ISAIAH 25 ... STORM AND SHADOW

A burial occurred out in the Bush beyond Soroti, Uganda. It was the brother of Rebekah who became my granddaughter when she was "adopted" by our grandson, Sam. We had to shift the body up from the Soroti hospital; quite a challenge.  It was a very out-of-the-range location, just a family area of some sort, no true homes.  Believe me, the whole area was filled with poverty.  At this location, the only one who seemed very happy to see a few people was the little goat.

However, the Word of God is the most important part that I hope was dropped into the hearts of those who were attending, helping in this ceremony.  Seed-planting is extremely important.  And our Lord Jesus IS is the Refuge from poverty and the Shadow from heat.  And, even though this was a mid-December burial, the heat was quite high.  

Again, more proof that HE is the Refuge and Shadow.  That is one of my "forever and ever" desires.

Extra photos.  It was quite a day, believe me.  And the photo I took a week later of my son, Sam, and Rebekah, when my friend Jill and I had taken her to New Hope Uganda.  [AND, just before Dave and I were heading to the airport, after he had come a couple weeks earlier, to pick me 

up and help me home, we had this photo taken with her. 

 That was February, 2004.  A treat for us.]

GO ALONG... LEARN... EPH. 5:10

One of the most delightful trips in Uganda that were ever taken in all those stretches of time we were there. 

 And filled with dear friends.  

What a treat!

The only really bad part:  Dave and I had our first malaria hit us a few days after our return, which means that on that wonderful trip the mosquitoes really got us.  We were always very careful.  But, oh, well.  However, we eventually made it.  Took several weeks get back to health, but, you wanta know what I think?

It was worth it!  Sipi Falls and Friends were WORTH IT!

HMMM... JOANNE? JEREMIAH?

My middle name is "Joanne".  Called by that constantly.  Don't even know when I discovered I had another name, Carolyn, until I went to school.  Anyhow, been the "normal" one for nearly 68 years.

However, the first time I read the prophetic portion of the Bible, and just skimmed them, some of the Jeremiah bits and pieces stuck on me even then.  Why?  Because he looked so depressed, so sad, so often serving so many and speaking the Word from the Lord ... and then slammed to the side, again and again.

WAY back then, probably in my early 30s, I truly felt like a "Jeremiah".  Looking around, speaking out, giving what I perceived as "practical spiritual advice"... usually through stories, scripts, VBS, Bible-class teaching... often went out well, was received with appreciation.  Sometimes, joy and laughter, which was my goal in a rather side-way to break into thinking and hearts.  THEN, occasionally, misinterpreted, misunderstood, and threatened.  Accusing of lying, in a spiritual creative manner.

So, what hit me on my Christian side?  Depression.  What had hit me personally since about the age of 5?  Depression.  Simply a significant part of life.

When reading the Book Jeremiah, over and over, and a few commentary portions, it has been obvious that he was serving the Lord, calling the people forward, sorrowful when losing dear friends, and horrified when being forced to Egypt with the ones who were escaping from Israel.   When the men had asked him to pray and tell them what the Lord wanted them to do, the Lord had said very clearly they were to stay in Israel.  They thought Jeremiah was lying, and that he was a Babylon fan, supporter.

What I didn't realize until recently, when reading it in the Chronological Bible, that, when forced to Egypt, he didn't die immediately.  It indicates that he lived until he was about 90.  This means that he was in Egypt approximately 26 years,  forced to be there with those who didn't believe his word.  He spoke the them occasionally, in their face, but there's no indication of what he truly went through there.  He began in Jerusalem his early 20s, did it in that general area for about 40 years. Then was in Egypt for the 26 years, as I mentioned a recently.  How crazy would that seem to those of us who serve the Lord, speaking His Word, teaching those around us, encouraging, giving straight-forward instructions?  

At my present age, when I came to the Lord at 20, began teaching in my early 20s, I have been ministering in one way or another for about 45 years.  And, just as what Jeremiah went through, I have/am, too.  Some agree with my viewpoints, some don't.  Some think I'm WAY too picky, some think I'm not picky enough.  Some smile with appreciation, some roll their eyes.

Now, am I a prophet?  I had never thought so.  However, about a dozen years ago, I was told that I am; by people and by the voice of the Lord in my mind and heart.  It has continued.  I'm NOT visionary, but, the way it's described, I have the ability to see what's coming down the path for families, towns, nations, when people are turning their backs to the Lord and accepting what's wrong in our world and rejecting what's right in the heart of the Lord.

Am I depressed?  Struggle with it a bit.  Both physically and spiritually.  BUT not as much in some ways, because I know that I know that I KNOW, that the Lord is the only One I can rely upon forever -- and I want Him to rely upon me to serve Him.

YES, I have a pile of dear friends, dear family, a WONDERFUL husband.  The main center of that, though, is that all of us love our dear Lord and desire greatly to serve and be with Him forever.

Will I end up taken to "Egypt" for another 20-plus years, because the people who have control over me in this world don't trust me and think I've been lying to them?  Maybe.  But must rely upon the Lord in my heart.  That's ALL I can ever count on, the only Forever One I can always rely upon for eternity.

When I meet Jeremiah in Heaven, I hope to see him filled with joyfulness, with extreme thankfulness ... and I will be joyful knowing that depression was left behind when he died, no matter how that occurred.  AND MY struggle with depression will be gone forever and ever.

I'll be a joyful worshiping grinner.  YIPPEE!!

[And, in Heaven, being called "Jeremiah", filled with his eternal joy, too, would be a wonderfully favorite name.  I sure wouldn't complain if "Joanne" disappeared.]      

  

TOWERING ROCK, SAFETY ... PS. 61:2

I TRULY RELY UPON THIS WORD OF GOD!

[Photo taken in '07 by my friend from England, Jill Pogmore.  We became friends in Uganda in '03-'04 working together in the Soroti, Uganda, rebel situation.  Then she came to the States in '05, b/c now she had a friend and friend's husband --Dave and I -- who wanted to take her around our country anywhere she wanted to go, and bless her for her blessing into our lives when I was in Uganda in a serious situation.  She's been here 3 more times, and one of them was this trip in '07, and she is quite a photographer!  I'd like to make people think I took this gorgeous one which was so perfect, but, ain't me.  Couldn't not tell who took it and give her the credit and so she could receive blessing from all of you. 

 

 AND, BTW, she is still very involved in Uganda and part of 

my dear "family" at New Hope Uganda.] 

 

HE WILL BE THE TEMPLE FOREVER... REV. 21:22

Reading the Book of Revelation over and over and over again, for the past several years in particular, with many verses underlined, many notes written in the margins, this verse has been on my heart for ages.  Couldn't not share it today.

When reading this verse about an hour ago, I was filled with a rejoicing heart.  Hope you will rejoice right along with me.

WE ARE GOD'S HOUSE... HEB. 3:6

WHAT A REJOICING NIGHT THAT WAS!

[And it's still in my heart!]

HEAVENLY PROFIT .. MATT. 6:21

A REMINDER OF OUR DAILY NEEDS,

OF OUR DAILY FOCUS...

FOREVER AND EVER.