"Winds of Change"

Wow! I can't believe it's been been ten months since I blogged!

But those ten months have been some of the busiest and best of my life. I have a treasure chest of memories, made in those days just passed. My wife and I have been babysitters to our precious granddaughter, and all those months have been filled with Abbi, Abbi and more Abbi!! I wouldn't trade ANYTHING in this world for those busy days of playing with Abbi, watching her grow and seeing the changes as she has grown from a baby into a little girl. I have had the privilege of playing many characters such as, Robinhood, Little John, even Maid Marion, Pablo & Tyrone (the Backyardigans), and a host of others at her every whim and wish. WHAT FUN!!

She is now just a month away from four years old, and time has brought a change that I dreaded, even though I knew it was coming. Abbi started preschool this school year and now she is away from us for 8-9 hrs. a day and her little voice no longer fills the rooms of our house during the day as it has for the past four years. The "Winds of Change" have blown those days away. And it hurts!! They are now just treasures of gold in the memory vault of our hearts.

As I pondered the changes that have occurred, seemingly without regard for our feelings, I remembered another time when the "Winds of Change" blew into our lives. I went hunting through some old articles I had written all those years ago, found what I was looking for and decided to reprint it as my blog for today.

"The Winds of Change"

By Richard Sessions November 28, 1993

A cold November wind blew across the ridges of the Ozarks that early winter morning. It was deer season, and long before daybreak I had left the warmth and shelter of our home in hopes of putting some meat in the freezer for the coming winter.

As dawn was coming on, I chose the shelter of a huge dead fall as my hunting stand. It was a majestic oak, a monarch, that now lay twisted and broken on the ground, brought down by the ever changing winds that blow relentlessly across the ridges.

As I sat, quiet and still, in hopes that a deer would wander into shooting range, my mind began to wander as well. Suddenly, I felt a chill that literally shook me from head to toe. Not a chill caused by the persistent November winds, but from another wind that had recently blown into our lives. It too, blew with undeniable force. It was the dreaded "Winds of Change!"

God has richly blessed our home and our lives. He has given us a place in the ministry, and we have been privileged to pastor churches and spend several years in evangelistic work. Our daughter, Christie, had received her education on the road through "home schooling" since the second grade, so that we could travel as a family and minister as a family as well. We loved to travel and share the good news of the love of God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Being away from our families for a number of years had brought us together in a closeness, that perhaps, not many families are privileged to share. The three of us had learned to rely upon one another for strength and comfort as we weathered the storms of life which we occasionally encountered. We shared the bond, not only of being a family, but being ministers together of God's love. Each of us was an integral part of the ministry.

Christie's last year and a half had been finished in public school and she had graduated Valedictorian of her class. There was great excitement in our home as we looked with pride and thankfulness on our daughter's accomplishments. There was much talk of the scholarship which would help put her through college, and the plans for that were soon complete. She was the first grandchild on either side of our families to go to college. It was a time of great joy!

As I sat in the cold wind that November morning, my mind would not be denied it's journey back to the day a couple of months earlier, when we had moved our daughter into the residence hall at the University of Central Arkansas.

After moving all her things into her dorm room, we were sitting on the couch in the lobby, feeling the ever increasing force of the wind of change that would separate us in just a few more moments.Our daughter sat beside me with her head on my shoulder and I could feel her trembling as the tears flowed at the reality that the time for parting had come. Suddenly to me, the very thought of finding joy in this event seemed totally absurd. All the excitement of the thought of a new phase of life was lost in the stark reality of saying "goodbye"! My wife squeezed our daughter's hand and in a language only the two of them understood, strength, comfort and courage was conveyed. The close relationship they shared as mother and daughter was standing them in good stead.

Somehow, we got through the "goodbye's" and made our way to the car, leaving our daughter to face this part of her life on her own. Yet all of us knew she was not really alone, because God was her faithful guardian. And on many occasions to come, we would feel God's closeness as her years away from us progressed.

I don't remember much about the drive home. My wife and I were each lost in our own thoughts and memories and so talked very little on the return trip. Most of the time was spent in personal conversation with God as we each sought His comfort. We knew, that He was aware of the feelings of separation we were feeling. After all, He had one day had to leave His Son in a cruel world as well.

