August/September,
2001 "CRASH!!!"
Crash - the
sound you have just heard was my computer. It has been crashing
for the last several months. I must confess, it has become a lesson
in frustration to which I am pretty sure quite a few of you will
be able to relate.
It all started
in the power source…we noticed that the computer wouldn't
sleep and wake properly. Then the voice (you know the one who
says "You've got mail" on America Online) got very wavy
and funny sounding. We finally lost all power - so we searched
the yellow pages and contacted our nearest "rent-a-tech."
What we thought
would be a relatively easy solution - just replace the power source
- turned into a month-long nightmare. While changing the power
box, they installed a new sound card. Well, a few days later,
we had no sound. They told us about some configuration issues
and that we had to bring the computer to their workshop. They
removed the sound card - didn't need it after all - and noticed
some other conflicting systems, etc….so they proceeded to
"fix" all of that. When our computer was returned several
days later, it appeared to work fine - all except for my video
camera. I called them and as they tried to fix the camera….well,
to make a long story short - the more they tried to fix things,
the worse they got.
We finally
ended up with a new computer - all new parts - new interior, new
mother board, new software, new everything.. (Oh, by the way,
for those of you who know about computers, please forgive my non-technical
explanation.) It has taken about a week to get all of our software
up and running and to get the cable modem reconfigured to meet
the proper specs - BUT glory to God, I think it is done!
Now, why am
I telling you this? Because I believe that God will speak to us
through every circumstance in life. So I began to ask Him about
all of this and I would like to share some of what I believe I
learned.
The first
thing I want to do is to apologize to anyone and everyone for
all the delays I have had in responding to my mail. I want you
each to know how important you are to me and to the Lord. Also
I must tell you that if you sent me anything from the contact
form on this web site in the last two months, and I have not responded
to you, it is because I did not receive your e-mail. Of course,
the enemy tries to get into any situation he can to make it worse
- so besides my computer not working - my server has been down
and all mail has been LOST!!! Oh, please write me again - if this
is for you!
I know that
the analogy is a strange one and may be hard to transfer to spiritual
lessons - but please listen with spiritual ears.
Before we
know the Lord, we try so hard to be good people, to be pleasing
to God, kind to our neighbors, to do all that we can to win the
favor and love of God and other people in our life- and then maybe,
just maybe, we will be able to squeeze through the door of heaven.
I believe
my computer experience is a perfect example of how that doesn't
work - in life or in the kingdom of God. We go into our "hard
drive" and try and tweek our configuration systems to be
compatible with God. We try and boost our power to control and
overcome obstacles in this life. We try to reroute our thinking.
We attempt to force things to work out right - to fix our problems
and relationships on our own. But usually we end up in a bigger
mess than when we started. We hurt others and are hurt and rejected
ourselves and fall deeper into the mentality of failure and depression.
Or you may be the type of person that never gives up - even if
it kills you. And so you keep on and even though you may have
a great measure of success in the material realm, you end up stressed
out and not happy or satisfied with all of the things that you
have achieved. You are still empty and needy.
There is only
way to success - and that is to actually become a new creation
- an overhaul won't do it. Just as my computer had to die, our
old self and our sin nature have to die so that we can become
a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "If anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone. The new has come."
Glory to God, it is so much easier to become something new than
to have to try and do new things from our old state of sin.
You see, when
we become a new creation, we receive the life of Christ in us
by the Holy Spirit. We have all new internal parts. We become
a child of God. And then when we hook into the Power Source of
the Holy Spirit as the disciples experienced on the day of Pentecost
- watch out!!!
With my new
computer, which is now more than twice as fast, I can access the
web in almost instant time. You see the connection I have now
is high speed cable - very much different than regular phone line
transmission.
As I was thinking
about this, the Lord reminded me of the spiritual application
for this, too. It is our choice, once we become born again as
His child, to choose the level of our commitment to God. We can
choose to receive more of the Holy Spirit and His power flowing
through our life, by choosing how closely connected we want to
be to God. Just as the power flow and internet access can be hindered
by slow connections and interference on the lines, our connection
to God can be hindered. Our sin, lack of time spent with Him,
lack of intimacy, and lack of knowledge of Him can all contribute
to our inability to receive the fullness of the Lord in our lives.
We need to clear the pathways and get on the high speed modem
of the spirit, so to speak. We can do this as we gain relationship
and revelation through the Holy Spirit as we spend time in His
Word and in worship and prayer.
I would like
to encourage you right now to take inventory of your life. Have
you tried and tried and can't seem to get it right? Do you need
all new inner parts? Well, you can be born again as a child of
God --a new creation. Just ask Him to receive you into His kingdom,
right now. You don't have to worry about getting it right because
you see, our salvation is based on the work of Jesus at the Cross,
not on your works. He paid your debt. You will never be able to
pay your way into Heaven - but Christ did. Just say "Yes!"
to His work and ask Him to forgive you and to help you come to
a knowledge of Him as Savior and Lord. Say this, "Lord, I
want to become Your child. I want to become a new creation. I
know I can't do this on my own. I need You and all that You have
done for me. Forgive me of my sins and receive me into Your kingdom.
Fill me with Your Spirit. Teach me, lead me, guide me. I give
my life to You. I thank You for Your grace and mercy and love.
I am Yours, forever!!! Amen!" Write me and let me know if
you prayed that prayer. I would be happy to answer any questions
you have about what this all means.
For those
of you who are sure you are His child - that you already are that
new creation, I want you to ask the Lord, "How, God, can
I be connected to You in a deeper more personal and free flowing
way? Lord, I don't want anything in my life to hinder my relationship
with You. Please show me those things and forgive me of those
things and cleanse me . Teach me how to love You, Lord. I know
I need Your power in my life so I ask that You fill me with the
power of the Holy Spirit from on high. Amen."
Oh, by the
way, the computer tech spent so many hours here, that I was able
to share much with him about the love of God for him. I pray he
is able to receive and believe. That is my prayer for you as well.
I L.O.V.E.
You,
Patty
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