All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
>^..^< Introduction....
WELCOME "ALL ABOUT GOD" COMMUNITY.....
I thought it would be best, first and foremost, to sort of share a bit of an "introduction", so you all have some idea as to the "who", aside from my pic, is "CatInMyLap"!
Fellow Minister friends (actually family) of ours, had sent me an email, about joining this community. I've been joined as well, for just a short time, and have been just super blessed with the added "Friends" replies.
I've walked with the Lord since July 18, 1983...a major and much needed transition for my life, as well as my overall being. He's done so much in my life, in ways I'd never had imagined possible. Including that of being a Minister with credentials...and having one time served as a Regional Bishop, overseeing the ministry's members in 6 States plus the Caribbean area. During that time having also been invited in 2003 as a guest speaker at a Womens Conference in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. A wonderful, totally unexpected opportunity, that actually had me a little petrified...having never traveled away from the USA mainland in my entire life! Yet ever so rewarding an experience.
Since that time, having had a Spirit-led change of journey....I've come to a point of understanding, as to just how much more, the Lord so chooses to use people, outside the norm of the common "church congregational gathering"....and in such intricate ways, beyond one could ever believe possible.
One such example, was in the time segment wherein the Lord reconciled my husband, CHIEF, with his dad [after being divorced from his mom and distanced since the age of 6]. A likeness of situation that happened in my own life, and for which I then, likewise prayed to happen for my husband.
The Lord had been moving in both their hearts "simultaneously". The day of their re-uniting, was so touching, so blessed beyond measure. In the 3 years they finally shared together, so much was enlightened in truth, that brought an even more overwhelming love, built between them. Truths like the fact that his dad, having loved the military, served 1 tour in the Army in Korea, then 3 tours served in Vietnam, while in the Navy as a SeaBee. The first Vietnam tour was as "ordered"....the other 2 tours..as "voluntary". He had also been highly commended then, and at his retirement as well. Then, his dad became diagnosed as having several complications, which were related to the exposure of Agent Orange while having served during certain years in Vietnam. One such complication...Lung Cancer....a condition confirmed, that although, yes, he smoked, was not to have been the cause...Rather in part the onset of further related Agent Orange side effects.
It was in this time, that the Lord brought CHIEF's dad and I ever so close too. Ottis, CHIEF's dad, had a strong faith in the Lord, and duriing the height of his illness, actually even before that time, when we all were first united, he would ask me several questions concerning the Lord, His Word, and His Love. We had several conversations, which not only were rewarding to him, as they became ever so rewarding to me...as a daughter-in-law and as a minister. For several weeks at intervals, I traveled from our home to Port Charlotte, FL and helped CHIEF's StepMom Jean, to care for his dad. During one such time, CHIEF accompanied me, and his dad told me he wanted to be Baptized. He was then bedridden at home. We held a small ceremony in their home, with a few friends and family who were also present...and I Baptized both he and his wife together in the best way possible, both acknowledging Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Dad had undergone just two Chemo treatments only, and the cancer was being killed, one lesion even completely gone.
However, then a doctor decided he wanted Dad to do 8 weeks of radiation treatments, Monday through Friday. After just 4 weeks of the radiation treatments, his system, primarily his esophagus, was completely damaged to the point he could no longer eat. Dad Ottis, later, for a time, fooled the doctors, who had sent him home from a hospital stay. Emphasizing to his wife and other family members, with a "final" hospice team present, as though he would be "gone by that weekend". A moment that brought so much furry to rise up within my Spirit. Over several months Dad regained much renewed vigor and strength, to the point that hospice services weren't needed and replaced with a physical therapist....and with the return of his snow white hair as well. However, having had irrepairable damage to his esophagus, and being still not in enough great condition physically to re-start chemotherapy treatments, the cancerous lesions...once greatly diminished...began again to grow. Dad Ottis, shared so much with me through such unbelievable peacefulness of character and heart. One evening, being wide awake, he called me to his bedside. He was very serious, in telling me that he really believed, that now God's best for him, was to be with Him. It was then that the Holy Spirit had me to simply tell him, that although we would want so much more to have him with us...what is between him and his Lord is what matters most...and we are and ever will be grateful for all He's done in what was necessary to bring fulfillment to his life. That being, the one desire he had in his heart....to be reconciled to his son, and all forgiven. We would forever and always be grateful for all the unknown answers and truths the Lord brought into fulfillment into CHIEF's life....and most of all....for the awesome times we shared together...as a family.
