Wrong Way Home
It was January 7, 1956 and Emory had just been discharged from the Marines. He chose to ride the train from Camp Pendleton, California, to West Chicago, then take the Norfolk and Western south to Welch, West Virginia. In making the change, he asked the porter to give him directions, and the porter carelessly rattled of f a few numbers. Then he climbed aboard what he thought was the right train, and settled down in his seat for the ride south.
The train was already in motion when the conductor came by to check his ticket. He studied it a moment, and then asked, “Where are you going young man?”
“Welch, West Virginia,” he replied.
“I’m sorry, the conductor explained, “but you should be on the Norfolk and Western.
“I’m on the Norfolk and Western!” he insisted.
“No sir. You are on the New York Central.
Emory thought his heart would stop beating, and he began to shake inside.
The conductor watched as he pulled out his wallet and opened it. Just one five dollar bill was all he had. “What on earth will I do in New York, City? I don’t belong there! I’m just a dumb country boy from West Virginia who
needs to get home!”
The kind conductor left for a few minutes, then returned. No doubt he’d been through the same scene many times. He spoke reassuringly. “We have a stop near the Norfolk & Western Terminal on the east side of Chicago. We can put you on a cab just as soon as we make our next stop.”
Dear Readers, Every one of us fit into one of three categories: a careless porter who influences others to go in the wrong direction (Satan), a lost soul who is desperate because of his circumstances, or a kind conductor, who patiently helps the lost soul find the right way home! In which category are you?
Lord, please raise up more kind conductors!!!
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This the the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21) The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. (Proverbs 11:30)
---Rebecca Somoskey
|
|
Another New Beginning
Even though January 1 is in the middle of the winter season, it still signifies another new beginning, and I look forward to it with great anticipation. I will prepare for this new beginning by spending the last week in December reviewing the past year. I will rejoice over the year, not because I have reached every goal, but that I have reached some of them, failed some of them, and learned many lessons in the process. Plus, I know that because God is in complete control He has ordered my steps according to His plan and not mine. And because I have asked forgiveness for my failures He has cleansed me. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delighteth in his way." Psalm 37:23
To set my new goals I will pray first, then seek God for His perfect will in my life. I will write my new goals in my new year's journal, considering my relationship with God first, my family second, other's third, and then, myself last. By the first day of January I am prepared. "Too much trouble," some of you may lament, but may I remind you that to fail to plan is to plan to fail. I do not wish to squander away the precious moments that God gives me, lest I stand before His throne empty handed. "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." Romans 14:12
I am the New Year. I am naked. The soiled pages of last year's tale lie crumpled at my feet. I have nothing before me but three-hundred sixty-five alabaster days, And an invitation to allow Jesus to leave His footprints on every single one.
So, dear friend, if you are looking at this past year and feeling like a failure, consider what I say. Use my suggestions to form a plan of your own, put it into practice, then have a wonderful, successful, happy new 2012. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
--Rebecca Somoskey
|
Another New Beginning
Even though January 1 is in the middle of the winter season, it still signifies another new beginning, and I look forward to it with great anticipation. I will prepare for this new beginning by spending the last week in December reviewing the past year.
I will rejoice over the year, not because I have reached every goal, but that I have reached some of them, failed some of them, and learned many lessons in the process. Plus, I know that because God is in complete control He has ordered my steps according to His plan and not mine. And because I have asked forgiveness for my failures He has cleansed me. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delighteth in his way." Psalm 37:23
To set my new goals I will pray first, then seek God for His perfect will in my life. I will write my new goals in my new year's journal, considering my relationship with God first, my family second, other's third, and then, myself last. By the first day of January I am prepared. "Too much trouble," some of you may lament, but may I remind you that to fail to plan is to plan to fail. I do not wish to squander away the precious moments that God gives me, lest I stand before His throne empty handed. "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." Romans 14:12
I am the New Year. I am naked. The soiled pages of last year's tale lie crumpled at my feet. I have nothing before me but three-hundred sixty-five alabaster days, And an invitation to allow Jesus to leave His footprints on every single one.
So, dear friend, if you are looking at this past year and feeling like a failure, consider what I say. Use my suggestions to form a plan of your own, put it into practice, then have a wonderful, successful, happy new 2012. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
--Rebecca Somoskey
|
I Found A Friend!
Of all the hundreds of children we worked with over our forty years of ministry, Lawrence Austin was one of the most memorable. When we came to know him and his family, his mother told us his story.
