Tuesday, August 31, 2010

B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L

Yes, there is that word that we would all love to have said about us, that we would love to feel about ourselves. Yet, it is something that is fleeting at best.

In recent weeks I have felt God bringing this word up on many occasions. Beginning when I made the trip to Knoxville with the *Circle of Friends. We made an hour long infomercial type of program where our very own Lisa Troyer, and Dawn Yoder, were singing and we were the friends they were singing to. It is something that is going to be used to promote the Circe Of Friends Ministry, through Moody Broadcasting and Moody affiliated programs/conferences. It will eventually be available on TV Christian channels.

Anyway, one of the songs that Lisa was singing was "Beautiful".( It is on her Meet Me At The Well CD, that goes along with Virelle Kidder's book Meet Me At The Well, and has a companion Bible study written by Virelle and our *COF gal Jocelyn Hamsher.)

The song is amazing and I love singing it. It helps me to remember that I am beautiful because of the work He has done in me! Upon my return from Knoxville, I was at home trying to catch up on things...I am always behind. I had my TV on tuned to Serious Radio, the christian music channel. I heard a number of songs that had 'beautiful' in them. Hmmm, I wonder. Is God trying to tell me something?

I have felt so very insecure the past few months (more than usual) about how I look. The bags under my eyes are more pronounced, the dark circles accompanying them as well. My weight has gone up...again. My hair is...getting much more gray under my Preference #6, and I am finding it more difficult to cover.

I am moving much slower, my fibro has kicked it up another notch on the pain meter, I seem to have poison ivy all over my arms (how that happened I'll never know) How can I be beautiful?

Because even though I have all of the "short comings" God has still chosen to be my Father, and to work in me and through me. Yes, tight clothes, black puffy eyes, gray hair, aches, pains and everything else in between.

God loves me. And you know what else? Even through all of these things, God requires one thing. That I TRUST Him!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

The missing ingredient

Have you ever found yourself ready to make something, or even have it already made, you check the recipe and realize you have one missing ingredient? I found myself in this exact situation yesterday. I have a "new recipe" I was making for a soup. I have had an abundance of zucchini this year, and I found this recipe that was easy, and fast. I had the ingredients...or so I thought.

I get it all put together, it is simmering on the stove, and I check one last thing in the recipe only to realize that I didn't have fresh mint to put in it. Fresh mint are you kidding me? Who would have thought to put fresh mint in a zucchini soup recipe?

All of that got me to thinking. How many of us think we have our life "recipe" simmering on the stove, only to realize we have a missing ingredient. I suddenly remembered that the most important thing to add to that "dish" that is being prepared is to have my daily cup of fellowship with God and His word.

Have you had your cup today?

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

There is nothing to fear...but fear itself.

If there is one thing that I fear it is SNAKES! This little fella was waiting for me on the front steps into the house yesterday. I froze in my tracks just before my foot hit the steps. I would NOT go in this door. It is a good thing I have three other doors to choose from. Hopefully one of them was unlocked.

I know little or nothing about them, I assume that this is a garter snake, but honestly I don't know. I do know it stayed on the steps for awhile, then it slithered down the side of the steps and who knows where he went. Ewwww.

It totally creeps me out to have to go out the door. I know that I am a million times the size of this guy, but let me tell you my FEAR certainly made up for the size. One little flip of his tongue and I am unglued!

I believe I wrote in an earlier post about fear. It has certainly gripped me a lot this summer. I am beginning to wonder if God is speaking something to me?

There are 365 scriptures about fear! Hmmm, that would make one for every day of the year. Perhaps God knew we all would struggle with that emotion more than most.

I cannot say that I agree with the there is nothing to fear but fear itself thing...I was scared spitless when I saw this guy. I have lived here on the farm for almost eight years, and had never seen one before. I think that is the grace of God. In my estimation, those creepy things should live in hell right along with the worst serpent of them all--satan!

Lord Jesus, help me deal with the things I fear --both in everyday life and in the christian life. I know so little about some things, yet I do know that You have given us the power over things. Help fear not to rule my life, but help me to know that Your word is true and I can trust You when you tell me "fear not."

Friday, August 20, 2010

The Farm

Today we have the privilege of sharing our place of residence with a gentleman that is going to take pictures and write an article about the farm. We live on a lovely farm at the edge of town that in years past used to be the farm that was the producer of milk for a local dairy store. He is doing the that was then, this is now thing.

Yesterday, Jeff and I worked like crazy to get things in shape for pictures, and I finished up with the important stuff this morning. WHEW! It is 9:30 a.m. and they are here!


I am not a born and bred farm girl, no, I was a city girl through and through! Until eight years ago.

After Liz died in 2000, I didn't think I could live in our home any more because of all of the memories. So, we went looking to buy something else. We found a lovely home with six acres and a pond, made an offer and it was accepted...then I couldn't follow through with it. Those very memories that I was afraid of, were something I desperately needed.

