Looking for Strength?

30. April 2010 by Starr.

“The Lord gives strength to his people” (Ps. 29:11).

We work out, jog, drink health shakes, increase our intake of protein, work out some more, jog another lap, drink another protein shake, and push our limit to walk another mile or try to add to how many pounds we can bench press.  Why?  We try to add to our strength so that we can add to our health so that we can ultimately add to our quality of life and our lifespan.  Some, even go so far as to try hot stone therapy, crystals, chakras, and the list goes on and on.  I’m not saying any of the above items listed are bad or unproductive or unhealthy…I’m just suggesting one thing…why tap into something small, when you have access to the Ultimate source of strength possible in the universe…the One who created it all, in the first place?

Have you ever considered that you have direct access to that strength and power?  God’s word tells us that He gives strength to His people.  The key words there being…”His people.”  If God knocked on your door today, would you answer?  Do you feel that you are one of “His people?”  If you are not, that is something that I suggest you rectify right away, for this world is no place for weakness.  This world is honestly a place where courage, strength, heart and being focused on a mission for the eternal outcome is definitely required.  Basically…we are just passing through this planet, into our eternity.  This is no place for sissies.  (I say that with love, friends. )

I wish that you could be sitting beside me right now, on my big comfy sofa in my bedroom as we talked.  With a glass of milk in our hands and a warm chocolate chip cookie, and we could sit face to face, and I would tell you this….. God is who He says He is.  God can do what He says He can do.  God is Huge, and He has huge strength.  You, have access to that strength.  What is it today that you need strength to do?  What is it that you wish that you had the strength to accomplish, but feel you cannot?

The enemy will suggest to you, that you have never accomplished before, so you will not in the future.  That is a lie.  What was the past - it is gone, that means nothing now.  Basically…as S.E. Hinton said, “The difference is, that was then, this is now!”

God can heal, He resurrected His son from the dead, He can certainly handle anything that is worrying you, today.  We have access to the power and strength of God.  Strength comes through the remission of our sins.  Strength in response to prayer we offer to God through Him.  ”I can do ALL things through Christ, who strengthens me.”  Phillipians 4:13

Also, remember, you cannot add a minute to your life, God already controls that.  Your days were numbered when He created you in your mother’s womb.  He is your strength.  He’s in control.

“Commit your activities to the Lord and your plans will be achieved.”  Proverbs 16:3

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Here’s to Hannah

28. April 2010 by Starr.

Today I was in a store and I heard this little girl say to me, “Isn’t this birthday card funny?  My daddy would love this.”  It took a moment for me to realize that she was talking to me.  I was lost in thought, while standing at the notebook section.  I looked at the birthday card and said something like, “Yes, that’s rather cute.”  I thought the conversation was ending there.  God had another idea.

In my eyes, this moment began here, with this little girl.  In God’s eyes, it didn’t, for I am convinced God had it planned.  Just this morning, I had asked God, in my prayer time, to use my day as He wished and to send someone who might need me, across my path today.  I told God my life was His.  My heart was wanting so much to be in His service.

So, I chose a notebook and was looking at the other supplies when, there again was the little girl, chattering away to me about American Idol.  She wanted to know if I liked it or not.  I answered and still, I thought that she was just making conversation for a moment.  But, then, after the American Idol question, she said something that caught my attention.  She said, “My dad’s girlfriend likes it.”  That’s all it took for me to hear the change in her voice and I knew that something was different.

I looked back at her, and asked her if she liked it, however?  That opened the flood gates.  She started talking to me about all kinds of things and as she was talking, I stood there looking into the eyes of this precious little girl and I realized, that she needed someone to stop and listen and I just happened to be there.  She told me about a lie she told her grandmother recently.  She told me about how bad she felt about it.  She told me about her father’s girlfriend who is constantly packing her bags and pretending to leave him and how that makes her feel.  She told me about how she thinks this girlfriend is coming in between her and her relationship with her grandmother.  She told me about a fight she got into on the bus after school and that she feels so guilty about it.  She told me that her mother died when she was four years old and she misses her mom. 

