June 14, 2009

 Mark 4: 35-41 

Through The Storm

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Mark

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake."  He was already in the boat, so they started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed).  But soon a fierce storm arose.  High waves began to break into the boat until it was nearly full of water.

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion.  Frantically they woke him up, shouting.  "Teacher, don't you even care that we are going to drown?"

When he woke up, he rebuked the wind an said to the water, "Quiet down!"  Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.  And he asked them, "Why are you so afraid?  Do you still not have faith in me?"

And they were filled with awe and said amongst themselves,"Who is this man, that even the wind and waves obey him?"

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Thoughts...

"Teacher, don't you even care that we are going to drown?"  That's what the disciples said.  

"Why are you so afraid?  Do you still not have faith in me?"  That's what Jesus said.

"Why do you not trust?", he could have said.

He could have also said, 'Student, do you not listen and obey?'

Oftentimes we ask ourselves why is 'this' happening or 'that'.  We wonder where God is that he would allow such things to happen to us.  We don't believe, trust, listen, or obey.  Yesterday I was talking with a friend who wanted to know if God thought a particular food was okay to eat, if it would alter her healthful treatment of cancer.  What I heard from God was, "Why didn't you ask me before you bought it?", so I told her.  She didn't believe God would consider maybe a simple question, or she wanted it and then decided maybe she should ask if it was ok to eat later.  But that sets up a series of events....the money was now spent, could she have used the money better elsewhere?  Could she have spent that time now eating something very healthful instead of something that won't hurt her, but won't maybe help her either?  OR spent that time thanking God for what she did have and for the myriad of miracles he had performed and for healing her?  Believe in things hoped for.  Let him provide the evidence. 

Series of events.  You've heard the term, no doubt.  Everything we do has a ripple effect like the stone skipping across the pond.  God is really tired of our 'oh, oops'.  He wants our first fruits....our belief in him, that he is, and can be forever in our lives.  He wants our trust...from the core of our being.  He wants us to talk to him and ask him things about our life....which road to take, which turn to make.  And he wants us to listen to him, not just assume we have to make a decision because he has not spoken.  Maybe he wants our time so we CAN hear him when he speaks.  He is tired of talking to our back and not being heard.  He wants us to obey him....to do what he tells us to do.  And if he does not tell us, maybe it is the answer....to NOT do something or to listen more closely.  There are other times that he  does not speak to us...those are the testing times, when he waits to see if we utilize what he has already taught us.  If we will follow in his footseps, answer his call, lead the battle, forge ahead, successfully execute the attack to win against Satan, his assigns, and all the negative that assuages us in the recesses of our minds, body, and spirit that have been carried for years that needs to be gone. 

Why do we not do as he does or has done?   Why do we continually think that he has given us just words for a good story book?  The man said, "If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'move' and it would move!"  Do you know how tiny a mustard seed is?  We are woefully underestimating our God given power and our belief in who he is, that he is, and how wonderful he is.  

"Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!  And be sure to pay attention to what you hear.  The more you do this, the more you will understand--and even more, besides.  To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given.  But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them.", Jesus said.  Mark 4:23-25                  

Wake up people.  He does not want me to always speak to everyone.  He wants you to grow, too, so you can speak as I do to others to help them grow.  God was the first multi-level marketer.  His plan was to share his love and offer us the opportunity to go home....to heaven....to be with him in paradise for ever.  This is not a story book in and of itself.  It is an historical document.  The man, Jesus, really lived, he really performed miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He really died....for us.  He took all of our  sins upon himself for all of us.  He did it because Father...God....asked him to.  He obeyed.  For such, he was given eternal life.  Made the King of Kings and Lord of Lords above all others.  We do not have to die for another human being.  But our desires must die, so that God can fully live in us.   Except the desire to be one with God.  

Is God trying to call you out....of your self and your selfish desires?  Is he trying to get your attention?  Is all havoc being wreaked in your life?  Is Satan beating down your doors?  DON'T LET SATAN DO THAT!!!  Listen to GOD.......obey GOD....take time to hear what GOD has to say,  through reading the Bible and other Christian material, listen to your heart of hearts for what he might say to you.  Listen to those of us answering the call to preach the gospel, sing songs of his...read the Psalms...use your own melody.  And listen to this:

David said, "Some were fools in their rebellion; they suffered for their sins.  Their appetites were gone, and death was near.  "LORD, help!" they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.  He spoke, and they were healed--snatched from the door of death.  Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for all his wonderful deeds to them.  Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts."   Psalm 107:17-22    

Listen to this, too.  "Some went off in ships, plying the trade routes of the world.  They, too, observed the LORD'S power in action, his impressive works on the deepest seas.  He spoke, and the winds rose, stiring up the waves.  Their ships were tossed to the heavens and sank again to the depths; the sailors cringed in terror.  They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits' end.  "LORD, help!" they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.  He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves.  What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!  Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for all his wonderful deeds to them.  Let them exalt him publicly before the congregation and before the leaders of the nation."  Psalm 107:23-32

'Listen up', folks!  LISTEN...and OBEY!  Call out to him.  EXPECT him to hear you and save you.  Then PRAISE him for his love and what he has done for you.  And EXALT him publicly...tell everyone.  EVERYONE.  Go to church and tell the church all he has done for you on your journey.  Tell the nation...write a thank you to the Trinity.  Mail it to President Obama...mail it to church leaders of the nation of Godly people.  Shout it from the running board of your car.  (I don't advocate going on a roof due to danger of falling...my trust is not as stong in that area.)  Just do it.  Listen, obey and exalt.  Notice I did not say, wait for an answer....you WILL receive an answer.  It may not be what you want, it will be what God needs.  We fear leaving this earth...and death.  We think with a finite mind.  But God's mind is infinite.  He is one with us from there with his love.  We, too, can be one with our loved ones here...with his love and ours.  Embrace the Trinity today.

