I drove by a church today that had a sign that said,"God we need you, come." As I see it the sign should have read, "God is here, we need to come." In the senseless terror that continues to plague our world we has forgotten that God is the author and finisher of our fate.
He is not idly sitting by watching, he is
orchestrating the very things that frighten us when we sit at home in front of our
television sets asking, "How does God
allow this to happen?" The question should be,"How could God not allow this to happen?"
We have some how forgotten to take God at His word. He told us in 2 chronicles 7:14 what He would do if we would just humble ourselves. Our lives are not our own, our wills often make it difficult to follow this word, to humble.
Going back to the sign on the front of the church will be a scary thing for many. When God comes how many of us will find that we are in that surrendered place of saying," God, here I am, I have humbled my self, I have sought your face."Because soon the only thing that will be left for God to do is to come.
This will surely grab a hold of our attention unlike any other sign.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Behind the Salt Truck
Early this month we experienced a short, blast of a wintery mix of snow and rain. It happened on the day that I usually travel to my girl friend's house to work on our consulting business. When I left my home that morning the wintery mix had just begun, so the roads had not yet developed a coating of snow or ice.
When I arrived at my friend's house I realized that I had forgotten a folder that was imperative to our ability to compete the tasks that we had laid out for ourselves for that day. I would have to go back home to retrieve it. We usually work for about three hours, my absentmindedness and the increment weather would delay our start.
However, I knew if we were going to accomplish anything at all that day, I would need to go home to retrieve the folder. So I started to head back home. At this juncture in my life, I have come to trust and know that God will protect and keep me safe on the drive home, besides, he even gave me the opportunity to bless my friend's niece by dropping her off at work before I headed back toward my house for the folder.
By the time that I had dropped her niece off and obtained the folder the wintery mix had started to pick up and accumulate, so it took me a little longer to make my way back over to my friend's house. As I traveled to her house she called to make sure that I was ok.
I told her that it was indeed a little slippery, but it wasn't too bad and that I would soon be there. I live in a small development that is quite hilly. We are often one of the neighborhoods that is last to get plowed out during increment weather, so our roads are a little more slippery than most.
My travel back to my friend's house was slow and tedious, however I continued this journey safely behind the salt truck. It reminded me about what life is like when we are following Christ. Sometimes we see the things that God puts in our path as hinderances. We often forget that our paths of travel are intricately
orchestrated by God's hand. He often places things in our path that slows down our travels on what would other wise be a dangerous road.
The next time you are stuck in traffic, remember that God is the ultimate traffic controller.
When I arrived at my friend's house I realized that I had forgotten a folder that was imperative to our ability to compete the tasks that we had laid out for ourselves for that day. I would have to go back home to retrieve it. We usually work for about three hours, my absentmindedness and the increment weather would delay our start.
However, I knew if we were going to accomplish anything at all that day, I would need to go home to retrieve the folder. So I started to head back home. At this juncture in my life, I have come to trust and know that God will protect and keep me safe on the drive home, besides, he even gave me the opportunity to bless my friend's niece by dropping her off at work before I headed back toward my house for the folder.
By the time that I had dropped her niece off and obtained the folder the wintery mix had started to pick up and accumulate, so it took me a little longer to make my way back over to my friend's house. As I traveled to her house she called to make sure that I was ok.
I told her that it was indeed a little slippery, but it wasn't too bad and that I would soon be there. I live in a small development that is quite hilly. We are often one of the neighborhoods that is last to get plowed out during increment weather, so our roads are a little more slippery than most.
My travel back to my friend's house was slow and tedious, however I continued this journey safely behind the salt truck. It reminded me about what life is like when we are following Christ. Sometimes we see the things that God puts in our path as hinderances. We often forget that our paths of travel are intricately
orchestrated by God's hand. He often places things in our path that slows down our travels on what would other wise be a dangerous road.
The next time you are stuck in traffic, remember that God is the ultimate traffic controller.
Spiritual frumpiness
I have often thought that I am one of those individuals who suffer from sun deprivation during the dreary winter months. Now that I am home during the day I realize that there is some truth in this feeling.
I am typically a very active person, however, I truly dislike cold weather. I enjoy being inside and cuddled under my favorite blanket with my laptop close at hand during the cold weather months.
When I was working on a daily basis staying at home on a cold winter day was a luxury for me; my time at home was treasured. Now that I'm home daily I realized that I had fallen prey to another dangerous syndrome, it was a malady that slowly snuck up on me without me fully realizing what was occurring before my very eyes.
I had become a victim of physical frumpiness. I have always loved fashion and would rush to any event that would require wearing shoes, especially a stiletto. Lately my stilettos have remained in the back of the closet and my sweats and sneakers have become the new couture.
