Her Storage was Empty

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

Grace good enough for you?

• the woman of many husbands that Jesus spoke with - John 4
• Hosea's wife - Hosea 3:1
• Paul - the butcherer of God's people - 2 Corinthians 12:9

How countless are the accounts of God's grace. He said "my grace is sufficient for thee". Conditions? None. Unconditionally He took our place. Of course, we in our new-found and ever increasing realization of our salvation realize we are better than the next guy. I didn't do what he did. I would NEVER do what they did? What they did is ugly, cruel, despicable; they deserve to be punished! Not only serve the judgement and consequences of their actions, but continue to be punish - for truly their actions show who they are! Have you murdered anyone? Have a stone, anyone? What did Jesus say to the response? Hmmm... I'm sure we can rationalize our positions. His grace is sufficient for me. He will have mercy upon whomever He will have mercy. I, while understanding the despicable acts that take place upon this earth, will not decide otherwise. It occurs to me far to often, but for the grace of God, there go I.

Pastor Installation

Tomorrow our church is having the gift of a pastor installation service. The service is this July although approved in May in the desire that several key people could be present in officiating this occasion. We are excited about this turn in our congregational journey. Many have asked me for ideas for a gift for such a meaningful time. I came across this article today and I surmise that it covers the most meaningful of gifts; check them out. Pastor Appreciation Gifts that Make a Difference It concludes by saying "Thank you for your calls, cards, and gifts. Thank you most of all for doing your part in the Church. Thank you for giving your pastor time to do his real job: pray for you, minister to you, and study to bring teach you the Truth in a world full of lies." Enjoy!

greetings from the road

this was shared with me by one who stopped and shared worship at our church ... most times, he is on the road with Jesus. It blessed me; I'm sharing it with you. "Bless the Lord! How great is our God! As I travel back and forth across the face of this great land. I am struck with shock and awe, not at the wonder of nature itself, but at the Greatness of our God. I am captured and held prisoner in the hi-tower of the cab of my tractor, as my Father, and therefore my God shows me the strength of His Awesome finger. Only that I could but spend all of my days just in Worship of His Greatness, (some day I will), but for now I am takin by my Fathers hand back and forth across this land. Time will not permit me to share with you all that I see thru my eyes, (which He made out of dust), for others with a more poetic strain have already spoken of this countries beauty in fairer words then I could. How I wish all of you could see however, the things that I see on a daily basis. I have spoken about the power of God to many of you as it is seen in the San Raphael swell. The painting that God made and then puts you in it, we call the Grand Canyon. The thunder of water as it is turns into the mist of the Niagra falls. The feeling of smallness as you stand under the Natural Bridge in Virginia, or the eagle's wings on which you mount to achieve the height of the Rockies. If I had more time I could speak to you about the desolation of what we call Death Valley in Ca. Which is a warning to all who will listen about the fury of hell. I could talk to you about the rolling hills of Kansas. Who ever gave us the notion that it's flat? How Rich, How Full, How Wide, is the Greatness of our God! Praise Him! Bless Him! Swim in His Glory!!! On and on I travel! Thru the woods of Maine, a countryside filled with signs of "buy my amish cheese in Wisconsin". The beauty of Baton Rouge on a clear night in the distance from I-10. The wonder of when will Texas ever end? The Glory of God reflected in the lights of the city of Las Vegas as you come in off the desert at night. On and on! Beauty after beauty. The hand of God in the painting hand of the Master painter our Lord and Savior JESUS Christ! All of this Power, all of this beauty. Given to us to Declare to us His Greatness! And yet! He speaks to me. Thru His awesome Word. And he says to me. "Gary, My Greatest work my loveliest masterpiece was not cut from rock on the ground. No! Not from fields of flowing grain. No! My greatest work is the human heart. A heart Gary, especially like yours. A stony and cruel heart, a selfish and self centered, and self willed heart. A heart that I have chosen to sculpt on a more glorious canvas then Rushmore! Gary, my Greatest work is the chiseling away all these years the hardness of your heart". Now I write this to you my dear friends, not to draw attention to myself. No! my desire is that no matter where you are today as you listen to my words. That you would bow with me your hearts and think if even for a moment of the true wonder of God's Creation. The Re-creation, the eternal beauty of the Work of God in this a sinners Heart. A heart far from a finished work. That though lovely now in it's intent. Will at the trumpets sound beat completely in time with His own. A heart like yours my friend? I hope and pray He's molding and spinning it on His wheel right now! Because He Cares for me. Gary" It reminds me to be mindful when entertaining strangers (Hebrews 13:2). Mitzpah Gary!

type of Judas

Hmmm... someone was trying to find the answer to 'Who was the O.T. type of Judas' in the Bible and they asked me to use my search skills (as I hadn't any idea). From my efforts, I made some guesses. The first answered I derived was incorrect. Then I had a recollection which benefited me ~ being at our C'King Women's study which is going through Beth Moore's Living Beyond Yourself (on the Fruits of the Spirit). The lesson a week ago Tuesday gave me a clue about '30 pieces of silver'. I found it, and my friend was glad. It was a fun exercise of Biblical information. Just wondering if you knew ;-) "And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea; who coming thither went into the Synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Acts 17:10-12

unadorned

unadorned
Originally uploaded by normzrib

wishing all the moms a Blessed Mother's Day celebration this weekend!

unprofitable servant

you can't just do nothing! It's right there in the Word - the parable of the talents. I was reminded tonight, reading Beth Moore's book on Fruits of the Spirit. The Lord's remark's to the 'dug in' servant were scathing. Called Him and 'unprofitable servant'. The other two had rewards coming; Heavenly rewards. This one did not - in no uncertain terms. Have we been given things from the Lord - those gifts He gives - and done 'nothing' with them. Have we hid them fearing some outcome of our efforts. He has purposed us with 'good works'; are we otherwise occupied? It was food for thought for me and, so like God, a reminder of Sunday's message 'Answering the Call'. Ever get a call from someone you know, and you don't feel like talkin' to them just then - maybe tired, maybe not up to what you suspect the call is about. I'm guilty! What Calls aren't we Answering ... (wishing to just bury the ringing so it can't be heard). If we are unprofitable ... if we don't answer ... we won't be hearing 'Well done though good and faithful servant!