How do you connect with people? If you are in a business, you probably have some sort of “plan” to connect with people who could be your customers. We see ads in the newspaper and on the TV all the time for businesses selling their particular product. We see ads looking for people to work with a specific company, or in a specific position.
I’ve heard of people who attend benefits or parties or some such event just so they can “network” the system, and benefit themselves or their company.
But what is your connection to the one and only true living God? Is it an Easter and Christmas connection? Is it a once-a-month connection? Or is it a genuine, life-sustaining, personal relationship with God?
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My brother Bill wrote about this recently. Here are his thoughts:
Our connection to God is, quite simply, the only way we can live this life with any purpose or satisfaction. It allows us to walk upright without staggering or tripping or falling down. There may be bumps in the road, but if we keep our eyes on that connection to God, He will keep us from falling flat on our faces. He will help us see the direction we need to take – to be His children.
We are blest, indeed.
~~~~~~~~~~This Concludes Bill’s thoughts through his Minute Meditations~~~~~~~~~~
Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.
For they strengthen you inside and out and inspire you to do what’s right,
You will be energized and refreshed by the healing they bring.
They give you living hope to guide you,
And not one of life’s tests will cause you to stumble.
You will sleep like a baby, safe and sound.
Your rest will be sweet and secure.
You will not be subject to terror, for it will not terrify you.
Nor will the disrespectful be able to push you aside,
Because God is your confidence in times of crisis, keeping your heart at rest in every situation.
DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn. She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”
What gives you the most rest in your life? Is it just a good night’s sleep?
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Is it vegging in front of the TV after work?
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Is it sleeping in that lawn chair after a hard day’s work?
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Is it doing something other than work?
Fred and I have often agreed that, doing something different from your normal work day is a type of rest for your body and mind.
When I was working for a company in Virginia, one of my six (count them….SIX) bosses was a young man, very skilled in finance. It was a small company, and he was tasked to do a lot of things for the company. In his office, directly across the room from his desk, was a very large picture of a mountain scene, complete with snow, ski lift, and a bunch of skiers swooping down the mountain side. Snow skiing was his passion. I understood that, in a very stressful day, he had only to look at that picture for a few minutes, visualize himself in that picture-setting, and have a moment of rest.
Have you ever “rested” in the Lord? Have you ever just let yourself know that God is in complete control of whatever situation you find yourself in, and sit back, relax, and REST in God’s capable hands? WOW! Talk about rest!! That’s the ultimate.
My brother, Bill, wrote about this one time. Here’s what he said:
I’ve written about God’s perfect timing before, and it still stands. It’s when we can allow God to have complete contl of our lives that we experience true rest. The peace that comes with that rest is the best and most refreshing we will ever have. And if we wait upon the Lord, we will see that, indeed, His timing is perfect…and so is our REST in Him.
I am grateful.
Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.
I held my mom’s hand and my 10-year-old mind took in the scenery. We zig zagged through the crowded narrow, cobblestone streets of my hometown of La Paz, Bolivia. The stench of the exhaust coming from the dilapidated busses mixed with the odor wafting from the sewage affected no one, including the street vendors. They sat at the edge of the sidewalks selling random items such as bananas, Bazooka gum, matches, bags of nuts and other items.
That’s why the scene related in Acts 3 brings back memories of my hometown. John and Peter stood before the crippled beggar outside the temple called Beautiful. “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God” (Acts 3:1-9
From time to time, we’re all at the same gate, crippled by fear, bound by insecurities, limited by all that’s out of our control. And like the beggar, we’re hoping for answers that the world—doctors, government, our jobs, our pastor, friends or counselors—cannot give.
How do I know? Because I was that beggar. When I lost my eyesight completely at 30, I sat holding my cup of hope as I looked to professionals for a cure, treatment, or meds, to stop the progression of the retinal disease.
But time and time again, my cup ended up empty. Until that day when I lifted the eyes of my heart toward Jesus. Though physically blind, the eyes of my heart saw Him reaching down to me.
The beggar did the same. He also hoped that coins tossed his way would meet his needs. But when John and Peter mentioned Jesus, all changed. The mention of His healing power opened the way for the miracle.
But those miracles are uniquely tailored. It may take place in moments, over months or after many years. The healing may first be spiritual, then emotional and then physical. The way, the pattern or the order speaks of God’s perfect timing and perfect ways.
Although God’s timing for my healing was different that those of the beggar, I followed the same scenario: when I stretched out my hand of faith, Jesus took it. My focus changed: the world had no answers or cures. But Jesus began the healing of my heart, erasing my fear and sense of helplessness.
The beggar’s ankles became strong. I also became strong in believing God had not forgotten me. He had His healing hand upon me.
The beggar began to take steps. So did I. I took steps to draw close to Him, to follow His lead, and to see what door He would open next. His Word became the lamp unto my feet and the light for my path (Psalm 119:105).
The beggar began to jump and praise the Lord. Do you have the strength to silence opposition and believe in Jesus for the process to heal? As I write this, I cannot see my physical surroundings still, but my shouts of praise to the Lord have no limits or boundaries because He healed my spiritual vision.
