vis-a-vis: (n.) 1. one that is face to face with another 2a. escort, b. counterpart 3. tete-a-tete (forgive the lack of accent marks); (prep.) 1. face to face with 2. in relation to 3. as compared with; (adv.) in company, together While looking for another word in the dictonary, I found the definition for vis-a-vis. (I actually was more interested in the pronunciation than the definition at first - always wondering if I called those markers by the right name.)
But then when I read the definitions, I thought of Jesus. By taking those blood red marks on His body, hands and feet, He made the way for us to become Vis-a-Vis with the Father.
The little boy who was the subject of the book Heaven Is for Real told his dad that Jesus had "markers" on Him. At first his parents didn't understand, but later they realized that this was his childlike way of identifying the wounds on Jesus' hands.
Moses spoke to God "vis-a-vis." Exodus 33:11 says, "Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his
friend." But so can we! By knowing His Son Jesus as Saviour and Lord, we can go boldly into the throne room of God and talk face to face with Him at any time. (Hebrews 4:16)
Jesus has made a way for us to talk to Jehovah God face-to-face as with a friend. WOW!
Here is another interesting take on face-to-face. Intimacy. If I am not mistaken, humans are the only creatures on earth who are intimate "face-to-face." That's why it is degrading to think of intimacy as only a sex act. It is a time of knowing your spouse and becoming more committed to one another. No one else should know you so intimately as your spouse. Intimacy is the time you face one another on the deepest level of all: you become one flesh.
So next time you write with a vis-a-vis marker remember our Vis-A-Vis Jesus,whom we can intimately call friend. And if you and your spouse are feeling somewhat distant, it's time for a little vis-a-vis therapy to narrow the gap.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
God's protection story #5
My husband Herb ran from the call of God on his life for the first eight or so years of our marriage. In college, his heart's desire had been to be a professional baseball player having had a pretty successful record as a pitcher at Mercer. However, those hopes were dashed his senior year and yet he did not feel inclined to pursue the ministy. He had already decided as a sophomore in college that he could not visit hospitals or nursing homes, do funerals or speak in front of crowds. So he "ran" and had been running a few years before our life together began.
We married when I was a senior in college and since he was a year ahead of me, he had already started a job by the time we tied the knot. In fact we both went to work (my job was part-time) at a children's home in Macon. We had been there only a year when we moved to Milledgeville for Herb to begin his coaching/teaching career. Unfulfilled in that pursuit, we moved back to Macon after two years for him to begin work as an insurance salesman.
It was during these few years in Macon that God protected my husband from two near life and death experiences. Just a side note: the "Doberman pincher story" where God protected Herb took place after this time. Herb was with yet another insurance company and we were back in Milledegeville. In fact, we were move to Milledgeville for a third time, but that is another story altogether and by that time my dear husband had surrendered to the call of God on his life.
Herb was being trained by an older, experienced agent when they were held up one night at gunpoint. The thieves had hidden in the bushes till Herb and the other agent had come out of the house. When Herb and his boss had gotten to the car, the robbers pushed guns into their backs and demanded the money. Of course, they gave the money to these guys. And their lives were spared. But a few weeks later, Herb was in an even more serious situation.
While making a call to a house in a depressed neighborhood, Herb was approached by a guy who made him get in the front seat while he climbed into the back seat of Herb's car. He demanded Herb's wallet, called him Mr. Dean and told Herb to NOT look back at him in the rearview mirror. After emptying the contents of the wallet, this brazen young man exited the car reminding my husband to keep looking forward and not to look at him. All this took place in broad daylight.
Even though Herb did not come to a full surrender of his life at this point, I know God used it to show him the fraility of life. It would be a few years before he finally realized that God knew best and Herb decided to go with God's plan for his life and not his own. But when he did, it was a complete change!
My husband is one of my favorite preachers. I am so grateful to God for sparing his life and allowing my husband to find his calling in life. I am also thankful that God spared his life so that I did not have to raise my oldest as a single mom. God also blessed Herb and me with two more wonderful children after these two incidents. Thank You for Your protection, Lord!
