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.
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: