Close Encounters:
In the early days of becoming a blind man, I had to undergo some extensive training, which included living skills, white cane training, audio typing and so on.
Anyhow, as part of my white cane training: One day I was progressing along a paved area parallel to the side of a roadway.
My journey took me past the face of some terraced houses featuring front gardens which were either enclosed by a low stoned wall, a small wooden fence, or some wrought iron railings.
Then, as I ventured along the concreted area, I would move my white cane in front of me.
I held my white cane with my right hand wrapped around the handle – with my finger next to my thumb pointing along the cane shaft down towards the cane tip.
Tapping my way along, I swept my cane from side to side in an arch about the width of my body.
And so, as I continued along the walkway, this technique would enable me to find the wall, the fence or the railings on my left hand side.
And of course, this would also help me to find any bumps or holes in the ground!
Anyway, after a short distance, I would discover a group of shops – these were set back from the roadway.
However, in order to keep to the route, I would have to indent from the concreted area and follow the line of the shops before resuming the course in front of the gardens to the next line of houses.
On one training day: I had successfully progressed along the first section of the route and had accomplished great strides as I made my way past the group of shops.
Indeed, I was making significant progress!
I was just about to venture in front of the next set of houses with their gardens enclosed with walls, fences and so on.
I remembered, the first garden had quite a low bricked wall for its perimeter.
My instructor who had been assessing my progress, then encouraged me to follow the low wall around.
Continuing with my white cane, I gently tapped my way along, searching for familiar land marks and textures along the way.
I then began to follow the very low wall in front of the first terraced house.
I thought I was doing quite well.
Then suddenly, a hand touched my shoulder. It was my instructor, she asked, “Do you know where you are.”
“Yes!” came my indignant reply, not realising that there was a purpose in her query.
After pressing me even further with a similar question, “Do you really know where you are?” she then instructed me to tap the wall with my cane. I did. Then she asked me to step onto the wall.
Thinking this was crazy, and not too sure what to do – and hoping beyond hope that no one was watching – with some hesitation, I then stepped onto the wall!
To my utter amazement, it suddenly dawned on me!
O boy!
Without any doubt, I suddenly became aware of the reason why the traffic on my right hand side appeared to be a little too close for comfort!
Gosh!
It turned out, that instead of following the very low bricked wall in front of the terraced houses – I was, instead, following the edge of the curbstones!
Can you believe it? I was actually walking in the road. Right in line of the traffic!
Hum!
As I look back upon the sequence of events, I’m so thankful for the hand of my instructor!
But wait a minute!
In every circumstance of life, I’m also thankful for the hand of God.
Okay, we may at times wander from the perfect path He wants us to travel, but as long as we do not abandon Him – He will never leave us.
Yes, that’s right! When we walk into the thick of trouble, God keeps us alive.
He protects us.
Sure-enough, with His powerful hand He saves us.
Praise Him!
Amen?
Amen!
Bible Words:
Psalm 138.
Where In The World?
For many years, I’ve had a tactile globe which was designed for use by individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
It’s a reasonably basic globe that shows the intercontinental outlines – with some higher and lower elevations.
It also has other tactile markings which include a protruding line to indicate the equator; dashed raised lines for the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer, and so on.
Yes, it’s pretty standard, but good enough for me!
The globe, which is approximately one metre in circumference, is mounted on a separate plastic-coated metal tripod, which apparently, looks excellent on any table-top, desk or work-surface.
However, although I’ve had this globe for many years, I’ve always had problems trying to locate where England is.
Now, don’t get me wrong, and don’t misunderstand me here. I’ve got a fair idea. In fact, I was quite good at geography at school.
But, due to an accident, and circulation problems, I’ve often had difficulty identifying some tactile inscriptions, or patterns of raised dots.
For me, reading braille on a flat surface is bad enough, but trying to figure it out on an object with a spherical surface can prove problematic!
In my search, I’ve encountered many times when my globe, the world, has resulted in being up-side-down!
Hum!
Anyhow, in our home-group this week, using my plastic globe as an aid, we had planned to sort-out where England was, or is, as the case maybe.
Take note, this is an interesting question which isn’t just for geographical scholars.
I’m sure – in all of our lives there are many times when we look around us, and ask ourselves, “Where in the world…”
“Where in the world was our football team?” has probably been the question coming from many England fans this week!
But other searching questions may arise, for instance, where in the world do we stand in relation to justice, social care, fairness, making poverty history, and so the list goes on and on.
Furthermore, the biggest question for us today could quite possibly be, where in the world have our Biblical principles gone?
Today, it appears that our spiritual identity as a nation, and for some individuals, has become an utter mess!
