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

Orlando: Finding Peace in Tragedy

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid." John 14:27

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It is hard to be at peace watching the news these days, especially after seeing the coverage of the Orlando Shooting that just killed 50 innocent people and injured 53 more. As the world seems to be spinning out of control with mayhem, hatred, evil, and increased violence, we may need to have a paradigm shift from fear to faith--consciously, actively working for peace—in our own lives, our communities, and our nation.

The hardest and most difficult truth about the Orlando Shooting is that it could have happened anywhere in the US and the global community, as terrorism defies authority and borders and is fueled by unbridled extreme hatred. So many questions press forward in the aftermath of this heinous crime, the worst shooting in American history, and there are no easy answers. This tragedy surely evokes and provokes anger and fear in all of us. How did this happen in this age with so much American and global vigilance towards terrorism? Could this happen in my own community? It makes us wonder, is there no place that one can go to escape and avoid the throes of hatred and terrorism in these days of radical extremist hatred and ISIS?

“I have told you this so that you might have peace in Me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”  John 16:33

Though unsettled by the violence, we need to look into our own hearts and minds and pray fervently for an outpouring of love and peace in our own personal lives, for love and peace can only come from trusting in Jesus, our Almighty Savior, Protector, and Comforter. In as much as Jesus is Lord and we are not, it is important to leave room for Him to move as He will, as only He can handle the evil we encounter. But this much. And this much I know for sure—

What occurred was not a case of mental illness, but of abject evil gone awry.

Our knee jerk reaction may easily be one of a surge of negative emotions, pressing questions, fear and even hatred for the shooter. Most unsettling, perhaps there may seem to be nowhere to hide from such extreme acts of hatred and terrorism, but there is. For believers and non-believers alike, it is an illusion to think we are in this world all alone. For God is with us, and in earnest prayer, we all need to place this nation, this world squarely in the hands of God! Consider this profound biblical promise:

“He [God] will shelter you with his pinions, and under His wings you may take refuge; his faithfulness is a protecting shield.” Psalm 91:4

It is not our place to judge, but it is our job to love others to the best of our abilities. Faith and fear cannot coexist, and the peace of Jesus Christ transcends all adversity and evil.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

Worry and fear can never touch, quell and/or eradicate hatred and evil, but quiet personal and collective prayer to God, in the name of Jesus Christ, can eliminate them both in the blink of an eye, giving us an unshakable peace. Prayer can also help us more easily identify prejudice, hatred and evil for what they are in ourselves and others, and assist us swiftly to higher ground—to love one another as God’s children. In striving for peace, the Bible tells us we need to pray not only for ourselves, but also, even for our enemies, those we fear, and those who have hurt us. Our peace is only found in Jesus through prayer and reading Holy Scripture:

When you are able to boldly pray for your enemies and those who have hurt you this way, internal and external peace is the end result. When you believe that you are not alone in this world, with Jesus at your side, you are free to love the unlovable—able to concurrently hate the sin, AND love the sinner as Jesus does, with uncommon compassion, paving the way to peace.

Please pray with me now…

Dear Father God,

You are the Alpha, the Omega, the beginning and the end. In You there is no darkness at all. Our nation is in dire trouble, and we need you desperately now. We lay this good nation, the United States of America in Your almighty, healing hands this day. Help us to work tirelessly for peace in our families, our communities and our nation, and purge all hatred from our hearts. Look with favor on your people, Lord, those who seek You in earnest. Give us peace in our days, and joy-filled hearts filled with gratitude in You, and keep us safe from all harm. Amen!

www.theinspirationcafeblog.net

Adele M. Gill     |    June 15, 2016   |     Copyright

Wait Upon the Lord & Renew Your Strength

                                                       Adele's Inspiration Cafe Blog
                                                     www.theinspirationcafeblog.net

             "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength"                                                                   Isaiah 40:31

 

One of my favorite parts of being a Chaplain, is that sometimes I get to visit people who are sick, grieving, or hurting in some way at the hospital, a rehab center, or at home. Several months ago I started visiting a 50 year old woman named Cathy from Manna House, who is in a rehabilitation center who was there because she fell down a flight of stairs and was declared "a quadriplegic." For two full months, she laid in bed without the benefit of regular, daily physical therapy because she was deemed having no rehabilitative potential. This was the scenario the first time I went to visit her as she lay almost motionless in her bed at the rehab facility.

During the first visit with her, she could barely move at all, and even needed help to sip water sitting up in bed. We talked, I prayed with her and laid my hands on her arms and legs for God's holy intervention in the name of Jesus, that He would heal her cervical spine and restore her to full health and movement once again. After we prayed, I started to leave the room but saw something startling and wonderful out of the corner of my eye...

As an old neurology nurse, I recognized that her arms and feet were twitching slightly, clearly a time for celebration, and time for her medical team to begin regular therapy! I turned around and went back into her room to encourage her to talk with her doctor about her progress. You see, twitching is a great sign that the neurons in her arms and legs were activated and firing, which is necessary prior to movement.

