Susanne Udvari  

CHOOSE JOY

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Psalm 16:11

       

  Last Christmas I gave my daughter a bracelet that had two simple words engraved on it – CHOOSE JOY.   I have decided this is my new mantra, and I strive to have it be the foundation of my life every day.  It has to be a conscious decision because there are days when it is not so easy to be Joyful.  The apostle Paul is a great example of a person accepting his current circumstances.  He stood firm in the Lord and responded with Joy, even when he was in prison and his death was a certainty.  We can see his urgency in spreading the gospel and supporting his brothers in Christ as we read the many letters in the New Testament written to churches in various cities.

      

  We can use Joy to fight back fear and pain, and, in the process, we may fill those around us with Joy and hope.  We need to seek God in every situation, and declare his goodness on the darkest days.  Stay conscious of God's fierce love for you and remember He is up to something in your life!  There is something beautiful to be found in having a faith grounded in love, mercy, and the grace of God.  Knowing the truth of who God is – and who we are because of Christ – deeply embedded in our hearts and minds will position us for Joy and peace regardless of our daily circumstances.

      

As Margaret Feinberg states in her book, Fight Back With Joy, “When we fight back with Joy, we awaken the deepest reality of our identity as beloved, delightful children of God.  Joy is your heritage, purpose, and destiny.”

Lord, help me always to choose Joy and be thankful for the multitude of blessings you shower on me each day.  Help me to always rest in God's extravagant love and know that believing in Jesus will position me for Joy and peace regardless of my circumstances.    Amen

Gladys Johnston

STANDING STRONGER

Though You have made me see troubles, many and bitter, You will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth You will again bring me up." Psalm 71:20 (NIV)

I enjoy gardening. I have flowers planted all around the outside of my home and I change them seasonally. Last spring, I added four large planters which straddle the railings on my deck and are visible from my kitchen window. From the window, I noticed during a severe thunderstorm that the delicate flowers were beaten down by the raindrops and the weight of the water, however the sturdy leaves were shedding the water without being affected. After the storm, the sun came out and its warmth began evaporating the moisture. The delicate flowers responded by perking up, were restored and were more beautiful than ever.

All of us experience the storms of life. Sometimes we are strong in the face of such trials; other times we feel weak under the weight of life's lessons. God always knows when we are unsteady and in need of Divine strength. He cares for us and restores us. In turn, we can show care to others. Though we don't always know the extent of others' trials, we can always offer encouragement and prayer. we can offer our loving support and help others to stand after the storm.

Dear God, help me comfort others with the strength You give me. In Jesus name, Amen

Tanya Marshall  

Pilgrimage Reflections   Our Similarities

He (Jesus) said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:14)

During our pilgrimage in Israel, I was struck with how similar people are everywhere. Here we were in a land 1/3 of the way around the globe, where people spoke different languages, signs were written in strange looking characters, many women wore hijabs (a type of head-scarf), Orthodox Jewish men had side locks, and we heard Muslim calls to prayer broadcast through the streets at 4:00 a.m.

But then would come a moment that showed how similar we all are. Three experiences occurred within about two days that illustrated this for me in regards to children.

First, as we were walking through what seemed to be a very serious political/military checkpoint near the Old City of Jerusalem, a group of 20-30 school boys approached (6 – 10 year olds), all 77 dressed alike, with a couple of teachers. Maybe it was a field trip, maybe a religious class? But they were rowdy, loud, energetic, laughing, and chasing each other, and the teachers were trying to calm them down and keep them in line.

Second, later that day we were waiting at a bus stop for Elias, our driver, to pick us up with ouran. I leaned on a ledge near three girls that looked like sisters, maybe ages 5, 8, and 12. 1 simply asked the middle one her name, hoping she knew some English. She said it was Denya (spelling?), and she asked my name, and then excitedly told it to her older sister. It was a short dialog, but we made a brief connection and shared some smiles.

Third, one evening our whole group was invited to dinner at the tour company owner’s mother-in-law’s home in Beit Sahour, a neighboring town to Bethlehem. There were four generations of this family there, including the three children of the tour company owner (ages, 3, 5, and 7, I think).

 George, the 5 year old, and I had a fun talk about the tricycle he sat on, his sisters, his age, his school – typical things anyone can talk about with a child. Then he gave many of us stickers, and sang “If I Were a Butterfly,” a children’s song I hadn’t heard since 1982!

A world apart, but these were typical exchanges that could happen anywhere. What a blessing to see we’re not so different after all, but all God’s children, brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for the reminders that no matter our nationality, color, or creed, you are the Creator of us all. Help us to work for peace and unity, through Christ. Amen.

Judy Lentz 

Two Powerful Words

 John 11:35   Jesus wept.

