Time To Say Goodbye

The time has come for me to say good-bye to this blog and to all the wonderful people who have followed me, left comments and encouraged me in one way or another. I will miss you, but I can no longer keep up. My interests have taken me in other directions and I can no longer give the attention to this blog as I would like to.

So, on this last day of this year, I wish you all the best for next year and the years ahead. I would like to invite you to follow me on my two other blogs: Angela's Freelance Writing and Angie's Health Coaching

Stay blessed and remember "whatever you ask In His Name, He will do it."

God bless you.

Seeing Green - A Book Review

Can you look yourself in the mirror and say you have never envied someone? Your friend, co-worker, neighbor, your favorite celebrity or even your sibling? I daresay few of us can honestly answer yes to that question. Envy, the green-eyed monster, sneaks up on us when we are not looking, and if we are not careful, it can color not just our relationship with the person we envy, but the way we see ourselves.

In her book Seeing Green,Tilly Dillehay paints a picture of envy that most of us have never considered before and causes us to take an unsettling look at ourselves. Using practical, down-to-earth language, Tilly shows us how we can identify envy in all its disguises and how, by recognizing God’s glory on the subject of our envy, we can snuff out the green-eyed monster once and for all.

Seeing Green is a book I recommend for everyone because we all harbor envy to some extent. And now you can enter for a chance to win a copy of this compelling book.

Giveaway link: https://www.blessedfreebies.com/seeing-green.html

Can A Christian Become Depressed?

Reports of famous people--Anthony Bourdain, TV personality and Kate Spade--handbag designer, who committed suicide recently drew the attention of many here in America and abroad. However, there are ordinary people committing suicide everyday whose names never appear in the news. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 45, 000 Americans died by suicide in 2016, and these numbers are said to be climbing.

People don't just get up one morning and say, "I think I'll kill myself today." They have to be depressed for some time to get to the point where they decide to take their own life. Which brings me to the question, can a Christian become depressed? If you are a Christian you should have peace and contentment at all times, right? You should be able to cope with anything that life throws your way. Wrong!

Guilt, loneliness, grief, discouragement can take a toll on the human mind and cause you to become depressed. History is full of names of famous theologians who were depressed. C. S. Lewis, Augustine, Martin Luther and C. H. Spurgeon are among some of those who were said to have struggled with depression. In fact, Spurgeon became so depressed at times he was said to tender his resignation thirty-two times in thirty-nine years.

One might be tempted to say that men like Spurgeon were so burdened by the demands placed upon them it was easy for them to become depressed. That may be so, however, depression can plague someone who has no obvious reason to be depressed. Elijah, the prophet, was a mighty man of God, who commanded great respect from the people because of the miracles he performed. He had just finished killing four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and under the power of the Lord, ran for miles to another town. But after doing all of that, Elijah collapsed in fear and went and hid himself in a cave because Jezebel threatened to kill him for slaughtering the Baal prophets.

Elijah came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. Here is what he said: “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors" (1 Kings 19: 4). Elijah was ready to die, but he didn't have the courage to take his own life.

Other Bible figures who battled depression are David, the great warrior king who God called, "a man after his own heart." Job, "a blameless and upright man," suffered a massive bout of depression when he lost everything, including his children. He cursed the day he was born, as did Jeremiah, the weeping prophet. Even Jesus was in so much agony in the garden of Gethsemane before his death that his sweat became as "drops of blood" (Luke 22: 44).

Friends, depression is no respecter of persons. It is an illness as any other and should be treated seriously as you would treat any other illness. If you are feeling depressed, here are some things you can do:

1.When people are depressed they tend to isolate themselves from the world. Elijah went and hid in a cave. Bad idea! God called him out and sent him on a mission. Make the effort to get out of bed and do some simple things, like washing your face and combing your hair.

2. Some people may not want to eat, others may eat too much. You need to eat. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” (1 Kings 19: 5).

3. Talk to someone. Job's friends came to sympathize with him when they heard about his misfortune, but they only ended up making him feel worse. Be careful who you speak to. Speak to people who will be understanding and supportive, not people who will tell you, "snap out of it."

