Truth Famine in the Media Age

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^{Truth Famine in the Media Age}

^“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

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Like many people, some days I get my news on the run, other days I track down specific stories in my quest for corroborative “truth,” and the gravity of the collective negativity seems all consuming. Yet, in this age of information technology, why is it that finding truth seems like an impossible task? We are, indeed living in what I call the TRUTH FAMINE.

Sometimes it is so easy to get swept up in the tumultuous culture we live in election campaigns, politics, terrorism, urban violence, etc…However, it is extreme folly to think we can truly understand and change this sordid world on our own. We need God’s help to effect positive change in this world. It is noteworthy that the present day media is filled with negativity, half-truths, and extreme political slants. This is making ‘real’ news ever harder to recognize, as we are in the midst of a TRUTH FAMINE in the new media age. So what can ordinary people do to sort out fact from fiction and effect positive change? Perhaps change in this world can best be accomplished by following three simple steps:

1)      Always cross reference your news.

2)      Pray for discernment and specifically for your concerns.

3)      Faithfully read the Bible daily

Some years ago, I stopped watching the news on TV, however, I do admit that I have been known to get my cross referenced daily news updates from a combination of online sources: MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, and of course, one of my favorite global sources, the BBC. The BBC seemingly provides a fresh perspective, as it is external news, generally provided by news sources outside of the US. Yet, these news outlets all seem to permeate our daily lives, and pummel us with a wide array of turbulence and negativity. Just how important is it all anyway, for those who have chosen the Christian life, one of serenity, peace and service to others?

News today is really more like entertaining people’s theories, even gossip, at times. It used to be that news was news. Now it is more often than not pundit’s spinning endless commentary and conspiracy theories from one day to the next. With a smile and a sigh, I often catch myself reveling in the news of the day, and realize that I am looking for truth in all the wrong places. It is at that point that I stop and pray for discernment of God’s divine will.

At a point, it finally dawns on me, and I remember yet again that my only real truth is what matters to my Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Churned up to distraction by the news of the world, I return to prayer again and again, as well as my Bible, for eternal wisdom, the kind of wisdom that is enduring, and that promotes abundant, radiant peace and profound joy from within.

Like it or not, the ways of this world will likely continue on the path of mayhem into the unforeseeable future. Paradoxically, we as Christians, are called to be in the world but not of the world. We are called to step away from worldly drama and havoc, into a life of simplicity. But how can we do that when life is moving so fast and furious for us all? Well, consider this biblical Word, a holy recipe for a sound mind and a humbled soul:

 ^“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9

Clearly, as Christians, we are all called by God to find the good in ourselves, others and every circumstance. We are asked to live gratitude-filled lives that look for the good as we seek Jesus in earnest, and seek truth with great fervor, through prayer. Perhaps it is time to put on the biblical armor of God, turn off the daily news, and embrace the great blessings of each new day as we grow in faith-filled simplicity. More walks…More family time…More gardening…More sewing and knitting…More prayer…More daily Bible reading, and More volunteering to help others in need…

There is precious little we can do to change this world, the news and the people in it on our own. But “with God, all things are possible!” [Matthew 19:26]

This is my prayer for you, my friend:

May the peace that surpasses all understanding be with you and yours through these tumultuous times. May you seek the Holy Spirit in all things, and grow in appreciation for the subsequent peace that surpasses understanding. May you come to believe that “the joy of the Lord that is your strength.” [Nehemiah 8:10] May you grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. Be not afraid, Jesus is with you and me, and He has overcome the world!

“For if you proclaim with your mouth that Jesus is Lord,                                                                        and that He rose from the dead, you will be saved!”

[Romans 10:9]

Adele M. Gill    |   Copyright 2016   |   Distributed by News Consortium

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

The Caretaker Generation

             “Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.                 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”      Matthew 11:28-30

I have a very dear friend named Nancy, who is extremely busy and is presently struggling. Like so many women, at 58, she has run the gamut in her adult lifetime from raising her children as a working single parent, to caring for her 87 year old mother who is now on hospice at home. And of course that also includes looking after her 88 year old Dad, as well. The doctors say her mom's prognosis is about a month, but in the meantime Nancy and her family are trying their best to stay positive and keep her as comfortable as is humanly possible.

For Nancy, and so many other women in the "Sandwich Generation," being ever available, so "on" for loved ones over the years that it has left her feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, weary, and frankly, somewhat cynical at times as she often asks at the end of her hectic days:

"Is this all there is to life? Is there more to life than care-taking for the generations???" 

Life is full of opportunities. Opportunities to choose your purpose, opportunities to pray, opportunities to love and be loved, opportunities to stand with Jesus or walk away...Yet, we always need to remember everyone has choices and purpose(s) in life. In fact, a blessed life often entails a series of God-given purposes throughout one's life.