We married when I was a senior in college and since he was a year ahead of me, he had already started a job by the time we tied the knot. In fact we both went to work (my job was part-time) at a children's home in Macon. We had been there only a year when we moved to Milledgeville for Herb to begin his coaching/teaching career. Unfulfilled in that pursuit, we moved back to Macon after two years for him to begin work as an insurance salesman.
It was during these few years in Macon that God protected my husband from two near life and death experiences. Just a side note: the "Doberman pincher story" where God protected Herb took place after this time. Herb was with yet another insurance company and we were back in Milledegeville. In fact, we were move to Milledgeville for a third time, but that is another story altogether and by that time my dear husband had surrendered to the call of God on his life.
Herb was being trained by an older, experienced agent when they were held up one night at gunpoint. The thieves had hidden in the bushes till Herb and the other agent had come out of the house. When Herb and his boss had gotten to the car, the robbers pushed guns into their backs and demanded the money. Of course, they gave the money to these guys. And their lives were spared. But a few weeks later, Herb was in an even more serious situation.
While making a call to a house in a depressed neighborhood, Herb was approached by a guy who made him get in the front seat while he climbed into the back seat of Herb's car. He demanded Herb's wallet, called him Mr. Dean and told Herb to NOT look back at him in the rearview mirror. After emptying the contents of the wallet, this brazen young man exited the car reminding my husband to keep looking forward and not to look at him. All this took place in broad daylight.
Even though Herb did not come to a full surrender of his life at this point, I know God used it to show him the fraility of life. It would be a few years before he finally realized that God knew best and Herb decided to go with God's plan for his life and not his own. But when he did, it was a complete change!
My husband is one of my favorite preachers. I am so grateful to God for sparing his life and allowing my husband to find his calling in life. I am also thankful that God spared his life so that I did not have to raise my oldest as a single mom. God also blessed Herb and me with two more wonderful children after these two incidents. Thank You for Your protection, Lord!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
God's protection story #4
My daughter Leah had experienced two miscarriages by the end of summer 2011. In October she thought she had her monthly and was returning to normal after the last miscarriage. But by Thanksgiving she had been bleeding every few weeks. By December she knew something was wrong. The doctor discovered it was an ectopic pregnancy and prescribed medicine that would help her body return to normal.
The weekend before Christmas she and her husband planned to travel to Georgia from Oklahoma, but the medicine still had not worked even after two separate doses that week. The doctor had told her he thought it would be safe for her to travel (she was pretty determined to be home for Christmas). On the Friday they were to leave, she had a sharp pain in her abdomen. Her husband took her to the ER and she had emergency surgery.
Prior sonograms had shown little - only that there was no baby in utero. However, the surgery revealed that there was a lot of scarring in her Fallopian tube and that her pregnancy had been a tubal one. My precious girl lost her right Fallopian tube and her chance of having a baby for the third time that year. But God's protection was still so evident through this situaton. How so?
Well, first she and her hubby could have been on the road when her Fallopian tube burst. I can't imagine trying to find a hospital when one's wife is bleeding and in pain. God kept them safe through this. Secondly, Leah had not eaten or drunk anything that morning. This just doesn't happen. She was in the middle of cooking breakfast and hadn't eaten a morsel. She's also a huge coffee drinker, but hadn't even had any water that morning. She was ready for the surgery as if she had prepared for it.
Lastly, they had just acquired health insurance a few weeks prior to this. When Ken left his job the last day of October to go to work time full time with his own company, they knew they would have to find insurance. However, they were not aware that he was not in a grace period with his old insurance. They looked for affordable insurance, but the one they initially wanted had denied coverage to Leah. I suggested that they go with the company that my employer has. Praise the Lord, they were accepted. It was truly just in time.
By Sunday after her surgery on Friday, Leah was able to travel. She and Ken arrived Monday evening. Their visit was only cut short by a few days so we were able to still have a week long visit with them. I was so grateful to have my girl home and healthy! What a joy it was to have them here!
