"Why are we astonished"

What makes you astonished? Surprised? Shocked? I am surprised each time, which is very rare, that my husband buys me a gift. I’m surprised when someone else besides me does the dishes or cleans up. I’m surprised when someone takes out the trash without being asked to. And I’m really surprised when my husband actually wants to leave the comfort of his recliner to go somewhere.

But I wonder why it is we are astonished or surprised when God does something for us, especially something we asked Him to do.

Acts chapter 12 tells us about the time when Peter was locked up in the prison. The church was fasting and praying for God to get Peter out of prison. They were praying for Peter’s safety. Herod had just killed James and had every intention of killing Peter, but God had other plans for Peter. At the appointed hour for the guards to bring Peter to Herod, God sent his angel to get Peter out of prison. The angel had to wake Peter, and get him out quickly. He took him through the locked prison doors, past the guards, then through the gates of the city. Peter then realized God had brought him out of prison and he quickly went to the house where the church were praying and knocked…several times waiting for someone to let him in. Rhoda came to the door but did not open it, she ran to tell the church that Peter was knocking at the door. Now remember the church was praying for Peter, but did not believe he was at the door.

When the door was opened the church was astonished! Shocked! Surprised! But why? Why are we surprised when God does something for us?

Why are we surprised when God answers our prayers? Are we not praying in faith for our prayers to be answered?

Why is it we always have that little ounce of doubt. The one thing God hates is doubt. As children of the Most High God, we MUST have faith and trust in HIM.
We must learn to always give thanks to God. There are so many things HE does for us that we don’t even acknowledge some because we don’t even know about it but God is always there for us. Taking care of us. Meeting our needs.

I read a short story about a Christian man sitting at his table with a pile of bills in front of him and he is upset and worried saying, "How can I pay all these bills?" There are two birds sitting on the window ledge, and one says to the other, " Doesn’t he know he’s a child of God and the Lord will take even better care of him then HE does us, and yet our needs are always met?"

Why is it we grip and complain and forget to praise Him. Philippians 4:4 says "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!" If I am to understand this verse it says "in all things give thanks". Rejoice and give God praise always……no matter what.

Need more faith, read your bible. Read and believe what the WORD says and trust in the living and true God.

Candy Mills

At the Save-a-Lot

Dear ones,

Today I decided to go to Save-a-Lot in Portland to buy grocery shop. While there I met a young man in his early 20's. I had seen him before in Sanford and began talking with him. He came in and helped me shop and load everything in the car. I asked him if he had eaten anything today. He said the last time he eat was midnight the night before. I told him to meet me at the Subway (it's in the same shopping center). I ordered him a foot long sub and a drink. He told me thank you several times before I left. He said he was living on the street and each night he goes to the Seven-Eleven at midnight, that was when they threw out all the cooked food that was not eaten that day. So at midnight tonight and every night he and many others go to the local Seven-Eleven for food.

It's too bad these and other restaurants and stores either can't or don't give their extra food to those who can benefit from it.

In Florida I happen to be at McDonald's in Lakeland one day at 10:30 am when they switch from breakfast to the lunch menu. The asst. manager with one big scoop, put all the cooked items left over (and it was quite a bit) into a trash can. I remember thinking, "What a waste"

In Florida I met a woman, very nicely dressed, very clean who was living on the street. She said her life changed in a week's time and she was on the street. I seen her again months later and she had found a job and had her own apartment again and was doing good. She was a Christian woman. She said it was something the Lord needed her to go through. Now she works with people on the street helping them to get off the street, find a job, and their own place to live.

There are people who will be out in the cold this winter, living on the streets. Some are there because of circumstances beyond their control and then there are some on the street because it's their choice. No matter what their reason is......they are people. We cannot feed everyone, nor can we help everyone but we can do what we can.

One day in Portland, I had decided to take a sandwich and a bottled water with me to Portland in case I seen someone with a sign "will work for food". When I stopped at a traffic light and seen two gentleman I tossed the food out to them. They were thankful.

Of course not everyone who says they will work for food will actually 'work for food'. These are the ones who just want money for a drink (alcohol) or their 'habit'. Years ago a friend of mine, a missionary for the Dominican Republic while in America stopped and told a gentleman holding a "will work for food" sign to hop in. The gentleman jumped in John's can. John said, "I'm taking you to where you can work for food". John said the man jumped out of the car much quicker then he did getting in the car.

Once while traveling David and I stopped for gas and met a man who was trying to get home. David bought the gentleman a coffee, a sandwich and a big Cinnamon roll. When we left David give him $5.00.

Compassion. Love. Charity. How can you possibly go wrong?.

God bless you. Remember this is the holiday season. Be thankful and be generous.
"And the greatest of these is Love!" 1 Corinthians 13.


Candy Mills

When is the Time to Trust

Author unknown

Submitted by Jan Bergeron

Summer 2008





When is the Time to Trust




When is the time to trust?

