Stay of execution

Monday, January 17, 2022… Martin Luther King Jr Day… and the day the Northeast got hit with a hefty snowstorm. Memorable for our family for more than one reason.

I’ve shared previously about the way in which God revealed Himself to our family through our dog, Lucky… way back in 2009 when Lucky came to live at our home.

Lucky will be 15 this summer, and for the past year has had degenerative issues with his back legs. It has been heartbreaking over the recent past, facing the inevitable certainty of having to make a decision to be merciful to our precious answer to prayer, no matter how hard. Last week, I made that decision and called the vet for an appointment. I underestimated how emotional it would be until I found myself sobbing to the vet tech who answered the phone. She made the appointment but told me that I could cancel if something changes.

One by one I told the members of our family and we prepared. On Saturday, my mom took Lucky for a long walk and let him play in the leaves.

The weathermen predicted a storm starting Sunday afternoon and ending sometime Monday. As called for, it started snowing around 3 pm on Sunday, right on through. Our schools were already off due to the holiday, as was my company (which is why I had originally made the appointment for this day). The skies dropped about 10 inches of snow…

Rich plowed our 1/4 mile driveway and the girls and I unburied the cars and shoveled the places the plow couldn’t. I took Lucky for a “last long walk in the snow”. He LOVED it. I called the vet, but there wasn’t anyone there, so I left a message canceling Luckys appointment on account of the snow. I asked them to call me back if they made it into the office… otherwise I’d call the next day to make another appointment.. but this time I decided to consult with the vet first to have hime help me decide if possible. I called my son, who is now in Nebraska, and while we talked, I walked Lucky all around the yard. It was as if he had a new lease on life! We must have done the loop around our yard twenty times! While we talked, my son prayed. He prayed that God would tell us, through Luckys actions and through the vet when it’s time to say goodbye.

That night, he slept beside me, getting up twice through the night to go outside. But the next morning, I was happy that I had decided, at least for now, to hold on a bit longer. He’s had a great week, able to jump up on the couch and back down again.

I know it won’t be forever, but for now, Lucky is still with us. ❤️

Be blessed, my friends.

Don’t be afraid

Hi friends! It’s been a minute since I’ve posted. I’ve underestimated how difficult it would be to keep everything going in my life, and my sweating has suffered at the hands of my busyness. I have many posts drafted. Perhaps this holiday season I’ll find some time to finish them!

Today I’d like to share a poem written by a friend of mine who is a pastor at Community Alliance Church in Butler, Pennsylvania. His words, not mine. i hope they touch you like they touched me.

Blessings,

SB

It was a great morning at CAC! There were many requests for a copy of Pastor Joe’s poem that he read at the end of the service, so we wanted to post it here for you. Be encouraged and, as we were reminded today, don’t be afraid.

Don’t Be Afraid
Joe Floris

Don’t be afraid
Because your sins are forgiven
Shame can no longer
Bind you from living
My blood was shed
My body was dead
Your punishment is paid
So don’t be afraid.

Don’t be afraid
Because I know how it feels
Torn between what I want
And what God wills
I’ve been where you are
The proof is My scars
See the blood and sweat as I prayed
And don’t be afraid.

Don’t be afraid
Because I will never leave you
Even if you can’t see Me
You’re always in My view
We’ll walk this path together
I won’t bail, not ever
Even on the cross, I stayed
So don’t be afraid.

Don’t be afraid
Because I’ll take up your burden
In your eyes, I can see it
You’re hurting
I’m the One Who cares
Cast on me your fears
I can carry the weight
So don’t be afraid.

Don’t be afraid
Because there was an empty tomb
500 people testified
My resurrection was true
Before, my disciples would fearfully hide
After, they would fearlessly die.
I conquered the grave
So don’t be afraid

Don’t be afraid
Because I’m still writing your story
There’s suspense, there’s tragedy
But it climaxes in My glory
So as the drama unfolds
There’s more to be told
The final scene has not played
So don’t be afraid.

Don’t be afraid
Because I love you too much
To withhold what you need
And only give what you want
In moments of stress
Trust I know what’s best
Fear’s lies may be portrayed
But don’t be afraid.

Don’t be afraid
Because I will fight your battles
I’m your shield that protects
Your armor that rattles
The victory has been won
I’m a fiery-eyed, tattooed thighed, warrior Son
Between my teeth swings a mighty blade
So don’t be afraid.

Don’t be afraid
Because I’m coming back
In world gone crazy
My schedule’s still on track
I’ll fix the mess
I’ll restore justice
It’s a promise I’ve made
So don’t be afraid.

Don’t be afraid
I declare to a world that is broke
In exchange for your fear
I’ll give you my hope
It’s the message of My birth
Salvation has come to the earth
Forever – for you – it was conveyed
Don’t be afraid.

Are you going to trust me when it gets really bad?

Several years ago, just after a friend and I opened our music/art studio, he became very ill. As I was driving one day, praying about the situation, the Holy Spirit asked me a question.

Are you going to trust me when it gets really bad?

I don’t like the sound of that.. I didn’t then and I still don’t. But what I learned through that experience is to truly rely on God. For someone who likes to make things happen, I often find it difficult to not step in to intervene when things seem to go awry. With Dan’s health issues, I quickly realized I was out of my league. I knew nothing of medicine. Even the doctors couldn’t agree.

When he first went to the hospital, I worked hard to be his advocate because he was unable to articulate what was happening. I shared everything I knew about his situation to every doctor who asked. My dear Christian friend, Sue, worked in the hospital where he was, and I cleared with the doctors that she was allowed to help me understand what was happening. She helped me to understand the doctor-speak to know what was happening…. We did not see improvement for several weeks. It was painfully frustrating for me that there was literally nothing I could do to help his medical situation…. Except pray.

One day, when I was desperately praying, and desperately frustrated, Sue came a long side me, as a good friend would, and said, “you really need to let go…. This has to be in God’s hands and His alone. You can do nothing”

Nothing. I could do nothing to change the situation except fully surrender it to my Lord and Savior. And I needed to trust Him. When it gets really bad.

Sometimes I think God allows things to happen to us that are completely out of our control so that we HAVE to trust Him!

Are we going to trust Him when it gets really bad?

As bad as that chapter was, I don’t think we’ve really seen “bad” yet. Since 2020, I believe we’ve seen some brief glimpses of how bad things could get…. But even what we’ve seen pale in comparison to what is described in the Book of Revelation.

Are we going to trust Him when it gets really bad?

It’s important for us to start trusting Him now, in the little things AND the big things we experience…. So that we are truly ready to fully surrender to Him when it gets really bad.

Father in Heaven…. Help us to trust you, not only in the good times but also (and especially) when it is really bad. Give us Your eyes, and a childlike faith to know You have everything under Your control. Amen

Make your story count

This sign hangs on my wall by the door I walk through every day to leave my house. It serves to remind me that my story is so much bigger than me. My story is about a loving Savior who is writing His story in all of our lives, whether we know Him personally yet or not.

I am so very thankful today for all of the pastors, teachers, and Godly friends that God has used to shape my life.

God never wastes a hurt. And He uses people in ways we can’t fathom to reach people. Who are lost.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Thank you all for being so awesome.

The future is bright

A little over two years ago, a friend of mine and I formed a partnership and opened a music/art studio in a small town. We’ve been working very diligently to grow that business through various challenges, including Covid as well as other health issues. My business partner has cancer. He had his cancerous kidney removed in May, and we were hopeful for his future. I’ve prayed so many times for God to heal him. In July, he learned that his cancer had spread to his spine and his liver.

A couple of weeks ago, we were talking about some things we have going on… we are making some updates in our studio to create space where students can perform live, and opening a recording studio. Very excited about the possibilities before us, one evening I said to him, “wow, the future is bright!” I heard him chuckle out loud and immediately wished I hadn’t said it, remembering the death sentence hat cancer so often represents. Luckily, his sense of humor allowed him to laugh as he said, “well, that all depends”

We’ve talked at length about eternity, and where he will spend it. I am grateful that God has been so very gracious to all Dan an opportunity to get his life straightened out before he is called home. I know without a doubt that Dan has accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior amd will spend eternity in Heaven.

I will continue to pray that God grants him more time on earth to see the business he has enabled become its vision.

For him, the future really is bright. To live with confidence that you’ll spend eternity in Heaven is the most comforting place to be.

Lord, let my life reflect the goodness of Your mercy in all I do. Let our music and studio grow to bring others life…. We ask your blessing on our students and their families, our decisions and those we interact with every day be for Your glory alone. I ask humbly that you heal Dan of his cancer, that you give him more days on earth to accomplish what You’ve asked him to… that his life would reflect your grace… and that others would see Your goodness through all You’ve done for Dan. We pray You would help us to seek the lost.. and what the Light of the World with them so their future is bright, too. In Your Holy Name I pray, Amen

Blessings,

SB

Before You

Lord, I kneel before You now,

Everything I am before Your throne

You are sovereign over all the earth

And even the skies and stars.

Have mercy on us though we don’t deserve,

Slow the storms

Bring peace

Bring healing amd comfort to those who need

Let Your Spirit dwell in us and move us

Use us to further Your Kingdom and let others see You through us

In Your Name I pray,

Amen

Face down

Another fear another failure

Just like I was meant to be here

Face down

Drowning in my

Tears of sorrow

Feeling like there’s

no tomorrow

Sometimes I have to fall

face down

Face down

Wishing I could fade to nothing

I’m layin face down

Lift me up, up, up

Without You I am nothing

You pick me up, up, up

When I fall face down

Humbled at Your feet

Crumbled in a heap

of despair and brokenness

You breathe New Life into me

And pick me up, up, up

Give me courage to face

My fears and failures

Hope and grace

to love on strangers

Show Your glory

not my wreckage

Tell my story

to those who need it

Give Your word

that they would heed it

Keep me face down

So You can life me up

Face down

So You can fill my cup

Use my scars

Use my brokenness

That they might know

Your earthly benefits

Hear my cry

That they might be

Face down

To cry for thee

Lift them up, up, up

Mend their hearts

Restore their souls

So they, too, would

Give up control

And fall face down

And on and on it goes

As one by one it flows

Your love reaching all the people

Who are

Face down

Fully consecrated

“The world has yet to see what God can do with and through and in and for a man that is fully consecrated to Him”. D L Moody

With Gods help, I aim to be that person…

To consecrate oneself is to seek to make Gods interest your own interest. Lord, I’ve felt Your call on my life for some time now, and clear that calling is with music. Lord, let this not be what I want but what You want to do through me and with me.

Peel away from me all that is holding me back… give me eyes to see the vision You have for me. give me the courage to follow You with complete abandon of myself.

Provide my needs, oh Lord my provider. You have provided so much already. You alone know what I need…. Let me be in Your presence Lord! Use me in ways only You can to bring Your message of healing and salvation to a dying world, that they might know You as their Lord and Savior.

Forgive me for all that I’ve done in my life that have not honored You. As You have forgiven me, forgive others who have also sinned. By Your grace, bring us to a place of humbleness before You.. that Your work would be made complete. Help us rid ourselves of meanness and contempt and replace it with Your Holy Spirit that we would breathe LIFE into people.

Make right in me and around me all that needs to be to fully do Your will. Lord, if it’s music You want me to do, let me see a glimpse of Your vision to know Your will. Give me courage to follow.

Protect me from the evil one who wants to do harm to those who love You. Let Your sovereign Will be done here on Earth. May people come to know Your saving grace.

In Your name I pray

Amen.

Humbly I bow

Humbly I bow

Empty my soul

Pour out myself

So You make me whole

All that I am

And ever will be

Humbly I bow and

Lay at Your feet

You are my savior

you are my King

lord of my life

Over everything

Less of me, Lord

More of You

Fill me up

Faithful and true

All that I am

And ever will be

Humbly I bow

Lay at Your feet

You take my failures

You take my pain

Hear me

Father God, in the quietness of this morning we come before you humbly… quiet my restless heart and clear my scattered mind. Let me hear Your voice. Guide me now through the waters You’ve called me to step into.

You’ve heard my plea for healing, and You’ve answered so many prayers before… I kneel again at Your feet, empty myself before you, and ask once again for time…. Your graciousness abounds, Lord, and in Your mercy I see forgiveness and transformation.

You know my heart, Lord, and my desire to serve you all my days.. open the eyes of my heart, Lord, and let me see a glimpse of the path before me. Give me the courage to walk the path You have before me, knowing You are with me.

Bring healing where it is needed. Bring grace where it is needed.

In Your holy and precious name I pray

Amen