When speaking to my daughter yesterday I found myself giving her warnings about several different scenarios. "Make sure you are watching the stock market it is crashing, be careful driving this weekend there are a lot of wrecks on the 4th, there have been 6 shark attacks there in 3 weeks, don't get in the water, etc...and after a bit I caught myself and had to laugh and apologized for giving out such "good" news.
If I live life in fear, then my actions would say I don't really trust God. Yes there is bad in the world and yes there are dangers and we do need to be aware, but then we need to prayerfully commit our ways to the Lord and trust him to protect us and guide us, in the midst of the storms of life.
Proverbs 3:6 "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths".
When I look at the bible it says that Jesus walked and traveled in difficult times. He also prayed daily and trusted for God's soverign guidance in his life as he fulfilled his destiny.
How about you? Do you respond like me without even realizing it and speak fear, or do you prayerfully seek God's protection in the midst of life's storms and trust him to guide your footsteps?
Listen to this song and be encouraged with me to seek God's face afresh each new day and trust him more.
http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=aaplw&p=still+hillsong+united+with+lyrics
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Monday, June 29, 2015
I Am Yours...
I have heard that in Africa and other developing countries Christianity is on the rise. I would dare say it may be in part, because there is a daily need that has them searching, given their current circumstances.
In the bible it states that it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God, because he depends on his riches and not God. Now if you are like me, I thought well I don't have to worry about that one, I'm not rich! Well having traveled overseas and now coming back to the U.S., I would dare say most all of us are rich to the point that we have all the comforts we need without having to pray for daily help.
Hmmm......how would your relationships be if you rarely communicated with the people you are supposedly in a relationship with? Can I have abundance and still have a close dependence on God? My observations and experience would say it is indeed hard and more difficult, because our daily needs are not dependent on a relationship with God.
Could it be that natural disasters in the last days would be to get people to turn to God, so that as many as possible would come to know him as their personal Savior before it was too late? Have you ever suffered a hardship or had a personal need that drew you closer to God as a result of it?
My prayer when returning to the U.S. is that I would not have to have lack, to appreciate my comforts. How about you? Are you thankful, appreciative and shinning bright to a hurting world, that is looking for answers?
Mark 9:50 puts it like this. "Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another".
May we continue to grow in Christ as his disciples, sharing and loving each other as a testament to Christ's love in us.
Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ujSGPxnIKc
In the bible it states that it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God, because he depends on his riches and not God. Now if you are like me, I thought well I don't have to worry about that one, I'm not rich! Well having traveled overseas and now coming back to the U.S., I would dare say most all of us are rich to the point that we have all the comforts we need without having to pray for daily help.
Hmmm......how would your relationships be if you rarely communicated with the people you are supposedly in a relationship with? Can I have abundance and still have a close dependence on God? My observations and experience would say it is indeed hard and more difficult, because our daily needs are not dependent on a relationship with God.
Could it be that natural disasters in the last days would be to get people to turn to God, so that as many as possible would come to know him as their personal Savior before it was too late? Have you ever suffered a hardship or had a personal need that drew you closer to God as a result of it?
My prayer when returning to the U.S. is that I would not have to have lack, to appreciate my comforts. How about you? Are you thankful, appreciative and shinning bright to a hurting world, that is looking for answers?
Mark 9:50 puts it like this. "Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another".
May we continue to grow in Christ as his disciples, sharing and loving each other as a testament to Christ's love in us.
Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ujSGPxnIKc
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Where is My Hope?
In light of recent government rulings and politically correct doctrines I am drawn to my compass, what did Jesus do? As I read the bible I am reminded time and time again through Jesus's actions that he was not really interested in government at all. He understood the climate of the times, but stayed focused on what he was called to do. He did not get caught up in the drama of the religious leaders either, though he was often tested by them.
What my daily readings do remind me of though, is that Jesus was interested in a higher mission, saving souls through love and mercy. So what about today. Where does our hope come from, what are we called to do as Christians, are we being distracted by the cares of the world, or even the doctrines of the church?
All good and valid questions that have to be answered and perhaps tested on a daily basis. If what we think, say and do points others to Jesus through love and mercy, then we can be confident we are following in Jesus's footsteps.
A litmus test, question, to ponder whether my hope is in the government, or a certain religion? Do I get upset with either, when decisions are made that don't reflect my own, then it may be personal. Example. While married I will react to what my husband does, because he is an extension of myself, however a stranger's husband's actions will not cause the same personal reaction in me, because he does not represent me.
As Christians I pray our hope is in Christ alone..... Song: http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=aaplw&p=natalie+gran+in+christ+alone
Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2 "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2. fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God".
What my daily readings do remind me of though, is that Jesus was interested in a higher mission, saving souls through love and mercy. So what about today. Where does our hope come from, what are we called to do as Christians, are we being distracted by the cares of the world, or even the doctrines of the church?
All good and valid questions that have to be answered and perhaps tested on a daily basis. If what we think, say and do points others to Jesus through love and mercy, then we can be confident we are following in Jesus's footsteps.
A litmus test, question, to ponder whether my hope is in the government, or a certain religion? Do I get upset with either, when decisions are made that don't reflect my own, then it may be personal. Example. While married I will react to what my husband does, because he is an extension of myself, however a stranger's husband's actions will not cause the same personal reaction in me, because he does not represent me.
As Christians I pray our hope is in Christ alone..... Song: http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=aaplw&p=natalie+gran+in+christ+alone
Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2 "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2. fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God".
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Symbols....
When reading recent articles about the confederate flag and what it symbolizes, it caused me to reflect on Christianity and the symbol of the cross in our modern day culture. If I accept that symbols do in fact change over time depending on their use, then I understand the confederate flag and its' recent use to symbolize hatred, and hence is viewed as a hurtful symbol by a majority of people.
How about the cross then? It is used to symbolize Christianity, yet a lot of wars are fought in the name of religion. This causes a lot of anxiety among church goers who are anti-war, yet while in the pulpit there are prayers for our military. We also know symbols are often hijacked and used for personal agendas, so how do we proceed?
In the bible it states that if I use my freedom to hurt another person then I am in fact guilty of making that person fall. 1st Corinthians 8:13 "Therefore, if food that I eat causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, in order to keep my brother from stumbling."
As Christians we are called to model Christ's love. John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believed in him should not perish but have eternal life."
How about the cross then? It is used to symbolize Christianity, yet a lot of wars are fought in the name of religion. This causes a lot of anxiety among church goers who are anti-war, yet while in the pulpit there are prayers for our military. We also know symbols are often hijacked and used for personal agendas, so how do we proceed?
In the bible it states that if I use my freedom to hurt another person then I am in fact guilty of making that person fall. 1st Corinthians 8:13 "Therefore, if food that I eat causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, in order to keep my brother from stumbling."
As Christians we are called to model Christ's love. John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believed in him should not perish but have eternal life."
Are we as professed Christians modeling that type of love to our neighbors and the world in which we live through our speech and our actions? Even if what we think and say is okay with us, does it offend those around us and cause them to turn from Christ? Are we willing to die to self in order that others may turn to Christ, because his love is reflected in us in our everyday lives through how we live?
Monday, June 15, 2015
Discovering Your Calling....
Upon returning to the States, I have been helping a young lady and her family get back on their feet, at first sporadically and now more intentional as my time here is winding up. Upon reflection it reminded me of my time in India, and my outreach to some of the most down trodden where I was located. In Turkey it seemed to be the least of them that happened to be the "Romanies" that I invariably found myself interacting with. In all situations the need was right in front of everyone's face, yet most ignored them and wrote them off as never changing, or just the way it was, yet that is where I have repeatedly been drawn to help. Even in the helping it would seem others question and warn of my involvement, yet for me it is the right thing to do. Others have said they are drunkards, drug users, thieves, etc., yet I see someone who needs a friend, a helping hand, or just someone to listen and care.
I reflected to my husband the other day that the mom here, who is pregnant, smokes regularly despite being pregnant, sells her services to put food on the table, and seemingly stuck in a rut of her own doing, yet trying to find a way out, could have been my own birth mother. I could have been the child she was carrying, yet chose to give up at birth. What I see in this mom is a sweet spirit, a fighter, a smart young lady behind her circumstances, and I have a desire to help, with God's leading.
In India the river ladies and kids were an eyesore to the locals. Disregarded as trash, unchangeable, hopeless. Others have suggested I spend time on others more worthy, yet they touched my heart, so even though it did not make sense to others, it did to me. I may never know the "rest" of the story for all of these situations, but I have been faithful in my part and I trust God to continue his work through others who come along their path.
How about you? Has God placed someone in your path that speaks to your heart? In each of us is a gift or gifts, passions, spheres of influence that only we have. Are you aware of what your gift is? Maybe like me it has taken some time to understand the pattern in your life, or maybe you have just started your journey. Wherever you are, know that God needs you to reach that someone that only you can.
Remember the parable of the talents God gave in Matthew 25 and Luke 19. One person he gave 1 talent to, others he gave more, but he expected results from all. Are you using the one talent or multiple talents that God has placed in your heart?
I pray as we go forward this day that you are encouraged to reach out and be a blessing to someone that God has placed in your sphere of influence, as only you can do!
Listen and be encouraged in your walk today! Song: Oceans: http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=aaplw&p=hillsong+oceans
I reflected to my husband the other day that the mom here, who is pregnant, smokes regularly despite being pregnant, sells her services to put food on the table, and seemingly stuck in a rut of her own doing, yet trying to find a way out, could have been my own birth mother. I could have been the child she was carrying, yet chose to give up at birth. What I see in this mom is a sweet spirit, a fighter, a smart young lady behind her circumstances, and I have a desire to help, with God's leading.
In India the river ladies and kids were an eyesore to the locals. Disregarded as trash, unchangeable, hopeless. Others have suggested I spend time on others more worthy, yet they touched my heart, so even though it did not make sense to others, it did to me. I may never know the "rest" of the story for all of these situations, but I have been faithful in my part and I trust God to continue his work through others who come along their path.
How about you? Has God placed someone in your path that speaks to your heart? In each of us is a gift or gifts, passions, spheres of influence that only we have. Are you aware of what your gift is? Maybe like me it has taken some time to understand the pattern in your life, or maybe you have just started your journey. Wherever you are, know that God needs you to reach that someone that only you can.
Remember the parable of the talents God gave in Matthew 25 and Luke 19. One person he gave 1 talent to, others he gave more, but he expected results from all. Are you using the one talent or multiple talents that God has placed in your heart?
I pray as we go forward this day that you are encouraged to reach out and be a blessing to someone that God has placed in your sphere of influence, as only you can do!
Listen and be encouraged in your walk today! Song: Oceans: http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=aaplw&p=hillsong+oceans
Saturday, June 13, 2015
When Life Bites You!
In this world we will have persecutions, in the family, in the workplace, in the church, and in our neighborhood. As Christians we are called to a higher road during these persecutions. When we pass the test of integrity and make the hard choices in the face of difficulties, we grow stronger and God gets the glory, for it is not of ourselves, but Christ that lives in us.
Just the other day while walking on my street, a neighbor's dogs got loose and they ran out of their house right towards me in the street. Three little ankle bitters barking away. Knowing they were pets I tried to calm them down by talking to them as they were barking and all of of sudden one jumped up and bit me on my hand. At that point I started kicking and yelling at them instead of being nice! The owner proceeded to get the dogs under control and then tell me how I should have responded. I said, your dog just bit me! To say I was cordial would be a lie, but I did walk away, after saying she should take better control of her dogs!
In the natural I was tempted to call the police and report the dog, then my anger turned to fear. What if the dog didn't have his shots and I couldn't even remember the last time I had a tetanus shot! My desire was to strike back, but the lingering question in my head was what if that was me and what would Jesus do? Hmmm.....so I decided to sit on it and see how my hand was, and the next day I approached the family and asked for the dog's shot records. After some discussion their records were given and I got a long overdue tetanus shot, and saw it for my own good. In the end I was able to be kinder and not strike out in retribution, even though I was tempted.
How about you? Your spouse yells at you for no good reason, your child lies to you, your colleague talks behind your back trying to make you look bad to your boss, and someone almost causes you to get in a wreck, how do you respond?
Romans 5:3 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience."
JOHN 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
I pray that when the persecutions come and difficulties arise, that we reflect Jesus, being the salt and light for a witness to the difference he makes in our lives, and for our own growth, even when life bites us!
Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQqXKzhtBYE
Just the other day while walking on my street, a neighbor's dogs got loose and they ran out of their house right towards me in the street. Three little ankle bitters barking away. Knowing they were pets I tried to calm them down by talking to them as they were barking and all of of sudden one jumped up and bit me on my hand. At that point I started kicking and yelling at them instead of being nice! The owner proceeded to get the dogs under control and then tell me how I should have responded. I said, your dog just bit me! To say I was cordial would be a lie, but I did walk away, after saying she should take better control of her dogs!
In the natural I was tempted to call the police and report the dog, then my anger turned to fear. What if the dog didn't have his shots and I couldn't even remember the last time I had a tetanus shot! My desire was to strike back, but the lingering question in my head was what if that was me and what would Jesus do? Hmmm.....so I decided to sit on it and see how my hand was, and the next day I approached the family and asked for the dog's shot records. After some discussion their records were given and I got a long overdue tetanus shot, and saw it for my own good. In the end I was able to be kinder and not strike out in retribution, even though I was tempted.
How about you? Your spouse yells at you for no good reason, your child lies to you, your colleague talks behind your back trying to make you look bad to your boss, and someone almost causes you to get in a wreck, how do you respond?
Romans 5:3 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience."
JOHN 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
I pray that when the persecutions come and difficulties arise, that we reflect Jesus, being the salt and light for a witness to the difference he makes in our lives, and for our own growth, even when life bites us!
Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQqXKzhtBYE
Thursday, June 11, 2015
They Will Know Him By Our Love....
In giving, for me, there is always the dilemma of how much to help and when to get involved. I had a neighbor friend offer a book for me to read titled "When Giving Hurts". The premise of the book as described by her is that when giving, you have the other person do something in return. During our conversation I mentioned a neighbor that had back issues and was on disability. In trying to decide how to help, it was shared to me that in the past a friend would offer to help clean his house periodically. When I mentioned this to the neighbor she said, "Well he would have to do something in return". Her response caused me to pause.
As I chewed on her advice, without reading the book, I thought to see what the bible says about helping others. As you may have read, it implies to help those who cannot give in return. Take Luke 14:12-14 as an example. "Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor [thy] rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just."
Thankfully Christ gives freely of his grace and forgiveness recognizing there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation, but it is a gift from God!
Now in that forgiveness we will change our behavior as he molds us into his likeness and makes us new creatures, but it is his unconditional love that draws us to him daily! We will mess up, we will make mistakes, we will not be our best all the time, but for the grace of God over time we will become more like him, but it is not our works that make us holy, but his mercy towards us each new day.
Ephesians 2:9-10 puts it like this. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them".
So my journey continues, and I pray yours does too, for the world will know him by our love.
Song: https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqISTa3lVDx0AV6f7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTEwNHFjZHZtBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDQjAxNDAEZ3BvcwM1?p=People+Will+Know+Jesus+By+Our+Love&vid=04fc4908fa32c01f828f9f51115bbf47&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DWN.31%252bbF4sW3wWbd%252baSB%252bsu7A%26pid%3D15.1%26h%3D360%26w%3D480%26c%3D7%26rs%3D1&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D7hNnq4RjW3w&tit=Christy+Nockels+-+By+Our+Love+w%2FLyrics&c=4&h=360&w=480&l=214&sigr=11b8k66sc&sigt=11681flvj&sigi=12q5s4i77&age=1316735177&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av&fr=aaplw&tt=b
As I chewed on her advice, without reading the book, I thought to see what the bible says about helping others. As you may have read, it implies to help those who cannot give in return. Take Luke 14:12-14 as an example. "Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor [thy] rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just."
Thankfully Christ gives freely of his grace and forgiveness recognizing there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation, but it is a gift from God!