4. Seek medical help. In Biblical days and centuries past, they didn't have the medications and resources we have today. God has given man the knowledge and wherewithal to help us. Take advantage of it.

5. Pray. When you are in the throes of depression you may be unable to pray coherently, but you can read your Bible or listen to Psalms and gospel music on tape. Best of all, be hopeful. David said, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Ps. 42:11

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I have written a novel called In the Wilderness that tells of a young Christian girl who was so plagued by guilt she became depressed and suicidal. Read this gripping story to see how God delivered her out of her depression and gave her a new perspective on life.

The Gift of Helping

A few days ago, I had the pleasurable experience of meeting someone who, I believe, has the gift of helping others. But let me back up a bit. It all came about during my attempt to make a doctor's appointment. What should have been a routine matter of picking up the phone, dialing a number and getting to speak to someone, turned out to be two whole days of wasted time. By this time, I'd become so frustrated by no one answering or returning my calls, I decided to go to the facility to make the appointment.

And that's where things became a bit interesting. I walked up to the information desk, stated my name and my reason for being there. The lady at the desk said they do not make appointments at the department I needed to visit. She very kindly gave me a number to call. This time someone did answer the phone, but informed me that they do not make appointments for the doctors. He gave me another number, which happened to be the same one I was trying to reach initially. And, you guessed it. No one answered.

By this time, I'm praying for patience and wisdom as to what to do next. I believe the Holy Spirit heard me. Back I went to the information and explained my plight to the employee. Long story short, after making several calls, she was able to locate the address for the number I had been trying to reach. I would have voted her employee of the year if I had that option. I thanked her profusely and walked out the door.

I found the address she gave me quite easily and entered the office to find it empty and just one employee sitting at the desk, arms folded. Anyway, I wrote all this to show how the attitude of the lady at the information desk contrasted sharply with the one at the office who was not answering the phone. I'll never know the reason for that one, but whether you are an employee or not, do try to help others. That woman who helped me had no idea how long I'd been calling that number or how far I'd driven only to get all that run around. What she did for me was not part of her duties. She was simply being helpful.

Paul speaks of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12: 28: "And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues." 

When we think of spiritual gifts, how many of us think of the gift of helping? Yet it is a very important gift and can take many different forms. The apostle Paul mentioned many people in his letters who were of great help to him. People like Aquila and his wife Priscilla, Timothy (whom he called his son) Lucius, Gaius and many others. Great apostle though he was, Paul could not have succeeded without their help.

Do you have the gift of help? If you are not sure, ask the Holy Spirit to show you who might need your help and how you can be helpful to them. You and they will be blessed.

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As a young nun at the Corpus Christi Home for Girls, Marva Garcia has always leaned on the Everlasting Arms for wisdom and strength to meet the day-to-day challenges of mentoring delinquent girls. But when her beloved adoptive father is killed during a Muslim coup, Marva sees her orderly world crumbling around her. As she tries to make sense of all this, Marva is increasingly drawn to another pair of arms that had been there for her all along. Can she love a man and still love God?

Self - Control - The Fruit of The Spirit

Having grown up in Trinidad, a country where kids playing soccer is an everyday occurrence, I can't help watching whenever my husband turns the channel to the World Cup Soccer games. But many times, my joy turns to dismay when I see players push and shove each other in an attempt to get the ball. Whatever happened to good old-fashioned marking and tackling and dribbling? Or better still, what happened to good old-fashioned self-control?  The players who push and shove know they are breaking the rules, yet when the referee raises his hand, they protest.

It's not much different when we allow ourselves to respond to someone in a harsh or sarcastic way, or to try to get even with someone whom we perceive has wronged us. Lack of self-control has serious consequences. In the case of the soccer player, it can result in the other team  scoring a goal and winning the game.

But lack of self-control goes much deeper than winning or losing a game. It can change the whole direction of our lives. It causes people to do things they wouldn't normally do, like consuming alcohol in excess, overspending, using illegal substances, and making poor choices. It can even lead to road rage, which can result in someone's death.