Within what seem but a week later....Dad Ottis's Memorial Service became a first within my time and role of service, as a minister. I miss him, we miss him, greatly to this day, and look ever so forward to seeing and being with him again. He was truly, an awesome, awesome man. I have one request yet to fulfill for him...A promise that I would write a book about what happened, what the Lord did. During an urgent, late night phone call from him to promise him so....In his own words ending with, "They have to know." I have yet to do this, and it will be done...that I do know, and measures are being set into place, to allow me to have the time to do so.
It has been quite some time, even when all of the above had been taking place, since I had been affiliated with any "set" church, "home" church, or congregation. For the most part, actually being fed Spiritually through the telecasts of Pastor/Dr. Charles Stanley of Intouch Ministries. A Pastor that I very much deem to be as a Pastor's, Pastor....For reason, as to the deeper depth of understanding that comes through his ministry teachings, vacant from all hinderances against the Holy Spirit's flow.
No "one" church congregation is the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ in all actuality, throughout the world, can not be confined nor housed in any "one" building, or as any "one" congregation. Yes...the Word tells us "not to forsake the gathering together"....."gathering together" of believers takes place beyond four walls....it's in the market places....it's in the doctor's offices and medical facilities, it's in the parks, it's over the internet, it's yes in denominational, inter-denominational, and non-denominational meeting places and conference centers, even in the "Ladies rooms"....etc. etc. etc. The Lord said, "If two or more are gathered in His Name, He is also in the midst of them."
Take in upon yourselves, in your own walk and journey with the Lord, not to bias yourself to believing, ....you can only be used of the Lord, if you serve in a "church building atmosphere or particular realm of people". Most importantly, don't allow yourselves to be retrofitted into a mindset by any one person or group of people, that you can not minister to others unless you've been to a Theological College or Seminary, or took some 12 step course, or passed some "diocese panel review". What matters is that you've accepted Jesus Christ into your heart as Your Lord and Savior over your life, ....and you understand that in so doing, His Holy Spirit has now taken residency in your being, as the Teacher, Guide, Counselor, for your new found journey with Christ, day to day. That it is first the Holy Spirit through prayer, and the Word of God through reading and learning, that you are to lean on...even before the counsel with man/woman. The then counsel with a man/woman should only serve to convey an affirmation or confirmation as to what the Holy Spirit has already imparted within your understanding, in relation to the scriptures of Truth.
The Lord said that we who are in Christ "are all ministers"....yet gifted as He, through the impartation of His Holy Spirit, chooses to bestow upon each "individually", to serve Him in the capacity He predestined and purposed for you and throughout your life, abiding in Him. Only He has your life's purpose and plan...He has all the answers, all the steps pre-ordered...yet initiated one step at a time, as you grow in Him and seek for Him to use you, according to His purpose....being obedient unto whatever good task, He calls or lays upon your very being, and heart to do.
It is GOD, through His Son Jesus Christ, through His Holy Spirit within man, Who can move a man's/woman's heart, regardless how hardened it may be. No man can change another man, No woman can change another woman...it has to be the ultimate work of the Lord working from within that person, illuminating the fruit of His work within them eventually to be seen on the exterior....in their countenance, and character. PRAYER....truly the greatest power to bring about God's intervention and influence into the lives of others who need Him, and have yet to know Him.
I love Him with all my heart, and will never ever trade my relationship with Him. It is "relationship" that the whole realm of serving the Lord and His Kingdom, is founded and grounded on. Keep yourself open to listen to the promptings of His Holy Spirit. Step out in obedience when He moves on you to do something out of the ordinary, that's going to bless another. Or even lead them to accept Him, because He foreknows that their heart is ripe to receive Him....to change their life and allow Him to love them as He has longed to do. Don't worry about what other people around you may think if you do.....they too may just end up learning from your actions too!
Okay....for now I'll step off the soap box. No regrets intended though..I write and He flows...He's in me.....what better way to live!
Once my home office is no longer in disarray, [as a Merchandising Specialist part-time, hobbyist, and whatever else He's creatively imparted in me to get into.....I'll place a few pictures of the afore-mentioned Baptismal service as well as some family shots.
I'm looking forward to meeting so many more of you. Thank you so much for those who so openly have come into fellowship already.
My namesake, "CatInMyLap" may be familiar to some of you, if you've ever been associated with another Christian Internet Community called "Bibleplace.Com"....It was my starting point when I had just been introduced, believe it or not, "to the internet" for the very first time!...several years ago.
God's Ultimate Best of Blessings to You and Be Upon You ALL Always...In Jesus Name...Amen & Amen!
In His Love and Service Always.....