Now in that forgiveness we will change our behavior as he molds us into his likeness and makes us new creatures, but it is his unconditional love that draws us to him daily! We will mess up, we will make mistakes, we will not be our best all the time, but for the grace of God over time we will become more like him, but it is not our works that make us holy, but his mercy towards us each new day.
Ephesians 2:9-10 puts it like this. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them".
So my journey continues, and I pray yours does too, for the world will know him by our love.
Song: https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqISTa3lVDx0AV6f7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTEwNHFjZHZtBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDQjAxNDAEZ3BvcwM1?p=People+Will+Know+Jesus+By+Our+Love&vid=04fc4908fa32c01f828f9f51115bbf47&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DWN.31%252bbF4sW3wWbd%252baSB%252bsu7A%26pid%3D15.1%26h%3D360%26w%3D480%26c%3D7%26rs%3D1&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D7hNnq4RjW3w&tit=Christy+Nockels+-+By+Our+Love+w%2FLyrics&c=4&h=360&w=480&l=214&sigr=11b8k66sc&sigt=11681flvj&sigi=12q5s4i77&age=1316735177&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av&fr=aaplw&tt=b
Friday, June 5, 2015
A Day of Blessings.....
At the beginning of the day, a simple prayer of use me and help me be a blessing to others, turned into a day filled with hugs and gratefulness as God used me to be his hands and feet.
I had invited a young mother and her son, who are going through some life struggles, to go blueberry picking with me as a fun family outing. I had saved the last $14 of my cash I had on hand to pay for their 2 buckets of blueberries we were going to pick later that day. In the meantime I decided to go to the beach for a bike ride and then for a walk.
When I went to the local park to change clothes I noticed a older gentleman resting his eyes with his bike leaning against his legs. He was dressed okay, but I found it odd that he would be napping upright at midday unless he didn't have anywhere else to go, because it was also hot. So I took note and then proceeded to change and while changing it struck me that he may need some help. As awkward as helping is though I asked Lord, what should I do, then I thought about the $14 I had for blueberry picking. Should I give it to him instead? Well the urging didn't pass, so when I went back to my car to change my shoes I got the money and folded it up and walked back over to give it to him. As I approached, not wanting to startle him, I said, "sir" as I got close. He opened his eyes and looked at me and I stuck out my hand with the money towards him. He said why? I then thought I had made a mistake and he wasn't in need after all and was just merely napping, so I asked do you need money? He said, "yes" and proceeded to extend his hands for a hug of appreciation. It was so sweet I wanted to cry and was fighting to hold back the tears and could barely say God Bless you as I hugged him and walked away. He replied at my parting, now that is "love", which only made the tears flow and he said, "you are truly blessed". Because I did not want him to see my tears, I keep walking away and just waved without turning around with a lump in my throat. As I continued to go on my walk, I thanked God for allowing me to be a blessing to this elderly gentleman, and yet it turned out I was the one that received the blessing!
If the day had ended there that would have been awesome in and of itself, but I continued on my familiar path of walking past million dollar mansions that are beach side, when I saw another elderly gentleman, but this one from one of the million dollar homes and his nurse that takes care of him. I would assume based on my observation that he has dementia. They were walking towards me arm in arm, when they got closer I stepped aside to allow them to pass, however they then stopped where I was, the gentleman paused and put out his arms for a hug. Now he doesn't speak, but I graciously gave him a hug and said God bless you. He looked in my eyes and just smiled. I told the nurse how sweet and she said, "yes". I then proceeded on in the opposite direction wondering what in the world was going on! I had never had interactions with this man on any other day. Then I thought to say a prayer of healing from him, and thanked God for allowing me to be his hands and feet, again....
Well the day wasn't over, I still had blueberry picking to be done. After making my way back home, stopping to cash a check so I would have the cash needed, I took a quick check at the weather before getting in my car and stopped to pick up the young mom and her son. Once we arrived they said, " pick quick, impending weather is coming". So I said a silent prayer and asked for protection while we picked. The boy and mom were exclaiming at all the blueberries covering acres of trees! They were so excited and started picking, chattering away and having a good time. We filled up 2 gallon buckets with no weather issues and just after leaving, not even half a mile down the road, we noticed it had rained heavily as all the roads were puddled. Once back at their little rental, she gave me a great big hug and said thank you so much for taking the time to spend with us. When I pulled up at our home my husband said it had been raining 45 minutes straight and had just stopped before I got home. God had truly answered my prayers and we were blessed with sunshine and protection during the entire outing. I was wowed once more by God's mercies.
