Memory Lane

My Writer’s Journal has served as a “book of remembrance” that I open from time to time. I came across this entry today, which I had also published in my spring 1996 Newsletter. Walk down Memory Lane with me as you read:

“Lord, I never did like that sticky stuff! I wanted to be sure that Beau (my Dalmatian) didn’t strangle himself in the cord from the mini blind, so in my effort to move it, I got trapped in a strip of flypaper hanging from the ceiling. (Remember that stuff?) Now, that paper had hung there for a week and only caught three flies. How come it zapped me? There I was all dressed for church and wrapped in sticky, gooey stuff. I just couldn’t get it off my hands.

“Later, as I played my guitar for the worship service, a fly kept landing on my nose. I wonder why?”

 "You reminded me, Lord, that life sometimes gets “sticky.” We can get into situations that just won’t let go. But what I desire, Lord, is to get so close to You that You just can’t get me off Your hands. This road to intimacy with You began at the old gold chair on my knees in the dinky blue and white mobile home in the mountain. I was desperately crying out to You when You said, “I’ve been waiting to be gracious to you. I’ve heard your cry, and I’ll not hide from you any longer” (a word from Isaiah 30). That was the beginning of a wonderful romance. Thank You, Lord, for “sticking” by me.                                                                                                        Love, Penny"

Are you ready for a God moment?

We have “God moments” – called such because they are of God. God is in them. We are quickened. God’s breath is on our cheek. Time seems to stop, or at least stand still – for a profound moment. As recorded in Luke 2:32, Jesus was to be a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of His people Israel. Simeon was waiting for Light and Glory for Gentile and Jew.

Max Lucado writes in One Incredible Moment, “Simeon: the man who knew how to wait for the arrival of Christ. The way he waited for the first coming is a model for how we should wait for the Second Coming.” Simeon’s moment occurred 40 days after the birth of Jesus, according to the Law of Moses. The days of Mary’s purification were accomplished. The parents took their child from Bethlehem to the temple in Jerusalem, along with their sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons” (as prescribed in Leviticus). The Holy Ghost had spoken to Simeon before these events, according to Luke 2:26; and in the next verse we learn that when they came to the house of God it was customary to come with an offering. However, in verse 27 we see that there is another way to come. Simeon came “by the Spirit”. It was a God moment.
Anna had her God moment by confirming Simeon’s prophecy about the birth of Jesus. Mary, we learn, “kept all these things in her heart.” For Mary, it was one moment among many – and more to come. Simeon and Anna had waited for this moment – the arrival of Jesus – and it came; their God moment. We too, are waiting for the arrival of Jesus in His Second Coming. Simeon and Anna give us a formula for success:

How to Wait for His Arrival 

1. See - Commit to it. Allow God to open your spiritual eyes.
2. Hear – Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings.
3. Come – To the temple. He is within. Commune with Him. There is a way to wait and a way to come. Simeon had vision. He had already “seen” in His spirit

Simeon was just and devout Let this short lesson speak to your heart. True, we live in troubled times. The worst kind of vandalism is spiritual wreckage in a life. Guard against it. Be ready to sound an alarm. Do not allow Satan to steal your peace or your joy.

African congregation feels like home

It was a thrill to worship with an African congregation yesterday. We sang in Swahili and English and the sermon, which was delivered in English was interpreted into Swahili. I felt like I'd come home. Next week I will have the privilege to minister in this church, both in the Bible Class and the Morning Worship Service. I appreciate your prayers. The church is in Chelsea, Massachusetts. This opportunity came to me via the Cosgrove's. Bless them, Lord! They know my heart for Africa. I also would like you to pray for my African brother, John Kaoto and his church in Suna, Kenya, East Africa. When we visited the church in 2001, we left money for sorely needed buildings to house a latrine and cooking kitchen at the church property in the bush. This year the wind storms blew them over. Now the people have to use the bush, where there is the danger of poisonous snakes. Please pray for provision for this need -- and should the Lord move upon you to contribute, just contact me for the information. Blessings!

Keys to revelation

Check out my article at http://www.examiner.com/Harrisburg

Winter Woes

Dear Blog Readers -- if you are still out there

I've been delinquent in the matter of posting entries on you. But I do have a good reason. My responsibility of posting articles on examiner.com has been extremely time consuming. There has so much to learn, and my pea brain is not a rubber band. I've had to stretch and wrap my brain around procedures. In the midst of all this my computer developed a super belly ache. Now, it had been burping on and off for years, but with the help of a friend (bless you, Dave) we managed to de-burp it now and then. (I just about threw it over my shoulder a few times, but the Lord stopped me.) It had served me faithfully for 11 years. I decided it was time to partially retire it and invest in a newby. Now, a new adventure awaited -- getting used to a new 'puter with a different version of Windows. So here I am -- finally posting my woes.

As you may suspect, the posting on examiner site and the  'puter issues were not the only woes. We were spared from severe winter storms as far as snow is concerned; but the high winds and extremely cold temps were a problem. The skirting on the home went bye-byes with the winds. I was chasing skirting all over the place. Much of it is torn as a result -- and the home itself now looks naked without it's skirt. (Sort of like a woman's spindly legs without her skirt to cover!) But I'm safe, with walls and a roof, heat and electricity. I am indeed counting my blessings, especially when I view the Japan devestation. How we need to pray for those people.

Anyhow, I'm back. I'll try my best to tune in at least three times weekly. I hope you'll check me out on examiner.com/Harrisburg as well.

Blessings to you!

P.S. -- The crazy canine kids are still doing their capers!

Windy Woes

Some of the damages

We have experienced severe wind storms over the past several days. I was wondering if a tornado was on the way. Yesterday, the manufactured home in which I live suffered damages. The skirting on three of the four sides blew off completely. Many of the panels were torn. I chased them as they blew into the wooded area behind the home. I prayed that the siding would not be stripped as well. This is a major damage with which to cope. All of the under flooring is exposed. I'll post a photo when I have one. If this need comes to mind, please pray for a rapid resolution. Thank you!

...and the puppy plot thickens

Riley

Many of you are aware that Hershey's mommy is in a rehab setting after illness and subsequent surgery. So Hershey has two of us who are taking care of him. You also know that Mitzi and Daisy are with me most of the time. Today, a medical emergency arose, which left another little puddle jumper in need of a temporary home. His mommy is in the hospital. I had heard about it, and thought, well I can't help with this. My hands are full. The little guy was on his way to a kennel. He had never been in a kennel before. How much trouble could this little guy be? I couldn't stand it. I picked up the phone, made the call and said, "Let's give it a try for a few days and see if it can be worked out. So Riley is with Ruthie tonight and will be coming here tomorrow morning. (Pray for me.)    -- PS -- Riley did return home. Isn't he a cute little tyke?