WHITE SHOES

I wore white shoes yesterday, Easter Sunday. Why is that important given the glorious resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ? The “old rule” was, no white before Memorial Day or after Labor Day. Now, we see white and “winter-white” any time of the year. That is the significance of Easter! The old rules of death and hopelessness were wiped away by the blood of Jesus on the cross.

For me, white shoes meant the purity of His sacrifice! The old has been made new, and we, as Christians, can choose to embrace a new life, free from the limitations of the past. We are not to hide our joy, but sing praises to His name. We are to get up and give our testimony, any day, any season! We are to dance in our white shoes, to the glory of God! Let us pray:

“Father God, creator and sustainer of Heaven and earth, Holy is your name! May your kingdom come in your appointed time so that your will may be done here as it is in Heaven above. For this day, may we be bold enough to dance in our white shoes before the world who sees only rules: politically correct pronouncements that try to hush the rejoicing of your children. On this day-two of Resurrection, the day when the new church could have hidden and disbanded, we turn to the resurrected Christ, your Holy son, Father God, as our redeemer and beloved. We sing His praises and dance to the song of the dove, a song of acknowledgment of Him, your blessed son in whom you are well pleased. Forgive us when we have remained silent for fear of ridicule. Silence serves only those who do not believe. Give us courage to sing, for the night is long, and dance, for the way is the path of rejoicing that leads to you. In the precious name of your son, Jesus, the resurrected Lord, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

EVERY WEEK IS HOLY WEEK

If God is love and love is life and life is around and within us, we walk in God with every step we take. If every step is with God, every step is Holy. If each moment is linked by time and never broken, we are walking in Holy Week every day of our lives! Don’t set aside one week for holy walking, make it the first week of a life of service to Him. The path winds and leads us in ways we will never know until we begin the journey. May the Lord God of all bless your Holy Walk and the first day of your Eternal Holy Week. Let us pray:

“Holy Father, Love Divine, light this Holy path of mine. Let me walk this very day, in the precious Jesus Way. Oh Father, may we walk as the angels walk, on paths of our unknowing, in depths of our undoing, along streams made still by you. Jesus made the Holy walk of suffering this week many years ago, but you did not leave him alone. You walked with him; you stayed by him while he suffered then slept; then you raised him to life in you that we might live a life of service here and an eternity of song in Heaven. Forgive us when we try to lead on the path of life, for Life has its own map, written on our heart and sealed in our soul. You are Holy, Holy, Holy and worthy of our praise. May all the glory of this world go to you Father. We pray through the redemption made possible by the passion of your son, Jesus, who leads the Way to glory! Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

I Thank MY GOD FOR YOU

Friday’s drive was a beautiful escape from the business we have had. Richard Paul Evans novel, The Walk, entertained us from the CD player. I had read the book a year ago and had just bought the next in his three-book series, Miles to Go, and was glad for the refresher. We were not walking, however. We were driving to the Midwest Missions Distributions Center, just south of Springfield, Illinois, to take the last of the Health Kits for Japan that had been collected by United Methodist Women and their supporters in Indiana. Our Conference president had already taken a full car load over and my husband, Bill, and I delivered the last 187 pounds of tooth paste, wash clothes, and other items to fill the Health Kits. Seventeen-thousand kits had already been packed and loaded and readied for shipping. Our contribution would begin to restock the shelves for the next shipment.

Those of you familiar with UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) have helped gather supplies for “flood buckets.” Shelves that stretched to the ceiling were loaded with unglamourous flood buckets, ready for the next flood, hurricane, or other disaster. We walked through the building and viewed the supplies. In my mind I saw the blessed faces of all those who had wrapped band-aids in rubber bands and found just the right size comb to meet the requirements.

I do not know of one person who contributed because “it was expected.” I have never heard anyone say, “What will people think if I don’t do my part?” The kind faces and spirit-filled smiles I envisioned were of folks who gave because the call came forth that there were those in need. Nothing more need be said. For all that you do in the name of Jesus Christ, I thank my God for you. Let us pray:

“Almighty father, the giver of all that is good and right, I praise your holy name. May your kingdom come in the fullness of time and find none of us sleeping. I thank you, Father, for all your humble servants who work unceasingly behind the scenes and not in the light of praise. May they be aware of the vital tasks they do for you. We are all missionaries for the cause of Christ, those who go and preach and teach and heal the wounded body and soul, and those who wait upon you by supporting those who go. Each task is equal in your sight for the goal of both is the same, that the light of Jesus Christ may shine in dark places. I pray that we may see your work before us and embrace it with vigor and love. In the name of Jesus Christ, your son, I pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

PRIDE GOETH BEFORE A FALL . . . Proverbs 16: 18

Those of you who know me well are aware that I can be a daydreamer! I am currently putting together plans to launch LENGTH OF DAYS in October. It is a novel that takes place in 2112. So, I visualize as I plan.

I was thinking how great it would be to present my book on a national television program. Then, the words “close up” came to mind. So, again I thought, maybe I could use pieces of surgical tape to pull my face into a do-it-yourself facelift and then conceal the tape under my hair, thus hiding the fact that I am not a futuristic groupie. Then, the words “close up” crossed my mind again and I saw those tape strips pop loose and my face falls into my lap in front of Oprah or Greta Van Susteren!

Hmm, was that the image of God’s servant, who had written the book He had given me, that He would want the world to see? Not so much! Pride certainly does go before a fall and to avoid those stumbles perhaps I would better represent His family if I lived an honest life in all ways possible. Let us pray:

“Father God, who sees all that we are and loves us anyway, we praise your holy name! You are amazing and I too often want others to think I am the one to be admired. In your kingdom, we are all beautiful and energetic and full of your love and light. Glory be to God! I ask this day that we see you in ourselves. What a close up that would be! May we present You to the world boldly, while ridding ourselves of self-pride. May we act with confidence as we create and carry throughout the endeavors you have for us, for they are not our plans but yours. Give us the courage to speak up, speak out, and speak love to the world around us. Holy are you and your son Jesus, the Christ, in whom we pray. May all praise and glory go to you. I want only to bask in the glory of your light like a day of sunshine on a sandy beach. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.