The True Church

Day 35: The True Church

Many beautiful structures around the world have housed services paying homage to the Creator of the Universe. But it seems that the meaning of church was transferred from the “Called Out” ones to a physical structure. As much as I enjoy stained glass windows and gothic pillars I know I am called out of the darkness of this world to be part of a group of people who make up the body of Christ.

We find our purpose as we work together as the body of Christ.

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house^[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

I Peter 2:5

4For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Romans 12:4-5

We find completeness as the body of Christ. We help each other. We work together. We are the church.

Today I will focus on the living, breathing church!

October 17, 2019

Seasons Change

Elijah (1 of 1) — I took this picture when Congressman Elijah Cummings came to speak at 19th Street Baptist Church in Washington DC where I was serving in music ministry

Day 33: Seasons Change

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

²a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

I learned of the passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings this morning. Yesterday I learned of the passing of a great singer from 19th Street Baptist, Deacon Emeritus Walter Jackson. In our lives death comes. Solomon said that there was a season for every activity under the son.

Sometimes we hurt ourselves when we resist the seasons. Sometimes it will be time to move to a new job or house. Sometimes your assignment will have a different location. Relationships may change. God is still good, but seasons change.

We must learn to be content as we progress through the seasons.

¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Phillipians 4:11-13

The secret is knowing we can do all through the strength of our Savior.

Today I accept what I cannot change-that seasons change.

October 16, 2019

Confidence in God (Day 32)

trevor-cole-nCILef4ExzA-unsplash — Photo by Trevor Cole on Unsplash

Day 32: Confidence in God

Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for^[a] he gives to his beloved sleep.

Psalm 127:1-2

There is a peace that truly passes all understanding. When you have complete trust in God’s care you receive a healing peace. This peace allows you to work reasonable hours and trust that God will supply all of your needs. I’m not saying that there aren’t times when we have to work harder than the usual schedule. But I do think it is important to note the negative effective a stress-filled life style has on our minds and bodies.

The writer of Psalm 127 points out that God is the ultimate insurance. You can have security watching over your home or city but unless God protects it you will still have trouble.

I have lost confidence in many things. But not in God. Yehova is consistent. I will trust Him with my belongings, my family, my career, and my desires. And this peace will allow my mind and body to grow more healthy.

Today, I will brag on my protector. He has never failed me. Great is the Lord!

October 15, 2019

Trust The Healer

joshua-earle-8MbdD0pHXGY-unsplash — Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash

Day 31: Trust The Healer

Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

Jeremiah 17:14

If you knew that everything in your life was going to turn out for your good how would that change the way you reacted to life’s unexpected events?

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

We know that all things work together for our good because we love God and are called according to His purpose. Therefore stress should not be a problem. But why is it a problem? Maybe we don’t believe that this is true. Perhaps we should repeat what we know to be true to help us believe it.

When you hear branding on TV you start to believe it’s true. If you hear that a certain kind of car is the best value for your money even if it isn’t true you start to believe it. With all the misinformation surrounding us it is important for us to reinforce the truth. Read scripture daily. Repeat the gems that remind you of God’s promises and His goodness. Then your faith will spring forth because you believe the word of God.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

Today I will feed my faith with the Word of God. And I will trust Him to take care of all my needs, including my healing.

Trust the Healer!

October 13, 2019

Day 30: Pray

aaron-burden-lPCu8HnGU2E-unsplash — Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Day 30: Pray

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

James 5:15

I’ve watched the example of my mother for years. When she has a problem she prays. And over and over and over again I’ve witnessed prayers answered. No, not everyone who was sick got better. But prayer is a request and not a command. We don’t have a magical technique which forces God to do whatever we ask. We make a request. And we trust Him.

Grandma and Maia on couch smiling (1 of 1)

Praying brings peace because we know God’s character. We have read many stories in the bible that let us know God’s character. We learn that he is consistent and faithful. He will work things out for our good. And once we believe this in our hearts we have peace. We know that He will take care of us and that He loves us. We can have peace because He will have the final say.

Today I bring my concerns to my Creator. I trust that He will take care of them.

Thank you for joining us on this journey to healing. Please subscribe so as not to miss an encouraging post and please feel free to share these with your friends.

October 13, 2019

Relationships

Day 29: Relationships

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25

The other evening I was overwhelmed with anxiety. I wanted help to know how I could cope best but I didn’t know who I should call. The next day I was talking with a friend and told them I thought of calling them but I didn’t want to bother them. How sad. Here is someone that I call a friend but I didn’t want to bother them when there was a moment they could express their friendship best to me.

Have you ever felt like you didn’t want to burden others with what you are going through? We often retreat into solitude at the exact time when a relationship could provide the healing that we need.

Please don’t isolate yourself when you don’t feel well. Yes, we should take time to unplug from the busy pace of life. Yes, we should unplug from our devices. Yes, we should get a break from our routine. But we shouldn’t forget that one of God’s best ways to share His love with us is through each other.

Thank you for reading. I’m on a journey to share 100 days of thoughts about healing. I hope you will be blessed.

Today I will connect with someone.

September 22, 2019

Go To The Park

Day 9: Go To The Park

One of the best places to find healing is in nature. In a recent online post the University of Minnesota points out that time spent in nature reduces stress, speeds up the time of healing, and promotes a feeling of connectedness.

I have personally found great benefit spending time walking, taking pictures, or just relaxing in the park. Both of my children enjoy spending time on the slides and swings. I think park life is totally underrated.

I recently enjoyed spending time at Wheaton Regional Park, here in Maryland, USA. In this park there are so many things to enjoy. My mother was married at this park in the botanical gardens area. There are plenty of trails to walk on, a train, a merry go round and plenty of picnic areas. If you come you may want to enjoy a snack or get something to drink from Miss Mercado’s Ice Cream Truck. She has been a regular fixture there for more than 10 years and offers a welcoming smile and a broad selection if treats.

A pastor once said that God’s first book is nature. With the recent reporting of the damage of spending too much time in front of a screen and with the rising epidemic of obesity it would seem to be a wise choice to set aside time daily to spend outdoors in nature. Here are some pictures from my photowalk at the park yesterday.

park life (1 of 1)-4 park life (1 of 1)-3 park life (1 of 1)-5

Today, I will spend some time outdoors in God’s first book, nature.

If you are near Wheaton, Maryland you may want to check out the Montgomery County Friendship Picnic today from Noon-5pm.