It's hard now to sing, without Christie's voice joining in with ours as it had for so many years. The contemporary gospel music she loves so well, no longer filters through the door of her bedroom to fill the house with youthful praise to God. Our mornings are different, for Christie is no longer there to share in the hugs and kisses and the wishing one another the best of God's blessings as we each go our own way for the day. Every aspect of life is different now and what had seemed so permanent a short time ago has fallen prey to the "Winds of Change." we cherish every moment of the weekends she is home. Through the week we glance anxiously at the phone as if doing so will somehow cause it to ring and we'll answer it and hear her sweet voice.

I lean heavily against that huge fallen oak, turn my face to the cold wind and weep! I weep for my precious daughter, because the constant shelter of our home that she has known all her life, is no longer available to her, and I see her as exposed to the elements of the world. She is exposed to the violent "Winds of Change"!

After the flood of tears had subsided, I looked around, and the soft gentle knowledge of God wrapped my spirit in a warm comforting blanket of His presence. I gazed at that huge fallen oak, with it's branches twisted grotesquely, reaching for the sky as if in protest of the brutal winds which had brought it to this end. I suddenly realized, that all the young oaks in that stand of timber had their beginnings in that fallen monarch . For untold years it had sheltered each of them, taking the brunt of the fierce winds which blew across those Ozark Mountains. Now each of them would have to learn how to stand by themselves and face the bitter winds. Every time the wind blows against them, it will cause their roots to seek a better hold in the soil and amongst the rocks beneath them.

Though it has only been a short time since the constant shelter of the home has been removed from our daughters life, I have witnessed a marvelous strength and confidence and maturity grow in her. Though she is no longer sheltered by our home, she is still sheltered by the God of this universe. He is the one who sees every wind that blows and can send peace and provide safety in the midst of every storm.

Thank you, God, for allowing us the privilege of sheltering our daughter for a time, until she was rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ, The Rock, before the "Winds of Change" began to blow!

When the Music Stops

In our men's Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church in Flippin, Arkansas, we are studying from the book of Psalms. The series name for the lessons we are currently studying is aptly named "When the Music Stops". It is an awesome study and we have such a great group of guys, it is such a joy to meet every Sunday.

Many different events can cause the "music" in our life to stop! But let us always be reminded that the One who gives the music in the first place is never far away. And He knows when to "strike up the band" again, and when to give the choir the nod!

The other day, my little granddaughter, Abigail, had disobeyed me in something and I had to scold her. That will break a grandpa's heart! After I scolded her, she walked out of the room with her head down. After a few minutes, she returned and through her tears said, "Papa, can you hold me?" Of course, I picked her up and held her close. She snuggled in close and laid her head on my chest. I explained to her why I had scolded her and she said, "Papa, I'm sorry!" I thanked her for apologizing and assured her that I still loved her. She raised her head up and smiled a huge smile and said, "Papa, You're happy again!!

I thought how I sometimes act the same way. I'm disobedient and then when my heavenly Father scolds me, I sometimes walk away, think it through and realize that, in fact, I deserved the scolding! So, it's back to the Father to say, "I'm sorry", and many times that is said through my tears. I'm not ashamed of my tears. I never want my heart to become so hardened that I lose the cleansing that shedding tears of repentance brings. I'm not ashamed to shed tears in public, such as in a worship service, as I have nothing to prove to anyone. I want my heart to always be pliable in the hands of my Father!

Now, I'm almost 60 years old, but I have to tell you; "There is nothing more comforting than to be be held (spiritually speaking) in the arms of my Father, and have Him minister to my heart that He still loves me!" And that is not just a metaphor! One can actually sense and feel the presence of God when one approaches Him in true repentance or true worship. I don't believe that ones relationship with God should be based on feelings, but on the other hand, I wouldn't give a plug nickel for a relationship with NO FEELING! As I set here writing this, I'm listening to a Don Moen worship cd and God's presence is SO real in my heart! Thank you, Lord for your presence!!

