Hope Moment: "I was blind, but now I see." (Part One)
(June 23, 2018)

Some reading this note know that a little over two years ago, I lost almost all my sight in one eye. Who would have known that I would catch the heel of my shoe as is I moved backwards carrying a fairly large piece of furniture? I can tell you the distance from a standing position, falling backwards with both hands unavailable to a cement driveway, is fairly short.

Of course, I could not let my mom’s prize buffet suffer damaged, so in the two second plunge, I decided, my body could withstand the blow. I wasn’t too shocked when I heard (and felt) at least three distinct popping noises coming from somewhere in my back. I was shocked however, to know that such sounds could come from the mouth of a 68 year old man after the incident.

The episode ultimately ended up in the emergency room. Then around 3 in the morning another trip to the hospital took place. The eye specialist said the optic nerve was dead in my left eye. They suspected it was a small blood clot. Three days later, I left the hospital with their diagnosis, “...your eyesight is gone...for good.” Side note: the exams revealed something else more troubling which will most likely be the focus of a later Hope Moment.

I wish I could report that the Great Physician has turned it all around, and that I have full vision in both eyes (for which I still pray). Nothing has changed since I left my bedroom to travel to the hospital that early morning hour regarding any change for the better in my eyesight.

I would like to report, however, that I now “see” some things much better. Your time is precious so I will conclude my story in my next “Hope Moment.” I can say that I have a fuller understanding of what is written in the Gospel of John 9:25. “...I was blind, but now I see.”

You have heard it, and perhaps you have said it, “...this is the absolute end!” I leave you with this truth: “The death of anything in physical life germinates the seeds of the spiritual life to come.” The catch is....you have to see it. 

(...to be continued)

- WP

Always remember: Where There's Life, There's Hope

Hope Moment: I once was lost, but now I'm found."

(June 22, 2018)

“I once was lost, but now I’m found.” That old song becomes new each time I hear it and speak it. God’s grace really is amazing!

There was a time when I really had lost my way. Oh, I didn’t see it that way most of the time as the sights, sounds, and emotions of life filled my life. Then it happened, over and over again. My mom said and sang it. My pastors spoke about it - over and over again.

Moms & dads, never tire of repeating that old, old story. Pastors and mentors, don’t become weary of sharing it. I can say for a fact that the knowledge of the great of God came first to me through the lives of people that loved me. Yes, I heard the “old, old story about a King that came from glory,” but it became a reality as I witnessed first hand the amazing grace lived out.

Then it happened, once and for all, I believed it as the Great Comforter came to me in His quiet persuasive way. I knew then that I was lost just like every other person who had come short of God’s love and missed His perfect plan. The awareness of my lost-ness made it possible for me to be found, and be at peace in the arms of a forgiving Heavenly Father.

I must add before I conclude this “Hope Moment,” that I wish I could say that I never again lost my way. Sadly it is the condition of man to fall prey to selfish actions. I can say, however, with full assurance, that Jesus continues to find me when I take my eyes off of Him. He saves me! He, my friend, never gives up on you either.

As I listen to the sound of rushing water, I am made more aware of God’s Holy Spirit, rushing to me, refreshing, renewing me, and reminding me that He has found me once again.

I pray that, today, you will be comforted again in the “found-ness” of God’s love for you.

- WP

"Where There's Life, There's Hope"

Hope Moment:
(June 8, 2018)

Hope is the Golden thread that weaves it’s way through life connecting “what is” to “what will be.” Hope transports the individual from the hurts, and staleness of the present into the astonishing belief in the very real place called Heaven. Life itself is proof of the existence of hope.

Consider this scriptural translation in regards to our ever present hope:

“All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it’s not only around us; it’s within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:22-25‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Never give up hoping.

Always remember: Where There's Life, There's Hope

- WP

The Little Things

The Little Things

Greatness is often wrapped in simplicity. A person who is unwilling to do the little will not have the opportunity to do the big. The person who is not challenged by the little will not be presented the challenge to do the big. A person who has not done well the little is not prepared or qualified to do the big. Do not weigh a task. If it is before you, do it and do it well. Even if it is unworthy of you, you, nevertheless, are setting principles by which you will live a life. One who is not diligent in little tasks will not develop the diligence necessary to do the big tasks. Even if the task is not worthy of you, diligence is; and even if what you do is not big, the way you do it can be big. Someone will see how you do it and realize that you are qualified to do something bigger. Then too, in doing the small task diligently one is preparing himself with the methods necessary to succeed in a big task. 

I Want My Rights!

Are you kidding me? If anyone thinks that taxes paid, tithes, or offerings given to charitable purposes, and yes, even their location of birth, has somehow purchased the right to anything, they are on the path of perpetual pouting. 

I seriously doubt that anyone of us, including myself, have paid enough taxes, or tithed into a church's treasury for the support of the ministry, or given to worthy causes in sufficient amounts to "buy" us anything. Those things and other non-monetary contributions are mostly paid or given because we are debtors to those who risk their lives daily to save ours, or educate our children, or for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice so that we can breath free air, in a free country. Oh, we are debtors alright. 

Those who scream so loudly about their "rights," know nothing about their responsibilities, and even less about the boundless PRIVILEGES of just living in the USA. They are drowning in the sea of their own selfishness. They will live out their lives with the feeling they are owed everything, and owe nothing. Thus, they will forever feel cheated, while all the time they are the cheats and thieves. 