Before my second visit, she was able to see her doctor, and told him what was going on, so he ordered one half hour a day of exercise. The second time I visited her, she was sitting up in bed stretching her legs and arms purposefully. "What are you doing?" I asked with a smile. "If they aren't going to exercise me more each day, I'm going to do it myself because I can."

The third time I visited her, she had big news for me. And she met me at the front door sitting up in a wheelchair she was propelling with her feet by herself in the lobby. What a wonderful surprise! Her doctor had recognized her great motivation and significant improvement: "They are sending me to Kernan Rehab. Hospital in Baltimore for three hours a day of physical therapy!!! I'll be there for two to four weeks."  I stood and got teary as she told me the plans for her recovery. All I could think of was, quadriplegic no more, quadriplegic no way! She said her baffled doctor asked her if she'd been spending a lot of time at Church lately...For he knew the Lord's hand was upon her!

So what happened to Cathy to make her go from quadriplegia to this??? Well, I am believing that God heard her impassioned pleas for healing to the cellular level, and those of all her friends and family. She placed her hope in God and will not be disappointed! We are trusting He will complete what He has started in her and she will, by the grace of God, for the glory of God, walk again!!! We will continue to claim full healing for her in the name of Jesus Christ, from whom all blessings flow.

Meanwhile, I can hardly wait to see her again to see her progress in the Lord. This time, I have a special gift to deliver to her from myself and some praying friends. It was handmade with the loving help of my good friends, Donna C. and Pat Grahe.

Special thanks to all who read this and begin praying for Cathy. May you and yours be profoundly blest with all that is good in Jesus' mighty name. Amen!

~ Copyright   |  Adele M. Gill   |  2016 ~

www.theinspirationcafeblog.net

God Resists the Proud, Gives Grace to the Humble

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” 

James 4:6-8

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After months of doing well, I am experiencing a temporary setback. Humbled by muscle weakness, PTSD from childhood and clinical depression, some days, like today, I find it hard to get my bearings. In fact, everything seems difficult: breathing, swallowing medication and some foods, walking, talking with garbled speech. On those days, for me, joy in the Lord fades a bit, personal pride feels bruised, days seem bleak and the Lord seems ever so far away. Sometimes I wonder if God allows this condition to keep me humble. It is not unusual on such days for me to pray for an ‘Attitude Adjustment’…and soon, by the grace of God, it arrives, often by the third day!

As a believing Christian, I am often reminded during these times of this encouraging Bible passage:

 “…For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7  

For when we walk by faith, rather than by sight, we are no longer subject to the whims and ways of this world. Pride, greed, lust, being self-made, unwarranted competitiveness, getting ahead of others, keeping up with the Jones’, success at all costs, and quick fixes for life’s problems, amoung other things that get in the way of a grateful heart betrothed to Jesus.

The great temptation is to think at such times that Jesus is no longer with me, and it is a significant temptation for me to throw in the proverbial towel, and give up. Yet experience tells me that is not the best or right option. Could it be that giving up while in the throes of a ‘depression temptation’ is exactly what The Enemy desires to happen???                                         

Well, I say…Not on my watch!!!

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.⁷ So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”James 4:6-8

Worldly Ambitions vs. Godly Aspirations

Worldy ambitions call us to enhance our mind with ego-driven thoughts and intellect; while Godly Aspirations call us to grow in heartfelt love and deeper compassion for others.

The ways of this world promote dependence on one’s self, while God’s way beckons us to give it all over to Him. Every grief, every hurt, every failure, every loss laid at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ.

This world celebrates pride in health & fitness, beauty, riches and professional accomplishments, that is, your value is driven by appearances and what you do. Of course these things are not inherently bad, they just should be balanced to make room for God’s ways, and put Him above all.

The Holy Bible, however, teaches us to focus more fully on the 9 Fruits of the [Holy] Spirit: Love, joy, peace, compassion, kindness, faithfulness, patience, persistence, and constancy. And the cyclical nature of these 9 gifts is indisputable…The more you pray and invite the Holy Spirit into your heart, the more you experience God’s presence in your life as evidenced by the presence of these “fruit.” In the latter, what you are in the eyes of God matters most.

This world focuses on survival of the fittest, while Jesus’ Beatitudes’ clarion call to Christians is clear: “Blessed are the meek.”

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The Sermon on the Mount. “^1 aWhen he saw the crowds,^[b] he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. ² He began to teach them, saying:”

The Beatitudes^[c]

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
⁶ Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,^[g]
    for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.                                                                                                                                           ¹¹ Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.                                                        

^12 jRejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  Matthew 5: 1-12  [New American Bible]

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

How to Prevail Against All Odds

All too often, we as humans feel like we need to be right all the time, dominate, and have the last word during times of confrontation. Yet the Bible reminds us that with faith in God, we do not need to fight our own battles to prevail, but sometimes we must simply step back and leave room for Jesus to act on our behalf, as we relinquish the need to be in control. We need to remember that Jesus is our Savior, in all things great and small. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, He is with His flock wherever we go protecting us, comforting us, providing wisdom and discernment through His Word, and paving the way for victories great and small as we call upon His Holy Name. 

For Holy Scripture tells us:

“The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.”

