Tonight before going to an Emmaus event I stopped in Sam's Club. There I ran into the woman I served with in Emmaus last spring, picking up photos for this weekend's walk.
As I walked to my car, a woman approached me asking for help. She cried while telling me of her granny's funeral, being lost and needing gas and her special needs son who needed food. I listened trying to discern her authenticity. Roger and I don't give cash to strangers, but I offered to follow her to a gas station and buy her gas. When I did so, she said she would ask someone else for cash to buy food for her son. She walked away and I knew she wasn't sincere and I was relieved not to have fallen for it.
When she began talking I wondered if this was a divine appointment. It's easy to rush to help, but that can lead to helping people continue negative life patterns, so I was grateful for caution.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
Arranging
Earlier this week I mentioned how God got Mark to University Hospital here in Cincinnati. Today one of our own folks, John, is having surgery at the same hospital. Now that may seem insignificant, but you have to realize how many hospitals Cincinnati has.
This makes it easier to visit them both, but also adds to prayer power. John's mom is my chief prayer warrior, so I can put her onto Mark's case up close and personal. She is disabled so would not usually get out to a hospital to pray for someone, and of course she can pray from home, but nothing like personal contact to up our prayers.
This makes it easier to visit them both, but also adds to prayer power. John's mom is my chief prayer warrior, so I can put her onto Mark's case up close and personal. She is disabled so would not usually get out to a hospital to pray for someone, and of course she can pray from home, but nothing like personal contact to up our prayers.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Words Will Be Given
Many times I have quoted these words from Luke 21 when facing a challenging adversary:
13 And so you will bear testimony to me. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
My husband Roger's organization City Gospel Mission has been locked in a legal battle for years over a new location and the neighbors that don't want them there. Despite continued victories on the side of the Mission the neighbors continue to think of new tactics.
Today Roger had to testify, and lawyers are good at twisting our words, confusing us, making it hard to communicate the truth clearly. We have been praying for Roger to be calm and speak as God would want.
Last night at Bible study, guess where we were in our journey through the Gospel of Luke? Yes, reading those words I quoted above. No coincidence there.
And today the Holy Spirit guided Roger, the lawyers labeled him their star witness, and the Mission again won their appeal. Praise God.
Please pray for more funding so they can break ground on this new building that will great bless the homeless and needy of Cincinnati. Thanks.
13 And so you will bear testimony to me. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
My husband Roger's organization City Gospel Mission has been locked in a legal battle for years over a new location and the neighbors that don't want them there. Despite continued victories on the side of the Mission the neighbors continue to think of new tactics.
Today Roger had to testify, and lawyers are good at twisting our words, confusing us, making it hard to communicate the truth clearly. We have been praying for Roger to be calm and speak as God would want.
Last night at Bible study, guess where we were in our journey through the Gospel of Luke? Yes, reading those words I quoted above. No coincidence there.
And today the Holy Spirit guided Roger, the lawyers labeled him their star witness, and the Mission again won their appeal. Praise God.
Please pray for more funding so they can break ground on this new building that will great bless the homeless and needy of Cincinnati. Thanks.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
More Holy Tracking
At night I turn off my cell phone, because I'm such a light sleeper a text message will wake me. Once awakened I can really struggle to return to sleep.
Last night I didn't want to turn it off because I gave that number to the family of Mark in ICU. I woke up about 3:30 to go to the restroom and I was literally holding my phone when my brother texted me about his latest medical progress. (He lives in California, so not so late for him.) Since I was already awake this did not disturb my sleep and I was glad to get the message.
Last night I didn't want to turn it off because I gave that number to the family of Mark in ICU. I woke up about 3:30 to go to the restroom and I was literally holding my phone when my brother texted me about his latest medical progress. (He lives in California, so not so late for him.) Since I was already awake this did not disturb my sleep and I was glad to get the message.
More Coordination (for Tuesday)
Over the weekend a trucker named Mark had a stroke while driving through Kentucky and had to be admitted to University Hospital here in Cincinnati. His sister-in-law attends a Free Methodist Church in Lansing, one whose pastor was also at CUE with me last week. Because of this connection, Christians here in Cincinnati have been able to reach out and care for the family and pray for the trucker.
We have a lot of cities in our country without Free Methodist Churches, but God sent Mark to a city where connections could be made for his benefit and to support his family.
We have a lot of cities in our country without Free Methodist Churches, but God sent Mark to a city where connections could be made for his benefit and to support his family.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Holy Tracking
Several times in the last few days I've had a special sense of knowledge or sensitivity. Last week I had a song in mind that the next person we saw quoted. Another day I thought of someone then heard from them.
Today I texted my brother to check on him and he texted me at the same time. You have to understand that my brother doesn't communicate with me much. He thought it was weird timing. And he's not a believer.
I haven't done anything to orchestrate any of this. But perhaps trying to pay attention to God's workings has heightened my sensitivity to the movings of the Holy Spirit. Lord, direct my path.
Today I texted my brother to check on him and he texted me at the same time. You have to understand that my brother doesn't communicate with me much. He thought it was weird timing. And he's not a believer.
I haven't done anything to orchestrate any of this. But perhaps trying to pay attention to God's workings has heightened my sensitivity to the movings of the Holy Spirit. Lord, direct my path.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
St. Patrick
When I was arranging my wedding one of the places I called upon hearing my name asked if I was marrying an Irish boy. Roger does has some Irish blood mixed with the British.
At times being Irish can be embarrassing, and the way people act on St. Paddy's Day would be one of them.
But as for the original saint, he inspires me. After being captured as a slave by the Irish and escaping, he felt God calling him back to the land of his captivity to reach the Irish with the gospel.
What I really like about his approach is he didn't try to rob the Irish of all of their customs. He didn't try to turn them into British Christians. They kept their own flavor to their faith. That was brilliant, and the missionary movement of later years sure could have learned from him.
As I minister to others of different culture than myself may God give me the wisdom to allow their own practices to continue, and yet follow Christ. Thank you St. Patrick for showing the way.
At times being Irish can be embarrassing, and the way people act on St. Paddy's Day would be one of them.
But as for the original saint, he inspires me. After being captured as a slave by the Irish and escaping, he felt God calling him back to the land of his captivity to reach the Irish with the gospel.
What I really like about his approach is he didn't try to rob the Irish of all of their customs. He didn't try to turn them into British Christians. They kept their own flavor to their faith. That was brilliant, and the missionary movement of later years sure could have learned from him.
As I minister to others of different culture than myself may God give me the wisdom to allow their own practices to continue, and yet follow Christ. Thank you St. Patrick for showing the way.
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