I praise Him because He took my physical blindness to the cross. All I have to do is wait for its manifestation. I’m certain it will happen and while I wait, I use my 20/20 spiritual vision to live the rich and abundant life He promised.
How about you? Instead of stepping into that rich life, you might be seated at the gate that’s not beautiful. It’s ugly, dark, and threatening. But when your hand is lifted up toward Jesus, all the asking, pleading, and begging ends. Instead, rejoicing begins because no matter the timing, the manner, or stage of healing, you know Jesus already took all your infirmities, your disappointments, suffering and heartaches to the cross.
And while you wait for His healing to be manifested, your strength comes back, your steps are on solid ground, and the praises from your lips will invite new confidence, new expectations, and boundless hope. That’s where the abundance of life begins.
Let’s pray.
Father, to the world I may seem poor, crippled or blind, but in You, I know I’m healed, free and praising You as I dance in the halls of joy.
Celebrate with me! My new release, Now I See: How God’s Amazing Grace Transforms the Deepest Pain to Shining Joy won the 2023 Memoir of the Year Golden Scroll Award.
You and I are only a click away. You can use this CONTACT FORM to leave your prayer request, make a comment, ask a question, or invite me to speak to your group. Or simply reply to this email.
I also invite you to visit my WEBSITE. You’ll find more inspirational blogs along with my story, books, and videos. You’ll also learn the passion and mission of JC Empowerment ministries.
Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR
Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)
These two verses have comforted me over the years. No matter how fervently I pray over some situations, sometimes the answer never seems to come. I grow weary and question if I am praying the right way. Then I recall these verses and call upon the Holy Spirit to join me in prayer, to fill in the blanks when my words run dry, and to lead my heart in the direction of God’s will.
When the Holy Spirit poured out on the disciples at Pentecost, they received power to perform miracles, they gained courage to speak about Jesus as Messiah and king even in the face of death, and they followed the path God had set for them from the beginning. Life as a Christ follower isn’t easy, but we aren’t alone in it either.
Part of our job as Christians is to intercede on behalf of others. They may need God’s salvation, healing, comfort, encouragement, peace, or an actual physical need, like food and shelter. Webster’s dictionary defines intercede as “to intervene between two parties with a view to reconciling differences”. It’s a compact word for acting as a go-between for two parties, much like a lawyer acts as an intercessor in a legal dispute. Jesus came to Earth to intercede on our behalf, to take away the wrath of God upon our imperfect and sinful spirits. He continues to do so at the throne of God each time we pray.
Those who aren’t believers need us to intercede on their behalf, to go between them and God to seek His reconciliation and grace in their circumstances. It’s not a job for the faint of heart. It can take years for these types of prayers to be answered, and they weigh heavily on your heart, but they are truly important.
The way Dutch Sheets put it in his book Intercessory Prayer shifted my understanding. He said, “Intercessory prayer is an extension of the ministry of Jesus through His Body, the Church, whereby we mediate between God and humanity for the purpose of reconciling the world to Him, or between Satan and humanity for the purpose of enforcing the victory of Calvary …. Our authority comes from being sent ones, representing Jesus. As long as we function in that capacity, we function in Christ’s authority. And, in essence, we’re not really doing the works; He is.”
Whew! We don’t have to feel the pressure to complete the work we are praying for. We bring our requests to God and allow Him the freedom to work. Jesus already paid the ultimate price, won the ultimate victory, and made it possible for humanity to reap the reward of victory.
It’s a simple decision to accept that victory and allow it to change the way we live our lives. Alternatively, we can continue slogging along, thinking we can do everything on our own, and that there is nothing more than this current life. If this is all there is, do you really feel fulfilled? I know I want more. I want a world without sin, sickness, pain, war, death. All that awaits us in heaven, but only if we follow Jesus.
I’ll close today with another scripture that is resoundingly appropriate in our world today (emphasis is mine). “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1Timothy 2:1-2)
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Photo Credit:Pixabay
DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn. She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”
An instrument you’ve scrimped and saved for, for so long you wondered whether or not you would ever be able to afford it?
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That big-screen TV?
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That stereo system? That computer? That ipad or iphone?
What about a pet? Is that considered a “possession” to you?
How did you feel after you acquired that prized possession? Did the possessing of it complete your life, like you thought it would? Or were you “let down” now that you had it in hand?
My brother, Bill, wrote about a woman who desired something – something she considered more than life itself:
In acquiring those prized possessions, if we consider how that possession can be used to God’s glory, then we can use it – “give it back to God” – and know that we have fulfilled God’s desire for us in that instance. We can give God the opportunity to bless us with our use of the possession.
The “essence” of this thought is that, what God gives still belongs to Him – to be used for His glory.
I had never thought about my possessions in that light. God really DOES want to give us the best, and to bless us with it.
WOW!
Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.
As Balaam rode along on his donkey, accompanied by his two servants, the angel of the Lord stood on the road to bar his way.
When the donkey saw the angel holding a sword, it left the road and turned into the fields. Then Balaam beat the donkey and brought it back onto the road.
Then the angel stood where the road narrowed between two vineyards and had a stone wall on each side. When the donkeysaw the angel, it moved against the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it.
Again, Balaam beat the donkey.
Once more, the angel moved ahead.
This time, when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down. Balaam lost his temper and began to beat the donkey with his stick. Then the Lord gave the donkey the power of speech, and it said to Balaam.
“I have never done you wrong,
What have I done to you?
Why have you beaten me these three times?”
Balaam answered Because you have made a fool of me!
If I had a sword, I would kill you.
The donkey replied, “Am I not the same donkey on which you have ridden all your life? Have I ever treated you like this before?
No, Balaam replies.
Then the Lord let Balaam see the angel standing there with his sword, and Balaam threw himself face downward on the ground.
The angel demanded. Why have you beaten your donkey three times? I have come to bar your way because you should not be making this journey.
Your donkey saw me and turned aside three times. If it hadn’t, I would have killed you and spared the donkey.
Balaam replied, I have sinned. I did not know you were standing on the road to oppose me; now, I will return home if you think it is wrong for me to go on.
The angel said, go on with these servants, but say only what I tell you to say. So Balaam went on with them.
DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn. She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”
…..What’s your first thought when you hear/see that word? Power: electrical?
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hydro?
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aircraft takeoff or landing?
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a violent electrical thunderstorm?
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What about the power of a word? A judge can, with one word, sentence a prisoner to life in prison or the death penalty. That same judge can also, with one word, set a prisoner free.
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What about the power of God? I wrote about my feelings on God’s power in an Easter blog last year: God’s power is so tremendously great that He actually raised Jesus from death back into life! Amazing!! It’s so easy to just say…He arose. But just think of it – He actually rose FROM THE DEAD BACK TO LIFE! That never happened to anyone else, that didn’t physically die again.
I sometimes have a really hard time wrapping my mind around that thought. Raising someone from death to life. I know that many people have been declared clinically “dead” and through CPR or some other method, have been brought “back to life” again. But not after they had been dead for three days, as Christ was! WOW!
Photo Credit Judy Wills
God’s power is unlimited. Have you ever had your electricity go off? Have you ever heard of airplanes crashing because of loss of power? God’s power just doesn’t have that kind of limitation. Well ….because He’s GOD!
My brother, Bill, wrote about the Israelites in Biblical times, who didn’t understand God’s complete power. Here’s what Bill wrote:
Praise the Lord indeed! God is truly on OUR side. And as Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do ALL things, through Christ, who keeps pouring POWER into me!”
Woohoo!
Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.
We have precious friends from way back in time who live in a different city. Since we live in a small rural area, we have to drive to find good healthcare. Meeting up with friends on doctor visit days would inject some fun into the chore, So, we chose doctors in their city.
Recently we got the wild idea to get together without seeing a doctor. We met at their home, enjoyed a leisurely coffee with a pre-lunch treat of decadent cupcakes from Publix grocery, then went out to lunch.
After lunch we went plant shopping at what I call the “flower man”. It isn’t a nursery exactly. It is in the backyard of a man’s home. It’s a big yard and he has several greenhouses. The plants I buy from him seem to survive and thrive better than the commercial ones. Plus, I simply enjoy walking around with a friend and enjoying all of the color. (i’m big into geraniums and coleus this year.)
Photo Credit:Soileau Greenhouse Anderson, SC
When we went out to lunch we drove one car. We both needed to go to Sam’s Club Warehouse after lunch but would drive our own cars because we had a cooler for the cold items.
My husband had been quiet after lunch but he tires easily so I put it down to an energy slump. But on the drive to Sam’s he began experiencing shortness of breath and complained of pain in his lung area. Our fun day became a scary day.
He used his inhaler while I was suggesting we detour to the emergency room. We were both concerned about a pneumothorax. My husband has a strong dislike of emergency rooms and when he didn’t rule out a visit I began mentally planning the fastest route to the hospital.
I think his distaste of an ER visit must have opened up his lungs. The pain subsided and he wanted to continue with our plans. I suggested that he wait for me in the snack cafe while I shopped but he wanted to walk with me. He did ok but looked tired so I suggested we go to the cafe and get a drink and some ice cream before driving home. I texted our friends who were checking out and they joined us. And surprise, surprise, his very berry ice cream sundae settled his breathing!
Photo Credit: Sams Club
Saturday he was a little slow moving. I kept busy around the house while he did his morning breathing treatment. The chilly morning warmed nicely with a gentle cool breeze. I suggested coffee on the porch. We sat sipping our coffee, talking and observing the birds coming to the feeders. When I finished my coffee I began to think of the house chores I needed to complete. I looked over at my husband and decided “forget the chores, savor the time.”
The afternoon slipped sweetly away. Last Saturday was a very good day.
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice an be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
I asked A.I. to create a picture of Jesus walking next to water holding a child’s hand. I had no idea it would do such an amazing job.
After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience. Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites, Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix
In addition to blogging, I’m a general “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books
My 2023 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.
(C) Copyright 2012-2024 Old Things R New All rights reserved. This website is an Amazon affiliate and the income from sales helps to defray the cost of running the site.
Old Things R New 