Aging Out of Usefulness

Aging Out of Usefulness

The rhythmic hum of the Amtrak Capitol N.E. accompanies my thoughts as I journey through an autumnal masterpiece. The changing foliage paints a kaleidoscope of warm hues, while waterways and mountain landscapes stretch on endlessly. In the distance, I glimpse a dairy farm—a serene assembly of black and white cows grazing against the backdrop of timeless greenery.

Suddenly, a vision emerges: a white cottage, its beauty fading like an echo from a forgotten era. As the train draws closer, the details sharpen—the fallen shingles, the rotting wooden door, and the unmistakable signs of abandonment. Once, this cottage must have been alive with purpose, its walls brimming with the hopes and dreams of well-intentioned builders. Someone believed it was a good idea, a beautiful idea, to create a family farmhouse in the embrace of this evergreen sanctuary. And it was.

Now, though, it stands in solemn desolation—a monument to transience. What happened to those well-intentioned plans? Where did the vibrancy, the life, the purpose go? Like a worn page in the story of existence, they have aged out of usefulness, leaving behind the unanswered question of whether renewal was ever part of the plan.

I find myself reflecting on the parallel between this abandoned farmhouse and my own life. Three storage units spread across the United States house my legacy—artworks suspended in various stages of incompletion, fragments of stories waiting to be told. These pieces were created with love, with vision, with intent. Yet now they sit, tucked away, unable to fulfill their purpose.

I wonder: when someone stumbles upon my life's remnants, will they see only disjointed traces, unable to decipher my intentions? Will they judge the worth of what I’ve left behind without understanding the story—the dreams, the struggles, the meaning behind each brushstroke or bead?

In the silence of these musings, a quiet fear surfaces, that time will write a verdict of its own. That one day, the world may declare— “She aged out of her usefulness.”

And yet, perhaps there is a different perspective to hold. Even in aging out, there is beauty in the journey, the intention, and the fingerprints left behind. Perhaps, like the fading cottage, it’s not about continued use, but about the legacy of what was once whole.

We have the profound privilege of serving a merciful God. Yet, there are moments when believing in His promises can feel just out of reach. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds me of His unwavering faithfulness: “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.”

Even when doubt clouds my vision, I must anchor myself in His Word, trusting what He declares not only about me but about all of us—a hope and a future that extends beyond our understanding.

Bless the Lord

background art by Michelle Carter

Exposed: We revisit the scab

What happens when an incident brings to light the abuses that so many have suffered?

A scab is picked yet again, a wound is revisited, and one would think the pain should have subsided, through countless brave testimonies over the years, the shame should not have been victorious. Testimonies by people that were never in the rooms where you were victimized, they had a room and a trauma of their own to endure.  Forgiveness is plenteous, but in the quiet hours, and the still hours, the hours when we sink to our knees and ask the Lord to take hold of our thoughts, we are left to champion a battle that should have never been fought.  The scab is revisited, it bleeds and aches and longs for healing.  We profess…Lord I believe I am healed, help my unbelief!  We wonder if we are double minded in our profession of faith, we wonder if we speak our truth, do we abandon the notion that healing is indeed our bread? Do we succumb to a string of new reports that belie our healing? Why do we chain ourselves to the torment? We are revisiting a scab, and it fetters as it festers, others might see and we are consumed with shame, we are exposed. Lord help me to be as brave as I appear to be, for in the quiet hours courage is elusive, and the quiet is a bandit. My peace is subjugated and the wounds are reopened, I have revisited the scab. My dreams are dragooned by past injustices, yet I refuse to be a prisoner. We have wounds and scars that are invisible to the naked eye. We mustn't pick that scab. Making a commitment to taking hold of every thought is the beginning of this battle, this race, this promise to overcome. I remind myself…I command my thoughts, my words are my sword in this armor…I speak to the scab….

Mark 11:22-24

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

 

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

 

Lord I believe…Help my unbelief!

 

As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, “Where is your God?”
 

Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me. The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me—A prayer to the God of my life. I will say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” As with a breaking of my bones, my enemies reproach me, while they say to me all day long, "where is your God?” Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?

 

Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

I am clothed with the armor of God, my words are my sword in this armor!

I remind myself…

I will not pick this scab!

 

Psalms 23 

Psalms 42

Prologue copyright 2021 Michelle Carter

When I am Weak ... 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Image Title: "Mercy"

© Michelle Carter 2000

Forgive where wrong has trespassed...

In response to the Facebook posts, tweets and insta-chats. Please remember that regardless of our physical appearances and life choices, we are all human beings.

We must love our fellow person ... we must!
God will deal with each one of us on an individual basis regarding our personal life choices and how we walk this life out before him.

IT IS NOT OUR JOB TO JUDGE OTHERS, BUT TO LOVE OTHERS.

Please embrace your neighbor as a valuable human being. Jesus Christ died for us ALL, whether someone else accepts that Christ died on the cross for them ... is up to them. Please be kind.