Do you need self-control? Of course you do. We all do. But temptation lurks around every corner. Remember the story of how Peter cut off the soldier's ear? That was a classic case of a lack of self-control. Peter saw the soldier about to arrest Jesus, so he pulled out his sword and cut off the man's ear. Read John 18: 10. Fortunately, Jesus restored it.

Much later, after Jesus had left this earth and Peter had received the Holy Spirit, he became a changed man. He wrote, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3: 15).  

The Holy Spirit is the Member of the Trinity who molds and shapes us into what God intends us to be. If you find that you lack self-control ask God to allow the Holy Spirit to help you exhibit this fruit in your life.                                     


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Gal. 5: 22 - 23

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In the Promised Land - The End of A Series

I don't think I've ever written much on this blog about my books, although I do have a page--which needs updating-- dedicated to them. For those of you who don't know, God has blessed me with the ability to write stories, and this I do in the hope of bringing Him honor and glory. I know that many of you enjoy reading novels, and so I decided to share this with you.

Coming Out of Egypt

Sixteen years ago, I started my first novel, a story inspired by two sisters who attended a school where I was a teacher. The sisters lived near Egypt Village, Trinidad, and it was rumored that they were being abused by their father. Because of the law, or lack thereof at the time, no action was taken, as far as I knew. Years later, my mind went back to them when I realized that sexual abuse is still prevalent in this modern society. In the Bible, the Israelites eventually came out of bondage in Egypt and so I combined the metaphor of the Exodus with the village where the girls lived and named my novel Coming Out of Egypt. This book is my attempt to rewrite their story, to have them come out of Egypt.

In the Wilderness

Continuing the metaphor of the Exodus, I named the second book in the series, In the Wilderness. As you know, the Israelites didn't make it straight to the land God promised them. They wandered in the wilderness for forty years after leaving Egypt.

Here is a short blurb of the series:

When Marva accidentally kills her father while trying to protect her younger sister June from him, she anticipates a new beginning far from "Egypt" where they once lived. But her new life is not what she envisioned. The strain of trying to elude the detective and cope with her rebellious younger sister while holding down her job in a man’s domain, drives her to drink. When Cicely, her former teacher, intervenes and leads the girls to Christ, Marva finds some measure of peace, but guilt over her crime and the desire to save June from disgrace force her to contemplate suicide. Fortunately, a serious accident derails her plans and both Marva and June discover their true calling – to serve God, and others, with all their heart and with all their strength.

In the Promised Land

Yesterday was the official release day of the last book in the series, In the Promised Land. The girls have come out of Egypt, gone through the wilderness and are now about to enter the promised land. However, their journey is still turbulent. Tragedy accompanies them and they lose sight of their purpose, but with God's help, they get back on track and complete their journey. I don't want to give any spoilers, so that's all I'm going to say, but let me encourage you to get these books which are all 99c until the fourth of July. They will bless your heart, renew your hope and strengthen your faith in a God who alone can bring you out of Egypt, whatever it might be.

Here's a bonus for you: Coming Out of Egypt is part of a clean, contemporary romance giveaway taking place on Instafreebie. Click on this link and claim your free copy and other books that may interest you. And when you claim your books, please sign up for my newsletter where you can get more updates like this one. God bless.

Your Hero

Happy Father's Day to all men, whether you are a biological father, stepfather or spiritual father, this message is for you. I am updating this from one of my earlier posts because I think it bears reading again.

Is your dad your hero? Some people may answer  "yes" to this question, but I know some, men especially, who will give an unequivocal "no." It always saddens me when I hear that. My own father, who departed this life when I was just a little girl, was my hero. He taught me to read and spell while he indulged his hobby/part-time occupation -shoemaking. Needless to say, I had shoes to match every dress, and love shoes to this day.

My father also cultivated in me a love for reading and I became a good speller. I enjoyed going places with him, and when I heard his voice in the front yard in the evening, I would leave my mother and run to meet him. She often complained that I loved my father more than I did her, which wasn't true, of course. I was just fascinated with him - his voice, his smile, his jokes. The only bad thing I can recall about my dad is that he left me too soon. Late at night, quite suddenly and without warning. Died of a stroke in his sleep.