CatInMyLap and CHIEF
>^..^<...†....>>-->
I thought it would be best, first and foremost, to sort of share a bit of an "introduction", so you all have some idea as to the "who", aside from my pic, is "CatInMyLap"!
Fellow Minister friends (actually family) of ours, had sent me an email, about joining this community. I've been joined as well, for just a short time, and have been just super blessed with the added "Friends" replies.
I've walked with the Lord since July 18, 1983...a major and much needed transition for my life, as well as my overall being. He's done so much in my life, in ways I'd never had imagined possible. Including that of being a Minister with credentials...and having one time served as a Regional Bishop, overseeing the ministry's members in 6 States plus the Caribbean area. During that time having also been invited in 2003 as a guest speaker at a Womens Conference in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. A wonderful, totally unexpected opportunity, that actually had me a little petrified...having never traveled away from the USA mainland in my entire life! Yet ever so rewarding an experience.
Since that time, having had a Spirit-led change of journey....I've come to a point of understanding, as to just how much more, the Lord so chooses to use people, outside the norm of the common "church congregational gathering"....and in such intricate ways, beyond one could ever believe possible.
One such example, was in the time segment wherein the Lord reconciled my husband, CHIEF, with his dad [after being divorced from his mom and distanced since the age of 6]. A likeness of situation that happened in my own life, and for which I then, likewise prayed to happen for my husband.
The Lord had been moving in both their hearts "simultaneously". The day of their re-uniting, was so touching, so blessed beyond measure. In the 3 years they finally shared together, so much was enlightened in truth, that brought an even more overwhelming love, built between them. Truths like the fact that his dad, having loved the military, served 1 tour in the Army in Korea, then 3 tours served in Vietnam, while in the Navy as a SeaBee. The first Vietnam tour was as "ordered"....the other 2 tours..as "voluntary". He had also been highly commended then, and at his retirement as well. Then, his dad became diagnosed as having several complications, which were related to the exposure of Agent Orange while having served during certain years in Vietnam. One such complication...Lung Cancer....a condition confirmed, that although, yes, he smoked, was not to have been the cause...Rather in part the onset of further related Agent Orange side effects.
It was in this time, that the Lord brought CHIEF's dad and I ever so close too. Ottis, CHIEF's dad, had a strong faith in the Lord, and duriing the height of his illness, actually even before that time, when we all were first united, he would ask me several questions concerning the Lord, His Word, and His Love. We had several conversations, which not only were rewarding to him, as they became ever so rewarding to me...as a daughter-in-law and as a minister. For several weeks at intervals, I traveled from our home to Port Charlotte, FL and helped CHIEF's StepMom Jean, to care for his dad. During one such time, CHIEF accompanied me, and his dad told me he wanted to be Baptized. He was then bedridden at home. We held a small ceremony in their home, with a few friends and family who were also present...and I Baptized both he and his wife together in the best way possible, both acknowledging Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Dad had undergone just two Chemo treatments only, and the cancer was being killed, one lesion even completely gone.
However, then a doctor decided he wanted Dad to do 8 weeks of radiation treatments, Monday through Friday. After just 4 weeks of the radiation treatments, his system, primarily his esophagus, was completely damaged to the point he could no longer eat. Dad Ottis, later, for a time, fooled the doctors, who had sent him home from a hospital stay. Emphasizing to his wife and other family members, with a "final" hospice team present, as though he would be "gone by that weekend". A moment that brought so much furry to rise up within my Spirit. Over several months Dad regained much renewed vigor and strength, to the point that hospice services weren't needed and replaced with a physical therapist....and with the return of his snow white hair as well. However, having had irrepairable damage to his esophagus, and being still not in enough great condition physically to re-start chemotherapy treatments, the cancerous lesions...once greatly diminished...began again to grow. Dad Ottis, shared so much with me through such unbelievable peacefulness of character and heart. One evening, being wide awake, he called me to his bedside. He was very serious, in telling me that he really believed, that now God's best for him, was to be with Him. It was then that the Holy Spirit had me to simply tell him, that although we would want so much more to have him with us...what is between him and his Lord is what matters most...and we are and ever will be grateful for all He's done in what was necessary to bring fulfillment to his life. That being, the one desire he had in his heart....to be reconciled to his son, and all forgiven. We would forever and always be grateful for all the unknown answers and truths the Lord brought into fulfillment into CHIEF's life....and most of all....for the awesome times we shared together...as a family.
