Category: ROADS SCHOLAR

Stories and experiences as we travel … around town, the nation, and the globe.

Posted in BIBLE STUDY, I REMEMBER, ROADS SCHOLAR, WEATHER-OR NOT

I Know Jesus Saves … But, Does He Plow? (Part 1)

Posted on by pastorappreciationblog

Like all of us, I have witnessed many miracles, and been involved in many of them. If you just look around, really, we are all, every day, surrounded by miracles. My Pastor used to say that, if you don’t think you have anything to be thankful for … just take a breath …

I have been helped so many times, in a miraculous way, my entire life. God’s mercy has protected me, helped me, and, as GA Bulldog announcer Larry Munson would say, “saved my whatchamacallit.” I looked that word up, and it’s in dictionaries.

As we wrote before, if it is important to you, it’s important to God. If it matters to you, it matters to Him. And, nothing is more important to Him than your relationship with Him. Period. I am constantly talking with God, and, yes, most of the time, I do more talking than listening. But, I know His voice … and He knows mine. Psalm 30:10 says, “Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.” He is always there when I call. Even when I don’t call, He is still very much there. And, when He answers my call, I should never forget it … and, should tell others of His faithfulness, at every opportunity. In trouble or not, it is a great thing to be able to call out to Him, and have Him hear. And, it is so important for us to not forget His faithfulness … what He’s done for us in the past … to give us hope for every situation we face in the future. Lamentations 3:21 says, “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.”

Sometimes we have to wait … He is working behind the scenes, doing things, making things happen for us … and, we’re not even aware-until later-that He was working the whole time.
Back to Lamentations: “The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD” (3:25-26). Fact is, God is always working “behind the scenes” for us … and, waiting, patiently, to do more. Waiting for our call. Once, years ago in Connecticut, I was backing out of the driveway, something I had done hundreds of times. It was after a big snowstorm, but the driveway was downhill, and I could make it down, in reverse, with my eyes closed. On this morning, I was backing out, straight out of the driveway, and it felt like something grabbed my van, and moved it … slid it through the snow … into the ditch on the right-hand side of the driveway … It felt like it was shoved off the driveway. (Never mind what I said!!!) So, I had to call work (1 ½ hours away), and let them know I’d be late. I had to call a wrecker to get me back up into the driveway. God revealed something to me that I had never considered:
I wonder what it was … what danger would have been ahead … had I left for work on time, and not slid off the driveway? What was out there, waiting for me … within that 3 hour span …? It was then, at that moment, I realized something I’ve never forgotten. How many things … how much trouble … how much pain and suffering … how many circumstances does God keep us out of … away from … that we don’t even know about? What was revealed to me that morning was this:
More times than I could ever imagine. We would be amazed at the things we can’t see … we’d be stunned to learn of all the times that what we considered to be “inconvenient” to us, was just a ploy to “buy time” to allow other things to happen … to protect us, and, even save our lives. We’ve all heard stories of people who over-slept, had unexplained car trouble, missed a bus or train … and, because of that … they were spared or saved from disaster. So, that’s what I’m talking about.

I think back to so many times when “someone just showed up” to help me. I know that you can think of all those times too, that something like that has happened to you. What amazes me, is that when I look back over the years … even when I wasn’t living for God … God still protected me … kept me safe … knowing that, one day … “for such a time as this …”
I can feel those words touching you, as well. God is so good, so loving, and so merciful … we never deserve it … but think about all of those times when, “humanly speaking,” we really didn’t deserve it. He protected us … kept us from certain disaster … knowing that, “one day …”

I am reminded of Psalm 63:7: “Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.”

I can’t stress enough how important this message about God keeping His hand on us, even though we aren’t serving Him, is. Protecting us, keeping us from harm, having His hand on us … even though we had no idea at the time. I think of Paul, when he was Saul … in spite of that he was doing … think about it … God protected him, kept him from those who would have done him much harm … knowing, that one day …

Just a short story to close: I remember a time, yes, in “the bad old days,” I was with a couple of friends. We weren’t criminals or breaking many laws, but we weren’t driving around handing out Gospel tracts, either. Let’s just say we were making a speedy exit from a residence we had spent the last few hours visiting. I was driving, and, somehow, I managed to run off the road into a ditch. It was imperative for us to leave the area quickly, but, there we were, in a ditch. From out of nowhere, a truck passed us, stopped just ahead of our vehicle, and then backed up to just in front of our car. We thought we were done for. I know we all thought, “This is it!” A big, big guy got out of the truck in overalls. He looked like he could just lift the car up by himself. He walked up, and this is all he said: “Let’s get you outta there.” He reached in back of the truck, grabbed a chain, and hooked up to the car. He then got in the truck, I got in the car, and he pulled me out. He then stopped, unhooked the chain, and drove off. He didn’t say a word. It was like he was “just sent,” just sent “for such a time as this.” We looked at each other, then up the road … and he was gone. Just disappeared into the landscape.