My sons will tell you that I cry easily, way too easily in their minds.  I cry at weddings even when I don’t know the couple that well.  I cry at every birth I have witnessed.  I cry with every proud moment in the lives of my children and grandchildren.    I cry at special events, at funerals, with certain song lyrics, when the National Anthem is played, when I am upset by the needless suffering of others.  I sob when I think or see Jesus on the cross.  Does God cry at all these times too?

This scripture (John 11:35) is the shortest verse in the Bible but in my opinion is one of the most powerful.  What thoughts do you have when you read or hear these words?  Here are some of my thoughts.

How powerful is it when our Lord cries for his people? 

Does He cry for all the reasons I do?

Who consols God when he cries?

Who wipes away His tears?

Does He cry when he is upset?

If He can do all things, why doesn’t He change the situation causing His tears?

When we see suffering or experience it in our own lives, know that God is crying for us and with us.  For you see, He is our parent and His tears come just as the tears come for us.  The power is in His ability to bring us peace and comfort even in our suffering.  We may not be able to change what is happening and maybe His plan for us does not include a change in what is happening but he is here to comfort and consol.  Loving Him and trusting in Him is what He asks of us.  He is always there for us.

Prayer:  Our dear Lord, we ask for your loving arms to comfort us in times of suffering.  Just knowing you care gives us the peace needed to overcome.  Thank you for the love you have for us.  In the name of Jesus  Amen.

POEMS FROM THE PAST...The following poem was found in Sharon's archives from a booklet published in the 1960's by members of the congregation.  This untitled poem was submitted by Mrs. S. W. Hixson.

When days are filled with worldly snares,

Ask God to help.  He truly cares.

He sent His Son to earth to show

How much He loves us here below.

Don't make a move without His guiding,

Ever in His love abiding.

Lean on Him if strength is wanting.

Love and faith He gives undaunting.

Though doctor, lawyer, student, wife,

Take Him with you through your life.

If you but ask, your spirit humbling,

He'll surely keep your feet from stumbling.

Take Him then to work or school

And you will live the Golden Rule.

As each thought and act you know He'll see

You'll live as the Christian He wants you to be.

Prayer:   Remembering those who are a part of Sharon's history.

Cindy Zwergel   All things work together for good to those who love God

 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

It’s my favorite verse, Romans 8:28. It’s gotten me through some pretty tough times. Times of darkness when I felt abandoned and alone. Those times in life when you wallow in self-pity, crying “why me, Lord?”. But Romans 8:28 has always been a light – my assurance that good will come from whatever circumstance I find myself in.  I believe it because I have seen it in my life.

Sometimes I have found myself in dark times because God needed to change my path in life.  I don’ know about you, but sometimes (often times!), I am stubborn in my ways, refusing to change 

direction in my life, even when I know I should. Where other people may only need a gentle nudge, I need a collision, and God loves me enough to provide me with a direct hit.

At other times in my life, I have found myself in darkness for no apparent reason. I find myself in a situation I don’t deserve, and I feel hurt and confused. Looking back on these times, I have realized that I am in that place not because of me, but because God is using me to help someone else.  

Sometimes we are in dark places to rescue others – we are in the darkness to be the light for someone else whom God loves. 

If you truly believe, as I do, that ALL things work together for good to those who love God, and are called according to HIS purpose, you will look at life a little differently.  To me, it has become a challenge to look back and see how the hand of God has worked though situations in my life.  

Sometimes it takes years to see His plan unfold, and sometimes I’ve known instantly. Then there are times when it’s not been revealed to me – I will never know the impact I made or who I helped by being the light. But I trust God has used me. And I hope that He uses me again!

If you are in a dark place, a place where you feel abandoned, unloved, ashamed, alone… take heart.

Look AROUND:  there may be someone who needs your hand, your words, your light, God’s love.

Look UP:  to the One who loves you, and know that He has a plan for you.

Do not despair! You will get through this time, and if you try, you may even see His purpose revealed.

Roy Behling WHY PRAY?

"You do not have, because you do not ask God." - James 4:2 (NIV)

Prayer is one way we have of serving God. It is not our means of getting God to do our will on earth, but a means of getting God's will done on earth. As we pray, God helps us find solutions to the numerous puzzling and painful situations in our lives. When we do not know what the will of God is, prayer will help us discern it.

The verse above reminds us that we must ask in order to receive. If the Syrophoenician woman had not approached Jesus her daughter would not have been cured (see Mark 7:24-30). If the blind man from Jericho had not called out to Jesus, he would have remained blind (see Luke 18:35-43).

Just as we do not know who will respond to a message of Jesus until we share it, we may never see the results of a prayer that was not prayed.

Dear Lord, teach me how to pray as I should and according to Your will. May You be glorified in my life because I come always to You in prayer. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Amen