Here is an excerpt from the March/April 2011 issue of Gentle Doves. You can receive the 19 page magazine at your own doorstep by simply writing to: Ruth Olson Ministries, 30090 Hay Crk. Trl., Red Wing, MN. 55066 and include a small yearly donation.
Dear Friends,
David Alsobrook a friend who allows me to use any of his message for Gentle Doves, has written yet another book, You Can Be Free from Yourself, Pub. Outskirts Press, Inc. I highly recommend it. There is so much in it that I may have to reread it, but for now the one thing that has stuck and has helped me immensely, is a story he tells about going to the Chimpanzee Exhibit at the zoo as a child with his family. (See pg. 171 of his book.)
The children would have so much fun watching the Chimps jump from limb to limb happily entertaining the groups of visitors. After each group of spectators would move on, a chimpanzee began screeching. All the children were alarmed, and would run back over to watch the monkey put his hand over his chest and fall to the ground. Suddenly, he would jump up, look around and laugh. The chimp would repeatedly do this with each group.
David is reminded after reading Teresa of Avila, something she mentioned, "when you have lulled the monkey-mind to sleep, your steps will grow lighter." He suddenly realized that he had placed such importance upon the mind, and his carnal-mind loved it because it was in control oif his entire ego.
"Our canal-mind loves to play silly mind games," David continues. "Until we learn the mind is not to be taken seriously, one will remain soul-centered or soul-based, rather than spirit-centered where Christ indwells every believer." (Page 173.)
I started using this advice immediately upon reading it. Now when silly, stupid thoughts come into my mind, I quickly call out, "Monkey-mind, get out of me! I have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16b), and you and your ridiculous thoughts are not His thoughts!" It's worked each time because the enemy, Satan, HAS to flee when we abide in Christ Jesus.
Keep fighting the battle, friends, I'm right there with you.
Ruth Olson
Here is an excerpt from the July/August 2010 Gentle Doves. You can receive the 19 page magazine at your doorstep by contacting Ruth. Only a yearly donation of any amount is needed to stay on mailing list.
Dear Friends,
I found a newsletter written by the late Bob Heil from MO. Bob with others installed my husband, Jerry, years ago. We learned a lot from Bob's teaching and here is an example.
In this particular article he speaks of endless joy in the Lord. "Hebrews 3:16-19 and I Corinthians 10:1-10 tell us how our fathers in the wilderness fell into sin and didn't enter into their rest in God in the promised land because of their unbelief, repeatedly expressed in their murmuring and complaining, which is the voice of doubt and mistrust."
That's a mouthful. Our busy lives and happenings in our nation and world at present can cause us to stare into expressed helplessness resulting in depression. In other words, no sign of joy.
Here's a bible study from Bob. Look up these verses and see what is said about joy.
"The Hebrew word SAMEACH in Psalm 31:7,8 tells us to express our joy, literally to shine or make merry. The word ALAZ in Psalm 28:7, 8, tells us to dance and to leap before God with joy. Psalm 47:1 tells us to 'clap our hands' and to 'shout unto God.' Jesus Himself, 'leaped much for joy,' AGALLIA (Greek) in Luke 10:21 when the seventy returned from preaching about the Kingdom. Father rejoices over us with mirthful gladness in Zephaniah 3:17. . .He spins around over us with singing.'
"How out of tune with God we are when we complain and are downcast."
Stop the worrying, complaining and unbelief. Joy will fill their places, taking you sky high, on Eagles wings, rejoicing in what the Savior has done in your life.
Ruth Olson <><
Dear Friends,
Having cancer for the second time, and writing my book, My Gift to You--Encouragement During a Cancer Crisis, I've taken my own advice: memorize scripture during these times of trials.
One is II Timothy 2:15, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of Truth." We certainly don't want to get to the Throne of Christ and "be ashamed." We need to be obedient to what the Lord asks of us here and to "be approved" by Him there. But how do we correctly handle the word of truth, or, as the KJ reads, "rightly diving it?"
Jesus gives a good example in Matthew 22:17-22, where the Pharisees questioned Him on paying taxes to Caesar. Trying to trick Jesus, they thought, "If He says to not pay taxes, then He has broken the law and can be arrested by the Romans. But if He says to pay taxes, the people will reject Him." (Heartlight devotion, 10/18/09)
Both thoughts were the truth, but observe vs. 20-21 how Jesus rightly handles the word of truth. Given a denarius, He asked whose portrait and inscription was on it. They replied it was Caesar's. Jesus rightly divided the word of truth by proclaiming, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."
As we live for the Lord, we will be questioned on our faith. When Jerry had business in another town, a man came up to the car and started talking religious things with me. It was clear he knew his scripture and wanted me to respond to what he was expounding on. I kept silently praying. What he was saying in the most part was truth; however, he never mentioned WHO the TRUTH was. I brought the conversation back to Jesus. Afterwards he said he enjoyed the conversation. Thank you, Lord.
Keep correctly handling that Word of Truth.
Ruth Olson