Would You Do the Same?

Posted on June 28, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

Our reflection today is from Perry Mullins.

[God] said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” — Genesis 22:2

The story of the sacrifice of Isaac is one of the hardest in the Bible for me to read, especially now that I have a son of my own. The thought God would ask Abraham to murder his son as a test is horrific. How spiritually and psychologically scarred would Abraham have been by this — or Isaac?

When we read the New Testament, we find another story of a Son being sacrificed, Jesus. And His Father is so distraught darkness covers the land and the earth quakes; the curtain of the temple is torn in two.

God has first given everything for us. God asks for no more than God has already offered.

Moving Forward: God doesn’t ask you for a burnt offering but a living sacrifice. What can you give to God that you have been holding back?

Mullins is rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in McKinney, TX. Father to Lucas and husband to Sarah, Perry enjoys cooking and being outside with his family. This reflection appeared in the popular daily devotional Forward Day by Day, which provides daily meditations based on scripture readings appointed by the lectionary and Daily Office from the Forward Movement, a ministry of the Episcopal Church, to counter a period of anxiety, distrust, and decline in the Episcopal Church with a “forward movement” charged to “reinvigorate the life of the church and to rehabilitate its general, diocesan, and parochial work.” Forward Day by Day is published in English, Spanish, large print, audio cassette, and Braille editions, and the daily meditation is available online. Since 1935, the Forward Movement has produced pamphlets, booklets, and books on such topics as prayer, liturgy, pastoral concerns, evangelism, stewardship, church history, and introductions to Anglicanism and the Episcopal Church. You can view all publications on their website, or request a catalog by writing to Forward Movement, 412 Sycamore St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. You may also call (800) 543-1813. For this new age, the Forward Movement is offering e-books, other digital resources, and smartphone apps. Just as pamphlets were cutting-edge in 1934, they are always changing to meet the needs of our day. If you have a suggestion for a new product, publication, or service, they are always glad to hear from you. Eight full-time and several part-time staff in Forward Movement’s offices in downtown Cincinnati edit and design the publications, market them, fill orders, and respond to the diverse concerns of those who call and write with comments and questions. It welcomes suggestions from congregations and readers on how they can be of more use and offer better service. Contact with comments, questions, or concerns at (800) 543-1813 or orders@forwardmovement.org. Forward Movement receives no subsidy from the Episcopal Church and operates with a balanced budget. Click here to donate to its ministry and mission. You can also follow us online on Facebook and Twitter.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: It’s not what we have in life, but who we have in our lives that matters.

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Hear Our Prayers …

Posted on June 27, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

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. 

Scott needs prayers. He his back at Cleveland Clinic with liver problems and facing stints in the bio ducts to remove all the waste and poison to a bag. Long term, he faces surgery to scrape scar tissue to avoid additional blockages.

Joe was admitted to the hospital with a severe hand infection and sepsis.  He burned his had very bad awhile ago and developed a bad infection. He may lose his pinky finger and may also develop kidney failure from the sepsis.  Prayers for healing are needed.

Brian seeks prayers for ongoing illnesses that are sapping his strength.

Andrew continues to struggle. Yet he continues to battle through prayer – and a sense of humor.

Prayers appreciated for Rafael. He was hospitalized with a complete blockage and will be getting a triple bypass soon.

Please pray for Bailey who is in the hospital with a very serious blood infection.

Please continue to pray for Angela, who went for an MRI and other diagnostic tests to learn why her crossed eyes keep getting worse.

Keep Ann in your prayers. Her lymphoma has returned after spending a month in hospital last December having her immune system destroyed by chemo coupled with a bone marrow transplant.

James was in an accident today, suffering a broken neck which has paralyzed him. The doctor said he has few days to live.

Carol is in need of some prayer. She has been in bed since last Saturday and can’t keep anything down but liquids. Don’t know if it’s her gallbladder,  cancer or some sort of infection.

Morgan’s blood pressure has been high the past two days so the family is headed to the hospital to get some bloodwork done to determine if they will have a baby this weekend or wait until Tuesday. Please say a prayer for Morgan, Josh, and Emma Grace.

Joshua is about to have a minor surgery on his droopy eyelid. Pray for a safe and successful surgery, and speedy recovery!

Guy asks us to pray with him so he doesn’t lose his home.