 I’ve heard and read many of these types of stories, and many of you have them too. This is one of mine. I haven’t thought about that in years. God has to remind me all the time, when I am being judgmental (etc.) over someone’s activities or lifestyle … that I should have compassion … for me to think about Paul … and to think about me … how I was …

I am so glad He hasn’t changed … He always was there, and always Is there.

Blessings,
R.V.R.

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Posted in ROADS SCHOLAR, WEATHER-OR NOT

“Light Reflections”

Posted on by pastorappreciationblog

Ever since we did the “A Little Light” series, I have added to my daily prayers the request for God to allow me to be a “light” to those around me. Every day. For me to be a light in a dark world, into which I, like all of us, walk every day. We wrote about how, if we will be that light, other people will notice-whether they like it or not. We have that Light inside of us, but do we “let it shine?”
Ouch!
We also wrote about, “God, Why did You put me here? In such a dark place?” Exactly! That’s the reason!

The darker the place, the more light is needed. And, the darker the place, the greater difference, even a small light makes. So, the answer to “God … What am I doing here?” is answered, as Jesus always did, in the form of a question: “What am I doing here?” As in … “What am I doing here?” Enough? Doing what He placed me here to do?” Being the light He put me here to be?
Ouch!

So, this past Friday night … somewhere around 6:00-7:00PM, we had a power outage. Way up here, in the North County, this is a rarity. Our power, our lights, just don’t go out very often. But, here, on the first night of School Vacation, the power went out.
Total Darkness.

We lit candles. And, it was beautiful. It always takes me back to when I was growing up, and we lost power, especially during an ice storm. We used wood for heat, and we had plenty of candles and lanterns, so when the power went out, we were, sometimes, the only house on our road which had heat. It was so warm. It was always a reminder of the “old days,” when there was no electricity. Since we were too young to remember how it was “back then,” our only glimpses of that life were from watching the “Waltons” and “Little House on the Prairie.”

So, here we were, just Carol and I, and the lights were out … no telephone … no internet … We don’t watch much TV, if ever, but, it still seemed like a “loss” of some kind not to have it available … no radio either … even though we listen less to radio than we watch television …
It was so awesome, just sitting there, both in our rocking chairs, just talking (remember that?)
There is still no one else I’d rather talk to, or rock with, than Carol. She rocks! And, the candlelight in her eyes … matched only by the glow of just being with her …

It was 9:00PM when we figured that, even if the lights went back on, it was too late to cook supper. So, we made the decision to go to McDonalds (in the next town over). Keep in mind that we don’t go to restaurants often, and, for us, McDonalds is a real treat. I always joke if we should call ahead to let them know that we were coming, and that, “This evening, we’ll be ordering from the Dollar Menu.” Call me whatever … but, and after working at McDonalds for two different periods in my life … I still love going there, and I had just as soon go there as any fancy restaurant anywhere … We are thankful for everything, so we are not hard to please.

Anyway, as we were leaving, blowing out one candle at a time, it was amazing … amazing … how much light just one candle made. God reinforced it again for me … just one candle … one light … makes such a difference … And, the darker the surroundings … the more of a difference just a small light made …

I thought about something I write about every day … how I thank God for the (what we call) “simple things” of life … like electricity … and heat … the things we take for granted every day … I thought to myself, “Did I thank God for Electricity this morning???”

We got our order at McDonalds, and then went to our “usual table,” which, even months between visits, we go directly to. At our booth, me on one side and Carol on the other, we joined hands, across the table, and prayed. Said “Grace.” Regardless of where we are, we don’t eat until we pray. Even if one of us is away from the table, neither one of us starts to eat until we pray. That’s just what we do. Don’t you? Anyway, it seemed like just seconds after we prayed, that a young man who worked there, in full uniform, appeared between our table and the soda machine. He got our attention as he walked over, both arms outstretched, and exclaiming how wonderful it was to see what he had just seen … two people praying “in public,” and how rare a sight that was. And, most of all … what it meant to him, personally, to see this.

I tried to answer him, as best I could, with “We do it because we are thankful,” and that’s why we do it. We are thankful. Man! Even at McDonalds, on a cold, windy, and dark night … you just never know who is watching. Just know that people are watching you … every minute of every day. Even if you aren’t at work! But … he was …

It reminds me of a time when Carol and I were at the airport in Philadelphia, PA. We literally spent the day at the airport, as weather had halted air traffic all across the eastern seaboard. We’ve spent a lot of time in airports, and rarely eat a meal there (no Dollar Menu in Airports!). We had ordered from one of the “fast food” restaurants, and had taken our seats at a table near a window, as I still love to watch the planes come in and out. Once seated, Carol on one side of the table and me on the other, we joined hands across the table and said a prayer over the food. From out of nowhere, a lady came over and introduced herself to us. I’ll never forget what she said:
“I knew, when I first saw you, that you were Christians. When I saw you pray, that just confirmed it.”
We have met some great people at airports.