Like my tactile globe, we have become topsy-turvy, or up-side-down. Our hearts and lives have become greatly confused and filled with constant chaos!
In other words, we haven’t a clue!
But listen folks, God’s Word the Bible indicates, “If we respond by humbling ourselves, praying, seeking His presence, and turning our backs on our wicked ways, He’ll be there ready for us: He’ll listen from Heaven, forgive our sins, and restore our land to health.”
Yes, that’s right! As we follow His pre-requisite,He’s there waiting, ready to turn our lives around for good.
In the midst of our chaos, along comes the God of hope saying, “I still have a plan for you. It’s not over till I say so. I’m going to turn things around for you, and put you back on your feet. Your best days are ahead.”
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You Tube:
Empty My Hands – Tenth Avenue North – with lyrics.
This song is on the new album by Tenth Avenue North called “The Light Meets The Dark.”
Further Reading:
2 Chronicles 7:
Get-aCROSS Weekly Thought:
Communicating the message of Christ – in a clear and precise way.
Hemsworth Christian Fellowship:
The “Get-aCROSS” weekly thought has been written in conjunction with Hemsworth Christian Fellowship.
Three years ago today, we began sharing our reflections on a monthly basis.
For this reason, this month – we thought we’d share with our friends an extract from a few of our favourites.
On A Crest Of A Wave:
On impulse; with great excitement, fisherman Pete moves by placing one foot out of the sailing vessel, then the other.
Cool!
He’s walking on water.
You cannot help but be a little curious about what the other disciples are thinking at this time.
Such astonishment. An unforgettable expectation filled with breathless wonder!!
What an extraordinary moment!
But wait!
What’s happening?
O no!
O yes!
SPLASH.
Pete begins to gradually sink beneath the water! He suddenly took his eyes off Jesus as he became distracted by the strong winds coming from no particular direction, compounded by crushing waves beneath his feet. This caused a panic attack to over-power him.
Unexpectedly, the plug was pulled from his extraordinary experience!
In Christ:
Throughout life; if we’re completely honest, we are up against far more than we can handle on our own!
Furthermore; we shouldn’t brush aside each conflict in life as a figment of our imagination, or as a trivial playground scrap!
The New Century Version puts it this way:- “Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world.”
For this reason; we must be fully aware of the need to be completely equipped.
Why? Because Old Nick will use his forces of evil to do all he can to get the better of us, break us apart, or lead us away from the right path!
Therefore; we must take all the help we can get.
God Is Good:
I often reflect on the goodness of God in this way:-
I am so grateful that every morning when I awake, I am found full of life embraced in those Egyptian cotton sheets. So full of energy, enough to give me strength to arise from my bed to walk across the carpet covered floor to draw back the embroidered purple curtains to gaze beyond the window at the horizon.
Of course due to my blindness, I cannot see a thing but how I love to imagine, to reflect.
And yes, through all the crushing circumstances and pains of life, I am still able to ponder on the goodness of God.
I’m so blessed!
I interject a praise here!
The Psalmist reminds us; give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Today, I’m so aware of the state of things as they really are, rather than as I’d long them to be. Taking into account; the Egyptian cotton sheets along with the curtains, carpet and more – they will eventually fade, fray, fall apart, go out of fashion, and probably need fixing!
Still, for all in Christ – we can rejoice and give thanks, because our lives and our future are hidden in His hands – secured to the Everlasting Father, the Creator and Maker of Heaven and Earth.
God is good!
And much more than just being good, He is loving and His love will not fray, frazzle, fade away, or need fixing!
Each day proclaim the good news that God saves. Publish His glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things He does.
Howdy there,
Some of the deciding factors which we may use to avoid sharing our personal stories are these:
__I haven’t got anything fresh or new to say!_
Who will listen to me anyway?
And anyhow, whatever I have to say it’s been said before – far better than I could ever try to say.
Does this sound familiar?
Hum!
On reflection, surely, this is no reason to say nothing at all!
Whoever we are, wherever we are, and whatever we have been through, each of us are characteristically different from each other, and each of us has something to contribute.
Indeed, everyone of us has our own individual story to tell.
We’ve got so much to learn from each other.
In light of this, here, right now, I would like to share with you about one of the amazing things that God has done in my life.
Okay, it’s not particularly new, actually, you may have heard it before. Yet, even though the story goes back nineteen years, for me, it’s as fresh today as it was then.
Here goes:
Preceding 1 May 1991, I had been on dialysis for exactly one year, a result of renal failure. This severe complication was a cause of being an insulin-dependent diabetic.
To be honest, at this point, my future seemed grim!
However, on 30 April 1991, I received a call which would change all of this.
