Stories
The Crossing
Never let it be said that God doesn’t have a sense of humor or a curious way of teaching you something. This is precisely what happened when Ted and I went for a walk in the woods of Pine Beach on a chilly autumn afternoon.
Ted and I had taken a trail that lead to a lake with a small creek. We could see that the heavy rain had washed away a makeshift bridge. There was only the long beam of wood and some small pieces left. The bridge was made by Ted’s son and his friend Kevin.
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Can’t Do It, Alone
Earlier today, I was reading an article on FoxNews.com. It is about the stimulus bill and what it is being proposed by our federal government. I, for one, greatly appreciate my government desire to help so many people who are hurting in this economic crisis. However, I am touched by a simple truth. Our contry’s leaders can’t do it, alone!
Desires of My Heart
Does God always answer the desires of our heart when we pray and ask Him? This depends on what is going on in our lives, the reason behind the request and simple timing. According to the Bible, God is shown as being quite generous. Jesus has said that the Father knows how to give good things to his children. (See Matt 7:7-11).
Finding Purpose
A couple of years ago, I sat down with Blair, Steve and a couple of other men in the Men’s Prayer and Bible Study and asked for prayer. I was seeking directions for what God wanted me to do at Shore Vineyard, Safe Harbor and general ministry. Steve had mentioned that I was wrestling with God and not to be surprised if God gives me a new name. I don’t know about a new name, but the Lord did give me a sense of direction and affirmed one of my callings.
I’m an Original?
Did you know that you are a unique person and there is no one else like you? Believe it or not, each one of us is a unique creation of God, an original. There really is no one who is exactly like you and me.
In A Dream
In a perfect world, we’d all be at some lofty plateau in our Christian walk and God could do incredible works of glory through us. It would never dawn on us that God would actually want to use us, just as we are. In fact, God made a very interesting comment to Paul in…
Never Say Never
Who me? Teach? Write? If you had asked me, several years ago, I’d have said, “No way! I’m not a teacher and nieither am I writer. With God, “Never Say Never!” Seven years ago, while attending a church in Phoenix, Arizona, I first learned about “spiritual gifts”, special gifts or talents given by the Holy Spirit to believers in Christ to serve or minister to one another. Many are mentioned in the Bible such as prophesying, giving, serving, encouraging, teaching, etc. (See Rom. 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Cor. 12-14).
The Gift of Help
When I took the Wagner’s Spiritual Gifts Inventory, the “gift of help” was one of my spiritual gifts. This gift can be defined as a strong desire to help other people. How does one go about developing such a spiritual gift? The gift of “help” is both easy and yet challenging. It is easy because all one need do is, “help”. The challenge is in knowing when to help, when not to help and how to help.
Waiting For Godot
Have you ever watched a theatre play, that is remembered more than 15 years later? Such is the case with Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”. While in college, I had the pleasure of seeing it performed, live. In the future, I was going to see how God would make good use of this old play.
As a child, I fondly recall digging for buried treasures at Ortley Beach in Toms River, NJ. This is a common thing for kids growing up on the Jersey Shore. Truth is, Ocean County did have a history with pirates who may have well done so. I’d learn this, years later. However, they didn’t do this everywhere.
Nothing is Wasted
As I sit here, pondering what to write, I am struck with a sense of irony.
Them Boots!
Some years ago, Brian had told me, “Get a pair of warm boots because you are going to need them.” “Why?” I asked him. I already suspected my brother was alluding to the blizzard that hit New Jersey in early 2002. After confirming my suspicion, he remarked that I should make sure it was “waterproof”.
Easy to say “Forgive”
Nick has awaken from what seems like a series of bad dreams, the night before. They were dreams of the old days. “What is with these memories of my high school days?” asks Nick. Earlier in the week, Nick had received an invitation to his 20 year highschool reunion. He was looking forward to meeting some of his old friends. It was then that the dreams started coming.
