Grace Moment by Moment-monthly column
Trust is an issue we all deal with at some point in our lives. We believe with absolute certainty we need to trust Someone or something in order to do more than survive each day. Yet, do we really practice implicitly trusting one another?
When Jesus and the disciples were out in the boat on the Sea of Galilee and a storm brewed up, tossing and turning the boat and its occupants every which way, only the disciples were afraid Jesus was in the stern sleeping like a baby rocked by the gentle motion of his parents' arms (Mark 4:35-38). The disciples after waking Jesus, questioned why He was not afraid. "Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace, be still." And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But [Jesus] said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" (Mark 4:39-40)
Then there is the story of a soldier on military campaign, who in the midst of battle dropped onto the ground where he stood, falling into a deep sleep. Before his eyes closed he was heard to say, "Jesus, please take guard duty for me." For over an hour as the battle continued to rage around him, and soldiers swore in fear, an eye witness reported seeing a sentinel standing guard while the tired soldier slept soundly.
Both of these ancedotes illustrate the point I'm making--to place trust in Someone or something, we need to let go of our greatest fear--failure.
We recently commemorated September 11, 2007, the sixth anniversary of 9/11. I pray none of us currently living will forget the Day America was driven to its knees before God, in recognition that absolute Evil actively works to destroy all that stands for God and good in this world.
The sobering reality we faced that day is that America is not invincible. We also lost our innocence in the sense that other nations viewed America and Americans as people that they could no longer trust. Our own ability to trust others was shattered as well. We can no longer look at each other in the eye and accept what we see at face value because we don't know if the person looking back could be out to get us killed.
That realization humbled us as a nation, but not in defeat as some might believe. Rather, it gave us freedom to surrender to Someone greater than all our perceived strength. The One who is still carrying us through the refining fire of tragedy to the Truth that our sense of security comes not from temporary measures like better weapons or tactical strength. But rather if we choose, from a relationship, with Himself, the eternal Sovereign God of the Ages, the Great I AM, Jesus Christ.
He alone can restore us as a people, a nation others can trust. But only if we place our trust in God will we be able to trust others again.
About Me
- Belle Anne Leslie
- I love to write poetry, fiction, non-fiction and feature articles!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
In God We Trust, Part One
Grace Moment by Moment-weekly column
Control is an illusion we try to convince ourselves we possess. What I learned is that we are never "in control" of anything. God, however, is "in control" of everything.
Here's an example: When Dad was placed on Hospice and I was confronted with his daily declining health I tried to keep my apartment clean and spotless. I reasoned that how clean my apartment was determined how much I had managed to deal with the looming reality that when Dad died I would be all alone. I didn't want to cope with all the murky memories, good and bad, of our lifelong relationship.
However after Dad's death, I began reading a journal I had kept during his prolonged illness. I discovered a simple, but profound Truth: while I was trying to comfort and prepare Dad to let go, he had done the same for me (Matthew 6:25-34).
In accepting that Truth I surrendered my will to God's Plan. True freedom of spirit, I found, lies in our willingness to trust God to know what is best for us even when it clashes with what we want or think we need.
I still struggle to trust. I find trusting God to be easier than trusting humans, because humans have become so morally flawed, they have grown careless about keeping their word. But I still try, because I know on that day when Christ returns, all of this pain-ravaged world will be set to rights again (I Corinthians 13:10-13).
Control is an illusion we try to convince ourselves we possess. What I learned is that we are never "in control" of anything. God, however, is "in control" of everything.
Here's an example: When Dad was placed on Hospice and I was confronted with his daily declining health I tried to keep my apartment clean and spotless. I reasoned that how clean my apartment was determined how much I had managed to deal with the looming reality that when Dad died I would be all alone. I didn't want to cope with all the murky memories, good and bad, of our lifelong relationship.
However after Dad's death, I began reading a journal I had kept during his prolonged illness. I discovered a simple, but profound Truth: while I was trying to comfort and prepare Dad to let go, he had done the same for me (Matthew 6:25-34).
In accepting that Truth I surrendered my will to God's Plan. True freedom of spirit, I found, lies in our willingness to trust God to know what is best for us even when it clashes with what we want or think we need.
I still struggle to trust. I find trusting God to be easier than trusting humans, because humans have become so morally flawed, they have grown careless about keeping their word. But I still try, because I know on that day when Christ returns, all of this pain-ravaged world will be set to rights again (I Corinthians 13:10-13).
