I feel compelled to pray.... Someone out there tonight is desperate for help. You are being attacked and worn out by spiritual forces of darkness. Whoever you are, DON'T DESPAIR. Know that your life is PRECIOUS to Him. He has heard your prayer and help is on the way. Please read James 1. I want to pray for all of you who have Parkinson's Disease. You are on my heart tonight:
Heavenly Father, I sit at Your feet with the needs of my friends who have PD. We have special needs, therefore we have special requests. I want to thank you that you are not a God of confusion or chaos, and I praise You that You give us the gift of a sound mind. Give us clarity, Lord. Give us Your wisdom. Keep a watch over our mouths and let only words that edify the Body come out of our mouths. Teach us tonight, even as we sleep. We need a special word from you right now. Save us from our enemy - Satan .... Hide us from him. Give us the courage we will need to get through tomorrow.
We thank you with every beat of our hearts for the ways You have used us - in this condition - to change a life, or perform a miracle. There are many things You have done through us and we don't even know it. Raise up those of us who are under heavy attack and revive our exhausted hearts, for You alone are the Lord our God. Our enemy cannot touch us because we are safely tucked under Your wings.
We love belonging to You....
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
Unbirthed Dreams
I just read an article where the author describes her dashed hopes for the future - now only a dream she once had dreamed - as a still birth or a miscarriage. It occurs to me that this is what life can seem like to those of us who have been diagnosed with a disease, or suffered other tragedy. We all had our plans and hopes of a future that did not include PD (or whatever your own heartbreak may be). Dreams that started with expectant hope and desire for the life that we yearned for, somehow died, and were never allowed to ripen for the day of birth and growth.
I don't know why. I won't tell you that I can make any sense of it. It seems nothing but a tragedy just like death on a cross. And why me? What did I do to deserved this? I am catapulted into a fog of pain, sadness and confusion - perhaps even anger and bitterness, when all I wanted was goodness.
But the one thing I do know in my limited knowledge, I cling tenaciously to. It is recorded in Isaiah 41:10,13.
I am instructed and comforted:
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.... For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand."
And I am amazed as I see things that look for all the world like undeserved death on a cross, but eventually usher into my life the most precious parts of life that there are.
I don't know why. I won't tell you that I can make any sense of it. It seems nothing but a tragedy just like death on a cross. And why me? What did I do to deserved this? I am catapulted into a fog of pain, sadness and confusion - perhaps even anger and bitterness, when all I wanted was goodness.
But the one thing I do know in my limited knowledge, I cling tenaciously to. It is recorded in Isaiah 41:10,13.
I am instructed and comforted:
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.... For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand."
And I am amazed as I see things that look for all the world like undeserved death on a cross, but eventually usher into my life the most precious parts of life that there are.
Monday, October 8, 2012
It's Bad
Unemployment, rising gas prices, death in Afghanistan, fathers murdering children, as well as missing children, enemy drones invading Israel, meningitis outbreaks caused by back pain shots, and alligators released and abandoned in public areas on Long Island - These are a few things going on here and in the world at large.
Make no mistake - we are living in a dangerous world, populated by dangerous people, in dangerous times. We are perhaps frightened because of our disability. We know that there is much we cannot do. We are slow or frozen, weak and uncoordinated - an easy target for bad people. We are forced to depend on the kindness of others. We are very much aware of our physical shortcomings in a world where only the super heroes of our imaginations meet the dark demands of evil. We are no match for whatever may attack from the midst of darkness.
It will not help to turn from this reality and pretend - and hope - that we and our loved ones will emerge from it all unscathed. Because we don't know what to do - we have fallen asleep; but we MUST wake up!
Our heavenly father tells us what to do. He tells us what the final outcome for those who belong to Him will be:
"You will have the Lord for an everlasting light, and your God for your glory." Isaiah 60:19
I'll give you some highlights from the 91st Psalm, but I strongly suggest that you read the entire Psalm for yourself:
"It is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper, and from the deadly pestilence. You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; of the pestilence that stalks in the day...." Psalm 91
God is our refuge - our hope - our help in times of trouble. WAKE UP, Pilgrim! Have courage and fear not.