The entire time I stood there, holding my notebook, listening, responding, nodding, wondering.  I learned her name and met her grandmother, who found us there, talking.  I learned that her grandmother plays piano at a church.  The grandmother seemed tired and worried, to me, but hopeful.  I gave Hannah a big hug, and my phone number and told her she could call me any time to talk and the grandmother let me write my number in her address book.  I told Hannah I would be praying for her and that when she feels worried or lonely or missing her mom or guilty, she can talk to God about it anytime, and God has her. 

Hannah looked at me and said, “I’m really an A student.  I really am!  You can go to my school and see.”  I told her that I didn’t need to go to the school and see, that I could see what was in her heart.  I told her that even if we really aren’t in the visible…but we are in our hearts…that means we really are because we have that in us and then all we have to do is bring it out from the inside to the outside and it’s done.  She smiled very brightly and hugged me again and said she was glad she met me and I told her the same.

Then as I was getting ready to check out, I heard her call my name and she ran up to me and asked…” Oh…one more thing…what do you think about our president?” 

A girl full of questions, that one.  She wasn’t letting me out of there without an answer and one that she could understand.  I gave it to her, truthfully from my heart.  She sighed relief and said..”Oh, me too!  I feel the same way, and did a report on that today and got a 100% and that’s not a lie!”

I wonder how many “Hannahs” do we miss out on meeting because we are simply too busy to stop and take notice.  We just move on through our days without really listening or noticing others.  I’m so thankful to worship a living God who notices the person…who pays attention to their heart and what they have to say.  The Word tells us we are to be more like Christ and to be Christ to others. 

I’m so blessed that God brought Hannah my way today.  The enemy would have liked to suggest, “You’re busy and in a hurry, she’s just a little chatty girl who will slow you down and you have better things to do with your time.” 

Christ would suggest, “A friend loveth at all times.  Be a friend to  her, for she is My child, also.  Show My love to her.”  I’m glad I took the time to stop and listen to her, and show her friendship.  Don’t we all just sometimes need someone to take the time to stop and listen to us when we need to just vent and make a new friend in the process? 

I think no matter how old we are….if we are in the third grade…or if we are thirty…the Golden Rule still stands as a guideline for us all.

“Do unto others as you would have them do to you.”  Luke 6:31

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Buzzard Moments

22. April 2010 by Starr.

 Recently I was traveling down a country road and saw a buzzard (otherwise called vulture) for the first time ever, in real life.  It was standing there on the roadside eating it’s roadkill, minding it’s own business, not worrying about my vehicle swiftly heading it’s direction at about (ahem) 60 miles per hour.  I was amazed at how that buzzard didn’t budge!

It just kept focusing on it’s task at hand and as the vehicle went past it, I was wondering if it was thinking, “The greater good!  The greater good!”  For, if it got smoked by my vehicle, then it becomes roadkill, and the next buzzard will only come along and clean it up and then the cycle of life continues within it’s job, so…by being roadkill itself, it is still serving it’s purpose, and therefore, serving the greater good.

While my mind was swirling around in the “Buzzard Moment” I couldn’t help but think about the buzzard world and how it compares to us in ours.  Here were some of my thoughts.  See if you can relate.

As the buzzards fly, they do not fly gracefully like the other birds of prey do.  As a matter of fact, they fly in patterns of unsteady paths, crisscrossing over and under one another, then moving up and down, then picking up speed on the downward tilt and raising up, only to turn back into another draft.  They fly together in that unsteadyness, however.      (Ever gone to an event with a group of friends or a missions trip or a youth group event or even a conference with others?  I can think of several Christian womens trips I have been on where our paths went unsteady on that trip…we literally crossed over and under each other, for we were all over that arena…we picked up speed…turned back, slowed down…but still stayed together….AND…in essence….we still ended up solving some accidents and some problems for people for Christ, in the process.)   Which, brings me back to the buzzards:

Those buzzards are cleaning up the accidents.  Isn’t that what their purpose is?  Unfortunately rumour has it that they spread disease.  Ever heard a rumour about yourself or your “gang” that you spread something negative?  Well the vulture gang doesn’t spread disease, as a matter of fact, they are quite clean, because their systems keep disease from spreading because they clean up the carcasses.  Basically, they are nature’s flying janitors.

