There are springs that make chairs more comfortable and springs that run old clocks, but the spring I love the most is the one that brings green shoots out of the damp ground, buds on the trees, and a fresh scent in the air. They call young love, Spring fever, because it stirs the heart and puts a bounce in our step. Spring is also synonymous with a fresh start, beginning again, and new life. You may have already seen new leaves burst forth or fresh color where shades of brown had painted the landscape. We become color deprived during those long cold days devoid of brightness and cheer. Now, the long winter is over. Spring has sprung!
This Spring, within the opening bud and the unfolding leaf, I want you to see the heart of God offering you a fresh start, new every morning and manifested in all his glory every Spring. Holy is the Lord and his grace and forgiveness know no bounds. Let us pray:
“Holy Father, creator of all and re-creator of each of us who are willing to be remolded to the image you had for us, we praise your precious name. May your kingdom come on the Spring breeze and blow new breath into our spirit. Forgive us when we have turned our back to the brightness of a spring day, when the beautiful color of your world is your gift to us. The light brings us new life and for that we give you glory. Forgive us when we have not opened the window for another who is trapped in darkness. Leading others to the light is the charge and the joy you have given us. May we all feel you draw near to us as the birds fill their nests, the meadow blooms with wildflowers, and the trees blossom in the dark woods. For all of these blessings, we give you praise and honor. In the name of Jesus Christ, the very voice and word of all creation, 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.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
HEALTH KITS FOR JAPAN
We, in the United Methodist Church, collected thousands of Health Kits for the people of Haiti and now basic Health Kits are greatly needed in Japan. Please check the information below and find a way to help the people on that shattered island by contributing to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center. The items needed for the kits are listed as well as information on how to contribute money so that others can shop for the Health Kit items. Thank you and God Bless you. Doris
Health Kit -
1 Hand Towel (15" x 25" up to 17" x 27", no kitchen towels)
1 Washcloth
1 Comb (large & sturdy, not pocket size or pic)
1 Nail file or Fingernail Clipper (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
1 Bath-size Bar of Soap (3 oz. or larger in original wrapper)
1 Toothbrush (single brushes only-in original wrapper, no child-size brushes) (no multiple packs) (no dentist name or phone number)
1 Tube of Toothpaste (6.4 oz or larger. Check expiration dates-must be at least ONE YEAR ahead.) (You may leave out and send $1.00)
6 Adhesive Plastic Strip Sterile Bandages (regular size and wrapped in a rubber band)
Wrap the items in the hand towel. Items should be placed in a new, one gallon plastic zip closure bag. Please make sure all items are correct sizes. If they are not the correct size, they are unusable. In addition, health kit items in bulk are very desirable as well.
Please note: if you have questions please email office@midwestmissiondc.org or call 217-483-7911 217-483-7911 .
In addition, please check MMDC's website: www.midwestmissiondc.org or facebook page: www.facebook.com/midwestmission for updates.
Health Kit -
1 Hand Towel (15" x 25" up to 17" x 27", no kitchen towels)
1 Washcloth
1 Comb (large & sturdy, not pocket size or pic)
1 Nail file or Fingernail Clipper (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
1 Bath-size Bar of Soap (3 oz. or larger in original wrapper)
1 Toothbrush (single brushes only-in original wrapper, no child-size brushes) (no multiple packs) (no dentist name or phone number)
1 Tube of Toothpaste (6.4 oz or larger. Check expiration dates-must be at least ONE YEAR ahead.) (You may leave out and send $1.00)
6 Adhesive Plastic Strip Sterile Bandages (regular size and wrapped in a rubber band)
Wrap the items in the hand towel. Items should be placed in a new, one gallon plastic zip closure bag. Please make sure all items are correct sizes. If they are not the correct size, they are unusable. In addition, health kit items in bulk are very desirable as well.
Please note: if you have questions please email office@midwestmissiondc.org or call 217-483-7911 217-483-7911 .
In addition, please check MMDC's website: www.midwestmissiondc.org or facebook page: www.facebook.com/midwestmission for updates.