Our God is aware; our God is powerful; our God is light and love. Draw close to Him and He will draw close to you.
"He who dwells in the shelter of the most high, will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.: Psalm 91:1
Make no mistake - we are living in a dangerous world, populated by dangerous people, in dangerous times. We are perhaps frightened because of our disability. We know that there is much we cannot do. We are slow or frozen, weak and uncoordinated - an easy target for bad people. We are forced to depend on the kindness of others. We are very much aware of our physical shortcomings in a world where only the super heroes of our imaginations meet the dark demands of evil. We are no match for whatever may attack from the midst of darkness.
It will not help to turn from this reality and pretend - and hope - that we and our loved ones will emerge from it all unscathed. Because we don't know what to do - we have fallen asleep; but we MUST wake up!
Our heavenly father tells us what to do. He tells us what the final outcome for those who belong to Him will be:
"You will have the Lord for an everlasting light, and your God for your glory." Isaiah 60:19
I'll give you some highlights from the 91st Psalm, but I strongly suggest that you read the entire Psalm for yourself:
"It is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper, and from the deadly pestilence. You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; of the pestilence that stalks in the day...." Psalm 91
God is our refuge - our hope - our help in times of trouble. WAKE UP, Pilgrim! Have courage and fear not.
Our God is aware; our God is powerful; our God is light and love. Draw close to Him and He will draw close to you.
"He who dwells in the shelter of the most high, will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.: Psalm 91:1
Friday, October 5, 2012
Sixty Second Prayers
My computer has been down and still is out of commission, so I'm writing to you from my son's computer. Life has been very busy these last few weeks. We will be moving soon, so I've spent my time packing, throwing away, and organizing. I can't do as much as I would like to do at one time, but I'm plugging along. I have set easily attained goals for every day (like I aim to pack two boxes by the end of the day) and I'm surprised at how much I have done. I stop often during the day and pray very quick prayers. I find that this is the best way to deal with confusion, fatigue, discouragement and any other trouble that comes my way (and there have been PLENTY). Sixty second prayers keep me focusing on the right thing and remembering Who my Helper is.
I am satisfied more and more with talking to God about my problems and obstacles and content to wait and see what He says or shows me. He never fails to answer. In the first chapter of James, the Bible tells us that if anyone lacks wisdom let him ask God for it. Then He Who gives generously and without reproach will give it. But it warns us that we must ask in faith without any doubting because the one who doubts should not expect to receive anything. Doubting God is not believing that He is Who He says He is or that He will not do what He promises.
I'm not in the same place (emotionally) that I was in the last time I posted on my blog, but then neither are you. I'm moving ahead and looking forward to the new things that are ahead of me. Sometimes I'm tempted to worry about going to a new place, making new friends, learning new places, changing doctors, but when those worries try to crowd in, I just start praying. I will check back with you as I can until once again I can write regularly. My thoughts are with you....
Anna
I am satisfied more and more with talking to God about my problems and obstacles and content to wait and see what He says or shows me. He never fails to answer. In the first chapter of James, the Bible tells us that if anyone lacks wisdom let him ask God for it. Then He Who gives generously and without reproach will give it. But it warns us that we must ask in faith without any doubting because the one who doubts should not expect to receive anything. Doubting God is not believing that He is Who He says He is or that He will not do what He promises.
I'm not in the same place (emotionally) that I was in the last time I posted on my blog, but then neither are you. I'm moving ahead and looking forward to the new things that are ahead of me. Sometimes I'm tempted to worry about going to a new place, making new friends, learning new places, changing doctors, but when those worries try to crowd in, I just start praying. I will check back with you as I can until once again I can write regularly. My thoughts are with you....
Anna
Sunday, September 23, 2012
What Does the World See?
