Called

Hymnal Lyrics: ‘We are Called’ 

by David Haas

We are called to act with justice.

We are called to love tenderly.

We are called to serve one another, to walk humbly with God.

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The above powerful song lyrics were sung at Mass today, accompanied by a wonderful homily on humility. In the biblical sense, believing Christians are uniquely called to peacefully walk humbly with Jesus. It’s not that they are so good at it, but it is the striving soul that turns to God when they are hurting.

By trying their level best to work for peace, believing Christians frequently forfeit opportunities to strive to preserve their own reputation, avoid having to have the last word, resist the urge to fight back when wronged, and try to restrain from lashing out to others. Instead, they are compelled to turn to God at every turn to restore lost peace, promote comfort, seek protection, and even sublime joy in adversity, despite how they may feel about any given person or circumstance.

No, believing Christians are not destined to become doormats, however, they are compelled to embrace the high road whenever humanly possible. Being a believing Christian is not for the faint of heart, or those looking for the popularity or worldly reward. Actually, being a Christian today sometimes involves being surrounded by hostile or lukewarm souls that chide them for their beliefs. So who will help the inhabitants of this world embrace the way of the Lord with fervor and continuity of faith? For me, the answer is simple: I say, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Himself.

Perhaps you have heard the Christian faith referred to as the “Christian thing.” In a worldly sense, it is very easy for people to dismiss the faith of others and try to compartmentalize others Christian faith. Certainly our culture promotes this in a myriad of creative ways. For it is possible to be a Christian in name only, an experience that is akin to membership in a club rather than being on the road to grow in faith. However, with Jesus, there is continuity in faith that includes a general respect for that which is Godly. A broken heart for what breaks God’s heart. For the fervent believing Christian soul, there is a zeal and kindness that is best expressed through love, compassion and charity poorly understood by the world at large.

That is not to say that believing Christians do not sometimes feel sad, rejected, abandoned, angry, helpless, or complacent in the face of obstacles or difficult circumstances. It is all part of the human condition. Sometimes these feelings bubble up as with anyone challenged with opposition or malice. However, the difference is in how they are process such events over time. Like anyone else, believing Christians naturally, initially look to others for answers and consolation when presented with hurtful, toxic, or difficult people, or challenging situations. The difference is that they are able to eventually move on, by the grace of God, through activated faith, prayer and Holy Scripture, as they seek counsel and comfort in Jesus Christ rather than that of the wolrd.

Adele M. Gill   |   Copyright 2016   |   www.theinspirationcafeblog.blogspot.com

Lost Courage & Rejuvenation in Christ

As you all know, I posted on Monday that I had decided to stop writing The Inspiration Café blog. Because so many of you have contacted me in various ways since then, most with loving messages of encouragement, I want to tell you what transpired that led to that decision.

On Monday, I lost my courage for spreading the Good News and considered not pursuing the publishing of my completed upcoming book after being told, “No one will read it. No one wants to hear your story” by a woman who has never read of a word of my book manuscript. As for my blog, this same ‘friend’ deemed my blog not good enough to reach 2500 or 25,000 people to be a success. There was much more said, but I will spare you the details. The I am saddened that this blog doesn’t reach more people, but that aside, I will reiterate what I have said from the start:

IF MY WRITING CAN HELP ONE PERSON FIND JESUS, IT IS WELL WORTH THE EFFORT.

Yes, on Monday, I temporarily lost my spiritual compass and courage for spreading the Good News in the face of tense discouragement from someone I thought was my friend. When I left lunch, I felt broken and a failure in the eyes of God, inept at best. Looking back, I should have left the table sooner rather than submit myself to such negativity for 2 hours! 

However, with that said, I am learning that the doors that God has opened, no man can close. I have a choice as to whether or not I continue to write my blog, but it is God himself who is the judge and for whom I write. Here is what I have learned, through prayer, and through Scripture, about what is of God and what is not.

The first Scripture reading is what I call my God-given ‘Signature Scripture.’ That is, the one that has propelled me to write both my blog and my book, in prayer with faith-filled abandon:

Acts 26:14-18

We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

¹⁵ “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ¹⁶ ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. ¹⁷ I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them ¹⁸ to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’” 

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Romans 16:17

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.”

John 10:10

^“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

^“For we know, brothers and sisters^[b] loved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵ because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.” 

1 Peter 5-8 

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Ephesians 6:10-20 /  The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Matthew 10:14

“If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that town.”

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In closing, I thank you all for your support and, through prayer, have reconsidered continuing to write The Inspiration Café by the grace of God for the glory of God. Perhaps this experience will only serve to improve this effort and thereby lead more souls to Jesus Christ.

Copyright  2016  |  Adele M. Gill  |  www.theinspirationcafeblog.net