A New Journey

Sometimes in life Father puts us on a path we do not understand. Other times he closes off that path and we temporarily think we are lost, but we eventually find that He has created a new, greener, safer path for us. The difference between those who live victoriously and those who live defeated lives is having the faith to trust that Father has our best interests at heart. Whether we understand it or not at the time, if we allow Him to do His work and stop interfering with our impatience, selfishness, short-sightedness and desire for immediate gratification, all things will be made new ... made clear... made right.

I have been so troubled by what I have seen in Erie - lack of compassion, love, understanding, and even the basic respect for one another. With a troubled heart I sat down to read the Word this morning and cried, "Abba, Father":

Psalm 142
1I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
2I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
3When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
4I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
5I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
6Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
7Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

In my troubles, He has called me Home for a time of renewal. I hope to return to the citizens of Erie when I can -- I know they all still need HOPE.

Remember, Erie:

Superbum sequitur humilitas et humilem spiritu suscipiet gloria - Humiliation followeth the proud: and glory shall uphold the humble of spirit.

Selah.

Gratia vobis et pax a Deo Patre nostro et Domino Iesu Christo.

Pax huic domui.

Walk in Faith

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him" -Psalms 34:8

Some aspects of faith are indescribable; they can only be experienced and known by doing them. Walking the streets of Erie can be a treacherous journey and one sometimes wonders if God is here at all. Then there is a small glimmer of hope - an act of kindness, a loving word whispered, a reprieve in the darkness that never seems to lift from this island.

So today, I encourage you, taste the Lord and sample His goodness. Lean on His grace. Take refuge in his care. We are blessed to find Him near us - even on Erie Isle.

[adapted from www.verseoftheday.com]

Grace

As we called on Jesus' name and trusted him to be our Savior, we died to sin. In this death, we die to dying and pass from death to life because of our faith in Jesus and in God's power [Col. 2:12]. Our life is joined to Jesus, and his glorious future becomes our own [Col. 3: 1 - 4]. We are not under law, but grace. Let's respon to the gift of grace with a passion to be holy and to serve others. Let's open ourselves to the trnasforming work of the Holy Spirit, who changes us to be like Jesus [2 Cor 3:18]. We are grace-children, bought with a price! We are not in bondage to sin, but liberated by grace to be all God made us to be! [Eph 21 - 10].

Walking Honestly

Thoughts on Today's verse...

"Tell the truth the first time and then you won't have to remember what you said." That's a quote attributed to the famous Speaker of the House [U.S. House of Representatives] Sam Rayburn. That's basically what God's wisdom is trying to teach us in this passage. Be a person of integrity! Then, when someone finds out your secrets, you can feel secure knowing that you have lived for godliness. However, a perverse and deceitful person has to constantly worry that someone will find him/her out. There is no security or assurance in crooked paths, only the certainty of getting tripped up and caught. When the secrets of evil that have been whispered in dark places are shouted from the rooftops, those who have lived for the Lord can be secure in knowing that what gets shouted about them is said with the voice of God: "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

http://www.verseoftheday.com

15 Minutes of Fame

As I spent some time on my own, I discovered a book in my Library and found particular meaning, as I have been feeling especially overwhelmed by the daily battles in Erie to bring peace and light to a dark world.

The following reminded my of the transient nature of life on earth and how much we make of what humans call their "15 minutes of fame:"

"Why are we so quick to forget God?...

I find myself relearning this lesson often. Even though I glimpse God's holiness, I am still dumb enough to forget that life is all about God and not about me at all.

It goes sort of like this...

Suppose you are an extra in an upcoming movie. You will probably scrutinize that one scene where hundreds of people are milling around just waiting for that two-fifths of a second when you can see the back of your head. Maybe your mom and your closest friend get excited about that two-fifths of a seond with you... *maybe.* But no one else will realize it is you. Even if you tell them, they won't care.

Let's take it a step further. What if you rent out the theater on opening night and invite all your friends and family to come see the new movie about you? People will say, "You're an idiot! How could you think this movies is about you?"

Now consider the movie of life...

God creates the world.... [[God operates throughout time in various ways and eventually...]]

...the climax: The Son of God is born among the people whom God still loves. While in this world, the Son teaches His followers what true love looks like. Then the Son of God dies and is ressurrected and goes back to be with God...

From start to finish, this movie is obviously about God. He is the main character. How is it possible that we live as though it is all about us?...

We have only our two-fifths-of-a-second-long scene to live. I don't know about you, but I want my two-fifths of a second to be about my making much of God. First Corinthians 10:31 says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." This is what each of our two-fifths of a second is about.

Frankly, you need to get over yourself. It might sound harsh, but that's seriously what it means...

..maybe life is tough right now, and everything feels like a struggle....you can show the world that your God is great and that knowing Him brings peace and joy, even when life is hard. Like the psalmist who wrote, "I saw the prosperity of the wicked... Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure...When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the santuary of God" (Psalms 73:3, 13, 16-17). It is easy to become disillusioned with the circumstances of our lives compared to others'. But in the presence of God, He gives us a deeper peace and joy that trancends it all....

It is His movie, His world, His gift."

[[Crazy Love, Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan]]

As I reflected on what I read, I was reminded of a scripture that has carried me through the many terrible circumstances I have encountered in my time on earth:

~Ne timeas quia tecum sum ego ne declines quia Deus tuus confortavi te et ausiliatus sumtui et suscepi te destera iusti mei~

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10)

::SELAH::

Work, work, then relax :)

The performances of "Where the Wild Things Are" went very well and i hope that the residents found something to take their minds off their daily turmoil being stuck on this island. The actors did a wonderful, wonderful job and my thanks to each and every one of them for their hard work in pulling this off.

I am going to take a few days and stay in solitude and seek God's face about a few things.

Let The Wild Rumpus Start!

So much has happened since I last wrote down my thoughts.

My memory of it is sketchy and has mostly been filled in from people who knew... *ahem* know me.

Apparently I was sold off-island at some point. I don't know the details of how this happened and don't know if I really want to. I *do* remember what happened while I was away... and thank Father, He strengthened me to make my way back home - to Erie.

I have been told I was Chief of the Brigade; however, I have no memory of this. I have offered to stay on with them and recommended an old friend, Wayfarer, to lead them in my stead. I have rediscovered my healing powers - both natural and supernatural - and am using them to help the Brigade and the Island.

I have found a new calling though, it seems. I have been working to restore an old abandoned theatre, the Phantom Theatre and have gathered together a few residents to put on a show -
"Where the Wild Things Are." While I have had no childhood, being what I am, I have thoroughly enjoyed this book written by human author Maurice Sendak. I certainly hope this play, as well as some of the other events the Theatre can sponsor, will help to ease some of the despair in Erie - even for a little while.

So, join us, Erie Residents - come to the Phantom Theatre on August 1 at 9 am or 6 pm and "Let the Wild Rumpus Start!"