You Just Call My Name and I'll Be There

As I was driving into work this morning I saw a new billboard ~ immediately I could feel my blood pressure going up. Seriously, how can a couple of words make me so disgruntled this early in the morning? The message simply said ~

"We Need To Talk. ~Jesus"

According to the Urban Dictionary, that statement is never a positive thing. OK ~ u are thinking I am totally off my rocker, right? Well I am mad at whoever put that message up there! Seriously ~ if that message was for me I can see someone sternly looking down at me ~ accusing me of doing something wrong ~ like being called into the principals office. I know ~ take a breather ~ simmer down. You see, the Jesus that I have come to know is loving, caring, kind and would never say something like that.

Apparently there were some other messages released in the advertising campaign ~ they all seem annoying to me ~ but I like this one the best, "Follow Me ~ God".

The irony of it all was at the time that I saw the sign, this song, Call My Name ~ by Third Day was playing on the radio. "...you just call my name and I'll be there..." In a world where people are hurting and searching to find something to fill the emptiness in their hearts ~ searching for hope ~ they need to know that Jesus is just a breath away. He wants to know us ~ HE is the great comforter.

Epic Battles

It was bound to happen ~ the growing turmoil in my mind and body has given way to epic battles. (LOTR nerdling flag waving high!) Think Balrogs, trolls, fell beasts and Uruk-hai with no sight of Ents, Elves or Wizards to come to the rescue. Lots of warfare ~ internally ~ emotionally and physically ~ the time gap between now and surgery dates is getting smaller each second.

Before the appeal was overturned the enemy was the insurance company ~ something outside of myself ~ and now I am finding turmoil within myself. On a daily basis I am fighting back fear, doubt and more fear. I know that fear does not come from God:

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1: 7

It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; [let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken [in spirit--depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm]. Deuteronomy 31: 8

I have been surprised by all of the spiritual warfare going on in my mind ~ casting doubt on the TRUTHS of the Bible ~ trying to take my focus away from the Lord. I am gently reminded to dig into the Word of God ~ put on the 'full armor of the Lord'. Although I do not understand why I must take this path of hardship ~ I know that all things work together for good for those who know and love God.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28