“…Stand up and tell them all that I command you. Be not crushed on their account, as though I would leave you crushed before them; for it is I this day who have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land...They will fight against you but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.”   Jeremiah 1:4-19

With all the current events swirling around us regarding the Sanctity of Life, this Scripture reminds us that all human life—including your life and mine--is a precious gift from God. This beautiful, uplifting biblical passage also serves as a wonderful reminder that God is our Creator; and that He knew each of us intimately before we were even born into this world. That is, He not only knew us, but created a plan for each soul in the building up of the Kingdom before we were even born!

This prophetic writing from Jeremiah beckons us to recognize and embrace our God-given mission here on Earth and to resist feeling defeated by our adversaries and enemies who fight against us. Rather, God tells Jeremiah to hold on and resist the temptation to slip or walk away in defeat—to stand up and use the Word of God as a sword to fight His battles.

Further, God tells Jeremiah in this reading that he has power and strength to fight, with God at his side. “For it is I this day who have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass against the whole land. They will fight against you but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.”

Clearly this Holy Scripture found in Jeremiah chapter 1stands as a poignant reminder to us all that when we follow God’s commands and seek Him in earnest, He will fight our battles with us, and even FOR us at times.  For with God at our side, the fight has already been won before it even starts. The Lord delivers us from turmoil and our adversaries again and again; as we turn the other cheek and defer to Him in all things. God’s ways are not our ways, but make no mistake about it…Jesus IS the reason we are able to prevail against seemingly insurmountable odds.

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

The Servant Witness

The Inspiration Café Blog

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The Servant Witness

Thus says The Lord:

“Get up now, and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness of what you have seen [of me] and what you will be shown.”

“I shall deliver you from this people and from the Gentiles to whom I send you, to open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may obtain forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been consecrated by faith in Me.”  Acts 26:16-18

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As I look back over some of the events of this past week, this Scripture comes to mind…

For the first time in many, many years, perhaps a decade or more, I was able this past week to walk over a mile in the mall with just my cane, leaving my walker behind. Truth is, my Jawbone step tracking device was omitting many, if not most of my daily steps. So I thought if my hands were free rather than grasping the handles of my walker, it would remedy the situation. Turns out my Jawbone is defective, but in the process of trying to walk without my walker, I made a tremendous personal discovery: I can now walk long distances without a walker!

I guess it’s really true that necessity is the mother of invention. ‘Likely never would have tried walking without my walker that day, had my Jawbone been working correctly. The implications are many as I have been working diligently on building my strength since getting out of the wheelchair in September. Walking distances allows me to strengthen atrophied muscles head to toe, lose weight, improve stamina, focus and concentration, and get valuable endorphins I have been missing for years by having to be sedentary per doctor’s orders over the past 33 years.

Most of all, it reminds me there “is a season for every purpose under Heaven.” I look forward to this new season with great anticipation as I read the Scripture above:

“Get up now, and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness of what you have seen [of me] and what you will be shown.” Acts 26:16

I look forward eagerly, not only because this is a hopeful time, but a faith building time first and foremost for myself, as well as for those around me. It is a time to celebrate with great joy that “Jesus, the Great Healer showed up!” Not only did “He show up,” this is a tremendous answered prayer for all those who have been praying for me, as well as my own anguished pleas.

God really does hear and answer our anguished cries. He has surrounded me and my family with God loving, Jesus believing friends that have provided tremendous encouragement along the way. God has also seeded my soul with the resilient desire to believe in miracles and lots of them, even and especially when all seems lost. When I pray, I expect a miracle and an answer from the Lord. This is called expectant prayer. And He always comes through!

 In my 58 years of life God has healed me and delivered me from so many medical conditions and circumstances, including epilepsy, a brain tumor, respiratory muscle weakness, a severe speech impairment, a uterine tumor, as well as major depression, PTSD associated with pervasive childhood trauma. And the list goes on and on!

How blest are we to serve the merciful, Triune God of grace, who created the universe!?! How blest are we to serve our God who is so very present in our times of need? Yes, we are truly blest to have the privilege to walk by faith, not by sight! I believe that the greatest difficulties in life come when we refuse to believe, or forget, just how loved we are by God. That is when depression, alcoholism, drug abuse, and a myriad of other challenges can take root. Yes, God loves each of us intimately and unconditionally through the power of the Holy Spirit and gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation.

God stands in wait for humanity to simply follow His 10 commandments and call upon the name of Jesus so He can intercede on our behalf. But the power of free-will is so strong, addictive, even, and it is sometimes hard for us in our humanness to let go of pride and control, so God can do His finest work in our lives. To do so, we need to try to put aside every obstacle [sin] that pushes Him away.

Most of all, we need to thank Jesus and invite Him into every circumstance BEFORE we become aware of our need for Him. No need for eloquent speech, just a willing servant’s heart for God and those in need, and a willingness to witness to others about His unearned grace and unsurpassed generosity. Just pray, “Jesus I trust in You.”

Yes, God has been so good to me and my family. But it’s not about anything exemplary that I have done. Rather, it speaks to His glorious Love for all of humanity!

“All things work for good for those who love God.”  Romans 8:28

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