First Sunday of Lent

Today marks the beginning of yet another Season of Lent, the Christian season of preparation before Easter.  Ash Wednesday marks the season of Lent, 40 days prior to Easter.  (Sundays are not included in the Count).

Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.  The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus – His suffering and sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.

If one were to look for the custom of Lent in the Bible, it would not be found because the custom didn’t exist during the biblical time.  The practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is mentioned.

We sang this song today, and I find it quite fitting for the First Sunday of Lent.

 

“Listen Lord”

Listen Lord, listen Lord, not to our words but to our prayer.

You alone, you alone understand and care.

Upon further reflection, these words are great for anyone to use in meditation, self-centering or simply in prayer.  As we enter the 40 days of Lent which ultimately leads us to Easter Sunday, let us center ourselves and reflect on Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the desert.  Luke 4: 1-13

May we all enter into our own wilderness and spend the time in serious reflection and introspection.

Answered Prayers

Many of you may have read my post/blog(s) beginning on February 1, 2012 when I was laid-off from Sony after 12+ years.  I also believe I posted something about Cummins offering me a job on March 28^th which I feel is a miracle in and of itself given the economy and the many that have been out of work for years.

I said then that I felt God had answered a prayer regarding the lay-off, and even though there has been worry and concern, I believed God was going to lead me in the direction I should go if I had an open ear. It has felt like a long process since moving to Columbus, IN and renting a place month to month while our house was built.  At the same time I had concerns about finding a buyer for our house in Terre Haute.  I didn’t want it to sell too quickly because Merly would have needed a handicapped accessible place to live in the interim.  Also, I didn’t want to carry two mortgages at the same.

About a week to two before the closing date on the new home, it hit me that the financial responsibility was about to shift.  Sure it was fun to take pictures and watch the house get built from the ground up, but when it was nearing completion, a knot formed in my stomach.  At that time, I began to pray in a way I have never done.  I thought about how some of the men in the Old Testament actually negotiated with God about whether to destroy or not.  I began to pray by saying to God that it was time for Him to send a buyer to the house.  I told Him it was time. (Of course, He already knew that). But with each showing, I would tell God to put it in the hearts of the people to see something in the house that would lead to an offer.

As we neared the closing date in Columbus, IN I began to feel peace about it all. I knew God would show me the way to manage budgets to maintain two houses, and so I began to think about places to tighten the belt so to speak.

On Monday, September 24, 2012 I closed on our house in Columbus and was glad it went well.  The following day I worked from the rented home because I needed to start getting things prepared there to move to our new home.  For some reason, around 11:30AM I decided to check my personal email account, and in the emails I spotted one from my realtor in Terre Haute.  Purchase Agreement Attached was in the subject line.  I can’t tell you how excited and nervous I was.  I looked at the Purchase Agreement and my heart sunk; it would cost me some money to accept that offer; however, I was not about to give an immediate ‘No’.  I talked to my realtor that evening since we had unto 5PM the following day to respond.  She was shocked I was even considering it.  She told me that another agency would be showing the house that afternoon, and she recommended we wait for that outcome.  We did, but I made sure she understood that an offer would have to come in early in the day or I was going to move forward with the offer we had.  After all, I was simply trying to get out from under the mortgage, even at a cost.  (Yes, a limited cost).  On Wednesday it seemed like 3 years between 8AM and 11AM.  I had to know, so I called the realtor and asked if the 2^nd offer came in.  It did and was for asking price with no extras. I was stunned, but then I realized that God had His hand in it all.

Do Miracles happen?  You bet they do!  How many people can say they bought a new house while maintaining the mortgage on another house that was on the market AND then the following two days receive offers to purchase the house in Terre Haute?  I don’t know about you, but that was a Miracle of Perfect Timing.  Merly had a place to stay until the home in Columbus was complete, and the Terre Haute house went under contract within two days after closing on the home in Columbus.  Movers were already lined up to pack, load, and deliver furniture on October 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd. What timing!!  All I needed was God on my side, and He showed up with Perfect Timing. 

Continuation of "A New Chapter Begins"

Almost four months have gone by since I last wrote, but it has been a great ride for me.  God has been faithful and has blessed me beyond measure.  The new job with Cummins is proving to be greater than I had anticipated in that I never dreamed there would be a company in this day and age who would care about the well-being of their employees and for the local communities on a global basis.  This company does what it says!

While our house in Terre Haute is still on the market, the new construction in Columbus is almost complete, and I look forward to being permanently located in one place.  I drive back to Terre Haute on the weekends and live in Columbus during the week.  Deciding to relocate was a difficult and painful but necessary decision, and I think God is leading me down a new path of opportunities and joy along my journey of faith.
 

When I look back, I do not regret anything.  I can see where He has provided a set of stepping stones along the way.  I won’t recount my life’s stepping stones, but I will start with 13 years ago when I accepted a position with my former company who relocated me with full benefits including the buyout of my home in Virginia.  About two years ago I was in search of a new church home, and God definitely had His hands in that.  Through one person who happened to know someone at Central Christian Church and who knew I was searching for a church home, she connected me with that member before leaving for California.  I called this person and talked at length about Central Christian Church and decided to visit the following Sunday.  I remember that day as if it were yesterday because Central Christian Church is/was much different than most.  I remember being greeted and feeling accepted on that very first visit.  It was and still is a very warm and welcoming congregation.  I remember sitting there not knowing anyone, but it didn’t take long for me to learn the names of people and for them to get to know me.  The pastor is as wonderful as any pastor I have ever known.  I spoke with her at length about what I was looking for in a church, and she assured me Central was that church.  She was absolutely correct.

