Many of us and probably all of us have weathered storms. Not storms with thunder clouds and lightening bolts but storms of life. These storms roll in and strike us, disabling us from our normal lives. Often the storms disable us from service to God as well. We ask ourselves why? why these storm clouds gather over us. We are God's children; are we not protected under His sheltering arms? Of all of God's promises in Scripture we find safe harbor, refuge, strength during our weaknesses, answers to prayers, His abiding Presence, and His peace. In the midst of Life's storms we find Him, but never an escape from storms. We are not disillusioned; Christians are not exempt. Storms come to all on this earth, in this life.
Theologians offer various explanations for these storms; personal growth, character development, testing, or to bring glory to God as an example to others. At times, we do not know the whys and we may not have an answer this side of eternity. But our trust holds firm in Him.
The storms will come and go; they will subside and we will grow from those times of life. BUT, what happens when a Tsunami hits? A Tsunami is not a typical storm that breaks over us and darkens the sky for a moment. A storm comes with the knowledge that at the end, a rainbow will spread across the once darkened sky and bring us blue again. A Tsunami comes in unexpected and completely destroys all in its path. A Tsunami wipes out miles of land mass and buildings and vegetation once occupied there. And, Tsunami's destroy people in it s path. Some escape, some who were in the right place at the right time. People who clung to a heavy structure or those who climbed higher up the mountain. But even those who escape the devastation of the Tsunami have to deal with its aftermath. There is debris and broken buildings to clean up. There are injuries to be mended and healed.
A Tsunami can hit your life in the spiritual sense as well. Its purpose is to completely destroy all you have known and all you though you were. The destruction is massive and difficult to clean up; difficult but not impossible. A Tsunami has hit our family recently. In its wake, we have lost jobs, our home, our church family, connections, reputations, and our future plans. What is left must be repaired.
Because our faith is based on God and not circumstances, whatever is lost is only temporal. God promises never to leave us nor forsake us. And, He has made the promise to us that ALL things happen for the good...............if our faith is fixed we weather the Tsunami too. We clean up the devastation as best we can, allowing God to deal with its aftermath. The Tsunami we will not forget and we must not forget. For it has change us. Whatever we thought we were, whatever our lives once were is gone. We begin again with that ever sure foundation of God's enduring love and promises. We know that His love is perfect and His plan is perfect. Although the Tsunami brings devastation, God restores, We rest in perfect peace in Him.
01/2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
The Shape of a Miracle 02/12/2011
I am an in-between person; a person who is early retired and searching for a new job. That is what I call an in-between person. Because of my in-between status I took a temporary job during the holiday season. The path I walked was not an easy one with that job. And now, as I near a new job with similar level difficulty I look towards this as a challenge that I am not eager to take.
Since the path I walked was very difficult in the temporary seasonal job, I learned just how much a physical job impacts my body. God alone held me up as I walked the warehouse floors and breathed the dusty, dirty environment. And, the challenges I faced seemed insurmountable as I struggled to communicate in an environment as loud and noisy as it was dusty and dirty.
However, there was a greater purpose than earning money in the path I walked. Because of my voice disability it does not lessen the need to talk to people, even in a difficult setting. They are curious and I am more than willing to tell my story; especially how God strengthened me and enabled me to walk out this path.
In conclusion I am willing to go where God sends me. I remember praying to God and many times offering myself to Him. Send Me, I said to God. I will go where You send me and speak to those people sent to me of Your sustaining power. However, in my mind I was picturing telling my story after my miracle of a complete restoration of my cancer induced voice-loss; instead I tell my story in my current state --- voice challenged.
This current state is one of weakness, dependency, complete reliance on God for each day. That is where I live; needing God each moment. And because of this state, I wonder now if God intended all along that the miracle I sought and the miracle He gave were one in the same after all. My miracle was a restored voice, beautiful, one that would rival even an angle's voice; His miracle is a restored soul. Either way, my life is a miracle.
Since the cancer and the loss of my vocal chords, I have been privileged to speak to business groups, teens, unwed mothers, Christian groups, and co-workers, nursing students, and fellow cancer victims; to large groups and small ones. Now it seems my greatest audiences are people. One on one contacts; a new job making new friends, learning about each other, sharing my story. In the end, sharing God.
God has truly given me a miracle; His love reaching out through my physical challenges.
And yes I thank Him and I have truly received a miracle!
02/12/2011
Since the path I walked was very difficult in the temporary seasonal job, I learned just how much a physical job impacts my body. God alone held me up as I walked the warehouse floors and breathed the dusty, dirty environment. And, the challenges I faced seemed insurmountable as I struggled to communicate in an environment as loud and noisy as it was dusty and dirty.
