Sowing Seeds 11/13-15/18

13-15 Nov 2018 - Sowing Seeds – Verse for the Day by Dorothy & Tony

Psalm 126:6 “He (you) who goes out . . . carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him (you).” (NIV)

Song: Bringing in the Sheaves

Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,

Sowing in the noon-tide and the dewy eve,

Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Chorus:

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

2. Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,

Fearing neither clouds, nor winter’s chilling breeze;

By and by the harvest, and the labor ended,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

[Then Chorus]

3. Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,

Tho’ the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;

When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

[Then Chorus]. [Lyrics: Knowles Shaw, Sing His Praise]

Dorothy: What does this means to me, verse and a song?  I had written on 8x11 lined sheet on 38 pages of Psalms 119 from chapter 1 through 176 with KJV and NCV, one or few verses a day from August, September, and October for three months.  I used this to pray over families and friends that came from Prayer Calendar guide from DMW.

I was in the kitchen standing by the counter and I looked up at Heavenly Father and said, “Now that I’ve stored the whole chapter of Psalm 119, the words of God into my heart …  and now, Lord, where’s the complete healing for Tony’s body and mine and our friends’ and families’?”  I paused a moment.  Then my eyes fell on the Bread verse, Psalm 126:6 on the counter as if God pointed His finger toward the verse.  Not understanding what this was about. 

Then I took a jar filled with Bread Verses and pick up another verse. What? Another Psalm 126:6 Bread Verse? There are two of them. I put it on the counter and looked at two verses. One interpret in NIV and another in KJV. “He that goeth forth . . . bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”I asked God, "Are you trying to tell me something, these two verses?"

Then God spoke to my spirit, “You wrote a lot of My words into your heart, you will reap a lot of harvest of blessings and harvest of healing.  Again, a lots of harvest of blessings . . . So nothing is wasted.”  I thought, “Wow!” I never thought of that verses before and I remembered the song that comes with it.  I was impressed and thank God for answering my question. God is truly an All-Knowing-God (God of Omniscient)! 

May the Lord encourages you as well. 

Veterans Day 11/11-12/18

11-12 November 2018 - Veterans Day – Dorothy and Tony Callies

The Veterans Day causes me to remember the song, Onward, Christian Soldiers and also thought of the verse, John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  NCV: “The greatest love a person can show is to die for his friends.”  My heart goes out to the soldiers who were so willing, gave their lives to keep America’s democracy alive.  My heartfelt for families’ comfort who lost their loved ones. May God comforts their hearts in Jesus' name.

Song: Onward, Christian Soldiers

Onward Christian Soldiers!

Marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus

Going on before;

Christ the royal Master,

Leads against the foe;

Forward into battle,

See His banners go!

Chorus:

Onward, Christian soldiers!

Marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus

Going on before.

[Lyrics: Sabine Baring-Gould, Sing His Praise]

May the Lord bless you today!

Dorothy

Hedge of Thorns 11/9-10/18

09-10 Nov 2018 - Hedge of Thorns – Verse for the Day by Dorothy & Tony

Hosea 2:6 “Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy (your) way with thorns, and make a wall . . .” Ezekiel 22:30 “I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me . . .”

“So we pray and ask God to put up the hedge of thorns around the person. I start with that for families and friends.”  I copy this from Manna, To You that Overcome. I want to share a testimony.  Lucy Schmidt of Milwaukee, Wisconsin called me on Video Phone asking for a special prayer for a Deaf lady going to the court vs a Deaf man who was abusive to her for two years, refusing finance support and to release her.

I thought, O Lord, Lucy’s been praying for that Deaf man for two years and there was no improvement with his terrible abusive languages and temper, and he kept refusing to support her need and kept her poor.  It was a desperate situation so I prayed and quoted Hosea 2:6 that God speaks, “Look, I will hedge up his way with thorns, and make a wall.” So I asked for “hedge of thorns” around his thought against the influences of the Satan into the deaf man’s mind, and to leave him alone in Jesus’ name.  I asked for the ‘Hedge of thorns” over the Judge for wisdom how to resolve this problem that the Deaf Lady had faced.  The court was expected “a battle” to last all day until 3 p.m. and if not resolved, the next two days was reserved in case.

