Dad Earl in Abba's Arms

I posted this on my FB just now....and will put it here for friends who don't have Facebook. I'll write more of a tribute for my amazing Father in Law later. 


Dad Earl (Michael's Father) has joined Abba Father in heaven on Father's Day - just a few hours ago. Michael is trying to reach his mother and sisters. He did talk to his brother. No details are known about arrangements, but the base is getting Michael and the kids out on the rotator tomorrow a.m. At this point Michael is telling me to "finish your conference" and fly out that evening. As I said - he's not talked to family and we don't know details. Prayer Requests: PEACE and comfort for Mom Mary, communication between Michael and family, safe travels, details for arrangements, strength and focus for me as I have a lot to do, God to continue to move in WILD Japan (training planned for Fri/Sat)...and though I'm thrilled to think of Dad Earl being able to HIKE, and hear and tell some great stories around heaven....I'm sad, really sad. The verse going through my heart is "the Joy of the Lord is our strength." Jared is now wondering if this should be his trip home - and losing the last week at home with him is also sad. Just a sad day here....but again....JOY because Dad Earl is so much better off in the presence of God than he was here. I know that.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Service as Worship

What I'm learning this a.m. I first posted on PWOC Japan's blog this a.m. 

Ladies! I am enjoying our reading of the book of Hebrews! So much to learn - I'm quite sure I'm missing much; but it would be a joy to share a few things I saw today in chapter 9.

The old covenant/earthly tabernacle was a shadow/ a symbol of what Christ's sacrifice would accomplish on our behalf and what our response should be to His sacrifice. I'd often focused on the earthly shadowing the heavenly. Until this morning I hadn't seen the connection between the divine worship in the tabernacle (Verses 1,6 - Strongs #2999) and our service to a living God.

Let's dig:
OLD COVENANT                                                              NEW COVENANT
Earthly Priests                                                                        High Priest
Tabernacle                                                                             Heavenly Tabernacle
Sacrifice of animals                                                                Jesus' Sacrifice
Daily and yearly sacrifices                                                      ONCE for all
Divine Worship                                                                     Service to the Living God

Wow! And this is where I usually stop....but today I was prompted to do a bit more thinking and a "few" word studies. OK, I geeked out, but I'll only share a few here.

Divine Worship # 2999 Latreia

• Hired as a slave to serve
• Service in worship
• To Worship

I'll admit I was a bit disappointed at the definition of worship here as I've been tracking it through the New Testament and often worship has a different definition to do with "kissing in reverence" and this seemed dull. (I've already repented). 

In verse 14 Paul is comparing the old and new covenants and this verse jumped out at me, "how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" The Holy Spirit highlighted the second part of the verse for me. 

Conscience #4893 Suneidesis

• The "faculty of the soul" which distinguishes right from wrong and choose to do right
• The "testimony of the spirit in man's heart concerning his obligation to God." 
• Dead works and/or sin can stain our consciences and they need cleansed, purified

Works  #2041 - are simply those acts we perform

Dead Works - (found when searching #3048) - 

• Religious acts which stem from something other than faith or spiritual life
• Fruitless OR sinful

Service - #3000 latreuo - same root word as that first "disappointing word study above on divine worship"

• Meaning of service and worship are intertwined! (Let that sink in). 
• A person hired to serve  - was paid for service as opposed to: 
• Bond slave - compelled to serve
• Worship and service stem from our free will surrendered to Him

Tying it all together - thoughts:

• If my soul/conscience is the part of my make up which distinquishes right from wrong and impresses on my my responsibility to God,  I need to listen. Listening requires:
• intent awareness of the one speaking
• being fully present - drawing near with a posture to hear
• is often enhanced by times of silence and solitude
• Service 
• IS an act of WORSHIP if I freely choose to serve as a response to and motivated by faith and spiritual life
• Service not motivated by faith and spiritual life is a dead and will be fruitless and may even be sinful
• Service accepted as worship must stem from an intimate relationship with Jesus; be a response to His work in my life. 
• Is expected in the New Covenant
• Is a necessary, vital part of my personal expression of worship
• My conscience must be cleaned from the stain of service offered for any reason other than as a response to His work in my life - an overflow of love!

Brainstorm with me things which would motivate one to serve other than a faith-filled response to Jesus' sacrifice....to get you started, here is my list, feel free to leave more in the comment section. 

• Obligation - someone needs to do it
• Tradition
• Desire to control
• Attempt to boost low self-esteem
• Looking for applause from others
• Build a personal following or circle of friends
• Desire to be in the "inner circle"....

Service motivated by ANYTHING on this list is dead. Needs to be cleansed and redeemed! 