Whatever the reason that the "music stops" in your life; when it happens, it is time to seek God and determine through prayer and a contrite spirit, the cause and allow God to restore us until the "music" is once more playing in our heart and spirit, and worship is once more a natural occurence as we spend time with God each day.

When the music of heaven plays, my soul dances, my heart leaps like the deer and I am blessed and at rest. PLAY ON HEAVENLY BAND!! SING THROUGH ME HOLY SPIRIT!! OH GOD, HOW I LOVE YOU!! MY LORD, HOW I ADORE YOU!!

My prayer for you is that you are never without the "music" of life from heavenly places!!

God bless and keep you is my prayer!

If perhaps you are reading this and you have never experienced the "music" because you have never known Christ as your personal saviour, then I invite you to give your life to Him and let Him start the "music" playing in your heart. It's a simple thing to do. Just confess with your mouth, the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved!

What a summer!!

Wow!! They say time flies when your having fun. I just didn't know I was having THAT much fun!!
This has been an incredible summer so far. We had really HOT weather in June, and then really COOL weather in July, with several days not making it out of the 70's and quite a bit of rain for the month. August began HOT, but today we received a lot of rain (it's still raining) and once again the temp dropped into the 70's this afternoon. I have mowed grass until I'm sick of it! However, it has been a good year for pastures and hay. If this keeps up my cows will have graze til November!

What incredible things are happening in our country these days! It is amazing how quickly things go down hill when God turns His face away from man. And I believe He has done just that to America. When the president of America refuses to honor God by doing as presidents have done for many years in hosting a prayer breakfast on the National Day of Prayer, yet attends the gay and lesbian rally and praises lesbians and gays for their tenacity in seeking special privileges and rights, praises Muslims for their efforts to force the religion of Islam on the world and goes to Arab countries and declares that America is NO LONGER a Christian nation, but a conglomeration of Christians, atheists, muslims and agnostics, one can expect that Jehovah God, the ONLY true God, would be offended.

The one consolation for believers today, is that regardless of what man says or does, God is still in control of the final outcome and we have His promises that He will never leave us, but will go with us always, even to the end of the world.

The American people are being sold "a bill of goods" so to speak and many are buying it, lock-stock-and barrel. Even though many have seen the hand writing on the wall, their pride won't let them admit that they made a dumb choice in voting for Obama. They don't want to admit that they joined a mass vote for change, but paid no attention to the fact that JUST WHAT CHANGES were in store never were revealed! We as Americans now owe TRILLIONS of dollars in debt that we didn't owe at the end of the Bush administration. This is Obama's doing, not George Bushs'. Obama chose to ignore the "National Day of Prayer"! Obama seeks to bankrupt America. I believe it is his intention that there will not be another presidential election in America. Not three years and four months from now, NOT EVER! When do dictators come to power? When a country's' economy collapses!

It is indeed sad to watch America being systematically dismantled and brought down to third world status by the man who holds the highest office of the once greatest nation in the world!

Why do I say, the ONCE greatest nation? It's simple! A nation who elects as their leader a person who will not acknowledge God as being God, cannot expect a holy and righteous God to continue to heap blessings on them. America has only been the greatest nation on earth because of our Christian beliefs and our acknowledging God as the All Mighty, thus invoking His blessing on us and His power in our behalf. Now the leader of this nation thumbs his nose at God and that has had and will continue to have disastrous consequences for the nation. We are being told that everything is improving. That is a lie that will be borne out as man deals with the judgment of an All Mighty God, against whom, man cannot presume to fight! The wisdom of God in dealing with man, is greater than the wisdom of man in dealing with God!

Christians, get ready to suffer for the cause of Christ!!

We will be portrayed by the God haters of this world as the reason for the difficulties and strange happenings which I believe are about to befall America. Don't be caught sleeping or complacent and CERTAINLY don't be caught COMPLIANT with the world. Stand up and be numbered with the people of God!

As time passes I long more and more for my heavenly home. That house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens!

To every Christian who reads this blog, I encourage you to be strong and courageous in these last days. Hold fast to your salvation and don't be shaken by the forces of evil who are arrayed against us. Remember, our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, and powers and rulers of darkness in high places. Our weapons are not carnal, but are mighty through God and can pull down the strongholds of the enemy.

