Sunday Cuppa’ with Susanne
Recently we were honoured to be invited to a “Birthday Blessing Celebration“. This was a family we have been involved with for many rewarding years of friendship. So we joined the group for a radant 16 year old’s celebration. She (we’ll call her Jackie from now on) had been through an amazing turn-around in her own short life time. She had ‘stumbled’ through 3 years from depressed, suicidal, rebellious, defiant teen to this person who sat before us now.
——– > So what’s a Birthday Blessing Celebration? Keep reading ….
You see, Jackie had faced her own ‘brick walls’ and decided – without pressure from her parents, to enter into a new life of Adventure with Jesus. She had so worked things out of her system that she knew, without a doubt, doing things by the Lord’s principles was the only way she could be her real self and still survive. Yes, she knew the drugs, sex and wild lifestyle wasn’t where she wanted to be …. and had literally jumped into the Lord’s arms. She had worked the whole mess out of her heart to be in real freedom. The peace and tranquility on her face was evident that real change had happened!
Jackie had always been a handful, born last of 5 children. Each of her siblings had gone through their own rebellious, defiant stages. Thankfully, Jackie’s parents had been understanding, setting boundaries but giving her to space to find her own relationship with the Lord. … and that’s what had happened. Jackie, part of the generation where ’16 is the new 25′, had grown and reached a maturity beyond her 16 years. So here she sat, waiting for the showers of words from her God, entering into a new world with Jesus.
We all listened to the Lord for a word to celebrate her life. She received many encouraging, life giving promises and pictures of her walk with Him. He pictured her sitting in warm sunshine with Him, just waiting for the new adventure to start. Bridges, rock filled paths, quiet pools of water would reflect her depth of love and knowledge of Him. He was saying she would ‘…go to depths few people would chose ….’ to walk with Him. All in all, it was the Birthday blessing she expected and hoped for.
Later, as I reflected on the years of tears, prayers and patience her whole family had poured into Jackie and her siblings as growing young people, I wondered at God’s grace and mercy. He had lead her through as He had promised ….but what about all those other families whose prayers seemed to go unanswered as their youth continued in the drug and sex culture? How had these families ‘missed the way through’ for their prayers?
The Lord brought me back to a time when I had just return from my own ‘prodical son rebellion’ to the God of Love that I knew as a young person. Being in my middle 30′s, I just knew the peace and life I had with Jesus when I was younger, was what I wanted. Even though I was happily married, had the job I wanted and seemed to be surrounded with all the marks of success our culture valued. Anyhow that’s another story for another time.
The Lord brought back to me a conversation I had heard on Christian TV. A father was asking “So what do You do with all those prayers of unbelief, fears, defiant to You and the religious jargon?”
The answer stuck with me: “What prayers?” the Lord had replied.
So …does that mean that the Lord doesn’t hear some prayers? We know He is all knowing, all present, all wisdom. He is not like any earthly father we have ever known. So He does know everything about everyone, is supremely compassionate so why …. ? He doesn’t show favoritism to some and leave others in the dirt so something else must be happened here.
As I puzzled on this over the next few days, I came to several conclusions:
1. Yes, God is totally aware of all the pain and misery in the world. He knew the tragedies would happen even before He spoke the Worlds into existence. He is aware of the deepest pain, the greatest trauma being felt by anyone, anywhere. He sees the wars, famines, earthquakes and ‘feels’ all the natural disasters.
2. He suffers with His creation – both with His physical creation, His creatures and with us, His greatest achievement.
3. However, there is a difference between living the best we can by our own rules, versus finding His principles and getting in line with His ways. The most beautiful, well built car in the world has to run on petrol and water rather than on orange juice and chewing gum. We must find His path to reach His blessings and answers for our own life.
4. In fact that is what Adam and Eve did wrong; they did it their way! When Jackie – or anyone – gets in the place where they see God as their answer, He will touch and bless them, lead them and guide them into peace and purpose in Him. It may take awhile, but He will bring us into wholeness. That’s the main reason He took on flesh; Jesus came to heal the broken hearted, whether in the USA, Africa or Australia!
An interesting word study is on the word ‘iniquity’. The word actually means ‘lawlessness’. King David repented for ‘his sins and his iniquity’. So the two words must be different. When we do our own ‘laws’, God calls us ‘lawless’ because we are not following His laws. The whole world is drowning in ‘iniquity’ – doing things their way rather than God’s way.
So we finished a blessed event because Jackie had found His way and reached the decision ‘to do it His way’. That’s when He really hears our prayers; our prayer are in His will and will be answered in His best timing.
