Sometimes we want to avoid what we should hear/do, so we stay away from the ones who will give us truth because we don't want to deal with/acknowledge it.
It's like that with God too, we'll withdraw from where we'll hear from Him. Don't do the Adam 'hide' avoiding His house, His people, His Word. The 'prodigal' road is deceptive and lonely.
“Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” Psalm 139:7
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you" James 4:8.
"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19
I lost my mom hospitalized on my birthday the 11th and passing some days later (a few years back); it casts its hue on this time of year. But God wants us to more than 'observe', but 'participate' / 'engage' (be His bride) - 'DO this in remembrance of me'. Regardless of our emotion or lack of , we must be 'real' with it to experience the fullness of Him. Some of us will do more, some less, our ways will vary but be real! and feast on Him every day!
Enjoy the article... Turn Lonely Holidays into Feasting Holy Days
It mentions 'upcoming Holy Days 2009-2010
December 12-19, 2009: Hanukah or Festival of Lights
March 30-April 6: Passover/ Feast of Unleavened Bread
May 19-20 (sunset to sunset): Feast of Weeks or Pentecost
September 9-10 (sunset to sunset): Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah
September 18: Day of Atonement
September 23-30: Feast of Tabernacles or Ingathering
Every Friday sundown to Saturday sundown: Sabbath rest and celebration of our Father'
A friend and I were in the presence of the Lord for the 'homegoing celebration' of Tomasina Sisco, sister of a mutual friend. It was held at the Sky Rose Chapel of the Rose Hills Mortuary in Whittier, CA. Sky Rose Chapel is at the top of the Hill on the massive mortuary property. The chapel is beautiful. Later, I will post pictures of the amazing architecture in this lovely structure. Sister Edna was visibly moved to her Friendship church family present. I was visibly moved to see the life of this lady, now with the Lord, unfold before me, how her life touched so so many, and how faith in God permeated this extensive family.
Also I am constantly amazed how small this huge orbit we travel in is when I encountered a family friend I haven't seen in some 30-40 years from my days living in Pasadena. Lolita Parker was a family friend of our next door neighbor. My family was very close with these same neighbors and, therefore, knew them as well. I saw her name on the guest book as I signed in and when I entered sanctuary from the foyer, I saw her. The woman I knew had a radiant personality and attractiveness and, while time did not sit still, the evidence of what I remembered best about her was these same qualities. We talked for a moment; she had know 'Tommi' for 30 years. In the time since I had known Lolita, Tomasina had touched her life also.
When I read Tomasina's obituary, I learned she too had lived in Pasadena for many years. Most importantly, I learned that she, like her sister, loved children. She most loved the Lord and she served him joyfully. She was remembered by so many. The words spoken about her were very touching. People loved Tomasina, and it was for the love she, herself, gave. Her family included a great number of foster children. Minimally, she left 7 children, 25 grandchildren and 15 great grands. Originally from Massachusetts, she touched lives there and also Phoenix AZ and Pasadena/Monrovia and the Inland Empire. What a legacy of love she leaves going Home.
One person noted that she left to be with the Lord just prior to 'All Saints Day'. A song, 'I'm Available to You', sung amongst many precious songs, had these words 'my storage is empty'. This remains with me to resonate. May we all leave with our 'storages bare' having said to the Lord 'Use me Lord, To show someone the way a enable me to say My storage is empty, and I am available to You'. The lyrics to this beautiful song are below.
I was blessed to have shared in this 'homegoing celebration! I can see why Sister Edna is such a dear; her roots run deep in her family and in our Lord.
You gave me my hands to reach out to man
To show Him your love and your perfect plan
You gave me my ears
I can hear your voice so clear
I can hear the cries of sinners
But can I wipe away their tears
----------
You gave me my voice to sing your Word
To sing all your praises to those who've never heard
But with my eyes I see your need for more availability
I see hearts that have been broken
So many people to be free
----
Lord, I'm available to You
My will I give to You
I'll do what You say do
Use me Lord
To show someone the way
And enable me to say
My storage is empty
And I am available to You
---
Now I'm giving back to You
All the tools You gave to me
My hands
My ears
My voice
My eyes
So You can use them as You please
I have emptied out my cup
So that You can fill me up
Now I'm free
And I just want to be
More available to You
Ah
Use me Lord, To show someone the way
And enable me to say
My storage is empty, and I am available to You
- December 12-19, 2009: Hanukah or Festival of Lights
- March 30-April 6: Passover/ Feast of Unleavened Bread
- May 19-20 (sunset to sunset): Feast of Weeks or Pentecost
- September 9-10 (sunset to sunset):
Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah - September 18:
Day of Atonement - September 23-30: Feast of Tabernacles or Ingathering
- Every Friday sundown to Saturday sundown:
Sabbath rest and celebration of our Father'
and notes: 'for more information on God-established Holy Days, visit: http://biblicalholidays.com/Excerpts/What%20happened.htm. Be sure to check out the sections that reveal the Messiah in each Holy Day description.'