(This post is actually several days old. My laptop crashed and I finally am able to get it done and posted.)
I nestle against the siding of my back porch looking through the wooden bars that comprise my railing. Off in the distance I hear the train rumbling its way across the tracks, Going north I presume. The moon sits high on its evening perch looking down on me. I wonder what he (Mr. Moon) could be thinking? A few stars dot the sky, enough to count on my hands and toes. They too, are reminders of Elohim (creator of all things), and I remind them of Jehovah (creator of man).
My soul wants to cry out for relief, yet my spirit says to "stand still". Why must this warring go on? I had less difficulty BEFORE I believed. Probably because I was already in Satan's grasp and did not know it at the time. I cannot pretend to know what God has planned for me, and I definitely cannot figure out God. Yet, still I take comfort in His word.
In the desert after Satan departed Jesus, having tempted Him, angels came and ministered to Him (Jesus). Throughout His trial in the desert Jesus took comfort in the word of God and it was His defense against the tricks of the evil one. Fast forward three years as we near the end of the earthly ministry of Yeshua as He is in the garden of Gethsemane praying to the Father.
The bible says in Matthew 26:38 (Jesus speaking)"My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." Even at that time while in the midst of a great battle with Satan concerning the Cross, Jesus had angels come and minister to Him. Jesus was tempted as I am, soooo.....could not the angels of heaven come and minister to me in my hour of great spiritual battle? Yes and what a joy. Hebrews 1:14 reminds me that angels of God are ministering spirits sent by the Father to help those who will inherit salvation. I am a child of the Most High and this is yet another benefit of being called His child. Praise God. I take comfort, as did Jesus, in the promises contained in the bible and I gladly give God the glory when He hears my prayers and offers peace to replace my fear and dread in a time where that seems to be all that the world offers.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
....like a river
It all came back to me like a flash flood.
A torrent of emotions that caused me to lose my balance. Steadying myself became my first priority. I reached out for a column and almost fell into the street. No traffic. Good.
What just happened? Oh yeah! I remember now. For the briefest of moments I was taken back to my last year in Delaware. His had a glazed look in his eyes. This is something I know all to well. In the life he was experiencing now, there is no life, no hope, definitely no joy. What could I offer him in the way of help?
Some nights I too am haunted by my past, and like a river without regard for those in its path, I was swept away without warning. Is it enough to pray for that person or those affected by the circumstances of life takes everything away from them? The carnal human asks "what did they do to get this way?" Having literally walked in his shoes I could not let my thoughts lead me down that road. My journey with an aimless itinerary lasted 2 years. Those were two of the darkest and most painful years of my life. Now, looking back I can say without hesitation that my life should have ended. I had no hope, joy, or reason to live. I was much like the prophet Ezekiel as he sat near the River Chebar and lamented the condition of the nation Israel as they are in captivity and the destruction of Jerusalem. They too were without hope, joy or a reason to go on. Even in a foreign land God still was with HIS chosen people. The last part of verse 1 of chapter 1 states, "that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God." Going on to verse 3 last part also, "the hand of the LORD was upon him there."
I can say most assuredly that the LORD was with me as life swept me away. It was something I had seen but never wanted to experience , but I did. Was God glorified in my wandering? No. But He was with me. Despite what caused me to get to that place and point, God was there.
Ezekiel goes on to say in chapter 3:22, "Then the hand of the LORD was upon me there, and He said to me, 'Arise, go out into the plain, and there I shall talk with you."
So it was with me. God had to get my attention away from my own selfish desires, the idols, and spiritual adultery and other things that kept getting in the way of Him and I. What else could I do but turn to Him? Israel had to go through it and now I see many others in this day and age having to be in
"foreign lands" and being in captivity to whatever it is that puts them there. Will they recognize God and his attempts to reach them? Only God knows. In closing I would like to say I am warmed and saddened by the fact that many of God's chosen went into captivity and only a remnant (small few) came out.
A torrent of emotions that caused me to lose my balance. Steadying myself became my first priority. I reached out for a column and almost fell into the street. No traffic. Good.
