Moving Forward Devotional

Last week I had an “aha” moment with God. After having the Holy Ghost for forty-seven years, I never dreamed that in this stage of my spiritual life I would grow with such a leap. I thought that was just for new converts or baby Christians. But we never stop growing in God. Each day brings fresh anointing and I’m frequently reminded that every day is “new” and exciting along this journey with God.

Moving Forward by Gayla Baughman
KYCC Devotional 11-12-08

Luke 9:62
But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

I’m not a farmer, but I’ve seen pictures of the old-fashioned plowing with an ox or horse. The one behind the animal has to concentrate on giving the animal direction to stay on course. If he stops, the horse stops, or worse heads for the barn or feeding trough. To take his mind off the rows he is plowing and look where he has come, is taking the risk of getting off course and eventually having to stop altogether to fix the mess he has made.

God is a God of the living. He is a progressional God. When Jesus walked on this earth he was post-modern. God’s ways are always going to be post-modern because he exists in eternity. His ideas and plan will be far above ours simply because of his omnipotence, all –knowing power. He sees the beginning from the end. He is alive and moving.

We must keep the course. We must constantly take inventory and see that we are moving ahead. If we are not making progress, if we are stagnated in our relationship with Him, it will seem that we are backsliding because he is moving. If he is moving and we are not, the distance between us becomes a chasm. Do you wonder why you can’t feel God? Do you wonder why you keep making the same mistakes? Could it be because you are not moving…living…allowing Him to perfect Himself in you?

Walk in the spirit. To walk is to move. It may not be flying, or running, but it is consistent and it is mobile. The Holy Bible quotes a letter Paul wrote to the Galatian church to help them outline the attributes of one who walks in the Spirit. This is what is says:

Galatians 5:16-25 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

There is a song by Free Chapel that I love. The condensed lyrics are:

But a moment you have brought me to
Such a freedom I have found in you
You’re the healer who makes all things new
You have risen With all power in your hands
You have given me A second chance
Hallelujah Hallelujah
I’m not going back, I’m moving ahead
I’m here to declare to you My past is over
In you all things are made new
Surrendered my life to Christ
I’m moving, moving forward

Dear Lord, I don’t want to stay the same. Every time I step into Your presence whether it is in a church service, or during my private time of prayer, I want to be changed. I want to forever be progressing, moving, and changing to be like You.

Determination

I woke up this morning and said
As soon as I got out of bed,
"I'm so ugly and I'm so fat,
But today I'm going to do something about that!"

I'll eat dry toast and cut my starch,
I'll up my fiber and down my carbs.
I'll drink my water and watch my weight.
I'll walk a mile from my front gate.

Tonight when I lay the fat me down
I'll have the comfort I'm smaller now.
Determined with a mischief grin
I've started another diet again.

Wait Until Christmas

I’ve always hated those words.
Wait for presents
Wait for decorations
Wait for candy and sweets.
One Christmas my sister and I wanted some “cricket” shoes. They were the most popular thing for girls our age. We couldn’t wait until Christmas. One day after school we were admiring the beautifully decorated silver tree. A color ball, discretely hidden in the corner threw a prism of different colors on the tree. The silver tree reflected a rainbow into the room. Then our eyes fell on some packages that looked about the size of a shoe box with our names on them. We carefully unwrapped them, making sure not to tear the colorful wrapping paper. Viola! There were our shoes! The smell of fresh leather, the slick new brown finish made an unforgettable memory. I was so excited. Then it dawned on me. I now know what I’m getting for Christmas. This wasn’t fun anymore. The excitement was gone and now we had to figure out how to “act like” we didn’t know when the day to open presents came along. Needless to say, we never fooled Mama one minute. When we opened the shoes, she knew we knew. The disappointment on her face will forever haunt me. I stole her happiness as well as my own. When someone wants to surprise me now, I make a decisive effort not to spoil their joy. I’ve learned that curiosity not only kills the cat, but can also leave others hurting.

Our Music Angel

In the Mouth of a Child

My daughter wrote:

Today Madison (my granddaughter) started singing in her highchair while I cleaned the kitchen(like she normally does), only this time I could actually tell what she was singing! I was almost blown off my feet with amazement! By the way - the song was "Arise" - she LOVES that song!
Still can't believe that my 15 month old was singing "arise" as if she were a praise singer. It was an INCREDIBLE moment!