The weekend before Christmas she and her husband planned to travel to Georgia from Oklahoma, but the medicine still had not worked even after two separate doses that week. The doctor had told her he thought it would be safe for her to travel (she was pretty determined to be home for Christmas). On the Friday they were to leave, she had a sharp pain in her abdomen. Her husband took her to the ER and she had emergency surgery.
Prior sonograms had shown little - only that there was no baby in utero. However, the surgery revealed that there was a lot of scarring in her Fallopian tube and that her pregnancy had been a tubal one. My precious girl lost her right Fallopian tube and her chance of having a baby for the third time that year. But God's protection was still so evident through this situaton. How so?
Well, first she and her hubby could have been on the road when her Fallopian tube burst. I can't imagine trying to find a hospital when one's wife is bleeding and in pain. God kept them safe through this. Secondly, Leah had not eaten or drunk anything that morning. This just doesn't happen. She was in the middle of cooking breakfast and hadn't eaten a morsel. She's also a huge coffee drinker, but hadn't even had any water that morning. She was ready for the surgery as if she had prepared for it.
Lastly, they had just acquired health insurance a few weeks prior to this. When Ken left his job the last day of October to go to work time full time with his own company, they knew they would have to find insurance. However, they were not aware that he was not in a grace period with his old insurance. They looked for affordable insurance, but the one they initially wanted had denied coverage to Leah. I suggested that they go with the company that my employer has. Praise the Lord, they were accepted. It was truly just in time.
By Sunday after her surgery on Friday, Leah was able to travel. She and Ken arrived Monday evening. Their visit was only cut short by a few days so we were able to still have a week long visit with them. I was so grateful to have my girl home and healthy! What a joy it was to have them here!
Friday, January 20, 2012
God protection story # 3
This story is not in my own words, but it's from my husband's little booklet Golden Nuggets from the Streams of Life, Chapter 7:"Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Dog?". Rejoicing in another example of God's protection!
My fellow insurance agent had just sent me a notic of transfer. When he described the location, I thought I knew where he was talking about. It was my responsibility to find the people and talk to them before I accepted the transfer.
I left the office to find them and soon discovered that I had not listened very well. I went to the area I thought he was talking about, but it did not look like what he had described. I drove around a little while and decided I would ask someone if they knew the people I was hunting.
He had described a very long drive, but I thought he said it was dirt. There was a very long drive, but it was paved. It wound back around in some trees so that I could not see the house from the road. I thought to myself, "If this isn't it maybe they'll know them so I'll try it anyway."
The long drive ended in a fairly large parking area next to a very large house. I knew this wasn't the place, but I was determined to meet the people at this house. My last thought as I was getting out of the car was, "I hope I don't get eaten up." The thought that there was a real possibility of a guard dog at a house like this proved to be accurate.
I was probably 120 feet from the front door. The front porch and door were recessed. I walked toward the door down a long sidewalk. About 15 feet from the front door, I could see around the corner of the recess. As I stepped a step or two closer, there sat the biggest Doberman pinscher I had ever seen.
The moment he saw me, he came down off the porch toward me growling, barking, and gnarling his teeth. I knew enough about animals to know that I could not run. I would have to face him off and slowly work my way back to the car.
Being a Spirit-filled Christian, I would like to say I was full of faith, but the facts are, I was terrified. I knew I could use Jesus' name, so I said shaking, "In-n-n Je-Je-sus' name get back on the porch." I said it twice - scared to death! It seemed only to make him madder.
Then I remembered how the associate pastor of the church I had come from had been on an evangelistic visit when he was approached by a bad dog. He began to sing a praise song to the Lord. The dog quieted down and left him alone. I decided to try that, but evidently the dog didn't like my singing. It didn't worked either.
Fear gripped me and my mind was besieged by gruesome thoughts. I could see an ambulance pulling up in tat driveway with paramedics putting me on a gurney, a piece at a time. All I could do was to face him and take tiny side steps. Each time I moved, he gnarled and moved closer to me. After a few minutes of getting practically nowhere, I began to feel like it was futile. It looked like I would be standing there until someone came home and rescued me or the dog got me - one or the other.