What just happened? Oh yeah! I remember now. For the briefest of moments I was taken back to my last year in Delaware. His had a glazed look in his eyes. This is something I know all to well. In the life he was experiencing now, there is no life, no hope, definitely no joy. What could I offer him in the way of help?
Some nights I too am haunted by my past, and like a river without regard for those in its path, I was swept away without warning. Is it enough to pray for that person or those affected by the circumstances of life takes everything away from them? The carnal human asks "what did they do to get this way?" Having literally walked in his shoes I could not let my thoughts lead me down that road. My journey with an aimless itinerary lasted 2 years. Those were two of the darkest and most painful years of my life. Now, looking back I can say without hesitation that my life should have ended. I had no hope, joy, or reason to live. I was much like the prophet Ezekiel as he sat near the River Chebar and lamented the condition of the nation Israel as they are in captivity and the destruction of Jerusalem. They too were without hope, joy or a reason to go on. Even in a foreign land God still was with HIS chosen people. The last part of verse 1 of chapter 1 states, "that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God." Going on to verse 3 last part also, "the hand of the LORD was upon him there."
I can say most assuredly that the LORD was with me as life swept me away. It was something I had seen but never wanted to experience , but I did. Was God glorified in my wandering? No. But He was with me. Despite what caused me to get to that place and point, God was there.
Ezekiel goes on to say in chapter 3:22, "Then the hand of the LORD was upon me there, and He said to me, 'Arise, go out into the plain, and there I shall talk with you."
So it was with me. God had to get my attention away from my own selfish desires, the idols, and spiritual adultery and other things that kept getting in the way of Him and I. What else could I do but turn to Him? Israel had to go through it and now I see many others in this day and age having to be in
"foreign lands" and being in captivity to whatever it is that puts them there. Will they recognize God and his attempts to reach them? Only God knows. In closing I would like to say I am warmed and saddened by the fact that many of God's chosen went into captivity and only a remnant (small few) came out.
Random Act of Kindness
I would like to share with you all...a random act of kindness.
Today was a scheduled day off for me and I had no special plans to do anything. I had thought about going to the movies, but decided against it. None of the advertised shows piqued my interest. (Pickings seem to be pretty slim after the "Avengers".)
Back to my story. I was at the mall, leaving work after having gone in to pick up my paycheck when I heard this lady asking "if I could help her?" First of all she was not talking to me, as from where i was walking she could not have seen me. Not knowing this at that moment I turned to say "yes." A few feet behind me was another gentleman walking into the mall, he too said "yes." Someones car had stalled in the driving lane in the underground parking lot at the mall and she needed help moving her car. While going to her car I spotted someone I worked with and asked him to give us a hand and he agreed.
For some unknown reason her car just shut down and wouldn't start again. So, the three of us got behind the car and started pushing and we were doing good until her steering wheel stopped turning. Joe, the third guy, got behind the wheel and muscled it as the two of us pushed. Once we got some momentum it was pretty easy to get the car safely out of the driving lane and off onto the side away from traffic. We all know how crazily people drive when going in and out of mall parking. (Live action frogger and Nascar mixed together). As we all went about our way, she called for a tow truck and waited with her friend in the car. The ladies were very thankful and relieved. Much joy was had in that moment.
Today was a scheduled day off for me and I had no special plans to do anything. I had thought about going to the movies, but decided against it. None of the advertised shows piqued my interest. (Pickings seem to be pretty slim after the "Avengers".)
Back to my story. I was at the mall, leaving work after having gone in to pick up my paycheck when I heard this lady asking "if I could help her?" First of all she was not talking to me, as from where i was walking she could not have seen me. Not knowing this at that moment I turned to say "yes." A few feet behind me was another gentleman walking into the mall, he too said "yes." Someones car had stalled in the driving lane in the underground parking lot at the mall and she needed help moving her car. While going to her car I spotted someone I worked with and asked him to give us a hand and he agreed.
