Midweek Mirth

One of the misconceptions about being a Christian is non-Christians think we don’t know how to have fun or have a sense of humor. Trust me, if the Big Guy can have a sense of humor when it comes to dealing with us mere mortals, so can we.

The difference for Christians is we don’t have to debase ourselves or others to generate a smile. Laughter at life or ourselves is a gift from God.

Here’s this week’s edition of Midweek Mirth  … so let’s smile a little!

His Reason

A mother asked her small son what he would like for his birthday.

“I’d like a little brother,” the boy said.

“Oh my, that’s such a big wish,” said the mother. “Why do you want a little brother?”

“Well,” said the boy, “there’s only so much I can blame on the dog.”

… and now for the bonus …

The Announcement

One of the single girls from work came to the office one morning and began passing out candy bars all tied up with blue ribbons. When asked what the occasion was, she joyfully announced, “It’s a boy! Six feet tall, 200 pounds!” And then she proudly displayed a diamond solitaire on her left ring finger.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: As soap is to the body, so laughter is to the soul. — Jewish Proverb

Posted in midweek mirth | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Putting My Hand in God’s

A friend of mine from Maine Fellowship of Christian Writers recently dropped an interesting devotional, Putting My Hand in God’s … Living the Raphah Way by Yvonne Blake. I  call it “interesting” because it isn’t a devotional in the true sense of the word. It’s more of a self-reflection with Yvonne taking readers along her journey and challenging readers to self-reflect as well.

As she aptly explains in the Introduction, Raphah means to let go, to surrender, to be weak (in order to be healed).

Letting go , surrendering, and becoming weak to emphasize the strength of God is hard. Through autobiographical thoughts, Yvonne was able to trace the steps in the transformation — Honoring Your Creator, Saying “Yes, Lord”, Simply Trusting, Humbling Myself, Abiding in Him, Letting My {Your} Light Shine, Worshiping the King.

Although liberally sprinkled with appropriate Scripture {King James Version} for the lesson, the message is more personal, taken the perspective of a long-time {almost literally from birth} daughter of the King. She proves through her words, being a professed Christian is no guarantee of living as a Christian. It takes constant vigilance. It takes continual learning. It means recognizing the rocky times as lessons. It takes constant focus. It means keeping your eyes on the prize and not the journey.

There are no “ah ha” moments in her work. There are many moments when her self-evaluation illuminated a latent truth. This is the book’s biggest strength.

At the end of each reflection, Yvonne offers a “Pause To Ponder”. She turns her story in your story by asking for your views on the thought just presented. There is white space between each of the three questions for you to pen a note for yourself.

Yvonne summed up the book with her testimony. The last sentence says it all. “I still stumble, but I’m learning to live the raphah way.” I would add my own “Pause To Ponder”. “Are you?”

I recommend the book and give it five stars. It is available as a paperback or on Kindle.

Putting My Hand in God’s … Living the Raphah Way, Yvonne Blake, author; Paperback, 134 page; independently published (Aug. 11, 2020); English; ISBN-10: 107762444; ISBN-13: 978-1077624443; available at amazon.com/Putting-My-Hand-Gods-Living/dp/1077624441/; $6.50.

Kindle: File Size: 550 KB; Publication Date: Aug. 14, 2020; English; ASIN: B08FYXWXR7; Word Wise: Enabled; Screen Reader: Supported; Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled; Text-to-Speech: Not enabled; X-Ray: Not Enabled; Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1077624441; Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited; Lending: Enabled; available at amazon.com/Putting-My-Hand-Gods-Living-ebook/dp/B08FYXWXR7/; $3.50.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away. — David Viscott

 

Posted in Readin', Ritin' & Rithmetic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Nation’s Lighthouse

Our Words for the Week are from Charles F. Stanley.

Our country is like a large ship fighting through stormy waters in foggy weather. Spiritually and morally, we’ve lost our sense of direction. Sexual sins, greed, pride, indulgence, slothfulness, ungratefulness, and irreverence characterize our nation. Prayer and Bible reading are no longer allowed in schools, and it’s become legal to kill unborn babies. We are on our way to becoming a pagan nation where ungodly ideas and morals are not only accepted but celebrated. Our country is on a collision course with disaster.

Amidst the darkness of our age, the church is called to be like a lighthouse. In foggy weather or on dark nights, lighthouses warn ships of danger and help guide them safely through treacherous waters. Jesus said, You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).

Because you and I have the light of God’s Holy Spirit within us, we have a responsibility. We are to send out a beam of truth into the circle of our family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors.

Stanley is the founder of In Touch Ministries and a New York Times  best-selling author.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Train yourself to see the best in people.

Posted in words for the week | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Listening for God

Today’s devotional is from Martha Forsee.

When was the last time you heard from God?

Maybe you haven’t heard from Him because your ears have been deafened by the silence of loneliness, discouragement or exhaustion. Maybe God’s voice has been drowned out by the hum of too much noise from work, family, church, and friends. Perhaps you feel too childish — immature, clueless — to encounter God.

God cherishes our focused attention and waits for us to learn His voice. Then He waits for our invitation to speak into our lives. Be sure to spend time in the presence of God, ears open.

Maybe you feel lonely and discouraged. Maybe the noise of the world drowns out God’s still, small voice. But if you take the time to be still and listen, really listen, in the silence, you’ll hear Yahweh speak your name. Your response can be a simple and childlike invitation, “Speak, for your servant is listening, “

Forsee provides devotionals for Noblesville (IN) Pilgrim Holiness Church from the Promises for Life for Women series.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: God may never give you clarity, all you can do is trust. — Mother Teresa

Posted in Sunday sermonette | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Prayer Call …

As we build this community prayer platform, we ask the Lord to listen to our petitions with full confidence they not only are heard but acted upon by God according to His holy will. These requests are on my prayer list and I hope you consider putting them on yours as you place your petitions before the Lord Sunday.

Approach the throne room and respond with faith and not fear, knowing the promises of God and His mighty hand will hold us through any situation! Sometimes, all it takes is just one prayer to change everything. Something extraordinary happens when two or more agree together in prayer.

What is one of the most important things we should do as Christians? Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18).

And, so, Lord, we come to You with our petitions, knowing and expecting Your will to be done.

Thoughts and prayers to all worldwide suffering from the consequences of coronavirus flu – and all other strains. Many – many – of the prayer requests are covid-19 related … people diagnosed … people sick … people dying … relatives worried and isolated. We are in this together – in prayer!

Please keep the victims of household abuse in your prayers. Whether it be physical, emotional, sexual or neglect, this time in particular is very horrifying for them to be trapped in a house with their abuser(s) and not being able to escape.

We also need to pray for colorblind peace. Racism will remain a plague until we stop looking at people as black and white, but as human beings created by the same Creator. We pray for new eyes, calmer heads, and softer hearts. 

Special prayer requests have been made for orphanages in Kenya, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and right here in the United States. The need is real.

There were also quite a few requests for students and the new school year. We ask, Lord, You bless the students, teachers, and administrators as they face new learning/teaching challenges this year. Keep them safe.

Financial issues were also high on the prayer lists with millions still out of work. Sustain those who are hurting financially. Give us and them our daily bread.

Natural disasters continue. Keep those in the path of fires and storms safe and focused on You, Lord.

Keep Andrew in your prayers as he continues to fight the fight. He contacted me the other day. “Things went south real hard today, and I need your prayers. Pain went off the scale, and other things, and I am very, very scared.” Prayers. Prayers. Prayers.

Six month old Francesca was diagnosed with an extremely rare and very aggressive rhabdoid brain tumor this week. The family is looking at any and all treatments right now, including experimental. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.

Aaron is recovering from gallbladder surgery. Prayers requested.

Please pray for James who will be going under the knife.

Please pray Viviane’s neuropathy does not get any worse and she will be able to continue to walk.

Bertie prays the medication for fibromyalgia is effective and asks you pray as well.

Edward has been diagnosed with stomach cancer and would appreciate prayers.