Because I have a network of girl friends who know me intimately they took notice in my change of appearance. They reminded me that I wasn't looking like the peppy Roe they came to know and love. Their concern left me thinking about the secondary symptoms of my newly acquired condition of physical frumpiness.
As I sat in my quiet spot having yet another dialogue with God about many of the issues that were consistently plaguing my family I realized that this condition of physical frumpiness had secondary symptoms that could be detrimental to my over all spiritual health.
Along with the desire to make sweatpants and sneakers a daily wardrobe staple came the ability to forget the power that God gives us when we pray and leave it at his feet. Even though I believed I was appropriately applying the the best treatment I knew, prayer, I was still bewildered over the nagging symptoms of depression that were over taking my continence and snuffing out my internal joy.
I had multiple maladies, I had developed a condition that needed immediate, emergency treatment. A good friend of mine who at this point in time was sent to me by God served as the EMT,invited me to an intercessory prayer meeting which she attended as a regular member.
By this time I realized that treatment needed to be found and the healing touch of praying women needed to be applied directly to the source of my ailing spirit.
The prescription that was written was scribed directly from the hand of God himself. Encouragement, along with the gift of discernment and prophesy began to relieve not some, but all of my nagging symptoms of spiritual frumpiness.
Ezekiel (37:1-14) speaks of how the hand of The Lord came upon him and he was brought out by the spirit of The Lord and he no longer inhibited the Valley of Dry Bones. "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live."
I had been cured of my malady, I no longer inhibited the "Valley of Dry Bones" God had sent a team of rescue workers who knew the prescription well and could liberally apply it to the areas of need.
A bad case of physical frumpiness has many cures, stilettos, a little makeup and forgoing a daily dose of sweat pants worked for me. However, spiritual frumpiness has only one cure: seek the presence of God, lay your burdens at his feet and know that you are healed and delivered.
I am typically a very active person, however, I truly dislike cold weather. I enjoy being inside and cuddled under my favorite blanket with my laptop close at hand during the cold weather months.
When I was working on a daily basis staying at home on a cold winter day was a luxury for me; my time at home was treasured. Now that I'm home daily I realized that I had fallen prey to another dangerous syndrome, it was a malady that slowly snuck up on me without me fully realizing what was occurring before my very eyes.
I had become a victim of physical frumpiness. I have always loved fashion and would rush to any event that would require wearing shoes, especially a stiletto. Lately my stilettos have remained in the back of the closet and my sweats and sneakers have become the new couture.
Because I have a network of girl friends who know me intimately they took notice in my change of appearance. They reminded me that I wasn't looking like the peppy Roe they came to know and love. Their concern left me thinking about the secondary symptoms of my newly acquired condition of physical frumpiness.
As I sat in my quiet spot having yet another dialogue with God about many of the issues that were consistently plaguing my family I realized that this condition of physical frumpiness had secondary symptoms that could be detrimental to my over all spiritual health.
Along with the desire to make sweatpants and sneakers a daily wardrobe staple came the ability to forget the power that God gives us when we pray and leave it at his feet. Even though I believed I was appropriately applying the the best treatment I knew, prayer, I was still bewildered over the nagging symptoms of depression that were over taking my continence and snuffing out my internal joy.
I had multiple maladies, I had developed a condition that needed immediate, emergency treatment. A good friend of mine who at this point in time was sent to me by God served as the EMT,invited me to an intercessory prayer meeting which she attended as a regular member.
By this time I realized that treatment needed to be found and the healing touch of praying women needed to be applied directly to the source of my ailing spirit.
The prescription that was written was scribed directly from the hand of God himself. Encouragement, along with the gift of discernment and prophesy began to relieve not some, but all of my nagging symptoms of spiritual frumpiness.
Ezekiel (37:1-14) speaks of how the hand of The Lord came upon him and he was brought out by the spirit of The Lord and he no longer inhibited the Valley of Dry Bones. "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live."
I had been cured of my malady, I no longer inhibited the "Valley of Dry Bones" God had sent a team of rescue workers who knew the prescription well and could liberally apply it to the areas of need.
A bad case of physical frumpiness has many cures, stilettos, a little makeup and forgoing a daily dose of sweat pants worked for me. However, spiritual frumpiness has only one cure: seek the presence of God, lay your burdens at his feet and know that you are healed and delivered.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Ribbons, Bobbles and Bows
Recently I was at Michael's arts and crafts store. I was there along with many other people trying to spot out the next great bargain on Christmas bobbles, bows and ribbons all in order to celebrate the birth of the most high and risen savior.
As I stood in line with my finds in front of me there was a woman and two small children. Both children looked to be under the age of ten. As they placed their items on the counter to be purchased they counted out the money that they had apparently earned for their purchases.