But then deep from within, there were other thoughts that began to come. I began to see that dog as an enemy and that God had promised deliverance from our enemies. I thought of Psalm 91 and others. As I began to think about and meditate on His word, I could feel faith rising within me. As the faith rose from my spirit man, I could feel the fear literally leave my body. I looked at that dog, pointed my finger at its face (maybe not a good idea), and said, "In the name of Jesus, you shut up and get back on that porch!"
The dog stopped barking immediately, backed up about 10 fet, and sat down. It felt so good, I did it again. This time he backed up to the middle of the front yard and sat down again. Evidently he didn't know what a porch was, but he never barked again. I casually strolled to my car and got in.
Safely in the car, I inquired of the Lord, "Why didn't it work the first time that I used Your name?" The Lord spoke and said, "The first time you used my name in fear. My name is not a magic formula. Many people say 'in Jesus' name this' and 'in Jesus' name that,' but they take my name lightly. The authority comes when you exercise my name in faith. To use my name without faith is to take my name in vain."
I have shared this story many times. It was an experience that taught me much about God's word bringing faith and His word delivering us from fear. The Psalmist said, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee." If there are fears in your life about certain situations, begin to meditate and confess God's word. Faith will rise within you and fear will leave. His name is a stong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe. ~ Herb Dean
My fellow insurance agent had just sent me a notic of transfer. When he described the location, I thought I knew where he was talking about. It was my responsibility to find the people and talk to them before I accepted the transfer.
I left the office to find them and soon discovered that I had not listened very well. I went to the area I thought he was talking about, but it did not look like what he had described. I drove around a little while and decided I would ask someone if they knew the people I was hunting.
He had described a very long drive, but I thought he said it was dirt. There was a very long drive, but it was paved. It wound back around in some trees so that I could not see the house from the road. I thought to myself, "If this isn't it maybe they'll know them so I'll try it anyway."
The long drive ended in a fairly large parking area next to a very large house. I knew this wasn't the place, but I was determined to meet the people at this house. My last thought as I was getting out of the car was, "I hope I don't get eaten up." The thought that there was a real possibility of a guard dog at a house like this proved to be accurate.
I was probably 120 feet from the front door. The front porch and door were recessed. I walked toward the door down a long sidewalk. About 15 feet from the front door, I could see around the corner of the recess. As I stepped a step or two closer, there sat the biggest Doberman pinscher I had ever seen.
The moment he saw me, he came down off the porch toward me growling, barking, and gnarling his teeth. I knew enough about animals to know that I could not run. I would have to face him off and slowly work my way back to the car.
Being a Spirit-filled Christian, I would like to say I was full of faith, but the facts are, I was terrified. I knew I could use Jesus' name, so I said shaking, "In-n-n Je-Je-sus' name get back on the porch." I said it twice - scared to death! It seemed only to make him madder.
Then I remembered how the associate pastor of the church I had come from had been on an evangelistic visit when he was approached by a bad dog. He began to sing a praise song to the Lord. The dog quieted down and left him alone. I decided to try that, but evidently the dog didn't like my singing. It didn't worked either.
Fear gripped me and my mind was besieged by gruesome thoughts. I could see an ambulance pulling up in tat driveway with paramedics putting me on a gurney, a piece at a time. All I could do was to face him and take tiny side steps. Each time I moved, he gnarled and moved closer to me. After a few minutes of getting practically nowhere, I began to feel like it was futile. It looked like I would be standing there until someone came home and rescued me or the dog got me - one or the other.
But then deep from within, there were other thoughts that began to come. I began to see that dog as an enemy and that God had promised deliverance from our enemies. I thought of Psalm 91 and others. As I began to think about and meditate on His word, I could feel faith rising within me. As the faith rose from my spirit man, I could feel the fear literally leave my body. I looked at that dog, pointed my finger at its face (maybe not a good idea), and said, "In the name of Jesus, you shut up and get back on that porch!"
The dog stopped barking immediately, backed up about 10 fet, and sat down. It felt so good, I did it again. This time he backed up to the middle of the front yard and sat down again. Evidently he didn't know what a porch was, but he never barked again. I casually strolled to my car and got in.
Safely in the car, I inquired of the Lord, "Why didn't it work the first time that I used Your name?" The Lord spoke and said, "The first time you used my name in fear. My name is not a magic formula. Many people say 'in Jesus' name this' and 'in Jesus' name that,' but they take my name lightly. The authority comes when you exercise my name in faith. To use my name without faith is to take my name in vain."
I have shared this story many times. It was an experience that taught me much about God's word bringing faith and His word delivering us from fear. The Psalmist said, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee." If there are fears in your life about certain situations, begin to meditate and confess God's word. Faith will rise within you and fear will leave. His name is a stong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe. ~ Herb Dean
Monday, January 16, 2012
God's protection story #2
One of Daniel's job assignments was in Pensacola FL a few years ago. Herb and I were able to visit him at least once and Saige and her family did too. He had a great condo on Santa Rosa Island. The front of the building opened to the Gulf and his balcony overlooked the condo's pool and the Intercoastal Waterway. Not a bad place for a vacation and getting to visit with your son/brother. Free too!
All my kids have tried to protect me from the knowledge of certain situations because they know my propensity to worry or to get upset. Like the time one of them accidentally shot (air soft bullet) the screen out of one of their laptops. That would have been a time that I would have been very upset. Well, mothers have sixth sense and somehow I found out about it. However, that incident does not compare to the Pensacola Beach story that I found out about some time after it had actually happened.
My son-in-law David, Daniel, and his friend/co-worker went for a swim in the Gulf while Saige, Aubie, and little Matthan (pre-Solomon days) stayed on the beach. The lifeguard flag was yellow, but the guys weren't planning on going out too far. (If I had been there, I would have exercised my motherly authority and forbade them to go in, but alas I was not.) Unbeknownst (yes, this is a word) to them, the flag changed to red while they were still out.
The red flag warned about a rip current and larger waves. All the guys had been out for a while on a sand bar, but as my two sons headed in they were caught in the rip tide. Daniel explained that he was swimming as hard as he could to get to shore and realized he wasn't getting any closer. They both were so exhausted. Daniel could touch the bottom, but the current was dragging him back when he did that. David could not touch the bottom without going under since he is shorter than Daniel, but with those conditions it wouldn't have done any good.
They were calling and waving to Daniel's friend, but he thought they were doing just that. He later told them, next time you need to cry, "HELP!" David told Daniel that he didn't think he was going to make it and Daniel was having the same thoughts about himself. But in a God inspired thought Daniel decided to give David several hard pushes forward and then God sent two large waves that pushed them toward shore and out of the rip tide. Struggling up on shore, they collasped, panting and catching their breath.
In the meantime, Saige had begun to think that her husband and brother had been out way too long. Also they were not in the place she had last spotted them! I don't know if she could have made the decision to go help her husband and brother over leaving her two small children on shore, but I am glad she did not have to make that choice. She would not have made it herself in those treacherous waters and by the time she had begun to be concerned, God was rescuing our boys!
God must have some great plans for these two young men. I hope they will always remember His intervention in their lives knowing that He loves them and wants to use them and their giftings in His kingdom. By the way, Daniel's friend was not in danger since he was not in the rip tide. He and Daniel are still good friends and were roommates on Daniel's last assignment before he left for California. God is so good!
All my kids have tried to protect me from the knowledge of certain situations because they know my propensity to worry or to get upset. Like the time one of them accidentally shot (air soft bullet) the screen out of one of their laptops. That would have been a time that I would have been very upset. Well, mothers have sixth sense and somehow I found out about it. However, that incident does not compare to the Pensacola Beach story that I found out about some time after it had actually happened.
My son-in-law David, Daniel, and his friend/co-worker went for a swim in the Gulf while Saige, Aubie, and little Matthan (pre-Solomon days) stayed on the beach. The lifeguard flag was yellow, but the guys weren't planning on going out too far. (If I had been there, I would have exercised my motherly authority and forbade them to go in, but alas I was not.) Unbeknownst (yes, this is a word) to them, the flag changed to red while they were still out.