Later that day, Lucy texted me that she was surprised that it went well and smooth and the court was finished by 1 p.m.  I called her to find out what had happened? She explained that the Deaf man just accepted everything very calmly, he signed the papers to release her and agreed to support her financially.  It was such a shock after all those two years of an abusive character, refusing to do anything, then suddenly, he calm down and agreed to do everything to meet a deaf lady’s need.

Lucy and I discussed the power of prayer with Hosea 2:6 and Ezekiel 22:30.  I shared two testimonies from the booklet.  The one talked about family problem and another about the pastor over his people in the church and how they used “hedge of thorns” prayers and they saw answered to prayers. 

Later on, I googled the topic, “Hedge of Thorns” and I was surprised there were a lot of coverage on this. So if you want more information, just simple google them. 

May the Lord bless you today!

Dorothy

New Morning! 11/6-8/18

06-08 Nov. 2018 New Morning – Verse for the day by Dorothy and Tony

“The Lord’s compassion fail not.  They are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-33).

*Lamentations chapter 3 reminds us that “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end” (Lam. 3:22 ESV) and that God is faithful to the end even when everything seems to be falling apart. This means that in the midst of our pain, even though we may not feel His presence, He is there as our trusted companion who will never walk away and let us down! [*Quoted by Joe Stowell]

Dorothy: It was an encouragement to me to remember that Lord’s compassion never fail and His mercies are new every morning. It is like a water flowing fresh in the Spirit, brand new mercy.  And I remembered the song.

Song: At Calvary

Mercy there was great and grace was free;

Pardon there was multiplied to me;

There my burdened soul found liberty,

At Cal – va – ry.

[William Reed Newell]

You that Overcome 11/1-5/18

01-05 November 2018 - You that Overcome – Manna by Dorothy and Tony

Revelation 3:21 “To you that overcomes I will give to sit with Me in My throne, even as I overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” (Other translation)

The word overcome, synonyms is conquer which means to gain by force of arms; to defeat by force of arms such as conquered by all their enemies.  Overcome suggests defeating with difficulty or after a hard struggle. 

Jesus gave the words of encouragement to those who struggle with difficult things that we are to overcome and not to give up hope.  The greatest honor that Jesus could give would be to sit with Him.  Even Jesus Himself set an example for us to be like Him, to overcome things that Satan tried to put difficulty upon us.  Tony and I prayed often using Lord’s Prayer and putting on the armor of God to stand against the “wiles of the devil” and using James 4:7 to “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Live by faith in the Son of God to do the rest of the work.

Last Friday, November 2, 2018, Tony had skin cancer that was being operated on the top of his head and it took four hours after three intermission (30-45 min) of testing to make sure he was clear of cancer of those two areas.  There are two more areas to have surgery by November 21, 2018. 

Someone asked me how do we know that Tony has skin cancer on top of his head?  He had four red spots that won’t go away. That was a sign for Dermatologist to check on. And Tony had four biopsy on skin shaved for test and two weeks later the test tells us that Tony need surgery on four areas to remove skin cancer.

So I started the prayer of putting on “hedge of thorns” around Tony’s head and his whole body. I learn this from Conquering Impossible “Mountains” by Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts.  I did some research and found three references: Hosea 2:6 “Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy (your) way with thorns, and make a wall . . .” Ezekiel 13:5 and 22:30. So we pray and ask God to put up the hedge of thorns around the person. I start with that for families and friends. 

There were several examples of how the people used the prayer of “hedge of thorns” for many things and I was impressed with their result of prayer answered.  I only have the booklet of testimonies from people that attend the Seminar of 1983. It’s very impressive and God’s Word made it clear.  So I’m learning and thought to share with you.

I am doing real well and I am happy to be with Tony, helping him in many ways.  I am still trusting God with His plan whatever He is doing with us.  I am asking for your prayer support and I appreciate it.

God bless you!

Dorothy

Poor in Spirit 10/27-31

27-31 October 2018 - Poor in Spirit – Manna from 10/2015 by Dorothy Callies

Matt. 5:3 Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The Amplified Bible translated “Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!” (Matt.5:3).  [Insignificant=not important]

**Being poor in spirit does not mean that a man must be poverty-stricken and financially poor. Hunger, nakedness, and slums are not pleasing to God, especially in a world of plenty. Christ is not talking about material poverty. He means what He says: poor in spirit. Being “poor in spirit” means several things.

