Christians Aren’t Perfect, Yet November 24, 2009

Christians Aren’t Perfect, Yet

By Angela Posey-Arnold

“Love……. is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered……” (I Corinthians 13:5 NIV)

“I am not answering that phone again! I’ve got too much to do to talk to her for the third time today.” I snapped looking at the caller ID. I stood right there and let it ring feeling more irritated with each call.

Every day for months the seventy year old fellow church member calls me. She really doesn’t have anything new to say, just chit chat and I am busy! Each time I allow the phone to ring without answering I felt a twinge of guilt in my heart which I promptly ignored. I talk to her at least once a day and I really thought it should be enough. I am not much of a phone talker anyway.

Offering to take her to the doctor turned out to be an everyday affair. We went to two doctors’ appointments and in two days we would be travelling thirty miles to the hospital for her pre-admission testing for eye surgery. In my busyness I never thought about how she must be feeling about the upcoming surgery. I didn’t mind taking her but I did not want to talk about it several times a day. So, I just didn’t.

For the two years I have known Mary she suffered panic attacks and would miss church. Her husband would tell me all she wanted to do was to sleep all day. In the last year since I offered my friendship to her she has not missed church and has not had a panic attack. All she needed was a friend. I enjoy being her friend, just not on the phone every day.

Arriving to the hospital for the pre-admission screening the nurse asked questions as she completed the history and physical. Mid way into the assessment she asked, “Do you have regular sleep patterns?” A silence filled the room slowly Mary answered, “Well, if it weren’t for her, (pointing to me), I would sleep all day.”

I think God jerked me up, put me over His knee and gave me the spat I needed. I felt as if I were about two feet tall and shrinking fast. I asked Him right there for forgiveness, so ashamed of myself. I cannot believe I could be so selfish and uncaring. I learned a valuable lesson; we never know what our friendship may mean to someone else.

Now, when she calls, I pick up on the first ring. It feels much better to be a friend like Jesus wants me to be. Lesson learned, journey on, I pray I never make the same mistake again.

Christians are not perfect, but like me we are learning as we go. Sometimes it hits us like a brick in the head. This is the process of sanctification. I think I just leveled up.

Dear Heavenly Father, You always have time for me. Help me to be mindful of the needs of others, putting You first and others second, myself last. It feels much better that way. In Jesus Holy Precious Name, Amen

©2009 Angela Posey-Arnold

Healing and Hope November 11, 2009

Healing does not always mean total health. Sometimes for many people it means one day at a time. Dealing with chronic illness and pain is not for sissys. After years of waking up and going to bed in pain day in and day out the person does one of two things. They give in to the pain and give up. Or they get tough. Getting tough is the hard part but it can be done. Pain can be controlled with medications, exercises, therapy, but mostly dealing with it requires faith and hope.

In 2001 my life went from full speed 60 hour work weeks of Directing Nursing Care of 103 elderly or otherwise disabled patients to being disabled myself. A screeching halt to a busy full life is definetly a culture shock. I left one world and entered another. No longer was I in the race of working to heal and help others now  I had to learn to help myself. In doing so over the last almost 9 years I have learned better ways to care for those in chronic pain. Not because I learned it in a text book or in clinicals but because I lived it. I know what it feels like.

As an RN the hardest thing for me is to know that no one, no surgery, no medication, nothing can change my condition. It is progressive and by all medical and scientific purposes it will get worse. But, I know a Savior that helps me everday. Emotionally and Spiritually I am whole, I am healed. This temporary body my soul is in is just that, temporary. While I am in it I know my limitations and my life is peaceful and slow. I like that. I don’t mind being at home everyday, I know when I need to rest and when I can do a little more. That in itself is a gift. God has given me exactly the things I need to continue to have a full happy joyful life even in the midst of the pain.

So many people do not understand because for one thing I don’t really look sick. My problems are not visible. I tried for a while to make people understand but I am finished with that. It doesn’t matter whether they understand or not. I know I am not the only one who feels this way or who deals with these issues. Because of Lisa Copen and her ministry at Rest Ministries and Hope Keepers I know I am not alone. I also know there are many who suffer alone and need a touch from you, a prayer, a note of encouragment. Many do not know how to help those with chronic pain and illness the following article written by Lisa is informative and so helpful.

She has given Hope Keepers members the right to share this article on our blog.

Ministering to the Chronically Ill: 20 Ways That Take 20 Minutes
by Lisa Copen

Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that specifically serves the chronically ill, recently did a survey and asked people to “List some of the programs or resources a church could offer to make it more inviting comfortable” They have provided a sampling of some of the 800+ responses, all of which could be done in 20 minutes or less.

1. Encouragement emails.

2. Make sure the handicapped stalls in the restroom are functioning and clean.

3. Padded chairs or cushions, room for wheelchairs, and plenty of room for my family to sit with me.

4. Be open-minded about a support group for the chronically ill like HopeKeepers. It would make me feel very special, knowing that there is an understanding of people’s needs that are not always visible.

5. Add more disabled parking, even if they are temporary spots.

6. Educate the ushers that people arriving late may have difficulty walking or getting out of cars and will need some assistance.

7. Ask volunteers to call people with chronic illness just to check on them when they don’t make it to services.

8. When suppers are given, recognize that I may need help getting my meal–or at least understand that I won’t be able to wait in a long line.

9. Be gentle when giving people big hugs. It can topple over or hurt a person.

10. Have a video tape of the service, not just a live web cast. Not all our computers work that well.

11. Make sure that the church doors aren’t too difficult to open or at least have mechanical assistance if they’re unusually heavy.

12. Stop telling me that if I really believed and had faith I would be healed by now. Please don’t insist how good I look, because I know for a fact that I look terrible and miserable that day.

13. Offer me ways to serve within the church that can be performed regularly, but not on a set schedule. I still want to contribute, but I need some flexibility so that I can do a job when I feel well enough to do so.

14. Have sermon notes available so I can listen later or even just review what I didn’t catch the first time.

15. Acknowledge National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. Rest Ministries has a nice book list of top 100 Christian books for the chronically ill. It would make a nice display in your bookstore that week.

16. Just mention chronic illness occasionally! Don’t forget to talk about it in sermons as one of the challenges many people face just like unemployment or divorce.

17. Have Christian volunteers from church that will clean house for small fee. Some have offered to clean my house, but I cannot accept charity yet, but neither can I afford to pay a regular house cleaning service.

18. Help with some of the small costs of providing encouraging books and resources for the church library the chronically ill can check out.

19. Remember how many caregivers are in the church, not just caregiving for their parents, but also for their spouses or ill children.

20. Have copies of sermons for free on CD or computer.

Find over 500 ways to encourage a chronically ill friend in the book “Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend” at www.beyondcasseroles.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I know that some days can seem like more than you can handle. Remember that the Lord promises to never leave you or forsake you. Cling to that. Even when you don’t feel his presence He is still there. I tell my 6-year-old son that God is working “under cover.” I know I am each day, especially righr now!

Blessings,

Lisa Copen, Rest Ministries Founder
Rest Ministries Chronic Illness Pain Support

 

Joni Erickson Tada Devotional October 26, 2009

Hardship that Hangs On

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
— 2 Corinthians 12:8-9
I can identify with this verse. In the early years of my paralysis when I was squirming to get back on my feet, I looked at my wheelchair and “pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.” To make a long story short, I got the same response as the apostle Paul. Like his, my condition remained chronic.

Why chronic? Why do some hardships never go away? The hurting and hammering process I spoke about yesterday won’t end until we become completely holy (and there’s no chance of that happening this side of eternity). This is why I can more easily accept my paralysis as a chronic condition. When I broke my neck, it wasn’t a jig-saw puzzle I had to solve fast, nor was it a quick jolt to get me back on track. My diving accident was the beginning of a long, arduous process of becoming like Christ. Sure, there are times I wish it were easier, but I realize I’m far from perfect. I have a long way to go to be made like Christ, polished and complete in his image.