Monday, July 16, 2007
Walking with God, Part Three
Grace Moment by Moment-column
For you who regularly visit this site, you know that just about everything I write revolves around God, in one form or fashion. Well, this past week God has impressed upon me that I need to share with you my personal testimony. "Why?" you might ask. I honestly don't know though I suspect it has something to do with actively surrendering my will to His, to serve Him and to worship Him.
When I was nineteen, I was diagnosed with MS--multiple sclerosis. The doctor told me to, "Go home and prepare to die." Talk about a shock! My whole world literally crashed to a halt. Instead of dating, going to college, or finding a job I was struggling to come to terms with a health condition, (for which there is still no known cure) learning how to use a walker, and most importantly, finding a reason to live. At that time there was no support group or assistance for people with MS, at least not in the northern part of Indiana.
Over the course of the last twenty years, God has taught me what it means to live in a state of Grace moment by moment, never knowing if I will wake up one morning, or not.
The fact is, we all face that uncertainty every moment of every day. We could walk out the door and be hit and killed by a car. The point I'm trying to make is this: in choosing to serve God with all that I am and all that I have or ever could be, I am (hopefully!) a reflection of His Grace to you.
This life I've been given is all about Jesus and what He can do for you. Like me, He can give you something more to live for! So, welcome back to the heart of Worship and walking with God.
Something More to Live For
As a teen,
I needed Someone on which to lean
who could fill the void in my soul.
my spirit seemed shriveled instead of whole.
People with fake smiles and insincere love made it hard to trust
so inside I became brittle like steel riddled with rust,
rather than soft and pliant like clay, able to adapt to any situation.
Then I was diagnosed with MS, a terminal health condition.
Suddenly, God entered the picture and I began to see
Him rearrange my life to better reflect His view of eternity.
I learned to roll with the punches instead of buckling under them,
by surrendering my will to His I experienced freedom from the bondage of sin.
Now I see the same struggle teens today live with
I know the times have changed, yet the Truth remains, what Jesus did
through honor: His sacrifice on Calvary
applied God's Grace to all humanity,
if we choose to believe
and if we're willing to do whatever it takes so others can receive
the chance to make the same choice.
Will you join your voice
to ours and sing?--
"Thank you Jesus, you are Lord of Lords and King of Kings!"
Written by:
Belle Anne Leslie
Written on:
July 4, 2007
Scripture References:
Isaiah 42:1-9 &
Isaiah 43:2
For you who regularly visit this site, you know that just about everything I write revolves around God, in one form or fashion. Well, this past week God has impressed upon me that I need to share with you my personal testimony. "Why?" you might ask. I honestly don't know though I suspect it has something to do with actively surrendering my will to His, to serve Him and to worship Him.
When I was nineteen, I was diagnosed with MS--multiple sclerosis. The doctor told me to, "Go home and prepare to die." Talk about a shock! My whole world literally crashed to a halt. Instead of dating, going to college, or finding a job I was struggling to come to terms with a health condition, (for which there is still no known cure) learning how to use a walker, and most importantly, finding a reason to live. At that time there was no support group or assistance for people with MS, at least not in the northern part of Indiana.
Over the course of the last twenty years, God has taught me what it means to live in a state of Grace moment by moment, never knowing if I will wake up one morning, or not.
The fact is, we all face that uncertainty every moment of every day. We could walk out the door and be hit and killed by a car. The point I'm trying to make is this: in choosing to serve God with all that I am and all that I have or ever could be, I am (hopefully!) a reflection of His Grace to you.
This life I've been given is all about Jesus and what He can do for you. Like me, He can give you something more to live for! So, welcome back to the heart of Worship and walking with God.
Something More to Live For
As a teen,
I needed Someone on which to lean
who could fill the void in my soul.
my spirit seemed shriveled instead of whole.
People with fake smiles and insincere love made it hard to trust
so inside I became brittle like steel riddled with rust,
rather than soft and pliant like clay, able to adapt to any situation.
Then I was diagnosed with MS, a terminal health condition.
Suddenly, God entered the picture and I began to see
Him rearrange my life to better reflect His view of eternity.
I learned to roll with the punches instead of buckling under them,
by surrendering my will to His I experienced freedom from the bondage of sin.
Now I see the same struggle teens today live with
I know the times have changed, yet the Truth remains, what Jesus did
through honor: His sacrifice on Calvary
applied God's Grace to all humanity,
if we choose to believe
and if we're willing to do whatever it takes so others can receive
the chance to make the same choice.
Will you join your voice
to ours and sing?--
"Thank you Jesus, you are Lord of Lords and King of Kings!"
Written by:
Belle Anne Leslie
Written on:
July 4, 2007
Scripture References:
Isaiah 42:1-9 &
Isaiah 43:2
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Walking with God, Part Two
Grace Moment by Moment-column
At the moment of salvation, Christ enters our being, illuminating all the dank, dark corners filled with dust, disuse and dirt. Christ rolled up His sleeves and started cleaning: first all the trash strewn about is bagged up and thrown out. Then He washed the walls, cleaned the corners and set up His office. The sign on the door reads "office hours: Open for Eternity." But wait a minute! Sin, like smoke, is pervasive and all encompassing. It seeps as an oily substance into the nooks and crannies of our hearts, lingering, waiting for the right time to strike out and surprise us with its power.
Just when we Christians think we are on track--witnessing, enjoying prosperity, standing firm in the faith, sailing along with no thought for the morrow or having to worry about consequences for wrong actions or bad decisions (after all, we are forgiven!). Wham! We hit a brick wall of resistance/reluctance and Christ draws our attention to something we've neglected to do--Trusting Him to lead and provide for us--its the whole reason He died. Christ suffered at God's request for us! With nothing to gain but bringing salvation through His death and resurrection to humanity for eternity. Why? Because He loves us. Why then do we get angry, frustrated or self-righteous when adversity comes into our lives?
God's design is that even through adversity, people who have never known God as anything other than a cuss word, will see Christ reflected in our lives. How we respond when trouble comes speaks volumes about the depth of our Christian faith more than anything we can say. The more we experience and observe through life, the more junk comes to the surface for Christ to clean so we better reflect Him to the world. In other words, Life as we know it, prepares us for eternity and while we might like to get out of suffering situations that seem to go on forever, it is not our right to dictate to God when or if we will. God alone knows the length of time required to teach us the true wisdom of walking with Him.
Walking with God means doing more than saying the words, living prosperously or planning for retirement. The act of walking implies listening to what is said, as well as implementing obediently to our lives, the advice that is given.
In the end, God's Wisdom is more precious than gold or silver, Trust in God more of a treasure than anything we might think we need.
At the moment of salvation, Christ enters our being, illuminating all the dank, dark corners filled with dust, disuse and dirt. Christ rolled up His sleeves and started cleaning: first all the trash strewn about is bagged up and thrown out. Then He washed the walls, cleaned the corners and set up His office. The sign on the door reads "office hours: Open for Eternity." But wait a minute! Sin, like smoke, is pervasive and all encompassing. It seeps as an oily substance into the nooks and crannies of our hearts, lingering, waiting for the right time to strike out and surprise us with its power.
Just when we Christians think we are on track--witnessing, enjoying prosperity, standing firm in the faith, sailing along with no thought for the morrow or having to worry about consequences for wrong actions or bad decisions (after all, we are forgiven!). Wham! We hit a brick wall of resistance/reluctance and Christ draws our attention to something we've neglected to do--Trusting Him to lead and provide for us--its the whole reason He died. Christ suffered at God's request for us! With nothing to gain but bringing salvation through His death and resurrection to humanity for eternity. Why? Because He loves us. Why then do we get angry, frustrated or self-righteous when adversity comes into our lives?
God's design is that even through adversity, people who have never known God as anything other than a cuss word, will see Christ reflected in our lives. How we respond when trouble comes speaks volumes about the depth of our Christian faith more than anything we can say. The more we experience and observe through life, the more junk comes to the surface for Christ to clean so we better reflect Him to the world. In other words, Life as we know it, prepares us for eternity and while we might like to get out of suffering situations that seem to go on forever, it is not our right to dictate to God when or if we will. God alone knows the length of time required to teach us the true wisdom of walking with Him.
Walking with God means doing more than saying the words, living prosperously or planning for retirement. The act of walking implies listening to what is said, as well as implementing obediently to our lives, the advice that is given.
In the end, God's Wisdom is more precious than gold or silver, Trust in God more of a treasure than anything we might think we need.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Walking with God, Part One
Grace Moment by Moment-monthly column
Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, God has expressed His Grace through His creation and wooing of humanity. From earliest times until now, God desires to have a personal relationship with people. A relationship that begins when we ask forgiveness for sin, believe Jesus has the authority to forgive our sin, and receive Him into our lives as Lord and Savior. When we do, Jesus gives us the strength and Grace to meet each day's challenges as they come. To "walk with God" is an expression of our faith and trust in God that while we may not understand or accept what circumstances we fall in, "we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
Walking with someone implies a willingness on our part to better ourselves, through exercise or good health, as a stress relief or to get away from something we don't want to face. Too often, we wear devices like an iPod w/headphones, or a CD player so we don't have to think. Yet, that is when we miss opportunities to dwell on the beauty that surrounds us in nature or the times we could contemplate what God has done in our lives. It is also when we stop listening to God and talking to Him that our spirit shrivels, our strength dries up and our growth to maturity stops.
"How can we change this about ourselves?" you ask. Well, I have a challenge for you.
Until I post my next column practice the art of Prayer Walking. Leave the iPods and CD players at home, take a friend and a journal or notebook w/pen or pencil with you and spend fifteen minutes a day listening to nature, noticing what goes on around you. As you strengthen your body, you'll notice a quiet stillness fill your mind and soul. Ask God what He wants you to do for Him, then write it down. Meditating on His Word (the Bible) as you walk orders your mind, clears away confusion, tangled thoughts and emotions. You will be surprised how refreshed and invigorated you feel afterward. Send some comments to me.
I will check before I post my next column to see what you have to say. God bless!
Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, God has expressed His Grace through His creation and wooing of humanity. From earliest times until now, God desires to have a personal relationship with people. A relationship that begins when we ask forgiveness for sin, believe Jesus has the authority to forgive our sin, and receive Him into our lives as Lord and Savior. When we do, Jesus gives us the strength and Grace to meet each day's challenges as they come. To "walk with God" is an expression of our faith and trust in God that while we may not understand or accept what circumstances we fall in, "we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
Walking with someone implies a willingness on our part to better ourselves, through exercise or good health, as a stress relief or to get away from something we don't want to face. Too often, we wear devices like an iPod w/headphones, or a CD player so we don't have to think. Yet, that is when we miss opportunities to dwell on the beauty that surrounds us in nature or the times we could contemplate what God has done in our lives. It is also when we stop listening to God and talking to Him that our spirit shrivels, our strength dries up and our growth to maturity stops.
"How can we change this about ourselves?" you ask. Well, I have a challenge for you.
Until I post my next column practice the art of Prayer Walking. Leave the iPods and CD players at home, take a friend and a journal or notebook w/pen or pencil with you and spend fifteen minutes a day listening to nature, noticing what goes on around you. As you strengthen your body, you'll notice a quiet stillness fill your mind and soul. Ask God what He wants you to do for Him, then write it down. Meditating on His Word (the Bible) as you walk orders your mind, clears away confusion, tangled thoughts and emotions. You will be surprised how refreshed and invigorated you feel afterward. Send some comments to me.
I will check before I post my next column to see what you have to say. God bless!
Monday, February 26, 2007
What is Your Safety Net?
Grace Moment by Moment-weekly column
When all of the world seems to conspire against you, and the ground beneath is shifting sand, what do you place your trust in? Who do you turn to when everything you have is stripped away? I'd like to share with you the answers I've found.
To start with, some people strive to be financially secure, deeming it all important as a safety net. They've bought into the hype that they need more "than what they have to save for a rainy day." Because it represents stability in uncertain economic times. Other reasons might be provision for serious medical bills down the road, retirement, travel, etc. None of these goals are wrong, I might add, to pursue. However, when people fall into the trap of viewing others without the means to do this as slackers, irresponsible, or not worthy to know personally that it becomes a question of poor moral ethics. Most everyone I know who is poor or of a low to middle income struggles to make ends meet. Some even work 2 or more jobs and still need help to put food on the table.
For some people, power, that prestigious but most elusive of goals is the ultimate safety net. Fame, in the form of public recognition becomes the name of the game. For still others, status equates with security, be it cars, new homes, new clothes, whatever fits works. 'Who better to judge me than me?' is the core mentality of this trap.
Alas! All of these are jyst symbols, none can provide you with the assurance of eternal security as only God can and will. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:11-13 had the right idea, "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity, in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Christ who stregthens me."
Life, with all of its flaws, foibles, and misguided tendencies is fleeting. Life passes away, and you can't take anything with you, except faith in God.
