FROM THE WORD

Life is a tapestry of experiences that impact us in different ways. They provide us with unending opportunities to learn as we mature. This blog is my open door for you and I to share, heart to heart.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17 NIV

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Black-out

Last Friday night in the wee hours of the morning as I lay half awake, not thinking of anything specific, the dominant sound and all I seemed to be hearing was the hum of the fan. Suddenly the lights went and a thick darkness enveloped the room. The glow from the lights outside, the sound of the fan and the cool air it gave were suddenly gone. My ears suddenly tuned in to the rhythmic ticking of the clock hanging on the wall and for awhile all that consumed my thoughts was that faint sound. The gentle tick that had previously been drowned out by the sound of the fan was now all I was hearing. The darkness did not seem as thick as before as my focus was somewhere else. This then set my mind in deep thoughts and I was reminded of a beautiful life lesson.



How often in our day to day activities 'darkness' can suddenly sweep over us in various ways: sudden illness, death, job loss, criminal attack, family crisis, financial loss, church conflict and the list goes on. This can leave us stunned, emotionally distraught, angry and sometimes feeling almost hopeless. We can see no further than the reality of what has happened. But, just like the gentle tick, there is always a gentle word, a still small voice, something that causes us to pause, shift our focus and think differently. The Psalmist says in Psalm 16:7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me and in chapter 42:8 further declares by day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me.



Friend, this may be a night season for you- a real black out, listen, all is not lost. Let the songs of the Lord, the power of His word be a reminder - that gentle tick that causes you to sing:



Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning
Weeping only lasts for the night
Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning
The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight
Be Blessed

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Why worry?

Worry-worry-worry. Nervous stomachs. Heart palpitations. Sighs. Tears. I am sure you can identify with this list. Lately I have been struggling here. You see my mother's health seems to be failing and there is some level of uncertainty just now with regards to a clear diagnosis. Can I tell you how unsettling this has been? It is worse as she is in New York and I am in the Bahamas. Mind you she has support but I want to feel I am right there. Distance at this point is a real challenge when it comes to relaxing.



Tonight as I struggled through the latest news, I remembered the verse that says-Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God-Phillipians 4:6 (NIV).



I further reflected on how easy it is to forget the comfort of the word-but hey-it's just a reminder that we still struggle while clothed in this mortal flesh to always do it right. But guess what, the word again comforts as the Lord tells us to cast all your anxiety on Him because He caresfor you-1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) This was so comforting and I could sing:



Tell it to Jesus, Tell it to Jesus
He is a friend that's well known
You've no other sunshine, friend or brother
Tell it to Jesus alone
Shalom friends.