A Visible Means of Support

"Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer." Ed Cunningham

I remember sitting on my couch, plotting my means of survival. If I'm to get through this, what will I need? Prayer - check. A team of medical providers who wanted me to live; healthy and whole - check. Research material to educate and empower me - check. A support team who would surround and protect me.

Due to a very unfortunate turn of events, Hubster and I were forced to leave our spiritual family - the ones who had carried us through the death of our baby grandson and Hubster's heart attack. We'd walked through the valley of the shadow of death with their love and support. Who would be here for us now?

G~d is faithful.

We still had the friendship of two of the elders of the congregation. Hubster called and they came over, oil in hand and prayed over me - twice - no hesitation - no judgement. 

G~d's timing is perfect.

A few weeks before I got my diagnosis, we were invited to join a small home fellowship from our daughter and son-in-law's church. We knew the pastor and his wife and several from the congregation due to their support for our family at Rhys' passing. We were still tender from our excommunication, but they welcomed us with open hearts and arms from the beginning. 
When I shared my "news" during our time of prayer, they gathered around us, prayed, cried and held us. My son-in-law lead out in prayer. It was a powerful, healing time. I knew I was safe. One family in particular took an interest in my healing journey and provided me with several books that proved to be instrumental in the L~rd's special communication with me as mentioned in my last blog, http://verbalismbuffet.blogspot.com/2015/03/trust-in-lord.html. 
I also joined the women's fellowship Secret Sister program. I received encouragement cards from my secret sis at the perfect time, on several occasions. After one particular melt down, pity party, the next day, a card arrived with exactly what I needed to hear. 
I also had my family, including my brothers and sisters-in-law who rallied around me and offered their prayers and encouragement.

This is an excerpt from my blog Blankets and Seasons:

I may have to bundle up awhile longer, or I may be headed into a sweet spring, but this one thing I know. My Heavenly Father has an endless supply of blankets that He will provide. And when spring and summer come again, I have a keepsake cabinet that I will store all my blankets in. 

If you find yourself in one of those seasons where you need a blanket, I pray for you someone to reach in their cabinet and pull out one of their prized blankets to share. And if you know someone who looks like the chill of winter is upon them - give them one of yours.

I've learned that blankets come in different "fabrics" - prayer, a listening ear, hugs, phone calls and cards of encouragement. These blankets are necessary for optimum health.

May I encourage you to think of those in your circle (or even those you don't know well). What kind of blanket can you give them?  

Physical health thrives on spiritual, emotional and mental well being. we're all in this together.

Next: Cleaning out the closet.

Teach Me to Pray, to Praise

 Teach me G~d to pray  



to praise

The splendor of ripe fruit 

   the wonder of an autumn leaf

the freedom to see

to feel

to breathe

   to know hope

 

      and even to know grief.

Teach my lips blessing
   
   and praise

when You renew Your time

   each night

   each dawn

so that my days will not repeat my yesterdays
to save my life from mere routine

   of all days gone.

We are in the grips of winter. Although some parts of the globe reward us with warmth and sunshine, others places are covered in snow and ice, rain and fog - it's grouchy and gray. Dark days find us wanting to stow away under our fears, uncertainties and worries. It's in times like these, we need to dig deep and remember. Remember that God is on our side. He hasn't abandoned us to our own selves. Even when we can't see Him, or even feel His presence, He's still watching, caring, loving. He will never leave us.

We have a weapon against these winter days. Prayer and praise.

Give it a try.

Living in a Coco Puff World

I was talking to a friend the other day and we got on the subject of a congregation we both use to attend. On the outside, it was a happening place. Worship was more than good, the messages hit home and fed the soul. But evidently, things were going on behind the scenes that weren't so G~dly.

This got me thinking. Is what looks good on the outside, sounds good to the ear and even seems spiritual because we've learned to accept what we hear, distorting the Truth?  Are we so used to comparing our experiences by the latest trend - what seems to be working and drawing the crowds, or by the tried and true? Is the latest book, or person going viral on youtube  giving us the heart of G~d? Do we merely except what we hear or read, just because someone begins with a passionate prayer for G~d to only let them say or do what He wants them to say or do? Where do their own desires and agenda cloud what they think G~d is telling them? 

 If we looked behind the scenes, what would we see? Do the impassioned prayers for G~d's will follow with His Word being observed and taught? Have we become enamored with the big, bright and bold and lost sight of the still, small and enduring?
Would we rather read a book, or see a video by the little old lady who seems to have no amazing stories to tell, but spends her time loving her children and grandchildren and teaches them the simple commands of G~d? Who prays behind closed doors where no one but G~d sees or hears? Or, would we rather invest our time in someone who has a mega platform and draws the crowds?
Am I saying all mega ministries, or congregations are bad? Absolutely not. But what I am saying is this-
Sometimes  bigger is not better. Just because it seems that "G~d is moving", doesn't mean He is. Sometimes, we people can mimic the spiritual and manipulate the crowd to do and see anything we want. And unless we are people of the Book, we'll be snookered.  We must be like a group of people spoken of in  Acts 17 - " As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.  Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."  They had the right idea. No matter what they heard about Saul and what he told them, they went to the Truth and checked it out for themselves.
It is so sad - there are a lot of teachings making the scene today that sound so good, look inviting and are being spread by impassioned people, but when they are examined under the microscope of the Scriptures, they prove not only wrong, but damaging.
It's like this. We see the big bowl of coco puffs with that chocolaty milk beckoning us. 

Or, would you rather have this: