• About

Philippians 3: 12-14

~ Not that I have already obtained all this…

Philippians 3: 12-14

Author Archives: MarilynHartman

Image

It’s Okay Not To Be Okay

08 Tuesday Aug 2017

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world

(What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong)

Oh yeah.

You see trees of green, I see dead leaves, you see roses too, and I see thorns, and I say to myself, what a crappy old world!

Some us would like to sing that song like that. Why?

We smile when all we really want is to cry. We’re silent when all we just want to do is scream.

We stay when we just want to run away, and all we want is to hide.

Yeah! All we want is to hide. Many of us that’s what we do! We wear ours masks well,  yet we are not okay.

It’s Okay Not Being Okay.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2: 20

Click her for song: If We’re Honest … 

Posted by MarilynHartman | Filed under Snapshots of Despair in a Journey of Hope

≈ Leave a comment

Image

Flying…

29 Saturday Jul 2017

I often wonder how my life would have turned out if I didn’t have to have my tonsils taken out when I was maybe 5 years old; if I’d not had to fly to the big island to see the doctor.

Life was pretty simple and adventurous on the 82 square mile island we lived on –St. Croix.  It was on that island that I was introduced to my Christian tradition and witnessed first hand the power of its effect on the man to whom I owe that tradition – my father.

“Handabarashiba orabakashi orabashanda” – my father’s spiritual language.

Unintelligible uttering!  I grew up surrounded by it.

My earliest recollections include playing in the dirt in front of the house of God, a church building atop a small hill, surrounded by nothing but sugarcane. In the midst of the sugarcane fields, skirting the hill, you could see the old slave quarters that in the past century housed the slaves that planted and processed the sugarcane. To the left of the wooden church building were a his and a her outhouses. An old shady tamarind tree behind the island church served as cover for our Sunday school class. We would sit on wooden benches, protected by the tree’s trunk which was as wide as I was tall. Its branches hovered over us as a heavenly mantle. The sweet fragrance of sugarcane filled the air.  We learned about God.

♫ ♫ “God is good, God is good, God is good, He’s so good to me. He answers prayers, He answers prayers, He answers prayers, He’s so good to me. I love Him so, I love Him so, I love Him so, He’s so good to me.” ♫♫

We learned how God saved Noah from the flood, the Israelites from the Egyptians, David from the giant, Daniel from the lions, the Hebrew boys from the furnace, and you and me from sin.

He didn’t save me from my tonsillectomy.

We would get together with the adults in the church building. We would sing, play the tambourine, and we would pray.

And then I would hear it, “Handabarashiba orabakashi orabashanda!”. There was my father. Eyes closed, head shaking, brow wrinkled with worry, and he was saying something I didn’t understand. “Handabarashiba orabakashi orabashanda!” His arms were stretched by his sides as if paralyzed, and his fists were clenched tight. He was marching. With every step he took, he lifted his knees higher. He ran swiftly through the congregation as if to take flight. There he went. Up, up, up, above everyone’s head.  My jaw dropped. From a child ‘s perspective standing on her tiptoes behind the last pew, he was flying. The fact was that he was walking effortlessly from the back of one pew to the back of another pew. He stopped suddenly and spoke some words. He continued to touch someone here or there. He would end up back behind the pulpit.

“Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus for the move of the Spirit. Thank you, Jesus.”  My father would deliver a spirit-filled, soul-saving, body-healing sermon. It was later around the dinner table that I would hear about those who had been touched by the Spirit, those whose sin had been revealed and forgiven, and those who had received a miracle.

There were many things I did not understand growing up on the island as a child of Pentecostal missionary pastors. One thing I knew for certain, I was very careful every time I rounded a corner. I did not want to meet up with the devil. For if I did, my father was sure to know. He knew when people were sick without them telling him, and what disease God was going to heal in their bodies. People came to him for prayer because they knew he was a man of God. And he spoke in tongues. Glossalalia. Speaking in tongues.

The time came to go flying. Not from pew to pew but from island to island.  It was my father that accompanied me on that flight to the big island to get my tonsils out. It was a small plane, one that lands on water. We were the only two passengers. The pilot invited me to sit as his copilot. My hands on the steering controls, I was flying.  My piloting was interrupted by my very productive sneeze which filled my left hand. The pilot pulled out his handkerchief and said, “There, there, all cleaned up! Let’s get back to flying.”

My father never knew, it was never revealed to him, nor did he ever come to find out. After my tonsils were taken out, I went to my grandparents home to recover. My recovery was interrupted by continuous sexual assaults that lasted for several years.

There, there, let’s get back to flying.

I’ve often wonder how my life would have turned out if I didn’t have to have my tonsils taken out when I was maybe 5 years old; if I’d not had to fly to the big island to see the doctor.

“You’re a good good father
It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are
And I’m loved by you
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am” (Pat Barrett and Tony Brown))

Posted by MarilynHartman | Filed under Snapshots of Despair in a Journey of Hope

≈ Leave a comment

Image

To be strong…

25 Tuesday Jul 2017

When did I stop wincing when in pain? When did I stop writhing when pressed down with discomfort? When did I decide that being strong excluded showing weakness? When did I convince myself that when facing challenges, you show no fear? And when did I stop crying when it hurt?

Hope does not exclude times of despair and joy does not occur without shedding tears.

So when did I decide to be strong?

I want to cry every time I hurt. I want to wince whenever I feel pain. I want to writhe whenever I feel pressed down and all around. I want to run whenever I feel fear and I want to no longer be strong.

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of  His mighty power. –Ephesians 6:10 NIV

Where does a warrior go to turn in her sword? Where does she rest her shield? When does she get to kick of her caligae  and loosen up her breastplate?

“If only I had wings like a dove, I would fly away and be at rest.  Yes, I would go far away. I would live in the desert.  I would hurry to my safe place, away from the wild wind and storm.” – Psalm 55: 6-7 NLV

Prayer of One Hurt by a Friend – PSALM 55 Excerpt

Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not hide Yourself from what I ask. Hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I have no peace,  …

My heart is in pain within me. The fears of death have come upon me.  I have begun shaking with fear. Fear has power over me.  And I say, “If only I had wings like a dove, I would fly away and be at rest.  Yes, I would go far away. I would live in the desert. 8 I would hurry to my safe place, away from the wild wind and storm.”

….As for me, I will call on God and the Lord will save me.  I will cry out and complain in the evening and morning and noon, and He will hear my voice.  He will save my soul in peace from those who make war against me. For there are many who fight me.  

 Give all your cares to the Lord and He will give you strength. He will never let those who are right with Him be shaken. … But I will trust in You.

Posted by MarilynHartman | Filed under Snapshots of Despair in a Journey of Hope

≈ Leave a comment

The Deserted Land

31 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by MarilynHartman in Musings of a troubled Soul

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Fable, Story

Once upon a time there was a land of great mountains, beautiful prairies; kissed on the east and the west by oceans white with foam; great expansions of freedom, connected to the north and the south. The land was inhabited by a group of people who took care of it, loved it, lived on it, with it and for it.

One day, there came upon the land, a group of visitors. Some got along with the locals, others despised them, yet others killed them. Some of the visitors came because of hate, others because of love and yet others because they could.

Soon the visitors became people who inhabited the land, took care of it, loved it, lived on it and for it.  But still there was hate, and there was love and they did what they wanted because they could.

Every group of people has a leader. And the visitors, who were no longer visitors, chose a leader. And every chance they got they chose a new leader. Some leaders were good, some were bad, some help, some hurt. But still the people lived on.

As the years went on more visitors came. Some good, some bad, some help, some hurt. The land became an even greater land with great cities, beautiful towns; kissing the heavens with its buildings, touching the earth with its gifts.

But the people forgot the land, they only thought about themselves. They stretched it farther than it could go, borrowed from its future to pay their present. They became greedy. They started to kill each other and even those who were about to get there. They began to draw lines across the land that limited, restricted and separated.

They never asked who put the land there, why they put it there and why were they allowed to be there. Instead of stopping to look to find these answers themselves from the One who put the land there, they kept choosing leaders that they thought would give them the answers. One day they decided that it was time they asked the One who put the land there not for the answers they needed but for a leader they wanted.

A new leader was chosen. They felt that they had chosen well.  Indeed they celebrated that they had asked the One who put the land there to help them choose. That leader will save the land. Instead that leader drew longer and thicker lines. He stopped the visitors from coming. Those who chose him celebrated. “Now they will have more for themselves”, they thought. “Now we will be great again!”

The years passed. Some people lived. Some people died. Some help. Some hurt.  But all could see, they thought they had chosen a Cyrus but they indeed were ruled by a Nebuchadnezzar. And there were no visitors to replace them.

“Good departed and evil was regular, The lord became angry and got furious. He gave the command and the gods of the land abandoned it […] its people were incited to commit crime. The guardians of peace became furious, and went up to the dome of heaven, the spirit of justice stood aside. …who guards living beings, prostrated the people, they all became like those who have no god. Evil demons filled the land, the namtar-demon […] they penetrated the cult centers. The land diminished, its fortunes changed. The wicked Elamite, who did not hold (the land’s) treasures in esteem, […] his battle, his attack was swift. He devastated the habitations, he made them into a ruin, he carried off the gods, he ruined the shrines.”(The seed of kingship, lines 15-24.)

The land diminished, its fortunes changed.

Day 10 -Your gates will always stand open…

11 Wednesday Jan 2017

Posted by MarilynHartman in Devotional, Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, Devotional, Fasting, Prayer

Your gates will always stand open,
    they will never be shut, day or night,
so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations—
    their kings led in triumphal procession. Isaiah 60:11

Peace will reign in the future of glory for Jerusalem! There will be no need to shut the gates to protect the City because she will have no enemies. The splendor bestowed upon the City by the Lord will turn the enemies to servants. Only those who come to bring glory and honor will show up.

“The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.  On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Revelation 21:24-26 NIV

If only we knew what the future brings, we would lie down in peace and rest. We worry about our days, we do not rest at night. We know not who is for us or who is against us.

God in His mercy and grace, has endowed us with His splendor, His Son.  He is our Redeemer, our Deliverer, our Defender.  His Presence in us makes us safe, gives us hope, opens the way for blessings.

Pray.

Heavenly Father, You are my Light and my Salvation, You are the stronghold of my life. I do not need to fear or be afraid (Psalm 27:1).   I trust in You, Lord!  Your Presence in me draws others to You and prepares a way for great blessing. My future in You does not compare to my past and those who once thought ill of me, will seek me out. I praise You God for Your compassion for me!

You’re the Hero of My Story Click on the link to pray with song.

 

Day 9 -I will show you compassion…

11 Wednesday Jan 2017

Posted by MarilynHartman in Devotional, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, Devotional, Fasting, Prayer

“Foreigners will rebuild your walls,
    and their kings will serve you.
Though in anger I struck you,
    in favor I will show you compassion.”  Isaiah 60:10

The Prophet announces to the nation of Israel that foreigners, those who gave their allegiance to other deities, even they will come to help them restore Jerusalem. The Lord had oftentimes allowed Israel to suffer the consequences of her disobedience and still He loved and favored Israel. And in His favor He shows compassion.

When we find ourselves broken down, in disarray or in need of restoration, we often expect or at least hope that those around us, who know us best, would come to our aide. That’s the natural. The supernatural is when God steers the way of strangers, those far away from us, and leads them to edify us, bring us harmony or renewal.

Often times as a result of our disobedience, we find ourselves estranged from God, hiding from His presence, as if we could ever be able to do that. (Jeremiah 23:24)

“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
    slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Psalm 86:15 NIV

Can you imagine that those who do not know you will come to assist you in rebuilding, restoration, repair; even those in high places?

Will you believe that even though we may have fallen short at times, God’s favor is upon us and He shows us compassion?

Pray.