I just want to remind those with small children that when you "train up a child in the way he should go, when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). From the time they are born, sing songs of Jesus to them. It is such a blessing to hear that my little granddaughter is singing a song like "Arise" rather than some Mother Goose rhyme. I'm proud of my daughter. This is a reflection of her dedicated effort to leave a legacy to her child. KUDOS!

Marenda...you've made Mom proud!

Arise
Paul Baloche, Don Moen
One thing we ask of you
One thing that we desire
That as we worship you
Lord come and change our lives
Arise, Arise, Arise, Arise,
Arise, take your place be enthroned on our praise
Arise King of Kings Holy God as we sing,
Arise! Arise!

©2003 Integrity's Hosanna! Music
All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
CCLI song #4032337

A Miracle Tool

I was with my Granddaughter a few weeks ago and we took a lot of pictures. I took pictures of her eating. I took pictures of her sleeping. I took pictures of her laughing. I took pictures of her with her mommy, my daughter. I took pictures of her with her papa. We even got a few pictures of her with her gammy….yours truly.

Needless to say, one of my favorite pictures of her is when I was holding her and her mommy was the photographer. She was very attentive to what mommy was doing, so the picture was a beautiful shot of my little granddaughter looking straight in to the camera. Poof! It was a perfect shot! At least I thought so until I enlarged it to put it as a desktop background on my computer. That’s when I noticed a blemish as big as Dallas on my forehead!

Well, I have this new little program on my computer that lets you touch up pictures. It is a little miracle tool! It is called a clone stamp. It allows you to pick up the color from a perfect area and replace the imperfect area. What a miracle tool! So that’s what I did. I took that blemish right off my forehead. You would never know it was ever there! Isn’t that neat? Something to make blemishes disappear!

I have bigger blemishes on my life; blemishes that have not only hurt me, but hurt other people. Blemishes on my heart are permanent scars of the sins that I chose. Things that hurt my family, my friends, and most of all my God. I could never do anything to make those ugly sins disappear.

But you know what, there is a miracle tool! It is the blood of Jesus Christ. His blood is a clone stamp. It takes the precious crimson blood and makes us white as snow. You know why it turns our hearts white rather than red? Because his blood was sinless. It was pure. It was the only blood that could wash us clean.

Psalm 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow

1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

Awww. Real Tears

I Can't

Would you believe that my granddaughter is talking? She is now 14 months old, walking with the help of anyone's fingers nestled in those two little chubby hands. She could let go and walk, but has beyond-a-shadow-of-a-doubt let us know that she can't. That's right...clearly said and frustrated to the limit she cried, "I can't." The tears flowed and we all responded with amazement.

Is "I can't," going to be the first words of this little amazing creation? At first I thought so, but as I look over the family videos and DVD "papa" made, I hear some other wonderful phrases clearly from this little wonder kid. "Love you," "Okay," "Bye," are all a part of her vocabulary, not to mention she has mastered the majic of signing "please," "eat," and "more plesase." So, I'm breating a little easier now that I have figured out "I can't" is NOT her first words.

What does a child have to look forward to if "I can't" is her first words? Do we spend a lifetime convincing her she can? Do we ignore the cry of the little giver uper? No, we just laugh and go on. Literally, we just laughed. Well, at first we were amazed that she said it. Coming from a very positive mother and father, I couldn't imagine where she could have picked it up...but she did and in her short 14 months of life she put it together and knew what it meant.

Alas, there will come times in her life that she will cry, "I can't." But we will be there, encouraging her to take another step, telling her to try again, brush herself off and face the world. We will be there to help her understand that of course she can't. She can't do anything without the help of God. We will be there to remind her that when she feels she is not able to do something, her trust is not in her own ability, it is God's ability to empower her. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I can't wait to hear her quote that verse.

Jes Checkin'

Yup! There you are, sittin' at yer computer. Hope you have a wunnerful day!

Check out my Slide Show!

Father's Day

Although my father will probably never read this, I want to give him honor. I've been blessed with the most compassionate, most caring father. As a pastor of a small church, he was busy raising four small children, pastoring a church and working full-time as a barber in our home town of Pocatello, Idaho. Yet, on one of the busiest days of his week, he took the time to take us kids to the park on Sunday afternoon between church services. Now I look back and realize the sacrifice he made just so we could lay on a crisp hand sewn quilt and watch the clouds slowly drift by. It was as if we had all the time in the world. Memories like this one caress the lining of my soul and warm my heart today.

