Monday, September 7, 2015

ELMER'S POST

We wish everyone a Happy Labor Day to those who are working and have worked.  To those of you that have jobs, please thank the Lord.   Also, remember in your prayer those that are looking for work.

I had a subject on, but after speaking with Marilyn today, I decided to change it.  First, I want to say, I too, am concerned with Sarah, John, Anna and the baby.  I hope the next doctor is better.  Had I been there, I don't think I would have been as calm as Anna - which may be the reason she left me home. Also, if the baby is normal size or small, it belongs to us and will be loved, taken care of, protected and taught the Lord's ways.  The child is a gift from God to us no matter what size.

Marilyn was driving the car this morning and the brakes went out.  It was a very upsetting situation and I can't blame her.  She is worried what is wrong with the car, how much it will cost and more.  I told her to look on the bright side of it.  The bright side?

Maybe I have said this before, so if I had, it doesn't hurt for all of us to hear it again.

My view was that she should thank the Lord.  She was coming to a stop light and the brakes went to the floor.  When she hit them again, they stopped the car.  They could have failed and the car gone right through the light and hit another car or person, but didn't.

She had to get the car home which was just over a block away so she went slowly down Main Street, brakes worked except once, but when she hit them again, they took hold.  She turned down a side street and parked it in front of her building - the brakes worked.  Again, they could not have worked and she hit a building, car , etc.

It was also lucky that it happened in town when she was going slowly and not on the highway where she could be going 40, 50  or 55 miles per hour.  Again, she could have  hit a car, truck, person, animal, flipped her car or more.  But she wasn't on a Main Road and didn't have any of those things happen.

She was going to breakfast with friends whom she called and told them she couldn't come.  As her friends were at the restaurant already, her friend's husband came and picked her up.  At the restaurant her friend, after hearing what happened, prayed for her.  Yes, right in the restaurant.

Now I am not saying all this to put Marilyn down in any way.  I have her permission to say what I am saying.  She is also typing this on the computer while I speak and if she doesn't like something, she can stop any time.  I just want us to know that even though bad things happen - there are good things in them.

Yes, she can't drive the car right now, but there wasn't an accident and there could have been.  That was God watching over her and the car.  She could be in the hospital with injuries from an accident and Michael on here telling you about it - but it didn't happen.  The Lord protected her.

It seems we all see the bad things in happenings, myself included.  Sometimes we have to stop, think and look at the good side.  Yes, the car is laid up, but at least it is parked safe, no accidents, no injuries.

As far as what's wrong with the car..  Her friend's husband looked it over.  He doesn't think it is a gas line leak.  At least today, there is still the same amount of gas in it as there was - meaning it doesn't appear it is leaking gas.  But he said it could be but very small.  So we don't know what is wrong with it.

It could need new brakes.  It could be a new gas tank like they said when they put the water pump in.  It could be, it could be, it could be.  Now here comes the real hard part.  She and we, at times like this, must trust the Lord.  She can't find out until at least Tuesday as the gas station is closed.  Maybe not until Wednesday as many cars will probably be coming in Tuesday after the holiday.  Also she worries about how she will pay the bill again.  She had only two payments on the service station bill and she would be done, thanks to you.  Also, she's still paying her friend's loan on the garage bill.

My answer was Trust the Lord.  In Psalm 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.  Trust that the Lord will see whatever the bill is and that it is paid.  Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord, and do good so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.  Being fed doesn't only mean food fed, but also financial fed, clothes fed, crops fed to grow and more.  I think sometimes the trusting the Lord is the hardest party.  We get situations where we can , help others and more, but Trusting the Lord is the hard part.

I like the first part of Luke 6:38 which the first part says "Give and it shall be given unto to you."  How many times have I given my problems unto the Lord - and taken them back again.  Marilyn agrees she has done the same thing.  You bring it before the Lord and say it's yours, Lord.  But putting it there, leaving it there  - it starts crawling back to you.  Like I say, I've done it, Anna's done and Marilyn has done it.  You have to read the rest: "good measure, pressed down and shaken together, and running over; shall men give into your bosom.  For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."  You have to keep your faith, your trust in the Lord, thank the Lord for all he has done for you, hold Him close in your heart, thoughts and prayers.

Sometimes we think of asking the Lord so much, but we also must thank Him, too.  Praise Him for all He has done for us.  Take time or times out of our day to pray to Him and thank Him for all He has done.  Sure, you can ask the Lord, but it is our place to thank Him and Praise Him, too.

I can go with more quotes from the Bible, but you see it is that we must stop and thank for the things that we want and need.  Also, I told Marilyn, when she finds out what the bill is, the Lord will provide.  It may be just something little that she can afford.  Or it could be a big bill like last time.  Somehow the Lord will provide the payment of the bill.  He did last time and He will again.  It does not do any good worrying over it until you find out what it is.  I know I don't have a car, but still we have horses that have gotten sick.  We had a buggy at one time that needed major work.  Somehow when the time came comes, we came up with the money.  But I told her don't worry until you know what it is.

I hope this gives us all something to think about.  That we must trust in the Lord.  We must turn all our problem over to the Lord.  That's what He wants us to do.  He is more powerful and knowledgeable than we are.  He is our Father.

