In uncertain times, do you know where you will spend eternity?

Life right now is not easy! When the COVID 19 pandemic really affected life in the US in March, we thought things would get back to normal in a couple of months. But now it is early July and we are still wearing masks, staying home, and worrying about our finances and our health.
This virus mainly affects the elderly and those with health conditions, but people of all ages have also contracted it and died. So I want to ask you- Do you know where you will spent eternity when it is your turn to leave this earth? I do and I want to tell you why.
Before I was born, my parents wanted to find God and looked at different churches. But they did not find God in a personal way until they went to a non-denoninational church that taught from the Bible. There they heard for the first time the gospel given in the New Testament that we are all sinners separated from God. But God loved us so much he sent his only son to earth.(John 3:16) Jesus lived as a sinless man and one day he let men crucify him so he could suffer and die for the sins of the world. After three days he rose again and he lives in heaven, watching out for us. They learned they couldn't get to heaven by being good enough ("For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23) They had to accept God's gift of salvation ("For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 6:23) and "call on the name of the Lord" to be saved. (Romans 10-9-13) After hearing this message, they both were saved and gave their lives to God.
Now, some people think if their parents are saved, they are too. But everyone must make their own decisions. My mother started learning about the Bible after she was saved and even taught a kids' Bible class. There I learned verses and Bible stories. When I was 10 years old, I realized I wanted to go to heaven some day and, since I could never be good enough, I needed to accept Jesus as my Savior. I did that on Halloween morning that year.
Since that time, I have grown in the Lord, learning about him, surrendering my life to him as a teenager and going to a Christian university where I studied the Bible. But the important thing in my life has been my relationship with the Lord. I knew he was with me through all I faced. There have been times when I had a strong faith and times when I doubted or was worried or lonely. But through it all I was not alone. And I know when it is my time to die, Jesus has a place in heaven for me and he will welcome me there. (John 14:1-6)
So, what about you, my friend? Are you trusting that you have done enough good things to get to heaven and hoping God will let you in? Or do you know for sure that you have a home in heaven when you die because you are trusting God's word to us? Life is too uncertain to take chances. Please think about it! And contact me if you want more information.
God bless you! I love you and God does too.
Leona

The Picture of Christmas

Tonight is Christmas Eve and in the stillness before celebrating, I want to share the picture of Christmas and ponder the people of Christmas. I hope it will bless you. 

Christmas is often pictured as a family around a large table, enjoying a beautiful meal and then going into the living room where a resplendant Christmas tree sits in the corner, surrounded by presents. The family members each open many presents and there is love and laughter and joy. 

But that is not always reality! For some, there is no tree or few presents and the table is an ordinary meal but loved ones are together. For others, a single person sits alone to read the Christmas story and open a couple of presents, as tears slide down their face because a loved one is no longer with them. These are also pictures of Christmas. 

For the last four Christmases were not easy for me. With my mother, who had shared so many Christmases with me, gone to heaven, I felt a sadness and emptiness nothing really filled. But I did try to find a new way to celebrate. God provided so many blessings- a trip, sharing Christmas with a friend's family, seeing a Christmas light show and other things. And each Christmas I was blessed to have time to celebrate with the Lord of the holiday, finding Jesus in the quiet and seeking to focus on Him rather than what I didn't have. 

This year my brother's family are back in Houston and I went to the Christmas Eve service with them and will see them tomorrow. I feel so fortunate! But I still want to make sure to celebrate Jesus and in the stillness come to the manger. 

So this year in the stillness I am thinking about a couple of the characters in the Christmas story and pondering how they felt. Let's take a look!

Let us start with Mary. A teenager from a small town whose life changed miraculously one day when the angel said she was highly favored by God and would bear a son, the Savior. What did she think of all that? And then in her ninth month of the pregnancy she had to travel with Joseph to Bethlehem, where they found no room but a stable. If that wasn't bad enough, in that place her water broke, her labor pains started, and there was no mother and no midwife to help her. Only Joseph was with her, who I am sure knew nothing about delivering babies. What did she feel? Yet God was with her, so far from home, and in the stillness of that stable she gave birth to God's son. What a miracle! 