Now I wish I could say everyday was as rich and meaningful as this day was for me, but it did remind me that we are blessed as much if not more in our obedience to God's still small voice and promptings, if we are willing. At all points I could have made excuses, not prayed, or been too wrapped up in myself to see the opportunities, but for the grace of God he allowed me to be sensitive to his promptings and hence I was blessed in return!
I pray you are encouraged in the sharing of my wanderings, and enjoy God's blessings and mercies each new day!
Song: https://in.search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=ytff1-yff25&p=steven%20curtis%20song%20something%20beautiful&type=
I had invited a young mother and her son, who are going through some life struggles, to go blueberry picking with me as a fun family outing. I had saved the last $14 of my cash I had on hand to pay for their 2 buckets of blueberries we were going to pick later that day. In the meantime I decided to go to the beach for a bike ride and then for a walk.
When I went to the local park to change clothes I noticed a older gentleman resting his eyes with his bike leaning against his legs. He was dressed okay, but I found it odd that he would be napping upright at midday unless he didn't have anywhere else to go, because it was also hot. So I took note and then proceeded to change and while changing it struck me that he may need some help. As awkward as helping is though I asked Lord, what should I do, then I thought about the $14 I had for blueberry picking. Should I give it to him instead? Well the urging didn't pass, so when I went back to my car to change my shoes I got the money and folded it up and walked back over to give it to him. As I approached, not wanting to startle him, I said, "sir" as I got close. He opened his eyes and looked at me and I stuck out my hand with the money towards him. He said why? I then thought I had made a mistake and he wasn't in need after all and was just merely napping, so I asked do you need money? He said, "yes" and proceeded to extend his hands for a hug of appreciation. It was so sweet I wanted to cry and was fighting to hold back the tears and could barely say God Bless you as I hugged him and walked away. He replied at my parting, now that is "love", which only made the tears flow and he said, "you are truly blessed". Because I did not want him to see my tears, I keep walking away and just waved without turning around with a lump in my throat. As I continued to go on my walk, I thanked God for allowing me to be a blessing to this elderly gentleman, and yet it turned out I was the one that received the blessing!
If the day had ended there that would have been awesome in and of itself, but I continued on my familiar path of walking past million dollar mansions that are beach side, when I saw another elderly gentleman, but this one from one of the million dollar homes and his nurse that takes care of him. I would assume based on my observation that he has dementia. They were walking towards me arm in arm, when they got closer I stepped aside to allow them to pass, however they then stopped where I was, the gentleman paused and put out his arms for a hug. Now he doesn't speak, but I graciously gave him a hug and said God bless you. He looked in my eyes and just smiled. I told the nurse how sweet and she said, "yes". I then proceeded on in the opposite direction wondering what in the world was going on! I had never had interactions with this man on any other day. Then I thought to say a prayer of healing from him, and thanked God for allowing me to be his hands and feet, again....
Well the day wasn't over, I still had blueberry picking to be done. After making my way back home, stopping to cash a check so I would have the cash needed, I took a quick check at the weather before getting in my car and stopped to pick up the young mom and her son. Once we arrived they said, " pick quick, impending weather is coming". So I said a silent prayer and asked for protection while we picked. The boy and mom were exclaiming at all the blueberries covering acres of trees! They were so excited and started picking, chattering away and having a good time. We filled up 2 gallon buckets with no weather issues and just after leaving, not even half a mile down the road, we noticed it had rained heavily as all the roads were puddled. Once back at their little rental, she gave me a great big hug and said thank you so much for taking the time to spend with us. When I pulled up at our home my husband said it had been raining 45 minutes straight and had just stopped before I got home. God had truly answered my prayers and we were blessed with sunshine and protection during the entire outing. I was wowed once more by God's mercies.