Heavenly Father, I am awed at your goodness and your mercies. Though I fail You, you’ve never failed us. And in my brokenness and in my need, You use whomever You need to use to bring healing, refreshing and renewal to my life.  Thank you for being compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love (Psalm 103:8) .

You Make Me New Click on link to pray with song.

 

Day 8 -Bringing your children from afar…

10 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by MarilynHartman in Devotional, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, Devotional, Fasting, Prayer

Surely the islands look to me;
    in the lead are the ships of Tarshish,
bringing your children from afar,
    with their silver and gold,
to the honor of the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel,
    for he has endowed you with splendor. Isaiah 60:9

The Prophet Isaiah continues to declare the coming days of glory for Jerusalem as a result of Jerusalem arising, shining and recognizing that the light, the Messiah, the Redeemer, the Deliverer had come.  As a people who as wanderers became a nation, Israel was not seen as much. The time will come when those from far away will look to Israel and will return their inheritance. All this because God has brought splendor to the nation.

There was a time when others did not even take a second look at you because you were distraught and in disarray.  But soon they will be looking at you and will return to you what belongs to you. The darkness will not be able to contain your children and it will let them go! All this because God has brought splendor to your life!

Pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to seek me out and save me. Thank you that Jesus died for the Jewish nation and “not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.” (John 11:51-52)
Thank  you for loving us so much that we are called your children and although the world may not look to us know they will when your Son is once more revealed. (1 John 3:1-2) We ask that your light will also come to our children and our children’s children. Help us to declare their salvation without hesitation and with courageous faith.

Then They Will Know  Click on the link and declare God’s salvation with this Song!

 

 

Day 7 – Like clouds…

09 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by MarilynHartman in Devotional

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, Devotional, Fasting, Prayer

“Who are these that fly along like clouds,
    like doves to their nests? Isaiah 60:8 NIV

The Prophet Isaiah describes the multitude of people approaching the City of God, Zion, as so dense that they look like clouds. He describes them further as returning, as doves to their nests, meaning they have been there before.

Well God created mankind. It was from Him that we came and it is to Him that we return. Some to remain in His presence and some to be judged and separated eternally from Him. The time of judgment is not yet.God’s love is so great that He desires that no one should be separated from Him eternally. (Matthew 18:14) God desires that the multitudes like clouds come to Him.

God has given us the charge, the commission, the honor and the privilege to usher others unto His Presence. We have come to know the light, let us let it shine through us.

“Let it shine?”, you ask. We often do not “feel” that there is much light in us because of our circumstances, our limitations, our self image. We plan to shine when we’ve overcome our circumstances, gotten rid of our limitations and improved our self image.

God does not call you to arise and shine because you are ready for it. He calls you to arise and shine because He’s ready for you to come and allow His light to shine through you.

“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV

If everyone who has a made a commitment to follow Jesus would reach one other person, then multitudes like clouds  would be added to the Body of Christ. 

To dispel the darkness around us, we need to at least reach one. Invite.

Pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your love so great that you sent your Son to reach us. Thank you for your love so great that you desire that all those whom who have created will be saved through calling on the name of your Son. Forgive us because “how can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:13-14)

Lord, give us the words to preach–publicly proclaim, the good news of Jesus. At the very least give us the boldness and the courage to invite others to come to You.

For the Sake of the World  Click on the Link to Pray in Song

Day 6 -Proclaiming the praise of the Lord

07 Saturday Jan 2017

Posted by MarilynHartman in Devotional, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, Devotional, Fasting, Prayer

Herds of camels will cover your land,
    young camels of Midian and Ephah.
And all from Sheba will come,
    bearing gold and incense
    and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.
7 All Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you,
    the rams of Nebaioth will serve you;
they will be accepted as offerings on my altar,
    and I will adorn my glorious temple.
Isaiah 60:6-7 NIV

What a sight? Herds of camels everywhere and from everywhere, loaded down with treasures from those proclaiming the praise of the Lord. Camels from places where the inhabitants lived in tents. Camels that bring gifts from people who made their living by plundering, trading, and the keeping of flocks.