The grace of God mentioned in our verse today is enough to sustain us through hardships that hang around. God’s grace – the desire and the power to do his will – is sufficient. “Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but healed” (Hebrews 12:12). Health and wholeness, maturity and completeness will be mine one day. The hammer and chisel will be laid down, once and for all!

James 1:2-4 is our advice for the day: “When all kinds of trials crowd into your lives, my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed” (Phillips).

* * * * *

Lord Jesus, help me to accept those conditions in my life which are chronic, whether in my marriage, family or health. Give me grace for the long haul, knowing the ending will be happy beyond my wildest dreams.

Blessings,
Joni and Friends

Halloween–Halos and Wings October 13, 2009

Halloween–Halos and Wings?

 By Angela Posey-Arnold

 Halloween, 1966, I was an angel and it rained. Now, I seriously ask, how can an angel spread her wings and fly wearing a rain coat? She can’t so the 6 year old angel improvises in a, southern belle in training, sort of way. She gracefully picks up her long gossamer gown and runs to each door, even with corrective shoes on her feet. Getting back into the car I begged my Momma, “Please don’t make me wear a raincoat, pleaseeeeeeeeee. It will mess up my wings”.

 “Well, we can’t have that. I will pull the car up close and yall run to the door. We will have to cut trick or treating short, but go ahead, spread your wings and fly.”Momma said mumbling under her breathe, “I sure hope she doesn’t catch the flu.”

 I didn’t catch the flu in 1966. Getting wet is not how people catch the flu anyway. So in 2009 let those little angels fly, even in the rain. They won’t melt. Take your children to the hay rides, marshmallow roast or trunk or treat. It is exciting to see all the things Christian families get to do this time of year through their church homes. As parents the things you allow your children to participate in will make a huge impact on their future and yours.

 It is amazing how much October 31st has changed over the last forty years. Or possibly I changed. Possibly I learned how the world was. I grew up in a small town in rural North Alabama, I thank God for growing up in a small southern town with Christian American values.

 The festive nature of October 31st was different in Haleyville than in the rest of the world. I have many fond memories of Halloween and none of them involve anything evil or sinister. Halloween was fun. It was all about costumes, candy, pumpkins, family and friends. There were spook houses, apple bobbing, pie throwing, festivals and parties all in fun. We did not have to be afraid, it never crossed our minds. Our parents did not have to be afraid to allow us to be free and have fun in our town.

 I think I have lived long enough now to remember my own generation’s “good old days”. It is a blessing to see young Christian families raising children in 2009, creating their own generation’s “good old days.” I see the love of Jesus overshadowing the evil of the world and it is a joy.

 Back in 1966 my brother did have to come back into the spook house to get me out one time though. The ‘ghost’ made me put my hand in a bowl of ‘eyeballs’. I just stood there, frozen, crying for my brother, refusing to move. Everyone knew me, even the ghost. The workers in the spook house tried to comfort me but I wanted my brother and I wanted him right now! Someone went out to get him, he was standing outside waiting on me. He walked in, took me by the hand and together we got out of there. He said, “What’s wrong, Angela?” “That ‘ghost’ made me put my hand in somebody’s ‘eye-balls’”. I said, wiping my hands and eyes. “That was Randy Johnson and those were meat balls.” He stated assuring me as always.

“Oh. Okay let’s go bob for apples.” I said as we skipped off to the next booth. No lingering emotional trauma. Nobody threatened to sue. It wasn’t that I was so afraid, I just didn’t think it was appropriate for an angel to touch other people’s eyeballs. 

 My older brother and I got to pick our favorite character to dress up like. The picking out and preparing of our outfits was fun too. Usually my Grandmother, whom we called ‘Sweetthing’, sewed and made our costumes. They were always the best ones in Haleyville, to us anyway. Sometimes we got to buy the ones in the box. Either way it was too much fun!

 We went trick or treating two times every year. On October the 30th the youth gathered at the First United Methodist Church in costume. I wish I could find a picture of us standing in line waiting to get our little orange box shaped like a church building. The boxes were used to collect money. Our teachers helped us rehearse, “Trick or Treat for UNICEF”. I can still hear the tune of it in my head. It was a practice run for the next night when we knew we would be getting candy.

 Trick or Treating for UNICEF was important to teach us to give to others first. Masked children scattered around town going door to door collecting money for UNICEF, children learning a valuable lesson. Christian American children happy to be providing for children who would not be getting any candy. The giving made me feel so good. It still does.

I am so thankful I learned early in my life that giving to others is a blessing for us. God tells us to give, not because He needs it. He tells us to give because we need it. We need to give to others. It feels good. Then receiving is much more blessed and easier to accept.

 I didn’t know why we were more blessed than other children in other countries but I knew it was important to help them. Gathering back at the church and counting the money we collected to send to UNICEF was joyful and exciting. Seeing pictures of the children overseas who would be getting the money made us so happy. It is more blessed to give than to receive and Halloween taught us that.

 It didn’t matter if we wanted to dress up like a ghost or like an angel; it was just all in fun and learning. The innocence of childhood and the love of a church bringing honor to the Lord had nothing to do with evil. No one thought it was bad to dress up like a ghoul on Halloween; it was all innocent fun, nothing sinister about it. It was all about love.

Things have changed but the love is still winning.

By Halloween night in 1966 we were ready to receive. We got all kinds of candy. Mother would drive us around to different houses to ‘Trick or Treat’. I never was much of a tricker. I was more the treating kind. I remember the anticipation of going up to the door, little plastic pumpkin in hand saying, “Trick or Treat”. Our pumpkins would fill up very fast. We didn’t have to worry that someone would harm us. There was no fear. We went door to door as Mother drove along in the car. We started at the end of one street and went all the way down that street and back up the other side, knocking on every door. Kids were everywhere. At every door we got a warm welcome and hugs. Grandparents took pictures and everybody gave us candy or some great homemade goody.

My brother would still have Halloween candy at Christmas. I ate all of mine and his too if I could find where he hid it. Halloween in our hometown was not about evil or anything like it. It was about costumes and candy—pure, simple and innocent. Childhood innocence fades with time but it is great while it last.

 When I read the Bible’s description of Heaven, I feel the same feelings as when I was a child trick or treating. Pure and simple innocent love, unconditional happiness and joy. Peace. It reminds me of the hymn writer who penned the words, “How beautiful Heaven must be, the home of the happy and free, fair haven of rest for the weary, how beautiful Heaven must be”. There will be no need for rain in Heaven, so no raincoats. Angels spreading their wings to fly, while the redeemed sing a song of our own. The home of the happy and free. I am so glad there is a place there for me.

 My name is in the book. Is yours? If not, it can be.

 From childhood Halloweens to songs we learned in Sunday school everyone has a choice to love Jesus or to reject His love. Remember the song, “Jesus loves me this I know?” Well, there is a new and updated version for times like these in 2009. “Jesus knows me, this I love.”

This is how much God loved the world: He gave His Son, His one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending His Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in Him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust Him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. (John 3:16-18 The Message—emphasis added by author)

 Whosoever believes in Jesus won’t perish but they will have everlasting life, peace, hope, unconditional love, praise, rejoicing, and pure simple, innocent love. Nothing evil or sinister about it.

Be a Whosoever. Happy Halloween. Kiss and hug an angel or a little ghost this year and tell them how much Jesus loves them. When they are 49, they will remember.

 ©2009 Angela Posey-Arnold

 www.angelaposeyarnold.com

The Joy We Share September 14, 2009

The Joy We Share

By Angela Posey-Arnold

“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love.” (1 John 4:18 NLT)

“……and He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.” How I love the great old hymn, “In the Garden”. Hymns bring me closer to Him. (Maybe this is why the songs are called Hymns.) Grand old hymns of the church stand the test of time teaching Biblical truths we hear with our ears and feel in our hearts.

Movies, tangible visuals, on the other hand have a profound lasting effect. I will never forget the first time I saw the movie, “The Passion of The Christ”. Experiencing the movie is probably the closest I will ever come to the reality of the crucifixion as far as actually being there is concerned.

I loved the scenes of Jesus smiling and laughing, teaching and loving. As close as Mr. Gibson came to creating a reality, I believe only heaven will allow us to experience the fullness of Him, the joy, the laughter, His smile like nothing else anyone could ever imagine. In heaven Jesus will take the redeemed by the hand and say to our Father, “she is with Me”. He might have to get angels to carry me because I don’t think I will be able to walk or stand.

The terribly graphic scenes of Mel Gibson’s movie cut like a knife in my soul. To see with my eyes what the crucifixion must have been like for Jesus left me numb. I felt the hurt so deeply I could only shut my eyes to escape the horror of it. As He carried the cruel cross on His torn beaten back, I found myself with my feet up in the seat and my hands tight in a fist. Angry at what they were doing to Him, and aware He endured it for me. I wept and shook, closing my eyes and saying out loud, “stop it, stop it”.

My dear friend Valerie sat silently leaning close to me I could feel her trembling. We couldn’t look at each other and barely could we watch the scene unfolding in front of us. We held hands to keep each other in our seats. I remember thinking, “how can I sit here and watch this?”

How could I not watch? Painful and horrid the truth remained, He did it for me. The love of which is beyond comprehension. As much as I love Him, He loves me more. It is hard to understand sometimes, how He being God could possibly love a weak, silly woman like me. But, He does. He loves me because I am a weak silly woman.

Through His love, behind the very same cross, I am so much more. I am what His love says I am. I am redeemed by love Divine.

I don’t remember falling in love with Jesus. For me it hasn’t been a onetime event. Falling in love with Him happens to me over and over and over. I’ve always loved Him because His grace bore me into a family who loved Him. For His grace I am eternally grateful, so thankful for my parents, grandparents and the church who brought me up in the nurture and admonition of Him. The same precious ones who taught me to sing, “Jesus loves me this I know……”

Digging through piles of first grade report cards and old pictures, I found my baby book one day in Momma’s overstuffed closet. I sat down and read the things she wrote about me. Standing out most in my heart and mind are the words, “Angela loves to hear stories about Jesus.” I still do.

My love for Jesus grows stronger and stronger as He walks with me through my journey here on earth, through trials and storms, betrayals, losses and sadness. He is ever there to love me, catch me when I fall and protect me, giving me strength to survive and live for Him. Even in times when I thought I could make it on my own, He never stopped loving me. I have never stopped loving Him.

As He talks with me through my heart, I hear Him. I know His voice. He never says, “Now Angela, you should not feel this way.” He never turns His back on me or makes me feel I am not important to Him. His everlasting loyalty, His ever present help, His love endures forever. I never have to doubt His love or wonder what His motivation is. My Jesus will never betray me or flippantly toss our relationship aside. He always has time for me. And He will never ever leave me alone. Our love is eternal. He tells me I am His own. He is my Shepherd and I am a happy sheep.

“…….and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other, has ever known.”

My relationship with Jesus is ours and ours alone. No one can take it away. Brothers and sisters in Christ know their own joy in their relationship with Him. It is a personal relationship.

Loving Him is the very one and true thing no one can tell me not to take personally. It is personal, very incredibly awesomely personal. I see Him with my heart, feel Him with my soul and love Him beyond measure.
Everyone has a choice to love Him or not. It is a personal choice and a personal relationship. No one will ever love you like Jesus does. The choice is an easy one for me; my prayer is for each one to choose this awesome love, love like no other.

And so, I sing, loving Him and aware of the sacrifice He made for me……. “I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses…And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other, has ever known.

He speaks and the sound of His voice, is so sweet the birds hush their singing, and the melody that He gave to me, with in my heart is singing……………………………………

©Angela Posey-Arnold 2009

To Love Him August 23, 2009

To Love Jesus
To love Him is to wake every morning
And welcome the day as a new beginning
It is to trust and believe in miracles
And know your dreams really can come true.

To love Him is to see His power
Through faith eyes
And see angels dancing on the clouds
In the bluest of skies.

To love Him is to be awe-inspired
At the wonder of a star dusted sky
And the majesty of the One Who
Really hung the moon.

To love Him is to embrace the value
Of a nurturing servant heart
The sparkle in a child’s eyes and the wisdom
And beauty of aging hands.