And who was there to announce the Savior's birth? The newspaper and TV stations? The heads of state? No one knew or seemed to care. But in heaven, angels were amazed and agitated, for the Son of God, so glorious in heaven, would be born as a baby, in a lowly stable, with no fanfare or acknowledgement.  When they could not contain their worship any longer, the angels came to the shepherds watching their flocks that night and told them the good news of the birth of the Savior. Were the shepherds the first people they saw or did the angels know these lowly workers would listen to the news and go worship? The shepherds, so fortunate to receive the news, were amazed and did find the Christ child. Their lives were changed forever by the news and the sight. 

So on this special holiday, whether you will be having a large family gathering or will be alone this holiday, know that God sent Jesus for you. And just like Mary and Joseph and the shepherds God will be with you and help you if you seek Him. And like the angels, let us spread the news that Christ, the Son of God, was born on Christmas to be our Savior. "Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, good will to men!"

Joy to the world!

Wow, I have not written in almost a month! That is not good! The Lord has been teaching me things but I have not taken time to write and share what I have learned. And yesterday a friend mentioned she liked my blog and wanted me to write more. I am grateful to friends like that who encourage and help me do what I should.
Recently the Lord put a thought into my head- who do I like to be around at work? There is no question that it is the people who are positive and joyful, that come into the library with a smile and a refreshing attitude. Then I "turned" to study myself and realized there are too many times I am trudging into work tired and stressed and rather negative about being there. And I realized that I am not being a blessing to others! I am not the kind of person that will lift the spirits of those around me. NOT GOOD!
So, I took a good look, found some verses and decided my attitude was not right for a "child of the King" who has been blessed and given light and hope for today and the future. I am walking around worried and stressed and carrying my troubles on my back. But Psalm 55:22 says to "Cast your burden on the Lord and He shall sustain you. He will never suffer the righteous to be moved." While in my own selfishness it is easy to be slog through life, in the Lord I can have joy, no matter what circumstances I am facing. Isaiah 41:2 says "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do no fear. I will help you." I can trust God and walk in the light each day, determined to be a positive influence in a hard and hopeless world. 
So, on to another day! And through God's grace, I will choose joy! 

Who are you looking at?

This week I have done a lot of thinking about who I look at and where I get my worth.
There are so many places I can look.
*I might look at Hallmark Channel or any other TV channel I may watch. They seem to say I need to have romance and find the man to be worthy. Otherwise I am a worthless spinster that must have something wrong with me or I would be married.
*I might look at my work supervisor who was critical of me. I want to know if I need improvement but sometimes it just feels like, no matter how I try, I never quite get it right and I am not good enough.
*Or I might look at my friend or family member who has put other things before our relationship and doesn't have much time for me anymore. Does that make me less worthy or unimportant?
***But I should instead look to Jesus, my Savior, who loves and watches over me. He accepts me just as I am and lovingly brings me back when I go astray. Even when He brings hard things into my life, it is to help me grow and bear more fruit.
The other day, I was struggling through my exercise routine, not really happy with myself and the weight I have gained. Then I heard an old song I have known for years.
  Turn your eyes upon Jesus. 
  Look full in His wonderful face.
 And the things of earth will grow strangely dim.
 In the light of His glory and grace.
I pictured Jesus standing opposite me, as I did my exercises, and saw in His face all the acceptance and love He wants me to have. And I realized I am enough! Singleness is God's gift to me and His will is good. He made me just the way I should be and I must embrace my uniqueness. I should not be listening to TV, work or friends if they give me the wrong message. And I must get my self-worth from the one who made me. God already said I am "very good!"
So, this week when the world tries to tell you that you are not worth much, don't listen! Turn your eyes upon Jesus! And see what He sees! God bless you!

The blessing of friends

This past week was a busy one. I had a couple of things that filled my time and wore me out.
 First was the World Series, with the Astros playing the LA Dodgers. Though I have lived in Houston for only 12 years, I have slowly learned about the Astro players and really enjoy knowing who they are and watching them play. It was exciting to watch these players work together to win the World Series for the first time in franchise history. But it meant staying up late and having some stressful nights.
Then I had to move ALL my books out of my den, so that work could be done on the floor. What a task, since I have a lot of books. :-)
In both cases, I decided I should not try to do it all alone. I did not want to watch every game of the series by myself, yelling and cheering at the TV. Nor did I feel I could pack all those books alone- it seemed physically impossible. So, I invited myself to a friend's house to watch the game one night. And I contacted my sister-in-law and a dear friend who helped me pack books and get the big bookcase all clear. What great teamwork!
It made me realize I am single but don't have to be alone. But I do need to reach out to others. People don't know what is going on in my life unless I tell them. And whether it is joining in prayer over a problem, as friends have so lovingly done, or actually physically being together, friends are a gift from God I must embrace. I must reach out to get help and give it, to celebrate and sympathize. Friends are a treasure I must work to develop. And I am grateful for my dear variety of friends.
I am also grateful I have a God that will never leave me. As the verse from Sunday School today said. " God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble". Ps 46:1 He will never leave me.                                                     
So, when struggles come that burden and seem to break me, I must look up "casting my burden on the Lord, for He shall sustain me." And I must also look around and find a friend to walk with me.

I have what?!!

As you all know, life is not predictable. You get over one problem and you think, "Good! I can relax a little!" But no, something comes in to spoil your peace.
I am originally from California, growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. It may be the land of fruits and nuts but it is also a beautiful place and I miss it sometimes. I am now in Texas and I have grown to love the people and many things here. BUT I do not like some of the wild weather and the bugs that cause problems inside and outside my house.
My mother and I have had trouble with our house since she bought it. Before she died suddenly, she gave me the house, which was such a blessing. But I still have problems with the house and keep being reminded that life is never easy. I keep contemplating selling the house and moving into a smaller place but some problem always comes up to stop that process.
After Harvey I noticed boards in corner of my den that were starting to raise and buckle. I called the insurance, because it looked like I had a leak during Harvey. I am so grateful my house didn't flood but this was a shame ... and another house setback. An adjuster examined my house inside and out and filed a report. Since then I have waited and looked at the boards! I don't like to wait! Not only did I get no word from insurance, but I couldn't find someone to work on the problem, with all the damage in Houston.The other day I got a call from the insurance company telling me they were sending me an advance. (Thank you Lord!) And my contractor neighbor said he would come over this weekend to start the work. WELL, it was a good thing the Lord had the promise of some money first, because my den not only had a little water under the hardwood floor but the sign of some bugs too!!! Yuck! That is not what I wanted to hear.
But, even with this mess, I see the Lord working. I am getting some money from my flood insurance to help with this problem (as far as I know). And I am taking care of this before I sell the house. And I feel rather peaceful about it all... for now. I feel peaceful because I know God is with me and He is "raising me up", as we talked about before. I know the Holy Spirit will be with me through all this. Jesus promised his disciples and it applies to us too. Look at John 14:15-17, reading from The Message.

15-17 “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!

I know, my friend, that you are going through something right now. I don't know what it is. But I know you are not alone! I praying the Spirit will nuzzle up to you and love on you and give you the wisdom and strength to get through this problem. "He will never leave you nor forsake you!" 
All the best to you!

"Live in Jesus"

As I mentioned a little on the first post, I just started the Bible study by Melanie Shankle "Church of the Small Things." In the first lesson, she mentioned some of my favorite verses in John 15. I read them in the NIV and then in the Message. Wow, how beautiful they are! Let me show you.

John 15:4-5- 4 “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. 5 “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing."