Kedar and Nebaioth were descendants of Ishmael (Genesis 25:13). Ishmael was a half brother to Issac. The descendants of Ismael and the descendants of Issac, both children of Abraham, contribute to the dissension in the Middle East today.  They don’t get along.

Imagine that the gifts of those whom you don’t get along, those with whom you do not relate, will be accepted as offerings on God’s altar. They will adorn God’s temple. 

God’s  temple, God’s house, no longer built with stones but with you and I (Ephesians 2:19-22), adorned by gifts brought by those proclaiming the praise of the Lord.  Gifts accepted as offerings on God’s altar.

As we arise, shine and bring light to the darkness, we are not alone. Others close by and others far away will also arise and shine. Some closer than a brother and sister and others with whom we have not even related will rise and shine. And we will be God’s dwelling place

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism;  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”  Ephesians 4:2-6 NIV

As children of God we do not have to pray the same way, sing the same, preach the same or serve the same. As long as we are proclaiming the praise of the Lord, our gifts will be accepted. 

Why then do we look down on other children of God?  Why do we seek to point out our differences? Do we not realize that we as “living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”?

As we proclaim the praises of the Lord, let us seek the unity among His children.

Pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your love for us that is no respecter of person but accepts all and blesses those who are committed followers of Your Son, Jesus.  Help us to rejoice as we witness your children from different congregations worship You with their gifts. Let your love abound in us as we proclaim your praises.

Make Us One Click on the link to pray in song.

 

Day 5 – Throb and swell…

06 Friday Jan 2017

Posted by MarilynHartman in Devotional, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, Devotional, Fasting, Prayer

Then you will look and be radiant,
    your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
    to you the riches of the nations will come.  Isaiah 60:5 NIV

The Israelites had gone through slavery, wandering in the desert, exile and even defeat on occasion. They may have forgotten the promises of God, they couldn’t possibly think that they would ever become that blessed nation through whom other nations would be blessed, ( Genesis 26:4). The prophet Isaiah is awakening them to the truth. It’s going to happen. Get up and get going! Look up and look about you! You’ll be awed.

So many times we keep our head down because we want to hide within ourselves. We’ve gone through so much that we’ve lost our oomph. Other times we are fearful of what we are going to see if we look up. Perhaps we want to pretend we are not present so that we do not have to answer for the need that is around us. We’ve lost our oomph.

Yet when Jesus comes,  when we commit to follow Him, His glory envelops us and we carry His presence wherever we go. We can look up and be radiant; our hearts beating as if to explode, joyous, and in awe. We get our oomph back. Why?

What God said He would do He does. He brings salvation, redemption, transformation, resources, provision, acknowledgment and His generosity will make your heart throb.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

That’s it, you see. We can’t possibly imagine what God has for us as His obedient children. We serve a God who gives. He gave His only Son for us. (John 3:16)

The gift of salvation through His Son Jesus leads us to sometimes think  that is a big enough gift. And yes it is HUGE. Still God is a HUGE God with a HUGE love that surprises us in a HUGE way.

Throb and swell! Brace yourself. God does what He says He is going to do. He will open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (Malachi 3:10)

God does what He says He is going to do, when we do what He asks us to do. Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Bring the whole tithe (Malachi 3:10). Serve one another (Galatians 5:13). Go! Make disciples of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20)

Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy:

Pray.

Heavenly Father, I exalt you because You are a faithful God. Your promises are yes and amen. (2 Corinthians 1:20). Forgive me for not being faithful to You in my obedience of your commands. Give me wisdom, courage and oomph to do what I need to do. I want to position myself to be awed, to swell and throb as I receive the blessings You have promised to those who obey You. Work in me the will to pray, serve, give and go as You have commanded.

We Carry Your Presence  Click on the link to worship in song.

 

 

← Older posts

Subscribe

  • Entries (RSS)
  • Comments (RSS)

Archives

  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • January 2017
  • November 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016

Categories

  • Deliverance
  • Devotional
  • Musings of a troubled Soul
  • New Year
  • Snapshots of Despair in a Journey of Hope
  • Teaching
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Philippians 3: 12-14
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Philippians 3: 12-14
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar