A Great Truth Delivered to a Mother's Grieving Heart (Original Post 1/23/12)

"With Hope" By S.C.C

Below is a letter sent to my dear friend, Amy P., on the 11th Anniversary of my daughters passing. It details how God delivered a great truth to my grieving heart.

Dear Amy, 

Today, 1/20/12, marks the 11th year (Heavenly Birthday) of my Amelia (Amy) Florence passing. In years past I have dreaded this day with every fiber of my being. This year, I decided to praise God and rejoice in all I “do have”, instead of what I “have not”. When I awoke this morning, I was DETERMINED to stay positive! Alas in less than 60 minutes, I found my heart breaking, my anger mounting, and an urgent desire to "run away" from all my woes.

I seldom go to my beloved little girl’s gravesite, as I know she is not there, but instead... complete, whole, and fellowshipping with Jesus face to face. However, God said "Go!" so I went to the church cemetery intent on seeking, at the same alter I had prayed for my children, God's comfort, discernment, guidance, and the answer to this question..."What would you have me to do Lord?" When I arrived at Stapleton United Methodist Church, I knew the doors would be locked, so I called the church, hoping (yet knowing it was unlikely) that someone could permit me entrance , in order to get my answer.

When my called went unanswered, I said "Ok Lord! You've got me here...now what?" That is when the idea (via the Holy Spirit) came to mind. I would scroll through my cell phone contacts and call the first resident of Stapleton, Alabama that appeared on my screen.

As soon as I saw your name on the list, I hit the call button! "Ring! Ring! Ring!" and then (I am sure your voice mail message was likely “This is Amy..I am sorry I missed your call..etc.) HOWEVER..this is what I heard.."This is Amy, I'm sorry, I miss you!" Tears of Joy and Praise rolled down my cheeks as I left you the message you received today @836am. To be quite honest, I have no clue what I said in this message.

In order to "miss" someone, they must be "missing". The definition of missing is - lost; absent; not present; unable to be traced. Our Amy was with us here on earth for only 12 short days, but Praise God..SHE WAS HERE!  Today, God delivered a great truth to my heart (via your voice), which is simply this.... “Amy is not missing or lost. She is NOT part of my past (meaning, not present)...She is part of my FUTURE! 

My dear friend, never forget (I know I won't)

Col 3:23 “Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men," for you never know when our Father will choose our voice, our words, our hands, our works, etc...In His perfect timing to free our brothers and sisters out of bondage, and into the “Promise Land” of perfect love......paid for by the Blood of Jesus! God is so Great!

I love you Amy P. . . . God does too!
Your Friend and Sister in Christ
Diana B. Harris

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Need Directions? Guaranteed! Better than Google Maps! "Being Christ Like" 101

Do What I Do! {Matthew 10:8-12}Say What I Say!{Luke 4:1-13}

Walk like I Walk 1st John 2:6Pray like I pray{Luke 11:1-4)
Trust to Obey{Proverbs 3:5
COME NOW!  {Isaiah 1:18} 
Following ME!{Matthew 4:19}

Divine Direction Always Leads To Profit

Lighting the Way!{John 14:6}

Hearing the voice of God and walking in His direction will always lead you to profit. Your God is your Redeemer and He has given you His Word to teach you and bring you to a flourishing, blessed life. Learn how your Heavenly Father will always lead you to “best” (not just better) all of the time.   (for a donation of any size to Jdm.org)

His was a Beautiful Life

My PaPa ~ Beautiful Seed Planter

A Beautiful Life

by William Golden

Each day I'll do a golden deed by helping those,who are in need My life on earth is but a spanand so I'll do the best I can.

The only life that's will endure, is one that's kind,good, and pour.;And so for GOD, I'll take my stand, each day I'll lend a helping hand.

While going down life's weary road I'll try to lift some traveller's load;I'll try to turn the night to day Make flowers bloom along the way.

Life's evening sun is sinking low a few more days and I must go,

To meet the deeds that I have done Where there will be no setting sun.

JAMES "JC" CHARLES CHASTANG

WHITE HOUSE FORK - James Charles Chastang, 77, of White House Fork died Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1998, at Thomas Hospital. Chastang was an electronic instructor at Pensacola Naval Air Station. He was also a member of the Bay Minette Masonic Lodge #498. He is survived by his wife Lucille Richerson Chastang of Stapleton; two sons, Jim Chastang of Crossroads and David Chastang of Stapleton; a daughter, Eugenia Nelson of Stapleton; a brother, McKenzie Chastang of Stapleton; 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

The Jesus some may ever know, will be through the way, His Light is Shown

Father I pray, Humble my soul, so they know not my name, but Thine only.

