Priorities

 I was not able to accompany the Cosgroves on their recent missions trip to Kenya, and after hearing about it, I'm resolved not to miss the next one. Will you pray with me, for the finances, strength, and resolutions to a few hindrances so that the way opens? A very large part of my heart is in Kenya, another part in North India, and also in Jamaica. By the way, you should check out the Cosgrove's website:

My great grandbaby is getting too big too soon - but there's another one coming in October, so I guess that will make up for it.

In these days, experiencing a greater measure of the Lord's presence is a priority to me. Did you know the one prayer in the Word of God that will always receive an immediate answer? The prayer is, "Draw me." That prayer from a believer's heart causes the Lord to extend His grace and His mercy as needed, in order to draw that one to Himself. I've latched onto it. Have you? Blessings to you!

August 2012

Praise the Lord! I've just had a wonderful week-end hosting friends for services at Agape Fellowship in Christ. The church is celebrating its 27th Anniversary. David and Elese Cosgrove were with us. They carry a beautiful anointing. I first met the Cosgrove family in Kenya, East Africa in the 90's. We clicked immediately, and I always look forward to connecting again. I wish it were more often.

My two pooches are still keeping me well entertained with their Bichon blitzes and canine capers. They continue to make me smile when I normally wouldn't -- and to frown, come to think of it.

My writing pursuits continue with an added column on Examiner.com, an online publication. I hope you'll take time to check out these columns by clicking here
and here

Blessings!

Transport for Christ mobile chapel

Transport for Christ mobile chapel

Blog revival needed

I really do miss sharing my thoughts on this blog. However, the limited number of followers hasn't seemed to warrant continuing it. Then several persons recently commented to me: "I haven't seen any new blogs from you for awhile. You're not quitting it, are you?"

Oh boy. What to do? I do try to publish two or three articles weekly on my column on www.examiner.com/western-religions-in-harrisburg and also on my General Education column on that site. Those sites are so different from the personal blogging though, that my personal writing itch would like a scratching now and then -- (like the pups' ears).

Speaking of writing. I'm so thrilled that one of my articles has been accepted for a Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and a second story has made it to the final round. I had previously been published in two of the Cup of Comfort series. Other than those submissions, I have not really written new stuff for the print markets. So this was a blessing.

If the canine kids knew that their capers were not being shared, I wonder how they'd feel? Neglected? Relieved? Hmm. Well, here goes. Daisy still scratches, in spite of all the stuff that's been tried to alleviate the problem. Hopefully, it will calm down in the colder weather. Mitzi continues to clean Daisy's eyes, and demand that I join her in a tug of war with one of her 10 ropes. When she's really happy, she performs her Bichon blitz.

Well, that's a brief update for the few friends who might check up on me. See ya' later!

Memory Lane

My Writer’s Journal has served as a “book of remembrance” that I open from time to time. I came across this entry today, which I had also published in my spring 1996 Newsletter. Walk down Memory Lane with me as you read:

“Lord, I never did like that sticky stuff! I wanted to be sure that Beau (my Dalmatian) didn’t strangle himself in the cord from the mini blind, so in my effort to move it, I got trapped in a strip of flypaper hanging from the ceiling. (Remember that stuff?) Now, that paper had hung there for a week and only caught three flies. How come it zapped me? There I was all dressed for church and wrapped in sticky, gooey stuff. I just couldn’t get it off my hands.

“Later, as I played my guitar for the worship service, a fly kept landing on my nose. I wonder why?”

 "You reminded me, Lord, that life sometimes gets “sticky.” We can get into situations that just won’t let go. But what I desire, Lord, is to get so close to You that You just can’t get me off Your hands. This road to intimacy with You began at the old gold chair on my knees in the dinky blue and white mobile home in the mountain. I was desperately crying out to You when You said, “I’ve been waiting to be gracious to you. I’ve heard your cry, and I’ll not hide from you any longer” (a word from Isaiah 30). That was the beginning of a wonderful romance. Thank You, Lord, for “sticking” by me.                                                                                                        Love, Penny"

Are you ready for a God moment?

We have “God moments” – called such because they are of God. God is in them. We are quickened. God’s breath is on our cheek. Time seems to stop, or at least stand still – for a profound moment. As recorded in Luke 2:32, Jesus was to be a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of His people Israel. Simeon was waiting for Light and Glory for Gentile and Jew.

Max Lucado writes in One Incredible Moment, “Simeon: the man who knew how to wait for the arrival of Christ. The way he waited for the first coming is a model for how we should wait for the Second Coming.” Simeon’s moment occurred 40 days after the birth of Jesus, according to the Law of Moses. The days of Mary’s purification were accomplished. The parents took their child from Bethlehem to the temple in Jerusalem, along with their sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons” (as prescribed in Leviticus). The Holy Ghost had spoken to Simeon before these events, according to Luke 2:26; and in the next verse we learn that when they came to the house of God it was customary to come with an offering. However, in verse 27 we see that there is another way to come. Simeon came “by the Spirit”. It was a God moment.
Anna had her God moment by confirming Simeon’s prophecy about the birth of Jesus. Mary, we learn, “kept all these things in her heart.” For Mary, it was one moment among many – and more to come. Simeon and Anna had waited for this moment – the arrival of Jesus – and it came; their God moment. We too, are waiting for the arrival of Jesus in His Second Coming. Simeon and Anna give us a formula for success:

How to Wait for His Arrival 

1. See - Commit to it. Allow God to open your spiritual eyes.
2. Hear – Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings.
3. Come – To the temple. He is within. Commune with Him. There is a way to wait and a way to come. Simeon had vision. He had already “seen” in His spirit

Simeon was just and devout Let this short lesson speak to your heart. True, we live in troubled times. The worst kind of vandalism is spiritual wreckage in a life. Guard against it. Be ready to sound an alarm. Do not allow Satan to steal your peace or your joy.

African congregation feels like home

It was a thrill to worship with an African congregation yesterday. We sang in Swahili and English and the sermon, which was delivered in English was interpreted into Swahili. I felt like I'd come home. Next week I will have the privilege to minister in this church, both in the Bible Class and the Morning Worship Service. I appreciate your prayers. The church is in Chelsea, Massachusetts. This opportunity came to me via the Cosgrove's. Bless them, Lord! They know my heart for Africa. I also would like you to pray for my African brother, John Kaoto and his church in Suna, Kenya, East Africa. When we visited the church in 2001, we left money for sorely needed buildings to house a latrine and cooking kitchen at the church property in the bush. This year the wind storms blew them over. Now the people have to use the bush, where there is the danger of poisonous snakes. Please pray for provision for this need -- and should the Lord move upon you to contribute, just contact me for the information. Blessings!