Please pray for safety, protection, and provision as Maryann and family travel across the country for a new job.

Prayers requested for Carole who has neck and spine issues.

Matt has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Prayers requested.

Please pray for Jim. He fell last night and was very pale after he stood up. The family is worried it might have been a mini stroke.

Prayers asked for Cida who has been diagnosed with cancer.

Angelito is requesting healing prayers for his sciatica and cervical slipped disc.

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 Scott, Joe, Andrew, Rafael, Bailey, Angela, Ann, James, Carol, Morgan, Joshua, Guy, Maryann, Carole, Matt, Jim, Cito, Angelito, 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: Do not forget that the value and interest of life is not so much to do conspicuous things … as to do ordinary things with the perception of their enormous value. — Teilhard de Chardin

 

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Five Minute Friday — Compromise

Posted on June 26, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

What a strange week. But I am managing to publish a Five Minute Friday post. I’ll link at Kate’s place in the Community section on Facebook at  fiveminutefriday.com and scan through the incredible work of my fellow writers. As I always say, you should try it as well — both writing and contributing or at least visiting the sites of this talented crew.

I’ve also been sharing other takes on the value of the exercise, taken from snippets found in Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Minutes Flat, compiled by Susan Shipe as an added inducement to join in. Here’s Catherine’s take.

“Five Minute Friday is so much fun!! But more than that, it inspires me write words that otherwise wouldn’t have been written.”

The timer is set for the prompt, COMPROMISE. GO …

If you’ve ever been married or participated in a team project, you know the value of compromise. You quickly learn your point of view (POV) is not necessarily the same as your souse’s or colleagues’. Our experiences vary. Our history varies. You learn you have to give a little here, take a little there and, most importantly, work together for the common good. Things rarely are black or white, but shades of gray and a whole palette of colors.

That’s why it i so important to keep the whole  picture — the ultimate goal — in full view.

Theology is the same. Our goal is to get to heaven. That’s why we were created. While there are some basic, immutable truths — the what — there are a host of ways and means — the hows. As Christians, no one would argue Jesus is the Way, yet we often get bogged down the the hows. Catholics and Protestants have … STOP

… different paths. Mainline and charismatics journey down different roads. Small, rural churches might disagree with methods employed at megachurches. Even our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters have points of view to consider. And anyone who has served on a church board knows the color of the carpet or choir robes can overshadow the mission.

No one argues our sinful starting point nor our ultimate ending point — being reunited with God — but there is a whole lot of compromising to go through along the way — not compromising Truth, but compromising the peripherals. We have a map — the bible — but there are a zillion interpretations. It’s important to recognize those interpretation, where they came from, how they were developed. And the way we do that is to start by listening, opening hearts to discernment, and focusing on the ultimate goal.

We don’t live in a vacuum. We live in fellowship with the world — each member with its history, culture, experiences. We need to embrace those. We need to understand them. We have to approach change not with an “I’m right … you’re wrong” attitude but the recognition we’re both a little right and we’re both a little wrong. If we can honestly come from that point, I’m pretty sure we can find we have a lot more in common than we think and focus on that. It’s called compromise.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Have a mind that is open to everything and attached to nothing.

 

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The Way Life Should Be

Posted on June 25, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

Just about nine months ago to the day, I peacefully approached the Piscataqua River Bridge — Maine’s southern border with New Hampshire — at dusk. The clouds were replaced by a relatively clear sky with pale oranges and yellows on the horizon and ribbons of pastel pink tinting the few clouds. I was leaving my adopted home state of four years for what I was sure would be my last time. I was okay with that.

Truly, the decision to not renew my lease in Dover-Foxcroft was with mixed emotions. But I heard Karen last fall. “It’s time to go. Live your life. Visit the kids/grandkids/great-grandkids.” And so we packed up and hit the road — both of us.

It has been an adventure, zig zagging across the country to visit all five kids and their families in five states — Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Kentucky, and South Carolina — from October through the end of 2019. I had intended to hug the east coast for a Route 1/Atlantic Ocean tour during 2020, stretching from Key West, FL, to Fort Kent, ME. A little thing like a budget got in the way {and in retrospect saved me from traveling nightmares due to the coronavirus}, so I decided to reverse my path — with a couple of stops in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut for one nighters with other family and friends — and ending in Massachusetts since I did have a routine doctor’s appointment and a pair of pulpit supply assignments in late February in Maine. After that, I figured we {can’t forget Angelina in the equation} would be moving in permanently with my oldest son in Bowling Green, KY.

That was the plan — from someone who doesn’t regularly rely on formal planning.

Before I decided to not renew my lease at The Mill, I did fill out an application for a senior living complex in Dexter, about 10 miles from my apartment in Dover-Foxcroft. I hadn’t heard anything — I mean, absolutely nothing — when I decided on my adventure. Lo and behold, the complex owner contacted me in early February about a vacancy, and since I was in the neighborhood in late February, I looked at it and the wheels started turning. She explained I was No. 2 on the waiting list and another person was looking at the apartment as well. She would have first right, although she was already in a lease and no one was sure if she could get out of it. That’s why I got the call. I explained my plans and told her it would probably be April before I could get everything in place. A couple of days later she called to tell me the apartment was no longer available, but if I was interested, the next vacancy was mine.

I told her to keep be apprised and continued with my journey. I revisited the kids/grandkids/great-grandkids in Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio. Three days into my stop in Kentucky, I got the call an apartment was waiting for me with the caveat we were at the mercy of the virus. I was sequestered in Kentucky and Maine’s governor all but shut down that state. The woman vacating her apartment couldn’t leave … and neither could I. But we stayed in touch, filed the appropriate paperwork, and waited … and waited … and waited. Eighty-three days.

My predecessor in the apartment finally got cleared to leave. The apartment has been cleaned and refurbished with fresh paint. So, next stop is in Massachusetts to pick up my grandson(s) in Massachusetts, load up the buggy, and move in July 1 or 2. 

My kids are not particularly pleased about the move. They each tried to lobby me to either stay with them or get an apartment near them. I love them dearly. I enjoy visiting with them and the grands and great-grands. But I’m ready for some routine in my life again. I miss seeing my wife sharing life with me from her urn {She’s been pretty much resting quietly in the back cargo area of the SUV}.  I can’t wait to “hear” her voice. “Put the couch over there.” “No, change that. Put it on the other wall and the television over there.” “Don’t get new furniture. Old stuff — our stuff — would fit in better.” “You need to get a rug. “Don’t forget the Precious Moment collection.” “And accessories.” “Don’t forget” plates and knives and forks and spoons and kitchen utensils … and food … and cleaning supplies {who would have thought of those?} … and shower curtains … and towels and wash cloths … and … and … and … It was like starting a new life! Oh, wait. We are … again.

And there is no place like Maine — The Way Life Should Be.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most. — Buddha

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Midweek Mirth

Posted on June 24, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

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!

Leaving Home

While putting her four year old daughter to bed one evening, a mother read her the story of the prodigal son. They discussed how the young son had taken his inheritance and left home, living it up until he had nothing left. Finally, when he couldn’t even eat as well as pigs, he went home to his father, who welcomed him.

When they finished the story, mom asked her daughter what she had learned. After thinking a moment, she quipped, “Never leave home without your credit card!”

 Lest we forget to laugh, here is this week’s bonus …

Shorts

I need to practice social-distancing from the refrigerator.

Wearing a mask inside your home is now highly recommended. Not so much to stop COVID-19, but to stop eating.

I hope they give us two weeks’ notice before sending us back out into the real world. I think we’ll all need the time to become ourselves again. And by “ourselves” I mean lose 10 pounds and cut our hair.

I stepped on my scale this morning. It said: “Please practice social distancing. Only one person at a time on scale.”

Not to brag, but I haven’t been late to anything in over six weeks.

You know those car commercials where there’s only one vehicle on the road? That hasn’t seemed so unrealistic recently.

The dumbest thing I’ve ever bought was a 2020 planner.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: And keep a sense of humor. It doesn’t mean you have to tell jokes. If you can’t think of anything else, when you’re my age, take off your clothes and walk in front of a mirror. I guarantee you’ll get a laugh. – Art Linkletter

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Letters from the Earth

Posted on June 23, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

Fellow Higher Ground Books & Media author Nancy Flinchbaugh came up with an intriguing concept for a book. Since I was planning a road trip from Ohio to upstate New York, I decided to load the audio version of Letters from the Earth.