Within what seem but a week later....Dad Ottis's Memorial Service became a first within my time and role of service, as a minister. I miss him, we miss him, greatly to this day, and look ever so forward to seeing and being with him again. He was truly, an awesome, awesome man. I have one request yet to fulfill for him...A promise that I would write a book about what happened, what the Lord did. During an urgent, late night phone call from him to promise him so....In his own words ending with, "They have to know." I have yet to do this, and it will be done...that I do know, and measures are being set into place, to allow me to have the time to do so.
It has been quite some time, even when all of the above had been taking place, since I had been affiliated with any "set" church, "home" church, or congregation. For the most part, actually being fed Spiritually through the telecasts of Pastor/Dr. Charles Stanley of Intouch Ministries. A Pastor that I very much deem to be as a Pastor's, Pastor....For reason, as to the deeper depth of understanding that comes through his ministry teachings, vacant from all hinderances against the Holy Spirit's flow.
No "one" church congregation is the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ in all actuality, throughout the world, can not be confined nor housed in any "one" building, or as any "one" congregation. Yes...the Word tells us "not to forsake the gathering together"....."gathering together" of believers takes place beyond four walls....it's in the market places....it's in the doctor's offices and medical facilities, it's in the parks, it's over the internet, it's yes in denominational, inter-denominational, and non-denominational meeting places and conference centers, even in the "Ladies rooms"....etc. etc. etc. The Lord said, "If two or more are gathered in His Name, He is also in the midst of them."
Take in upon yourselves, in your own walk and journey with the Lord, not to bias yourself to believing, ....you can only be used of the Lord, if you serve in a "church building atmosphere or particular realm of people". Most importantly, don't allow yourselves to be retrofitted into a mindset by any one person or group of people, that you can not minister to others unless you've been to a Theological College or Seminary, or took some 12 step course, or passed some "diocese panel review". What matters is that you've accepted Jesus Christ into your heart as Your Lord and Savior over your life, ....and you understand that in so doing, His Holy Spirit has now taken residency in your being, as the Teacher, Guide, Counselor, for your new found journey with Christ, day to day. That it is first the Holy Spirit through prayer, and the Word of God through reading and learning, that you are to lean on...even before the counsel with man/woman. The then counsel with a man/woman should only serve to convey an affirmation or confirmation as to what the Holy Spirit has already imparted within your understanding, in relation to the scriptures of Truth.
The Lord said that we who are in Christ "are all ministers"....yet gifted as He, through the impartation of His Holy Spirit, chooses to bestow upon each "individually", to serve Him in the capacity He predestined and purposed for you and throughout your life, abiding in Him. Only He has your life's purpose and plan...He has all the answers, all the steps pre-ordered...yet initiated one step at a time, as you grow in Him and seek for Him to use you, according to His purpose....being obedient unto whatever good task, He calls or lays upon your very being, and heart to do.
It is GOD, through His Son Jesus Christ, through His Holy Spirit within man, Who can move a man's/woman's heart, regardless how hardened it may be. No man can change another man, No woman can change another woman...it has to be the ultimate work of the Lord working from within that person, illuminating the fruit of His work within them eventually to be seen on the exterior....in their countenance, and character. PRAYER....truly the greatest power to bring about God's intervention and influence into the lives of others who need Him, and have yet to know Him.
I love Him with all my heart, and will never ever trade my relationship with Him. It is "relationship" that the whole realm of serving the Lord and His Kingdom, is founded and grounded on. Keep yourself open to listen to the promptings of His Holy Spirit. Step out in obedience when He moves on you to do something out of the ordinary, that's going to bless another. Or even lead them to accept Him, because He foreknows that their heart is ripe to receive Him....to change their life and allow Him to love them as He has longed to do. Don't worry about what other people around you may think if you do.....they too may just end up learning from your actions too!
Okay....for now I'll step off the soap box. No regrets intended though..I write and He flows...He's in me.....what better way to live!
Once my home office is no longer in disarray, [as a Merchandising Specialist part-time, hobbyist, and whatever else He's creatively imparted in me to get into.....I'll place a few pictures of the afore-mentioned Baptismal service as well as some family shots.
I'm looking forward to meeting so many more of you. Thank you so much for those who so openly have come into fellowship already.
My namesake, "CatInMyLap" may be familiar to some of you, if you've ever been associated with another Christian Internet Community called "Bibleplace.Com"....It was my starting point when I had just been introduced, believe it or not, "to the internet" for the very first time!...several years ago.
God's Ultimate Best of Blessings to You and Be Upon You ALL Always...In Jesus Name...Amen & Amen!
In His Love and Service Always.....
CatInMyLap and CHIEF
>^..^<...†....>>-->
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