MY BOX

My long time blog friend, Ginger, just republished a post that she first blogged in 2007, titled My Box - Reposted. Please go and read her moving post before you read my comment to her, which I'm posting here.

"Since I've been following your blog since 2007 I've read this 4 times and each time it has stirred me.

It is amazing the way God is opening ALL of us up to so much truth. Yes, we are in our individual towns, churches, families, "boxes" so to speak, but it is HE who has placed us there and it's not the "box" that is wrong - it's not opening up that box and sharing it, and most importantly, our selves with all who our "box" comes in contact with that is wrong.

I desire to share ALL I am with all who choose to look at my box, from afar and hopefully will move closer to really see GOD and His working with me inside that box and pouring out the contents over the side and sometimes dumping it all out. "

As I was writing this comment I knew I just had to post on this subject, too, and told Ginger I planned to do so.

BOXES.....

Come in all sizes: smallest box, small box, normal box, large box, & largest box. The size and beauty, or lack of beauty, of the box is not the important thing. We all know that sometimes the smallest box will contain a priceless diamond or pearl. Sometimes a box with no outward appeal will have a really wonderful surprise in it. What is important is that we don't hide in our box. That we allow others to see inside, climb inside - if they desire to do so, and that we are willing to share every piece of ourselves that are so safety stored, and so often covered up, within our box.

Over the 3+ years I have been blogging one of my consistent goals has been to be real. To not present myself in any way other than what and who I am. I share my joys, and I share my sorrows. Thankfully, lately my life has been filled with more joys than sorrows but that has not always been the case and I have been very open about those parts, too.

One of the blessings that blogging has given me is connecting with so many others who love The Lord and want to share that love with me, and others. One of my favorite Bible scriptures is: Proverbs 27:17 – “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Ginger's post today, for the 4th time, has sharpened my iron and I am thankful for that.

To all of you the Lord has seen fit to connect me with, either here in blogland, or in real life I want you to know I want to peer into your box. If you will allow me, I even want to climb in that box with you. And, most importantly I want you to be able to literally pour out all the contents your box holds and share YOU and every aspect of your life. We are "lights" we are not to hide our "candlesticks" but set them high to help and shed light to others.

God, I thank you that YOU have made us all different, but all special. I thank you so much for the people you have brought, and those you will yet bring, into my life to teach me and share their hopes, dreams & SELVES with. In Jesus precious, precious name I pray. Amen

ANSWERING A COMMENT

Bobbi left me this comment a few days ago on my post about God Knocks Our Socks Off.



"As Sister Rosalee use to shout out to Pastor giving a praise report, HALLELUJAH!!!



What a blessing, Susan! PRAISE YOUR HOLY NAME, LORD!



Thank YOU for blessing this ministry and those involved!



Just another confirmation of GOD's faithfulness.



AND I love that You and Mickey are not slowing down and "retiring"!

Blessings!Bobbi"



There is no such word as "retiring" in our book. How could there be?!! When we are children of the LIVING GOD.

5 1/2 years ago Mickey & I had a word spoken over us. I won't repeat the entire word but the second sentence was: "You're never too old", says the Spirit of God. "You're never too young."

Our society tries it's best to tell us we are either "too old" - "too young" - "too busy" - "too dumb" - "too poor" - "too ill" - "too hurt"....... and on and on......just pick YOUR "too ........" and fill in the blank!!!!

It is a lie from the pit of hell !!!!! He has been a lier from the beginning but, I'm sorry to say and see, far too many of God's redeemed, by His own PRECIOUS BLOOD, buy into it .

The fields are ripe unto harvest but the laborers are few. SOOOOO - I repeat the closing lines of this word spoken to us 5 1/2 years ago:

"You're never too old. You've waited a long time but you're never too old," says the Spirit of God. "You've got a lifetime ahead of you, of following me, walking together with me and hearing my voice," says the Spirit of God. Amen...Amen...Amen...Amen."

PLEASE don't buy into satan's lies one day longer.

As for Mickey & I, as long as we have breath and life in us we will not retire

but PRAISE & EXALT HIS NAME.

ANSWERING A COMMENT

Blogging has been a real eye opener to me since I began this adventure 9+ months ago.



1- It has opened up my eyes to the Body of Christ, which I love so much.



2- It has opened up my eyes to the Big Wide World we live in and the fact I have so much in common with others around the world.



3- It has opened up true friendships of which I never would have imagined



4- It has opened up to me that fact that even though I was old and grey my thoughts and values were appreciated or at least tolerated.



