I remembered something vaguely when I settled here in my chair this morning. And when hubby brought in my coffee, he confirmed it. I had a dream last night and I don't remember what it was. None of it, except that I was (fist)fighting. Hubby said that he had just started dozing off after a trip to the bathroom when I started flailing and hitting. He put his hands up over his face to keep from getting hit and grabbed my hands. That's what woke me up. Him grabbing my hands. That part I remembered. I have no idea what the dream was about, but obviously I wasn't happy about what was happening, right?
But I actually slept good last night and I didn't wake up once to go to the bathroom, but I did wake up really hot and threw the sheet off of me until my body cooled down. Yeah, that happens occasionally even in the wintertime. I wake up drenched in sweat around my neck and chest. I think it is because I curl up in a ball and I am probably breathing right over me. My pajama top is always soaked up around the neck. And I'm always reminded of a former doctor asking me if I had 'night sweats'. I never did, but now I wonder if this is what he is talking about, or is it just I'm curled up and breathing out 'hot air'? I just know I did not want to get up early this morning and hubby arose about 4:30AM so I dragged myself up because I was starting to be awake mentally, although not physically. He brought my coffee and a breakfast bar in here and I told him I wasn't going to our church this morning. He asked why.
I actually have a couple reasons, but the main one is that, as I mentioned yesterday, I wasn't comfortable with the message I had for today and I found another one yesterday and had to work on it. I did get it completed, plus I got the songs typed out, etc. I THINK I'm all set for the 2PM church service this afternoon, but I want to allow myself time to review and practice and make sure I have everything I need. Hubby decided he wouldn't go either when I commented that Pastor Pat probably STILL would not be preaching because the youth have the service today and there will be prayer over the students. Which is great, don't get me wrong. But I do need to make sure my responsibility in bringing the Word to the facility is ready and not incomplete.
I was broken-hearted yesterday at our Needles of Hope. I received some tough news. First of all, one of my best friend's husband's brother passed away the other night. But as she told the story of what happened, the bad turned into good. This brother had always been so mean. The last time they saw him (a few weeks ago), he was yellow. About a month ago he had gone to the dr (finally) and was told it was probably cirrhosis and sent home. He refused to ever go back. The other night he was in such pain his sister and 91 year old mom convinced him to go to the hospital. He refused an ambulance so they got him in the car and drove him, where he was admitted. He was full of cancer. He was dying. His sister asked him if he was ready to receive Jesus as Lord, and he said 'no, it is too late for me now'. His sister explained it wasn't too late and shared about Jesus' love, His sacrifice on the cross, and the resurrection that brings us to Him. And she asked him if he was ready to accept Jesus, and he said 'Yes'. He prayed the 'prayer of salvation' and passed away an hour later.
My friend said she got the phone call and went to awaken her hubby to tell him. He had been called, but had missed the call. She woke him up and told him. He said he knew it already, as the brother had come to visit him a little earlier. He hadn't 'seen' him, but had felt his presence there, and he knew it was his brother. We briefly discussed about the brother's late salvation.... did he make it to heaven or ..... Interesting to have that thought. But we all agreed that if he was going to hell, as we see in the movies, they are immediately dragged away. With Jesus, there is a presence that remains for a short while. Interesting, huh. But it brought tears to my eyes.
But what really got to me was when my friend said she hoped her husband didn't ask her to go with him on the road trip for his brother's funeral, as she really wanted to go to a close friend's funeral which is next Saturday. She was our friend too, although we have not seen her in several years. As I heard her story, I couldn't stop my tears from falling. I'm hoping that we will go to the funeral next week; I wrote it down. I know my kids know this couple. I will need to let them know. I heard it had been posted on facebook, but I hadn't seen it. I just heard about it at Needles. And it broke my heart. But I know where she is right now. Sitting at Jesus' feet. They expect quite a few people at the funeral for everyone loved her, so I was told to get there early if we wanted a seat as it is at a funeral home, and their chapels are small. We may not go because it has been years since we have seen them. But we still loved them. One of their daughters and I had occasionally touched base on facebook, but it has been a few years. I found out that she has been in prison, which would explain that.
It is so important to get the word out about Jesus. So many people have not accepted Him into their lives and think they will have no fun if they do. You will more than likely have MORE fun if you accept Jesus, than you can without Him! Oh that the world will seek His face and humble themselves before Him!
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV): If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.
That is a powerful scripture! God says, IF we humble ourselves, IF we will pray, IF we will seek His face, IF we will turn from our wicked ways, THEN He will hear from heaven and He will forgive us; He will heal us; He will heal our land. So - IF we, then HE. It's our choice. Don't get to the bottom rung of life and choose not to follow Jesus. Choose life in Him, healing in Him.
Since I have more time this morning, I think I'm just going to sit here for a bit and be quiet. It's in the quiet moments that God will sometimes speak to us. And I could sure use a Word from Him this morning. I have read my Bible and did receive what He spoke there, but I love it when I am emeshed in His presence and just breathe Him in.
Blessings!
