HARVEST HEARTBEAT
This page is dedicated to the Harvest Christian Community to post comments, essays or just some thoughts about what God has been doing in your life, your family or your church. Please submit all materials via email to pastorbiehl@gmail.com
Postings for April 13, 2009
The Master's Touch
It's Monday, the day after Easter Sunday. Last night I asked the Lord if there was anything He wanted me to share with people on the church's new web site. Since writing is not one of my favorite things to do, I wasn't too anxious to get an answer. But He did have something for me to say, and I trust it will be a blessing for you. Let's go back to yesterday for a minute.
I'm sitting in church, third row back on the aisle. I am waiting for my turn to sing my solo. I'm listening to Wayne, who is reading his portion of the Easter presentation. I'm up after him. I know his part because I've heard it in practice. I know how close he's getting to the end of it. I clear my throat several times, pop a fresh piece of gum in my mouth, and take another sip of water. Wayne is almost at the end now. Clear my throat again, take yet another sip of water, and chew that gum. There is a persistent catch in my throat, and no matter what I do I can't seem to clear it away. Sometimes my voice is like an unruly child who won't do anything I ask of it. O.K. Wayne is finished. Time to get up. Lord, you know what's going on with my voice. There's nothing more I can do about it, so I put it in Your hands. I'm singing for Your glory God, and not mine. I stand, walk to the front of the church, turn, face the audience. I'm waiting for the music now. There it is. Just a little too soft, Joy, so I give you a thumbs to turn up the volume. That‘s it. Perfect. What's that first line? Oh yeah...Down the via Dolorosa, down the via Dolorosa, down the via Dolorosa.... Wait for the cue in the music to sing. There it is. Take a breath. Sing.
"Down the via Dolorosa in Jerusalem that day". Good, no catch in the voice, a little shaky, but not too bad. Next line. "The soldiers..." uh-oh. What was that? Where'd my voice go? I can't believe I have to clear my throat in the middle of this verse! Wait a second here, Lord. Didn't I put this song in Your hands before I walked up here? What's going on? This is turning into a very humbling experience...again. I don't know how many more "humblings" I can take. So I clear my throat. Next line. O.K. That one was better. Not great, but better. By the middle of the song, I‘ve almost recovered and I finish on a fairly good note.
I walk off the platform back to my seat vowing to never sing another solo again. The rest of the service was wonderful. Great songs , great message, people receive Jesus as their Savior, and then we close.
It's after the service now. By the table with the doughnuts, one of my favorite places to hang out, I stand. I've just popped a doughnut hole into my mouth when one of the ladies comes over and tells my how wonderful my song was; how beautifully the music flows out of me. Huh?? She was listening to me, right? I'm thinking maybe she has me confused with Shawn. I wonder if this dear sister has a hearing problem. I thank her, humbly, of course.
I know what happened. When we do things for God, for His glory, whatever we do is filtered through the Holy Spirit. A very precious anointing is poured out upon it, and even though we make mistakes, stumble, bumble, mess up and sometimes have bow to circumstances beyond our control, His message always gets through. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is found in James. It says that we all stumble in many ways. Amen, brother James!
There is a wonderful story about a young man who was taking violin lessons from a master violinist. The boy tried very hard to play the violin, but it always sounded like nails on a chalkboard when he did. His parents were becoming upset with his lack of progress, and complained to the teacher that there must be something terribly wrong with the violin because of the way it sounded. The teacher gently, lovingly picked up the violin, placed it under his chin, put the bow to its strings, and began to play. From that same violin flowed the most heavenly music they had ever heard. There was nothing at all wrong with the instrument. It simply needed the touch of the master's hand.
Do you have a talent you are afraid to use for the Lord? Is there something in your heart that you have a passion for, but you are afraid to do it because you might fail? Don't let that fear keep you from glorifying God. You will make mistakes, mess up, and be humbled. That's O.K. If place yourself in the Master's hands, He'll make something heavenly flow out of you, too. -Margaret G.
