absolutely certain...God is with me

Every week when Holley Gerth gives her Coffee for Your Heart prompt for the coming week, I begin to pray, asking God to bring to mind those times when He has revealed His Truth to me regarding the prompt. This week the prompt is, “You’re not alone.”

As I prayed, I was reminded of a question I heard Pastor Andy Stanley ask,

"What would a girl, just like you, do, in a situation just like the one you are in, if she was absolutely certain that God was with her?"  

That question helps me focus on Jesus, and the Truth that I know and believe…His name is Emmanuel, God with us, He will never leave us or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5b Amplified translates this verse in an even stronger way:

”...for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]"

As I prayed, I kept recalling times in my life when our Lord Jesus Christ has used a simple timeline document to help me gain a wide-angle view of life…to help me see that God had been there all along.

As I prayed, I remembered when I first saw the “Milk Drop Coronet" photograph in a book when I was pulled-out for a special class as a child. I then recalled it in a journal entry following a counseling session as an adult. Amazingly enough, just a few days following that, the Lord would remind me of His Presence, Emmanuel—God with us, when I saw this same photograph at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. The symbolism was unmistakable to me, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has been with me all along—when I was knit together in my birthmother’s womb, when I was chosen, adopted, by loving Christian parents. He was with me when I first saw the “Milk Drop Coronet.”  He was with me when I recalled it in my journal following the counseling session, and He was with me when I turned to look at the darkened alcove to snap a picture of the “Milk Drop Coronet.” He is with me today and everyday into the future. He is with me. He is intimately involved in the tiniest details of my past, my present, and my future.

As I prayed, I remembered being a 10 year-old, admitted to the hospital on the Monday following JFK's assassination in 1963, for a routine tonsillectomy. The orderly came to my hospital room where my Mom and Dad were with me waiting for the time of surgery. He pushed my stretcher down the hall, Mom and Dad clinging to my hands, and telling me everything was going to be okay. Suddenly, we came to the elevator, and he said to them, “I’m sorry, you’ll have to wait here. You can’t go with us any farther.” I looked at my Mom and Dad, who looked like they were near tears. As I watched the elevator doors close, I felt a sweet peace encompass me, just like Jesus was wrapping His Loving Arms around me. I had received Jesus Christ as my Savior and had been baptized just a few months earlier. I knew Jesus was with me in that elevator, and He would be with me during the surgery, I was not afraid. I woke up back in my hospital room with the scenes of JFK Jr. saluting JFK’s flag-draped coffin on the small black-and-white TV mounted on the wall at the end of my bed in the hospital.

As I prayed, Jesus reminded of how He comforted with me with the song, “Be Still My Soul” on Amy Grant’s Legacy CD, which played on “repeat” the entire time my Mom was in palliative care prior to her homegoing. It begins with a  melancholy guitar solo followed by the lyrics to “Be Still My Soul,” a haunting admonition to leave things in God's hands, culminating with a voice-over by Amy. My heart was so captured by it I wrote every word in the Bible I had with me. Even now thinking about it brings back the flood of warm feelings I experienced during those days, knowing that Jesus was with me in her room…gently carrying her home.

Finally, as I prayed, the Lord reminded me of this beautiful rendition of the song, “Alone Yet Not Alone,” performed by Joni Eareckson Tada. Quadriplegic, Joni, with limited lung capacity due to her disability, had her husband, Ken, pushing on her diaphragm while she recorded the Oscar-nominated song to give her enough breath to hit the high notes.

In what ways does the Lord reveal to you that, “You’re Not Alone”... please feel free to leave your comments in the box below, I would love to know your thoughts.

remembering Challenger...where were you on 1/28/86?

Every year on January 28 since 1986, when I see the news broadcasts which replay the Challenger explosion, I think back to where I was when it happened--where I was both physically and emotionally. This has been especially significant to me, over 25 years later, having contact via Facebook with the kindergartener, Nathan Connell, who held my hand that fateful day.

It was Tuesday, January 28, 1986, at 11:38 a.m. This was my first day back at school as a teacher of elementary-age children in the gifted education program since having a miscarriage at 10 weeks gestation one week before.

Our little school building, the East Area Alpha Center, was located high on a ridge in Lake Wales, Florida. Tuesdays were the days that all the kindergarten and first grade students in the gifted program from Davenport all the way down the ridge to Frostproof were brought via school bus to our little center in Lake Wales to participate in a creative and critical thinking curriculum.

I took the hand of Nathan Connell, a bright-eyed, brown-haired kindergartener who was wise beyond his years. I was wearing my London Fog trench coat with the lining zipped in on this unusually cold Florida morning. We joined the 45 other students and two other teachers out on the lawn of the school and we all were looking up. The sky was a brilliant cerulean blue. We watched Challenger rise into the sky, the bright orange glow of its rockets and white plume of smoke below the orange glow.

