Prayer Request and Summer Thoughts!

As most of you know, I have rheumatoid arthritis. I agreed with my dr. to give Humira a try.
I will have my 4th injection next week. My request is that I do not become ill in the next week. If I were to become ill, I will not be able to have the injection.

Humira can lower my immunity. So there are times where my friends don't see me at church. This is a hard road to go because I feel isolated and it keeps me from where I like to be most, with friends who are my family!

Summer is coming! I love summer! :) I like to sit outside on my porch swing, watching and listening: seeing the sunshine, hearing the birds chirp their little birdie songs, and the laughter of the children in our neighborhood as they have fun playing games.

My hope that this summer I will be able to do a couple things. I would like to take my little dog Arthur for a walk around the block. For me to do this would be so nice. I have arthritis in my feet, of all places, can you imagine! The other thing would be to do some gardening. I love gardening. But squatting to plant, or kneeling, is a challenge.

I guess my hope is to be more active this summer, instead of being an audience to everything that is going on around me.

Could you keep those things in your mind about me?

I am currently in Physical Therapy. I am hoping this will help me get ready for summer.

My doctors, would like me to move around a bit more also. I have told them what the problem is and they are working with me to get me to where I can do the things I like to do again.

Thank you for your prayers.

Who's In the Attic???

"Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" Psalm 139:7

When I read this Psalm it reminded me of the times when I thought I could run. Run from my problems, run from my family, run from reality. Just like the above Psalm the devotion below reminds me that I can try to flee from God, but He isnt going to be the one that leaves, he is there with me the whole time.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Remember nothing can separate us from the love of God!

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for your messages you send to me when I need them the most. I love your word that is so simple and unburdensome. Thank you for seeing what goes on in my life and thank you for the plan you can for me...to prosper!

Tammie Kay


Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Who's In the Attic? Reflection by William C. Green

"A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me." Excerpt from: John 16:16-24

I used to like playing hide and seek. But once I was not found. I'd hidden in the attic. After about ten minutes, this game was no longer any fun. I gave up, came down, threw up my hands, and said to my friends, "You idiots!"Not finding Jesus, I can feel like an idiot.

I'm told to look in all the usual places-church, times of prayer, reading the Bible, perhaps talking with others at church. It's not that I want a vision, or some mysterious appearance, which is probably just as well because if that's what I found I'd be scared to death, as if I'd seen a ghost.

Perhaps Jesus says he won't be seen for a while, not because he's soon to disappear in death-but because he's afraid the disciples will. He's afraid they could just give up and go home. He knows the pain and anguish involved in trying to share God's love amid error, tragedy, and the threat of death.

It's hard not to run away and hide in the attic of faded hopes and dreams, all alone, scared of ghosts, We hide. God seeks. Jesus doesn't go away. We do. But God's love is there all the time, never giving up. Once lost, we're found.

Prayer

I can't hide any longer, Lord Jesus. You call me out of the attic of my own ghosts and fears into the confidence of fresh hope. Where I now go, you go with me. Amen.


About the AuthorWilliam C. Green has served in the local, Conference, and national settings of the United Church of Christ.

My God, In Whom I trust

Thanks Scott, for your email today. It helps me to remember where to keep my focus in times where I feel fear just like a little child would. You have spoken the words that were in my heart but unable to express.

May I remember also that Jesus loves the little children, and that He would like me to come to Him as a little child would, with trust.


MY GOD, IN WHOM I TRUST !

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, "My Refuge and my Fortress, my God, in whom I trust!" For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His opinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.” Psalm 91:1-4 NIV

When we discover that we are powerless to fight our strongholds and our issues alone we become as weak as little children. We feel helpless to protect ourselves, caught in a whirlwind of our own making. We turn to God, our Rescuer, because there in nowhere else to go. He is our Rock and our Redeemer. It is comforting to know that when we cry out, God will indeed rescue us, protect us, and love us as a mother bird protects her young, as new parents protect their child. We are children of God. God, our powerful defender will never fail us when (IF) we turn to Him for shelter and safety.

Have we turned to Him for shelter and safety? Have we surrendered and turned our lives over to God, His Son Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit? When we discover that we are powerless where else is it we turn? We may turn to means that will take us away from these troubles temporarily, we think, but when we come back, our troubles are still there. Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness. Make today the day we turn our lies over, surrender to, and invite Jesus to take over our lives. He is as the Psalmist says, My Refuge and my Fortress, My God, in whom I trust.

Have we entrusted Him with our lives, yet?

Today I received some information from my doctor concerning recent bloodwork and an mri.
My rheumatoid factor is skyhigh...95...a typical rheumatoid factor is suppose to be 14 or less. My liver enzymes were a bit high...to be expected since I take so much medications and most go through my liver.

The question that whirls through my mind in times like my appt today is...Why? Why do I have to go through this? I am a good person who has a pretty good life.

Sometimes I wonder what the purpose is in all that I go through. I keep thinking I just cant wrap my head around the possible right answer.

I heard my doctor say nearly the same thing when we were talking about the economy and how are people suppose to live. Why? Why do good people have to go through all this economy stuff? Why do that have to lose their jobs, their homes and suffer? I looked at him and wished I could have given him an answer.

I told him well...I am not sure. I did tell him you know there was a King in the old testament that asked some questions similar to what we are talking about...Why do I have to toil in the sun for nothing???? my dr. smiled.

I wonder the same, why are we toiling away to have everything ripped right out from us. We will possibly have no retirement funds, social security etc. Things really look bleak right now.

The thing in all of this is that whether we are ill, lose our jobs, our homes, and etc. we have a God who cares about us, loves us and knows the plan...and the biggest most awesome part is that God doesnt have a plan B.

I happen to be glad I am not the only one who wonders why about things. I hope Dr. Arabbo is talking to God right now about the things that are perplexing him so much, I know I will be talking to God...I know he has the answer!

Hangin’ In There...

Whew! June is here! Happy June!
Personally, I am relieved we are in this part of 2009.

My husband, Gary, has worked for G.M. for 25 years.

We had known since last winter things were going to happen at G.M. But we weren’t real sure just what would transpire, we were put in a place where information was given on a “need to know basis”.

From December of last year until the last week of April we had been functioning in a way we have never had to before...not worrying and thinking daily. I had an example of living daily from those of Nicaragua, living in the poorest of conditions. They lived daily, in that moment, not worrying, and talking to God about their deepest concerns.

We werent sure if Gary would lose his job, be “re-leveled” (demoted), or stay in his current position. Each of those situations had things to think about, each of those situations had things that worried me. I kept thinking, “how are we going to do this?” Then I heard a quiet voice remind me about, “not worrying about tomorrow”, asking Him for our “daily bread” and “talk to me”.

I am very relieved to share with you Gary is still working for G.M. Please remember to keep us in your prayers. Changes will be taking place within his “group” at work and of course we don't know what these changes are or what they will mean but as you know...information is still given

on a “need to know basis”.

Food for Thought :0)

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV

Give us each day our daily bread. Luke 11:6 RSV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV

URGENT PRAYER REUQEST

Hi Everyone. I have an urgent prayer request from my cousin about his daughter(my second cousin).

Ella, my 2 ½ year old Second Cousin, has been in the hospital since last Tuesday (4/28). She was born with Spina Bifida and is paralyzed from the waist down. She has been spiking a high fever for several days and the doctors found that one of her kidneys was infected. Last Thursday they inserted a pick line for her antibiotics and a tube into her kidney to drain it. Since then her stomach and intestines shut down, they think due to shock, but have that somewhat under control by inserting a tube into her stomach to drain it. She continues to have a high fever.
Today she will get a blood transfusion because her hemoglobin is low. The doctors also plan on tapping the shunt in her head to see if that is infected and do more tests to find out exactly what is going on.

Randy & Lori (Her parents) and Ella are drained emotionally and physically. Please pray that Randy & Lori will be able to make good decisions regarding Ella’s care. Ella is not allowed to eat or drink anything until they can get some answers.