2/6/2025
Every few months my high school graduation class gets together for lunch. It's always so much fun seeing faces I haven't seen in so many years. Today we are meeting at an Italian restaurant just up the road from me, but I won't be attending. I've been battling a "bug" of some kind for over a week now, and although I feel a little better at this writing, I dare not risk carrying germs to anyone. That's the way we kept people safe in the old days, and I still try to love my neighbor in this fashion. Forget the mask! I must say that it is disappointing, as I love to listen and catch up with everyone. Hopefully, there will be another get-together soon.
Today is also the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC, so I caught a snippet of the prayers by Congress members of varying faiths, and I heard President Trump address the crowd. It is my heartfelt prayer that the scales will fall from the eyes of those who have been bitterly indoctrinated into believing lies about President Trump, and they will notice that this man has been transformed. If we are honest, and those casting stones should be the first, we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So to quote the scriptural context of that truth, "He without sin, cast the first stone." Frankly, it is sickening to read, observe, and listen to the disrespect our supposed leaders show each other while the world watches, people who call themselves people of faith. How this must break the heart of God and put a smile on the face of the adversary. But if we close our mouths, forget all preconceived ideas and opinions, and listen and observe, we can tell when a person has faced death and been given another chance can transform. And whether anyone wants to admit it, something has changed in the demeanor of Donald John Trump.
Thursday nights are my Harvest study nights with a small group of ladies online. I love seeing the faces of people who have grown to be friends over the years since the group began, as well as new faces being welcomed to the family. We also have an online discipleship site with Coach Amber, who oversees the content and discussion. It's a meeting place for new believers, those who have restored faith, many who have been walking faithfully with the Lord, and, well you get the idea. It's a community, and I must say that if I can't be with friends in person, then this is a great way to connect. The hosts of the online groups, like me, meet quarterly to catch up and encourage one another. Harvest Ministries is located in Riverside and Orange County in California, led by Pastors Greg Laurie and his son, Jonathan. I'm so proud to call Greg my pastor, because he truly does shepherd his flock. His first calling is as an evangelist, and he hosts a Harvest Crusade at Angel Stadium annually. Right now he's busy helping with the fires in California, as he is continuing to support the rebuilding of the community in Maui, Hawaii from their devastating fires, and where a Harvest Church is located. In fact if there is a need, whether it is next door, or across the globe, Pastor Greg is helping, sending a team and praying. He doesn't forget when the next disaster comes. He works on what comes and what is still in progress, like the floods from Hurricane Helene. While I'm tooting his horn, so to speak, let me say that he is a huge supporter of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and of President Trump. He realizes the frailties of man, yet he prays, he does not criticize, and he is not afraid to mention names from the pulpit. He is gracious in all of his ways, but he could use a little help with his jokes. If you're reading, Pastor Greg, I love you guys, and your jokes.
In spite of "happenings" and "goings on," there is a sweet, sweet Spirit present. Holy Spirit is His Name. I welcome His presence in my life, as I love my Abba Father, and I want the Lord's Spirit with me always, especially when I need to be "pruned." Some look at illness as the adversary knocking us off our feet, keeping us from this or that. Well, illness, if it hits me, doesn't affect my ability to pray, read the Word of God, or encourage others on the phone or in writing. It may slow me down, but spiritually speaking, it usually proves to be some of the sweetest moments. Besides, I believe that Abba is using this "bug" to slow me down and force me to rest, as our bodies are the temples, the dwelling places of His Spirit, so we must remain refreshed and renewed. God can take even the worst of times and make them the best of times (Romans 8:28 or a paraphrase from Charles Dickens, "A Tale of Two Cities"). So don't give the enemy all the credit for bad things, as God is ever present in the life of His child
No comments:
Post a Comment