Is it when all is calm,

When the waves the victorʼs palm,

And life is one glad psalm

Of joy and praise?


Nay, but the time to trust

Is when the waves beat high,

When storm clouds fill the sky,

And prayer is one long cry,

Oʼ help and save!


When is the time to trust?

Is it when friends are true?

Is it when comforts woo,

And in all we say and do,

We meet but praise?


Nay, but the time to trust,

Is when we stand alone,

And summer birds have flown,

And every prop is gone,

All else but God.


What is the time to trust?

Is it some future day,

When you have tried your way,

And learned to trust and pray,

By bitter woe?


Nay, but the time to trust

Is in this moment of need,

Poor, broken, bruised reed!

Poor, troubled soul, make speed,

To trust thy God.


What is the time to trust?

Is it when hopes beat high,

When sunshine gilds the sky,

And joy and ecstasy

Fill all the heart?


Nay, but the time to trust

Is when our joy is fled,

When sorrow bows the head,

And all is cold and dead,

All else but God.

The Fern and the Bamboo

(Author Unknown)

One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality.........
I wanted to quit my life so I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said."Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me..."Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care
of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew
from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo."

He said, "In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the
bamboo seed. I would not quit."

He said, "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.
Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just six months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He said to me, "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have
been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.

Don't compare yourself to others." He said, "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high."

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can
help you see that God will never give up on you.

Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness; bad
days give you experiences; both are essential to life.......

If you walk by fear, you will only see the problem.

I Believe

I believe - A birth certificate shows that we were born; a death certificate shows that we died; pictures show that we lived! Have a seat . . . Relax. And read this slowly.

I believe - That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I believe - That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe - That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I believe - That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe - That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I believe - That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe - That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I believe - That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I believe - That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe - That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe - That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe - That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe - That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe - That sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe - That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe - That it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe - That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I believe - That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe - Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe - That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I believe - That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I believe - That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe - That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I believe - The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. "The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you."

I believe!

Author unknown

Christians By Maya Angelou

Christians
By Maya Angelou

'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin''
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain..
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say ... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Pretty is as Pretty does... but beautiful is just plain beautiful!

TODAY IS BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTERS DAY

Forgiveness

One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job.

His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had, that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment, and frustration.

Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed:

"Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot, I don't know how. It is not fair Lord, I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray you teach me to do the one thing I can not do: Teach me to forgive .."

As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them.

He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.

"Have you ever told a lie?" He asked?

The man answered - "Yes, Lord."

"Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?"

The man answered - "Yes. Lord."

And the man sobbed more and more.

"Have you ever taken something from work that was not yours?" Jesus asked.

And the man answered, "Yes, Lord."

"Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?"

The man, crying now, answered - "Yes, Lord."

As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever....."? The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer - "Yes, Lord".

Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.

Jesus said, "I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you."

It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when you look back in life, you realize how true this statement is.

When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you! You really were on HIS mind.

Author unknown.

The Magic of Three Days

By Patt Barnes


It was a beautiful spring day, and a sense of peace stayed with me as I left the cathedral on Easter Monday morning. I paused for a moment on top of the steps leading to the avenue, now crowded with people rushing to their jobs. Sitting in her usual place inside a small archway was the old flower lady. At her feet corsages and boutonnieres were parading on top of a spread-open newspaper.

The flower lady was smiling, her wrinkled old face alive with some inner joy. I started down the stairs—then, on an impulse, turned and picked out a flower.

As I put it in my lapel, I said, “You look happy this morning.”

“Why not? Everything is good.”

She was dressed so shabbily and seemed so very old that her reply startled me.

“You’ve been sitting here for many years now, haven’t you? And always smiling. You wear your troubles well.”

“You can’t reach my age and not have troubles,” she replied. “Only it’s like Jesus and Good Friday . . . ” She paused for a moment.

“Yes?” I prompted.

“Well, when Jesus was crucified on Good Friday, that was the worst day for the whole world. And when I get troubles I remember that, and then I think of what happened only three days later—Easter and our Lord arising. So when I get troubles, I’ve learned to wait three days . . . somehow everything gets all right again.”

And she smiled good-bye. Her words still follow me whenever I think I have troubles. Give God a chance to help . . . wait three days.

The above article originally appeared in Guideposts magazine.

Lenten Reflection taken from the St Therese Parish bulletin...

Suggestions of things we can give up for Lent & positive faithful ways to show others we care...

Give up complaining...focus on gratitude

Give up pessimism...become an optimist.

Give up harsh judgments...think kindly thoughts.

Give up worry...trust Divine Providence.

Give up discouragement...be full of hope.

Give up bitterness...turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred...return good for evil.

Give up negativism...be positive.

Give up anger...be more patient.

Give up pettiness...become mature.

Give up gloom...enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up jealousy...pray for trust.

Give up gossiping...control your tongue.

Give up sin...turn to virtue.

Give up giving up...hang in there