How and where is God moving or acting or breathing or working or inspiring or whispering or pushing or tugging at you in the last couple of days?
I invite you to share your reflections on your sense of God's presence in your life recently, whether it's been a positive or disturbing experience. Please be aware that as you share your story:
- First, send me your story by clicking below on the word "comment" below and writing in the box.
- I, as pastor, will read your story before it is posted.
- When I accept your story it will be posted publicly for our family of faith to read.
I look forward to all of us learning more about God through your discernment of God speaking to you in a variety of ways. I anticipate that as we practice such listening for God, we will all become more comfortable with speaking our faith. Let's see what happens.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Shelley
Today Shelley spoke of "glimpses of God" - a phrase with which I resonate. For years I have relied on small "God glimpses" to give me hope, guidance, and a way through whatever was bothering me. God shows Godself to me in small ways - not burning bush events like Moses experienced - but rather in ways that are sometimes missed or unnoticed until I become present in the moment. As I grow older, life experience makes me sharper and more aware of God. Consequently, I have begun to appreciate more and more the simple things of life: the ability to take a deep breath this morning in the cold air, the kindness of friendship this afternoon and a warm hug, a good book, this cozy home and glowing candle - these are for me, simple gifts. And in them all, I experience God as present. It is through these God moments that I see Emmanuel - God with us. Tonight I give thanks for the simple ways that God is here, with me, now.
ReplyDeleteGod is working and inspiring me to help others who are going through difficult times.Every Sunday when I attend Trinity, it is the shot in the arm I need to start off my week!
ReplyDeleteGod has given me the privilege of sharing with a small group called Rebekah Circle for over thirty years. The trust level and the intimate sharing nurture my soul. Well-prepared Bible study materials help us to deepen our faith. Thanks be to God!
ReplyDeleteGod has been asking a lot of me over the past week--telling me to be more courageous, more truthful, and more loving than I ever could be on my own. I feel torn between doing what's easy and safe, and doing what God asks of me, which is neither easy nor safe, but which is my heart's greatest desire.
ReplyDeleteHere's my comment
ReplyDeleteGod speaks to me through my children. The truth I hear reminds me that Christ calls us to come as little children - trusting and with minds open. Last night I was getting ready to go to choir and Jace saw all the signs of an outing. "Mommy go? Church? Sing? Jace?" I began to explain to him that daddy would be home with him and mommy had to go sing. He grabbed my leg and said, "Sing here!" Besides being adorable, that little command has stuck with me. It reminds me of my calling right now to "sing" right here in my home with my family. But even on a broader scale I hear Christ's call to all of us to "sing" right where we are. We get distracted in thinking that our call, our gifts, our true song, will come to fruition at some later time and place. That the big thing we are to do is out there somewhere and going to hit like the proverbial bolt of lightning. Instead, this small child shows me that our gifts are needed right now, right here in the place we find ourselves. We are needed in small things that Christ will multiply - kind of like fish and loaves, huh? I was convicted already this morning of this latest vision of truth. As I watched my 8 year old board the bus in the snow I prayed for her to have a good day. The morning had been grumpy for her and me. I found myself praying for her to have a good day, for her mood to change and for God to put someone in her path with a smile and a warm greeting. Then it hit me. God had put someone in her path. I just didn't smile. And I didn't build her up for her day. I bundled her up for the snow but in the rush I didn't hug her heart. OK God, I hear you, and I thank you for teaching me in the ups and in the downs. And thank you for loving me when I "get it" and when I don't.
ReplyDeleteGod Was My Co-pilot, May 15, 1992
ReplyDeleteI had just refueled our 1957 Stinson airplane at Johnson County Executive Airport and was heading west, toward Topeka. Connie and I had traded our '46 Taylorcraft for this airplane in July of '89. The engine, all of a sudden, started to vibrate and shake the nose of the airplane.
Loud Voice: "Pull back on the power and turn downwind - maintain your air speed. Remember the rule - do not head back to the airport - you will never make it. Look for a place to land and concentrate on getting down in one piece. Do you see the milo field on your left? Plenty of room with no trees. Turn into the wind and start your descent. Extend your flaps and maintain your air speed. Ease back on the controls - just like a normal landing. Turn the ignition switch off upon impact."
In landing, the left gear wheel dropped down into a depression in the field and the plane flipped over - nose first. I crawled out of the plane, tried to stand up, but couldn't (I had broken my back and left forearm) and just laid there.
Within 20 minutes, rescue trucks were on the field and someone was asking if I was O.K. After the rescue trucks arrived, lots of people were asking questions, to which I was able to respond. Within another 20 minutes, a rescue helicopter arrived and I was loaded on a stretcher and flown to the hospital.
Recovery was slow, with much praying - being thankful for my life, good doctors and caring people. Dave Houser
A few weeks ago I was working a chaplaincy on-call shift at Saint Lukes' hospital in Kansas City. Late in the afternoon, I was paged to come to the room of a patient who was due to have a procedure the next day. The patient was 80 years (and told me of her grandfather who lived to 121!). She was very calm about her upcoming procedure, but just wanted to have a word of prayer. As we were talking, she shared with me how she had lost five close friends in the past year. "I'm so sorry to hear that," I said to her. She replied, "I'm jealous." "Excuse me?" I asked. "That's right. I'm jealous. Jealous that they're already with the Lord. I want to be with Jesus too." And then she went on tell me of a dream she had the previous night about these five friends who were in heaven. Jesus was saying to them "You're welcome."
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the most beautiful expressions I've heard of death and of our being welcomed home by the Lord. These five friends had been thanking Jesus for receiving them. "You're welcome."
I am mindful of the presence of God in every single day. Today I had lunch in Topeka with a wonderful Presbyterian Elder, and I was deeply moved by the story of his life, his sense of commitment and love, the meaningful work he does on behalf of others, his affection for his family, and his devotion to the Presbyterian church. I delighted in the ways he learned lessons from his life and attributed the blessings of his life to God's providence.
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe the presence of God is mediated through the people God brings into my life, and the dear ones who share life with me on a regular basis. Certainly this is not the only way God is present for me. Yet lunch with this Presbyterian Elder, a committee meeting yesterday, an exchange in a department store last week, the conversation with the person who boards my dog....through these encounters with wonderful and beautiful human beings, I see the truth and reality of a magnificent God. I am grateful for the people in my life and how they reveal the divine, blessed presence of God to me. People rock. God rules.
I am so glad that I serve a God that is full of love. It took me a long time to truly believe that God cares so much for my simple little life. Lately God has been revealing his love for me in so many ways. It can be something small like a friend to talk to on a rough day or as big as watching Christians helping other Christians around the world to accomplish the Lord's work. It is such a blessing to see God changing the lives of the people that we see every day, and I am even more blessed when He lets me be a part of it! I could never pay Him back for what He has done for me and that's the best part. I don't have to. May God richly bless "y'all". Rick Huffman
ReplyDeleteGlimpsing God's Presence ... on a warm, sunny day like this ... St Pat's day ... seeing springtime burst out all over ... hearing the birds, watching squirrels, beautiful sunsets, kind words, helping and making a difference in this little corner of my world ... every day a miracle and a gift. suz
ReplyDeleteToday 6 persons from Trinity made a difference at Midland Care in Topeka. They worked at the resale store fixing up, attaching and creating work space. They were attentive to little jobs that had been on a waiting "to do" list for quite some time. Additionally, all the outside potted plants on Midland campus received a good drink, special welcome bags were made for our new patients and 2 mini vans were washed. Thanks for spending your time with Midland and other local agencies that depend on volunteers --- help from persons like you! Mission Morning makes a difference. Thank you! suz
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