As each item was rung up I could see the expression on their faces. They seemed a little overwhelmed by the fact that they would have to use a great deal of their money in order to buy all the items that they desired.
As I stood watching this scene I remembered the extra coupon that I had acquired earlier that week on a previous purchase. Just as I
remembered the coupon I also remembered the scriptures that I had read many times that vividly described the crucifixion of Christ.
Beaten, and bruised for my sins Christ had given over his very life for me.
I walked up to the woman and handed her the coupon, she thanked me and told the children to thank me also.
There was a tiny sense of joy in knowing that I saved the children a few dollars. Again, my mind went back to the scriptures that depicted Christ's
crucification, I was reminded that I
was saved by His grace, mercy and sacrifice.
Our bobble, bows and ribbons can be counted as lost when we begin to think about the sacrifice of Christ; I thought about the momentary happiness of giving away the coupon and it reminded me of this.
When Jesus sees us in all our ribbons and bows of salvation he receives that same joy, except its eternal, it will never be put in a box and placed in the closet after the holiday is over, like we do our fancy wares of Christmas.
Today I celebrate in high style without the ribbons, bobbles and bows a Christ that is risen. Today I celebrate by remembering the blood, piercing pain and sacrifice of Christ, that's the fanciest part of Christmas, and I don't need a coupon it was all given to me for free.
As I stood in line with my finds in front of me there was a woman and two small children. Both children looked to be under the age of ten. As they placed their items on the counter to be purchased they counted out the money that they had apparently earned for their purchases.
As each item was rung up I could see the expression on their faces. They seemed a little overwhelmed by the fact that they would have to use a great deal of their money in order to buy all the items that they desired.
As I stood watching this scene I remembered the extra coupon that I had acquired earlier that week on a previous purchase. Just as I
remembered the coupon I also remembered the scriptures that I had read many times that vividly described the crucifixion of Christ.
Beaten, and bruised for my sins Christ had given over his very life for me.
I walked up to the woman and handed her the coupon, she thanked me and told the children to thank me also.
There was a tiny sense of joy in knowing that I saved the children a few dollars. Again, my mind went back to the scriptures that depicted Christ's
crucification, I was reminded that I
was saved by His grace, mercy and sacrifice.
Our bobble, bows and ribbons can be counted as lost when we begin to think about the sacrifice of Christ; I thought about the momentary happiness of giving away the coupon and it reminded me of this.
When Jesus sees us in all our ribbons and bows of salvation he receives that same joy, except its eternal, it will never be put in a box and placed in the closet after the holiday is over, like we do our fancy wares of Christmas.
Today I celebrate in high style without the ribbons, bobbles and bows a Christ that is risen. Today I celebrate by remembering the blood, piercing pain and sacrifice of Christ, that's the fanciest part of Christmas, and I don't need a coupon it was all given to me for free.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
A Box of Red Marbles
Today I had my first book signing for a book that I wrote about teaching special needs students. The book signing was held in one of my favorite bookstores. It's a quaint, historic building where there's always a diverse group of people who meet for poetry
reading and a great cup of chai.
Today I meet one of those unique, diverse individuals. As I sat greeting my friends and thanking them for their support I met a man named Phillip.
Phillip boldly introduced himself to me and at once told me that he had
Aspergers. I told him that I was glad to meet him.
He asked me several questions about my book and I shared with him about the students that I taught that also had
Aspergers. He shared with me about
some of the social issues that he faces as an adult with a disability.
I thanked him for sharing the most
Intimate details of his daily life with me.
Phillip stayed for most of the time during the book signing. He would mingle amongst the other people who were there for other events, however he would eventually find his way back to my table. We continued to talk about writing and the social aspects that come along with being an individual with Aspergers.
Phillip even stayed and helped me to fold the table cloth that I used for my
book display. He was an kind, gentle soul who had a servant's spirit.
Meeting Phillip today reminded me what so many of us have forgotten.
In the box of red marbles that one purple marble makes the whole box special.
Phillip you make the box of red marbles special, keep being the best purple marble you can be.
reading and a great cup of chai.
Today I meet one of those unique, diverse individuals. As I sat greeting my friends and thanking them for their support I met a man named Phillip.
Phillip boldly introduced himself to me and at once told me that he had
Aspergers. I told him that I was glad to meet him.
He asked me several questions about my book and I shared with him about the students that I taught that also had
Aspergers. He shared with me about
some of the social issues that he faces as an adult with a disability.
I thanked him for sharing the most
Intimate details of his daily life with me.
Phillip stayed for most of the time during the book signing. He would mingle amongst the other people who were there for other events, however he would eventually find his way back to my table. We continued to talk about writing and the social aspects that come along with being an individual with Aspergers.