In May 2015, the Earth “wrote” her a letter and told her to start a blog! Since then, she received more periodic letters from the Earth which encouraged, uplifted, and challenged her. The messages provided a fresh voice of Gaia/God, who calls her — and us — to slow down and take time to appreciate the miraculous nature of all, and to awaken to needed changes to avoid environmental destruction. While I don’t personally share her ecological doomsday passion, I do agree we all have a role to play as we strive for proper stewardship of the earth.

I did like the format. Each of the 24 letters in the book was preceded by the circumstances of the day — concerning a garden party; about darkness in winter; at the beach; encouraging her to continue listening; and about a walk in the arboretum, for example. These established the back story for Earth’s letters and Nancy’s response. It was a nice blend.

Nancy’s words — from the messages she received to her response — flow freely with emotion. You can sense her passion without getting hit over the head with it. You can easily recognize her deep relationships with family, friends and Mother Earth, giving you, as a reader, a similar relationship with people and places you do not personally know. Through Nancy, you become vested in them.

The only negative I found — and this is not her fault as much as the medium (audiobook) — was many of the responses blended together. After awhile, the audiobook became white noise in the background while driving. {Actually, that a common complaint I have about audiobooks in general.} I suspect an actual book in hand might remedy this.

Nancy Flinchbaugh writes as a spiritual practice, which led to writing two novels, Revelation in the Cave (2012) and Revelation at the Labyrinth (2017). Revelation in the Roots is coming soon! Born in Dayton, OH, she graduated from Otterbein College and later attended the University of Texas at San Antonio for her master’s degree. She has worked for local government coordinating mediation, fair housing and intercultural programming since 1994. She completed a contemplative leadership course with the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, leads contemplative retreats and groups and is a certified labyrinth facilitator with Veriditas Labyrinth organization. She lives in Springfield, OH, with her husband, Steve, and cat, Emily Rose. You can find Nancy on her websites at spiritualseedlings.com, where the fictional MAMs {Magnificent and Marvelous} comment on books read by the real-life MAMs Book Club Springfield; on nancyflinchbaugh.com; and on her author Facebook page at Nancy Flinchbaugh, Author.

You can buy the paperback on Amazon or from Higher Ground Books and Media for $10.99 at either site. It is also available on Kindle for $3.99 or Kindle unlimited for free; and as an audiobook from Amazon for $10.47 or one credit. The book is also available from the author for $10 (including tax)  with free local delivery, but shipping charges for out of town delivery. E-mail Nancy at nancyflinchbaugh@gmail.com.

Letters From the Earth: (audiobook), Nancy Flinchbaugh, author; Syrena Harris, narrator; Publisher: Higher Ground Books & Media (Nov. 1, 2019); $10.47 or 1 credit; Listening Length, 3 hours and 41 minutes; Unabridged; English; ASIN, B07ZTGGNHP.

Paperback: 159 pages, $10.99 (Prime); Publisher: Higher Ground Books & Media, $10.99 (Sept. 10, 2018); English; ISBN-10: 1949798038; ISBN-13: 978-1949798036.

Kindle: $3.99 (free on Kindle Unlimited); File Size: 8598 KB; Publisher: Higher Ground Books & Media (Sept. 9, 2018); Sold by Amazon.com Services; English; ASIN: B07H7TVZ5G; Text-to-Speech: Enabled;  X-Ray: Not Enabled; Word Wise: Not Enabled; Lending: Enabled; Screen Reader: Supported;  Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Your beliefs don’t make you a better person, your behavior does.

 

 

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Reaching Upwards

Posted on June 22, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

Our Words for the Week come from Dick Innes.

Like the trees of the forest,
may you find nourishment
in rain as well as sunshine,
Bend with the winds of misfortune
without breaking;
Give of yourself to others
to provide shade from the blistering heat,
Grow old gracefully and not
become rigid or unbending;
and above all
May you keep reaching ever upwards
towards heaven and to God.

– Dick Innes © Copyright

Innes, founder and international director of ACTS International, commenced the literature outreach ministry of ACTS in 1968. He also works part time as webmaster of Narramore Christian Foundation (NCF), a Christian mental health organization located in the Los Angeles area, and was for several years editor of the NCF Psychology for Living magazine.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Tomorrow is a new day.
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A 21st Century Pentecost

Posted on June 21, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

Our reflection today is from Billy Wilson.

