Tongues of Fire/Pentecost

The month of June has so many things to remember and celebrate.  We celebrate Father's Day, Flag Day, D-Day, summer solstice.

This year we remember Pentecost, that which is celebrated 50 days after Easter. This year we celebrate Trinity Sunday in June, as it always is celebrated the 1st Sunday after Pentecost.

Foe some, these celebrations do not mean much. But, for those who are followers of Jesus, we remember and recognize what we believe to be the birth day of the church; Pentecost!

We read and study about how the Holy Spirit showed up in the physical from of a mighty wind and tongues of fire.  We read that each person that was in the upper room praying, received power and strength that day to go out into the world and bring the good news of Jesus Christ to all those who would listen.

As we walk this month through many celebrations, we need to walk in the understanding that with this anointing that fell that day, we too can experience that same strength and power to bring forth the good news of Jesus, that He was born to a virgin, lived, died, and rose form the death in order to bering us new life for all eternity. 

While you enjoy the warmth and sunshine, pray that God will use you to further His kingdom!

Understanding God's Love for Us

This past few weeks, I have learned to hold onto God's love for me in a way that is not new, just refreshing.  Dealing with illness can be a struggle for everyone. It comes when least expected nor wanted. It interferes with well laid out plans.  Illness wears the body and soul down to the point of needing God to provide the strength and comfort that our physical body needs. 

REST! 

Rest is vital to regain strength, not only in our bodies, but our souls as well. Sleeping gives us the opportunity to find such rest.  

When needing rest and refreshment for our soul we rely on the love that God has for us in all areas of our lives. Sleeping brings forth that time of reshipment that only a great big, soft, full blanket and pillow can provide.

Yet I learned these past few weeks, that resting and being refreshed is something that we take for granted until it is all that we can do to get stronger.  

Let's remember that God is the giver of all things, even the necessary rest and refreshment that we so desperately need without knowing it, until we have a hard time even crawling out of our bed to get a glass of water.

Let us be thankful to God, that no matter what we face, we face all circumstance with you; that you never leave us, that you are always present with us, even in the comforts of our warm and soft bed.

Reflections and Joining the Journey

 I have been thinking a great deal about reflections. We think of them when we look through the eyes of creation. The sun shinning on the water and it reflecting back to see the beauty in th colors that come through the rays of brightness.

My thoughts have been a place I write about Reflections From the Porch. I am an avid porch setting person. Does not have to be a special porch, it just has to provide a place for me to sit and be quiet with my thoughts, my prayers and my contemplation of what is going on in the world today.

I truly believe that every person should take time to sit on a porch and reflect on their life, their purpose in life and what you can give to make our world better. For me, as a pastor I think more about how I can share my thoughts and beliefs in God. The God that I know and believe to be the One who created all things, Jehovah! 

Reflections From the Porch is a place where I share the things I have learned and who God intended me to be; a person who loves Jehovah and prayerfully walk this world in helping others to know that there is absolute truth in knowing God and acknowledging that God does exist. The Hebrew text or Old Testament tells the story of Moses: Chapter 3 vs 14a tells us who God is: "God replied to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM."

Hope you will join me on this journey!

Ultimate Sacrifice

 This weekend we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice! Reflecting on this from my porch, I am thinking about what it costs for the ultimate sacrifice. 

It means that a person lays down their life for the sake of someone else. This weekend we remember so many names of men and women who have completed their task! They have become who everyone should call a hero. So many hero's from multiple generations.

Another story of a person making the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of the world! We find His story in Matthew 27: 45-56.

 

  Let us remember the Ultimate Sacrifice given for each of us!

Spring is Coming

 Remember the saying "April Showers Bring May Flowers"! It is that time of year again when the showers arrive, which brings forth the new beginnings of Spring.

With every new spring, comes a reminder that the Creator of the universe is active allowing the bulbs that went dormant to awaken and bring freshness to the earth.

Scripture tells us that we can find that new life... 2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

The rain drops on the petals and leaves of every flower helps with bringing forth new birth. Just, as we find in Lamentations 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

We find that same love which God shows to His flowers each spring, He in-turn gives each of us through His mercy and grace!

So when you come across new flowers blooming, remember that Jesus loves you!

Winter Porches

 Have you ever thought of a porch during the winter months? 

I have!

What a beautiful place to find God.

No matter what season we find ourselves "sitting a spell"on the porch, he will speak!

Porches...Porches...Porches...My favorite spot to hear from God!

Challenges

 Challenges can be something we face, and don't believe we can ever overcome. Challenges may look and feel overwhelming, to a point where you want to throw in the towel!

Let me share a story about a person who was injured in an auto accident. The specialists report said they may never be the person they were before the accident. They were told, this is your new normal! 

The person was not willing to accept that report, they took on the challenge!! To regain what was lost. They learned to read again, and write academic papers for excellent grades. They never gave up, they worked hard and had a faith stronger than they realized.

    You see,

challenges can either cause you to stop, OR it can help you grow where you never thought possible. 

Proverbs 3: 5-6 tells us, "Trust in the Lord, with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your path straight." (NIV)

With all honesty, I know that God is always there in the midst of all our challenges!