Experience the Breakthrough

          Plodding home this afternoon  I happened to look across the street; one of those “rolling screen” advertising  stands caught my attention.  They are quite common here in England.  They are on street corners and shopping parades, standing about seven feet tall, with back-lit adverts that roll up, then back down every minute or so. 

          Why?  Why did the advert catch my attention?  It was the caption on the rolling poster:  “Experience the Breakthrough.”  I didn’t care what the product was—didn’t even notice.  But I did feel like God was winking at me.

          So, I came home, pondered those words whilst checking e-mail and sending e-mails. 

The Maverick worked a double shift today, so that meant I was on my own for the evening.   A couple of hours later, I turned on the television.  This is a habit that comes from my single days—watching television while eating a meal.  (Eating alone is one of the things I really hate.)  Rather than do my usual channel surf through secular channels, I used the remote to change over to TBN, Trinity Broadcasting Network. 

          As I sliced cheese, plucked pickled cucumber slices from vinegar and looked over the selection of crackers, I watched television with a mix of restlessness and compelled attention. 

TBN has a signature programme, “Praise the Lord” which is aired live in the USA and then re-broadcast the following day on TBN Europe.  The host of the show, Pastor Gregory Dickow kept saying to expect God to speak to us.  He enthusiastically encouraged viewers to "tweet", "Facebook," e-mail, or phone friends and family to watch—as God had something special for them. 

To be honest, I felt like I was watching “Christianity Americana 101”.  Yet, God’s truth was being spoken.  And that is universal.  The second guest for the evening was Barbara Yoder; she is the senior pastor of Shekinah Regional Equipping and Revival Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

When Pastor Dickow introduced her to the audience, he said she is known for her cutting edge apostolic breakthrough anointing infused with prophetic revelation. 

There was that word again, ”Breakthrough.” 

About a month or six weeks ago, I had a dream.  Whilst I don’t remember the particulars now, I do remember standing in a room and stating out-loud:  “Yes, I’m going to do it.  I’m going to be that successful writer.”

Last week was the beginning of our new year.  As I got dressed, I was thinking about goals for this year.  Sitting on the edge of the bed, absently looking down toward the row of shoes, I pondered what to pray and how to pray for this New Year.  What did God want me to ask for in this coming year?  The word “Breakthrough” popped into my head! 

It is no small wonder that the advert caught my eye.  And it was no  “interesting co-incident” that I should  be led to watch TBN to hear the story of Barbara Yoder. 

I need to press into this gift—writing.  Above everything else, I want to please my Heavenly Father.  I want to fulfill my destiny.  I want to use this tool to reveal the loving, redeeming, and healing power of God’s Person and Presence.  Just like Moses used the Rod of God to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt, I pray that I will make progress in writing meaning full blog posts, creating believable stories. 

The thing is, I do have a lot to say.  Now I have to choose each day to practice disciple in order to see Breakthrough!

As for the sign—well, I now know it is an advert for electronic cigarettes.  But I didn’t download the photo for the product.  I downloaded the message.  A reminder of what God has for me this year!

It is my prayer that in the coming days you too will experience breakthroughs in every area you desire.

Serving Jesus, Author of our faith,

Lady Helene

Resolution-less

“Is not your reverence your confidence? And the integrity of your ways your hope? “Job 4:6

          I gave up making resolutions many years ago.  All too often resolutions are made out of guilt, shame, those terrible whispers; “I should do…”; “I shouldn’t do…”  “I need to…”  And when the emotional fuel we’ve pumped into our intentions turns into boredom, lethargy, disappointment, frustration and more guilt, we give up on half-made promises. 

          However, many years ago, I began asking  the Lord Jesus what character trait or what changes He wanted to work into  or out of my life.  I was beginning to understand that if it was God breathed, and God-powered, the changes would come—if I remained close to the Father and co-operated with Him.

          When I first read these verses today, my initial response to Eliphaz the Temanite’s question to Job was “Yes, practicing reverence will create confidence and we can have hope if we live a life of integrity.”  The equal thought to that is; “If I keep all the rules, then everything will always be okay.”   Is it possible that is the kind of mind-frame of which making resolutions—at New Year’s or other times—comes?

          Perhaps fear plays a role in making resolutions.  In the first chapters of the book of Job, we see a man who fears God and regularly makes sacrifices to God in the hope that pain and destruction will not touch him.  So we say things to ourselves like:  “I should lose weight and exercise so that I won’t develop diabetes; won’t have a heart attack; will be healthy in my old age.”  Okay—confession—that’s what I say.  I fear the consequences of bad choices.  After all the messengers broke the news that his riches and his family were gone, Job’s reply is “That which I feared has come upon me.” 

          Yet, by the end of the book of Job, he learns that fearing God does not protect us from suffering; neither does living the kind of life of “following the rules.”  This is what Job says to God:

 “I know that You can do all things, and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained or thwarted.  [You said to me] “Who is this that darkens and obscures counsel [by words] without knowledge?  Therefore {I now see} I have [rashly] uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.  [I had virtually said to You what You have said to me;]Hear I beseech You and I will speak; I will demand of You, and You declare to me, I had heard of You [only] by the hearing of the ear, but now my [spiritual] eye sees You.  Therefore I loathe [my words] and abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:2-6

          As a teenager, and even in my early 20’s I could never make sense of the book of Job.  But by the time I’d hit my 30’s and had my first back surgery, I understood that suffering makes us look beyond our limited abilities to live a valuable and worthwhile life.  Pain will either make us turn away from God = “If God is good and loving, why does he allow suffering?”; or turn us to God “Jesus, You suffered on the cross, You are suffering with me now.  I need You.” 

          Growing up in a Christian home made it possible for me to “hear of God with my ear.”  But suffering brought me to the end of myself, the end of thinking that I could be a “Good Girl” in my own strength. 

          When Job had everything stripped away, and realized that God was all he had, he also understood that God was all he needed.  Job had a revelation of God in His sovereignty.  When I got a small glimpse of the sovereignty of God, it was only the beginning of understanding that being a Christian is not me trying to live a righteous life by doing good things.  Making resolutions and trying to impress God by changing myself just doesn’t work.  Rather, my confidence and trust has to rest in God’s imparting His righteousness to me because of Jesus Christ’s finished work of the cross.  Like Job, I could say “Now my spiritual eyes are opened—and seeing Your sovereignty lets me see how trust worthy You are.” 

By placing my confidence in God’s love and sovereignty, I am led into a life of reverence.  Resting in God’s salvation, in and through Jesus Christ creates hope, and brings about integrity in my walk with God, the Church, and the world. 

Here’s to a New Year with no resolutions!

Serving Jesus, Author of our faith,

Lady Helene

Happy New Year—2014.  I’m sitting here wondering what I achieved in 2013.  Well, not as many blog postings as I had anticipated writing.  

  

        Even the basic chemistry student knows that all chemistry happens by the elements trying to find that balance between alkaline and acid.  The chemistry of 2013 held elements of acid and alkaline.  Perhaps they are better described as bitter and sweet—grievous and joyous. 

·         Wednesday, 29th May, My mother passed away, just two days before her 87^th birthday.  I was relieved that her weary, life-worn body had at last found peace; her spirit was reunited with the Saviour and Lover of her soul.  My heart broken that I would not know the comfort of her ample bosom, her quiet wisdom, her servant heart—sharing things about cooking and sewing with her.  This past Christmas was a tough one.

·        

            Spending two weeks in Wales with my step-son, daughter-in-law and their lovely family in March.  Those two weeks allowed me to talk with each of the members of the family I’d not met face-to-face previously.  And their 2^nd son, (7^th child) was born on 8^th April.  I mentioned my trip to Wales in a blog entry in April.

·         Another educational achievement was that I earned a City & Guilds certificate for my sewing—by compiling a portfolio during a class on skirt-making.  I was very thorough with all my documentation and managed to earn a distinction.

·         If you’ve been reading my blog the last couple of years—or live in England—you know that August is holiday time here in the UK.  St. Francis Church of England in Langley Parish hosted the second “Holiday At Home” for people over sixty.  Although I was  54, I was allowed to participate by virtue of helping where it was needed.  , Over three days “Holiday-at-Home” provided people opportunities to get out of the house, play games, learn a new skill and socialise.  On 14^th August some of them went to Eton College Chapel.  I missed the trip, as I was at work that day.  But I did go over to help on the Tuesday and Thursday.  Knitting, chatting, having a hot-cooked meal with everyone truly felt like a holiday.  Especially as “The Maverick” and I went on a date on Thursday afternoon (15^th August).  We took a bus to Windsor.  As the sun was full on, and no clouds hanging in the sky, it made the date a real treat.

·         In early September “The Maverick” and I began hosting a small Bible study group as a follow-on from the Alpha Course that finished in July.  We’ve been studying Philippians.  

·         “The Last of the 50’s” Open House for “The Maverick’s” 59^th birthday was on Sunday, 27^th October.  That Sunday the Parish churches had a Joint service—the congregations of Christ the Worker, and St. Mary’s sharing the 11.00 am service at St. Francis Church.  As the Missions’ Coordinator, I had scheduled a special guest from The Church Army to speak at that service.  We had over 20 people come over the course of the afternoon, including the guest speaker from church.  John totally enjoyed it.

·          

     

In November we had an early Thanksgiving—on Thursday 21^st .  The Tuesday Night Group came and joined us for a simple supper of soup, brad and pumpkin pie for dessert.  We each took a turn sharing about three serious things for which we were thankful.  Then we shared about three “of lesser importance” things or situations for which we were thankful.  I chose the 21^st because “The Maverick”  was  able to join us, as he had worked the morning shift that Thursday, and went onto evening shift that Friday.