To love Him is to learn to love
The things He loves
Pure, free, grace and mercy
And breathe in His breath of life.

To love Him is to find strength and courage
From His spirit within you
When it is time to pick up the pieces
And begin again.

To Love Him is to surely know you never are alone
Life is a gift to be cherished
Lived to be more like Him
Seeing Him on His Throne

To love Him is to believe that wonderful surprises
Are just around the corner
All your hopes are within reach
If only you love Him.

©Angela Posey-Arnold 2009

A Letter to You from Your Guardian Angel July 23, 2009

A Love Letter

By Angela Posey-Arnold

Greetings to you, my charge, in the name of The Lord our God and Creator Who lovingly assigned me to you. There are just a few things we need to clear up. I suppose it is odd for you to get a letter from me, your Guardian Angel, but I can’t wait any longer to serve this message to you.

I bring glorious good tidings of great joy. It is in my job description. I know you can’t see me but you know I am there. Remember just last week you felt my presence? Yes, that was me, sent by God to comfort and protect you. I am always with you. Possibly you know my work.

I want you to know that I am not in the little golden pin you see on lapels throughout your culture. I am surely not a trumpet toting porcelain figurine on the coffee table.  

I am a messenger and a protector for you. Everything I do is by command of God. I am very old according to your standards and I have been there with you through every trail and every joy. I was there to hear your borning cry and I will be there the day you leave earth. I am fascinated with you.

Be confident of the daily care and protection I was created for. You are the reason God sent me. But, make no mistake about it; God is the One worthy of worship. It makes me very uncomfortable when humans set us angels higher than we should be. Your worship and all your love must remain with God lest you be deceived.

Sometimes I ponder as you go about your daily business if you really know me or what it is you think of me. So many years have rolled by and I am concerned that you truly must understand who I am and why God created me. I want you to know God’s truth about angels. God is sovereign, only Him do we worship. You worship Him and I worship Him. I want you to know me because I will be a part of your eternal environment.

I am eternal and I am always pointing you in the right direction-toward God. Remember how we sang when Jesus was born. We were pointing you to Him then.

As an angel I already know the fullness of heaven. Someday, my beloved, you will experience it with me. Angels do God’s perfect will and we do so gladly. You can find everything you need to know about me in God’s Holy Word. Don’t pray to me, pray to Him. And for heaven’s sake don’t set me up as an idol. Talk about uncomfortable—that really gets under my wings. I am just a ministering spirit sent to serve the redeemed.

Some humans see us from time to time and some do not. As wonderful as it would be to be visible in your presence God has given you something better. He has given you the greatest gift of all. His absolute presence through His Holy Spirit.

I am far more involved in your world than you realize. That is why I am writing this letter. I want you to know me and the amazing things God’s Word tells you about me and my kind. Reading and meditating on His Word will bring you closer to Him, and that is what I want for you. His Word has over 300 references to my kind. We know He loves us and created us for a very special purpose.

When you die you will not be an angel. You will still be the redeemed. You will have songs to sing that we can’t sing, but we rejoice with you. Some humans may criticize you for believing in me, but don’t let that worry you one bit. You are in better company than they are.

Oh, and don’t be like those Sadducees. They really were ‘sad you see’. We all know what happened to them and they did not believe in us. We watched as the apostles were brought before the no-such-thing-as-angels crowd. Those Sadducees spurned angels; they also dropped from history within a generation. The imprisoned apostles simply obeyed God’s message delivered by none other than yours truly. They changed history’s course forever.

I love Matthew 25:31 “when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him,” Actually, I can’t wait for this day and we are in constant preparation. You should be too.

In closing, my beloved, remember to worship and pray to God. Only the Creator is worthy of worship, not the created. Prepare for the coming again of your Savior Jesus Christ and listen to the Holy Spirit within you. I will be with you. I think you are wonderful.

Angel kisses from heaven,

Your Guardian Angel

Michael’s Message July 7, 2009

Michael’s Memorial

By Angela Posey-Arnold

I wasn’t prepared today to sit for several hours and watch the memorial for Michael Jackson. I didn’t think I wanted to watch it, but when it began I couldn’t stop watching.

What I realized was that Michael Jackson’s heart just could not take the pain. I, like so many others, grew up with him. I listened to his music, sang along and watched in amazement as he danced. No one else can really ever compare to his unique talent. The talent that brought him so much joy, the talent that brought with it fame and fortune.

After watching the memorial today I am convinced he was really a good caring God fearing person who could not take the pain of this world. In preparing his last concert series he had some things to say to the world. He knew Jesus. He knew God. I just think Michael’s heart had taken all it could take. A heart can only be broken so many times. A heart can only take so much.

In living his life he entertained millions around the world. He gave and gave and gave until he gave all he had. And there were those that took and took and took until they had taken all he had. The last two songs he wanted the world to hear were, We Are the World, and Heal our World. There is a message in that.

Maybe after all the public attacks on him, he just couldn’t take the pain. Maybe when people he thought loved him turned their backs on him, he just could not take the pain. Maybe, when he saw the horrible things happening to our country he just couldn’t take the pain. Maybe all the isms were just too much for him.

He did take drugs, maybe to numb the pain of it all. The betrayals, the losses, the hopelessness of so many who have turned from God, this can be too much for man’s heart. Possibly, he knew that so many needed to turn back to God. I never would have thought that his life would be such a testimony to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior but it was.

He was persecuted and attacked. The ones, who allowed airtime today for his memorial, were the very ones who allowed and condoned public persecution of a man who was not proven to be guilty of the allegations against him.

If the media had realized the Christian nature of the memorial they would not have aired it. It was a surprise Christian service, for that I thank the Jackson family.

While he was living he hurt so badly over the betrayal and the pain of the sickness of the world and our nation. Today’s memorial proves that President Obama is wrong. We are still a Christian nation whether he likes it or not.

This world will take a 10 year old with a God given talent for singing and dancing and apply so much pressure that the heart of that one is broken into pieces, bit by bit. The media runs rampant over the lives of people who are given talents that they cannot even imagine. We have seen this in Michael’s life and in the life of Sarah Palin. Nothing the media says is ever really what is true. The media, the courts, lawyers, and evil killed Michael.

Not because he indulged in it but because he was a light. He had a light for God and evil had to kill it.

But evil did not win. Michael’s music and his influence will be felt around the world for ever, until Jesus comes. His family talked of his relationship with Christ. And the memorial service was filled with love for Jesus and God. The Holy Spirit led the ones who sang and spoke to use this occasion to heal our land like Michael wanted.

1 Chronicles 7:14 says “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear from heaven and heal their land.” That is exactly the message Michael Jackson left to the world. After years and years of pain and suffering his death brought the truth into the open and there was nothing the media could do to stop it.

His personal friends have testified that Michael knew he did not have long for this earth. The tour he was working on he entitled, This Is It. The songs he loved the best of the tour were in essence messages to the world. We are the world, we are God’s children and we must come together with one voice. The voice of God. If we could only all join in one voice, believe and profess Jesus as King of King and Lord of Lords, this world would change drastically. Now is the time to turn to Jesus. Now is the time to humble ourselves and let God heal our land.

Our nation cannot put our trust in a man; our trust must be in God.
When you pause to remember Michael and when you hear his music thinks about his life and all he endured. His heart just too big, his heart too caring that he could not continue to take the pain of loss and betrayal, persecution, lies and the current human condition. His message for us all is to change. Change. Believe on Jesus Christ. Make the right choice. Love life but love Jesus more.

Michael’s life on earth is over. His work here is done. I am not his judge but I do believe that those who knew him best knew that he was a very caring, compassionate, child of God who accepted the truth of Jesus. I pray he is in heaven today, no more pain from this old world. No more suffering and his heart soaring with gladness because he believed.

The memorial today was very dignified and inspirational. When someone famous dies I always pray that they knew Jesus and believed that He is the Son of God, born of a virgin, raised from the dead to live forever and is coming back one day. I believe now that Michael did. For that I praise God.

The redeemed of the Lord have a new singer in the choir today. Maybe they have learned a step or two of dancing for the Lord of the Dance—Christ Jesus.

