My Walk with God 🌱

  “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me? -Jeremiah 32:27 A few weeks ago, hurricane Beryl made her way through the Caribbean. While parts of the region were spared from the full extent of her impact, others were not so fortunate. Several islands experienced devastation, with many homes flattened or damaged extensively. One such location was Union Island, St. Vincent. The island's infrastructure was completely destroyed... and yet this photo emerges out of the landscape of rubbles. The home of Joseph Franklin, resident of Union Island. Photo courtesy The Guardian:   https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/12/solitary-wooden-house-on-union-island-escapes-fury-of-hurricane-beryl Allow me to indulge you a bit further with a news report and interview. The Little House That Went Viral on Union Island Persons may have varying opinions or perspectives on this story, but there is no denying that a house continues to not only stand, but sta...

"Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God. Thy Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness." - Psalm 143:10 Decisions, decisions. We make them everyday. They can range from what to have for breakfast, to what movie to watch, and these choices can be made in split seconds without much thinking because they are considered to be low-impact decisions. Then there are the high-impact major decisions. These can be contemplating on which university to attend, or where to live or who to marry. These are decisions that require a little more thought, because the way forward and their consequences can be life-changing, as they aren't easily reversible. It goes without saying that we all want the best possible future outcome.  For the Christian, there is an additional dimension - we desire the assurance of a decision or path that has been guided by God. When one makes a decision based on ones own judgement, we tend to have to take responsibility for that path. However, when...

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4: 15-16 Have you ever been through a circumstance in your life where you have tried sharing and talking to someone about your struggle, but they just don't seem to get it? It could very well be that they have a difficulty in empathizing with you because they either haven't been through a similar circumstance, or they experience and respond to something differently than you. However, when you do find someone who not only can relate, but is capable of empathizing with you also, it is a freeing experience, being able to be yourself and speak freely, without fear of being judged or misunderstood. Tonight, we are reminded that Jesus, who is our High Priest, is also one who can be that one true confidante. The Word says that He can sympathize with many i...

"I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands." -Psalm 143:5 Are you someone who feels the need to be constantly reassured by God, to be reminded that He loves you and that He is with you? I have a confession to make. I can be like this sometimes. I sometimes wonder why, or if anyone else is like me, if He ever gets tired of me, or if He cares about the need enough to keep meeting it for as long as it takes. Of course, I know He loves me, and that He is working for my good, but sometimes, just sometimes, hmm..  I can sometimes imagine Him thinking to Himself, "After all that I have done for you, how can you still wonder if I still love you? Here's something that you definitely can't miss."  I don't ever want to forget Him, and I don't want Him to forget me either. I look to the Bible to see if there was anyone like me. I have always thought these folks were not who I wanted to be like, but have you...

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  - Isaiah 41:10 🌱 Holding hands usually brings to our mind thoughts of love, acceptance, and companionship. However, has someone ever held your hand during a difficult time? It could have been for a few seconds, or even a minute. Most likely, we can testify that it would have had a comforting or re-assuring effect on us. When we feel sad, alone, angry, crushed, anxiety, doubting, grieved, fearful, a hand that reaches out to us reminds us that someone is there, someone cares, and there is a source of strength outside of our failing selves that is offering to share some strength with us and walk with us through this. This side of humanity that exists around us, reflects and points us to an even greater hand that is reaching out to us. When we can't see beyond what our eyes can see, when we cannot feel beyond what is...

  "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship." -Romans 12:1 🌱 Have you ever been asked to do something, and yet you feel inadequate for the task ahead? I know I have. We have many examples of persons in the Bible who were called to do things that they felt totally unprepared for or even unwilling to do.  Consider Noah, who was called to preach to the people of his time about an unheard of impending flood and also build an ark. Consider a stuttering and once fugitive Moses, who was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, or a reluctant Jonah being called to preach to persons he felt may never take him seriously, or Joseph who had been through one too many incidents of betrayal and yet called toward an important position of responsibility. Consider even the widow who was down to her last handful of flour and getting ready to die and was...

Artist's depiction of our cloud of witnesses  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." -Hebrews 12:1-2 🌱 Whether it be a story on the news or a theatrical play, the calamities of people's personal lives displayed on stage seem to often provide entertainment for, or condemnation from the public audience. In today's digital landscape, it is easy to participate in hasty commentary, adding pain to the injuries that individuals are already enduring. I reflect on our own heavenly   cloud of witnesses , as described in the Bible  (Hebrews 12:1-2) , watching us fall or be messed up in our own lives. Does heaven take pleas...

"Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer." - Psalm 61:1 During this week, I came across a written prayer that silenced me into reflection [posted below] . As I read each line, I found myself ticking off items on a mental checklist of things I have either already been wanting for myself or now desiring for myself.  We may have started the year with good intentions and plans, and may have even possibly failed miserably in some ways already, but expressing these plans in prayer to our Father adds another dimension to our personal walk this year. No matter what our resolutions may be, we solidify our well-intentioned path going forward by inviting God into the equation, and partnering with Him as our daily companion who is an ever-present help, listener, and reminder of all that is good, noble and true.  I would like to share this prayer with you, and I trust that as we take our time and read it, that it will be a blessing, inspiration or an encouragement to someone reading thi...

  "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." - Psalm 143:8 🌱 Oftentimes, on a morning, I wake up to the sound of birds singing by my window. I confess I am sometimes a bit reluctant to wake up very early, but hearing the birds brightly singing is a beautiful encouragement for me to push forward and embrace the day with joy and enthusiasm. Why do the birds sing? Research says their dawn chorus can have several purposes, be it for marking territory or attracting/re-assuring mates, but the crucial part about it is the timing when the world is quietest and their sound can carry far. The Bible often mentions examples of thoughts and prayers being lifted up to God in the morning and its effects in strengthening individuals in God for the day. God delights in the prayers of His children and I sometimes wonder if all our early morning prayers are as beautiful to Him as the singing...

El Roi - The God who Sees Me So Hagar gave this name to the LORD who had spoken to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “Here I have seen the One who sees me!” -Genesis 16:13 🌱 Sometimes it is in the most unlikely of places, when we are at our lowest, that God reveals Himself to us, as the God who sees us, and is truly present with us. The enemy takes delight in our despair, but our Heavenly Father is about giving us hope and a meaningful future. The Bible is filled with examples of individuals like you and me, men and women who have had the blessed privilege of having their head lifted with joy and dignity by the divine hand. Let's continue to look up to Him and find our comfort, strength and validation from the One who sees, knows, understands, and is with us through it all.  Be blessed by the following selection. Which character's story touches us and encourages us the most? 🎧🙏🏼 The God who Sees [Nicole C. Mullen]

“The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.” - Psalm 9: 9-10 🌱 Life can be full of twists, turns, and unexpected challenges, seasons of distress and calm. Our individual challenges are varied. Sometimes these situations can appear so much larger than life, that we feel overwhelmed and uncertain if we can weather our way safely through it. It becomes difficult to see the present and future positively because of the nature of what we are experiencing in the moment.  Sometimes these situations can appear so much larger than life, that we feel overwhelmed and uncertain if we can weather our way safely through it. The good news is that during these periods of distress, we have a rock, an anchor, a friend who sticks closer than a brother, and that friend is Jesus. He asks us to trust Him enough to hold on to Him, the hope and light of life. We m...