Monday, March 14, 2011
AND THE EARTH SHOOK
The earth’s plates shifted and the ground above it shook with a force strong enough to send tsunami waves nearly 5500 miles from the epicenter in Japan to the coast of California at the speed of a jet airplane. This earth is not Heaven. It is merely a forge for the strengthening of our character as we are readied for the glory that is to come.
The whole world is part of the family of God and our kinfolk have been brought low with the might of this world’s natural forces. For those who have died, for those who are injured, for those who are missing, for those who are homeless, your father God sends you messages of love and hope and peace amid the chaos. Praise the name of the Lord of Peace, call upon his name, and he will bring you his grace and peace in spite of the destruction around you. Let us pray:
“Holy Father, Love of all, we praise your precious name. May your kingdom come amid the pain and bring your perfect healing to an injured world. Chaos is NOT of you, Father. Chaos is from the author of darkness, not the Prince of Light. We long to seek the sweet face of Jesus among the broken, for that is where we will find you, Father God. We ask this very day, that the man-made containment walls of the nuclear reactors may hold back the radiation that could harm your loving children. We pray for safety for those injured, homeless, and missing. Fill them with your hope and love. May we, who were untouched, rise up with the strength you have given us and bring aid to those in pain and hold back the economic disaster that could come. With your love, we can bring hope, confidence, strength, help, and security to this world. We have allowed ourselves to be shamed into hiding the love we have for you and therefore others. Now, we stretch out our arms like the wings of angels, and gather your children in, where they will know they are loved and protected until the earth trembles no more. In the name of Jesus Christ, who brought your love to the earth, 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.
The whole world is part of the family of God and our kinfolk have been brought low with the might of this world’s natural forces. For those who have died, for those who are injured, for those who are missing, for those who are homeless, your father God sends you messages of love and hope and peace amid the chaos. Praise the name of the Lord of Peace, call upon his name, and he will bring you his grace and peace in spite of the destruction around you. Let us pray:
“Holy Father, Love of all, we praise your precious name. May your kingdom come amid the pain and bring your perfect healing to an injured world. Chaos is NOT of you, Father. Chaos is from the author of darkness, not the Prince of Light. We long to seek the sweet face of Jesus among the broken, for that is where we will find you, Father God. We ask this very day, that the man-made containment walls of the nuclear reactors may hold back the radiation that could harm your loving children. We pray for safety for those injured, homeless, and missing. Fill them with your hope and love. May we, who were untouched, rise up with the strength you have given us and bring aid to those in pain and hold back the economic disaster that could come. With your love, we can bring hope, confidence, strength, help, and security to this world. We have allowed ourselves to be shamed into hiding the love we have for you and therefore others. Now, we stretch out our arms like the wings of angels, and gather your children in, where they will know they are loved and protected until the earth trembles no more. In the name of Jesus Christ, who brought your love to the earth, 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.
Monday, March 7, 2011
PARTY WHILE YOU CAN!
We are entering the season of Lent. In the Christian tradition, Lent is the forty-six days before Easter. It is a time of prayer, penitence, almsgiving, and self-denial. Many people pray, few confess they have done anything wrong, some give to the poor, and it has become rare for anyone to deny themselves anything.
Mardi gras, or Fat Tuesday, is tomorrow and that is the day before Ash Wednesday–the first day of Lent. The point of Mardi gras is, if you are going to start denying yourself anything the next day–Party while you can! Our problem is that we started partying after World War II and never stopped. We used little effort to protect the peace that Armistice Day provided and indulged ourselves on every possible thing the hedonistic mind could imagine. What have we traded? To name only a few, we have: a new iPhone every year but broken families; a dangerous rise in obesity while some people starve; and a bigger and bigger TV screen but a smaller and smaller heart for God. Perhaps you can think of three more jewels you have traded for self-indulgence. For this Lenten season, I’d like you to shift your focus: give up nothing, but embracing everyone; eat all you want and share much more; pray for peace and fight for love; entertain yourself as much as you like and like spending time with your family even more; spend what you need and need even less; sing a song of love–this time out loud. Your time to party will eventually end. What will be left? Let us pray:
“Dear Lord and father of us all, Abba to your son Jesus the Christ, holy is your name beyond all our ability to express. May your kingdom of love and peace be manifested in each of us this day, so that we may experience Heaven on earth as do the angels above. During this time of Lent, may we see your face on those in need, your heart in the unlovable, and your smile on the invisible ones. We pray that we may be drawn to loving rather than partying, to service rather than self-indulgence. Forgive us when we have not seen the needy, not heard those who cry, and not touched a healing hand on those in pain. Lead us not into believing we have ministered to others on our own, because we know, only you can heal, only you can love without harming, only you can save when we get out of the way. May our goal be, not to party while we can, but to love while we can. In the name of Jesus, your son, our Savior, 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.