So, what about your dad? Is he flawless in your eyes? A man's man? A woman's man? As head of the home, fathers carry a heavy responsibility. They are entrusted with the task of providing, protecting and caring for the home and family. The mother is the one who nurtures, comforts and keeps the home together. However, a real father assumes the mother's role as well. The father who confronts the school bully is the same father who takes his little girl on his lap and reads her a bedtime story. Or tucks her in at night. Or takes her to the doctor when she is ill.

Sadly, some dads do not measure up to the ideal. Some walk out on their families and never look back. Others stay in the home, provide and protect but do little else. We need to pray for these fathers. I think of King David, a mighty man of God, but his track record as a father left a lot to be desired. His son, Amnon, raped his daughter Tamar (2 Samuel 13: 10 - 18) and even though the Bible says David was furious (v 21) he did nothing about it. Absalom, David's other son, had Amnon executed to avenge what he had done to his sister.

Later, Absalom fled from David and they didn't see each other for two years. Eventually, Absalom tried to take the throne from David and to murder him, but Absalom himself was killed. On hearing the news, David wept bitterly. "O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you--O Absalom, my son, my son!" (18: 33).

What a sad cry! You may not see your father as your hero, but remember your Father in heaven is faultless. He is perfect and will never fail you. Run to Him and make Him your hero. Happy Father's Day!

Do You Study the Bible?

I hope most of you can answer yes to the above question. Studying the Bible regularly is one of the basic ways we as Christians connect with God and get to know Him intimately. 2 Timothy 2: 15 says,  "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) for Women says,  "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth."

This version of the Bible is the most comprehensive study Bible ever prepared for women and by women. Extensive commentary notes, word studies, answers to hard questions, doctrinal notes, “Written on My Heart” applications, charts and timelines, full-color maps and more, all put together in a sturdy hardcover binding with colorful illustrations will not only make you look forward to studying your Bible, but will provide answers to those puzzling questions you had previously.

I started studying the book of Esther and I have gained a lot more information from the CSB for Women than I did from my other study Bibles. If you truly hunger for God's word and want to get a deeper understanding of it, I strongly recommend this Bible.

And now you can enter this exciting giveaway:  https://www.blessedfreebies.com/csbwomensstudybible.html



To purchase:  http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/products/the-csb-study-bible-for-women-hardcover


 

https://youtu.be/kog6IzWdswI

What Does Mother Mean

When I was growing up, there was a song we sang especially around Mother's Day. It was an acronym for the word "Mother" and, I believe the composer was attempting to explain what the word meant to him or her. I used to sing the song a lot without thought to its meaning, but now that I'm a mother -and grandmother - I've become a little more analytical and question to some degree the meaning of the words.

The song goes like this:



M is for the million things she gives me.

As mothers, we want to show our love to our children by giving them everything their little hearts desire, and so we give them more then a million things, only to see them discarded in a few days. We have to ask ourselves if we are harming or helping our children in this way.



O means only that she's growing old.

Mothers, no matter how young you are, or how young you look, in your children's eyes, you are old. So, don't try to look or behave like your twenty-something-year-old daughter. Just be yourself and your children will appreciate you for it.



T is for the tears she shed to save me.

We can all relate to this one. We shed tears the first day we leave little Johnny in pre-K, then when he goes off to college, we shed tears. More tears as we escort him up to the altar to meet his bride. Another deluge comes when we hold his newborn baby for the first time. Whether we shed tears of joy or tears of sorrow, we have an unending supply.



H is for her heart of purest gold.

Who else but a mother would exemplify a heart of gold by the way she cares for her children? Who else would give them unconditional love, devotion, selflessness, understanding. I can go on and on. Unfortunately, not all mothers do. Some of us expect our children to fall into some particular mold that we set for them instead of following their God-given talents and interests.



E is for her eyes with love light shining.

The eyes are the window to the soul, someone said. The love a mother has for a child shines through her eyes, but hurt, disappointment, loss, separation may dull the light in those beautiful eyes, even though the love remains.



R means right and right she'll always be.