To the ancient Egyptians, buzzards were deities, emblems of motherhood.  They represented the giving of life and then later taking it back.  Persians accorded them royal status because of their size and the elegance in which they glide.  Romans used buzzards to represent military strength.    But to America, they have been known as “flying rats” and “bottom feeders” according to a Times article.

Now, I admit, buzzards kind of give us the creeps.  They feed on flesh, they aren’t the prettiest bird in the air….but looking at life from their perspective, I think we can learn something.  To me, here’s the thing….

Ever been told this —–>    “You’re scum.  You’re a lousy street gang member!  You’re a member of what church?!  You are the wrong color or size or ______, so therefore, worthless.  You’re a janitor (or put your own job description here) so you’re bottom of the totem pole.  You don’t “fly” as nicely as the rest so,  you’re not as valuable.”

Get the picture?

Basically my point is….those buzzards are fulfilling their job, for what God intended them to do in the first place.  They are awesome birds.  They are cleaning up behind accidents that nature leaves behind.  Even the fact that they’re bald and don’t have feathers is a plus for them in the job they are doing.  (I’ll let you look up why for yourself!)  They are like nature’s street gang, going around and strongly taking care of business.  They don’t keep our schedule…or anyone’s schedule.  They don’t care about their formation.  They aren’t fancy smancy like another bird class that wants to be straight careful with their flying lines.  I don’t see a problem with that.  Honestly, if I were a bird, I’d probably be a buzzard, because I’m not that graceful, myself.  I trip over thin air and when I was a twirler, I never could march in formation to save my life!

Anyway, I’m just thinking out loud today about what we can learn from the buzzards….and the lowest thoughts within ourselves sometimes, as well.   I’m so glad I saw that buzzard, (I also saw a great bait shop called “Fuzzy’s Bait Booze”-  that’s another blog!).

One major thing we can respect in the buzzards, is their “Greater good,” attitude.  I liked how that buzzard kept focused on his task and didn’t flinch.  If we could hang onto that attitude in our own spirits, and focus on our work for God, and in what He created in us to do, we could just do that thing, whatever that is without flinching, no matter what was heading our way, just imagine how different our lives would be.  Now, I’m not saying, that if I’m sitting in the middle of a train track writing, I’m going to sit there and say, “greater good” if a train comes storming my direction….I’m definitely going to move out of the way.  I’m just saying…ask God the direction, find out that “thing” that you are created to do and do it with all of your heart, mind and soul….and then, don’t flinch from that path.  Call on God’s help…and don’t lose focus.

Fly with the buzzards, and clean up a few messes in the process, don’t be afraid to start at the bottom, don’t be worried about what the turkeys say or what the eagles say about you….just worry about what God says and fly.

God bless you and keep you.

 

Black vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.  They can only be killed through a permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Services.  Among groups that are working to protect vultures include the American Bird Conservancy, the Carolina Raptor Center, and the National Audubon Society.

 

Buzzards, Bats, Bumblebees:

The Buzzard: If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

The Bat: The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

The Bumblebee: A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

People: In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up! That’s the answer, the escape route and the solution to any problem! Just look up.

Sorrow looks back. Worry looks around. But faith looks up! Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, and trust in our Creator who loves us!.

“Do not worry about anything; instead pray about everything.” Philippians 4:6.

 

 

 

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Those Who Try to Keep Us Down

19. April 2010 by Starr.

 

My friends…I just felt compelled to write this reminder today.  There will always be those out there who will always feel the need to try to keep us down.  The enemy will use others to suggest to us that we have a shady past, that we aren’t perfect…that we have issues…that we are sinners…that we have problems….that we can never overcome anything….that we have faults.  People will call us names, try to hold us under, try to zap our courage, our strength, our creativity.  If they do not like what we have to say about Christ, they will call us, “Bible Thumpers,”  “Holy Ones,”  “Jesus Freaks,”  etc.

Oh, well.  To me, it just shows that they aren’t seeing what we are seeing.  In fact, a portion of what they are saying is right.  We aren’t perfect…we do have faults.  How true!  In fact, I don’t try to claim to be holier than anyone…however, I do just point to God when my imperfections and faults creep up. 

This issue is especially difficult for the new Christian or for the Christian who has come from an abusive relationship.  I can only suggest when these slings and arrows come at us from those out there of those personalities, do two things:   1.  Pray for them.  Pray that they develop compassion and that God speaks to them in a personal way.  2…take a look at what God has to say about it.

Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another. [1 Peter 3:8]

And He has assured us that none of us who bear His name shall come to shame; this is because that will reflect badly on His Name (Rom. 9:33; see Jer. 14:21). In whatever situation we find ourselves — in the water or fire — God will defend the honour of His Name which we bear (Isa. 43: 1-2).

He is our defender and our advocate.  Don’t let someone get to you who tries to keep you down.  Bear His name proudly.  It is not your argument or battle to fight.  God knows what’s going on.  Let Him deal with that person as God sees fit and relax in the knowing that God will handle it in His own way.

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Earthquakes and Voices and Bees, Oh, My!!

18. April 2010 by Starr.

“Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. Isaiah 41: 10“

Here is the scenario I found myself in the other day:  I was in a doctor’s office.  There were 9 people besides me.  7 women.  2 men.  (I think I was the youngest one.  I don’t think that matters.)

On a big flat screen t.v. the news continued to stream live from all over the world.

The first story:

An earthquake had hit China.   People were actually trying to dig survivors out of the rubble with their bare hands.  I looked around the waiting room.  No one responded to this as if it was just another earthquake.  Just another earthquake?  Hm.  I wonder, when do we get to the point where we don’t fear earthquakes?

Check this out:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMMfFdjQGOo

 

Story 2:

 

A man hears voices and shoots his family in Chicago.  Again, no one in the waiting room responded.  They kept flipping magazine pages, adjusting eyeglasses, watching the clock, checking cell phones, or just staring into space.  So…the voices that prompted someone into a violent murder didn’t evoke a response either.

 

Voices that cause violent action, aren’t new.  Those that suffer with voices live in a hellish life that is a very real situation that needs the healing and cleansing of the Holy Spirit.  It is a confusing and a very hurtful and hard place.  Ever considered life from their perspective?  Doesn’t scare you to think of hearing voices that makes you “crazy” enough to kill or lose control?

 

Check out this youtube video.  It may give you some idea of what it is like to Fear the Voices.   (bear with this one- give it some time)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-YARjv1kes

 

Story 3:

 

A swarm of bees was buzzing in Houston.  NOW I saw responses!  Some of the people in the waiting room actually responded to this story.  I couldn’t find the actually Houston bee swarm story on Youtube, but I found a smiliar one….take a look.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D80JLjKV-yU

 

Story 4:

 

Man saves missing little girl in Swamp.  He claims that God gave him the guidance of her whereabouts.  No one responds to this.  They are back to flipping magazine pages, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBBV5Dpu13Y

 

So…we have four things here.  Three fears.  Earthquakes, Voices that led to violence, and Bees.   Only the Bees got a response.  One awesome praise.  Girl gets rescued.  No response.

 

It could be that they simply didn’t HEAR the broadcasts.  Maybe they just happened to hear the bees story and didn’t hear the others.  That’s entirely possible, of course.  But, lets assume just for the sake of argument, that they did hear them all, and simply the bees are the only ones that they felt compelled to respond to.  Why was that?  Here’s my theory as to why.