Phillip even stayed and helped me to fold the table cloth that I used for my
book display. He was an kind, gentle soul who had a servant's spirit.
Meeting Phillip today reminded me what so many of us have forgotten.
In the box of red marbles that one purple marble makes the whole box special.
Phillip you make the box of red marbles special, keep being the best purple marble you can be.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
A Gathering Place
About a month ago I walked into the salon where I have been getting my hair done for the past several years. The proprietress of this shop has a style that not only brands her business, but brings women together for more than a modern coif.
The day that I walked into her salon I found myself gathered into a prayer circle with three other women which
Included the owner of the salon.
As we stood uplifting one of our spiritual sisters up in prayer I began to see the ministry that my stylist had created in her business. Over the years we have gathered in this small hair sanctuary where we have found encouragement, laughter and friendship.
Hair salons have been the topic makers for several movies; we have all cried during those touching scenes in
"The Steel Magnolia," and laughed at the antics depicted in Queen Latifah's "The Salon." Most women can relate to the social circles that can be found in the inter sanction of a hair salon. However, the place where I gather is much different than your ordinary hair salon; here is a place of ministry.
Here is where we can freely share our victories and our defeats. We can count on a Godly word mixed with some life experiences that we can gleam knowledge from.
This little shop is no ordinary place, here we can find a sense of self both externally and internally. It's a good gathering place, one that God has endorsed.
Where is your gathering place, is it a place that God frequents? Do you find Godly advice or gossip? Will you find a circle of prayer or a den of envy?
It's good to have a good gathering place.
The day that I walked into her salon I found myself gathered into a prayer circle with three other women which
Included the owner of the salon.
As we stood uplifting one of our spiritual sisters up in prayer I began to see the ministry that my stylist had created in her business. Over the years we have gathered in this small hair sanctuary where we have found encouragement, laughter and friendship.
Hair salons have been the topic makers for several movies; we have all cried during those touching scenes in
"The Steel Magnolia," and laughed at the antics depicted in Queen Latifah's "The Salon." Most women can relate to the social circles that can be found in the inter sanction of a hair salon. However, the place where I gather is much different than your ordinary hair salon; here is a place of ministry.
Here is where we can freely share our victories and our defeats. We can count on a Godly word mixed with some life experiences that we can gleam knowledge from.
This little shop is no ordinary place, here we can find a sense of self both externally and internally. It's a good gathering place, one that God has endorsed.
Where is your gathering place, is it a place that God frequents? Do you find Godly advice or gossip? Will you find a circle of prayer or a den of envy?
It's good to have a good gathering place.
My Passed Relatives Girl Friend
I have a good friend who has stuck closer than a sister. Almost two years ago my ninety five year old aunt became very ill and had to be relocated from Chicago to Harrisburg. This was a very difficult time for our family. Taking in an elderly relative can be an overwhelming task. However,
my girlfriend made the transition a much easier one.
She traveled with me to Chicago and helped me get my aunt settled back here in Harrisburg, once she was settled her and several other friends became my aunt's care takers.
During this transition, my girl friend brought me great comfort. Her nurturing spirit was a true gift from God. Most recently this nurturing spirit of hers was called into action again.
A week ago my older brother became quite ill and subsequently past away several days later. Having to travel from Harrisburg to Maryland alone was not something that I ventured on doing so soon after hurricane Sandy.
This is when my trusty friend put back on her cape of compassion and teamed tagged along with me for another trip for another relative.
Her companionship settled my spirits
and reminded me of the scripture Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." She had truly been a friend in my times of adversity. I thank the Lord for my "all weather" friend who
Is not just a traveling buddy but a
source of great comfort.
I pray that you have a "all weather"
friend that sticks closer than a sister. These individuals are far and in between, so I am blessed in the
Lord to have such a gift.
my girlfriend made the transition a much easier one.
She traveled with me to Chicago and helped me get my aunt settled back here in Harrisburg, once she was settled her and several other friends became my aunt's care takers.
During this transition, my girl friend brought me great comfort. Her nurturing spirit was a true gift from God. Most recently this nurturing spirit of hers was called into action again.
A week ago my older brother became quite ill and subsequently past away several days later. Having to travel from Harrisburg to Maryland alone was not something that I ventured on doing so soon after hurricane Sandy.
This is when my trusty friend put back on her cape of compassion and teamed tagged along with me for another trip for another relative.
Her companionship settled my spirits
and reminded me of the scripture Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." She had truly been a friend in my times of adversity. I thank the Lord for my "all weather" friend who
Is not just a traveling buddy but a
source of great comfort.
I pray that you have a "all weather"
friend that sticks closer than a sister. These individuals are far and in between, so I am blessed in the
Lord to have such a gift.
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