Eeeeeeery that the psalms were written sometime between 1440 B.C. and 586 B.C.  Could this psalm, No. 107 have been prophetic?  Could Mark have drawn an analogy from the psalm, instead noting the similarities between the two?  Does it matter?  The point is the same.  Stop living your life as if God, Jesus and Holy Spirit do not exist, or are some distant thought taught once, or are people to call on only in times of trouble.  You are in trouble if you do not have them within you at all times.  'For we know that everything works together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.'  Please note:  everyone is called, but few respond.  Be a responder for yourself, and the good of those around you.  Pour your heart out to him.  He will listen.  Now YOU listen....and obey.  Don't be afraid to go to him with 'every little thing'.  He wants that.  He "wants to be your everything".  Who wrote that song?   (Barry White?)  "Open up your heart and let it sing".   God, Jesus and Holy Spirit want to have an all embracing, full and completely loving relationship with you.  Remember when you were a child, you used to tell your best friend everything?  God, Jesus and Holy Spirit want to be your best friend.  Let them in.  Run to them.  Hold them close always.  And thank them.  A LOT.           

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Let Us Pray

Lord, when did I see you and not respond?  Forgive me, Lord.  When did I feel you and not reach out to touch you?  Forgive me, Lord.  Lord, when did you speak to me directly or through others and I did not want to hear you...or listen?  Oh, Lord, forgive me.  When did you ask for my heart...to become one with you...call my name...and I didn't respond?  Oh, my Lord...my? Lord....forgive me.  Forgive me for all the things I've done wrong, and thank you for helping me all the times I did make right choices and did things right.  Thank you for all things because I have now learned from them.  This Lord, is a painful lesson of reality to learn.  Forgive me with the fullness of my heart, Lord.  Please.  Lord, love me still, please.  Help me 'to make of the timber of my life a mansion'...of love for you and for others.  Help me to stop looking at my desires and needs and start looking at yours, so you will see that my needs are met, as I meet yours and those of whom you call me to help.  Emblazon your love on my very soul.  Even if I cannot get to church, I believe in the fullness of my heart that if I take a piece of bread and a sip of water, that you will turn it into your body and blood, so that I can become one with you.  I so see the need to become one with you....and not just a need...an all encompassing desire to love you and receive all the love you have to give me even beyond what you have already done for me....died...on a cross....nailed...for me.  With every strike of the nail, you and I were cleansed.  My sins were forgiven.  You bled for me...me.  Someone special to you.  Oh, Lord, forgive me still.  I bow to you now, my Savior.   I honor you...I will honor you.  I will make better choices for a new life for and with you for myself and others around me.  I will tell others of your love and the choices you made to give them a new life, too.  I will raise you to new heights of glory.  I will with your help.  I praise you, I worship you, I glorify you....King of Heaven...Lamb of God.  King of Kings and Lord of Lords, I love you.  I love you God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.  'I love you still....all the way.'  Thank you....forever thank you.  Amen.

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Songs of Praise for Salvation

In that day you will sing:

"Praise the LORD!  He was angry with me, but now he comforts me.  See, God has come to save me.  I will trust in him and not be afraid.  The Lord GOD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."

With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation!  In that wonderful day you will sing:

"Thank the LORD!  Praise his name!  Tell the world what he has done.  Oh, how mighty he is!  Sing to the LORD, for he has done wonderful things.  Make known his praise around the world.  Let all the people of Jerusalem shout his praise with joy!  For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you." 

Isaiah 12                 

Note the word 'lives'...present tense..."the Holy One of Israel who lives among you".

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Why are you believing Doctors over God?  What is God telling you?

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation.  

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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regulary to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:16 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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  Our NEW Current Cause

My family and I, and the church, are in crisis and could desperately use your prayers and financial support.  Due to medical concerns, employment crisis, and economic devastation,  I do not have funding to meet everyday expenses right now for the church, or home, nor those necessary to keep this website afloat for those shut-in or needing spiritual support, nor the ability to help others along the way.  But I am confident that, with your help, balance can be achieved.  If God touches your heart, I hope you will pray earnestly for the church, my family and me, and send any amount of money you can to help.  Please note 'Church and Family' on your check and I will see that all funds get divided appropriately.  The church, I and my family, as well as to those to whom we reach out, will be sincerely grateful for anything you can do to help.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and may God bless you!

 Melinda Norstad, Minister

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Church of the Holy Spirit

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Church of the Holy Spirit

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Tucson, Arizona

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In the meantime, we hope you will trust us to direct them to where the need is the greatest.

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'

 "Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

  Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.

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 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

Scriptures may be taken from the New Living Translations website.

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