Sometimes I find that my first purpose is serving God through family, other times my purpose involves completing a task or project and /or helping people through my chaplaincy. I consider serving God with all my being as my primary purpose in this life, and at the present time, my secondary purpose seems less altruistic than other times in my life...

Squarely focused on improving my personal wellness to regain muscle strength and good health after decades of living with disability and infirmity. In this purpose, I am fully dependent on Jesus for all my needs ~ fortitude, patience and strength. As I pray throughout the day, and am getting stronger by the day, I am growing in gratitude to Jesus for the signs of healing great and small that He is bringing, and in that way, prayer does not disappoint. Actually, I am growing in gratitude as my prayers are answered in due time as only God can.

Regardless of what your chosen purpose is at any given time, ongoing gratitude to God is essential for a peace-filled and joy-filled life. Gratitude to God is so important that it can even be the deciding factor in how you decide your purpose. It also allows you to put aside all negativity to embrace Jesus and your subsequent purpose with fervor and open arms. Clearly, some jobs/tasks are easier to accomplish than others. Sitting at the bedside of a loved one can be most difficult, as can three decades of care-giving while caring for a growing family. However, one who embraces each God given purpose prayerfully will find the work load lightened and enabling one to accomplish each purpose with greater ease, regardless of what must be done.

"We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:28
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Ecclesiastes 3:1-8  /  NABRE Version
There is an appointed time for every affair under the heavens.
2 A time  give birth, and a time to die;
    a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal;
    a time to tear down, and a time to build.
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
    a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
5 A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
    a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
6 A time to seek, and a time to lose;
    a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew;
    a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
8 A time to love, and a time to hate;
    a time of war, and a time of peace.

Adele M. Gill  |   2016 Copyright 

Easter: Jesus' Great Invitation

“Thus says the Lord: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”’   Matthew 11:28

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As we approach Holy Week, and we celebrate the beginning of spring, it is a great time to review the above Scripture, one I call, “Jesus' Great Invitation.” This is Jesus’ invitation to all people to come to him, and in return, He will give you peace, joy, rest for your soul, and discernment for your mind. Best of all, He died on the cross for your sins, and mine, and in so doing, granted Eternal life to all who follow Him with fervor.

In essence, we all sin. Every last one of us sins. We all break the 10 Commandments through our intermittent participation in the 7 deadly sins:

1)      Pride

2)      Envy

3)      Gluttony

4)      Lust

5)      Anger

6)      Greed

7)      Sloth

Imagine how different this world would be if we all recognized our own sins, repented of them, and turned back to God. Would it be like heaven on earth??? Clearly, the Bible tells us the day is coming when we will be in the full presence of God in paradise. However, in the here and now, we must learn to deal with our own shortcomings, and the sins of those around us. With God’s help, we must continue to grow in discernment, love and practice forgiveness with those who offend us. We must ask for forgiveness again and again when we have done something wrong to hurt another. For to do so is an act of love in accordance with Jesus’ 2 part mandate to love God, and to love one another.

No one is exempt from the throws of sin that separate us from each other, and most importantly, from God. Yet, for Christian believers, the debt of our salvation has been already paid by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Because of His unconditional love and his unmerited favor and grace, we are free to seek God in earnest, and place our hope in Him for all of eternity with confidence. We are effectively able to battle our sinful ways DAILY through the power of the Holy Spirit, putting aside anything and everything that keeps us apart from the love of God and each other.

No sin is too great for the Love of Jesus to cover over and remove, even wipe the slate clean, as if it never happened. For our God is a loving, merciful, forgiving God, one who always sees the best in us. He stands in wait for us to but call out His name, “Abba Father!”

Far beyond any relationship we have here on Earth, Jesus is there for us. To heal, to forgive, to protect, to comfort, to guide… Jesus beckons humanity closer and closer to himself, and wraps his arms around his flock.

So as we venture into Holy Week, what will you do to move closer to Our Dear Lord, Jesus Christ?

Will you go to his house to commemorate Holy Thursday and the last supper?

Will you be there at church for the Triduum, the 3 day celebration that starts on Holy Thursday, the feast of the Last Supper, on Good Friday for the reading of the Passion, the crucifixion and share in the pain Jesus experienced on the cross??

And what about Easter Sunday, what will you do that day to embrace the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the tomb of sin and hatred???

Yes, Easter is upon us and we will never be the same. Let’s celebrate this beloved holy day this year like we never have before. Don your fanciest clothes. Plan a nice brunch for after church services and bring family or a friend with you to church. But most of all, let’s remember with gratitude the unparalleled sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for you and me, and make this a special day to remember!

Let this Easter be a fresh, new beginning for you and yours!

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