A heart deeply in love with God will naturally move to serving and loving others as as an expression and overflow of loving God.  If you AREN'T serving, you need to ask yourself why? Are you allowing His faith to motivate your daily life? Yes, we sit at His feet, but we are expected to also serve at His leading.  If you ARE serving, do your acts of service come from a place of intimacy? This is the service to a living God which is considered worship. 

A prayer from my journal (which I don't often share). Abby, help me to continue to structure my life and set boundaries which enhance listening. May my life, my words, prayers as well as acts of service - be a response of worship to you for Your great love. Lead me always deeper into intimacy with You through a lifestyle of worship."

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Back in Japan

Wonderful and exciting WILD (Leadership Training) Weekend in Korea with the PWOC leaders there. Now at Yokota AB preparing to for WILD Japan which will be next weekend. I'll share more when I catch my breath. 


Enjoying my solitude after the days of using all my words to lead workshops, speak, and love on sweet women of Korea. God is replenishing me to love on my ladies who will start arriving on Friday! 


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Today

• TnT - Hebrews 3 - Consider Jesus; Hebrews 4 - Be Diligent (to enter His rest), Hold Fast (to your confession), Draw Near (to the throne of grace). 
• Last PWOC of this year as Misawa President. 
• Said farewell to Kristine and Tara....not easy. 
• Shopped for WILD Japan
• NOW I have to pack it all - guess I'm going to have a HUGE suitcase and have to figure out how to heft it. 
• Great help from family
• I may make the 06:30 train yet. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Words That Chase Anxiety

It has made all the difference....as I've healed from childhood abuse, dealt with a very short temper, overcome fearful anxiety.....and after my near collapse yesterday....the sweet presence of Holy Spirit, calling to mind those words of Jesus, has once again made all the difference. 


Words that make a difference...words that chase out anxiety....


"I can't do all things. I can do this one thing well: Love God ~ Love Others; and for most this will be enough. When it isn't in the eyes of some, I rest, knowing that I play for an audience of One - in my prayer closet or speaking before a conference - the ONE.Love of Him and His bride is that for which I'm accountable." 


That's all - and this one thing I CAN do....better all the time.

And when anxiety surfaces....as when I'm trying to remember far too many details, or when dear ones are moving in droves, or when a son has graduated and his dream is thousands of miles and several continents away, or when I must travel for an extended period of time and trust my children once again to Abba Father.....Phil 4.6-7.....I won't wallow in the anxiety, I will pour it out to Abba and His unbelievable peace will guard my heart and mind IN Christ Jesus.

Though, of course, always, I crave the prayers of those who love Abba....because really....I am at times a crazy woman...or at the very least life has become crazy for this season. ::snort::


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Crazy Woman

I've only once felt like this - when we were putting in all-nighters to prepare for the Asia Regional Conference. 


I know this is good for me - I just don't much like feeling like I'm drowning. ::snort:: Bottom line, leadership is meant to be a team sport and I'm trying to function as a team, without the full team. WILD is training in PWOC. Last year there was a lot of joking that myself and another board member were wearing many hats....regional board, international trainer and local President. Due to some redistricting and unexpected PCS moves....I now find myself wearing 7 regional hats, International Trainer, General Session Speaker, WILD planner.....and today I experienced lots of adrenaline rushes and what I think must be "near panic" attacks.....because repeatedly I found myself taking deep breaths...... Thank God for Cathy - my lone, brave, courageous regional board member!

God is showing me anew, perfection is not my goal. Love God ~ Love Others is my heart, my focus, my process...and if I get that right; we'll be fine......details will be missed, details will fall into place...I do NOT want to be so stressed by details  that I don't take time to love on my ladies.

Today I spent the full day working on WILD and local things I need to do before I leave home on Wednesday.....

I did have a break for farewell tea and scones with Anita and Connie....and then helped with the  PYOC dinner with two more friends who are leaving - Jenn and Tara (multi-tasking at its best).

....And about those "attacks" - it's fine......I know where to go for peace.....He's shown me where the hiding place is....and I'm climbing into it regularly.  Tomorrow is our last PWOC day of the year....an amazing year and while I've been stretched...I wouldn't trade it.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sunday Blessings

A long Sunday - three worship services. Blessed to experience the full gamut of worship - one God; many expressions...liturgical...contemporary...really contemporary. All fantastic in their own way. 


We also attended the best farewell I've ever attended....unfortunately, it was for Scott, Tara and family.....and sometime in there it dawned on Tara and I that Tuesday will be our last time to see each other as I fly on Wednesday and she'll leave before I return. 


Saturday was my last prayer walk with Ruth. She and I then went to the onsen. We realized that she'll leave the morning after I return.


Not saying Goodbye...just "I love you till later"....that should work.


Too tired to say much else tonight...the little ones were troopers. 


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...