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2 changed the church, and the church changed the world. The same has happened since the renewal of Pentecostal experience 100 years ago. Six hundred fourteen million people, or over 30% of all adherents to Christianity, are now Spirit Empowered (Charismatic/Pentecostal) according to the most recent Pew Forum survey.

Growth rates in this Empowered movement between 1910-2010 were nearly four times the growth rate of Christianity and the world’s population. Harvey Cox, a Harvard University professor, says Spirit Empowered Christianity is “the fastest growing Christian movement on earth.”

The immediate presence of God is longed for by this generation. As we face world problems and overwhelming human difficulties, God’s power will sustain us. Not only can we survive these tumultuous days on planet earth, we can be empowered to help others find the comfort we know in Him.

First Samuel 3 gives an account of Samuel’s calling. The high priest Eli was old. His eyes were growing dim and his spiritual perception was dull. The seven–pronged golden candlestick that was meant to burn day and night in the Holy Place of the tabernacle was burning out. The flame on the candlestick needed to be tended or it would go out, resulting in a deep, cold darkness in the place meant for God’s presence. Just before the fire burned out — before the candle grew cold, before the flame flickered for the last time — God CALLED!

“Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel misperceived the call as coming from Eli, from man. But the call continued until finally Samuel answered God’s voice and became a fiery prophet to his generation. The fire continued to burn!

God is calling for a new generation to experience His fire. The candle burns low in many parts of the world and the place meant for blazing passion has become darkened and cold. Samuel, or Johnny, or Sue, or Asmir, or Pablo — God is calling! Awaken to experience His fire and reach the world in the 21st century.

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you and me?

Pray for awakening across the globe so that the fire will not go out!

Ask for a renewed passion in your heart for the people and things of God.

Pray for spiritual ears to be open to God’s call, and that many will follow Him.

Wilson is president of Oral Roberts University (ORU) in Tulsa, OK. Prior to his election as president of Oral Roberts University, Wilson served as vice chairman for the ORU Board of Trustees. He has also served as executive director for the International Center for Spiritual Renewal in Cleveland, TN, and chair and executive director of the Empowered 21 Initiative. In addition, Wilson has served on various boards and committees, including the Mission America Coalition (Lausanne USA) Facilitation Committee, Pentecostal World Fellowship Advisory Board, and International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: You can’t change yesterday, but you don’t have to ruin tomorrow — Tony Evans

 

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Join Us in Prayer …

Posted on June 20, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

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.

Fatherhood does not come with a manual, and reality teaches us that some fathers excel while others fail. We ask for Your blessings for them all – and forgiveness where it is needed. This Father’s Day we remember the many sacrifices fathers make for their children and families, and the ways – both big and small – they lift children to achieve dreams thought beyond reach. So too, we remember all those who have helped fill the void when fathers pass early or are absent – grandfathers and uncles, brothers and cousins, teachers, pastors and coaches – and the women of our families.For those who are fathers,we ask for wisdom and humility in the face of the task of parenting. Give them the strength to do well by their children and by You. In Your Holy name, O God, we pray. Amen — Rev. Chuck Currie

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.

Joan took a tumble while walking her dog and ended up in the hospital for overnight observation. Prayers requested.

Andrew continues to struggle. He had a respiratory emergency this week. Kind of bad, scary, and, like, totally a bummer. Yet he continues to battle through prayer – and a sense of humor.

DL passed out during his stand-up show. Prayers up for him!

Madison woke up with her anxiety through the roof. She is asking for some prayers her way.

Melissa has breast cancer and has to have a mastectomy. She is trying to decide if she should just go ahead and have a double one. She is asking our prayer warriors to please pray for her.

Please pray for an elderly fellow, Ted. He has been in the hospital for a while and things are not looking good.

Please pray for Concetta who is going through a very difficult time.

Alyssa is a single mom with three small children who has two job interviews Monday. Prayers requested for meaningful employment.

Please pray for Lee who is suffering from chronic back pain, stress, anxiety, and depression.

Lee is experiencing difficulty with disability insurance. Prayers requested for a speedy and equitable resolution.

Leroy also asks for prayers his disability will be reinstated.

Danielle’s marriage needs a miracle. Please pray both her and Jacks eyes be open to the truth and God restores and redeems what feels like is dead.

Brad asks for prayers for a needed word from the Lord for tomorrow’s sermon; a strong anointing from the Lord to preach His Word by His power; and He would work through him.

Four year old James had a skin problem flare up again. Prayers requested.

Deb asks for prayer guidance as she makes decision for her retirement and future.

Please continue to pray for Lindsey and her home situation.

Please pray for Michelle whose blood pressure is still high and her anxiety through the roof because of it. She has a doctor’s appointment Monday.

Pray for Tony and Susie’s marriage restoration.

Please pray for Cathy who recently received a breast cancer diagnosis. They have more tests to do, but it appears surgery and treatment will be required.

Please pray for Barry, he needs guidance.

Please pray for John to have true and deep clarity about his life and about marriage.

Lavanya is suffering with severe allergy on her hands..Please pray for her.

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 Joan, Andrew, DL, Madison, Melissa, Ted, Concetta, Alyssa, Lee, Lee, Leroy, Danielle and Jack, Brad, James, Deb, Lindsey, Michelle, Tony and Susan, Cathy, Barry, John, Lavanya, 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: Do not forget that the value and interest of life is not so much to do conspicuous things … as to do ordinary things with the perception of their enormous value. – Teilhard de Chardin

 

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Five Minute Friday — Worth

Posted on June 19, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

You know the drill. I’ll post this Five Minute Friday contribution, link at Kate’s place on Facebook at  fiveminutefriday.com and scan through the incredible work of my fellow writers. As I always say, you should try it as well — both writing and contributing or at least visiting the sites of this talented crew.

I’ve also been sharing other takes on the value of the exercise, taken from snippets found in Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Minutes Flat, compiled by Susan Shipe, as an added inducement to join in. Here’s Jennifer’s take.

“I remember the day I stumbled upon the FMF community. While concept of a prompt word certainly wasn’t new to me, the idea of writing in such a short time frame was. But it intrigued me and I jumped right on in. It wasn’t long until some of my favorite blog posts were born from a FMF prompt as I sat down on a whim to pound out a five minute story. A story that was often a little window into my heart.

“Today, FMF is still one of my favorite ways to blog. While the margin in my life is little and I can’t be as involved in the community as I would like, it’s always a joy to be able to  take some time to join in, link up and read all about another writer’s take on the particular word. Just one word. Just five minutes.And beautiful things happen …”

So, let’s get into this week’s word, WORTH.  The clock starts ticking now …

From the time I got married — actually before I got married — I always tried  to impress on my soon-to-be wife and later my children the importance of self-worth. It was particularly challenging for the women in my life, who often let the cynical self-doubt creep into their lives. I tried to instill in them how important they were, how integral they were in the family unit and outside the confines of our walls. I told them repeatedly — over and over again — they could do anything they wanted if they applied themselves. It wasn’t going to be given to them. They had to earn it and they had to want it.

It’s a lesson for all of use. If we’re  not happy with ourselves — flaws and all — it’s pretty hard to stay on task. It becomes too easy to give up or give in.

Unfortunately, through the years, I’ve discovered there is more less than self-worth in the world. There are too many struggling to find their identity, to find out who they are.

I’ll attempt to tell you. You were … STOP

… uniquely created  for this time and place — not 5 or 50 or 500 or 5,000 years ago; not 5 or 50 or 500 or 5,000 years in the future. Right now. Right here. With your own individual strengths and ides. With your own individual quirks and flaws. God created you and, as I often preached, God don’t make no junk.

Rather, He placed you — that’s a collective you — here for a purpose. Find your purpose. Flaunt your strengths and ideas, even if they are a little quirky. Follow your passions. Think outside the box. And — always shine the Light.

Your worth isn’t determined by you. It was instilled in you by our Creator in your mother’s womb. If you’re worth something to Him, don’t you think you should recognize that worth in yourself?

I always told my ladies — gents, too, when they fall into self-pity — “I love you … and so does God! Now it’s time to love yourself … because you’re worth it!”

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in a world they have than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact, it is an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration, it is a dare. Impossible is temporary … Impossible is nothing. And nothing is just … nothing. — Muhammad Ali

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