We serve an Awesome God
I just wanted to thank everyone again for all of the hard work that went into Sunday's service. From beginning to end God was in the house. The worship, the music specials, the drama presentations, the refreshments...everything had the hand of the Lord upon it. We had 99 people in attendance, many were first time visitors and several raised their hand to commit or recommit their lives to the Lord. -Pastor Ron
Posting for 2010
“A Miracle “
On June 20 2010, I found a small lump at bottom left side of my vagina. Did not think much about it figured it was a boil or cyst, which I get sometimes. They form a head and are gone in a day or so. So just went on about my day. This was Sunday very busy hot day, was Father’s Day helped serve brunch for the Father’s of our church. Was tired when got home still thought nothing about it, because of busy morning I had. By evening I was ready for bed at 8:30 unusual for me but still thought because heat and busy day I had. When I got up Monday morning the lump was bigger thought was just getting ready to come to a head. Husband wanted me to go to Dr. but I figured was nothing, so I told him to go golfing. Well by time he got home I was in bed not felling well. Was hot but cold, husband took temp was 99. Still thought nothing because that’s not too bad, by evening was 100. Still said I would be ok in the morning and went to bed. Tuesday morning when I go up the lump was bigger, swollen red all the way on the left side and across the top. By then I know there was something wrong. So I called my Dr., said to come in at 3:00 they would get me in. Finally at 4:15 Dr saw me took one look and said I was to go right to hospital. I need antibiotics by IV since I could not take penicillin. So by 5:00 I was in hospital getting IV, set baths and warn heat treatments. Well set baths hurt so bad I thought would pass out and did not seam to be helping, heat treatments helped some. Wednesday evening my temp went to 103, they called my DR she said get ice packs under each arm and down by my swollen area and to get temp down. When they did that my body went into shock , had to wait then put back ice pack back on and got temp down. Thursday morning my Dr came in and said Infectious Diseases Dr would be in to check me out. He took one look and said I need surgery he would be back. Came back said my Dr could not do surgery of that kind she was calling another Dr to do it, he would be right back with answer. That Dr came back and said I was going by Helicopter to University McDonald Women’s Hospital in Cleveland for emergency surgery. I said I do not fly, Dr answer was 20 minutes to live or 2 hours by Ambulance you could die. I put my hands right in Gods and said get Helicopter here. With in 15 minutes I was on my way to Cleveland. I got to Cleveland Hospital at 3:30 pm and by 5:10 pm I was on my way to surgery. Reason for emergency surgery I had Necrotizing Fascistic (flesh eating bacteria) and was moving fast to my major organs on my left side. Surgery went well was in intensive care till next afternoon moved me back to my room. Dr came and talked to us said , he was sure he had gotten it all another day and I could have died. Said would be a long healing time but was sure I would heal but might need some plastic surgery down the road. Plastic surgeon came in and said he was not sure would have to see how things healed before he know if I would need surgery. Spent week in hospital with wound machine on the area. Which help to clean wound area from inside out, pulling the old stuff out for new to form. Cather was kept in also to make sure no urine got to the area till was healed some. Then I was moved by ambulance from Cleveland Hospital to rehab closer to home. I spent 4 weeks there with wound machine on being changed every other day. Then July 29th went back to Cleveland by transport to plastic surgeon and he said look good would not need any plastic surgery. Wound machine could stay off and Cather could come out and could go home next day to finish healing. July 30th went home with visiting nurse and husband change dressing every day . After 2 weeks of nurse everyday wound area looking good and now husband change every day and nurse just come twice week to make sure things still look ok. Healing very well only have two or three small spots to finish healing. Nurse say should be finished soon. Has been a long time being sick , but with my faith in God I was able to deal with it and get better. Amen ---------- Deborah L.
I'm sitting in church, third row back on the aisle. I am waiting for my turn to sing my solo. I'm listening to Wayne, who is reading his portion of the Easter presentation. I'm up after him. I know his part because I've heard it in practice. I know how close he's getting to the end of it. I clear my throat several times, pop a fresh piece of gum in my mouth, and take another sip of water. Wayne is almost at the end now. Clear my throat again, take yet another sip of water, and chew that gum. There is a persistent catch in my throat, and no matter what I do I can't seem to clear it away. Sometimes my voice is like an unruly child who won't do anything I ask of it. O.K. Wayne is finished. Time to get up. Lord, you know what's going on with my voice. There's nothing more I can do about it, so I put it in Your hands. I'm singing for Your glory God, and not mine. I stand, walk to the front of the church, turn, face the audience. I'm waiting for the music now. There it is. Just a little too soft, Joy, so I give you a thumbs to turn up the volume. That‘s it. Perfect. What's that first line? Oh yeah...Down the via Dolorosa, down the via Dolorosa, down the via Dolorosa.... Wait for the cue in the music to sing. There it is. Take a breath. Sing.
"Down the via Dolorosa in Jerusalem that day". Good, no catch in the voice, a little shaky, but not too bad. Next line. "The soldiers..." uh-oh. What was that? Where'd my voice go? I can't believe I have to clear my throat in the middle of this verse! Wait a second here, Lord. Didn't I put this song in Your hands before I walked up here? What's going on? This is turning into a very humbling experience...again. I don't know how many more "humblings" I can take. So I clear my throat. Next line. O.K. That one was better. Not great, but better. By the middle of the song, I‘ve almost recovered and I finish on a fairly good note.
I walk off the platform back to my seat vowing to never sing another solo again. The rest of the service was wonderful. Great songs , great message, people receive Jesus as their Savior, and then we close.
It's after the service now. By the table with the doughnuts, one of my favorite places to hang out, I stand. I've just popped a doughnut hole into my mouth when one of the ladies comes over and tells my how wonderful my song was; how beautifully the music flows out of me. Huh?? She was listening to me, right? I'm thinking maybe she has me confused with Shawn. I wonder if this dear sister has a hearing problem. I thank her, humbly, of course.
I know what happened. When we do things for God, for His glory, whatever we do is filtered through the Holy Spirit. A very precious anointing is poured out upon it, and even though we make mistakes, stumble, bumble, mess up and sometimes have bow to circumstances beyond our control, His message always gets through. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is found in James. It says that we all stumble in many ways. Amen, brother James!
There is a wonderful story about a young man who was taking violin lessons from a master violinist. The boy tried very hard to play the violin, but it always sounded like nails on a chalkboard when he did. His parents were becoming upset with his lack of progress, and complained to the teacher that there must be something terribly wrong with the violin because of the way it sounded. The teacher gently, lovingly picked up the violin, placed it under his chin, put the bow to its strings, and began to play. From that same violin flowed the most heavenly music they had ever heard. There was nothing at all wrong with the instrument. It simply needed the touch of the master's hand.
Do you have a talent you are afraid to use for the Lord? Is there something in your heart that you have a passion for, but you are afraid to do it because you might fail? Don't let that fear keep you from glorifying God. You will make mistakes, mess up, and be humbled. That's O.K. If place yourself in the Master's hands, He'll make something heavenly flow out of you, too. -Margaret G.
We serve an Awesome God
I just wanted to thank everyone again for all of the hard work that went into Sunday's service. From beginning to end God was in the house. The worship, the music specials, the drama presentations, the refreshments...everything had the hand of the Lord upon it. We had 99 people in attendance, many were first time visitors and several raised their hand to commit or recommit their lives to the Lord. -Pastor Ron
On June 20 2010, I found a small lump at bottom left side of my vagina. Did not think much about it figured it was a boil or cyst, which I get sometimes. They form a head and are gone in a day or so. So just went on about my day. This was Sunday very busy hot day, was Father’s Day helped serve brunch for the Father’s of our church. Was tired when got home still thought nothing about it, because of busy morning I had. By evening I was ready for bed at 8:30 unusual for me but still thought because heat and busy day I had. When I got up Monday morning the lump was bigger thought was just getting ready to come to a head. Husband wanted me to go to Dr. but I figured was nothing, so I told him to go golfing. Well by time he got home I was in bed not felling well. Was hot but cold, husband took temp was 99. Still thought nothing because that’s not too bad, by evening was 100. Still said I would be ok in the morning and went to bed. Tuesday morning when I go up the lump was bigger, swollen red all the way on the left side and across the top. By then I know there was something wrong. So I called my Dr., said to come in at 3:00 they would get me in. Finally at 4:15 Dr saw me took one look and said I was to go right to hospital. I need antibiotics by IV since I could not take penicillin. So by 5:00 I was in hospital getting IV, set baths and warn heat treatments. Well set baths hurt so bad I thought would pass out and did not seam to be helping, heat treatments helped some. Wednesday evening my temp went to 103, they called my DR she said get ice packs under each arm and down by my swollen area and to get temp down. When they did that my body went into shock , had to wait then put back ice pack back on and got temp down. Thursday morning my Dr came in and said Infectious Diseases Dr would be in to check me out. He took one look and said I need surgery he would be back. Came back said my Dr could not do surgery of that kind she was calling another Dr to do it, he would be right back with answer. That Dr came back and said I was going by Helicopter to University McDonald Women’s Hospital in Cleveland for emergency surgery. I said I do not fly, Dr answer was 20 minutes to live or 2 hours by Ambulance you could die. I put my hands right in Gods and said get Helicopter here. With in 15 minutes I was on my way to Cleveland. I got to Cleveland Hospital at 3:30 pm and by 5:10 pm I was on my way to surgery. Reason for emergency surgery I had Necrotizing Fascistic (flesh eating bacteria) and was moving fast to my major organs on my left side. Surgery went well was in intensive care till next afternoon moved me back to my room. Dr came and talked to us said , he was sure he had gotten it all another day and I could have died. Said would be a long healing time but was sure I would heal but might need some plastic surgery down the road. Plastic surgeon came in and said he was not sure would have to see how things healed before he know if I would need surgery. Spent week in hospital with wound machine on the area. Which help to clean wound area from inside out, pulling the old stuff out for new to form. Cather was kept in also to make sure no urine got to the area till was healed some. Then I was moved by ambulance from Cleveland Hospital to rehab closer to home. I spent 4 weeks there with wound machine on being changed every other day. Then July 29th went back to Cleveland by transport to plastic surgeon and he said look good would not need any plastic surgery. Wound machine could stay off and Cather could come out and could go home next day to finish healing. July 30th went home with visiting nurse and husband change dressing every day . After 2 weeks of nurse everyday wound area looking good and now husband change every day and nurse just come twice week to make sure things still look ok. Healing very well only have two or three small spots to finish healing. Nurse say should be finished soon. Has been a long time being sick , but with my faith in God I was able to deal with it and get better. Amen ---------- Deborah L.