To cut a long story short, after taking the call, I rushed to the hospital, Cardiff Royal Infirmary. There I was presented with exciting news regarding a donated organ – a kidney.
The medical staff were waiting to see if their potential recipient was suitable.
Yes, that’s right – they were waiting for me – and the results of my blood tests!
Something else happened though, which was rather unexpected. Later, I was amazed to hear further news – the possibility of also becoming a recipient of a pancreas transplant.
Wow!
Imagine my overwhelming emotion!
As a consequence, on 1 May 1991, I became the recipient of a simultaneous kidney & pancreas transplant.
Sadly though, the kidney failed after five years, but amazingly, nearly two years later, I was able to have another kidney transplant.
But my focus right now is upon my pancreas transplant.
Today, with nineteen years to-date – and with excellent blood results at this weeks three monthly checkup, I’m so pleased with the progress.
And who wouldn’t be, eh?
Anyway, chatting with my transplant consultant, it seems that I’m possibly the recipient of one of the longest surviving pancreas transplants in the United Kingdom.
Probably one of the longest in the world!
Nineteen years without insulin injections! Nineteen years without a low fat & low carbohydrate diet!
I interject a praise here!
I’m so thankful to God for each and every new day.
It’s for this reason, I have no hesitation in telling everyone about the amazing things He does.
He deserves the praise!
Now, with God’s help – I am moving forward with a strong and permanent gratitude of my donors, their families and the teams of doctors, nurses and technicians who have given me the extraordinary opportunities to enjoy and know life beyond the age of 28.
In fact, every day: At the break of dawn when the sun rises, I give thanks to God for another new day.
Giving thanks for daily breath, health & strength and the joy which every new day brings.
Yep, you’ve got it. I’m shouting praise!!
Amen?
Amen!
Further Reading:
Psalm 96:
These thoughts are inspired by a recent visit to Hemsworth Christian Fellowship from Steve & Kimberley Horner of “Catch The Fire,” East Anglia:
Imagine two fishermen in a rowing-boat in the middle of a lake.
Everything is still and quiet.
There the fishermen wait for a catch. The only disturbance is an occasional beer can open sound effect.
Other than that, it’s complete silence. – Fishermen like it that way. Heaven!
Meanwhile; way beneath the boat – the fish have gathered, unaware of a waiting trap with bait.
Then, out of the blue comes the most dreadful. The most un-welcome! The most unwanted!
Quickly and without warning, the silence is broken!
There, in the distance, the sound of something in rapid advancement can be heard.
A constant buzz from a boat engine is coming there way.
Even before it comes into sight, they can hear it coming!
But, for the fishermen, the sound needs no explanation. It’s a high speed power-boat!
What is more, pulled behind the power-boat are a couple of individuals skimming on the surface of the water.
Then, the inevitable happens.
The approaching power-boat causes a water spray – with a ripple of waves on the surface of the water to splash against the fishing boat.
The stability of the small rowing-boat becomes unsteady, and the men with their pinned oars and fishing gear are thrown into disorder!
At the same time, the rowdy skiers make matters worse with their unconventional excitement.
What a hubbub!
Suddenly, the place which was free from disturbance, is surrounded by activity!
The noisy intrusion brings complete havoc.
As a consequence the fisherman become rattled. Their annoyed!
The fishermens” boat continues to rock, and if things couldn’t get any worse, the fish have disappeared!
Question:
As we make this even more intriguing, we’re going to ask you – if Jesus was in this story, where would He be?
Would He be in the rowing-boat with the two fishermen?
Maybe in the high speed power-boat, or even skiing?
Some have suggested, well, He could walk on water, how about that?
Our Answer:
Well folks, we reckon that Jesus would be piloting the power-boat.
Here’s another way to put it: Jesus is the Captain of the power-boat, His disciples or followers are water skiing – having a whale of a time!
The Pharisees are the guys in the rowing-boat, never wanting to see anything changed – always self-righteous or sanctimonious – with a “We’ve always done it this way attitude!”
A Different Perspective:
Now consider this: The power-boat represents the Church. The skiers represent the Culture and Society we live in.
The Church is the one leading the way.
Yet once again, the guys in the rowing-boat are the first to get upset when things are changed!
After all, why upset the status quo?
Friends, maybe it’s time for us as individuals to climb out of our comfort zone to where Jesus is.
You Tube:
Voice Of Truth – Casting Crowns.
Hemsworth Christian Fellowship:
Hemsworth Christian Fellowship.
Get-aCROSS:
Get-aCROSS: Helping to get The Message across in a clear and precise way.