Catherine was hit yesterday by a truck when leaving her subdivision. She is in very serious condition. Doctors removed her spleen, an ovary, and inches of her colon. She also fractured her pelvis and clavicle and damaged her vertebrae. She is 19 years old. Please be in prayer for her and the family.

James has developed a blood clot in his leg which has postponed a scheduled colon surgery. Prayers requested.

Charlie is recovering from back surgery and has requested prayers.

Pam was hospitalized with numbness in her arm. Prayers requested.

John is asking for prayer to have his kidney and liver functions restored naturally and for his vision to return.

Elaine has a collapsed lung with pneumonia. Prayers requested.

Sheila asks for prayers. She fell against some rocks a week ago and has injured her left knee.

Please join in prayer for Adrianna who has blood clots in her body and is in the hospital.

Please pray for Sanjay who has been suffering from digestion and weakness problems for the last six months.

Please pray for Raian’s healing and to allow his lungs to get back to functionally normal with no shortness of breath.

Prayers requested for Stephanie who just had breast surgery for cancer /

Emmanuel is undergoing chemotherapy and requests prayer.

Amelia is suffering from a rare condition and could use prayers.

Kindly pray for Shalini. She has kidney failure and breathing problems, high blood pressure, shouts a lot, and has lost her health completely. She is only skin and bones

Elizabeth’s eyes hurt. There is pulling and shifting out of place and dryness in her eyes. Prayers requested.

Please pray for Bill who has herniated disks in neck and back and is in a lot of pain.

Aboli needs healing from blood pressure problems, bulging disc, acid reflux, and asthma. Prayers requested.

Please pray for Christopher that he may recover from his surgery.

Pray Peter gets urgent treatment for prostate cancer in time to save his life.

Please pray for Philip’s broken femur to heal completely.

Please continue to pray for Ann’s complete healing of sepsis and surgery. She is making progress, thank you God.

There were a host of unspoken prayer requests and we heard of a number of deaths this week. Prayers for their families as they go through this earthly trial. We grieve … heaven rejoices.

We come to You, Lord, because prayer is the least yet the greatest thing we can do for each other. When two or more are gathered in Your name, we confidently know You are with us. What better company can we have? You reign and we trust You! We may be broken and battered but know You heal and quiet the soul. You are the source for all that happens in our lives. We thank You for the progress being made. We thank You for the many blessings we have received this week. Some we unfortunately didn’t notice. Nonetheless, those blessings are ever-present in our lives. We thank You for healing. We thank You for slowing us down. We thank You for providing us our daily needs — no more and no less. We thank You for being with us, listening to us, walking with us on this journey. We thank You for the support of our family and friends … for seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary — sunrises, sunsets, flowers, kids laughing, adventures, good news amid the bad news. We know we can come to You with our concerns and they will be heard. Through Christ all things are possible. We lift up those family members and friends who are battling various physical, emotional, financial, career or spiritual issues and ask not for Your guidance and healing (although that would be welcomed) but to keep reminding us we are not alone in our battles. Specifically we lift up Andrew, Francesca, Aaron, James, Viviane, Bertie, Edward, Catherine, James, Charlie, Pam, John, Elaine, Sheila, Adrianna, Sanjay, Raian, Stephanie, Emmanuel, Amelia, Shalini, Elizabeth, Bill, Aboli, Christopher, Peter, Philip, Ann, and all those needing Your healing and guiding touch. We pray for the families of all those You have called home. We grieve … You celebrate. We pray for obedience to Your Will so Your “Son” Light shines through us through the power of the Spirit. And we come to You through the confidence of the words taught by Your Son Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Keep your joys and concerns coming. They have been and will be included during my prayer time and I trust they will be on your lips as well as you approach the altar. All it takes is a couple of keystrokes under the “Contact Me” button on the top bar {or to the right if you’re not a follower yet}. I hope it becomes your best friend as you navigate around the site so we can all be viable prayer warriors. You can also comment or reach me at wisdomfromafather@gmail.com.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: And so I urge you: carry on an ongoing conversation with God about the daily stuff of life, a little like Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. For now, do not worry about “proper” praying, just talk to God. — Richard J. Foster

Posted in Prayer-Care-Share | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Five Minute Friday — Could

Happy Five Minute Friday time.

The assignment this week was, quite frankly, challenging. The FMF prompt is COULD, but I was led to the past before trying to redeem myself with a positive message. My mind certainly wandered in different directions before I was able to herd my thoughts into a coherent five minutes. It was quite a challenge.

I wonder if my fellow FMF writers at fiveminutefriday.com had the same challenge. After this post, I’ll take a peek at the offerings from my writing soulmates. It’s always exciting — and often informative — to see how my fellow FMF friends develop their thoughts in a variety of different genres.

I’ve been sharing snippets taken from Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Minutes Flat compiled by Susan Shipe. They are a testament to the value of the exercise. This week, I’ll share some perspective from Debbie G. who I hope inspires you to check us out.

“FMF has helped me overcome my publish-button-phobia. Publish-button-phobia is the fear of hitting the publish button. It usually affects type A personalities like this gal right here. I believe FMF has helped me with this because of its format of freestyle writing for five minutes with no or little editing. FMF has helped me be more creative as a simply ‘speak’ from my heart and enjoy the writing process. At my little place in bloggy land I call it — Five Minute Friday Fun. That’s with the emphasis on FUN.”

If you get a chance, stop by the Community section at our spot. Or, better yet, try your hand at focused, unscripted writing for just five minutes. And share it on the Facebook site.

But for now, the timer is set for five minutes, so let’s see what we’ll come up with. GO …

Coulda. Woulda. Shoulda. Three road signposts on the road to regret.

We have all experienced the self doubt. I coulda done that … but I didn’t. I woulda done that … but I didn’t. I shoulda done that … but I didn’t

No. I would rather park the Regret Road signs in the garage of my memory and live each day, each minute in the present. I might reflect on missed opportunities but only to form a new plan in the moment.

Going back to the coulda’s, woulda’s, shoulda’s doesn’t help direct the future. They are encumbrances that rob you of the beauty of now — right now.

I coulda had a different reaction. Okay, recognize it to have a different reaction — today.

I woulda not have gone down that path. Okay, recognize it when faced with a similar choice and make the choice based … STOP

on today.

I shoulda spent more time with … Okay, right now spend time with God, your family, your friends. Reach out just to say “I’m thinking about you.”

The mantra in this moment is I can {present tense} … I will {present tense} … I shall (present tense}. Seize the day!

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make. — Jane Goodall

 

Posted in Five Minute Friday | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

What Day Is This?

This has been a strange week. Okay, it’s pretty much been a strange year, but this week has been especially challenging. No, it isn’t because everything was disjointed — that was  last week. I can’t put my finger on it, but many, many times this week, I had  to stop to try and figure out what day it is.

That’s not unusual for a week that starts with a federal holiday. That extra day off sort of throws the whole week off. I expected that when Monday felt like Sunday and Tuesday felt like Monday. Only Tuesday felt more like Wednesday; today feels like Friday. Even last Sunday felt more like Saturday. The only thing I do know is it’s a “day”.

The virus, especially during the lockdowns, didn’t help and perhaps exasperated our daily day of the week recognition. Days blended together. Often I didn’t know if I was eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I would say the blur between sleepwear and daywear was an issue but since I like to nap, either wear was appropriate.

Early during the pandemic, I started adding a tag “Today is …” and fillied in the blanks with the appropriate day and date to my good morning message to the family. I know they appreciate {I still do} it, but to be honest, it was/is more for my benefit than theirs.

It is Thursnesmonurday, Septoriluarber 123, right?

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Oh, the grace of another day.

Posted in life & love | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Midweek Mirth

One of the misconceptions about being a Christian is non-Christians think we don’t know how to have fun or have a sense of humor. Trust me, if the Big Guy can have a sense of humor when it comes to dealing with us mere mortals, so can we.

The difference for Christians is we don’t have to debase ourselves or others to generate a smile. Laughter at life or ourselves is a gift from God.

