JOURNEYING WITH PAUL TO PHILIPPI

Paul’s secondary missionary journey took place AD 49-51, during which time Silas, Timothy, Priscilla and Aquila, and Luke accompanied him to some of the places. The journey began in Asia and was the first time the gospel message spread to Europe. As we journey, we will be reading Scriptures taken from Acts 15:36-Acts 18:22. I pray the stories will come alive for you as we travel together to some of the major cities where Paul spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

This map shows the general location of several stops on Paul’s second missionary journey that we will pilgrimage to during the next few weeks. Continue reading “JOURNEYING WITH PAUL TO PHILIPPI”

PAUL’S STORY

Our pilgrimage in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul, which will focus on his second missionary journey, will officially start next week. Today we will focus on an overview of his life. Paul’s given name when he was born in AD 5 was Saul which is of Hebrew origin.  He was an Israelite, from the tribe of Benjamin, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, which is considered part of Asia Minor, known as Turkey today. Saul was considered a Roman citizen because his father was a Jewish Roman citizen.

At a young age, Saul lived in Jerusalem, studying the Hebrew Law with the Jewish scholar Gamaliel. He excelled in his studies and became a devout Pharisee who is someone who believed a person must keep every one of the traditions of Judaism, as well as all the commandments. He was very legalistic. Continue reading “PAUL’S STORY”

AUTUMN LEAVES

The last few weeks in upstate New York have held the most beautiful array of colorful leaves displaying God’s glory at its finest. In fact, I have found them breath-taking, especially with the many yellow and red trees. I thought about the life cycle of the leaves throughout the four seasons and some parallels with our lives and our faith.

 

 

When we first come to know about Jesus and start that personal relationship with Him, our faith is like the budding trees in the springtime. We are like newborns in our faith journey, slowly emerging like the new buds. Continue reading “AUTUMN LEAVES”

MOONLIGHT

I have returned from a beautiful, grace-filled pilgrimage, walking in the footsteps of St. Paul’s second missionary journey. In the near future, I hope to bring you, my dear reader, along on some of the adventures and places we visited.

The pilgrimage included a three-day cruise to a few of the Greek Isles. The last night of the cruise, I was walking around the upper decks of the ship, enjoying solitude as there was no one else around. I was mesmerized while looking at the almost full moon, seeing the light it produced on the Aegean Sea. At one point, the moonlight lit up a wider area on the water, which fascinated me even more. It was a special time gazing on the moon and water while being in God’s presence as His beloved, and in oneness. Continue reading “MOONLIGHT”

CARRY BURDENS

While at work, on a short walk to stretch my legs, I ran into a man who works for a different company in the same building that I work in. It has been a few months since I have seen him, and I wondered how his family and his son were doing. I have been praying for the whole family as they lovingly and faithfully continue to care for their son, who requires 24/7 care.

Through a series of occasional orchestrations, eight months ago I shared a book of mine with him. At that time, I was blessed to learn some of his story. He has a 30-year-old son who was born blind and has several health issues that have worsened over the years. Some of the latest issues include trying to control his diabetes, which has unfortunately not improved since I saw him last. I was sad to hear that. Continue reading “CARRY BURDENS”

CARE FOR

This reflection draws inspiration from a friend who shared these thoughts with me after our most recent visit. We both know it was divine intervention a few years ago that brought us together because of a Christian T-shirt that I was wearing at a retreat. Since then, we get together at least once a month and enjoy food, walks, and spiritual conversations.  This time I was glad she asked for assistance with two small house tasks that needed a second person.

She had been praying the next morning, and the word “care” came to her.  She pointed out something I had never thought about—the difference she sees between when you “care about” or “care for” someone.

Continue reading “CARE FOR”

FORGIVENESS

As I was gazing out upon the vastness of beautiful, calm Lake Ontario, feeling oneness with the gentle, rolling waves, I happened to read a related Scripture verse.

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.  –Micah 7:18-19  (NIV)

God is so great and loves us all so much. Even when we, like Israel from this Scripture, grumble, complain, and get angry with God, He does not remain angry with us. Instead, God lavishes us with His mercy and compassion. I could envision God stomping on, and then hurling the evil we do out into the depths of the water. The vastness of the water lets us know God remembers our sins no more. The gentle waves reminded me of His compassion and mercy washing over us. Our incredible God is willing to grant us His forgiveness. Continue reading “FORGIVENESS”

SEA FOAM

Someone said, “You need to walk the beach in the rain.” I decided to take that advice and started my stroll during a light rain that eventually stopped. While walking along the shoreline with the warm water engulfing my feet, the desolate beach was delightful and peaceful.