·        

               Another reason we celebrated Thanksgiving early, was because of our“Date” on 28^th November.  A friend had organized a trip to the Royal Theatre in Windsor for the afternoon presentation of “Miracle on 34^th Street.”  As some of you may know, “Miracle On 34^th Street” is a story about a single mother who has taught her daughter that Santa Claus does not exist.  By the end of the play, the single mother comes to believe in Santa Claus and has fallen in love.  There are two film versions—1947 and 1994.  I like both versions.  To see this production on stage as a musical was certainly a change.  Unfortunately for “The Maverick”, the seating was very narrow and he was so cramped up he couldn’t enjoy the play.  After the play, “The Maverick” and I stayed on in Windsor and went to a Thai restaurant for dinner.  The food was good, and we enjoyed the time chatting over the table.  We caught the bus home.  So although it was 8 days after my birthday, that is how we celebrated.

·         The week before Christmas, on Tuesday, 14^th December the Tuesday Night Group shared a lovely Christmas Dinner.  I learned that a turkey that has had the legs and wings removed is called a Turkey Crown.  I don’t know why I found cooking it more difficult than a whole turkey—but I did.  It was a bit undercooked; John carved enough for us to finish cooking in the microwave so we could enjoy mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, peas and some Brussels s sprouts.  The turkey went back into the oven to cook while we ate, chatted and opened gifts.

·          Our Christmas was simple, and delightful.  On Christmas Eve our friend, Jeesun, from South Korea, arrived to spend Christmas with us.  You may remember from a post in October, about Jeesun coming to visit and our dancing at the Harvest Festival.  Jeesun cooked us a lovely South Korean dish called, “Glass Noodles.”  The Maverick has to eat his when he came in from the late shift.  In the meantime, Jeesun and I attended Midnight Mass.  It was the first time in my life that I had attended a Midnight Mass—and I was deeply moved by the simplicity and beauty of the night service.  All the candles from the “Carols by Candlelight” service were lit, the magnificent , four-part harmony of the choir filled the church with traditional hymns.  I hope I will get to attend many more Midnight Mass Services.

·         “The Aussie Family” came to us on Christmas day.  I decided to skip the Christmas Day service at church, as I’d gone Christmas Eve. Upon his arrival home on Christmas Eve, "The Maverick" had every intention of attending Christmas Day service .  But he’d been working double shifts and was just too tired.   Since the majority of the cooking was my responsibility, I was so glad that Jeesun kept asking what she could do to help.  The menu was pork roast, marinated in a honey/mustard glaze, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, gravy, cooked cabbage and cooked carrots.  “Sandgroper,” –Mrs. Aussie, had prepared an amazing frozen fruit and cream dessert.  Once here, she placed a self-saucing cake into the oven.  Let me tell you—frozen raspberry sorbet with ice cream and hot chocolate cake with sauce is divinely inspired. 

      Unfortunately, The Maverick had just sufficient time to eat with us before peddling his bike off to work.  After the meal, the four members of “Aussie Family” barred me from the kitchen whilst they did the washing up.  What a blessing!  They went home around 4.00 pm, which left Jeesun and me for the evening.  We watched television—Dr. Who and Downton Abbey. 

·         Jeesun went back home at noon on Boxing Day.  The Maverick had to go off to work—so I watched television and rested all afternoon.  

·         British Airlines employed “The Maverick” on contract earlier last year.  For the last two months  of said contract “The Maverick” swung between frustration and trusting God for a permanent job—as management was not giving any indication of what would happen after the 28^th of December, when the contract ended.  “The Maverick” was notified to come for an interview during that time—but was given not even a hint as to the outcome.  But, we kept saying, “Father in Heaven, You are our provider.  We trust You, and we believe “The Maverick” has favour with BA.”  On 26^th December, “The Maverick” finished his seven-day shift, not knowing  BA's verdict in terms of his employment.  His supervisor told him, unless otherwise notified, show up on Tuesday, 31^st December dressed for work.  Saturday, 28^th December, the contract ended; officially that meant “The Maverick” had no job.  On Sunday, 29^th December, we came home in the late afternoon—about 4.00 pm.  He checked his e-mail.  To our delight, relief and joy, he had an e-mail from BA, informing him that he was successful in the interview and the permanent job was his.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

·                

We didn’t stay up for New Year’s Eve, as “The Maverick” was scheduled for a very early shift.  I was too tired to stay up till mid-night.  And it’s no fun by one’s self.  

·         I’ve been mulling over what I want to accomplish this year. And I’ve been trying to formulate not only WHAT I want to accomplish, but HOW I want to accomplish it.  Writing, Sewing, praying and even exercising. 

This is now over twice as long as I usually write.  But I wanted to let everyone know what has been happening in the our house.  

Thanks for reading my blog.  And God bless you richly with His Presence and Peace this coming year.

Lady Helene