I don't know about this one. Despite the halo around our heads, mothers are flawed beings like everyone else. We make mistakes, bad decisions. I know I have made some mistakes in raising my children, and I daresay, my mother did too, and most likely her mother before her. But the good news is, God knows our heart. If we confess our mistakes and shortcomings to Him, He would redeem those mistakes and set us and our children on the right path.



As you celebrate Mother's Day today with your children, consider the words of this song. Do they all ring true for you? Maybe not. But no matter how young or old you are, you can still thank God for the gift of motherhood and for the wonderful children He has placed in your care. Acknowledge your need of Him and ask Him to partner with you in "training up these children in the way they should go, so that when they are old they will not depart from it".

Happy Mother's Day!



Today is Mother's Day, and you may have already given your mother a beautiful gift, but you can still give her a gift that never fades, grows old or out of style. Give her the gift of a book that is guaranteed to bless her heart and remind her of the power of God’s love. Give her a printed copy of Coming Out of Egypt, complete with swag – tote bag, bookmark, bandana and pen. She will love you even more - if that's possible.


Coming Out of Egypt

Waiting In Faith

This morning I read a devotional in Our Daily Bread about waiting with anticipation. So many thoughts crossed my mind as I read it.



I hate waiting.



Most of the time when I wait, I do so in frustration, not anticipation. But that article showed me that if we are waiting for God to do something for us, then we should do so in faith and anticipate His action.



Isaiah 40 : 31 says “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”



Waiting is never easy. It can sap our strength, physically as well as emotionally. That is why we need to trust God that He will show up at the right time and do what is best for us.



So, what are you waiting for? Healing? A job? A mate? An answer from God? Wait in faith; wait in hope. Do not doubt and do not give up. Abraham waited twenty-five years to receive the promised heir, but there are some who wait and never receive the promises. What happens then?



That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6 :12


But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew 24:13







Enjoy the Fred Hammond below. And if you enjoy this blog post, please sign up for my newsletter where you can get more inspiring posts like this and updates on giveaways and other happenings.

God Bless You and Good Night - Review

Are you getting ready for bed? How about your little ones? Are they bathed and fed but rubbing their eyes, trying to resist sleep? Well, here's the solution. God Bless You and Good Night is a big, beautiful hardcover book with beautifully-drawn pictures of animals getting ready for bed. The rhyming verses are catchy and funny and just right to have your youngster read along with you. They will give your child a feeling of safety and send them right off to sleep.

God Bless You and Good Night written by Hannah Hall, illustrated by Steve Whitlow

Summary

The bestselling God Bless You and Good Night has sold more than a quarter of a million copies as a board book, and this beautiful expanded picture book will make a perfect gift for families.
God Bless You and Good Night sparked a series that is as beloved as it is adorable. The original board book has sold more than 280,000 copies and continues to grow. This expanded picture book offers a classic, collectible item that readers will love for their own home library and is a beautiful gift option for baby showers and birthdays or as an announcement gift for soon-to-be grandparents. With its deluxe formatting, larger art spreads, and expanded content, this picture book will be the family favorite for bedtime.

The A God Bless Book series has sold more than 600,000 units and has appeared on numerous bestseller lists. Contributor Bio Hannah C. Hall estimates that she has read approximately 4,500 bedtime stories to her children over the last few years. She is thankful to get to add her own books to their daily rotation. Hannah and her husband, Josh, have five children and live in a small town in Arkansas. Steve Whitlow lives in northern England, on the top of a (very) windswept hill, with his wife and young family. Steve followed his artistic calling from an early age and was first published at age 16, producing vibrant characters for greeting cards and then children's publishing. With no formal art training and only his natural talent, Steve has now been working as a professional artist for more than twenty years. "My kids are my critics," says Steve. "The best reaction I can hope for is an exclamation of 'Cool, Dad!' from either Sam or Ethan-or both."

