. He wants to grant us our hearts desire as long as it's in line with His Word. He also wants people who will serve Him, obey Him, honor Him, trust Him, love Him and be thankful whether we see the response we want or not.

Can you trust God with your hearts desire? Will you follow through with your end of the bargain?

It’s a matter of integrity. I think too often we rationalize our way out of doing what we have promised; not only to God but to others and we limit the possibilities of further blessings in our lives. 

We have a New year coming and many resolutions will be given which often we ask for God's help with. How about this year we follow through with our part with a thankful heart and just see what will happen. 

Prayer:

Lord, I pray that we will be people of integrity. I pray that You will help us to honor our promises and commitments to You and others. Help us to receive all You have for us with an attitude of thanksgiving. In Jesus Name, Amen!