God bless each of you as you labor for the Master! May He cause you to be at peace and rest.

How Great Is Our God!!

I was privileged to take this photo of God's handiwork, in Rocky Mountain National Park.

WOW!! Over a month since my last blog! But with all the mowing lawns, working my garden, the photography studio business and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, watching Lovey play in the sprinkler or the pool, I've been a very busy guy. But in all this, I praise my Lord!!

I had no idea when I awoke Thursday morning at 6 a.m. that I would not sleep again until sometime in the early hours of this (Saturday) morning! It was REALLY strange!! I wasn't worried about anything. I wasn't fearful, upset, troubled or any of the things which might ordinarily keep me from sleeping! Nonetheless, I simply could not go to sleep. SO... I did OTHER things! Some just to pass time ( there's not much going on at my house throughout the night) and others to see if I could find a reason for not sleeping. ie: "soul searching"!

I won't bore you with the details, but sometime late Friday night, I just began to speak aloud the truths about God! I said, "God, You are the only true God. There is no other beside you! You are above all in all things! You are the redeemer. But more than that, You are MY redeemer! You are Jehovah Jireh, the provider, but more than that you are MY provider! You are the healer! But moreover You are MY healer! You are MY comfort! You are MY source!" And the list just continued to grow as I praised God for WHO HE IS to ME!!

I had been a little short of breath throughout the day Friday, which I attributed to being tired from not sleeping. However, in naming the attributes of God, I simply stated an obvious truth. I said, "God, You are my very BREATH! Without you I could not even breath in the air that you supply." Immediately as I spoke those words my breathing began to ease and once again I was totally AMAZED at the power of God and the spoken word!

The truths that I was speaking aloud, (there is a difference in knowing these things in our heart and speaking them aloud) are truths that we as believers all know. But, if you want these truths to be affirmed in your heart, I challenge you to just SPEAK THEM OUT LOUD!

You may have noticed as I talked about God being MY provider, MY healer, MY comfort, MY source........ I had spoken a truth BEFORE any of those things. That truth is, "God, You are the one true God!"

Now the question arose; Are You MY one true God? OUCH!! Do I ALWAYS put You first in EVERYTHING I SAY and DO? Do I EVER allow You to be crowded out by the cares of life?

Do I ALWAYS seek to GLORIFY YOU and not myself? Even when I praise You, am I seeking praise in return? When people look at me...... Do they see me, or do they see YOU!? Tough questions! But questions that must be answered nonetheless!

The Bible, God's Word, tells us in Colossians 1:18 (that JEWEL of wisdom between Philippians and First Thessalonians); "And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning; the firstborn from the dead: that in ALL things He might have the PRE-EMINENCE!"

The FIRST place, the place of HONOR, the position of AUTHORITY, the only OBJECT of PRAISE!!

I simply did what I knew to do! I asked God to forgive me for my failures in any and all areas, and asked Him to do what I cannot do; .......make my life His own. Paul said, "I live, nevertheless, not I, but Christ liveth in me. And the life that I NOW live in the FLESH, I live by faith of the Son of God."

Sometime after midnight, this a.m. sleep came and I slept soundly until waking at about 8:45, refreshed in both body and soul.

I am a simple person, and I am SO glad that God is willing to come down to my level, to teach me the things I need to learn. Such love...... I can't understand.

There is an old old song which I think sums it up as well as man can word it...... "Could we with ink, the oceans fill, and were the skies of parchment made. Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade. To write the love of God above, would drain the oceans dry! Nor could the scroll, contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky! Oh love of God. How rich and pure. How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure; the saints and angels song!

I trust something I have shared has touched your heart and drawn you closer to God. If so, then I have accomplished something worthwhile, by sharing my experience and glorifying God.

If you don't know Christ as your personal Saviour, you can. Simply confess to Him that you are a sinner. Ask Him to forgive your sin. Believe on Him for salvation, and you shall be saved. Then share your decision to follow Christ with someone.

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!!! That's a statement, NOT a question!!