This has been a deeper challenge to my own faith as it means finding out more what is His way in my life more and more. Prayer, as talking with God, isn’t just saying meaningless words – hoping He’ll maybe hear them. Real talking with God is find what He wants us to pray and join with Him in His work of ‘Salvation’.
I trust some of these thoughts have started some thinking about your own walk with God. His heart is really to bless you and help you live the absolute best life you could possible have! So happy birthday Jackie and thanks for the gift you gave me by inviting me to be part of your ‘Birthday Blessing Celebration’!
Susanne Fengler, Blog Editor
www.hearinggod.mentorsnotebook/com/blog
P.S. So did I answer what a ‘Birthday Blessing Celebration’ really was? Find a group of people you know hear from the Lord and that you trust. Give a ‘Birthday Party with a difference’. Take time to listen to the Lord for the Birthday person and bless then with a touch from the Lord they will never forget!
I enjoyed sharing this so much you will find a repeat of this post in www.hearinggod.mentorsnotebook.com/blog
Tags: Birthday Blessings
Filed under: Resources to help you grow, Sunday Cuppa' with Susanne
Thanks Jeffery. I’ve been a Christian for over 50 years, and as a Christian Counsellor, mentor and coach, I write about what I know. I’ll try and visti your site but do come back again. I’ll continue to pray for you now that your faith is stronger and more alive, Susanne
Hi Tanie! I’m with Hostgator and yes, I would recommend their services. Thanks for the comments on the blog. I trust there were alot of info you took from your head into your heart on the post/s you read. I also want you to know that the Lord loves you very much and would like more time with you. …..so that is what I’ll be praying for you, Susanne
Hi Agencja. I’m using Hostgator and yes I would recommend their services. Thanks for your encouragement as well. May His love find you faster and faster as well – that will be my prayer for you. In case you are on a linking exercise, please leave a link and comment at http://www.marriage-firstyears.mentorsnotebook.com/blog as few people leave their links on the posts. Cheers, Susanne
Well, you know what Laquanda, I don’t believe in the Egyption god of Luk, or in coming to this site by accident. The Lord loves you and wants you to know Him more and more so …. dive in and let Him love you more! If you need help hearing His voice, catch my other blog http://www.hearinggod.mentorsnotebook.com/blog. My pray for you is that you do continue to see His hand rather than luck or accidents, Susanne
Hi Emil. I have just reactivated my subscribe button now. The rss link is at the bottom of the page too. Thanks for visiting and do come back for more. I’ve added you to my prayer list that your loving Creator will reveal His love more and more …..so look for more God-stuff in your life, Susanne
PS You might also enjoy my other blog: http://www.hearinggod.mentorsnotebook.com/blog
Thanks Freda for your comments and appreciation. I write about what I have learned after 20 plus years as a Christian Counsellor, mentor and coach. Do come back for more as I post about once a week. My prayers for you would be that you see His hand in your life more and more, especially during the tough times, Susanne
You are welcome Tisha. Do enjoy the info and come back again. It’s good to know others are really reading the info. I’ll add you to my prayer list that you find the truth of His love and that you grow deeper into His grace and peace, especially when the troubled times come, Susanne
PS You might also enjoy reading my other blog: wwwhearinggod.mentorsnotebook.com/blog or for something different http://www.conflictsolutions.mentorsnotebook.com/blog I need comment there too.
Hi Gino! It’s good to know others are reading what the Lord has had me put onto the ‘Net. Come back again! You might also enjoy reading my other blog: http://www.hearinggod.mentorsnotebook.com/blog Since you left comments, my prayers now include you – that you find His love and grace surround you with blessings and guidance when you need to hear His voice. Thanks again, Susanne
Thanks Suazi. You found this blog site because your loving Father God is trying to get your attention. This is my prayer for you. Thanks for the encouragement, Susanne
Hi there, You’ve done an excellent job. I will certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this site.
Well Crabill247, thanks for your comments. Did you know the word ‘Luck’ is from the ancient Egyptian god of ‘Luk’. They prayed for good luck and part of the ceremony was crossing your fingers! So….I don’t believe in the ancient god of Luk as I believe that you finding this blog was not luck, an accident or good fortune….but a loving Creator wanted to touch your world. So this will be my prayer so you, Susanne
You can definitely see your expertise in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
What encouraging comments, Maria. I write what I have learned over the 25+ years as a Counsellor and Mentor. You might also enjoy my other blog too: http://www.hearinggod.mentorsnotebook.com/blog May you see more and more ‘God-touches’ in your life and follow His ways more and more, Susanne
Fantastic web site. Lots of useful info here. I’m sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks for your effort!