The time of his life

Do not weep for him, he is having the time of his life

I waited to walk until the wind and clouds cooled things off this evening and as I walked, I thanked the LORD for the beauty of the clouds and colors and Little Mac came into my mind.  Maybe because he would have been 55 on the 21st.  I don’t know.  But I thanked the LORD for my 1st little boy, my 3rd child.  He was a clown as the picture indicates.  And I thanked GOD for sparing my laughing little one from the evils that face the children of today.

Thinking of all this I felt I should tell you how I learned how to trust GOD. 

Mac’s job ended in California and when he couldn’t find work Mac followed the urgings of his brothers and we moved to Colorado. I didn’t know anyone except Mac’s family who were not very friendly.  Like others who didn’t get to know me, they thought I was stupid since due to my profound hearing loss I often misunderstood so answered in strange ways. 

We had not completely unpacked yet from the move and it had been a long day. Mac was at a Union meeting, I put the girls to bed, but for some reason I let Little Mac stay up a little longer. He was just seven months and 23 days old. “Pinky,” as his dad called him, was playing in my pots and pans on a low shelf around the corner in the kitchen. HE scooted (he did not crawl on his knees, he scooted) into where I was on the couch. For the first time ever, he pulled himself up to a standing position and hanging on to the edge of the coffee table, walked around it slowly laughing as he went until he came to me. Reaching up to me, I pulled him up into my lap and soon he was asleep. I tucked him into bed and went off to bed myself.

In the morning, as was his habit, my husband left me sleeping and went to check on the kids before making his coffee. He woke me moments later by handing me the cold, lifeless body of my son and saying, “Momma, the baby’s dead.”

Even though Mac told me he’d already tried, I struggled in an attempt to breathe life back into my son. When it didn’t help, I began to cry out to GOD.  Although I knew how to pray, all that I could think to pray that moment was “Our FATHER who art in heaven, hallowed be THY name, THY kingdom come, THY will be done….” I could go no further for I knew without a doubt, don’t ask me how, but I really understood that this was the will of GOD to take my son to be with HIM in heaven.

Some react and say, “GOD would never do that!”

I Kings 14:6-13 tells of a little one taken, and the prophet says of him, “because in him there is found some good thing toward the Lord,”

 Then in 2 Samuel 12:10-23 we are told of King David’s little one being carried into heaven.

The merciful landlord let us out of our lease, and we move right after Little Mac’s death. Then our daughter Kari turned three and while she was climbing in the back yard of our new place, a cinderblock fell off the fire pit and broke her leg. Then we learned our 6-year-old Jeri had begun sleepwalking when a neighbor pounded on our door in the middle of the night having Jeri’s in tow.

I felt like I was going crazy.  I knew the only way to retain my sanity was to seek anew the GOD I met when I was 12 and living with my grandmother. For although I had called out to the LORD a few times since in desperate situations, basically I had ignored GOD since I moved up to live with my mother in Northern California when I turned 15.  I was 24 at this time.

 With my in-laws there to watch the girls, I ran down the street to a little church I’d seen there.  I was hoping someone there would help me find my way back to GOD. But no one was there.  Then a few splashes hit me in the face, and I realized that it had begun to sprinkle.

I looked up into the sky and saw a cloud formed in the shape of a great lion and a laughing baby on its back holding on to the lion’s flowing mane. Words penetrated my consciousness, “Don’t weep for him, he is having the time of his life. Weep for yourself and your daughters.”

Hearing the voice, peace enveloped me as I believed the words GOD had spoken into my spirit. “For faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word [rhema] of CHRIST” (Romans 10:17). There was no question, I knew Little Mac was having the time of his life and that brought me joy.

Many say that Little Mac’s life was wasted. I don’t believe it for a moment. Through Little Mac’s death I turned back to GOD with all that was within me and was radically changed.  Plus, his dad upon seeing his son’s body in the casket declared, “This is not Pinky.  That is not my son.  The light is not there. It has to be somewhere.”  Mac began believing in life after death and would one day come to believe in JESUS.

And when I have shared how GOD comforted me by forming a cloud and telling me my son was having the time of his life, many grieving gals have been encouraged and strengthened just as I was that day when the FATHER of mercies and the GOD of all comfort spoke those very words to me.  (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).  So, you see that though dead, Little Mac has an ongoing ministry, his life was not wasted!  GOD uses all things for an end result of good to those who love HIM (Romans 8:28).                     

Hugs

Sharon Manning

Roller coaster

I lived in the small mountain town of Quincy, California when I got my driver’s license.  Back in the day before roadwork, there was this windy, bumpy stretch amidst tall pines that went from the outskirts of town to the little Quincy hospital.  Two girl friends and I would speed through that stretch as fast as we could laughing hysterically as it felt like a wild roller coaster ride.  I love roller coasters.  We hated it when they straightened out the road.

Sometimes life feels like a wild roller coaster ride but now we aren’t laughing are we?  Yet we can experience peace and even joy when our focus is on JESUS and GOD’s great and precious promises, that we find in HIS holy Word.

“But I want you to understand, brethren, that the things which have happened unto me have turned out unto the furtherance of the Gospel” (People got saved) (Philippians 1:12).

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them who are the called according to HIS purpose” (Romans 8:28).

The hardest things in my life, even the death of my 1st son, brought about good for me and others and my little one was with GOD in heaven having the time of his life. 

“For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of GOD. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a MOMENT (compared to eternity), works for us a far more exceeding ETERNAL weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen (our situation), but at the things which are not seen (what GOD is achieving through our situation): for the things which are seen (the circumstances) are temporary; but the things which are not seen (things GOD is using the temporary situation to do)  are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:15-18).

Hard and confusing things will hit for JESUS said: John 16:33- “These things I have spoken unto you, that in ME you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

When problems come remember that GOD promises that HE will use whatever it is for your benefit and HIS glory.

Hugs

Sharon

Hold on to the promises

The barren tree branches sway in the wind knocking off the bits snow left from the recent storm; patches of dead grass are seen here and there as the snow melts and its not surprising that there is not a flower in sight.  Glancing around reminds me of verses I memorized years ago to earn a patch at Camp Elim.

All flesh is like grass, and all the goodness thereof is like the flowers of the field, the grass withers and the flower fades but the Word of our GOD shall stand forever” (Isaiah 40:6, 8).

The pleasures and possessions of this world with all its goodness are fading in light of the individual and worldwide mounting problems and disasters crashing all around.  So many are filled with fear on every side.

But there is still a place to find freedom from fear and even gain peace, joy, and hope (Romans 15:13).  Something that will last no matter what else comes our way.  It is found in coming to JESUS and daily meeting with HIM in GOD’s word. 

JESUS urges us, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

JESUS also promises that anyone who comes to HIM will obtain eternal life (John 3:16) and that HE will never leave nor forsake those who believe in HIM (Hebrews 13:5). 

With all that is going on in our country and globally I especially love JESUS promise found in Revelation 3:10. “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”

The first step is to make sure you know JESUS.  That is to know HE is eternal GOD and came to earth in a human body (John 1:1-3, 14), sent to earth by GOD the FATHER (John 3:16) to reveal the truth (John 18:37) and then to die for the sin of mankind (1 Corinthians 15:3) and disarm the powers of darkness while on the cross (Colossians 2:15).  GOD the FATHER through the HOLY SPIRIT raised JESUS from the dead and if you confess that JESUS is LORD, and call on HIS name believing JESUS lives today because GOD raised HIM from the dead you will be saved (Romans 10:9-10, 13). 

Does that seem like a lot to swallow?  Then let me suggest that you go to the book of John in the Bible and ask GOD to show you the truth.  For, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of GOD” (Romans 10:17).

By prayerfully reading the Bible you get to grow in you knowledge of both GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  As that happens, you learn of the wonderful things HE promises to those who love HIM and do what HE says.  (2 Peter 1:2-4).

Your fears will flee and you will find peace, joy and hope even in the turmoil and troubles of this world when you continually run to JESUS (Hebrews 4:14-16). 

Let GOD speak to you through HIS word.  What you find there will last forever, for the Word of GOD shall stand forever (Isaiah 40:8).

Hugs

Sharon

A star in the East

The picture is of my granddaughter Chloe from years ago.  She was married 11/11/22 so is in her own home this year making her own cookies instead of helping Grandma.

My grandkids have always loved to help make cookies, ginger bears and all kinds of goodies for the holidays. Our times of cooking together were fun and with much laughter, But, with the abundance of goodies around wherever I turned I sampled too much, put on extra pounds, and my clothes got snug.

Whenever I decided I needed to go on a diet, what do you think the 1st thoughts that came into my head were?  Yep, you are right.  I’d think of food.  Why do you think that was and is to this day? 

After years of living in bondage to my old sin nature serving the prince of the power of the air, the devil (Ephesians 2:2), like everyone else before coming to JESUS, I had bought in to the lie it is all about me and what I want and wanting it now.  Those little whispers in my ear, that sound more like me than me, those suggestions, “Oh a little won’t hurt” so often is too hard to push away. 

The trouble is it often I don’t stop with just a little, for a little cause cravings for more. Like, one addicted to drugs, what began as pleasure has become a task master that enslaves and controls him.  But it’s not hopeless for there is a GOD of hope who has sent a Deliverer.

“And she shall bring forth a son and you shall call HIS name JESUS for HE shall save HIS people from THEIR sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Laying HIS glory aside, JESUS, truly GOD, through whom all things were made that were made (Hebrews 1:2) took on the very nature of a servant, was given a human body and born a babe in Bethlehem. This same ONE became obedient even to death on the cross after HE’d suffered and overcome every temptation there is (Hebrews 4:15) and HE did it all for you and for me. So, JESUS knows how to help us when we are tempted.

When JESUS carried sin on the cross, HE broke the power of sin over us.  That’s right we don’t have to sin.  That does NOT mean we will not be tempted to sin.

Once we believe in JESUS, we immediately are sealed with the HOLY SPIRIT (Ephesians 1:13) and then have power to say NO to sin.  For GOD is within us to help us.

Hebrews 4:16 says that if we come boldly to the throne of grace (pray) that we will receive mercy (favor instead of anger) and get the grace to help us in times of our need (when we are tempted, need strength, wisdom, or whatever).

I really have to call out for help during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years for the seasons demand goodies to be available for guests.  So, although GOD tells us to make no provision for the flesh (Romans 13:14), there are times it’s just not feasible.

Praise the LORD that our GOD uses all things, stirring them together to get an end result of good for us who love HIM and have answered HIS call (Romans 8:28).  For the more I choose to go to GOD for help, and it is a definite choice, the easier it becomes as I grow in discernment.  For the more time I spend with JESUS in HIS word and prayer and living out what HE shows me in HIS word and through nudges to do (Hebrews 5:14), the more I think and act like HIM (2 Corinthians 3:18,) and the more peace and joy I have (Galatians 5:22-23).

Like GOD the FATHER decreed, I am being changed into the image of HIS SON’s divine nature (Romans 8:29) as I claim HIS great and precious promises found in the Word of GOD (2 Peter 1:4). They are HIS promises and HIS power, I just believe HIM.

That very thought is surreal. Even though I must choose to say no to what is not good, (even an extra cookie or piece of pie, telling a little white lie, or speeding) the power to choose is mine.

Consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT” (Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs
Sharon