01.29.09
Posted in 26 at 10:49 pm by Sandi Rauwolf
With the world in the state it is right now, more than in any other generation people are seeking something bigger. We are doing some soul searching discovering that written right on our hearts is a language that we may not completely understand yet but it is undeniable there. “What is it?” we ponder. A yearning for something … something we can’t quite describe but are certain it is the one thing that has been missing all these years. The one thing that will bring complete peace to our very souls – a language we so desperately want to learn, but how?
We have the feeling like when we were a young child and just learning the alphabet – A, B, C, D, E, … we couldn’t imagine ourselves being any happier than we were the first time we could proudly recite our ABCs – all without missing a single letter! Remember that? Everywhere we would go our parents would proudly say, “He/she learned his/her ABCs. Go ahead honey sing them.” How exciting! We were so happy but our parents, well – they were REALLY happy! Then we are taught that the letters formed together make words. “Wow, is this great!” We think as we learn to read “mom”, “dad” and “ball”. We can’t imagine it getting any better than this! Then we are taught that the words, when combined properly, form sentences. “Sentences? No way – it gets better?” we think as we smile at our accomplishments of being able to read an entire sentence! As we practice reading a single sentence and master that skill, we move up to the next reading level – paragraphs! “Oh my, this is awesome!” we think as we proudly show others we can read a whole paragraph! Next after we master paragraphs we are able to read a book a REAL book – page after page of paragraphs all formed together to make a beautiful story. “This is incredible!” we think as we look back at how much we have learned. Our parents are ecstatic at how well we have learned the language because they know that it is the very key to opening up a whole new meaning to the world. Wow to think that all of this started by learning 26 letters. Who would think that 26 letters are the basis of all communication in a given language … I mean, 26 letters to form thousands of words? hundreds of thousands of words?
Imagine how tragic it would be if we stopped at the alphabet but yet spiritually don’t many of us do exactly that? We know there is “something bigger”. We know there is a hole in our heart that nothing in the world has been able to fill but we shrug our shoulders and leave it at that – well, often until something tragic happens in our life. Then we seek with a desire that is far more torrid than anything we have experienced. At that time, we yearn to learn words, then sentences, then paragraphs and finally the book – the BIG book.
Some pick up the BIG book when they have just learned the letters so they cannot understand why it doesn’t make sense. Then others who have just learned to read a sentence may get a small idea of what it says. And yet others who are reading paragraphs might see bigger parts of it but not the big picture. What’s missing? What do we need to understand what is written in this BIG book? It’s very simple that is an open mind and heart to that “something bigger”. He has already written the words right on our hearts and minds.
“I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, Know the Lord, because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 31:33-34
That verse tells us a lot and actually is the beginning of understanding the only language that could satisfy our soul. When the majority of the world’s population admits to believing in “something bigger”, what are the chances that billions and billions of people acknowledge that feeling – the SAME feeling, the SAME yearning? Yet there is so much controversy, so much division! Read the beginning of the third sentence of that verse again, “No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, Know the Lord …” Isn’t this the very reason why people are turning away from this “something bigger” concept? Aren’t we letting the “in your face”, “Bible thumping” approach build walls between us when the two most important commandments are to Love God and Love each other?
God put something pretty big on my heart this evening and I want to share it with all of you. It is the significance of 26. Our language, English, which happens to be the biggest language out of all of the languages was created from 26 letters. He led me to research what the number 26 represents biblically. Could it possibly be linked to that secret language written on each of our hearts? The language that crosses all denominations? Nahh, could it be? Well I sat in awe and tears in my eyes as the results painted on my page. Are you ready for this???
The number 26 represents the personal name of God.
Here is a passage taken from www.biblewheel.com:
“The Holy Name (YHVH) is integrated with Elohim (God, 86) and Ho Pater (The Father) in the Unity Holograph. It is the personal Name of God that carries the connotation of he who is. It is based on the verb hayah – meaning to be. It is closely related to God’s memorial name I AM THAT I AM (543).”
Yes, there is only ONE God. We all may call Him different names but there is only ONE. We so quickly lose sight of our one God, the same God who wants us to LOVE Him and others. So Love and Unity – aren’t these the very answers? To take it a step further, I researched the meaning of Unity Holograph and the bottom line is this – 26 comes from:
The Lord (26) = 2 x 13 (Love + Unity)
For years – actually thousands of years, have we not been looking past the importance of Love and Unity by focusing on the laws FIRST? Making our personal religion a God (more important than all else)? Could it be that the very thing that is written on our hearts has been ignored because we stopped at learning the alphabet? When God is encouraging us to OPEN our hearts and minds to loving Him and others so that He can teach us the language? A language that is the biggest of ANY language? A language that only HE could give us by writing it directly on each of our hearts and minds and then confirming it in one BIG book?
I know it is a lot to think about but I encourage you to open your hearts and minds. Pray about it and ask God to teach you the language that only HE can teach. For He has already written it on our hearts/minds and has given us one BIG book to confirm it – all we need to do is open our hearts and minds to Him. May He guide you on this wonderful journey towards the blessed life He has planned for all of His children once we BELIEVE in Him.
“My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them.” Proverbs 4:20-22
Love to all!
Sandi Rauwolf
Author, Blessings Too Good
Permalink
01.16.09
Posted in Blessings, Thankfulness at 9:14 pm by Sandi Rauwolf
As 2009 begins, I encourage each of us to dig deep inside our hearts to understand what exactly we are made of. What is at the very core of our being?
This economy today is one of the biggest blessings we could hope for – yes, you read that correctly, a BLESSING! :) Let’s step back and think about what gifts these times are bringing us. Let’s take a look at who we really are, what we really are about – do some deep soul searching. Let’s take a long overdue look in the mirror –
What is it we see?
Is the reflection anything we remember it to be or have we lost ourselves in “life” along the way?
As the economy deflates and we stand watching the material things in our lives get stripped away – when the rock begins to crumble beneath our feet, what exactly do we find ourselves clinging to …
Do we reach for the job that we pour ourselves into over 60 hours a week?
Do we reach for the coaches that are so important that we won’t let our kid miss a single game or practice – not even for a family gathering?
Do we reach for keys to the house we “had” to have?
Do we reach for that favorite book we keep our noses buried in as our kids pull at us crying for attention?
Do we reach for the cell phone that we can’t live without?
Do we reach for the great clothes and shoes that fill our closets?
Do we reach for the keys to the car that we love?
Do we reach for the TV that we spend more time with than our family?
Do we reach for the one person that we know will always be there – he would not turn his back on us, would he?
Let’s take a minute and think about whether any of those questions cut right to the center of our being with a pain we hadn’t realized was there. Ouch, huh?
So where does that leave us? Well it leaves us with families who are cutting out extra activities and actually spending quality time together. It leaves us with a humbled spirit working at jobs we would have never considered before but now are thankful to have a job – ANY job! It brings clarity to the clouded line of reality between true “wants” and “needs” in life.
So I ask, what can we really cling to in life that will never fail us not even when the world is crumbling beneath our feet?
There truly is only one thing and that is … our loving God.
I pray that He has touched your heart today thru the words He has given me and opened your mind to the blessings of what surrounds us this new year of 2009. May He bless each of you reminding you that when you feel lost and like there is no hope, there He stands with open arms waiting for you. Blessings!
Love,
Sandi Rauwolf
Author, Blessings Too Good
Permalink
01.02.09
Posted in Believe, Blessings, Heart Tugs, Thankfulness at 4:26 pm by Sandi Rauwolf
I hope your holidays were filled with blessings! This Christmas God sent me another very special gift (and I didn’t think it could get any better than Christmas of 1998!). It started with Him opening up the door for me to appear on FamilyNet’s Mornings with Lorri & Larry on December 23rd. My son, Ty, asked if he could come along with me to the In Touch Ministries Studio in Atlanta (that really touched my heart knowing he wanted to share in this moment with his mom). Our flights were booked for Monday night. I had worked all day and barely finished up the things I needed to get done before the holiday. The stress of work combined with the hustle and bustle we all get into around the holidays didn’t allow a single second of relaxation. We rushed off to the airport to make our 5:30 pm flight. We left the gate a little late and arrived in Atlanta around 9 pm. The Atlanta airport is huge! I couldn’t believe how big it was. Ty asked if we could walk to the baggage area (5,000 ft away – ughh!) I was wearing 3 inch heeled boots (something I am use to since I am married to a 6 ft. 3 in husband!) so I said why not – God has blessed me with the ability to walk so let’s do it! Well I had no idea just how FAR that would be but we did it. It was an hour and a half before we got our baggage, rental car and arrived at the hotel.
As we walked into the hotel, Ty looks up at the huge beautiful lobby surrounded by marble and water fountains. He turns to me with a smile and said, “You really made it, Mom.” Tears filled my eyes and my heart – well, it was overflowing. God is amazing!! I had hoped to help one person and look what He was doing. He is just TOO GOOD!
We were starving so we dropped off our luggage in the room and headed straight down to the hotel restaurant. It was open for about 20 more minutes – thank goodness! We were greeted by an incredibly, kind man. His nametag read “Work”. I said “Work?” He explained he had that done as a conversation starter. Brilliant, I thought! He said, “So you are here visiting family for the holidays?” I said, “Actually we are here because I am an author and scheduled to be on the Mornings with Lorri & Larry show tomorrow morning.” A big smile formed across his lips and he said, “Yeah that is a very popular show down here – so you are a believer?” I smiled back and said, “Yes, I sure am!” We started talking about the book and some of the things God has done in our lives. He was a kind spirit with a huge heart for God. It was obvious he touched every life God sent into his path just by who he was. He was so positive and excited about life. He understands that each minute is a gift and to cherish it!
I then felt God tugging on my heart to give a book to him. I had packed some to bring to the studio so asked Ty if he would get one out of the room for me. He did and I signed it handing it to Work. He was so thankful! The excitement of others to my story surprises me each time :) I mean after all, it’s just me! I’m no one special, just a normal person who God guided to write a book. He tucked the book under his arm and carried it around. He seemed to cherish this special gift. I saw him talking with another gentleman. He then showed him my book and pointed over to our table. The two of them then walked over. Work wanted to introduce me to William. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, William” I said as I reached out my hand to shake his. William and Work have worked together for some time. William asked me what my book was about so I started sharing some things God has done in my life. He then began to share some pretty big crosses he had to bear himself including losing his marriage and almost losing his life! Challenges that brought him to his knees but He then quickly shared how thankful he was for those times because they led them to God. “Amen!!!” I said as I smiled. We began to share how thankful we were for the adversities and challenges we have had. Can you imagine? There we stood, both of hearts overflowing with gratefulness for all of the DIFFICULT times that we had faced in our lives. Why? Well because now we understand how critical those times are to strengthening our faith and maturing us in our walk with God. It was just another testimony to how adversities make us realize that in weakness is when we are strong because we have no strength left of our own so GOD IS OUR STRENGTH. “… For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 14:10
William said good-bye as he went back to finish his shift. Work then brought our check and shared with me that in all of the time he has worked with William, he had no idea he was a believer. I smiled thinking how amazing God is! There are no coincidences in life – not with God! I sat there thankful for how God connects people. How he connects the dots in life. How something as simple as a kind gesture of a stranger has now connected two believers, believers who can now help each other along their walk with Him. And, once again how important it is we listen to that tug He puts on our hearts because we never know how it may change the life of the person crossing our path. We headed back to the room to get some sleep – it was late! As I drifted off to sleep, I said a prayer to God thanking him for the gift of being able to witness His hand in connecting two of His children!!
I’m sorry, I know this is getting lengthy but I feel God wants me to share all of this with you :) …
The next morning, we headed out around 7 am. The studio was BEAUTIFUL! Security let us in and I was again overwhelmed with thankfulness. He led us to the make-up room and showed us where we could help ourselves to beverages and snacks. I sat in the chair while the make-up artist touched me up for the show. Is this really happening? I mean, am I really sitting here in Dr. Stanley’s studio? Amazing! We then headed into be part of the studio audience to watch the show until it was time for me to go on. (Lorri & Larry have such a wonderful show bringing inspiration and touching lives around the world. I was thankful for the opportunity of meeting them. I encourage you to tune in or be part of their studio audience if you are ever in the Atlanta, GA area)!
We were going live in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 … There I stood on LIVE TV sharing the wonderful things God has done in my life with millions of people (they simulcast on both TV and satellite radio)! Lorri & Larry are WONDERFUL!! They were so kind and genuinely excited about my book. I had to fight back the tears … to think that just 10 years ago I was in a hospital bed fighting for my life, praying for a miracle and the realization overcoming me of just how far He has brought me – blessings that are truly “too good”!! There is NOTHING that He cannot do!
They announced they were opening the phones for viewers to call in to receive a free copy of my book, Blessings Too Good. My stomach dropped for a moment, “what if no one calls in?” I said a silent prayer in my head. I then looked down to see the phone lines lighting up! I cannot even express how good my heart felt knowing God was reaching this many people. The last call that came in was a woman who had been fighting an illness for 3 ½ years. She said she was in tears watching the show and was so thankful for the special gift God sent her that day in hearing my message. That single moment, I felt as of the world stopped and my soul was basking in a feeling of euphoria. Nothing fills every space of your heart like those kinds of moments from God!
God reminded me yet again that we cannot even comprehend all that He has planned for us. It’s more than I could have ever imagined!! And here I thought there could not be a gift more special than the gift He sent me 10 years ago at Christmas. “’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.” Jeremiah 29:11
May you seek Him in ALL things this New Year 2009 with a faithful heart knowing that He has a plan for YOU just BELIEVE!!
Love to you all!
Sandi Rauwolf
Author, Blessings Too Good
Permalink