 

Lets begin with fears.  After all, what are we afraid of?  In the Wizard of Oz, they were afraid of lions and tigers and bears.  The white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland was afraid of being late.  Little Red Riding Hood was afraid of the Big Bad Wolf.  When we were young, my sister was afraid of indians, because my father watched alot of old black and white westerns where indians ran wild scalping people and burning towns.  That was not, in modern days, how they react at all, but in my sister’s eyes, that’s how they were.  We all have something we are afraid of, but as a society, these fears change, don’t they?

 

My grandfather remembered being afraid of bears. Something I’ve never had to be afraid of before.   Where we live, how we live, and how we think definitely determines our fears, and how we respond to our fears…and what we hear.

 

Consider this :

 

Top 10 Fears

While the exact rankings change slightly from year to year, the following is a list of America’s most common fears.*  See if one or more of your fears are on the list.

1.  Snakes 51%

2. Speaking in public - 40%

3. Heights - 36%

4. Being closed in a small space - 34%

5. Spiders and insects - 27%

6. Needles and getting shots - 21%

7. Mice - 20%

8. Flying on a plane - 18%

9. Dogs (sorry, Lassie) - 11%

9. Thunder and lightning - 11%

9. Crowds - 11%

10. Going to the doctor - 9%

* Gallup Poll, February 18-21, 2001 (1,016 respondents; + or - 3%)

When we consider the above fears, it gives a different outlook on how and why the people in the waiting room didn’t respond, doens’t it?  Earthquakes doesn’t rate in the top 10 fears.  Voices..or…hearing voices to the point of hurting others doesn’t rank.  Bees ranks….it ranks in the insects section.  There’s where the response fell in.

Another thing…the people were probably distracted and concentrating on their fears of the needles, visiting the doctor…and probably the confined space of the room, and so their fear wasn’t showing if they were responding in an introverted way to try to cover up those fears.  All of those fears were in the top 10.  So, my theory is…fears of earthquakes and voices don’t rank high enough to get a response.

God helping someone to find a missing girl…was overshadowed by the fears that were going on as well, either that, or they simply didn’t hear it, didn’t believe it….or tuned it out.

I think in today’s world, we are desensitized by fears and things all around us that are going on in today’s world.  We get this attitude:

“Oh, another man shot his family.”

“Oh, another earthquake.”

“Oh, another missing girl.”

What is going to make us wake up and take notice that God is a living God?  Things are shaking up?  Things are happening?  People ARE hearing voices and ARE taking action to do violent OR MIRACULOUS things!!  Why do we let our fears control how we react or even what we pay attention to?

Why do we have the attitude that states…”If it doesn’t effect me personally, or if I’m not afraid of it personally….why care?”

God doesn’t want us to look around in terror and be afraid of everything.  But I believe He does want us to care and be aware and have compassionate spirits and at least respond…and at least take notice when He’s doing something in the world.  When He shakes up the world with an earthquake…pray for that area.  When someone’s hearing voices and it leads them to voilence…pray for that family.  There are many that suffer with voices today that need deliverance from that.

Friends, we need to wake up.  We need to not be afraid…but be aware of the dangers that are out there and face them with courage and strength of the Living God.

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Those of the Night Bell

13. April 2010 by Starr.

I will own that this apparition on my doorstep in the cold morning light (he had rung the night-bell) surprised me somewhat. —Two Sides of the Face Midwinter Tales

Not far from here, on a lazy little curve on a busy street, resides a motel that has a reputation that definitely preceeds it’s name.  I won’t mention it’s official name here, in fact…the name of the hotel is really not my point of progress, but in actuality, I’m more concerned about those who reside within that pocket of the planet, than the title of the place they are in.  They, after all, have a story to tell.

My first experience at this location led me to an interesting woman who I can’t seem to get out of my mind.  It’s funny how life sometimes puts us in odd little places, isn’t it?  But, I digress.

I was at this location…with a beautiful spring day all around me, but all I could think about really, was the scent of cat hair and cheap disinfectants and cigarette smoke that kept wafting out of motel room 13.  As I walked past, I caught a glimpse of very dirty dark green carpet and suddenly felt sick.  I turned to walk back toward my vehicle.  That’s when I saw her.