Accept that as a nation, we have made mistakes, other nations have as well. We all get back up from the ashes and resolve to do better. Forgive where wrong has trespassed against us, and we will also be forgiven.

We MUST LOVE our fellow person! John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Thank You

I want to thank everyone that has helped to make the launch of the Showphar ETSY store an encouraging endeavor.  The ETSY Shop will reopen soon, You may also follow me on Instagram and You Tube.  Many of my illustrative images are rendered in encaustics. click the image below for a preview.

My You Tube Channel

We need to pay attention!

I Pray that you accept Christ as Lord and Savior.  After reviewing these videos, Please decide to accept Christ as Lord and Savior.  Many seek his love, grace, and Gift of salvation after a message they have heard, some come after fear, some after a message of forgiveness, some because they are alone and they believe God will fill that space of loneliness, and that place where we ache in our hearts.  Regardless of the motivation, God will quicken your acceptance of his message.  He loves you.  Regardless of why you come to him, once you cross that threshold, you know that God is not the one that ever moved...and immediately...your peace is multiplied.  He will never leave you or forsake you.  We are always the ones that move.

Please say these words aloud..." Father forgive me of my sins, I forgive those who have sinned against me.  I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins, I believe he arose from the grave.  I accept Christ as my Lord and Savior". 

Accept this virtual hug from me.  Please spend time in the bible, seek out God's truths for yourself.  I also pray that the enemy does not steal this word of faith from you.  I pray that your soul remain sealed until the day we meet the Lord.

God bless you my friend.

Philippians 2: 5-12

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.

Showphar item: A collection of Pennies.

Introducing Pennie.  She is a character who will soon be accompanied by a book.  The book will outline the stories of Pennie and her bravery in the face of adversity. Thank you for viewing.

Encaustic Illustration

Click here

The whole Armour of God!

My Friends and Family...It seems that so many are battling some form of attack these days. I want to encourage you all. Furthermore, if you believe God's word to be true, If you believe that you awoke this morning in your right mind, then clothe yourself with his helmet of salvation to keep it that way.

 

If you hid God's word in your heart, then put on the breastplate of righteousness to protect... it. 

 

You must, because from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Your words are life and death, those words are the sword of the spirit. Arm yourself with appropriate words! Walk out this salvation with fear and trembling, set aside foolishness and girt up your loins with truth, run this race ...RUN IT!.... 

 

Shod your feet with the Gospel of Peace. My friends and family, when you awake tomorrow, remember to put on the WHOLE armour of God! Even as you groom your natural body for the day prepare yourself spiritually for the day! 

 

At the end of your day...STAND...knowing you have done all to stand. The battle is already won...KNOW IT!

Ephesians 6:12-20
Luke 8:35
Psalms 119:11
Proverbs 18:21
Philippians 2:12
Hebrews 12:1
1 Corinthians 9:24

The Trumpet...The Showphar...Sound the alarm!

Zechariah 9:8-17

And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes.

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.

As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.

Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.

And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the LORD God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.

And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the LORD God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.

And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.

For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.

Don't be discouraged!
Jesus Gave His Life to save a dying world.

2 Timothy 3: 13
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 (New Living Translation)
 As for us, we can't help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.
    

Share your testimony....

Share your testimony....Send me an email and I will review it and post it here.
showphar@aim.com

Psalm 19:7 and Romans 13:8

The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple.

Romans 13:8
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Trains...The Journey!

For the past three and a half years, I have been having dreams of me in train stations in strange lands.  My journey usually starts in an unknown city in the united States.  In Rail YARDS, I am usually walking along the rail line to get to my starting off point.  I travel light, I usually have a small bag with me...very easy to carry, and I have books.  I travel alone always...I never have a companion.

Sometimes the Journey is the train yard, there I will meet all manner of people, but they don't seem to see me.  My task seems to be to observe my surroundings.  My task is to pay attention to that which I encounter on the way to the station.  Trains pass me by in the rail yards and the spirit of the Lord tells me to be still, and to fear not.  And then I can pay attention.

It seems as though the purpose of the trains are to destroy me...not to transport me.  Not always, but mostly.  and when I enter each train, I experience a turbulent ride...The spirit of the Lord tells me not to be weary, because sometimes I just want to let go of the hand rails and allow the train to toss me about because I get tired of the calamity.  The spirit of the lord strengthens my arms to hold on, and comforts my heart to be at peace.

Throughout each journey, I pay attention to the people in attendance, the conversations...the colors, sounds and mannerisms of the passengers are all things that I am charged to pay attention to.  Sometimes the trains take me to this one spot in the North West area of Africa,  Tunisia...there is a great waterfall and a natural dam.  My task is to stand in the waters….There are families and children playing around a great divide….

When I first started having the dreams  years ago...as I arrived at my destination...I was like everyone else there, just standing in the water, being taken by the waves, and returned to the shores.

