Tag Archives: Christianity

The Choice That Set Us Free

17 Aug

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Janet Eckles Perez

 

“Turn that off,” I finally said to my husband as I walked in the TV room.

The nightly news blared yet another angle of the George Zimmerman case. The sad details stirred painful memories of our own trial—the prosecution of the man who killed our 19 year-old-son 10 years ago here in Florida. The man who stabbed him 23 times pled self-defense and the verdict also declared: not guilty of all counts.

The rage, the injustice and the protest that has been dominating the media were familiar to us. But more importantly, the details remind us of the decision my husband and I made back then. After nights of diligent prayer for strength. After pleading God for comfort. And after claiming the victory He would bring, we made the choice. The decision to forgive the killer.

The process wasn’t easy, nor the task simple. We chose to forgive because God had instructed us to do so. Were we such good Christians that we would obey? Not really. But we were desperate to be set free from anger or resentment that could’ve held us prisoners.

God said to forgive. But he also said without Him we can do nothing. He said not seek vengeance. But He also said Vengeance belongs to Him. He said to find joy in Him. But He also said to have a heart free of malice.

We found the peace that goes beyond all understanding. We learned firsthand the freedom that forgiveness brings. We found that tragedy happens, evil abounds, but triumph through the power of God is possible.

Writing about this episode is not easy. But the price Jesus paid for murderers wasn’t easy either.

Media hosts have asked me during interviews: What words would you say to the mother of a victim to murder?

I would say three things:

*Seek God’s help for the grieving process. Although it’s impossible to overcome the pain without His help, the journey is different for everyone.

*Be careful to choose what fills your mind. The mentality of a victim never reaches victory.

*Honor your child’s life by turning this painful episode to a powerful message. I suggest inviting those who have a high profile and are outspoken folks to use that same energy, passion and efforts to teach, to encourage and show young people of ALL ages the evil of violence, the value of self-control and the power of forgiveness.

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14.

Since Jesus gave us the power to forgive, our family’s loss turned to the gain of God’s gift. The gift of freedom wrapped in forgiveness.

For we know that unforgiveness is the chain that keeps us bound. And Forgiveness is the choice that sets us free.

The full story is included in Janet’s #1 best-selling book Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God’s Fiesta. http://amzn.to/pwDntn

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Embrace the Promise

16 Aug

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

When we wake up in the morning

There is promise in the air.

We don’t know what the day will bring,

But the expectancy is there.

The time to be happy is now-

We have this day to explore.

Everyday is a special occasion-

What are YOU waiting for?

 “A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances,

 but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes,”-Hugh Downey

Footnote:  It is at the end of the day when my work is done that I have time to reflect on what God has done.

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I Believe in Miracles

14 Aug

Bill Lites our normal Wednesday blogger has internet issues and was unable to send in his post for Wednesday. A true miracle occurred this week, I have written a blog post and have it ready to go. so I am posting Wednesday in the hope that Bill will be with us Thursday.

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

I believe in miracles, in fact I delight in miracles so much they send my soul into a happy dance. My favorite miracle is seeing God bring people together to meet a need, encourage someone or heal a heart. I have lived long Onishaenough to look back through time to see how God guides the threads of our lives in His hand then draws together those lives to create a miracle. It confirms to me how intimately  God cares for every aspect of our lives. I wish I could draw well because this would be one of my favorite pictures.

As I was thinking about these small miracles, my heart questioned me about the big miracles. Why don’t I feel the same joy when I pray for the “biggies” like freedom from bad life habits, healing and even salvation?  Of course I pray for those miracles and say all the right words but where is the joyous expectation?

Here is my question: Do I rejoice in small miracles because I am afraid to yearn for big ones?

UPDATE: Monday morning, shortly after writing this I received a call that my precious 10 year old grandson was having silent seizures and needed an MRI  ASAP. I marvel at how God led me to search my heart so that I can joyously expect a miracle.

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Your Old Men Shall Dream Dreams

7 Aug

Your Old Men Shall Dream Dreams

2004

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Sometime in 2004 I had a dream that started in a small building about the size of the church we were attending at the time.  A few people (some of which I knew) were scattered around the room.  One good friend walked up and handed me a lapel mike and asked me who was going to lead the meeting.  I said I guessed I could get it started by having everyone tell us his or her name.  As I started around the room, many more people were coming in and I realized I couldn’t name them all.  So, I just looked around and asked them to meet and greet each other.  As people kept streaming in, the room kept expanding until there were thousands of people in a huge outdoor coliseum.  Even though I was completely out of my element, I could feel the people’s love for me and for one another.  I was moved by their openness and asked them to pray that Jesus would visit us in Spirit and Truth.  I was filled with the most wonderful feeling of love and acceptance, and couldn’t stop sharing with them the love that Jesus had for all of us.