She shuffled across the parking lot wearing a black fanny pack on her front left hip, light blue polyester pants, torn up leather black shoes, I don’t recall the color of her blouse, but I do remember her hair.  She had thick, yellowish blonde hair that went past her shoulders.  As hard as the wind was blowing- her hair didn’t.  She wore glasses and talked to herself.  Loudly.  She had things to say.

She told me a little about her life at the motel.  She told me about how she trades her cleaning services for a room there and how she pays for the cleaning supplies herself, and the manager (who, in her words, is a “funny duck”) doesn’t pay her back for the bleach and the items she buys, which isn’t much.  She complained about how filthy the motel was and how it wasn’t passing inspection.  She told me about how alot of the people who stayed there weren’t clean and how she was responsible for cleaning up after them but had no tools to do what she was asked to do, and had no time to do it in.

As she talked, she never looked me in the eye, and continued to look away.  I told her my name, and the name of my two friends with me.  She never told me her name.  I sensed she either didn’t like her name, or she was in hiding.  She pulled out another cigarette at that point and said, “I need to check the laundry.”  Inside the office she shuffled.

I remember thinking that it was impossible to guess her age.  Somewhere between 40 and ?  50 and ?  60?  Higher? She returned a short time later with a small load of towels.  I had the feeling she had been at this little motel for quite a long time, trading time, trading dirt, trading laundry, transferring items from washer to dryer…from room to room….shuffling across that little parking lot back and forth, then sitting on her folding chair that sits right beneath the small black sign that reads, “Night Bell.”

I wonder who she is.  I wonder if she has family.  I wonder if she knows that God has a plan for her life.  I wonder what her name is.  I wonder if she would come to dinner with me if I asked her.  I wonder when the last time she had a really great long bubble bath.  I wonder when the last time she laughed was, or bought a new pair of shoes was, or just did something fun?  I wonder when the last time was that she got out from under that little chair beneath that Night Bell?

Please pray for this place, not so far from me and for this lovely woman who is God’s child.  I’m going to do something for her this week.  I’m not sure what, yet, but I’m going to ask God about it and see what He leads me to do.  I’ll let you know how it goes.  I’ve decided to keep a running blog about her and anything else that goes on around that interesting field of characters.  Besides this situation with her and it, I’m going to use this location in fiction.  I’ll keep you posted.

As we walk through life on this planet, we bump into all kinds of people.  My pastor Steve Patterson says, “Just love them.”  He’s right.

What I’m going to say in this matter is, as we see people that may seem lost or off their path….they probably are exactly that, and my input here is simply put: “There but by the grace of God go I.”

Remember, we are human “beings” not human “doings.”  God is most concerned about our character, because that is what we will carry into eternity.   The Bible warns, “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.  Instead, fix your attention on God.  You’ll be changed from the inside out.  Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well -formed maturity in you.”  (Romans 12:2 Msg.)

We are not just what we do.  We are all a work in progress.  We all are what we are in our BEINGS.  What would you have me do for you, if you were her?

In a way, we are all a part of Those of the Night Bell.

CSY

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Thankful for Gifts from the Heart

9. April 2010 by Starr.

“Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don’t feel I should be doing something else.”

 

 Over the years I have written in many places and with many things and on many different things.  I have written with pens, pencils, chalk, crayon, markers, paint, eyebrow pencils, lipsticks…have borrowed pens from waitors, airline attendants, strangers in coffee shops, pharmacies, and countless other places.  I have written in not only the usual notebooks, pads of paper, etc…but I have found myself in situations, where I have been forced to write ideas upon napkins, toilet paper, paper towels, my hand, my arm, my sock, and I have even written on my jeans.  One time, I even wrote an idea on a tablecloth at a restaurant in Little Rock, and offered to buy the tablecloth because I needed to cut the corner off to take that area home with me.  The manager let me take the tablecloth free, anyway.  That was awesome!  But, we writers do what we must do, to keep that idea before it flies away!

