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Welcome!

On By LindaIn Uncategorized3 Comments

Welcome to Amazing God Stories!  Christian allegories, parables, analogies, fiction short stories as well as creative nonfiction stories that show the variety of amazing ways God has been working in my life. And if He has done all this for me, I can only imagine what He’s been doing for you!

My  goals are simple:

#4.  To brighten your day with a little entertainment, for you to leave feeling a bit better than when you arrived.

#3. To teach, warn, and clarify Biblical issues we face as Christians so we can be all that God calls us to be. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

#2.  To inspire you to keep on keeping on in your own walk with God.  God is working in your life as much as He’s working in mine. Maybe something I’ve learned or experienced will help you get through a rough patch or to grow in your own desire to know God.

And the #1 reason: To glorify God – to acknowledge and thank Him for all the ways He has been faithful to me! From the day I met Him, He has been by my side. He’s been my Friend, Coach, Counselor, Father, Teacher, Comforter, Defender,  Provider, and a million other things.

This blog is my way to shout to the world that GOD IS AMAZING!

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If my stories do what I hope they will do – like, comment, follow, and/or share them!

It would mean a lot to me to to know that they are being read and to hear what you think!

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 6 – Adding the Fish

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

I stared at the local weather app on my phone with disbelief, and then did a quick search for other weather resources. Surely the local forecast was wrong. I was expecting freezing temperatures soon, but snow tomorrow? My fish were still in bins! Not only are they in less than two feet of water, but they aren’t even underground. How would they survive? Well, there was only one thing to do. They had to get into the pond before nightfall.

I went outside and turned on the hose. At least we had a well so there was no concern about anything harmful in the water. But it also meant there was nothing helpful in the water either. Pond water is filled with bacteria and organisms that the fish need. It takes weeks to develop. I had hours.

And then I got an idea. The tubs were filled with fish and plants – and old pond water. What if I used that water to help fill the pond? I couldn’t think of any reason not to, so I shut off the hose and walked over to the first tub that contained fish. Carefully I netted them and did what everyone says not to do. I let them go free in the pond. Then I quickly dumped bucket after bucket of the tub water into the pond. The clear refreshing water in the pond now looked brown and murky. Disappointed that I had messed up the pond, I added the pump and filter. Maybe I could fix this.

After many hours, there was no difference in the water. What else could I do?  

After much internal debate, I decided to add more water. The new well water would mix with the old pond water and hopefully dilute it. But all it did was to make more murky water.

I wondered what would have happened if, instead of dumping buckets of old water into the new water letting them land where they would, I would have chosen a corner and slowly, carefully poured the old water into the new. There might still be some cloudiness in that area, but the rest of the pond might have remained clear.

It was late now and getting colder. Totally dejected about the whole thing, I went inside my house. My fish was safe from the snow, but at the cost of the beautiful pond water.

Our past experiences impact and control our emotions as we act on both the truths and lies they taught us. We need our past experiences just like the fish need what is in the murky water. Our experiences are what made us what we are today. But it’s wise to be aware of when and how they are impacting our day to day interactions and decisions. The question is not if our past is going to affect us, but how. Allowing the past to control our thoughts and emotions without thought or restraint is like dumping tubs of murky water into the clear pond. We can no longer see clearly. But being intentional about where and how the past is allowed to impact the present may help keep our vision clear.

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. Proverbs 15:18

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:15

But whoever hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:11

They are darkened in their understanding, alienate from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to the their hardness of heart. Ephesians 4:18

Let us pray for discernment as we examine our reactions and motivations. Let us see where we have dumped something we learned in the past into the present situation causing confusion and regrettable actions. Let us seek the truth, for the truth will set us free (John 8:32)

A Prayer for SIL, Day 26

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Lord, I pray that You give SIL good sleep tonight. Give her peace and call her mind and heart to You. Let there be sweet companionship between You and her, whether she’s awake or asleep.

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips when I remember you upon my bed and meditate on you in the watches of the night for you have been my help and in the shadows of you wings I will sing for joy. Psalm63:5-2

Lord, may SIL be satisfied as she meditates on You during the night. May her heart be so full of praise that it bubbles out of her mouth. Show her times when You’ve been her help and keep her under the shadow of Your wings. May she sing for joy at seeing Your hand in her life. And may this joy fill her to overflowing that she will seek to serve people around her in the ways that are pleasing to You.

In Your Communing Love,

Amen.

