Believing is Seeing

Treasures are worth digging to find but one must first believe. Each year I prayerfully choose a year verse. These words of truth are something that I believe that God wants to work deeply within my life. Last year God hid in my heart; "This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it." At first I resisted this verse for I loathed the last part. I didn't want this to be a resounding truth. These words are sweet to my soul now. He knows me and it was my resounding prayer as I went before my heavenly Father's throne to repent often of my perpetual sins that I did find rest, daily salvation and quietness and trust. He is faithful.

As I drive around town from day to day in those few moments of quietness I talk with my God. A few weeks ago as the new year began I was praising God for the work that He had done last year through my Isaiah verse. I began to ask, seek and knock about that which He would desire for me. I said to Him, "Lord I know there are ways that you want to stretch and challenge me. You know my weakness. What do I need to be cleansed from?" A verse flooded my heart. I said, "Oh Lord I love that verse, thank you for that sweet truth in this moment. Now, Lord, what is it that you know that I need to grow?" Again His still small voice washes the same verse over my mind and heart, with His tender voice saying, "Daughter will you receive this from my hand?" Tears flowed down! "Really Lord, could it be?" His assurance of blessing fills me. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18 Lord I believe!

A dear friend of mine shared her amazing adventure of at least 40 years of treasured year verses worked deeply into her life. I see the results in her life. My children have started this year with their very own verse. I pass this on to you.
WITH GOD BELIEVING IS SEEING!

Promises...Promises

PROMISE

The word itself is poetic, it holds hope. We have heard of promise rings, pinky promises, or the phrase " they hold such promise".

A declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that guarantees that a particular thing will happen.
Assure someone that one will definitely do, give, or arrange something; undertake or declare that something will happen.

Promises are made, broken, and seldom kept.

THERE IS A PROMISE KEEPER

Like a white canvas awaiting brush stokes, I have begun again, afresh, in the pages of scripture, My eyes freshly see "In the beginning, God". Light becomes my backdrop. Suddenly color starts to form its bow as I behold promises made in the very first book. God said to Noah after the flood “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.” As I pondered these words kept and the times my heart has soared as I have seen with my own eyes this wonder cascading beauty bright. I know that I am a part of that future generation promise. What God vows is sure. A few more turned pages and yet another promise to Abraham, The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you;
I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”Genesis12:1-3 In the shadows of these pledges fulfilled there were testing’s, times of waiting. The artisans backdrop not always clear. But...His words spoken are sure. His band of color is like a banner over my life, one end in this world and the other at the promise land. What will the narrative of 2012 disclose?

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Cor. 1:20

Family Christmas Letter

Christmas 2011

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3

Dear Family and Friends,

Relationship is the key word that surfaces in our hearts this Christmas. Our relationships with God, family and friends. These are eternal and deeply impact our hearts and lives. Life circumstances can be disabling, unpredictable and even fearful. These precious relationships carry us through.

Blessings Found In Relationship

Jesus is: The True Vine: We find comfort in abiding in Him. Light of the World: He shines light in our darkness. Savior, Our only source of atonement and salvation, Bread of Life, Satisfies our deepest hunger, King of Kings, He sovereignly reigns over our lives, Immanuel, is always with us, Giver of Living Water, Source of true happiness and fulfillment,Good Shepherd, Always protects and cares for us. He is wonderful!

Family is: Present in the good times and bad. They know your weaknesses and love you in spite of them. People that bring you laughter, share precious memories of the past and anticipate what will be. Kin with whom we share our burdens and joys, and also enjoy special game times and adventures. Sweet, endearing, loved ones that we are praying for and praising God with continuously.

Friends are: Faithful to walk beside you through times of joy and tears. They touch your heart with their tender encouragement, hold you up when you feel weak, bring deep laughter to your soul. Faithful allies, ones on whom you can depend. Our hearts are bound together by our love for the Lord.

Our relationships with each of you are deeply treasured and we thank our God upon every remembrance of you!

Lovingly, the Isaak Family

The Homeless at Christmas Time

Our family has had a burden to take notice of the homeless. We can acknowledge their presence with a smile, roll down our car window and ask how they are today. We can also ask their name and let them know that we are praying for them.