 

Then I started sharing with the people how Jesus must be hurting, and how we had all hurt Him at one time or another.  I told Him how sorry I was for how I had hurt Him and immediately felt His warm love and forgiveness.  Everyone was open and receptive to what I had to say, except for one heckler right on the isle next to me.  He was not mean, just disruptive and I finally looked at him and said, “Be quiet mister.” And, he immediately disappeared!

 

The sky above us was constantly moving and filled with every color in the rainbow (like Alice in Wonderland).  At some time during the gathering, it became very dark all around the outside of the coliseum and started to rain, but not on us.  The open sky above us remained bright and filled with moving color.  It was a very scary position to be in, but as thousands of people kept coming in, I found myself filled with an ever-increasing desire to share the love of God with them.  It was the ultimate worship experience!

 

When I woke up, I felt cool and calm, not hot and sweaty like when I wake up from most dreams.  My first thought was “I don’t ever want to find myself in front of that many people, in that kind of a position!”  I immediately repented and told the Lord I was willing to do whatever He wanted me to do.  Then I thanked Him for giving me the experience and felt that I should write it all down.  I wasn’t sure why I felt like I should write it down, because I have never done that before, especially in the middle of the night, but it just seemed like the kind of dream that I wanted to share with others.

 

 

Acts 2:17

                                               

 

 

 

                                               

 

 

 

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Susie’s Daddy

29 Jul

My Take

DiVoran LItes

Author, Poet and Artist

Earl plays the guitar for our praise team. He’s one of those who can play many instruments and play them without notes on paper.

Earl is a big man, younger than my son, older than my grandson.  I hold his hand in our prayer circle after practice. His hand is gentle, patient, and strong.

His little girl, Susie, is in my Sunday School class. She’s about to be seven as she puts it.

One day she brought a plush horse to Sunday School and I noticed he had construction paper wings. They were designed and cut and adhered to the horse with tape that stayed on through all Susie’s loving. “Who made your horse’s wings?” I said.

“My daddy,” she said. Later I learned that almost all her critters have wings daddy has made for them. One Sunday she told me about a small worry, and I suggested she tell her Mommy about it. AND my Daddy says Susie adamantly.

After practice on Father’s Day it came to me to compliment Earl on his fathering skills. Everyone likes to be encouraged in this way.

As we left the platform I said I had something I wanted to tell him. A look of fear came into his eyes and I realized that he had perhaps in the past been told a lot of things he didn’t want to hear, but he was brave, he didn’t bolt.

“Susie really loves you, I said. You are a good father.”

“She’s my baby,” he said, still wary.

I told him about the wings and how impressed I was with the way Susie loves him and trusts him.

“Just doing what comes naturally,” said Earl.

I told him I understood that, but that few daddy’s of my acquaintance gave their little daughters the kind of TLC he does.

“Oh, I didn’t know….” His face began to crumple.

In order to escape his embarrassment if he started to cry I started to move discretely away, but he kept pace with me. “Thank you for telling me that,” he said. “You can’t know what it means to me.”

I told him I did understand what he meant. Regular people so rarely see our own excellent qualities.

My grandmother Maire would approve of my telling him how I felt.. She always taught that if you saw something good about someone they deserved a compliment.

Pastor Peter Lord would approve too. His number one message these days is Eulogy:.tell people good things about themselves while they are alive. Don’t wait until you go to their funerals.

Most people need encouragement for the good things they are and do. To coin a phrase a quart of praise is worth more than a gallon of criticism. It’s one gift that makes both the giver and the receiver as happy as can be.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

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This is My Story and I Am Sticking to It

23 Jul

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

This summer has certainly had its ups and downs. Our family members have been Onishaplagued with ongoing physical challenges and a precious uncle went to be with the Lord. The garden I was so excited about in the spring has pretty much fizzled. The weather has included rain most days and when it has been nice, my work with Rebekah Lyn Books has kept me hard at work on my computer instead of chilling on the porch.

Then Monday morning I looked outside and the sun was shining, my husband was feeling better and a flower basket hanging outside my front door was beautiful and

House Wrens love to nest here.once again housing a bird nest. For the past three years we have purchased the same kind of flower basket and each year an adorable bird has nested there. Something about that basket and the new life growing inside of it sparked a thrill of joy. It reminded me that whether I am experiencing mountain top highs or walking down a thorny path it is all a pattern in the seasons of life. I have rejoiced in the glorious days and I will choose to rejoice in these trying days.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14.27

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Standing on the Promises

22 Jul

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Author, Poet and ArtistEvery family has trouble and sorrow. Our’s is no exception, but one day when I had come to the end of my resources, I discovered that God made promises in the Bible. Nothing has ever been the same since.

As I began to see scripture as promises I wrote them down in a small, red, velvet book. Soon it was filled with promises and quotations from godly folks I trust.

Now many years later, I’ve seen the fulfillment of those promises. Not only have they been fulfilled in the family we started with but in our descendants as well. My greatest hope has happened. God is good.

How about you, is there a special promise you have claimed in trying times?

“All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 53:13

 

If you would like to read more from DiVoran she can be found at Rebekah Lyn Books

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Gratitude

19 Jul

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

author of Window Wonders

 

“I have learned to enjoy the little things-

there are so many of them”

GRATITUDE

 

I thank God for His blessings-

Waking up each morning is one.

There is so much promise in the air,

So many victories to be won..

It is all age-related-

What is your expectancy?

To pass all the “tests” of the day-

Whatever they may be?

 

We all face challenges

That tax our existence-

But one must persevere

In spite of their persistence.

 

Hold on to your values-

Stand up for what you believe.

If God is at the forefront-

He will help you to achieve!

 

 

“Enjoy the little things,

For one day you may look back

And realize they were the big things”

Robert Brault

 

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A Thousand Trials

15 Jul

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Trials make us more able to trust God. We trust Him more quickly each time one Author, Poet and Artistcomes to us and we trust him on a deeper level the next time. We must, however, remember to come to him while we are in the trial and to ask him for revelation, insight, peace, and power every time.

If we try to white-knuckle it though life, we turn ourselves blind and deaf to the guidance and miracle help he wants to give us. When we tell Him we need his nurturing and care in the midst of the storm, He will perform miracles so wondrous we are hardly able to contain their glory. It’s worth it. We’re worth it. Being in the center of His will is worth it.

“All things work together for good for those who love God and who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

“In one thousand trials it is not five hundred of them that work for the believer’s good, but nine hundred and ninety-nine of them and one besides.” George Mueller

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AEROBICS AND HEARING AIDS

14 Jul

SUNDAY MEMORIES

 Judy Wills

JUDY 

 I have been an “exerciser” for many, many years of my life.  As a matter of fact, I began jogging more than three months before I shamed Fred into jogging with me. We’ve never stopped doing something in the way of exercise.

 So it came as no surprise to me to find an “aerobic dancing” class beginning shortly after we arrived in Heidelberg, West Germany.  One of the military wives was teaching the class.  I took the class and loved it!  The interest was so great that she wanted to have a partner to help teach – and she selected me.  I taught the remainder of the three years we were in Heidelberg.   This was our logo and color.

During that time, there was one lady in my class who always stood in the front row and to my right (I was facing away from the students).  As we conversed, I thought she had a speech impediment.  After we got to know each other a bit better, she told me that she had been born with some hearing loss.  She wasn’t totally deaf, but enough so that she couldn’t hear the way most words were sounded.  That explained her speech.  But she had hearing aids that helped her so much, and she could understand all the cues I shouted out in the class.

As interesting as all that is – to me anyway – that’s not the end of the story.  We returned stateside and began our life in Virginia.  Our oldest daughter had met her 2future husband while in high school in Heidelberg (his father was our American pastor), and he had returned to the States to attend college – where she was attending, of course.  They married a few years later.

One evening, around Thanksgiving time, I received a call from our son-in-law, saying that, on their way to see his parents in South Carolina, our daughter had fallen asleep at the wheel and they had crashed.  I was furious that he would only say that she was “in with the doctor” and wouldn’t give me any more details – like…..is she still alive???!!!

I asked if he wanted us to come and take them back home (they were only about an hour from their apartment).  He agreed.  He then said, “wait, here is the paramedic who will give you directions to the hospital.”  This young man came on the phone and gave me the directions – with the very same intonation that my aerobic student had!!  I knew at once that he had hearing loss, and not a speech impediment.  And, by God’s grace, I was able to understand every word he said – the first time!  No repeats.  God had prepared me, all those years ago, for that very moment, when I would need my wits about me, and to understand this young man’s instructions.

I could end the story there – that is the main thrust of it – but I want to tell you of God’s gracious hand in all this.  You see, when our daughter fell asleep, the car drifted, and our son-in-law looked up and screamed, which woke her, and she drastically over-corrected.  That caused the car to roll several times.  Amazingly, there were no other cars around them – just down the road a bit – no other cars involved in the crash.  There was an off-duty ambulance behind them that stopped, and the paramedics gave aid.  They could have rolled off a bridge and crashed onto the road below them – but they didn’t – they just rolled to a stop on an embankment.  While the car was totaled, our children only suffered a few cuts and bruises.

Our God is loving and faithful and gracious, indeed.

O Lord, you will keep us safe and protect us…

Psalm 12:7

 

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