When I accepted the position of a new job which meant relocating, I struggled and continue to struggle with saying good bye to the church and people I have grown to love.  At the same time, I know that God has led me to a new town and what will be a new church home.  I plan to attend this new church for the first time tomorrow, and I look forward to getting to know the people at North Christian Church.  I find it hard to believe there is another church that will even compare to Central Christian Church, and I suspect it will take time especially if I go in expecting the same.  I have to trust in God to provide the right church home, and I have no doubts that He will.  It may not be this particular church; however, I feel it is.

I will end here so stay tuned for more updates in the weeks and months to come.

A New Chapter Begins

Two weeks from today will mark the next chapter of my life.  For those who have read my previous posts, you know I became one of the unemployment statistics on February 1, 2012.  During that time, God has sustained and provided for me in many wonderful ways.  While there are a lot of uncertainties ahead, there are many things which are known because God has revealed them to me at just the right time. 

A new job will begin on May 7, 2012; to have found what I consider to be an excellent job and to have found it in a span of two months is miraculous when considering our current economic conditions.  Many have gone months and years without finding gainful employment.  Every part of my being tells me that God is behind it all; just as He has provided all previous stepping stones, I know this is yet another step that must be taken to place me exactly where I need to be.

I am so blessed that God never gives up on us!  It took 11 years for me to find the church home I have today.  He had to work over time to help me see where I was needed and where I needed to be, and now that I have been with my church for a little over a year, He is taking me down another path.  This past year with Central Christian Church (DOC) has taught me how very much God loves us all regardless of who we are.  My eyes have been opened in ways I could never have imagined, and I know where my new church home will be.  I’m actually looking forward to visiting it for the first time, but at the same time it greatly saddens me to be leaving my current church.

There is a lot to do over the next two weeks such as finding a place to live, getting our Terre Haute house on the market, moving part of what I will need during my temporary housing.  Then I begin the process of starting a new job, getting to know co-workers, learning how to get around a new town and finding my way around within the new company’s premises.

God is good!

He Has Risen

On this beautiful Easter Sunday, let us rejoice in the knowledge that Christ is alive and well.  Yes, this is the day we celebrate and remember every year as the resurrection of Christ, our Lord, but if one thinks about it, every day is a resurrection of Christ.  He lives today, He lives inside each and every one of us providing transformation every single day of the year.

On Maundy Thursday, or Holy Day, Christ broke bread with his disciples and told of his upcoming days.  While the disciples did not fully understand the full meaning of that day, WE DO!!  It did not take them long to better understand Christ's teachings, and they finally "got it".  Thankfully we can experience the same resurrection in our lives every day.

Christ gave the Great Commandment:  Love your neighbors as I have loved you.

I pray that we "try" every day to fulfill that commandment and love every one, unconditionally, as Christ loved us. As followers of Christ, it is our duty to love unconditionally, and that means accepting ALL regardless of race, color, creed, orientation, the rich, the poor, the unclean, the outcasts.  Christ loved them all without exception.

I am so thankful that my God is such an awesome and wonderful God.

At the Cross

I said to myself, "Relax and rest.  God has showered you with blessings" - Psalm 116:7

As I was reading from my book, "Prayers with a Purpose", I ran across this Psalm.  Hindsight is 20/20 as they say, and as I reflect on my life, it is quite easy to see where each event was a stepping stone for God's blessings.  He was in control by placing me at the right place at the right time even when I thought there was no future in sight.  Through the highest peaks and through the lowest valley's, I was exactly where I needed to be.

Now during the lowest of the valley's it was impossible to see the blessings, and it was difficult to rest and relax. We are to sit at the foot of the cross.  We are not asked to climb the cross; however, how many times have we tried to "climb that cross"?  I know I've tried and tried, but right now even though I'm at a new place in my life - waiting on God due to a recent job loss, I am for the first time in my life simply relaxing and resting for I know this will lead to even more blessings.

Let us all Relax and Rest!

An Answered Prayer

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 


"Lord I need wisdom and guidance in my work life. Please show me if this is the vocation I should be in right now or if I should change and find another job. I want to use my skills and abilities, as well as my interests, for Your glory. When I feel under-utilized and yearn for something more, reveal to me where I can best serve in the coming season of my life." -- God's Will for My Work Life - Taken from Prayers with Purpose for Women. 


Today, I ran across the above text from Prayers with Purpose for Women, and I do not believe it is by coincidence. Within the last month or so, I have struggled with this issue but did not know if it was something "I" was wanting or thinking I should do or if it was something God was asking of me. Just a week or so ago, I prayed to God with all of my heart and asked that He give me a sign that would show me without a doubt that it was He and not me who felt I needed to leave my job. 


Yesterday, He answered that prayer, and now I know beyond any shadow of doubt that He has been telling me to move on. Through cut backs at work, I was released from my employment! Now that is an answer, albeit, hard and fearful right now. 


A new chapter begins in my life at the age of 50.....we will see what God has planned. I request prayer during this time as I seek employment and the path for which God has chosen.