Xtreme Grace

Ole Bob

lowefam5 — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:58:58 +0000

Ole Bob
Being on staff at a local church on the interstate, I see many people traveling through each week. Some are homeless, some run out of gas. Lots of different stories. I can’t stop thinking about this tough ole man I met back in September.

He was hitch-hiking home to Tennessee after burying his daughter. He had been her caregiver all these years and finally, he had to place her in a home in Arizona for professional care. You aren’t supposed to outlive your kids are you? Let alone, your only daughter. He spent what little he had getting out to Arizona to give her a proper burial. After doing that, he was just ready to go back home himself. However, he had no money left. So guess what ole Bob decided to do? He was going to walk home.

72 year-old Bob served in the Korean War. He walked with a cane, pulling a large duffle bag that was almost as big as he was. As he showed up at the church, he didn’t want to ask for a thing–just a ride to the edge of town, so he could continue his journey. His previous ride had dropped him off at the bus station and it had taken him almost 9 hours to walk about 10 blocks. 9 hours!

A couple here at the church fed him and I brought him in to try to get him a bus ticket home. As I visited with him, I learned more details about his trip. At one point, he had been taking a rest on a guardrail and fell off. He laid there on the ground for three hours because he couldn’t pull himself back up. No one stopped to help him. I’m guessing they just thought he was a bum passed out.

He was very dignified and a proper gentleman. He kept insisting he didn’t need anything except a ride to the edge of town. However, I just couldn’t take him and drop him off. It was against everything in me. He hadn’t really slept in days. He was in pain. He finally said, “Mam, what I really need is sleep. I’ve got $31. If you will pay the difference for a motel so I can get a shower and a good night’s sleep; I’ll continue my journey tomorrow.”

I finally agreed to take him to the motel and the church paid for the night. I gave him enough food to last a few days. I got him settled in the room, arranged his breakfast and a ride to the truck stop by the motel staff. Before I left, I asked him if I could pray for him. He wholeheartedly agreed; and I grabbed his hand and prayed. Before long, he was weeping. As I finished, his words were, “Mam, that was way better than any bus ticket!”

He was a very dignified man and Godly man! He blessed my socks off. Can I just point the glory to the Lord here; because I have a confession. I didn’t “want” to help him. I was too busy. I was wrestling in my mind. My flesh was saying no. And that still small voice said “do it!” So I did. Then as soon as I started talking to him, I was so ashamed of myself. He blessed me, way more than I blessed Him. And God showed me once again, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2.

God Bless You, Bob. I’ve prayed over and over that you made it home safely. Thank you for your gentle reminder of how blessed I really am.

Change the clocks

lowefam5 — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 20:35:48 +0000

TIME TO CHANGE THE CLOCK
Here we are into November. Another year has almost passed us by. Time to change the clocks again and “fall back” an hour. Most people see change as a bad thing; and I guess it can be. But change can also bring about a new opportunity.

The past few years have certainly brought change and molding for our family. We’ve gone through illnesses, financial crisis, and family changes. One thing I know for certain though, God doesn’t change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. (Hebrews 13:8) He does, however, change US to make us hopefully more like HIM.

Why do we hate change so much? Is it because we get into our comfort zone and want to stay there? Try this: fold your arms across your chest like you would, for instance, if you were cold. OK, now switch your arms around with the opposite arm on top. (Seriously, take the time. Stop reading and try it.) It feels weird. Feels uncomfortable, but it is doable! That’s how I feel some days. Uncomfortable. Out of my comfort zone with all these changes. But pretty soon we get acclimated to the change; just in time for another change to come along.

According to dictionary.com; the definition of the word “change” is to “make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone.” This makes me think of the old saying, “if we keep on doing what we’ve always done, we’ll keep getting the same results we always get.” Change is not necessarily a bad word. How we respond to the change might be…

Peace Transcends

lowefam5 — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:13:13 +0000

Written for my sister, Terri Huestis…………. Who I’ve watched display this peace this week, that only God can give. I’m so thankful for that answered prayer.

Peace Transcends
Sometimes life seems so full of despair
Hope is gone and beyond repair
Anxious with thoughts of giving up
Never understanding why life is so tough.

When hope is lost, with nowhere to go
There is a place where Mercy, Love, and Grace overflow
He sends a peace that transcends
A peace no one can ever fully understand.

With pleadings of prayer, thanksgiving, and petitions
He sends this peace without conditions
A peace that can only come from above.
A peace that’s saturated with His love.

As hope is rising, you can know whatever the road
He will carry you to new blessings, just watch them unfold!
He says, “My Child, be still and know.”
“I’ve got this! Sit back and BEHOLD!”

He will guard your heart and also your mind
Because He loves you unfathomably and is so kind.
A deep love that promises to never end
He is the giver of Peace that transcends!!

Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Natalie Lowe
10-22-2011

God HAS blessed America

lowefam5 — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 20:45:22 +0000

As we gear up for the Fourth of July, and I’m pondering why do we celebrate? Thinking about the song and lyrics from “God Bless America.” Well, you know what? God HAS blessed America. This country was based on freedom and God was divinely in place from the foundation. Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is Lord.” Yes, God HAS blessed America. And what have we done in return? How have we thanked HIM? By taking His name out of everything possible. Trying to get God out schools, courts, ten commandments and every other way we can shove him to the side(until there is some great tragedy and we need Him.) We have strayed so far from what our original forefathers intended. Yes, we still have many freedoms. Yes, I can pull out my Bible and worship as I choose. I can educate my children, I can come and go as I please. But I have to wonder what my children and grandchildren have to look forward to. This 4th of July, I would love to see a repentance and thank you for the blessings and freedoms HE has given us. 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Lord, forgive us I pray.
I don’t quite know what to say.
You have blessed this very nation
And gifted us with a beautiful creation.
You’ve reigned down your grace upon us
Yet many snarl their nose in disgust.
What is this freedom all about?
Don’t you understand? I want to shout!
It’s turned to idols of money, misery and greed
loneliness, heartache and tons of misdeed.
OH my LORD, forgive us I pray.
Help people understand, there might not be another day.
You have blessed our nation that is so great.
May we acknowledge that blessing, before it’s too late!
Natalie Lowe
6-28-2011

Half empty or Half full??

lowefam5 — Tue, 24 May 2011 18:38:05 +0000

I’ve been thinking and teaching about the colors of our personalities this past week. One dynamic that really gets me going is the difference between having a positive attitude or a negative attitude. Is your glass half empty or half full?? Pessimism is so pesky! Optimism is Optimal! Negativity breeds negativity. If you are looking for the negative in every situation, trust me, you will find it!! On the other hand, if you try to find the positive, you will usually be able to at least find a positive somewhere. Are problems just another “woe is me?” or do you try to seek to find the solution to the problem? Yes we all have our days. Everyone deserves to get on the “Pity Pot” occasionally. (As a good friend says, “have you ever sat on the pity pot so long your butt’s changed shape to fit the ring?” It is draining to be around someone who is constantly negative and complaining! Take action! The first action might just be to have an attitude adjustment. In Ephesians 4:23 we are told to “to be made new in the attitude of your minds.” In Philippians 2:5 “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” You can not have a positive thought and a negative thought at the same time!! Put a new attitude in your heart. Have an attitude of gratitude. I saw this on someones facebook and it really made me think. “What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?” Wow. Let that sink in for a moment. Let’s remember, that we have a responsibility for the outlook of our lives. If change is going to happen, we must begin with ourselves. A friend gave me this many years ago. Very fitting still today.
Responsibility
Responsibility, is defined as the ability to fulfill one’s needs and to do so in a way that does not deprive others of the ability to fulfill their needs.
When you delegate responsibility to another person, you are still responsible.
When you act, you are responsible for your actions, even if what results was not intended
• You are responsible for what you say.
• You are responsible for what you are
• You are responsible for what you feel.
• You are responsible for what you do.

• You are not responsible for making anyone else happy.
• You are not responsible for becoming what someone else wants you to be.
• You are not responsible for distorting the truth to keep from hurting another person’s feelings.

• You are responsible when someone breaks a secret you told him, because you were a poor judge of character.

• You are responsible when people use what you say to hurt you, because you should be able to tell when a person does not wish you well and you are responsible for defending yourself.

• You are responsible for the ties other people have with you because it takes two to tango.

• You are responsible for everything in your life that wouldn’t be there unless you did something.

If you don’t like your life style, you are responsible.
If you don’t like your job, you are responsible.
If you don’t like your home, you are responsible.
If you don’t like your husband or wife, you are responsible.
If you don’t like you, you are responsible.
If you don’t like the way you are treated, you are responsible.
*******Excerpt from Risking, David Viscott, M.D.

Certain

lowefam5 — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:47:36 +0000

I’ve watched the news over the last few days with heartache in my soul. The great earthquake in Japan, the tsunami, the nuclear scare. The fighting in Libya. The economy. The gas prices. The bus wreck. The children missing. Death of a loved one. Watching the news sometimes can be depressing. So much uncertainty. Uncertainty in each of our own lives. Jesus told us it would be like this. Matthew 24:6-8 “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.” We all know that when birth pains start; eventually the baby will be born. I absolutely believe the birth pains have started. How long will the labor be? That I do not know. Jesus told us to watch and be ready. Sometimes we focus so much on watching, that we aren’t doing what we need to do to be ready.(Matt 24:42-44)

We are to continue to be faithful and wise servants. To keep on keeping on. In this world of uncertainty, I know with certainty how the story ends. I’ve read the end of the Book. I’m not worried; “… because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day!” 2Tim. 1:12 Why am I writing this? For those of you who don’t know the Lord, I want to tell you there is hope. The hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ. Please seek Him. He’s seeking you. For those of you who are discouraged, I want you to have that same hope. Be encouraged today. For those of you who are scared of the uncertainty, I want you to know there is certainty in Christ. You can trust Him; He is trustworthy. For those of you who are His servants, I want to encourage you to keep on keeping on. It’s worth it. He’s worth it. There’s a lot of work left to be done. The days are short. Let’s get busy.

In this world of uncertainty
Life is sometimes a mystery.
We often ask,”how can it be?”
We must keep looking at Your Majesty!

I cannot fathom all the mess
A world that is crazy with distress
I get confused, I must confess!
But without YOU Lord, I’d be in extreme duress!

I am Certain! There will be a Day!!
In the blink of an eye, come what may;
You will come and whisk us away.
Forever more with You to stay!

Revelation 22:20-21 “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.”