So, for two and a half years we stayed in our home. We had been married for 21 years at that point our home was paid off, and we loved where
we were, we loved and treasure the memories.

One day we received a phone call from an "old" friend. A wonderful man that had known Jeff's family for many many years. He owns a lot of property in our town, and he posed the question of "would you be interested..." We had not looked for anything more since that first place that we nearly bought, so I couldn't honestly say yes. My husband, Jeff, told him we would think about it and talk about it and let him know.

When he told us where this property was, I was amazed by the fact that there was actually a farm almost in town, and I did not even know it existed. Wow. Jeff came out the next day to check it out, and then he called me at school. (I was working) he was so excited and told me I had to come out and look at this place! So, it just so happened this place was about two minutes from the school where I worked, so I stopped by after work. As I turned into the drive, I realized why I never even knew it existed. The farm sits back off the main road by about 1/3 of a mile, it sits behind other homes. I drove up over the little hill and a whole new world opened up to me!

It was incredible! 148 acres of beautiful solitude! As soon as I drove back that drive, I had this feeling that God wanted us here. I looked at the house which was built in 1900. It needed a LOT of work done. It is a good thing Jeff used to be a contractor!

We ended up saying YES!!!

It most certainly was a God thing. We have found such peace and healing here. Our boys loved it here. They all liked the opportunities it provided, such as hunting right here, fishing (we have a lovely pond) four-wheeling just to name a few. Owning a horse has been great fun too. My whole world changed when we moved here. The peace and quiet ministered to my heart, and allowed for healing to take place in my wounded soul.

I am so grateful that God provided this pace for us, just when we needed the healing most. Yes, we worked very hard to get it ready to move into. Matter of fact we gutted the house and nice months later it was ready to move into. I have tried to keep with the "country" theme. Just to make it authentic.

My dream is to someday have a place like this where we can invite hurting people to come and stay with us. To be a house of ministry. A place for planting and harvesting health and healing. A place where people can find God, and be ministered to as they need it. Right now we rent this home and get the opportunity to enjoy all of these beautiful surroundings. My hope is to own a place like this where we can have a large home for people to stay in. Vineyard House is the name I would like to use. A place where there is the hope of fruitfulness, new life, healing.

Someday...

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Blessed beyond belief

Well hello there! It seems my world has vastly changed in hours. I am now the proud mama of a new website! Yep, www.throughmytears.org is up and running thanks to my webmaster Rob Schwenk! Rob (bless his heart) put a rush job on getting the site up and running just in time for my "big" live radio interview yesterday.

I believe I mentioned it a time or two here in previous posts...

The interview was wonderful. Huge thanks go out to Julie Gorman@His Love Extended Ministries. What a lovely woman of God she is, and a great interviewer. She made me feel very at ease, and comfortable while she allowed me to share with the blogtalk listeners.

I also have joined the ranks of tweeters! Yes, you can follow me on twitter now! Just click the icon on the left side of the page. I am @beckireiser if you want to know. I am just beginning to use it, so bear with me till I get the hang of it. I feel that since I am making these adjustments I need to get up to speed on a few things.

My oldest son, Micah, asked me several months ago if I was tweeting, and I said huh? lol
Now I am following him on twitter. He'll love that.

Thanks to all of you out there that have been praying for me, for the ministry God has given us, and for all of the opportunities He is giving. I will be sharing more great things as time passes. Right now, I simply ask that you continue to pray for us, and for God's perfect will in the future endeavors.

Jeremiah 29:11

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

LIVE Broadcast TODAY

TODAY... August 18, 2010 at 12 noon EST


Please try to tune and listen LIVE. If you cannot join us for the live broadcast, you may listen to the archived program at your leisure!

We are on again...FOR SURE! Healthy host, healthy guest.

Simply click on the link directly below and it will take you to the radio program. Then make sure your volume is turned up. Yep, it is that simple!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cwa-radio/2010/08/18/his-love-extended

Here is the phone number that listeners can call in on: 347-850-8893

TOLL FREE

This is a call in line that you may call if you would like to ask ANY question pertaining to our story
.


Wednesday, August 11, 2010

His Love Extended Interview Canceled

Hello friends

The broadcast for His Love Extended that was to take place today at 2 PM has been canceled due to the host of the program (Julie Gorman) being ill.

We have rescheduled the interview for next Wednesday, August 18. The time will be announced here and on facebook.

I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. I am sure God has reason for this delay.

Please lift Julie Gorman up in prayer as she needs healing in her body!

Monday, August 9, 2010

His Love Extended radio broadcast

His Love Extended Ministries and blogtalk radio. Wednesday August 11 at 2 PM EST.

The time is almost here! I am so excited. Make sure you tune in, and there is also a phone number to "call in" if you have any questions you would like to ask during the broadcast!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cwa-radio/2010/08/11/his-love-extended
Here is the phone number that listeners can call in on: 347-850-8893



Join Julie Miller Gorman and I, as I share the testimony that God has given to our family through the abduction and murder of our seventeen-year-old daughter, Liz.