And now you can get a copy of this lovely book by entering the giveaway here:

https://www.blessedfreebies.com/godblessyouandgoodnightgwy.html

Purchase Link: https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/god-bless-you-and-good-night-P005621646

Prone to Wander Phone Cases

"Prone to wander far from thee," the song says, and if we are honest with ourselves, we would admit that our hearts are prone to wander far from God at times. When the cares of life overcome us, we can take comfort in knowing that God understands and He is ready and willing to bring us back to Him. To remind us of His love and steadfast presence, Prone to Wander LA has created the beautiful phone cases you see in the pictures above. The company Prone to Wander takes its name from the hymn "Come Thou Fount," and it exists to bring God's word to us "in the little things we carry, wear or see everyday." These phone cases fit nicely on my iPhone 5 or any phone around that size.

You can win one of these cases by entering the giveaway here: https://www.blessedfreebies.com/p2wgiveaway.html or you can use the entry form below:

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The Power of the Cross

 My mother loved reading and she encouraged me to read a lot when I was a child. I always enjoyed the books she read to me and had  me read back to her, but one thing I didn't enjoy was the story of the crucifixion which she had me read one Good Friday. I remember hoping that when Jesus was arrested there would be a happy ending like most of the stories I read, that Jesus would not be crucified. But of course, it didn't end that way, and I wept inconsolably.

Today, even as an adult and a Christian, I no longer weep when I think of the cross, but as I reflect on Jesus's crucifixion, my heart fills with horror and sorrow for what He endured for you and me.The pain, the agony, the shame was more than we can ever imagine. However, I know now that the cross was God's plan of redemption for mankind, and that He, and Jesus, agreed on that plan before the foundation of the world. And so instead of the cross being a symbol of shame, it became a symbol of power and victory.

 Everyday cares and concerns may cause you to feel like you are bearing a cross. When you do, remember the cross. Remember that Jesus bore it all for you. Your sin and mine has been wiped away because of the cross. Jesus could have chosen not to go to the cross, but instead He prayed, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matthew 26: 39). Jesus died on the cross, but death could not overcome Him. In the same way, we who believe in Him  have the victory because of the cross.  Sickness, poverty, death all have to bow to the power of the cross. Halleluiah!

Would you like to know more about the cross and what it means for mankind? I have written a short story that you can read in less than an hour. It's called For God So Loved. It won an honorable mention in a Writer's Digest contest. You can  get it free from now until Monday 3/2/2018. Just click on this link.. You will not only get my book but also your choice of other Christian-themed books for your Easter reading AND a chance to win a $25 gift card. Enter this giveaway now.

God bless

Florida's Latest Tragedy

Celebrate His Love
To help you get your mind in tune to the Easter season, I am inviting you to join an exciting giveaway taking place right now until Easter. It's called Celebrate His Love and features several Christian-themed books that you can pick up for FREE. And when you enter the giveaway, you also stand a chance to win a $25 gift card. My ebook, For God So Loved: The Story Behind Easter, which won an honorable mention in a Writer's Digest contest is on the list. So please get your FREE books and invite your friends to do so as well. God bless you.

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"The righteous cry out, the LORD hears and he rescues them from all their afflictions. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed. Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalms 34: 18-20 These words were quoted by Senator Marco Rubio of Miami, Florida a few hours after a newly-constructed bridge at Florida International University (FIU)collapsed, killing and injuring several people. This is the second major tragedy to hit the sunshine state in about a month. Even though I don't know anyone who was affected, the tragedy hit home as FIU is my alma mater.

When the unexpected happens, how do we cope? Can we pick up the pieces and move on?

In this season of Lent, we may do well to read the account of what it must have been like for Jesus's disciples following His death. To say they were devastated is an understatement. Their Lord and Master had been taken from them and crucified. Executed in the most inhumane way possible. And, as far as they knew, Jesus had done nothing wrong. In fact, He'd only done good. Healed the sick, fed the hungry, raised the dead. Why hadn't he raised himself? Or prevented the Roman soldiers from killing him?

The disciples could make no sense of this horrible tragedy.

But that day on the road to Emmaus, two of them did what should be done when we experience a tragedy:

1. They talked about it. "Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;" Luke 24: 13 - 15

2. They reached out to Jesus. "As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them" (v 28- 30).
In our grief and pain we may not think of the needs of others, but these men extended their hospitality to Jesus - even though they didn't recognize Him - and invited Him to stay with them as it was late in the day.

3. They took care of themselves. Jesus joined the disciples at their dinner table.  When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them(v 30).
During a tragedy, we may find it difficult to eat, but we must make the effort. Going without food and drink can cause your body to weaken and collapse under the strain.

4. They stayed together. "They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together" (v 33). When you are going through the stress of a loss or any form of tragedy, you may be tempted to isolate yourself, but this is the time when you need the companionship of trusted friends and relatives.

5. Pray. We don't see the disciples praying in this chapter, but we know that they prayed a lot. "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers" (Acts 1: 14). Prayer, Bible reading and fellowshiping with others will give you the encouragement to get through this trying period.

We all experience tragedy at some time, but when this occurs, we can draw on the resources that God has given us and look to Him who is "our strength and refuge."

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Billy Graham's Legacy

I was not born in America but I grew up listening to the evangelist Billy Graham every Sunday. My mother would serve lunch at the exact time that "The Hour of Decision" weekly broadcast came over the radio, and we would all have lunch while listening to the evangelist. Even though I was too young to understand his message, his earnest voice struck a chord in my young heart that would impact my life for years to come.

As I grew older, watched his crusades on television and read about his life, I became convinced that Billy Graham was sent by God to draw people to Christ. How else could he have preached to over 200 million people all over the world and have them respond in the way they did? He never danced and pranced on stage, he didn't promise miracles, all he did was preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in a clear and simple way and invite people to "Come." And they left their seats in droves and went up to the altar to have their lives transformed by the powerful gospel message. Such was the charisma of this great man.

I chose to write about Billy Graham today, not because he passed away a few days ago, but because this is Black History month and even though Dr. Graham was not black, his influence extended to the black community as well. While he has been criticized for not taking a strong stand on racial issues and for not marching with Dr. King, it is well documented that Billy Graham refused to preach to segregated audiences in the South and even removed the ropes himself that divided the people. I think to do that in a period of racial tension that existed in the fifties and sixties was nothing short of courageous. In one account about the relationship between Dr. King and Dr. Graham, it is said that Dr. King advised Graham to continue preaching to integrated audiences and he would continue to march. This, King believed, would pave the way for him to make inroads in the South. Some say this has not been authenticated.

Dubbed "Counselor to the Presidents," Billy Graham was well known for his meetings with every president since Harry Truman. Some of these meetings took place at the White House, others on the golf course and in other informal settings, but President Barack Obama was the first president to meet with the famed evangelist at his log cabin home in North Carolina.

Whatever stance, or lack of, Billy Graham may have taken on civil rights issues, one cannot deny the impact he had on evangelism and on the lives of millions. Our society and the world owe a huge debt of gratitude to this great man.

Thoughts And Prayers

Over the past few days you may have heard the above words used several times as our nation once more grapples with another massacre, one that took the lives of 17 innocent people - staff and students.

Thoughts and prayers sound nice and they are nice -- when that is all that can be done. But in many cases, it takes more than thoughts and prayers to fix a situation.

Jesus did more than think and pray when he was faced with 5000 hungry people in a deserted place far from Mc Donald's. (Matthew 14: 15 - 21)

He did more than think and pray when the sick was brought to him. (Matthew 4: 24)

And He did more than think and pray when his friend Lazarus died. (John 11: 43)

But, you say, these are miracles. Jesus was able to do them because He was God.

True. Jesus did what He could do to show us that we need to follow His example and do what we can do.

So, I repeat what I said above: Thoughts and prayers sound nice and they are nice -- when that is all that can be done. However, thoughts and prayers need to be backed up with action.

A hungry person needs food, a sick person needs medical care, a tired person needs rest, a homeless person needs shelter. And a society besieged by gun violence needs protection.

If all we can do is think and pray, let us pray for those in authority that God will touch their hearts so they will do what needs to be done to prevent this slaughter of innocent lives.

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Dr. King's Legacy

Today we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, civil rights activist who passed away forty-nine years ago. Dr. King was not just an activist, but also a Baptist minister who displayed his Christian beliefs in his fight for civil rights by advocating nonviolence and racial equality.

Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech is still hailed as a masterpiece of oratory and stirs my heart no matter how many times I hear it. One line that is often quoted and stands out for a lot of people is this: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I have a dream today!"







It is ironic that fifty-four years after Dr. King delivered that speech, this dream remains just that - an elusive dream.  Oh sure, we have made great strides. We have had an African-American president, and minorities play a great role in every sector of our society, but some people are still marginalized because of the color of their skin, or where they were born. 

But there is a saying, "the more things change, the more they seem the same." In Jesus's day, racism -and segregation - was rampant. Take this conversation with the Samaritan woman. Jesus saith unto her, give me to drink. (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. ) John 4: 7 - 9.

The woman was stating a known fact. Jews did not associate with Samaritans, who were considered inferior as they were a mixed race. Jesus was on a mission to change all that. After He'd spoken to the woman, she went and told the people of the village what Jesus had told her and they all came out to meet Him.  

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did (John 4: 39 - 40).

The story doesn't end there. The book of Acts tells us, "When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria" (8: 14).



^{From that one meeting with a woman at the well, a whole nation was saved. Jesus's message is as clear now as it was then, and we have a great reminder in the legacy of Dr. King.}

Dealing With Your Past

Do you sometimes feel that no matter what you do you cannot live down your past? Do you keep looking back at where you came from and think you will never get to where you want to be. That may very well happen. Someone said, the reason the rear view mirror is so small and the windscreen so big is because what happened in your past is not nearly as important as what's in your future.

God puts it this way:  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29: 11). 

When we are in Christ, we can look with confidence to the future because He holds our future. In the Bible, there is a woman named Mary Magdalene, who seemed shackled to her past. Whenever people spoke of her, they would refer to her as the woman out of whom went seven devils even though she'd been healed and was now a follower of Jesus Christ. He saw her as a new creature, clothed in His righteousness, and so when He rose from the dead, He chose her to be the one to go and spread the good news.

Are you like Mary Magdalene today? See yourself as God sees you, a new creature. The past is over. 2017 is behind you. Learn from its lessons, but don't keep looking into that rear view mirror, or you may end up where you don't want to be. 

"Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert" (Isaiah 43: 19).

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A Lesson Learned

Christmas 2017 is now over, and a New Year has come. All that remain are the leftovers of our sumptuous indulgences, the added inches around our middle, and the memories. For some, the memories are great, for others, not so good. But as I wrote on my other blog, Christmas is, and always has been, the best time of the year for me.

However, this Christmas was a little bit different, as circumstances conspired to keep me from doing some of the things I usually do. I'd made up my mind that I would not enter a store during the busy shopping season. I would simply give everyone a gift card. Not a bad idea, right? But at the last minute, on the day before Christmas Eve, I decided to go and pick up a few things to put under the tree. After all, gift cards don't look as nice as beautifully-wrapped boxes, do they?

So off I went, into an insanely-crowded store, grabbed a few items and waited in line for more than an hour before getting to a counter. And that's when things got really interesting. I should have paid for my stuff and walked out, but instead a men's watch in a locked cabinet had caught my eye. I told the cashier I wanted to get it. I left my stuff on the counter and followed the man to the cabinet where I showed him the watch I wanted for my husband. When we got back to the counter, all my stuff was gone! Vanished! I left with two items, a bad case of frustration, and a back screaming for mercy.

On my way home, I berated myself for getting caught up in something I had no business being in. I'm not saying I shouldn't have bought presents for my loved ones, but would they have loved me less if I hadn't? I don't think so. They are used to me giving them stuff, not only at Christmas but all through the year.

Love cannot be bought with things. God's gift to us was not things, but a Person in the form of His Son Jesus Christ.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that all who believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3: 16

Spending time with my loved ones and sharing the love of Jesus with them is far more important than any amount of toys or baubles I could have bought.

And so, my friends, maybe that’s the reason I got sick on Christmas Day. I came down with a nasty case of the flu – runny nose, sneezing and headache. Was God trying to teach me a lesson? I don't know, but I think I learned something. At least for this year. God bless.

Happy New Year!


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