She said, “Being the only African American child in the school system in Silver City, New Mexico, is tough and Lawrence hated it so much that he didn’t try. I had to make him go every single day, but by the end of school he was doing no better than the beginning, so he failed. When summer was over and he had to start again I was expecting the same reactions as last year—a very sad little boy who would be trudging home every day with an unhappy face. But to my surprise he came home the very first day jumping up and down and shouting, “Mom! I love school this year!”
“You love school? Lawrence, what has happened to you?”
He shouted, “Mom, I found a friend!”
We had just moved to Silver City and our youngest son, Phillip, was starting first grade also. He just happened to land in Lawrence’s class. They started talking, and became such close friends that he spent many weekends at our house with our brood of seven. By the end of the three years he was making passing grades in all his classes, and also went to church with us every Sunday. He was one of ours. Then we moved to West Virginia, and it hurt us to leave him. But a number of years later we learned that Lawrence had stayed in school, excelled in sports, graduated and found a good job. The last time we talked to him several years ago, he was still doing well.
Why? All because he had found a friend!!
Remembering Lawrence has made me determined to be more aware of every opportunity to find a friend, because friendships are one of the best ways to fill the lives of lonely people and introduce them to the greatest Friend of All: Jesus Christ! Will you join me?
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants…..but I have called you friends. ( John 15: 13-15 NKJV)
—Rebecca Somoskey
|
I Found A Friend!
Of all the hundreds of children we worked with over our forty years of ministry, Lawrence Austin was one of the most memorable. When we came to know him and his family, his mother told us his story.
She said, “Being the only African American child in the school system in Silver City, New Mexico, is tough and Lawrence hated it so much that he didn’t try. I had to make him go every single day, but by the end of school he was doing no better than the beginning, so he failed. When summer was over and he had to start again I was expecting the same reactions as last year—a very sad little boy who would be trudging home every day with an unhappy face. But to my surprise he came home the very first day jumping up and down and shouting, “Mom! I love school this year!”
“You love school? Lawrence, what has happened to you?”
He shouted, “Mom, I found a friend!”
We had just moved to Silver City and our youngest son, Phillip, was starting first grade also. He just happened to land in Lawrence’s class. They started talking, and became such close friends that he spent many weekends at our house with our brood of seven. By the end of the three years he was making passing grades in all his classes, and also went to church with us every Sunday. He was one of ours. Then we moved to West Virginia, and it hurt us to leave him. But a number of years later we learned that Lawrence had stayed in school, excelled in sports, graduated and found a good job. The last time we talked to him several years ago, he was still doing well.
Why? All because he had found a friend!!
Remembering Lawrence has made me determined to be more aware of every opportunity to find a friend, because friendships are one of the best ways to fill the lives of lonely people and introduce them to the greatest Friend of All: Jesus Christ! Will you join me?
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants…..but I have called you friends. ( John 15: 13-15 NKJV)
—Rebecca Somoskey
|
Repairing the Temple
Because the temple had been neglected and abused for so many years the walls were about ready to tumble down. The roof leaked and was in shambles. The inner furnishings were broken and mostly useless. Something had to be done.
No, I'm not talking about a man made structure. I'm speaking about one of God's most incredible creations, my body, the dwelling place of His Spirit. And because my body was in such disrepair, my soul (mind and emotions) and my spirit became sick. Finally God got my attention and showed me that all three work together. He also showed me that He created my body with an inner healing system that, if given the right tools, will heal whatever health problems I might have. He also showed me just what those tools are. My inner healing system is what works to grow a new tooth when a baby tooth is lost, heal a cut, cure a cold, tell my stomach through hunger pangs that I need food for fuel for my body to run on. It tells my heart when to beat and my lungs when to expand and contract. It causes pain somewhere in my body, my emotions or my spirit to let me know that something is amiss and I need to give it some attention. It also does a zillion other things that keep me alive and well. So, I’m having to rebuild.
Now, the temple grows stronger each day because I am replacing poor health habits with the planks of nourishing food, lots of water, exercise, sunshine and deep breathing. I'm replacing all that broken down furniture of unholy and negative thoughts with thoughts that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. I'm building relationships and practicing servant hood. I'm putting on a brand new spiritual roof with shingles of daily prayer, Bible study and practicing God's continual presence.
Once again I am bringing honor to my Lord and feeling the strength to be of greater benefit to His Kingdom. Would you be interested in joining me?
1 Corinthians 3:16&17: Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. (NKJV) 1Corinthians 6:19&20: Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. (NKJV)
--Rebecca Somoskey
|
|
|
