Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass- it is about learning to dance in the rain.

Sunday, August 16, 2009


An Exerpt that moved me to tears
(and I'm re-publishing it because I was just reminded of Mary's pain and the reward)

" The young woman felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She gazed into the piercing eyes of the aged holy man, but she really didn’t want to hear his haunting warning about her Son and their future:

This child marks both the failure and the recovery of many…, a figure misunderstood and contradicted—the pain of a sword-thrust through you—but the rejection will force honesty, as God reveals who they really are. (Luke 2:34-35 Message,)

Everything was fine until the unexpected teen pregnancy. Her fiancĂ© wasn’t the father of the child, but he still agreed to marry her in an awkward an earlier-than-planned marriage ceremony.

Her abrupt disappearance to spend several months with an older relative some distance away launched a storm of speculation back home. The tongue-wagging among the hometown busybodies only increased when she returned with obvious changes in her physical appearance that could only mean a baby was coming.

(The favorite phrase traded across tables, shared at the village market, and whispered from ear to ear at public events was “hurry-up wedding.”)

Then came the emergency do-it-yourself baby delivery in a small country town far from home and separated from the rest of her family and friends.

These were the circumstance neighbors speculated on and were more than happy to repeat.

Years later, she would read a handwritten letter from someone who was her Son’s closest associate in His final years on earth. It began, “To the elect lady…´(2John 1:1, emphasis added). Although the letter did not bear her name, she knew John had addressed it to her.

Mary was “elected” or chosen for her unique task and mission in the same manner that you were chosen by God for a unique role of your own that only you can fulfill.

HOW MANY WILL BE AFFECTED BY YOUR OBEDIENCE?

She was not merely appointed to an “office”; she was chosen for a mission, designated for a function, reserved for a destiny.

Her obedience, along with the lifelong obedience unto death of her Son, Jesus, would affect billions of lives and countless generations. How many will be affected by your obedience or disobedience to the Master’s election?"

And here I have to stop and go contemplate what I’ve read…my husband has already spotted where we can buy the entire book..he has now left the house to go buy it!! I really want to read this book by Eddie Long, The Elect Lady.

(Click the book for a hot link to Bishop Long's website. It sends you to Amazon to purchase. If you're like me and can't wait...Barnes and Noble carries it also!!

I receive no reward for this endorsement other than the good feeling I get when I share a valued resource with friends!

4 comments:

Roxanne said...

What a lovely post. . .and thank you for visiting me. I hope you come back again. I just posted a re-run post from last year as life is a little busy in my neck of the woods, but you might not have read it before. I'll come to see you again too. :)

nancygrayce said...

I won't even ask why you live in Chicago :)) I am going out now to mow my grass! I think I may have to read that book, sounds great! I looked back at some of your posts and was wishing I had eaten Easter dinner with y'all!

Ann said...

Oh man, PJ, that question, "How many will be affected by your obedience?" really speaks to me. It relates so much to the post I read today from Chris @ Come to the Table that it is God's will that my primary ministry be to my husband. I have had many times where I have not been obedient to God's will there and have put myself (or even my kids or church activities) before him. This looks like a really good book!

PJ said...

Thanks, Roxanne. I'll go check out your post...posthaste!!

Nancy Grayce....I'm blaming God for the geography. We were called to a church here in 1971 and except for a stint in Ecuador, we've been here since. Someday God's gonna let me go to Costa Rica to live!!! And you're welcome to Easter dinner, any year!!!

Ann, I highly recommend the book. It really did change my outlook on life.

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