5- It has opened my eyes to the animosity with which some non-Christians have attacked my strong faith and belief in Jesus, the Christ.



last, but not least



6 - It has opened up my eyes to this:



Karen said...
Susan, I usually enjoy your wonderful blogs. They are typically deeply spiritual and often times heartwarming. I even occasionally chuckle at the more light harded posts. However, I am somewhat concerned over this show and tell. Would Jesus really want to be shown in such a comical manner? He is Our Savior and Lord. A glorious one to be taken seriously. HE IS LORD. Not Paul Lynde. I mean no insult I am not here to judge, just comment. Perhaps next time you might not want to share things that depict Jesus as a clown. Your sister in Christ,Karen
November 10, 2007 8:36 PM




On this beautiful Sabbath morning, November 11th, at 5:30 a.m. I logged on to my blog to find the above comment awaiting me.

As a background, on Friday, November 2nd, I posted a picture of a Smiling Jesus on my Show & Tell. You can see the picture and review the post here. When I posted this picture I was aware I might get a negative comment or two. As it turned out I had 41 comments, none of which were negative until this 42nd comment, which came 8 days later on Saturday, November 10th at 8:36 pm.

If you have followed my blog very long you know I have NEVER censored or deleted a comment. I have also taken a very strong stand against hiding behind anonymity. It is my firm belief that anyone can say anything on my blog comments as long as it is not vulgar or cursing. It is also my firm belief that we need not hide when wanting to speak.

I have on my side bar a large envelope with my e-mail address. If "Karen" wanted to discuss her views with me I would have been happy to do so by receiving her email where I could have replied directly and privately to her. Since she did not choose that avenue........I must address this publicly in this way.

Another thing that I dislike about the anonymity is that I have several very good blog friends named "Karen". Thank goodness I have a site meter so I could isolate where the comment came from, and at what times. The comment came from Andover, Mass. To my knowledge I do not "know" this person. I find it interesting that "Karen" logged into my site on Saturday, November 10th at 2:34 am and again at 5:31 pm. She left me the message at 8:32 pm and then checked back in this morning, Sunday, November 11th at 2:50 am, at 11:06 am, and again at 5:09 pm. Now today, Monday, November 12th you visited me at 7:53 am and again at 10:04 am.

You were probably looking for my answer "Karen". This is it: I would be more than happy to discuss your viewpoint with you.

ANSWERING A COMMENT

This world of blogging gets more interesting by the day......sometimes by the minute.

On my blog of Sunday, May 6th on "Developing Friendships" I was left the following comment:

"You can't seriously believe all that propaganda about an almighty everlasting heavenly father, can you? I mean the one who is supposed to be up there looking after us all? The one who answers prayers so arbitrarily? The same one who seems to be so prejudiced unto whom he bestows his favours? The same one whose mercy bestows HIV on thousands of hapless and innocent children each year in Africa? Come on, get real, you are a slave to a superstition, are you not?
May 7, 2007 6:09 PM"

I, of course immediately clicked on the link to see who this was and where it had come from. Turns out it was a male from Cumbria, U.K.

I replied by posting the folllowing comment on his blog this morning.

"Oh, I MOST seriously believe the truth about my almighty everlasting heavenly Father!!! The God I serve is a Good God. He is not the one causing HIV on thousands of hapless and innocent children each year in Africa or any other calamity or horrible thing the world might want to blame on Him.

I am so sorry that you haven't been exposed to or met the True and Living God but He is very real to me. I met my Lord and Savior when I was 18 years old and I have served Him for 51 years now. He has never let me down or forsaken me. Have I had harmful, hurtful things happen in my life? YES! Have I been disappointed in loved ones? YES! Have all my prayers been answered? NO! Does any of this cause me to doubt my God? NO!

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you will return. I enjoyed very much seeing and hearing about your trip to St. Petersburg. What a treat to get to go and see all those wonderful sights. You have seen sights my eyes will never behold. I, like you, am a great lover of classical music. We have that in common. I, like you, have great friends. We have that in common.

May our commonality override our differences.

Susan"

Then on my blog this morning "I've Been Critiqued" I received this comment:

"Dear Penless,I came through to your blog through Maalie, my big brother. I am so glad you wrote back as you did. I find it very difficult to talk about faith with most people, but with him I find it totally impossible. It's not as if I am trying to convert anyone; I have too much trouble trying to keep myself on track to pester anyone else! I do find athiests are the most evangelical people you can get though.
May 8, 2007 8:13 AM "

I wanted to share all this with you my blogging friends. THIS is a perfect example of this powerful and wonderful world of blogging that we are all privileged to be a part of. I don't know about you......but I feel so blessed and excited about it.