Yesterday morning I went out with friends. I saw a man surrounded by his friends on the beach. He was in a wheelchair - but not just an ordinary wheelchair.... It had wheels that looked like large intertubes - designed to be pushed through the sand on the beach. The friend pushed the man into the surf - only enough to wet his feet. The friend was strong and kept a tight hold on the wheelchair. The man trusted in the strength and love that the friend had for him.
I wondered if the man had been a surfer or a swimmer. He obviously had a love for the sea.
It struck me that this friend was like Jesus, who pushes His loved ones through this life in the same way. He is strong. He is tender. He takes us where we cannot go alone.
I wonder who is watching you and who is watching me, and I wonder what picture we make - Jesus and me. For surely we don't go unnoticed. And whether we trust in His strength and His love, will be there for all to see, so think - reader .... What does the world see?
I wondered if the man had been a surfer or a swimmer. He obviously had a love for the sea.
It struck me that this friend was like Jesus, who pushes His loved ones through this life in the same way. He is strong. He is tender. He takes us where we cannot go alone.
I wonder who is watching you and who is watching me, and I wonder what picture we make - Jesus and me. For surely we don't go unnoticed. And whether we trust in His strength and His love, will be there for all to see, so think - reader .... What does the world see?
Monday, September 10, 2012
The Difference Between Yesterday and Today
Tell me what you're thinking. Share your thoughts with me today. You may think it's not necessary because we talked yesterday, but I need to hear from you today. Everything is new today. We are both in a different place today. You might need reassurance. I might need reminders. I know that you loved me yesterday, but do you love me today? Yesterday the world was different. Today you will see a different side of me because my challenges call for what you did not see yesterday. You cannot read my mind, nor I yours.
If you grow impatient with me, just think of this: I loved you yesterday when things were different. Today when they are more different still, I love you more. To repeat it is full affirmation that what has happened today has only deepened this love I have for you.
Make me understand your world today. I will show you how I love you. Try and understand my world today - and love me.
If you grow impatient with me, just think of this: I loved you yesterday when things were different. Today when they are more different still, I love you more. To repeat it is full affirmation that what has happened today has only deepened this love I have for you.
Make me understand your world today. I will show you how I love you. Try and understand my world today - and love me.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
To My Son
Today I am thinking of someone dear to me. I will do my best to make this a good day for this someone. Before this day is done, I will share with "someone" what I am thinking and how I am feeling:
It is your birthday. I have awakened with you in my mind and on my heart, where you always are. Since the time before you were conceived, I made a place for you in my heart. My soul is knit together with your own. The enduring and never-ending love of God is made into a mother's love for her son. Wherever you go - take care that it is a place worthy of a mother's love - because everything you do and everywhere you go - my soul goes too.
I am never willingly separated from you, though when you are absent - my prayers for you never cease. Every tear I've ever wept for you - every heartache I've ever had for you - and every dream I've ever dreamed for you are stored up in God's heart.
Never forget Who made you. Never fail to remember He is the source of all hope and never fail to know that when you are trying to be who you were born to be - all things are possible through Him.
I love you beyond measure. You are my gift on this day of the celebration of your birth.
You were created for a reason - you were born with a purpose. Find your calling and understand His plan for you. There you will find strength and know joy.
All my Love,
Mama
It is your birthday. I have awakened with you in my mind and on my heart, where you always are. Since the time before you were conceived, I made a place for you in my heart. My soul is knit together with your own. The enduring and never-ending love of God is made into a mother's love for her son. Wherever you go - take care that it is a place worthy of a mother's love - because everything you do and everywhere you go - my soul goes too.
I am never willingly separated from you, though when you are absent - my prayers for you never cease. Every tear I've ever wept for you - every heartache I've ever had for you - and every dream I've ever dreamed for you are stored up in God's heart.
Never forget Who made you. Never fail to remember He is the source of all hope and never fail to know that when you are trying to be who you were born to be - all things are possible through Him.
I love you beyond measure. You are my gift on this day of the celebration of your birth.
You were created for a reason - you were born with a purpose. Find your calling and understand His plan for you. There you will find strength and know joy.
All my Love,
Mama
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