"So, I guess, that makes me a "Jehovah Witness" too!"

A very dear friend of mine, recently asked me..."What do you do, when Jehovah Witness' come to your door?  The following was my reply...

Dear Friend,  Well, Let me tell ya a funny story:

When I was about 18 or so, The Jehovah Witness Brigade...came a knocking.  Boy, were they excited. They did not say this aloud, of course, but, I'd be willing to bet, dollars to doughnuts, this is what they were thinking:" Here, a young "easily" persuade new recruit, surely so desperately lost...for she has invited us in, and is listening to what we have to say...surely victory is near"  Now, I DO admire their conviction and determination...their passion for GOD!  Their doctrine, not so much.  My view on the Jehovah Witness "religion" reminds me of a moth flying so fast and hard toward the warmth and glow of the porch light, that it slams it's head over, and over into the bulb...longing to get inside...to fulfill that empty cold place inside...believing that if they just keep slamming into that empty piece of artificially illuminated glass...maybe...by their works...victory will be won, and they shall be empty and cold no longer...maybe, just maybe.

I have found, one of the greatest gifts I have to offer is my time.  So, when they come a knocking.  I invite them in to sit.  I offer them a drink. Ask them if they need anything due to a long day's work.  I reach out my hand and accept their literature/booklet. I then ask them...what one of their own, asked me when I was 18years old.  "Do you know the meaning of the word "Jehovah"?   Their reply (as was mine) "God".  and then (paraphrasing here....)

Oh, I love God w/ ALL my heart. The way if you will knock, He will answer. The way he offered rest and "living"water to the weary. The way he reached out his hand, to those reaching for his.  The way he listens to us, not matter what he's doing at the time, when we call...ALL these things, He sent Jesus to do in his stead, to shed his innocent blood, for every single one of us, no matter who we were or what we had done, and then GOD resurrected Jesus from the grave, to free us all from the curse of death, and as it says in Romans 10: 9-10 "Whosoever shall confess, and believe, and ask...Shall receive God's gift of eternal life! 

Oh, I love God and I do my best everyday, to be his witness, not just in what I say, but by his example of how to treat ALL who come my way with the  the Love of Christ Jesus....So, I Guess, that makes me a "Jehovah Witness" too! (Last statement was also made at 18years...they were speechless)

At this point...they have usually either made it to the door, or sit and talk a bit more...either way...The seed of HOPE has been planted and the LOVE of Christ not only shared..but shown..  Oh yeah, I do not hand them back the booklet..I throw it in the recycle bin.  I figure it will at least keep one soul from being misled...if nothing else.

Love ya,

Diana

The Uninvited...Standing apart from the Crowd.

"He drew a circle that left me out 

Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout, 

But Love and I had the wit to win. 

We drew a circle that took him in."

  ~ Edwin Markham 

Born For This

Feels like I've been holding my breath, trying to still my restless heart
Everything hangs on my next step, finding my nerve, playing my part
I found shelter underneath His crown, found favor inside His eyes
Rock this boat, and I just might drown, honesty seems to come with a price
There's a time to hold your tongue, time to keep your head down
There's a time but it's not now

Sometimes you gotta go, uninvited
Sometimes you gotta speak when you don't have the floor
Sometimes you gotta move, when everybody else says you should stay
No way, no, not today
You gotta ask, if you want an answer
Sometimes you gotta stand apart from the crowd
Long before your heart could run the risk
You were born for this
You were born for this

I'm leaning on the ones before me, my father's father's dreams
I'm standing on the top of their shoulders calling the One delivering me
There's a time to hold your tongue, time to keep your head down
There's a time but it's not now

Sometimes you gotta go, uninvited
Sometimes you gotta speak when you don't have the floor
Sometimes you gotta move, when everybody else says you should stay
No way, no, not today
You gotta ask, if you want an answer
Sometimes you gotta stand apart from the crowd
Long before your heart could run the risk
You were born for this
You were born for this

One step, one move.
Born to trust You.
Made to lay my
Life before You

Sometimes you gotta go, uninvited
Sometimes you gotta speak when you don't have the floor
Sometimes you gotta move, when everybody else says you should stay
No way, no, not today
You gotta ask, if you want an answer
Sometimes you gotta stand apart from the crowd
Long before your heart could run the risk
You were born for this
You were born for this
You were born for this
You were born for this
You were born for this