But we must also remember to thank Him and Praise Him for all he has done for us.  Again, I am not trying say anything against Marilyn, but we got talking and that made me change my post.  I hope it gives all of us something to think about.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer





16 comments:

Vickie said...

What a very scary situation that could have been so very much worse. I tend to think like that. And yes, I agree totally with Elmer and his wisdom. It is hard, as he says, not to "take our problems back" after handing them over to the Lord.

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Vickie,

I was scared, but got it home safe and sound. It could have been much worse. The Lord was watching over me. Unfortunately, I take them back after handing them over to the Lord, too.

Happy Labor Day,
Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Thank you Elmer for the reminder to trust in the LORD first and foremost! I did just that today with an issue that is becoming more prominent in my life. I prayed this morning to God and turned it over completely to Him as HE is the only one who can deal with this. Sometimes, truthfully, we get so wrapped up in a problem that we cannot see the solution that has been there for us all along and that is to trust God and pray that his will be done. Thank you again - Chris

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Carol,
I will see that Elmer gets your message. So glad that his post helped your this morning. I hope the issued is settled the way you want.

Marilyn

Dynna said...

Good morning Marilyn. I'm sorry you have a car issue again but so grateful for how He did watch over you and kept you safe. If we as His people, would try to keep the attitude of gratitude, when life happens we would see the positive side first, whatever our situation. After reading Elmer's post, all I could think and say was Amen. I totally agreed with each and every word. Blessings to you and Elmer.

Angela Tucker said...

Good morning, Marilyn. First, I am so happy that you are safe. I know that it hard to be thankful during a stressful time, but Elmer is right. God brought us to it, He will get us through it. I know that's not exactly how it Elmer said it, but I'm from California. We talk that way. LOL

Let me tell you a quick story. My son was driving to Las Vegas to play with his band. While taking an off-ramp, he ran into the back of a semi-truck. There were no lights on the semi, so he didn't stop in time. His truck got stuck under the semi and was dragged for 40 feet. All the airbags deployed, the engine was shoved a foot into the cab, the truck was totaled. My son and his friend walked away from this accident. Afterward, my husband and I drove 8 hours to pick him up. Every single thing that happened was touched by God. We found a hotel, we had people that helped us find the yard, people that couldn't do enough to take that extra step. When I saw my son, all I could say was thank you to God. I was picking my son up to take him home and he wasn't in a coffin. Was it difficult? Absolutely. Expensive? Sure. Did I tell God thank you? Yes, yes, yes. God is good and does great things.

Wendy said...

Hi Marilyn,

I agree with Elmer we have to praise the Lord at all times and yes like you I take back my problems human nature I guess -:)
I find reading the Ps helps especially 139,91, there are many others as well I have sometimes sang Ps 150

Also read Proverbs 3 v 5-6

Please thank Elmer for his Wisdom is this Morning Post

The Lord was talking to me ask well

Have a blessed day

Wendy

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi dynnamae n,

I will see that Elmer gets your message. God did watch over me as I drove the car. At the time I didn't think of it until I spoke to Elmer. All I thought were the bad things. Elmer showed me the good things.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Angela,
I will see that Elmer Gets your message. God surely was watching over me.

God was sure watching over your son when he had that accident. It was a miracle that he made it out as well as he did.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Angela,
I will see that Elmer Gets your message. God surely was watching over me.

God was sure watching over your son when he had that accident. It was a miracle that he made it out as well as he did.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Wendy,
I will see that Elmer gets your message. Thank you so much for the passages.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Chris,

I will see that Elmer gets your message. Hope all turns out well in your problem. I agree with you sometimes we get so wrapped up in our problems, we can not see the solution.

Marilyn

kymber said...

Marilyn - i am sorry that you had such a scare - please be extra gentle to yourself in the next few days - you've had a shock and that is real and it is serious! please, please be extra gentle to yourself for the next little while!

and please tell elmer this story which i think he will get a hoot out of - although i thank the Lord for his blessings many times a day (how could i not when we are surrounded with so much beauty?) - the way that i think i do it best is when i jump in the river. my husband and i walk out into the river and my husband says some very silly words, he dives in and then i dive in. while i am under the water i say "thank you God. thank you for this beauty and thank you for providing me with this incredible experience". i stay under long enough to say that. then i jump out screaming because our river is frigid all of the time.

but i never forget to thank God for this truly amazing experience! the river really is freezing all of the time, marliyn, but how fortunate are we to be able to do it daily in the summer? my husband and i are very grateful for all of the things that make our life lovely...and we know where it all comes from. please be sure to tell elmer that from now on, after i say my prayer diving in the river to God, that i will think of elmer and all of his funny stories. and that i will think of you and all of the work that you and all of the authors do here.

your friend,
kymber

Anonymous said...

Hi Elmer, A needed reminder for all and an encouragement. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5+6. God bless you and all your family, Carol

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Kymber,
I will see that Elmer gets your message. I will be careful driving the car. Have to get it to the garage.

Love how you and your husband dive in the river and think of the Lord and that the Lord. I think sometimes, myself included, don't thank the Lord like we should.

Your Friend,
Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Carol,

Will see that Elmer gets your message. Thank you for your passage, it is one of my favorites.

God Bless You and Yours,
Marilyn