But with each passing dream, the Spirit of the Lord tells me that he is going to cleans the land….He will do a new work. The people in attendance are usually troubled In their  mind, impoverished in their spirit, and sick in their bodies.  The waters rise and they fall, and people are set free…

With each passing year and with each dream...I am recognized more and more by the vacationers, people step into the waters after they have been stirred...and as I stand in the water, The tides rise , but they don't overtake me...and the water is troubled, and all who enter are set free.  When the waters recede  and settle, the people once again can not see me.  I become invisible.

I believe the invisibility to mean that it is not me, but CHRIST in me.  And when I am walking by the train tracks being taught by the spirit of the Lord….He hides me from my enemies;  when the trains try to run me down, He is an ever-present help in times of trouble. When I enter the trains as a passenger, and experience turbulent journeys, it is because in this life we shall suffer tribulations and persecutions, and how can I be used to help someone overcome a situation...if I have been through nothing myself.  It is important for us to pay attention to our surroundings, learn something from our journey...Help someone else up and out.   Jesus has overcome the World, and  God will deliver us from the hand of our enemies.

He sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, and to set at liberty them that are bruised, TO PREACH THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.

All of my dreams have the same underlying theme...Deliverance!

GOD WANTS OUR ATTENTION!!!!

Be Still...

Sometimes we miss what God is doing in our lives "today", because we get anxious for "tomorrow". When we think we see the big picture, we get in a rush, we misstep, we stumble, and the path we are on becomes difficult...but God is calling us to be still...to be patient and at peace...and then we can hear his voice and get direction.

John 10:4-5

4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Psalm 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalm 107:29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Fear Not

Affirmation given to me By the Lord:

And I saw Him walking across the shore...sweeping the sand with the sleeve of His robe. Jesus….I whispered...I asked him to pluck me from the sand, a storm was coming, and I was afraid. He leaned down and whispered back...“Fear not”...You will remain on these shores, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. He told me to trust him with all my heart, and not to lean to my own understanding. When thou passeth through the waters I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.

He shod my feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace, and then he told me my steps were ordered by him… he lit my path and girded my loins with the Gospel of truth. He placed upon my chest a breastplate of righteousness. He placed upon my head a helmet of salvation. He gave me a sword of the spirit and he placed it in my mouth; he said it is the word of God, and he told me to pray always with supplication in the spirit.

He told me to watch with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel.

He gave me a shield, He said it was the shield of faith...and then...He gave me a measure of faith, he said it was Now Faith, he said it was the substance of things I hoped for , and the evidence of those things I did not see. He told me I would be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked with it.

The storm arose, and he said...I will not leave you or forsake you.

His Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path; He has delivered my soul from death. He will deliver my feet from falling, and I will walk before God in the light of the living.

I sought out Wisdom, and embraced her, I grabbed hold of understanding. He said Wisdom was more precious than rubies; and all the things I could desire could not be compared to her. He said length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand are riches and honor. He said that all her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. He said by wisdom he founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens, and by His knowledge the depths are broken up...he told me to keep both of them in my sight, to keep sound wisdom and discretion. He said they shall be life unto my soul, and grace to my neck. He said then shall I walk in my way safely, and my foot shall not stumble. When I lie down, I shall not be afraid. He said that my sleep shall be sweet.

He told me not to be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked when it comes. For the Lord shall be my confidence, and shall keep my foot from being taken. He told me to Line up with the Word of God...He said...Follow me, and Goodness and Mercy shall follow you.

Fear Not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back. Bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth. He said to let them give Glory unto the Lord, and declare his praise. He told me to be strong in the Lord , and in the power of His might, He gave me an armor, He said that he has clothed me with a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. He told me that he has anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor.

He was sending me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, and to set at liberty them that are bruised, TO PREACH THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.
There are times when fear grips our hearts, and the enemy would have us to believe that we are alone, and hopeless. It is during those times that we believe that we may have taken a wrong turn somewhere.
Yes...we may be living our lives according to the precepts that the Lord has laid out for us, but somehow we feel lost, and afraid.
It was during a time such as this that the Lord spoke to my heart.
Calming my spirit, and encouraging me to move forward. He reminded me of who I am in him.

Isaiah 35: 3-4
Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.

© Michelle Carter 2000

And they overcame him by the WORD of their Testimony... Rev 12:11

God Bless,

Thank you so much for choosing to post your testimony here.
I started this blogspot in Novembr of 2007. I will be re-launching the site at the end of 2010.  God is doing a new thing in the earth.  I am so thankful that he loved me so much that he sent his Son to Save, and enrich me.

Please feel free to email me if you wish to share your testimony, My prayer is that this site helps someone to overcome a tough hurdle in their life. If it does, please send me an email. Tell me about it. My prayer is that God Blesses you in a great way.

I ask the Lord to give me a creative miracle regarding this web-site, I ask him to allow me to focus. I choose to place him first in all things. He will direct my path, and only he can provide the increase.

I was so nervous when I contemplated what I should write, and what would be of value to the subscribers herein, and I remembered, it is not for me to judge the value of what to say, I just need to say what is in my heart.

I am putting a web page together that will allow me to post your testimony for others to read.

Please forward this to someone that may need a word of encouragement.

God bless you greatly today.