Thanks Michael for your contribution to this old sorrowful world. No more pain, now you can rest.

The Hole in Your Soul June 24, 2009

Faith Fills the Hole in Our Soul

Hebrews 11:1 KJV Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).

Have you ever read this chapter of Hebrews? I counted the word faith 24 times in this one chapter. Paul illustrates historical examples of how faith worked in the lives of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. Faith brought down the walls of Jericho and closed the mouths of lions. Faith in Jehovah God can set you free. Faith can make you whole.

Faith works the same way today as it did in the days of Daniel. Can you imagine the faith of Shadrach, Meschak and Abednego? Three Hebrew children, who would not worship the King but held tight to their devotion to Jehovah, were cast into a fiery furnace. They were not burned. When we pray, we are demonstrating faith that God is there and that He hears our prayers.

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for. Without faith what hope is there? Hope is the trust that God indeed loves us and answers our prayers. Without hope there is only doubt, fear and despondency. Consider those who are lost and outside of God’s protection. It is a dismal consideration. Without Jesus Christ there is only hopelessness. Some may put their trust and hope in other people or in money but a hope placed in these can only bring disappointment and grief. Men may disappoint and desert you, but God never will. He is always there. When we need Him He carries us when we can’t even walk. Sometimes, the things of this life are overwhelming. Without hope, faith and trust in Him, how can we possibly hope?

Faith is the knowledge that life on earth is not all there is. Faith is in knowing that beyond this life we have life eternal with God. I know people who believe that this life is all there is, that when we die, that is just the end. How sad it would be to go through everyday thinking that all we had to hope for is nothing. As Christians we have faith that one day we will be in heaven and abide with Him. Jesus is the only way to heaven. Do not be deceived. There is one and only one way to heaven and it is through Jesus Christ. John 3:16 is all you have to know to be saved. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son and whosoever BELIEVES in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

In this life on earth we have two choices. We can believe and be saved or we can reject Jesus and go to hell. It is that simple.

To have faith there must be belief. Unbelievers have no hope. Faith is so simple. God made His gospel so simple even little children can understand it. It doesn’t take great intellect to understand that God made us. He loves us and He wants to have a relationship with us. Some scholars have tried to disprove God’s Word. They have taken away their own hope. They try to reason too much about this simple story. By picking apart the Word of God they have made it hard. The brain God gave them has gotten in the way of being able to believe.

Humility and faith go hand in hand. There are times when nonbelievers think they have it all figured out and they feel they have out smarted God. This is a major stumbling block for them to believe. It blinds them to the simple faith that passes all understanding. We as humans are not meant to know everything. If God wanted us to know everything now He would have told us in His Word. What He did tell us is He loved us so much He sent His only Son to die for us. No one can disprove this no matter how hard they try.

All human beings have a big hole in their soul. People try to fill this hole with many things. Money, prestige, fame, fortune, drugs, alcohol, sex but they will always come up empty. The hole will still be there. The only thing that fits in the hole is God and his love for us.

Faith fills up the hole and makes us whole. Trying to fill this hole in our soul with anything but God is like trying to put a square peg into a round hole. Nothing will fit. Nothing will fill the hole except for the power and love of God. He created us with the hole in our soul. He created us to only be completely at peace when we fill the hole with His love.

What we know as Christians is we have the faith one great day every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Now there is something you can put your faith in. There is the hope that fills the hole in the soul. There is the answer.

Dear Lord Help us to demonstrate our faith in You so that others may believe. Help us to help the lost fill the holes in their souls with Your love. Thank you for Your Word and Your peace. We praise You and love you, let Your light so shine that others may see You in us everyday. In Your Holy Name I pray, Amen.

How do you fill the hole in your soul?
Does your faith shine so that others may see something in you that they desire?
How can we reach those who need Jesus the most?

©Angela Posey-Arnold 2008

4Him2U June 24, 2009

SonRise Writers group publishes a web mag every month. www.4Him2U.com is a source of encouragement and inspiration. Visit, stay a while or subscribe. You’ll be glad you did!!