Morally Reprobate Judges the Physically and Mentally Handicapped

Tonight I believe I got a loud and clear message from God! I'm still reeling, actually, but I just had to share. It was church "Ladies' Night Out" and we had a wonderful meal at Olive Garden combined with some fellowship. Our waiter was a handsome, dark-haired, dimpled young man from Israel. As I looked at him, it dawned on me that he was "what Phillip would look like if he didn't have Fragile X Syndrome". Now, don't get me wrong, I think Phillip is handsome, but the protein deficit caused by Fragile X has made his face long, his muscles droopy and his mouth hang just a bit "open" most of the time. In short, he "looks" disabled. My mother's heart felt sad seeing a living, charming young man who was virtually the image of what might-have-been. Then it dawned on me... that IS what Phillip is going to look like in Heaven!

Then I came home, and found a Facebook link to this article. After reading it, and being suitably appalled it hit me: PHILLIP IS EXACTLY LIKE GOD WANTS HIM TO BE! God didn't WILL him to have Fragile X, but God allowed it, so that people like you and me could learn to value people for more than what they look like, what they can "do" or how much "stuff" or power they have!

Although I haven't set eyes on Phillip since Olive Garden tonight, I know that I will look at him differently now. I will see not only the gift that he is to our world (and he IS) but the handsome young man that God created him to be. I pray that when I get to Heaven with Phillip, he's able to put his arms around me and say "Mom, thanks for loving me like I was... and seeing who I WAS"!

Tough Times

Is this economy causing you to struggle? Wonder where the money for the bills is gonna come from? I DO!

I have a suggestion...... GIVE!

Sound insane? Maybe.

But unless we all start giving again, WE are the ones who are going to suffer! Find your favorite "worthy cause" and give a little. It doesn't have to sink the budget.... you'd probably "find" $20.00 for something you really wanted to do, right? Why don't we all REALLY WANT to help someone else???

I've taken the step myself. In my case it is another step of faith, along a pathway of faith. Don't let fear rob you of the joy of giving! The governor or Illinois put it this way:

"Service to others is the rent we pay for our place in God's earth."

Service and giving are the ONLY "rent" that pays US back more than we give!

Listening for God’s Voice

Being Led by God
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
06-12-2009

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 58:8,9).

How do you know what thoughts are your thoughts versus God's thoughts? One of the great paradoxes of walking with God is discerning the difference between a "natural idea" versus a "God-idea." One of my mentors challenged me one day to make sure that my ideas and the actions I take are directed by God and not from my own reasoning. But being in a marketing profession, there is a constant rub between the "natural" and the "spiritual."

There are three places from which a thought or idea originate: 1) Our natural man, 2) Satan, and 3) The Holy Spirit. There are a few ways to discern from which place a thought is coming. If a thought comes into your mind that you know you would never have thought of, and it might be something you would not normally consider doing. This is likely God speaking.

I once participated in a conference when an offering was being taken to make up for a poorly organized event that left the organizers very short on funds. It was clearly a case of poor management. Nevertheless, I prayed. I assumed I would give a token gift. However, the figure that suddenly came into my mind was $1,000. I argued with God and struggled with my attitude. I thought He must have two zeros out of place! But I obeyed - as I knew that was not my idea.

In order to be obedient, we must not make advance decisions about a particular matter. Each of our decisions must be submitted to the Lord for His counsel to us, not just based on our reasoning.

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Words by Civilla D. Martin, 1905
Music by Charles H. Gabriel, 1905

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.


"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

The picture in this entry is of a robin's nest in the miniature crabapple tree right off our front porch. Yesterday there was one small, blue egg. Today there are two. I read that robins lay one egg per day until their clutch is full. Usually they lay 3-5 eggs. Today, a second small, blue egg appeared. I can't wait to see tomorrow!

Such a small thing. Something that happens all over the place every spring. Something relatively "common" yet so remarkable. Yet for me, this "common" thing is a great gift.

Lord, help me to look for the many ways You show your love and your creative power in my life every day. Thank you for loving me and for "watch[ing] over me" ~ AMEN

Learning to Trust

• From this time many of [Jesus'] disciples turned back and no longer followed him.  
• "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. 
• Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.  John 6:66-68

God is teaching me about trust.  I've really, really been hurt.  I've been hurt by FAMILY.  There are days when I doubt that I can even trust God.  

Tonight I was given the passage above (John 6:66-68) and I can honestly say that I would answer Jesus' question likewise:  "...to whom shall [I] go?"  There is no where else for me to turn.  

In John 14:1 Jesus says 

• "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me."