Isn't that beautiful! I don't take advantage of "living in Christ" as I should. I waste the time with Him and abide in self-centeredness or confusion or worldly desires. But I must remember I have all this open to me and waiting for me. I can be joined to Christ and He to me and so can you!

Just as a side note, do you ever feel like your emotions are so fragile and sensitive and that you can start crying at the drop of a hat? I do. Not sure if it is fatigue or hormones or just God's spirit, but I start crying at moving stories and touching needs. Today I burst out crying after listening this wonderful story on the Moth (a program of personal stories on NPR). The man talked about growning up being very non-athlete but becoming a great writer. His father wanted an athlete but tried to understand and support. Now he has a son who is an athlete, and while he does not understand sports, he is trying to love and support his son, just as his dad had done. It turned out it was Neil Gaiman, the author I had just researched for my book club. I loved the story and cried for his frustration and success but also because the Lord has been pushing me toward writing and it was a tiny message of "Go for it!" So listen to your emotions- cry with those who need tears and feel something with a poignant story of movie. But use the tears to clean your heart and draw you closer to God, who gave us all these great emotions as we "live in Him." God bless!

Abiding in a God that will "raise you up"

Thanks to all the people who read my blog the other day. I appreciate it. The Lord gave me the idea and helped me write it. And I am hoping this blog will bless all who read it, both those who are single and in any other stage of life.
I was hoping to write each day but I have been busy with other responsibilities (and yes, I admit it, watching the World Series :-)). But as I thought about what to write, I was not in a good place. This week has been hard...frustrating...discouraging...lonely. Yuck!! I didn't feel good. I was feeling unnecessary at work and in my life. I started worrying about home repairs and taxes and other earthly problems. Where would I find what the Lord wanted me to learn? I didn't want to just complain on this.
Then I thought about the lesson God has been teaching me for a LONG time. I need to abide in Him and not let the world close in and discourage and beat me down. I must "remain in my (Christ's) love" and abide in his care. I must remember "apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15: 4,9) I have started each day determined to read the Bible and pray and get out of the house on time. But did I take time to really release all that burdens me to Him? Did I remain in Him all day, as I got ready, went to work and faced all that came? Or did I pick back up all the stress and worry and carry that with me? Probably the later, I am sad to say. But I keep reminding myself abiding is much better.
Yesterday I thought about the beautiful song "You Raise Me Up". I sang it to myself when I got down and need encouragement. Do you remember it?
 
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit a while with me

[Chorus]
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up, to more than I can be.

What a great song, especially when you realize the Lord wants to raise us up and make us strong. We don't have to do it all ourselves, for He is with us and loves us. 

I had one more thing on my heart. Make sure to hug your husband, your child, your parent, your friend today. And make sure to hug someone that just needs a hug, because they are now alone and don't get those very much. I used to get lots of hugs from my mother and encouragement too. I miss that and sometimes ache for a kind hug and loving encouragement. 
So I encourage you to be that hugger, that encourager to someone. You will be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Have a great weekend! God bless and draw you near. 
Oh, yes, and GO ASTROS! :-)

Love
Leona Hoegsberg

Let me introduce myself

Hello- I have written a blog before but not one so personal. But I realized I do have something I can share. Welcome to my blog! Thanks for reading. :-)
I am a Christian single woman, never married and no prospects in quite a while.  I try to be an adult every day but sometimes I feel like a little girl in a woman's body. Life is too overwhelming for me!
Do you ever feel like that? I want to be happy with how I look and the life I live and the job I do. But if I listen to the world, I can feel like I don't measure up and don't matter.
BUT then I look in the Bible and I see verses that encourage me. I read about God's love for me. In John 15:9 Jesus said, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."
I am not single because I am not worthy or beautiful or smart enough. I am single because God has a plan for me. And He has a plan for you, wherever you are in your life. Jeremiah 29:11 is a favorite- " For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the Lord," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
God bless you! You are loved!
Leona Hoegsberg