Suddenly, as Nathan and I held hands and watched, the orange glow exploded and the white plumes of smoke were diverging vertically from above the orange glow. It was unlike any shuttle launch we had seen before, was it a second stage rocket booster? I looked down at Nathan’s knowing expression with his eyes glued to the Challenger and he said, “I hope the astronauts had parachutes.” We were outside, we had no TV or radio announcer to provide commentary. But Nathan knew. The glorious beginning had ended.

I wrote in my journal that evening, “I feel empty…beginnings ended…nerve endings of emotion…raw, open, exposed…longings of my heart…reaching out, vulnerable…soft to the touch…aching need, grieving for what is lost, for what could have been…”

Dear Beth, You cannot imagine how overcome with emotion I was to read that blog post. I remember that day and I remember it with such clarity. I'm now a physician in Rhode Island, having just finished my internal medicine residency. This summer, I'm starting a fellowship in hematology and oncology so I'll be working in the cancer center here at Brown University's teaching hospitals. Thank you so much for reaching out and thank you for everything you did for me that day and during my time as your student. Keep in touch.—Nathan (Comment via Facebook from Nathan Connell)

Nathan, Thank you so much for your kind words, they mean so much to me...there are those moments in our lives that we do remember with such clarity, probably because of the emotions involved...every year on January 28 when the news programs replay the video of Challenger and ask "Where were you..." I go right back there to Lake Wales, holding your sweet little hand...this year I felt led to write about it on my blog...with your permission, I would like to add your comments above to my blog...you have made wonderfully wise choices with your life, and I know you will be a blessing to the hematology and oncology patients at the cancer center...our lives are so short, no matter how many years we live...blessings, beth (my response via Facebook to Nathan Connell)

Of course, please feel free to use my comments however you wish and again, thank you for everything you've done for me!--Nathan (response via Facebook from Nathan)

As you contemplate where you were on 1/28/86, consider mediating on the Scriptures below, and please feel free to share your story or any comments in the "Comment Box" below...

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.—I Corinthians 13:12 

No, for the Scriptures tell us that for his sake we must be ready to face death at every moment of the day—we are like sheep awaiting slaughter; but despite all this, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us enough to die for us. For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels won’t, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are—high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean—nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us.—Romans 8:36-39 TLB

reflecting Who you're beholding...

Each week I look forward to linking up with Holley Gerth's Coffee for Your Heart encouragement challenge. This week's writing prompt is: “You’re beautiful…just as you are.”

As I pondered this prompt, I remembered the idiom, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” I discovered an interesting Biblical word study related to the word, “beholding” in 2 Corinthians 3:18: 

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.—2 Corinthians 3:18 NASB 

And we, with our unveiled faces reflecting like mirrors the brightness of the Lord, all grow brighter and brighter as we are turned into the image that we reflect; this is the work of the Lord who is Spirit.—2 Corinthians 3:18 JB

    

One translation says, beholding as in a mirror another says, reflecting like mirrors. The verb katoptrizo can be translated either “reflecting” or “beholding"

“with unveiled face, beholding” (RSV)
“beholding as in a glass” (KJV)
“reflecting like mirrors” (JB)
“be mirrors that brightly reflect” (TLB)
“we . . all reflect the Lord’s glory” (NIV)

It seems the Holy Spirit intentionally selected a verb that would remind us to do both—beholding our Lord Jesus Christ so intently that we can’t help but reflect Him.

To behold your face in a mirror is to study, to stare, to contemplate. Jesus is the source; we are the glass. Jesus is the light; we are the mirrors. Jesus sends the message; we mirror it.

“As He is, so are we in this world”...as we behold Jesus, we are unconscious of the change in us, we are reflecting His beauty, His love for us. 

We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.—1 John 4:16-18 

Let the King be enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.—Psalm 45:11

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.—Ecclesiastes 3:11 

Christian Singer/Songwriter Ginny Owens has expressed my heart in these lyrics from her song, “Call Me Beautiful” "You call me beautiful...You call me beautiful...And say You've loved me all along...And You've always held the keys to unlock my soul...Oh, You call me beautiful."

In what ways are you reflecting Who you are beholding? As Jesus is, so are you in this world…you’re beautiful…just as you are!

Exciting Book Launch Giveaway!

Just wanted to share this exciting book launch and giveaway going on right now, January 15-17!  

I am a contributing author with my Chapter 13: "The Generosity of Adoption" in the book, 

"21 Stories of Generosity: Real Stories to Inspire a Full Life (A Life of Generosity)." 

Right now you can get both the eBook and AudioBook version for just $0.99.  

Plus, you can enter to win over $50.00 worth of Christian AudioBooks. Check it out here:

http://www.bodyandsoulpublishing.com/21-stories-generosity-0-99-book-launch-special-giveaway/

Generosity can come in many forms including time, money, attention, service, or simply a kind word or compliment. Ultimately, the motive behind it is what's truly important.

In this book you will read 21 real stories of generosity from ordinary, everyday people like yourself. Some of the stories focus on being on the giving side while other stories revolve around being the recipient.

Ultimately, we hope and pray that God uses these stories to inspire and encourage you to be more generous with your time, treasure and talent. That by reading this book, you might find yourself drawing closer to Jesus, the Author and Orchestrator of generosity.

