Thursday, 09 July 2009

Wednesday, 08 July 2009

  • Introverts Confessional: The Lonely Wanderer

    “Countless single women stay home rather than travel alone into the unknown. They not only miss out on being encouraged by others, but also are not exposed to new relationships when they remain at home tied up by cords of fear and feeling sorry for themselves. If a single woman allows the fearful prospect of meeting new people and new challenges to keep her at home, she may find herself bored and lonely while all the time missing many satisfying and fulfilling experiences.” Lady in Waiting, pg. 27

    I can totally relate to this for this has been me for so long. You see, almost five years ago I found myself having to start over in a completely new place. Not just any new place, Long Island. Now for a girl who grew up in a little big town, this was quite overwhelming. Add in an introverted personality and a dash of social anxiety and this became a insurmountable task. Instead of jumping in head first, like I had hoped, I became insecure and withdrawn.

    Recently though, within the past year or so, I have been slowly working my way out into the world.  Sometimes I still struggle with the fear of putting my self out there. Sometimes I still have to force myself to go out rather than stay home where it’s comfortable.  It’s an ongoing battle and sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s winning, me or my fear…But I will continue to go out into the world, no matter how uncomfortable I may feel. I only hope that in the end I will gain some rewarding experiences.   

    For God did not give us a spirit of timidity
    (of cowardice, or craven and cringing and fawning fear),
    but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love
    and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self control
    2 Timothy 1:7

    Note: Cross posted from A Christ Follower's Musings.
    Permalink

  • Thank you...

    newsday.com/news/printedition/longisland/ny-limiss0912952284jul08,0,6887184.story

    Newsday.com

    Missing Russell Gardens man found in Brooklyn

    BY JOHN VALENTI

    AND JOSEPH MALLIA. john.valenti@newsday.com. joseph.mallia@newsday.com

    7:23 AM EDT, July 8, 2009

    A mentally handicapped man who went missing from a group home in Russell Gardens on June 29 was found late Tuesday in Brooklyn.

    Keith Siegel, 47, was in good condition and was taken to North Shore University Hospital for observation, Nassau police said.

    Siegel, who is 5 foot 7 inches tall and weighs between 185 and 200 pounds, was wearing his glasses and a blue bicycle helmet and had been seen riding his bicycle when he disappeared from the home on Melbourne Road.

    He became the subject of a massive search by missing persons detectives, who issued a "wanted poster" in hopes of locating Siegel.

    Having disappeared at around 9 a.m. on June 29, Siegel was reportedly seen last Wednesday bicycling near Belmont Park in Elmont sometime between 2 and 3 p.m. The racetrack is about six miles south of Russell Gardens.

    Later that Wednesday he was reportedly seen at a couple of McDonald's fast-food restaurants on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow.

    Detectives were most concerned because in addition to diminished mental capacity, Siegel requires medication.

    Late last week there were reports that Siegel had been seen on Northern Boulevard in Great Neck and in Flushing.

    Police said he was finally found Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. on Bond and Fulton streets in Brooklyn. Police could not immediately say how Siegel made his way to Brooklyn or if he still had his bicycle with him when he was found.

    I want to thank all of you for praying. Thankfully he was found no worse for wear and was able to come home after a quick trip to the hospital to be checked out. Thank you all so much!!!!

Tuesday, 07 July 2009

Monday, 06 July 2009

  • Woman of God: Ready for God's Grace

    Ruth and Naomi’s Redemption
    Ruth 1 and 4

    Look closely at the geographical information given here. What would have been difficult about Ruth’s situation?

    She was from Moab and moved to a whole new place, among the Israelites. She is from a completely different culture.

    What does Naomi seem to be like from this passage? (Ruth 1)

    She is obviously bitter towards God and blames Him for the deaths of her husband and sons.

    What does Ruth’s speech in verses 16-18 reveal about her?

    It reveals that Ruth is extremely loyal and that she truly loves Naomi.

    What do you admire about Ruth from what you have seen of her so far?

    I admire her loyalty. I admire that she left her home and her way to follow Naomi to a foreign land and follow a foreign (to her) God

    Ruth and Naomi’s situation is a reminder that no matter how fine our character is or what our relationship with God is, sometimes life can fall apart. How do you feel when faced with this reality?

    It is very true. Bad things happen to good people. God never promised that nothing bad would happen to us, but He did promise to never leave us or forsake us.

    Look at Ruth 4:13-17.How has God redeemed what was lost in Naomi's and Ruth’s lives?

    Ruth had a new husband and Naomi a (grand) son.

    How is the tern kinsman-redeemer an apt one for what we see happen here?

    Boaz was able to redeem the family The son bore to Ruth would carry the name of her dead husband, redeeming the family line.

    Questions for discussion:
    When do you find that life seems most unjust for yourself or for other?
    When have you felt bitter toward God? Why?
    What would you like God to redeem in your life?

    Bunch, Cindy. Woman of God. Illinois: InterVarstiy Press, 2001 Note: Cross posted from A Christ Follower's Musings.
    Permalink
146-final-logo1
End Child Sex Slavery and Exploitation. Donate Today.
free rice

ABOUT ME

bible-page

I want to know God and be known by Him.

I desire to live a life that glorifies God in all that I do.

I want to know the Truth of His word.


ABOUT SITE

This site is an ongoing compilation of my personal studies and readings with some thoughts on spiritual matters, inspirational poems/stories/quotes thrown in.

QUICK THOUGHTS