One of the things that I felt led to do this 25 days of Christmas was to pray for a specific young man who stands on the street corner of Blackstone and Shaw asking for help for he and his mother. Today I parked my car close to him and walked over and asked if I could talk with him for a few minutes. He said, "Sure", and walked over by my car with me. I shared with Him that God had put him on my heart and that my family and I had been praying for him. I said I know that you see so many people driving past you each day and you must wonder if anyone really cares. He shook his head up and down. I asked him his name and his mother's. He said, "Steven and Shelley". Then I asked if he would share a little of his story with me. He said, that they used to live with their grandmother until she died and that they were waiting for a home through section eight. I let him know that God cared for him and that He was able to deliver him from his present circumstances.

For a young man his teeth were starting to rot and he smelled like alcohol. I asked if I could pray for him and he took my hand and bowed his head. I left him with a gift but I could tell that he had been touched by the ONE who knows how to touch the soul. God led me to Steven. He is planting seeds in this young man's life. I hope you too will pray for he and and his mother.

The Homeless

You see us when you walk on the street.
Sitting on the ground or lying at your feet.
You turn your head with your Nose in the air.
To let us know that you don't care.

You look at us as if it were a Crime.
When we say " Hey, Buddy can you Spare a dime?"
But you could say "no" and just Turn away,
without even as much as a look of dismay.

It's horrible the way we live Each day.
When we have to eat what you throw away.
You live in a house, We live on the street.
In a cardboard box, do you think It has heat?

For we are not animals, we don't Live in a zoo.
Can't you look in our eyes and See we are human beings, too?
You have love, a family, a home.
We have nothing but emptiness; We're alone.

So the next time you're walking Down the street.
Please give some thought to the Homeless you meet.
Can you send some love and Kindness our way,
To brighten perhaps just one day?
For we are people, we had hopes and dreams, too.
But we weren't born as lucky as You.

Is there a homeless person that God desires you to reach out to this Christmas?

Matthew 25:34-40 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Special Time at Christmas

Who found time for Christ on that first Christmas? The angels looked on and declared the glory of God and the shepherds went to see the child who came to save His people. There was nothing more important on that first Christmas .

Anyone who loves the sea has a romance with it as well as a respect for it. The romance is difficult to describe except by poets-for it defies analysis. The mind moves into another gear as the primeval rhythms of the seashores erode tidy resolutions and hectic deadliness. Time tables, appointments, and schedules are blurred by the salt mist. The thundering waves pull us with a powerful magnetism we cannot resist as we toss our cares and responsibilities to the prevailing winds...
What is hidden in the sea is also hidden in God's wisdom...

Those fathomless truths about him and those profound insights from him produce within us a wisdom that enables us to think with him. Such wisdom comes from the Spirit who, alone, can plumb the depths and reveal his mind.

The hurried, the greedy, the impatient cannot enter into such mysteries. God grants such understanding only to those who wait in silence...who respect " the depths of God." It takes time. It calls for solitude.
Charles Swindoll: The Finishing Touch

Time with God is always special. He is a wonderful listener, counselor, and friend. He is always available and delights in being called on. He keeps things confidential and faithfully intercedes for us. James 4:8a says draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Jeremiah 33:3, says, “Call to me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things which you do not know.”

There is nothing more important this Christmas!

Dog Christmas Party

Our daughter Rayshelle is hooked on Guide Dogs for the Blind. Last night there were 14 of these dogs that are being raised with the hopes of them being official guide dogs. It was fun to participate in the doggie gift exchange.

Guide Dog's

Gentle
Understanding
Intelligent
Devoted
Eye's-Ears

Dynamic Dogs
Others Oriented
Gifted Guides
'
Super Special

Precious Little Church

In the quaint little town of Selma there lies a little Church. Many of the people who live outside its doors are low income, migrant, families. My son and his wife have ministered faithfully, joyfully, to the children who live in the neighborhood.

The past few weeks the children ranging in ages from thirteen to five have been preparing for their Christmas Program that they performed this evening.
Their faces were beaming as they sang Hark the Herald Angel Sings; they were adorable with their elf hats. A few of the outstanding highlights were when one of the youngest girls did Silent Night in sign language and another one of the older girls recited a passage from Luke about the Angels proclaiming the good news to the shepherds out in the fields.

These children may not have a lot monetarily but this Christmas they invested themselves in sharing the Good News with others. They now have memories that they will treasure for the rest of their lives. What an honor it was to be present within this little church family.