God does expect you to save and spend wisely what you recive or earn in this life, but He also expects each of us to remember who holds you up when everything is gone--Him.
We are to honor God not just with words, but with actions, as well. In surrendering to His Will for us, there is sacrifice true, but there is also triumph. Freedom to fail, and get back up to start again. Triumphant freedom to trust in Someone bigger and better than ourselves who will Never Fail! A freedom to live life fully, unconditionally embracing God's Love and Grace to share it with another who needs it more than we do. That is why I choose life,I choose God as my safety net. What is yours?
When all of the world seems to conspire against you, and the ground beneath is shifting sand, what do you place your trust in? Who do you turn to when everything you have is stripped away? I'd like to share with you the answers I've found.
To start with, some people strive to be financially secure, deeming it all important as a safety net. They've bought into the hype that they need more "than what they have to save for a rainy day." Because it represents stability in uncertain economic times. Other reasons might be provision for serious medical bills down the road, retirement, travel, etc. None of these goals are wrong, I might add, to pursue. However, when people fall into the trap of viewing others without the means to do this as slackers, irresponsible, or not worthy to know personally that it becomes a question of poor moral ethics. Most everyone I know who is poor or of a low to middle income struggles to make ends meet. Some even work 2 or more jobs and still need help to put food on the table.
For some people, power, that prestigious but most elusive of goals is the ultimate safety net. Fame, in the form of public recognition becomes the name of the game. For still others, status equates with security, be it cars, new homes, new clothes, whatever fits works. 'Who better to judge me than me?' is the core mentality of this trap.
Alas! All of these are jyst symbols, none can provide you with the assurance of eternal security as only God can and will. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:11-13 had the right idea, "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity, in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Christ who stregthens me."
Life, with all of its flaws, foibles, and misguided tendencies is fleeting. Life passes away, and you can't take anything with you, except faith in God.
God does expect you to save and spend wisely what you recive or earn in this life, but He also expects each of us to remember who holds you up when everything is gone--Him.
We are to honor God not just with words, but with actions, as well. In surrendering to His Will for us, there is sacrifice true, but there is also triumph. Freedom to fail, and get back up to start again. Triumphant freedom to trust in Someone bigger and better than ourselves who will Never Fail! A freedom to live life fully, unconditionally embracing God's Love and Grace to share it with another who needs it more than we do. That is why I choose life,I choose God as my safety net. What is yours?
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
A Spirit for Missions, Part One
Grace Moment by Moment-weekly column
It's been eight weeks, give or take a day or two, since I last posted anything. Sorry about that! I've been swamped with homework for a college class on Missions. Which brings me to the subject for this post.
Ever since the fire at my church-Albright UM Church in Mishawaka, IN- God has placed a burden on my heart for missions. Specifically, overseas missions. You know, we have so much to be thankful for here in America. Freedoms that include the right to free speech, to free press, to religion, and to assemble peaceably in public. But in other countries these rights are restricted or abolished at the whim of political or religious intolerance. Repression of expression is the norm, and cultural differences are considered just as dangerous. I believe, however, that Jesus Christ died for all the world, and that even now He sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding, ahh . . . praying on our (the world's) behalf, so that those who have never heard will have the chance to do so. And those who have, will experience the urgent desire to share what they know with everyone they meet.
All it takes is one willing person to ask God in faith, 'What would you have me to do to bring the Light of God's Word to people who have never heard?' Then go out and do it. Will you accept that challenge?
It's been eight weeks, give or take a day or two, since I last posted anything. Sorry about that! I've been swamped with homework for a college class on Missions. Which brings me to the subject for this post.
Ever since the fire at my church-Albright UM Church in Mishawaka, IN- God has placed a burden on my heart for missions. Specifically, overseas missions. You know, we have so much to be thankful for here in America. Freedoms that include the right to free speech, to free press, to religion, and to assemble peaceably in public. But in other countries these rights are restricted or abolished at the whim of political or religious intolerance. Repression of expression is the norm, and cultural differences are considered just as dangerous. I believe, however, that Jesus Christ died for all the world, and that even now He sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding, ahh . . . praying on our (the world's) behalf, so that those who have never heard will have the chance to do so. And those who have, will experience the urgent desire to share what they know with everyone they meet.
All it takes is one willing person to ask God in faith, 'What would you have me to do to bring the Light of God's Word to people who have never heard?' Then go out and do it. Will you accept that challenge?
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