Here’s this week’s edition of Midweek Mirth  … so let’s smile a little!

The Well-Wisher

A retired man who volunteers to entertain patients in nursing homes and hospitals went to one local hospital in Brooklyn and took his portable keyboard along. He told some jokes and sang some funny songs at patients’ bedsides. When he finished he said, in farewell, “I hope you get better.”

One elderly gentleman replied, “I hope you get better, too.”

… And now for the bonus …

Family Tradition

At the beginning of the school year, one seventh grader was reflecting on his chance at being the eighth grade valedictorian. He said his dad was valedictorian, his mom was valedictorian, and his sister was also valedictorian. He paused, leaned back in his chair and said, “Looks like the end of an era!”

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: The person who can bring the spirit of laughter into a room is indeed blessed. – Bennett Cerf

Posted in midweek mirth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Gift for You

My Name Is Sam … and Heaven Is Still Shining Through — the audio version — has been released for a couple of weeks and has already made a splash. However, I hadn’t had a chance to listen to the entire 4:31 reading by narrator Kristen Kopp until this weekend on a round trip from Maine to Massachusetts. I’ll tell you. I had listened to blurbs during the production process, but I was blown away at final project — and I knew the plot and storyline!

Readers have commented the book was like sitting down over a cup of coffee {some suggested a glass of wine} and talking with an old friend. That, of course, was the intent.

Listeners, I think, will be equally entertained, despite the occasional Canadian rendition of some words over Jersey speak. As the author I stitched the words, sentences, and scenes together. As the narrator Kristen brought them to life.

I can’t honestly review the audiobook. I might be a little biased. But in all honesty, this was the best audiobook I’ve listened to, based on one of  the best stories I’ve read in a long, long time. I  slowed down to squeeze in another on the road chapter. I laughed, thinking to myself, did I really write that? I choked back tears as Sam faced unexpected challenges and disappointments. I couldn’t stop the tears during some of the other somber scenes.

Those were the emotions that welled  up when I wrote the book. Those were the emotions every time I rewrote, edited, and read the manuscript. And those were emotions that surfaced as Kristen put a voice to Samantha’s journey.

While I don’t feel comfortable critiquing my own work, I welcome your thoughts. If you have Audible and an extra credit, I would be honored if you used it and posted a review — good or bad {I would prefer good, but I do have broad shoulders as long as the evaluation is  honest} If you don’t have Audible or an extra credit, send me a comment or e-mail me a request. I will supply a link for a download to the first five petitioners. You may be asked to sign up for an introductory free trial by Audible. The same review caveat applies.

I have to add, chances are you won’t like the book — in any version — if you are a squeaky clean, always living in the Light Christian. I never intended to preach to the choir. There are a few colloquialisms and off color comments sprinkled in the book. I haven’t counted them {it’s a subjective count} but I would say less than a baker’s dozen,and always appropriate for the scene or conversation. And there is some sex, albeit — I hope — tastefully depicted.

I wanted the characters to be real, warts and all as they say. I wanted non-Christian readers to be able to enjoy the story while perhaps getting a subliminal and uplifting Christian message nestled in the background. I wanted them to see the bruises and bumps we get as we take over our lives from the Lord. I wanted them to see a practical way to hang on to an Anchor. Sometimes it get slippery. I wanted them to see through everything, God loves us and walks with us and carries us and comforts us — just as a friend.

I wanted Christian readers to see themselves and their struggles as well, and affirm that same message of forgiveness and love.

The audiobook does that in another venue. I hope you agree.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. — Melody Beattie.

Posted in Readin', Ritin' & Rithmetic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is Prayer Enough?

Our thought for today’s Words for the Week are from Janice Lyons.

Is Prayer Enough?

If all I do is pray for you,
Can God’s work be done?
If I am not His hands and feet,
Can the world be won?

Faith must be put into action,
Breathing life and spirit;
Can God’s will be truly done,
If I only hear it?

Lyons is a coordinator in the Department of Psychiatry at East Tennessee State University.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Let your “yes” be “yes” and your “no” be “no.” Period!

Posted in words for the week | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments