Delta Lake 2012 Series ~ Part 2: A Journey Through Jeremiah

It has been a beautiful day in Upstate New York. A few hours spent on the deck with my friend Karen. We enjoyed laughter, a couple teary moments, and some homemade carrot cake. As we caught up with each other’s lives, my heart simply warmed on the inside. Although it seems as if life has us going in different directions and we cannot seem to find a time to get together as much as we would like, once together, it is as if we never lost touch. I so love that!

This is how we should be with God, never losing touch with Him. Yet it seems to be one of the first, if not the first thing removed from the day’s agenda when life gets busy. John Stumbo taught the morning Bible message this past week during the Delta Lake “Family Camp” and his teaching was from the book of Jeremiah. The top of my notes read, “God for a LIFETIME with a lifetime PURSUIT of God!” Amen. We need to be purposeful in our relationship with God.

If Karen would have called this morning to see if we could get together and I didn’t make it a priority to see her, precious moments and conversation would have been missed. God wants our precious moments. He wants your time. He wants my time. Most importantly, He deserves it because without HIM, we are nothing.

As I prepared this blog I wanted to share some of John Stumbo’s powerful message yet with so many notes and thought provoking things to share I have decided to list a few of John Stumbo’s words of wisdom with some Lisa commentary . How does this sound?

“God does some amazing stuff when we’re in the time out chair.”  John Stumbo

In case you think he is making this up, check out what the book of Hebrews 12:7, 10-11 NLT tells us:
“As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?  For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”

My thoughts: I have learned in life that I can go and go on adrenaline, lack of sleep, and pure motivation for so long before the Lord tosses me in bed for a few days. Until listening to John Stumbo’s message, I hadn’t thought of this as a time in the “time-out chair” BUT this has helped to give me a new perspective. I was a busy child and liked to be moving so the last thing I wanted was to sit for any extent of time, as an adult, I am no different. So here is my new goal: instead of pushing myself too hard, too long, and too often – I will slow down, take some time, and work in God’s strength and will, not that of Lisa in order to avoid the “time-out chair” or bed as in my case.

“Stop living tomorrow, live today…wherever you are, be there!”

“Cling to God in times of Crisis.”

“Accept today for what it is and battle for a better tomorrow.” once again rooted in the Bible: Jeremiah 29: 11 – 13 NLT  “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

“Our old nature doesn’t get any better, it is what you do with it…when the old self shows itself, rebuke it in the name of Jesus.” (Not verbatim b/c I couldn’t keep up when taking notes, sorry Mr. Stumbo)

“The Sabbath is NOT a law BUT A GIFT OF GRACE!”

“God is in this journey and God can only be good!”

Wow…such strength and devotion in this man of God.

John Stumbo’s amazing story of life in and after the “time-out” chair will bring tears to your eyes and hope to your heart.

To purchase John’s book & read of his amazing journey: http://www.echristianstore.com/inspirations/default.aspx?tabid=19764&Item=33304&scid=1