Thank you, Daddy, for being a great example to your children. I will always love and respect you for the sacrifices you made to make my childhood full of rich, precious memories.

Your loving daughter,

Gayla

Sharing

Sharing, I'm learning sharing

If you're without now

I'm learning caring.

I'm sharing, I'm learning sharing

Like Jesus taught me

I'm learning caring.

Sharing...or NOT

So, the boy always has to hold the book? I DON'T THINK SO!!!!!!

New Favorite

One year old and living life to the fullest! This picture just had to be posted. It is my new favorite! Isn't she a scream? She has just enough hair to put into ponytails...and the shades just kill me! I love 'em! This kid is more fun than a barrel of monkeys (of course, I've never been in a barrel with monkeys...but I have been in a car with my grandbaby). You should hear her laugh. It is contagious! Ha Ha. See what I mean? Ha Ha!

Something about a son.

I don't know what it is, but when I'm with my son there is a special feeling going on in this Mother's heart. I can never get enough time with him. I want to just sit and look at this young man that was once my baby. He still makes me smile. He still makes me proud. He still makes me wonder what I did before he came into my life. The sleepless nights when he was sick are only a distant memory. The laughter when he tried to walk for the first time still lingers and tickles the corner of my heart. My contented son. Once my baby, now my young man. I love him more than I can say. I pray every day that his life will give glory to God. He is talented, funny, real and gifted. He is chosen by God to do something very special in His kingdom. I can't wait to see what God is going to do next in his life.

Hang Loose!

As a college professor, I try to keep a good relationship with my students. Culminating another wonderful year, our choir sang some beautiful songs at the graduation last Saturday. At the end of a very beautiful piece, I stood up to face the choir behind me. I wanted to let them know what a great job they did and how much I loved them. I used some common sign language to get my message across without distracting the audience. My first “sign” went quite well, I might mention. I gave them the common “thumbs up” sign and mouthed “awesome job” with a big smile. Then I attempted to give them the more difficult “I love you” sign. As I stood there facing them in full regalia, yes, cap, gown, tassel and bachelor hood, this fifty+ professor of Social Etiquette, gleefully waved the Hawaiian “hang loose” sign. When I realized I was waving the wrong sign, it was too late; the choir was laughing out loud and I was as red and the velvet stripe on my hood. What a day.

I love this picture! Like mommy like daughter.

The Plug

A miracle tool. I don't know why it works. It doesn't really taste good, but it keeps me occupied while I try to figure out if I want to keep it plugged in! Ha!

Mommy and Me

Mommie and me are friends forever. She shared the color of her eyes with me.

Angel's Kiss

There's nothing like an angel's kiss. It brushes your cheek so sweetly and leaves it's fragrance on your soul.

Delinquent Data

So sorry I've been out of pocket. My dear friend informed me tonight that I REEEAAALLLYY need to update the pictures on this blog. So I shall do my best to accommodate her request. I guess that is the least I can do for the privilege of my friends visiting this site. Thanks so much and I promise I will try to do better.

Airport Jubilee!

We just couldn't resist getting that little grandbaby in our arms at the airport. What a joy!

Annual Conference

I've had some very special guests at my house this week. Christian Life College sponsors an annual Landmark conference each year at this time. Preachers from all over our country come to this great conference. Some of them are renowned and to Pentecostals are somewhat of a household word. Famous men like Lee Stoneking, Wayne Huntley, Kenneth Haney, Gordon Mallory, and many more. To me, there are none greated than the visitors I was honored to host in my home.

On Friday before the conference started I rushed to the airport to meet two very important people. My daughter and granddaughter. Of course, you know I threw out the red carpet, rented a lemo (which in truth is a white Taurus...I'm still dreaming for a Lincoln) and whisked them off to the Baughman castle near Honey Bear Lane.

Three days later the Elder and Mrs. A.J. Baughman joined us in our celebration. It was the first time the paternal great grandparents were introduced to this beautiful little girl. She did not disappoint us. With arms waving through the air and a big smile that covered her face from cheek to cheek, she made the great grandparents feel like a million bucks in the first few moments of introductions. Their hearts were captive as our already were the moment they laid eyes on her.

We had three full wonderful days to share with this little angel and her equally loved mommy. There is nothing like a great conference to bring your families together.