A Prayer for SIL, Day 25

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Lord, I come to you tonight with yet another plea that you heal SIL of all past experiences that left scars, and that you fill her with Your Spirit. Let peace reign over any turmoil that is binding her and causing problem behaviors. Work within her heart and mind. Call her to You. Increase her appetite for Your Word and give her a little push to overcome her inertia.

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation. 1 Peter 2:1-2

Lord, I pray that You show SIL when she is being deceitful, when she’s holding malice in her heart – even if it’s about someone in her past. And when she’s being a hypocrite. Like a newborn infant, like when she first got saved, I pray she craves pure spiritual milk – Your Word – so she can grown in wisdom and in You.

In Your Light,

Amen.

A Prayer for SIL, Day 24

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Lord, tonight I pray for common sense for SIL. Whether she has ever been taught it or not, I ask You to teach her. Convict her when she does something immature and foolish, and when she does something harmful to others. Show her the impact she has on those around her. Open her eyes, Lord, to see outside herself.

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. Proverbs 28:26

I pray that SIL will see the need for Your wisdom and start walking in it today.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding Proverbs 2:2

Lord, may SIL seek and hear the wisdom You give. I pray that she makes her ear attentive to wisdom and inclines her heart to understanding. May she make You her main focus at all times.

A Prayer for SIL, Day 23

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Lord, thank You for what You are doing in SIL. You promised to bring into completeness that which you started. I may not ever see her completely healed but I believe You will do as You said You would.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desires. 2 Peter 1:4

If we are faithless, he remains faithful – for he cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 2:13

Jesus, may SIL be aware of the precious and great promises you have granted her so that through them she may become partaker of the divine nature, and that she will escape from the corruption that is in her heart and life because of sinful desire – both hers and that of those whose actions caused damage in her.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you (her) completely, and may your (her) whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

In Your Faithful Name,

Amen.

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 5 – The Lining

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

Yay! The hole is all dug out and it’s time to lay the lining! All I have to do is unroll the lining, stretch it out over the hole, and start filling it water. Easy, right? That’s what all the videos show.

With my heart beating just a bit faster with anticipation, I began unrolling the lining. Unflopping it would be a better word. The lining was not rolled. It was folded. As I opened it up, there were multiple fold lines. Folds can be a source of weakness in a lining causing small leaks. The less folds the better. I knew that more fold lines would be created as I tried to mold it around curves in the pond, but to start out with them was a bit disappointing.

After fully unflopping the liner, my husband helped me to carry it over to the hole, which revealed problem number two: how to carry something that heavy above the twig and leaf covered ground. After many false starts, we gave up and just dragged it. Hopefully the lining was stronger than the reviews stated.

Once positioned, I carefully climbed down into the hole as water from the hose began filling it. I pushed and pulled, trying to take out as many folds and wrinkles as possible. It was impossible. But I kept at it until the water reached the lower shelves. I added some rocks to hold the liner in place.

 As I climbed out, I wondered why something that looked so easy on videos had been so hard for me. And then I remembered. In my hurry to get the fish into their new home before the coming freeze, I didn’t follow the helpful hint of letting the liner sit in the sun for a while to soften before trying to manipulate it.

At least the lining was in and the refilling had begun.

As I walked around the pond, I ran into yet another problem. The lining was supposed to cover both the dug out pond and the preformed plastic pond next to it to form one big pond. But in all the positioning, tugging, and pulling, somehow the lining twisted and it no longer covered the small pre-formed pond.

My vision was ruined. There was no going back without draining the pond again. And there was no way to maneuver the lining with the weight of the water laying on it.

After cutting a smaller lining and trying it in every direction possible to cover and link the two ponds together, I gave up. There was no way now to join the two ponds. By this point, I was ready to give up on the whole thing. I wanted to throw things at it or kick it or yell my frustration out at my husband. Instead, I went inside to shed a few tears. And to pray.

In life, how often do we try to accomplish our tasks on our own? Jesus will empower us to do the things He asks of us, but it doesn’t come automatically. We have to abide in Him.

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples. John 8:31

Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. John 15:4

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. John 15:9

How do we abide in Jesus? What does that look like? Paul gave some instructions that we can follow.

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:18-21

What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 1 Corinthians 14:15

David is a great model for abiding in God.

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to this excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Psalm 150:1-6

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? Psalm 77:11-13

I will lift up my hands towards your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes. Psalm 119:48

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. Psalm 63:5-7

Let’s soak in the Son before attempting big projects in our own strength and reasoning. Certainly the One who accomplished the greatest building project of all time can help us with our own.

A Prayer for SIL, Day 22

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Jesus, protect Sil from the enemy as You work in her. Help her to focus on You, to learn about You in the ways she needs to. Lead her to the Scriptures that will guide her on her walk with You. Whet her appetite for more of You and less of the world. Clarify her vision of what is important – and who is important. And fill her with Your goodness and love.

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30

I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices, my flesh also dwells secure…. You make known to me the path of life, in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forever more. Psalm 16:8, 9, 11

I pray that SIL sets You always before her. May she realize that because You are at her right hand, she won’t be shaken. Therefore, may her heart be glad and her whole being rejoice, and may her body dwell secure. Make known to her the path of life so that she may walk it with You. May she experience the fullness of joy that is found in Your presence and find that at Your right hand are pleasures forever more.

In Your Joyous Name,

Amen.

A Prayer for SIL, Day 21

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Lord, I lift up SIL to You tonight as she sleeps. Speak to her in her dreams. Show her the things that she’s resisting in the day so she can open up to Your healing touch in the night. Heal her body so she can focus on the spiritual.

Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2

And the man said to me, “Son of man, look with your eyes and hear with your ears and set your heart upon all that I shall show you, for you were brought here in order that I might show it to you… Ezekiel 40:4a

Jesus I pray that SIL will look with her eyes and hear with her ears, and set her heart upon all that You show her. And I pray that You help her to realize that she was brought here in order that You might show it to her.

In Your Healing Touch,

Amen.

A Prayer for SIL, Day 20

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Dear Lord, thank You for SIL and what You are doing in her. Thank You for Your promises and for Your desire that all draw near to You. I pray that SIL lets go of what she’s clinging to and cling to You instead.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which cling so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

Jesus, I pray that You give her the knowledge and grace to lay aside all that hinders her on this race that You set before her.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:22-24

Lord, God of peace, sanctify SIL completely, and may her whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the day of Your return. You, who call her, are faithful and You will surely do it.

Lord, hold her close and whisper hope to her as she sleeps.

In Your Peace,

Amen.

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 4 – Digging Deeper

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After days of hard work, digging, chopping, and hauling away wheel barrels of heavy, moist clay, I had finally finished. The last step had been to remove the wall of clay between the old and the new areas.  With great anticipation I walked a few feet away and turned to look at the one great big pond I had envisioned.

But instead of the self-satisfaction I expected, all I felt was dismay.

I had thought I had dug deep enough.

I had thought my work was sufficient.

I had thought I was finally ready to line the larger pool area. But with the border removed, I could clearly see that the new section was not near as deep as the old section. I had a dilemma. Should I leave it as is or continue digging?

Immediately my mind began rationalizing.

  • It’s bigger than the fish used to have.
  • I’ve already spent days on this. My body is sore. At my age, I should be careful not to overextend myself.
  • The sooner I can get the fish out of the tubs and into the pond, the better. Especially with the surprising forecast of snow in the near future.
  • The fish can all squish into the small deeper area next winter. They will be fine.

Swirling around these justifications, like the hint of a sweet aroma, came some other thoughts.

  • The fish need a deeper place to live.
  • The depth provides protection from birds and extreme temperatures.
  • Don’t be lazy. Do what needs to be done. It’s the right thing to do.
  • Don’t accept inadequate work just because your body wants to be finished.

I had a choice to make. Keep digging or accept it for what it was and move on. The battle was between my flesh and the needs of the fish. And it was a battle. I really REALLY wanted to move on. Everything in me shouted to move on. It was just this soft voice whispering, “What about the needs of the fish?” that kept me from putting down my shovel.

Finally I made a decision. I went inside for a nap.

How many times in life do we face the same choice? Give in to our flesh or meet the need of someone else? How many times do we rationalize that what we did was enough when deep down we know we could do better, or that more was needed? How many times do we try to get by doing the least we can do? The bible has something to say about this.

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23 (or in my case, for fish.)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

“Whatever you do” mean just what it says. Everything we do, not just what we might consider most important to us. Not just what we feel like doing. Everything. Playing with our children. Visiting an elderly neighbor. Working at our job. Giving to the needy. Quiet time with God. Going to church. Cleaning house. Helping someone who is struggling. Nurturing a friendship.

And digging deeper.

Sigh. I hear You, God.  I’ll get the shovel.