**We acknowledge or understand that we are completely helpless before God and we depend on God to meet our need. We understand that the real blessings of life and eternity come only from a right relationship with God. We understand that our attitude toward others is not proud and not looking down toward others. We understand that we could show our appreciation to others through our giving to those in great need.

**The opposite of being “poor in spirit” is having a spirit that is full of self. There is a world of difference between these two spirits. There is the difference thinking that we are righteous versus acknowledging that we need the righteousness of Christ. There is the difference of being self-righteous versus being given the righteousness of Christ. Self-righteousness goes no farther than self; that is goes no farther than death. Self dies and everything with self including our self-righteousness. But the righteousness that is of Christ lives forever.  [**Commentary from The Preacher’s Sermon & Outline Study]. (Versus=ASL opposite)

Dorothy: What impressed me that being “poor in spirit” receive forgiveness of sin and God’s continue to remember His covenant and that is our assurance in Him (Ps.105:8). “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Heb.8:12). “And their sins and iniquities I will remember no more” (Heb.10:17). “He hath remembered His covenant forever …” (Psalm 105:8).

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for the kingdom of God belongs to you.” We have nothing in this world, but we have everything in Jesus. Only Jesus can satisfy so let’s sing.

Song: Only Jesus

Only Jesus, only Jesus,

Only He can satisfy;

Every burden becomes a blessing,

When I know my Lord is nigh.

Song: Return to the One

Return to the One who loves you

Return to the Savior who cares.

He’ll give perfect peace

Your burden He’ll bear

Return to the Savior who cares.

 (Inspiring Choruses)

Testimony from Callies 10/26/18

26 October 2018 – Testimony from Tony and Dorothy

It was a last minute plan to join with Audrey who need someone to ride with her to the Deaf Women Retreat at Spencer Lake Camp, Wisconsin on the weekend of Oct. 19 through 21, 2018.  I encouraged Tony to be with me for personal assistant so I contact someone who made an arrangement for both for us to be together at camp.

It was good to meet those whom we have known for many years and meet some new faces.  Cindy Dively, bless her heart asked me and Tony to sing special duet and she wanted to introduce us as an “old timer” to the new generations who doesn’t know our ministry to the Deaf. Cindy had shown a slide of Tony’s book that he had written, God’s Chosen Vessel.  She asked that I briefly explained what’s in the book.

I started with how we made silent movies from the drama we had traveled over USA and Canada after we got married from June 1967 to 1969. When we settled at Rockford, Illinois we made two movies.  Then we moved to Normal/Bloomington, Illinois and Tony became Pastor to the Deaf in 1970. We made five more silent movies. 

Fast forward to technology to VHS in 1985 and how God led us to the ministry of VHS. Then Tony and I worked with Deaf Video Communication to complete five books on verse by verse Bible Studies in sign language with captioned and voice interpreted.  Then next technology was DVDs and the Bible studies are now in internet. So contact DVCTV.COM if interest.

Tony had prayed three hours a day that the Deaf all over USA would come to know the Lord and the Word of God.  Last July 2017 we learned from David Stecca of DVC that many had started their own Bible studies from the internet from Tony’s teachings. Even reached to the Deaf at Central American Country. 

Several Deaf and hearings have asked if we would write the second, God’s Chosen Vessel book because they wanted to know what’s up with us since 1977.  Our next goal would be in ASL technology with the help of technician person to be able to explain from what’s in the book from 1977 and testify what God has done since 40 years of our adventures.

Before we start to sing, I noticed Tony did not sit on the high stool to help with his balance.  He stood up!!! I looked at him and asked, “Are you going to sit down?” Tony responded that he’s fine and he rather stand up and sing with me.  I was really surprised and impressed at the same time.  We sang two songs. Then Cindy asked that pastors pray anointed prayer for Tony and me.  We felt God’s blessings and gave Him the glory.

Later on, I asked Tony, “What made you decide to stand while we were singing?” Tony answered, “I want to show the Deaf what God can do.”  My eyes were wide open with delight. I thought “Whoa!”  Just so you know that I taped the verse on the kitchen counter to see this daily and I interpreted Jeremiah 33:3 “Call on Me, and I will show you great and mighty things which you haven’t seen yet.”  At camp, I just saw one miracle, Tony standing while singing. I guess I get to practice on that with Tony. Thank you, Lord!

May the Lord bless you today!

Dorothy