Mardi gras, or Fat Tuesday, is tomorrow and that is the day before Ash Wednesday–the first day of Lent. The point of Mardi gras is, if you are going to start denying yourself anything the next day–Party while you can! Our problem is that we started partying after World War II and never stopped. We used little effort to protect the peace that Armistice Day provided and indulged ourselves on every possible thing the hedonistic mind could imagine. What have we traded? To name only a few, we have: a new iPhone every year but broken families; a dangerous rise in obesity while some people starve; and a bigger and bigger TV screen but a smaller and smaller heart for God. Perhaps you can think of three more jewels you have traded for self-indulgence. For this Lenten season, I’d like you to shift your focus: give up nothing, but embracing everyone; eat all you want and share much more; pray for peace and fight for love; entertain yourself as much as you like and like spending time with your family even more; spend what you need and need even less; sing a song of love–this time out loud. Your time to party will eventually end. What will be left? Let us pray:
“Dear Lord and father of us all, Abba to your son Jesus the Christ, holy is your name beyond all our ability to express. May your kingdom of love and peace be manifested in each of us this day, so that we may experience Heaven on earth as do the angels above. During this time of Lent, may we see your face on those in need, your heart in the unlovable, and your smile on the invisible ones. We pray that we may be drawn to loving rather than partying, to service rather than self-indulgence. Forgive us when we have not seen the needy, not heard those who cry, and not touched a healing hand on those in pain. Lead us not into believing we have ministered to others on our own, because we know, only you can heal, only you can love without harming, only you can save when we get out of the way. May our goal be, not to party while we can, but to love while we can. In the name of Jesus, your son, our Savior, 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.
Monday, February 28, 2011
THE SOUND OF SILENCE IS FULL OF GOD
One hour and fifty-five minutes–that’s how long they had me on hold, all the while playing “music” in my ear. Do they not know that music to some is torture to others?
We are also setting up a new TV today and the cable signal is being programed to our set, while silence settles over the house. Listen. I can hear the birds outside the window in constant conversation about something in their world. If companies with high telephone hold-time were smart, they would have the sounds of robins or the incoming waves of the sea as their hold-music. Another brilliant observation to the day’s events: I could have generated peace rather than mounting frustration by turning off the TV and holding the phone away from my ear.
God gives us his peace every day and we, or I, want to “just finish this task” and then I will wait for His voice of love. I am amazed by my ability to run from the grace of God. We are now hearing a cacophony of political messages about how the whole world is standing on the edge of the abyss. That may be true, but I know who keeps me balanced. If more of us would call upon the name of God and his love and grace, his voice could call above the pounding noise and say, “Be not afraid, I am here. Trust me and I will give you peace and rest.” We can succeed in a time of trial if we trust in him. Let us pray:
“Dear Lord and father of love and peace, we praise your holy name. May your kingdom of love come to us this day so we may serve you as do the angels in Heaven. Father, how soon we forget that you are in charge. We live in your world, and all that is there in, is yours. We run around as if all our scurrying were important. May we hear the bird’s song today and smell the ground, wet with melting snow. May the voices of our loved ones be heard above the din of the world. We know that there are those who are struggling for freedom around the world. We pray in the name of your son, Jesus, that freedom and democracy are what they will find. You, oh Father, have found a home in our hearts. Let us pass that love on to others. In the name of Jesus 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.
We are also setting up a new TV today and the cable signal is being programed to our set, while silence settles over the house. Listen. I can hear the birds outside the window in constant conversation about something in their world. If companies with high telephone hold-time were smart, they would have the sounds of robins or the incoming waves of the sea as their hold-music. Another brilliant observation to the day’s events: I could have generated peace rather than mounting frustration by turning off the TV and holding the phone away from my ear.