For some unknown reason her car just shut down and wouldn't start again. So, the three of us got behind the car and started pushing and we were doing good until her steering wheel stopped turning. Joe, the third guy, got behind the wheel and muscled it as the two of us pushed. Once we got some momentum it was pretty easy to get the car safely out of the driving lane and off onto the side away from traffic. We all know how crazily people drive when going in and out of mall parking. (Live action frogger and Nascar mixed together). As we all went about our way, she called for a tow truck and waited with her friend in the car. The ladies were very thankful and relieved. Much joy was had in that moment.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
When Peace...
As the night rolls back and the sun's rising welcomes a new day, I stretch and thank God for His new mercies and unending compassion.
I seek Him in prayer as I lay myself and my day before Him and ask for His guidance, wisdom and blessings. It all belongs to Him and He already knows how it all will turn out.
"Lord, let all I do this day bring you glory and honor. May I do nothing that will bring shame to Your holy name. Protect me from the tricks of the devil, lift me up above the pettiness of the human flesh. Lord, I set my heart on You because You are my rest."
The peace of God floods my soul. A tear of amazement inches down my cheek. In these times of hurried living and unknown tomorrows, the God of all creation,(MY FRIEND), hears me. No it is not the first time my heavenly Father has heard and answered a prayer of mine. No way!!! A few occasions come to mind, where my prayer was answered before I finished praying.
Jeremiah 33:3, God is talking, "Call on me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty thing, which you don't know of."
Earlier in my days as a new believer, I wanted to see great and mighty things from God. Why? I guess because it was all so new to me and I remembered some of the examples from the bible. But now I find joy in simply knowing that Jehovah is near.
A gentle breeze tells me the Holy Spirit is present.
The warmth of the sun reminds me of THE SON.
A chirping bird with it beautiful colors and intricate design gives praise to the Most High.
While men of science look under microscopes and spin test tubes filled with substances to explain life and how to combat certain diseases, and the explorers are racing to the far reaches of the known galaxy to find proof of life on other planets, they neglect to search within themselves and 'see' that God has already given them the answers. "Romans 1:19 "because what may be known of God is manifest (revealed) in them, for God has shown it to them."
When I started to read and study the word of God a 'certain richness' began to rise up from within those pages. I found answers to questions from long ago, questions that I asked as a child and as an adult. Even now, God answers me in ways that make me well-up inside. I will never understand God, but He is allowing me to understand what makes Him God, by revealing His nature and character to me.
When peace fills me I know it is because God has imparted unto me something that others cannot explain away.
I seek Him in prayer as I lay myself and my day before Him and ask for His guidance, wisdom and blessings. It all belongs to Him and He already knows how it all will turn out.
"Lord, let all I do this day bring you glory and honor. May I do nothing that will bring shame to Your holy name. Protect me from the tricks of the devil, lift me up above the pettiness of the human flesh. Lord, I set my heart on You because You are my rest."
The peace of God floods my soul. A tear of amazement inches down my cheek. In these times of hurried living and unknown tomorrows, the God of all creation,(MY FRIEND), hears me. No it is not the first time my heavenly Father has heard and answered a prayer of mine. No way!!! A few occasions come to mind, where my prayer was answered before I finished praying.
Jeremiah 33:3, God is talking, "Call on me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty thing, which you don't know of."
Earlier in my days as a new believer, I wanted to see great and mighty things from God. Why? I guess because it was all so new to me and I remembered some of the examples from the bible. But now I find joy in simply knowing that Jehovah is near.
A gentle breeze tells me the Holy Spirit is present.
The warmth of the sun reminds me of THE SON.
A chirping bird with it beautiful colors and intricate design gives praise to the Most High.
While men of science look under microscopes and spin test tubes filled with substances to explain life and how to combat certain diseases, and the explorers are racing to the far reaches of the known galaxy to find proof of life on other planets, they neglect to search within themselves and 'see' that God has already given them the answers. "Romans 1:19 "because what may be known of God is manifest (revealed) in them, for God has shown it to them."
When I started to read and study the word of God a 'certain richness' began to rise up from within those pages. I found answers to questions from long ago, questions that I asked as a child and as an adult. Even now, God answers me in ways that make me well-up inside. I will never understand God, but He is allowing me to understand what makes Him God, by revealing His nature and character to me.
When peace fills me I know it is because God has imparted unto me something that others cannot explain away.
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