The red flag warned about a rip current and larger waves. All the guys had been out for a while on a sand bar, but as my two sons headed in they were caught in the rip tide. Daniel explained that he was swimming as hard as he could to get to shore and realized he wasn't getting any closer. They both were so exhausted. Daniel could touch the bottom, but the current was dragging him back when he did that. David could not touch the bottom without going under since he is shorter than Daniel, but with those conditions it wouldn't have done any good.
They were calling and waving to Daniel's friend, but he thought they were doing just that. He later told them, next time you need to cry, "HELP!" David told Daniel that he didn't think he was going to make it and Daniel was having the same thoughts about himself. But in a God inspired thought Daniel decided to give David several hard pushes forward and then God sent two large waves that pushed them toward shore and out of the rip tide. Struggling up on shore, they collasped, panting and catching their breath.
In the meantime, Saige had begun to think that her husband and brother had been out way too long. Also they were not in the place she had last spotted them! I don't know if she could have made the decision to go help her husband and brother over leaving her two small children on shore, but I am glad she did not have to make that choice. She would not have made it herself in those treacherous waters and by the time she had begun to be concerned, God was rescuing our boys!
God must have some great plans for these two young men. I hope they will always remember His intervention in their lives knowing that He loves them and wants to use them and their giftings in His kingdom. By the way, Daniel's friend was not in danger since he was not in the rip tide. He and Daniel are still good friends and were roommates on Daniel's last assignment before he left for California. God is so good!
A parenthesis
In between the last post and the next post of God's protection, I want to put in a parenthesis of God's goodness in another situation. Because of this blog (which I have wondered why I even started in the first place) a reader and her friend have talked and decided to put some issues that have kept them apart behind them.
I couldn't be happier and that the timing of this blog was influential makes me truly happy. I believe reconciliation would have come about eventually, but that God let me be a part in the timing makes me very grateful! God is so good. Thank you reader for encouraging me to keep posting.
I couldn't be happier and that the timing of this blog was influential makes me truly happy. I believe reconciliation would have come about eventually, but that God let me be a part in the timing makes me very grateful! God is so good. Thank you reader for encouraging me to keep posting.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Protection Story #1
God's protection. He delivers and protects many times without our even being aware that we were in trouble. But there are those times that we know His hand was their to catch us and keep us safe. This first story took place many years ago when Saige was in school at Evergreen Baptist Christian School. She was either in the first or first half of her 2nd grade (we moved toMilledgeville the last half of 2nd grade). Just suffice it to ay that she was young which plays an important part in this story.
She carpooled with Linda J. whose son was a 4th grader at EBCS. One morning when they came to pick Saige up, the door had not caught tightly. As they were riding on Elberta going throught the redlight at Houston, Saige's door flung open at this slight curve in the road. Her lunchbox slid acroos the street, but she did not fall out. She held onto the door handle and was able to pull herself back into the car as it came to a straighter part of the road.
This young child had the instinct to hold onto the door handle, but I believe with all my heart that an angel's hand held her. It gave her the push to pull herself back up into the car and had caught her so she did not skid across the road like her lunchbox had.
God saved my girl for many reasons. She is one of the most creative persons I know. Her voice as blessed me and so many. She is a precious daughter and a wonderful mother to the 3 greatest blessings we know, our grandchildren! Thank you God for saving Saige!
She carpooled with Linda J. whose son was a 4th grader at EBCS. One morning when they came to pick Saige up, the door had not caught tightly. As they were riding on Elberta going throught the redlight at Houston, Saige's door flung open at this slight curve in the road. Her lunchbox slid acroos the street, but she did not fall out. She held onto the door handle and was able to pull herself back into the car as it came to a straighter part of the road.
This young child had the instinct to hold onto the door handle, but I believe with all my heart that an angel's hand held her. It gave her the push to pull herself back up into the car and had caught her so she did not skid across the road like her lunchbox had.
God saved my girl for many reasons. She is one of the most creative persons I know. Her voice as blessed me and so many. She is a precious daughter and a wonderful mother to the 3 greatest blessings we know, our grandchildren! Thank you God for saving Saige!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)