Don't miss this great opportunity! Join us today in this journey of living a life of generosity!

What are some stories of generosity in your life?

You're Loved

It is such a blessing to link up with Holley Gerth each week in offering up a little Coffee for Your Heart, her weekly encouragement challenge for 2014. The writing prompt for this week is simply this: “You’re Loved”

Many years ago, I used to hear Elisabeth Elliot open her Gateway To Joy radio show with these words, "‘You are loved with an everlasting love.’ That's what the Bible says. ‘And underneath are the everlasting arms.’ This is your friend Elisabeth Elliot…” Those Scriptures remind me, "You're Loved."

I came to a place in my life where I wanted, more than anything else, to know and love God more. God is so inconceivably good. He’s not looking for perfection. He already saw it in Christ. He’s looking for affection. That’s why every lasting change will invariably be a change of heart. He’ll even supply the heart, if we’ll ask Him. To know Him is to love Him...to know and believe, "You're Loved."

Henri Nouwen, the famous author, once gave a postcard print of Rembrandt’s painting pictured below, Return of the Prodigal, to individuals who had come to hear him speak. He asked them to look at the hands of father—one hand masculine and strong, and the other hand feminine and gentle. What a wonderful way to illustrate the unconditional love God has for all of us prodigals, full of grace and truth, His open arms saying, “You’re Loved.”

Take a few minutes to watch this powerful music video about the prodigal son called, When God Ran, He ran to His son saying, "You're Loved."

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.—Romans  8:38-39 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.—John 3:16 

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.—I John 4:10 

We love because he first loved us.—I John 4:19 

I pray this Coffee For Your Heart post has been encouraging to you, if it has been, please share your heart with me in the comments below, I’d love to hear your thoughts…

21 Stories of Generosity Ranked #1 for Stewardship!

How Exciting! 21 Stories of Generosity: Real Stories to Inspire a Full Life (A Life of Generosity) with my story as "Chapter 13--The Generosity of Adoption" is currently ranked #1 for Stewardship!

I am so honored to be one of the contributing authors in this wonderful book, available as a paperback, Audible audiobook, and a Kindle Edition at this link, with the table of contents featured on the publisher's website at this link.

Contributing authors include:  CJ Hitz, Darlene Shortridge, Laura J. Marshall, Krystal Kuehn, Carol Freed, Carol Round, Joy DeKok, Victoria Pitts Caine, Ruth O'Neil, Lisa Belcastro, Graham Roberts, Marilynn Dawson, Brenda McGraw, Beth Willis Miller, Gerald Bergeron, Brad Francis, Charles W. Page, Ann Musico, Corine Hyman, Marriott Cole, Suzanne Doyle-Ingram, Debbie Rivers

Do you have a desire to be a tool in God's hands to bless others? Generosity is a powerful word. Webster's Dictionary defines it as "the quality of being kind, understanding, and not selfish; the quality of being generous; especially: willingness to give money and other valuable things to others."

Generosity can come in many forms including time, money, attention, service, or simply a kind word or compliment. Ultimately, the motive behind it is what's truly important. In this book you will read 21 real stories of generosity from ordinary, everyday people like yourself. Some of the stories focus on being on the giving side while other stories revolve around being the recipient.

Ultimately, we hope and pray that God uses these stories to inspire and encourage you to be more generous with your time, treasure and talent. That by reading this book, you might find yourself drawing closer to Jesus, the Author and Orchestrator of generosity. Join us in this journey of living a life of generosity!

In what ways have you experienced generosity in your life?

You are who God says you are...

What a joy to join Holley Gerth's Coffee for Your Heart: 2014 Encouragement Challenge!

As Holley says in her challenge, “research shows that those who focus on encouraging others are happier, healthier and live longer."

As I pondered Holley’s first prompt, “What encouraging words do you want the people you care about to hear as they begin a new year?”

I asked myself, “What encouraging words do I need to hear?”

These are the words from God’s Word that encourage me, and I pray they will be an encouragement to you, too!

You are who God says you are…

In Christ, you are...

BLESSED with every spiritual blessing,
         ACCEPTED in the Beloved Son of God,
                 ADOPTED as a child of the King,
                         CHOSEN before the foundation of the world,
                                 REDEEMED by His Blood, 

                                          FORGIVEN by His Grace,
                                                   LOVED with an everlasting love
                                           and underneath are the everlasting arms.

When you feel betrayed, God says: You are BLESSED
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3)

When you feel ignored, God says: You are ACCEPTED
"According to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Eph. 1:5-6)

When you feel abandoned, God says: You are ADOPTED
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. (Eph. 1:4-5)

When you feel inadequate, God says: You are CHOSEN
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” (Eph. 1:4)

When you feel rejected, God says: You are REDEEMED
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us.” (Eph. 1:7-8)

When you feel condemned, God says: You are FORGIVEN
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us.” (Eph. 1:7-8)

When you feel forgotten, God says: You are LOVED

“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” (Eph. 1:4) “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jer. 31:3) “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deu. 33:27)

In what ways are these words from God's Word an encouragement to you?