God gives us his peace every day and we, or I, want to “just finish this task” and then I will wait for His voice of love. I am amazed by my ability to run from the grace of God. We are now hearing a cacophony of political messages about how the whole world is standing on the edge of the abyss. That may be true, but I know who keeps me balanced. If more of us would call upon the name of God and his love and grace, his voice could call above the pounding noise and say, “Be not afraid, I am here. Trust me and I will give you peace and rest.” We can succeed in a time of trial if we trust in him. Let us pray:
“Dear Lord and father of love and peace, we praise your holy name. May your kingdom of love come to us this day so we may serve you as do the angels in Heaven. Father, how soon we forget that you are in charge. We live in your world, and all that is there in, is yours. We run around as if all our scurrying were important. May we hear the bird’s song today and smell the ground, wet with melting snow. May the voices of our loved ones be heard above the din of the world. We know that there are those who are struggling for freedom around the world. We pray in the name of your son, Jesus, that freedom and democracy are what they will find. You, oh Father, have found a home in our hearts. Let us pass that love on to others. In the name of Jesus 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.
Monday, February 21, 2011
EXPECTATIONS - BOTH LARGE AND SMALL
Punxsutawney Phil had promised–we would have an early Spring. What happened? This I question as ice covers my window and runs down the pane. In Philippians 4:4 we read, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Rejoice? - in more ice, when my expectation was for an early Spring? Perhaps it is not the ice that’s a problem but my expectation. It just may be that I have labeled ice “bad” and Spring “good” when they are both part of God’s plan. I know I tend to place an order for certain blessings and then am disappointed when they don’t happen just as I ordered.
I have been praying for God to bless my writing with a publishing contract for one of my books. It hasn’t happened yet. But in the mean time, He has chosen to bless me in ways I would never have seen if I had dwelled only on the allusive publisher. Just to name a few, God has given me another novel that I just finished writing this morning. And . . . just listen to this: I have a macular hole in my left eye and these holes cannot heal. They can only be kept from enlarging with surgery and a very uncomfortable rehabilitation period. One blessing is that the hole has gotten no larger, and another blessing is: the hole that cannot heal has healed a little. The little blind spot in the center of my vision is like a tiny, broad ash leaf with a little tail at the top and another one at the bottom. The “leaf” is still there but the tails have disappeared. That which medicine cannot heal has healed. If I were waiting by the mailbox for the contract and could see nothing else, I would never have seen the healing in my own eye. Praise be to God for healing, for blessings of all kinds, and for the ice peppering my window pane. I know there will be Spring flowers that follow the rain because God has planned it to be so. Let us pray:
“Dear Lord and Father of us all, we lift your holy name in praise. May your kingdom come to this life of mine, that your will may be lived in me. Forgive me when I try to take over and place an order for your blessings. We know we can always go to you in prayer for healing and help, but too often we want to dictate the terms of your grace and love. You can bless us so much more and so much better than anything that comes to our earthly mind. I open my whole life to you and ask that you come in through a wider opening than the limited words of my supplication. You have so much more for us than can possibly fit into the palm of our own outstretched hand. There are no big blessings or small blessings, no large miracles or small miracles, only you Father working in our lives, only you. Fill us to over flowing with your grace and blessings, and a purpose far greater than anything we can ever imagine. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, 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.
Rejoice? - in more ice, when my expectation was for an early Spring? Perhaps it is not the ice that’s a problem but my expectation. It just may be that I have labeled ice “bad” and Spring “good” when they are both part of God’s plan. I know I tend to place an order for certain blessings and then am disappointed when they don’t happen just as I ordered.