Since then I have learned to keep a tape recorder nearby, and batteries.  I have learned to be prepared.  With all of the preparedness, however, I still cannot be prepared for everything all by myself.  That’s where God, and His angels, and the gifts from the heart of the people who feel led to give items to me, comes into play.

 I just was thinking today that I hadn’t taken time to blog a proper thank you on this topic.  I wish I had the space and the time here in this blog to talk about all of the wonderful situations I have experienced over the years with the sweet children, teens and adults who have blessed me with a precious tokens from their hearts. 

I have been given pebbles, seashells, pencils…some new, some used, some found on school buses, on sidewalks, in playgrounds, some with chewed up erasers, some broken in half…but all of them still had words left in them!  I have been given items like pez dispensers, boxes of staples, boxes of paperclips, tape, pencil top erasers, erasers that smell like soda, erasers that smell like fruit, to name a few.

I had someone send me a pen from Paris.  Someone once sent me a pen from Florida.  Yesterday, someone sent me a beautiful red light up pen that simply said, “I love you.”  How awesome is that?!  Someone that read one of my articles once, felt led to just send me a coupon for a free pizza.  Bless that person, because they realized I needed to eat, also.  (Sometimes when I’m writing hard, I forget to.) 

To me, the blessing is that, people care about my heart, to know that in my writer’s soul…I need writer’s tools, (Yes, that includes food.) to do what God has called me to do, and that is to work toward the goal to which I am trying to attain. 

To all of you out there who have offered me a gift from your heart, thank you so very much and I love you dearly.  To those of you who have given me a flower, a pebble that you enjoy, a candle….a notebook, a book of stamps…a box of envelopes, a monetary donation of love…whatever it may be, I love them all, and take them to heart.  Because, like a runner running a race, who has his team cheering him on, on the sidelines, ready to hand him the bottles of water along the way….that’s how I see those who, feel led to now and then just give me an encouraging word, and you are a very important part of my life and I cannot make it without you.  Trust that.  Please email me any time with anything you need, also or any prayer request and I would love to pray specifically for that request.  

Yesterday, when I opened that envelope with that little red pen that lit up and said, “I love you,”  I smiled and only a writer, I think, can recognize the power of that tool.  To some, it’s just a pen.  To people who aren’t potters, it’s just clay.  See?  To me, it’s a tool I can create something with!  It came from someone very special with me in their mind with my ministry and my goals in their  heart.  For that I am thankful.

To my children, my family…all of them, biologically, or sent formally by God…thank you for your gifts from the heart…for your notes on my board, my closet door, for understanding when I don’t answer when you ask me things because I’m miles away…for taking care of dinner, for finding the missing sock, for quieting the barking dog, for mowing the grass, for helping me when I can’t find that file, my glasses, my phone, my Rhodiola 110…for just being you and for being the very best that any mother/woman/friend/writer/keeper of the cheerios can ever ask for.   I love you, so.

Cheryl Starr

 

 

 

 

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Praying for Others

6. April 2010 by Starr.

“We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

Jesus set the example when He said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:31, 32). Jesus’ intercession was necessary for Peter’s faith to become established.

In his book Life Together, Deitrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its members for one another, or it collapses.”

I have said this before and I find myself saying it over and over again….we can’t be perfect people….but we can be Praying people.  Wherever or whatever you find yourself today and whatever the circumstance, whoever is on your heart as you read this, intercede for them in prayer.  They need you.  We all need each other in intercession.  It is vital.  Prayer is where we find our destiny.  It is where others find their destiny with God.  It is how we fight the battle of spritual warfare.  Prayer is our very best defense. 

I just love it that Jesus said, “I have prayed for you, so that your faith may not fail.”  He did not say, “I guess I’ll pray because that’s my last resort.”  or  ”Because nothing else has worked.” 

 Prayer is the first and the foremost thing we should do.  It is our greatest weapon.  It is our greatest priveledge. 

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