However, there was a greater purpose than earning money in the path I walked. Because of my voice disability it does not lessen the need to talk to people, even in a difficult setting. They are curious and I am more than willing to tell my story; especially how God strengthened me and enabled me to walk out this path.
In conclusion I am willing to go where God sends me. I remember praying to God and many times offering myself to Him. Send Me, I said to God. I will go where You send me and speak to those people sent to me of Your sustaining power. However, in my mind I was picturing telling my story after my miracle of a complete restoration of my cancer induced voice-loss; instead I tell my story in my current state --- voice challenged.
This current state is one of weakness, dependency, complete reliance on God for each day. That is where I live; needing God each moment. And because of this state, I wonder now if God intended all along that the miracle I sought and the miracle He gave were one in the same after all. My miracle was a restored voice, beautiful, one that would rival even an angle's voice; His miracle is a restored soul. Either way, my life is a miracle.
Since the cancer and the loss of my vocal chords, I have been privileged to speak to business groups, teens, unwed mothers, Christian groups, and co-workers, nursing students, and fellow cancer victims; to large groups and small ones. Now it seems my greatest audiences are people. One on one contacts; a new job making new friends, learning about each other, sharing my story. In the end, sharing God.
God has truly given me a miracle; His love reaching out through my physical challenges.
And yes I thank Him and I have truly received a miracle!
02/12/2011
Can God Use Me 01/2011
Can God use you anywhere at any time regardless of circumstances, situations, inadequacies, disabilities, education, financial success or lack thereof? Are you limiting God based on your own thinking? Do you place limits on YOU by what you may believe are your giftings?
How about this? A young man, aged 27, Nick Vujicic speaks all over the world, an internationally famous motivation speaker from Australia. Oh, but may I mention he was born without limbs. That's right, no arms, no legs. Hmmmmmmmmmmm....how can HE possibly be of use to God with such extreme handicaps? How can God use him indeed?! Nothing is impossible with God, and WE cannot and should not put Him in a box to fit inside our mind's perspective of the world.
How big is your world? Is it large enough to include a person with physical or mental impairments and acknowledge that God has a purpose for them in his tapestry of life? Is your world big enough to allow God to use YOU with your flaws and imperfections or at least the ones you think you have? Could it be that those parts of you that you may not even like are the very reasons God wants to use YOU?
Recently through the holiday season I was given an opportunity with Wal-Mart.com. This warehouse is very large containing literally millions of dollars worth of merchandise which is shipped out to retail stores and customer's homes. My work was in the Exceptions Shipping Department during this time. As happy as I was to have work, there was concern of handling a physical job in a place with very high noise level. The concern was communicating on the job as my natural speaking voice was impacted from a bout with laryngeal cancer. After discussion with the HR Manager it was determined that I remain in the department based on my knowledge, experience and ability to work with the computer. To her my voice was a non-issue. That was God's plan.
My job was to research the missing products left out of the customers' carton. This research involved determining a location of the missing product and physically fetching the item(s) which involved climbing three levels in the warehouse. The work became very strenuous each day as I walked the warehouse, up and down three floors, and packing ad shipping out the cartons. The computer work involved standing all day during our 10 hour shift with only two 20 minutes breaks.
As I began to understand the gravity of the job and the physical toll to my body and my breathing, I was concerned whether I could keep the job. I found myself very fatigued and feeling sick from breathing the dirt and dust everywhere. I needed the job so desperately I knew my only hope was to cry out to God, my heavenly Father. He promised to hear every cry and to give strength to the weak.
Day after day as I climbed the stairs tears would fill my eyes from weariness and illness. I recalled the Holy Spirit's message that we were to come to God for Everything. I repeated those words every day. As I worked at the computer I softly sang songs of praise to God. I found strength would return to me and I was able to finish my shift. By Thanksgiving we were working 6 days at 12 hour shifts, and again I called on God for help. I reminded Him of what He said to our congregation a couple of months before that when we tried to solve our own problems we failed but rather we were to come to Him with our problems. In fact He wanted us to come to Him for EVERYTHING. I took Him at His Word and as I did, HE filled me anew with strength, energy, and wellness in order to complete my work. I stayed through the peak which was a total of seven weeks before being laid off; longer than I ever thought possible.
As God strengthened me physically on a daily basis, He also opened opportunities to share with co-workers. There was an appointed time that He ordained to speak to individuals on a one-on one basis. As I saw God's timing and how He placed people in my path amidst a noisy environment to hear of God's grace I was in awe. I never dreamed communication would be possible and that I be enable to share God's love even with my voice limitations.
God more than proved Himself faithful. My trust in God has served me throughout the years and many times I've experienced His miraculous power in my life and in other's lives. However, this was a very unique time of taking God literally at His Word, walking by faith, walking out faith, using the power of prayer, speaking out Scriptures, and using the power of praise to magnify God. God's power is released in us and upon us as we look to Him and walk in His ways. He will do this in YOU and YOU will be able to be of use to His kingdom no matter where you are or who you are.
As Scripture says in Ephesians 3:20 - Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or even imagine according to the power that works in us. This indeed was true and is true not only for me, but for you as well.
01/2011
How about this? A young man, aged 27, Nick Vujicic speaks all over the world, an internationally famous motivation speaker from Australia. Oh, but may I mention he was born without limbs. That's right, no arms, no legs. Hmmmmmmmmmmm....how can HE possibly be of use to God with such extreme handicaps? How can God use him indeed?! Nothing is impossible with God, and WE cannot and should not put Him in a box to fit inside our mind's perspective of the world.
How big is your world? Is it large enough to include a person with physical or mental impairments and acknowledge that God has a purpose for them in his tapestry of life? Is your world big enough to allow God to use YOU with your flaws and imperfections or at least the ones you think you have? Could it be that those parts of you that you may not even like are the very reasons God wants to use YOU?
Recently through the holiday season I was given an opportunity with Wal-Mart.com. This warehouse is very large containing literally millions of dollars worth of merchandise which is shipped out to retail stores and customer's homes. My work was in the Exceptions Shipping Department during this time. As happy as I was to have work, there was concern of handling a physical job in a place with very high noise level. The concern was communicating on the job as my natural speaking voice was impacted from a bout with laryngeal cancer. After discussion with the HR Manager it was determined that I remain in the department based on my knowledge, experience and ability to work with the computer. To her my voice was a non-issue. That was God's plan.
My job was to research the missing products left out of the customers' carton. This research involved determining a location of the missing product and physically fetching the item(s) which involved climbing three levels in the warehouse. The work became very strenuous each day as I walked the warehouse, up and down three floors, and packing ad shipping out the cartons. The computer work involved standing all day during our 10 hour shift with only two 20 minutes breaks.
As I began to understand the gravity of the job and the physical toll to my body and my breathing, I was concerned whether I could keep the job. I found myself very fatigued and feeling sick from breathing the dirt and dust everywhere. I needed the job so desperately I knew my only hope was to cry out to God, my heavenly Father. He promised to hear every cry and to give strength to the weak.
Day after day as I climbed the stairs tears would fill my eyes from weariness and illness. I recalled the Holy Spirit's message that we were to come to God for Everything. I repeated those words every day. As I worked at the computer I softly sang songs of praise to God. I found strength would return to me and I was able to finish my shift. By Thanksgiving we were working 6 days at 12 hour shifts, and again I called on God for help. I reminded Him of what He said to our congregation a couple of months before that when we tried to solve our own problems we failed but rather we were to come to Him with our problems. In fact He wanted us to come to Him for EVERYTHING. I took Him at His Word and as I did, HE filled me anew with strength, energy, and wellness in order to complete my work. I stayed through the peak which was a total of seven weeks before being laid off; longer than I ever thought possible.
As God strengthened me physically on a daily basis, He also opened opportunities to share with co-workers. There was an appointed time that He ordained to speak to individuals on a one-on one basis. As I saw God's timing and how He placed people in my path amidst a noisy environment to hear of God's grace I was in awe. I never dreamed communication would be possible and that I be enable to share God's love even with my voice limitations.
God more than proved Himself faithful. My trust in God has served me throughout the years and many times I've experienced His miraculous power in my life and in other's lives. However, this was a very unique time of taking God literally at His Word, walking by faith, walking out faith, using the power of prayer, speaking out Scriptures, and using the power of praise to magnify God. God's power is released in us and upon us as we look to Him and walk in His ways. He will do this in YOU and YOU will be able to be of use to His kingdom no matter where you are or who you are.
As Scripture says in Ephesians 3:20 - Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or even imagine according to the power that works in us. This indeed was true and is true not only for me, but for you as well.
01/2011
Valentine's Day 02/14/2011
Valentine's Day! A day that means less and less as the years pass. It is to be a day for young love, marked by the thrill of a first glace, then a tentative first kiss. As the first love flickers and turns to only embers, Valentine's Day is not so important to celebrate. Rather as the embers of love turn to a sure, steady warmth dependent on mutual care instead of soaring flames that burn, that love endures.
So welcome Valentine's Day to those of us who appreciate the sustaining warmth of softly glowing embers, a fire sure and constant. A warmth that welcomes and accepts and never goes out, and never burns.
God's love is steady and constant. His love is sustaining and unmoving. Scripture says many waters cannot quench love. There is no shadow or variableness in turning. God does not change. He called us before the foundation of the world and He will keep us throughout eternity. He is our true Valentine!
02/14/2011
So welcome Valentine's Day to those of us who appreciate the sustaining warmth of softly glowing embers, a fire sure and constant. A warmth that welcomes and accepts and never goes out, and never burns.
God's love is steady and constant. His love is sustaining and unmoving. Scripture says many waters cannot quench love. There is no shadow or variableness in turning. God does not change. He called us before the foundation of the world and He will keep us throughout eternity. He is our true Valentine!
02/14/2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Two Blinded Sides by Leah Neill
THIS IS A BLOG BY MY 12 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER LEAH NEILL
There are those who want to be different; have a different lifestyle. They care more about fitting in and being cool. When there are people who care more about being themselves and being true. I have two blinded sides of me. I always care about me looking great and being cool. But I also care about who I really am. I always said I'm going to be who I am and not be ashamed. But when the reality comes near, you change sides and be who you want. It's hard to be two blinded because then you don't know who you are. I know who I want to be though. Whenever I think of me having fame I think of how I would get there. By being who I'm not or by being who I am.
You always wonder about what people think of you when you walk into the room. When you should really think about how you really are in the heart. When I think about God, I think about why he created me. But then I say because I have a purpose. I have a chance to do what I'm best at. I just can't wait till that moment comes; when I just know where I have to stand. I have two blinded sides of me, but I have chosen to be who I really am.
Leah Neill
There are those who want to be different; have a different lifestyle. They care more about fitting in and being cool. When there are people who care more about being themselves and being true. I have two blinded sides of me. I always care about me looking great and being cool. But I also care about who I really am. I always said I'm going to be who I am and not be ashamed. But when the reality comes near, you change sides and be who you want. It's hard to be two blinded because then you don't know who you are. I know who I want to be though. Whenever I think of me having fame I think of how I would get there. By being who I'm not or by being who I am.
You always wonder about what people think of you when you walk into the room. When you should really think about how you really are in the heart. When I think about God, I think about why he created me. But then I say because I have a purpose. I have a chance to do what I'm best at. I just can't wait till that moment comes; when I just know where I have to stand. I have two blinded sides of me, but I have chosen to be who I really am.
Leah Neill
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Sanctuary
I cherish many things about the past. My family, my grandparents, the wonderful memories of holidays gone by. But one very special part of my past is belonging to a church body of believers. To be a part of and have been a part of a church body for over thirty years is quite extraordinary especially in these transient times. Although the church has changed and we have changed, it is still the same for me. The same in the sense of comfort, security, a safe place, a SANCTUARY; a place of God's presence.
During those 30+ years, we have built twice; moved once. I saw many people come and go. Even still the church remained my sanctuary. My family and I grew up there in many ways. My two children were a part of Sunday School, the Youth Group; wonderful fellowship and friendships were made there. This place of sanctuary and the people within are family.
Coupled with the many wonderful memories of the people, the events, and the special times with God, my sanctuary has been a rock, a solid place, a place where I belonged. Since moving over an hour away, we have not been able to be a part as often as we would like. And, what is more, since we've been away, I have realized how very important it really has been and how much I miss.
I miss being surrounded by a body of believers who embrace you, care for your family, pray for you even when you are not aware. I miss the comfort of a familiar place to gather for worship, and I miss having my family around me in that place.
As I mentioned the church has changed over the years, and just recently it has changed again. A new name, a new location; many of the people I have known became part of the new and a few stayed with the former. Even with this change, one thing remains and will always remain. This is my church, my sanctuary. The place I have found comfort, security, love, God's presence, fellowship and laughter. NOTHING can replace the memories I hold so dear. If I could, I would erase these past five years and find myself back home again. But as I have learned in life, God's purpose and timing is perfect, and change is part of that purpose.
So I will be content and know that "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven."
During those 30+ years, we have built twice; moved once. I saw many people come and go. Even still the church remained my sanctuary. My family and I grew up there in many ways. My two children were a part of Sunday School, the Youth Group; wonderful fellowship and friendships were made there. This place of sanctuary and the people within are family.
Coupled with the many wonderful memories of the people, the events, and the special times with God, my sanctuary has been a rock, a solid place, a place where I belonged. Since moving over an hour away, we have not been able to be a part as often as we would like. And, what is more, since we've been away, I have realized how very important it really has been and how much I miss.
I miss being surrounded by a body of believers who embrace you, care for your family, pray for you even when you are not aware. I miss the comfort of a familiar place to gather for worship, and I miss having my family around me in that place.
As I mentioned the church has changed over the years, and just recently it has changed again. A new name, a new location; many of the people I have known became part of the new and a few stayed with the former. Even with this change, one thing remains and will always remain. This is my church, my sanctuary. The place I have found comfort, security, love, God's presence, fellowship and laughter. NOTHING can replace the memories I hold so dear. If I could, I would erase these past five years and find myself back home again. But as I have learned in life, God's purpose and timing is perfect, and change is part of that purpose.
So I will be content and know that "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven."
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