Now I wish I could say everyday was as rich and meaningful as this day was for me, but it did remind me that we are blessed as much if not more in our obedience to God's still small voice and promptings, if we are willing. At all points I could have made excuses, not prayed, or been too wrapped up in myself to see the opportunities, but for the grace of God he allowed me to be sensitive to his promptings and hence I was blessed in return!
I pray you are encouraged in the sharing of my wanderings, and enjoy God's blessings and mercies each new day!
Song: https://in.search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=ytff1-yff25&p=steven%20curtis%20song%20something%20beautiful&type=
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Keep Fighting The Good Fight!
It is easy to become weary as parents, teachers, pastors and the likes. We all become weary over a period of time and must recharge. I must admit after returning from overseas, I was just plum worn out! I needed familiar food, rest, safety, friends and the likes to recharge my battery so to speak.
Sometimes in life without enough breaks and fuel stops, we become less efficient instead of more productive. This is counterintuitive, because it would seem the work isn't getting done and we are as my husband would say, "Leading the life of Riley!" Still not sure where that saying came from, but I do understand he is saying, I am being a bum!
Jesus put it like this. Psalms 23:2 "He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters." He also orders the sabbath day as a day of rest for us, knowing that we need to retreat and regroup in order that we might continue on effectively.
Knowing what recharges us is important. With an athlete it is proper nutrition combined with physical rest. For others it is being around people, yet some like me, it is a long walk on the beach, biking or gardening. When we include these "rest" periods in our day, weeks and years we are better equipped and more productive when we need to be.
If I am weary and rundown, there is no overflow for which to give to others. As Christians we know that daily prayer and reading the bible gives us strength for each new day. If I am not plugging in on a daily basis for my spiritual body, then I will become weary in well doing. Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
A favorite encouragement in my role as a teacher is to say, "Do not quit"! Rest, recharge, get back up and keep trying! Sometimes the only difference between success and failure is the unwillingness to quit trying!
Upon returning from overseas, we have been blessed to live in my mom's old trailer where she use to live, and without a full-time job this has left me with extra time on my hands. Because of my experience in India, I have paid more attention to those in need around me and in my own neighborhood. I was blessed the other day when a young family I have been helping with food, said they wanted to come to church with me. I was wowed by God's mercy and love for this young family, seeing Christ's love for them, as he knocked at their heart's door, then allowed me to be his hands and feet! Wowed once again!
That brings me to a song that is on my heart..http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=aaplw&p=unspoken,++good+fight
Sometimes in life without enough breaks and fuel stops, we become less efficient instead of more productive. This is counterintuitive, because it would seem the work isn't getting done and we are as my husband would say, "Leading the life of Riley!" Still not sure where that saying came from, but I do understand he is saying, I am being a bum!
Jesus put it like this. Psalms 23:2 "He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters." He also orders the sabbath day as a day of rest for us, knowing that we need to retreat and regroup in order that we might continue on effectively.
Knowing what recharges us is important. With an athlete it is proper nutrition combined with physical rest. For others it is being around people, yet some like me, it is a long walk on the beach, biking or gardening. When we include these "rest" periods in our day, weeks and years we are better equipped and more productive when we need to be.
If I am weary and rundown, there is no overflow for which to give to others. As Christians we know that daily prayer and reading the bible gives us strength for each new day. If I am not plugging in on a daily basis for my spiritual body, then I will become weary in well doing. Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
A favorite encouragement in my role as a teacher is to say, "Do not quit"! Rest, recharge, get back up and keep trying! Sometimes the only difference between success and failure is the unwillingness to quit trying!
Upon returning from overseas, we have been blessed to live in my mom's old trailer where she use to live, and without a full-time job this has left me with extra time on my hands. Because of my experience in India, I have paid more attention to those in need around me and in my own neighborhood. I was blessed the other day when a young family I have been helping with food, said they wanted to come to church with me. I was wowed by God's mercy and love for this young family, seeing Christ's love for them, as he knocked at their heart's door, then allowed me to be his hands and feet! Wowed once again!
That brings me to a song that is on my heart..http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=aaplw&p=unspoken,++good+fight
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