You just never know who is watching. Just know that people are watching you … every minute of every day. Even if you aren’t at work! But … she was …

Lord Jesus, help me to be that light to others … at home, and away … to reflect Your Light … always …
Even on dark days … where it’s needed most …
And, help me to remember, most of all, that it is not only them who are watching …
But, You …

Blessings,
Richard.Vincent.Rose.

Modern-Day Psalms at Books A Million

Posted in BIBLE STUDY, ROADS SCHOLAR, VICTORY OVER DEPRESSION

UPDATE/DIAGNOSIS ON CAROL

Posted on by pastorappreciationblog

Hello All:

First, WOW! Thank you so much for your prayers and concern for Carol.
We have been so blessed to have heard from friends all over the globe … who have prayed for Carol, and for me!

An added blessing has been to have been honored to have heard from friends that we had lost contact with over the years … but, have contacted us in the last few days …
God is so good … still!

Carol is doing great: As you know, at “just the right time” (from an enemy point of view), Carol lost vision in her right eye. Because of her medical history, this was a major concern; not only because of this fact, but that it appeared that “an old medical enemy” was trying to make a comeback.

A few years ago, God healed Carol of a crippling disease. Yes, He did. He can do this because He can do anything. There is nothing too hard for Him. The potential is “always there” for the “condition” to try, attempt, to return a comeback. This was the concern here.

Here’s the situation with Carol: She has optic neuritis, which is an inflammation of the optic nerve. Because of this, the brain cannot receive the “information” from the optic nerve. There are limited treatments for this, but those that are available are potentially successful. The best procedure is to receive medication through an IV, known as an “IV Drip.” The solution is prednisone, which is a steroid. By taking the IV, the medication gets into her system much more quickly, and effectively, than if she took the prednisone by pill.

For months, we had planned a trip to Georgia, and, of course, this situation happened just before our trip. Today is Tuesday, and Carol had her first IV treatment today at the local hospital. The total process is about three hours. The doctors worked out a plan so that we could still take our trip, and they did it so fast! The MRI was done late yesterday, Monday … the doctor called with the results Monday evening, less than four hours later, which, as you know, is a miracle in itself.

We had the consultation today, got the first IV today … Carol will take a prednisone pill tomorrow (airport day) … and on Thursday and Friday, will get the IV treatment at a hospital in Georgia …

This will allow us to still make the trip, and still keep Carol on her medical schedule. She is such a “trooper!” I wish I could take all those needles for her. It is so hard watching the nurses try to find a vein … Today, it took three tries, and she is bruised up from all the previous testing, etc. All this time, with the enemy trying to creep in, her only thought was making this family trip to Georgia … she has been looking forward to this trip, and vacation, maybe more than me … just before the School year begins, only 2 days after we return …

Many of you who contacted us used the word “miracle.” Jesus is still in the saving business, and He is still in the healing business.
Because … He can still do both.

We can see God’s hand in this, every step of the way.

We’ll keep you posted. Earlier, I mentioned “the situation with Carol.”
Here’s “the situation” with Jesus:

Matthew 11:5: “…the blind receive their sight”

Matthew 9:27:30: “Believe ye that I am able to do this? … Yeah, Lord … Then touched he their eyes, saying, according to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened.”

Matthew 20:32-34: “What will ye that I shall do unto you? Lord, that our eyes may be opened … Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes, and immediately their eyes received sight.”

Mark 10:51-52: “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said … Thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight.”
 
Here’s “one for the road”:

Matthew 17:20: “If ye have faith, nothing shall be impossible.”

“There is nothing too hard for God to do:”
Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17, 27

Will close for now. Have some packing to do. Carol … well, she has been packed since Saturday … Lord, give me her faith!

Blessings, and thank you,
Ted
    

Posted in HEROES OF THE FAITH, ROADS SCHOLAR

Update On Carol: And Thank You For Prayers

Posted on by pastorappreciationblog

Hi All:

It’s late, and just got back from Portland, Maine, to see the Retina Specialist … The good news is that Carol’s retina is fine … the only explanation for the loss of vision would be that, for some reason, the optic nerve is not sending the information to the brain …

In a few words, the next steps will involve a neurologist, an MRI of the optic nerve, etc., and we’ve been referred to a specialist in this type of condition in Boston.

It looks like the “time factor” is a major factor … whatever it is, it is imperative that we find it … fast …

In fewer words, it may be that an old “medical enemy” is trying to make a comeback, and this is notice of an attempted attack …

I just want to thank you for praying for Carol …
Please continue to do so …

I really don’t see anything here that Jesus can’t fix … After all, He made it, so He can fix it …
I know He can … please join us in praying that He will.

Blessings,
Ted