I have been praying for God to bless my writing with a publishing contract for one of my books. It hasn’t happened yet. But in the mean time, He has chosen to bless me in ways I would never have seen if I had dwelled only on the allusive publisher. Just to name a few, God has given me another novel that I just finished writing this morning. And . . . just listen to this: I have a macular hole in my left eye and these holes cannot heal. They can only be kept from enlarging with surgery and a very uncomfortable rehabilitation period. One blessing is that the hole has gotten no larger, and another blessing is: the hole that cannot heal has healed a little. The little blind spot in the center of my vision is like a tiny, broad ash leaf with a little tail at the top and another one at the bottom. The “leaf” is still there but the tails have disappeared. That which medicine cannot heal has healed. If I were waiting by the mailbox for the contract and could see nothing else, I would never have seen the healing in my own eye. Praise be to God for healing, for blessings of all kinds, and for the ice peppering my window pane. I know there will be Spring flowers that follow the rain because God has planned it to be so. Let us pray:
“Dear Lord and Father of us all, we lift your holy name in praise. May your kingdom come to this life of mine, that your will may be lived in me. Forgive me when I try to take over and place an order for your blessings. We know we can always go to you in prayer for healing and help, but too often we want to dictate the terms of your grace and love. You can bless us so much more and so much better than anything that comes to our earthly mind. I open my whole life to you and ask that you come in through a wider opening than the limited words of my supplication. You have so much more for us than can possibly fit into the palm of our own outstretched hand. There are no big blessings or small blessings, no large miracles or small miracles, only you Father working in our lives, only you. Fill us to over flowing with your grace and blessings, and a purpose far greater than anything we can ever imagine. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, 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.
Monday, February 14, 2011
NO POCKETS FOR LOVE
“What will we pray about today?” Today? How easily we can forget the most important essence of life - LOVE.
I have gathered tax information all morning and over the last several days and have neatly typed all of the details into columns on a ledger sheet. UGH! How very easy it is to focus on the immediate, the task at hand, rather than the important things of life. Sometimes, I don’t like to be bothered by detail at all but the job doesn’t go away because I have other things I’d rather do.
Too often, we can spend our lives getting the mundane done, leaving no time for that which is really important. Love is the very building blocks of life! An infant, deprived of love and touch, will die. We cannot get too much love, neither can we give too much love, and . . . we can’t store love. We have no pockets where love could safely be carried, out of the light and love of others.
Let this Valentine’s Day be the moment in time when you decide to accept love and to give love. When we were created, God stepped back and said, “Wow! Now that’s good.” How often do we give that love away? We can only get more love when there is room inside of us for more love to fill us. Let us pray:
“Holy Father, God of all, you created us out of your love, for the purpose of being love in the world. May your kingdom of love and life flow through us each day, so we are aware of walking in you. Heaven is being in the mind of God; may it be so for us here on earth when we recognize you as love. On this Valentine’s Day, our earthly day of love, we pray that you will fill us with your love, which is so much more pure and lovely than anything we may ever know. Forgive us when we are afraid to show your love. Forgive us too, when we have tried to parcel out your love to only a few, since constricting it at the neck inhibits our own breathing. May we not die in selfish love but live in your love, oh God. In the name of Jesus Christ, your son, our redeemer and brother-in-love 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.
I have gathered tax information all morning and over the last several days and have neatly typed all of the details into columns on a ledger sheet. UGH! How very easy it is to focus on the immediate, the task at hand, rather than the important things of life. Sometimes, I don’t like to be bothered by detail at all but the job doesn’t go away because I have other things I’d rather do.
Too often, we can spend our lives getting the mundane done, leaving no time for that which is really important. Love is the very building blocks of life! An infant, deprived of love and touch, will die. We cannot get too much love, neither can we give too much love, and . . . we can’t store love. We have no pockets where love could safely be carried, out of the light and love of others.
Let this Valentine’s Day be the moment in time when you decide to accept love and to give love. When we were created, God stepped back and said, “Wow! Now that’s good.” How often do we give that love away? We can only get more love when there is room inside of us for more love to fill us. Let us pray:
“Holy Father, God of all, you created us out of your love, for the purpose of being love in the world. May your kingdom of love and life flow through us each day, so we are aware of walking in you. Heaven is being in the mind of God; may it be so for us here on earth when we recognize you as love. On this Valentine’s Day, our earthly day of love, we pray that you will fill us with your love, which is so much more pure and lovely than anything we may ever know. Forgive us when we are afraid to show your love. Forgive us too, when we have tried to parcel out your love to only a few, since constricting it at the neck inhibits our own breathing. May we not die in selfish love but live in your love, oh God. In the name of Jesus Christ, your son, our redeemer and brother-in-love 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.
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