Who do they cheat? How about the robbery of those surrounding their lives, and the innocent little ones they brought into the world of the wonderful, exuberant, feeling of gratitude? They are cheating and robbing those same little ones of the powerful, satisfying feeling of knowing the meaning of sacrifice, being a giver. 

They cheat and rob God. How can that happen? When one ignores, or perverts the living Word of God, it cheats our Heavenly Father from reaping the benefit of the love He invested in sending His Son to live, and die to give the gift of eternal life to them. 

Should we really ask for what we deserve? If we get what we RIGHTLY deserve, according to the Word of God, the results are extremely sad. The Apostle Paul said, "all have sinned..." and later goes on to say, "...the wages of sin is death." That's what we "rightly deserve." Of course, those who cry for their rights, feel no one, including God, and His Bible has the right to tell them anything, most certainly not demand anything of them. After all, they say, I am the owner of my body. 

When death beckons, and they are still spewing the foul breath  of demanding their rights, and declaring ownership their bodies, I wonder how that's going to work for them? Sadly, I think I know the answer to that question. 

“Give to others, and God will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands — all that you can hold. The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you.”

Luke 6:38 GNB

In All Things

The child of God does not let a day go by, surely, in which he does not lift up his heart in thanking Him for His manifold blessings, bestowed measureless grace, not only day after day, but hour after hour. As we delight ourselves in the Lord, we cannot help but praise Him many times daily for His mercies. How good He is to us always!

Yes, we thank Him for His goodness-- the goodness that we can see, the blessings that we know as blessings. But do we thank Him for the trials, the heartaches, the disappointments! Are we as ready to praise Him when things go wrong as when they go exactly right? We tend to praise God in generalities, but of thanking Him sincerely for the very trials and sorrows that beset us? 

George Matheson, Scottish preacher whose eyesight became dim, put it this way: "My God, I have never thanked Thee for my thorn. I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses, but not once for my thorn. I have been looking forward to a world where I shall get compensated for my cross, but I have never thought of my cross as itself a present glory. Teach me the value of my thorn."

May the Lord teach us the value of the unpleasant things that comes upon us, the unwanted circumstances of life. It is so easy to thank Him for the roses. But it is not easy, is it, to give Him praise and thanksgiving for the thorns? Yet the way to know the peace of God is to see His hand and His love in the thorny places, and to thank Him for them.

Philippians 4:6-7

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Always remember: Where there’s life, there’s hope; And, where there is hope, there is life. 

Be Thankful!

Awareness Is Key

God is always with us, but this doesn’t mean we can always perceive Him. He knew you, and who would be before we were born.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you. . .”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1:5‬ 

There may be times when we feel really close to Him, yet on other occasions, He might seem distant and uninvolved in our lives. However, if we’re believers, we can be certain that He is our constant companion whether we’re aware of Him or not. This is a fact we can count on, and one which will empower and transform our lives. 

What happens when we KNOW the Lord is near whether we "feel" Him or not?

• We persistently seek His guidance. When our minds are set on the Lord, we want His direction for our choices in every area of life. 
• We view the Lord as our constant companion. No matter what we go through—even the loss of a loved one—we know we’re not alone. 
• Being aware of God helps us see everything in the light of His presence. This gives us a sense of safety because He keeps us through trials, reminds us of the dangers of sin, and provides for all our needs. 
• We experience Christ’s peace in the midst of storms. Knowing that nothing in this world is more powerful than our almighty God gives amazing peace and confidence in the midst of hardship and suffering. 
• His presence creates a hunger within us for the Word of God. Reading the Scriptures is like listening to the Lord speak directly to us. When we begin each morning in His Word, we are reminded all day long of His constant care. 
• Living with an awareness of the Lord brings joy to our hearts. Knowing that our omnipotent God is constantly with us puts troubling circumstances in their proper place—under His authority— and gives us the unspeakable joy of His companionship. 
• We are more conscious of the good things God sends us. Instead of giving others credit or attributing luck as the source of our blessings, we’ll realize that every perfect gift comes from the Father above (James 1:17). 
• The Lord’s presence causes us to continually live in dependence upon Him. Our first reaction to trouble is to call upon Him for help and protection. 
• Prayer is a priority in our lives. We don’t just come to the Lord with our problems and requests but we carry on a conversation with Him all day long, either verbally or in our thoughts. 
• When everything looks bleak, we continue to have hope. Our confidence is in God, not in good circumstances. He is our helper and sustainer. 
• Every decision is sifted through God’s will. In each choice, our first thought is to do what the Lord desires. 
• We consider needs in the light of His presence. Since He is our provider and knows exactly what we need, we have no cause for worry. We simply ask the Lord for help and trust Him to provide. 
• Our worship is authentic and rewarding. Church can't be a religious routine, but a chance to gather with believers and enter into God’s presence with deep appreciation and adoration. 
• An obedient lifestyle is the result of living in tune with the Lord. The more aware we are of Jesus in our lives, the less we tolerate sin because we know it doesn’t control us anymore. 
• We have a strong, intimate relationship with Christ. As we live with the mindset that He is always with us, our love for Him and sensitivity to Him increase. 

I would be less than a friend to you if I did not include a somber caution, even a warning. As deeply, and sacrificially that the Heavenly Father loves us, for some there will come a day of separation that will last through eternity. Notice the words of Jesus:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:21-23

You may, or may not feel an immediate need for a conscious awareness of the Lord, but you will. Don't put it off. Let the Holy Spirit break through your busy-ness. Draw near to the Lord, He already close to you!