 

 

On my morning beach walks, the beauty of the white sea foam that was washing up and seemed to remain for a while on the shore caught my attention. Sometimes the wind would start blowing some sections of the foam together, making it tumble and roll along the sand quickly. Continue reading “SEA FOAM”

CELEBRATING GOD’S GOODNESS

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.  –Psalm 145:3-7  (NIV)

It is important to share and celebrate God’s goodness with each other to help build our faith. I need to boast about God’s faithfulness in providing weekly inspiration to share for 10 years through this website, with this reflection being #484!  

 

For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.  –Psalm 71:5-6  (NIV)

I celebrate God’s goodness, which has always given me a love for Him, even as a child.  In the last four years, that love has grown stronger and more intimate.  I have always enjoyed going to church for as long as I can remember.  When looking back on my life, I also reflect on the fact that I experienced God’s presence when I was at the ocean, and that also continues to this day. Seeing the beauty of the natural world has awed me and brought me closer to God.

 

Growing up, I never realized  until my late teens it seemed that God gave me a connection to and love for the written word. It was then that God put two people in my path who shared their faith with me, which helped me see God’s presence more. Through those interactions, I came to realize that I could better process and express myself through the written word rather than by sharing verbally. That began my journey of penning thoughts. I had no idea that 30 years later, God would lead me to begin writing weekly on a website and publish four books to date.  It was never something I even remotely considered. I am not an English major, but we know God uses all of us in different ways if we have a willing heart to say “yes” to Him. I do recall, though, that in my early teens, God told me some day I would do something greater for Him. I believe that these past 10 years of writing were the something greater.  He can use our ordinary lives to bring Him glory.

 

 

Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods.  –1 Chronicles 16:24-25  (NLT) & –Psalm 96:3-4  (NLT)

God used the Christian band, Third Day, to inspire me to join social media, which is when I met some online Christian bloggers who wrote to share their faith. One person had started penning short daily reflections that helped to inspire me to see if I could write weekly inspiration. This person also gave me information on how to start the website that I still have today.  I remember stepping out in faith on September 5, 2014, publishing my first reflection—a “test” to see if God would provide weekly inspiration. As we know, God has been faithful for 10 years and counting.  What a beautiful adventure it has been.   

 

 

God has taught me three main lessons throughout this time:

1-God provides.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  –Philippians 4:19  (ESV)

It has been a beautiful journey to see how I’ve grown in confidence and trust that God will provide inspiration each week as I seek to share His goodness. Some weeks are more challenging than others, when doubts arise, but God provides a level of peace in my spirit when it seems “right.” I have learned to let go of some of the control that I think I have and put my faith into action.       

2-God is always working in our lives, even though we don’t see it.

So, because Jesus was doing these things [healings] on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”  –John 5:16-17  (NIV)

This Scripture tells us that both God and Jesus are always at work in our lives, whether we see it or not. Through the first five years of writing, I always felt it was difficult to get people to take time and read each week. I had no idea God, working in my life, was orchestrating people to encourage me to publish a book and also to meet, in person, an author from Texas, who would later self-publish my work. Publishing books has led me to share my books with strangers I meet, which has provided a way I am able to reach more people and help spread God’s Word. Everything is in God’s perfect timing, even if we are not aware.

3-God provides beautiful orchestrations.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  –Romans 8:28  (NLT)

This has always been my favorite Scripture verse since I was a teen. God wants the best for us and provides beautiful orchestrations in our lives. He can even make good come from evil things in our lives. Throughout the last 10 years, I have been blessed to meet and learn many people’s stories, which is so beautiful. The people I have encountered continue to inspire and encourage me as we journey together. Stepping out in faith to share a book with a stranger often leads to a beautiful, spiritual relationship.  

Be encouraged this week to…
…celebrate a way you see God’s goodness in your life.
…thank God for a need He provided.
…trust God is working on something in your life that you aren’t aware of yet.
…wait with expectation to see God’s beautiful orchestrations.

 

REFLECTION:
What great deed of God do you need to proclaim?
What orchestration did God provide that you noticed later?

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.  –2 Corinthians 9:8  (ESV) 

Note: I will take a week or two off in order to spend quality vacation time with my family. Feel free to visit the site and read a reflection or two at any time! God bless~

SEA TURTLE LESSONS

We can learn lessons from so many of God’s wonderful creations. I am in awe of God, the Creator, as I see numerous connections with His masterpieces.

 


Continue reading “SEA TURTLE LESSONS”