He, [Jesus] came to Nazareth where he had been reared. As He always did on the Sabbath, He went to the meeting place. When He stood up to read, He was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, He found the place where it was written, God’s spirit is on me; He’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set the burdened and battered free, to announce, “This is God’s year to act! He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on Him, intent. Then He started in,, “You’ve just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place.”
What a Sabbath Day message!
O boy, what an experience!
It couldn’t possibly get any better than this!
Here, Jesus was to preach for the very first time in His home church.
Can you imagine the atmosphere – the excitement?
Fantastic!!
Such a buzz!
Everyone in the place were looking at no one else except Jesus.
The sheep skin parchment from times back yonder was spread out and the ancient writing was spoken out aloud.
Then, with great suspense and amazement, the riveting audience caught the line: “You’ve just heard Scripture make history.”
Wow, what a statement – so controversial yet so needful!
Here in the gospel of Luke, we discover that the writer is concerned with Jesus’ attitude toward the economically and socially poor.
We also recognise that the achievements of Jesus are brought together through the promises of God’s Word by the Holy Spirit.
due to the work of the Spirit: Salvation is revealed through Jesus who ministers to the poor, the prisoner, the blind, the burdened and battered!
Bringing good news, pardon, recovery & freedom.
The Messiah has come!
His earthly assignment did not happen by chance; it was Divinely inspired by the Spirit.
You’ve just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place.
Luke demonstrates the ministry of Jesus as fulfilling Old Testament hopes and expectations.
Living up to the promise!
So, how does this become relevant for us today?
This episode reveals to us that in our own lives: Our mandate must also be directed by the Holy Spirit and conform to the same principles from the promises of God’s Word – acknowledging the precedent set by our Savior.
We cannot complete His commission in our own strength.
You can’t force these things, they only come about by His Spirit!
In other words, our mission should be in accordance to that of Jesus: Anointed by the Spirit, directed by the Spirit, given the OK by the Spirit and completed by the Spirit.
Now that’s what I call equipped for service – a Spirit filled ministry!
By His Spirit: Let us use our lives to direct others to the message of the history maker.
You Tube:
Further Reading:
Luke 4:
Buzz Words:
Bible words from 1 Corinthians 2: The Message.
I love these words spoken by Paul:-
“When I first came to you to let you in on God’s master stroke, I didn’t try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who He is; then Jesus and what He did – Jesus crucified. I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate – I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it – and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God’s Spirit and God’s power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God’s power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else.”
Hum!
Does this sound familiar?
Paul wasn’t the first, and he certainly wouldn’t be the last to feel so inadequate!
Are you feeling incapable, lacking the necessary skill or knowledge? Unqualified?
Hey! We have this reassurance -
God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called
Come on!
Buzz Words:
Words from Proverbs 25: New Century Version.
“The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl.”
How refreshing!
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia.
Hum!
Lord, help me to use my words appropriately, clearly and with no delay – just at the right time.
Help me to find the right words, to be considerate and encouraging – with remarks genuine, sincere and truthful.
Help me to guard what I say.
Life can be very unpredictable and can bring for all of us disappointments, dashed hopes, and broken dreams.
There’s a strong possibility we could all find ourselves in a state of agitation or hopelessness at sometime or another.
At times it may seem that we frequently face harsh circumstances, enduring emotional pain – constantly relearning the meaning of those events – and forever full of strong feelings of anxiety or perplexity.
And as a result of such stress, we so often can find ourselves fully submerged in a pity party!
Now listen… To whatever degree we might experience these negative feelings, let us bear in mind that these are often the situations which strengthen our lives – those “in the valley” times, not those on lofty mountain top feelings.
No matter how difficult we might feel things are at times, it will soon become apparent that it’s during those times of unrest and uncertainty that our faith grows the most.
We develop a greater ability to understand life, in general, as well as an insight to understanding other people.
We become discerning – more able to appreciate the things of God – and soon we gain insight to His direction for our own lives and for the lives of others who seek to know Him.
This becomes a challenge.
May we, as His children who are searching, become better not bitter!
Hey friends, it’s so wonderful to know; that our God who arranged the stars & planets, formed the oceans wide, and fashioned every sea and shore, has our personal interest in mind.
He knows all about us, every detail in every situation!
Indeed, since creation, God has been crazy about us..
The concept that He chooses to use us to fulfil His purpose and plan, is simply mind-blowing!
Even when we’ve messed up, and feel like we’re the underdog – it doesn’t matter – God’s rooting for us..
No matter what our past has been like, we can do it’!
How marvellous it is when we are touched by the rhythms of God’s grace, love, and power in our lives!
He does extraordinary things through the lives of ordinary people!
Praise Him!