Gateways To Growth and Maturity Through the Life of Esther
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Blog revival needed
I really do miss sharing my thoughts on this blog. However, the limited number of followers hasn't seemed to warrant continuing it. Then several persons recently commented to me: "I haven't seen any new blogs from you for awhile. You're not quitting it, are you?"
Oh boy. What to do? I do try to publish two or three articles weekly on my column on www.examiner.com/western-religions-in-harrisburg and also on my General Education column on that site. Those sites are so different from the personal blogging though, that my personal writing itch would like a scratching now and then -- (like the pups' ears).
Speaking of writing. I'm so thrilled that one of my articles has been accepted for a Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and a second story has made it to the final round. I had previously been published in two of the Cup of Comfort series. Other than those submissions, I have not really written new stuff for the print markets. So this was a blessing.
If the canine kids knew that their capers were not being shared, I wonder how they'd feel? Neglected? Relieved? Hmm. Well, here goes. Daisy still scratches, in spite of all the stuff that's been tried to alleviate the problem. Hopefully, it will calm down in the colder weather. Mitzi continues to clean Daisy's eyes, and demand that I join her in a tug of war with one of her 10 ropes. When she's really happy, she performs her Bichon blitz.
Well, that's a brief update for the few friends who might check up on me. See ya' later!
Oh boy. What to do? I do try to publish two or three articles weekly on my column on www.examiner.com/western-religions-in-harrisburg and also on my General Education column on that site. Those sites are so different from the personal blogging though, that my personal writing itch would like a scratching now and then -- (like the pups' ears).
Speaking of writing. I'm so thrilled that one of my articles has been accepted for a Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and a second story has made it to the final round. I had previously been published in two of the Cup of Comfort series. Other than those submissions, I have not really written new stuff for the print markets. So this was a blessing.
If the canine kids knew that their capers were not being shared, I wonder how they'd feel? Neglected? Relieved? Hmm. Well, here goes. Daisy still scratches, in spite of all the stuff that's been tried to alleviate the problem. Hopefully, it will calm down in the colder weather. Mitzi continues to clean Daisy's eyes, and demand that I join her in a tug of war with one of her 10 ropes. When she's really happy, she performs her Bichon blitz.
Well, that's a brief update for the few friends who might check up on me. See ya' later!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
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"
Saturday, August 6, 2011
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
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
- See - Commit to it. Allow God to open your spiritual eyes.
- Hear – Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings.
- 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
Monday, May 16, 2011
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!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
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!
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!
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