Robert J. Wieland
There are times when everything has seemed to go wrong, and deep, dark disappointment overwhelms us.
The temptation is fierce—for us to think that the Lord has forsaken us.
But He has promised solemnly, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5).
The Father was forced to withdraw His beams of light from His only Son while He hung on His cross. Jesus screamed in agony, “My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46). The Father never truly forsook His only Son dying on His cross; but He was forced to permit Jesus to feel totally forsaken, so that we should never have to feel that way!
To feel totally forsaken by the Lord is a terrible experience; and for one to believe it, would be a sin, for He has promised never to “leave us nor forsake us.” Yes, to disbelieve what the Lord has promised would be a sin which we would want to repent of immediately.
To be tempted is not itself sin; thus, it is not a sin to feel forsaken by the Lord. The sin comes when we believe Satan’s lie to disbelieve what God has promised.
What Satan wants is to break our hold on the Lord and thus to separate our souls from Him. Satan wants to drag us out into the cold dark emptiness of hell—which is eternal forsakenness by the Lord.
Jesus has saved us from that—forever. Now make your heart choice to believe that truth; pray with the distraught father in Mark 9, “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief” (vs. 24). You can never perish while you cling to that desperate prayer.
Why does the Lord permit you to go through this desperate experience?
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
What delayed the flight?
Reva Lachica Moore
I’m a very punctual person. In all my appointments, I’m usually in the meeting place half an hour or more ahead of schedule. I give myself enough time for unexpected delays such as traffic jams.
Flying from Phoenix the other day, I woke up J.R. early to get ready. After a quick breakfast at the hotel, we drove to the car rental place, and then took the shuttle back to the airport. We arrived at the terminal three hours before our departure time of 12:00 noon. I felt good even though J.R. kept chuckling for our being such early birds.
We found our gate and noticed that our scheduled time of departure had been changed to 1:30 p.m. One and a half hours later. This did not alarm us because we had almost three hours layover in Memphis and plenty of time to catch our next flight.
In the gate next to ours, due to the delay of the flights, they had announced free travel vouchers for 8 people who would like to give up their seats. It was obvious that many flights were delayed that morning.
We boarded the plane and three hours later, we landed in Memphis.
But a few others on our plane missed their next flights. The woman sitting next to me on her way to Washington was rerouted to Memphis, and she didn’t know why.
A woman grumbled for missing her plane. Someone tried to quiet her down.
After the plane landed in Memphis, we only had 45 minutes to go to our next gate. We quickly grabbed sandwiches and drink, scurried to our gate and gobbled down our food as soon as we sat down. I noticed that there were only a few passengers in the waiting area. “Where is everybody?” I asked J.R.
A few minutes later I glanced at the gate monitor and noticed our departure time had been changed from 7:30 p.m. to 8:53 p.m. I was puzzled because 8:53 p.m. was our supposedly arrival time in Baton Rouge. The other passengers were concerned, too.
What had caused the delay? There was no storm. No fog. What’s going on? I walked over to the counter to find out.
“Sir, are we delayed? And why?” I asked.
“President Bush was in Phoenix and had just arrived in Maryland. All flights are delayed!” The flight attendant replied.
“Yes, I know! I just came from Phoenix!” I exclaimed, for I suddenly remembered the unusual sight I saw while in the shuttle on our way to the Phoenix Airport that morning.
The shuttle bus driver had announced, “Hey folks, if you’ve not seen Air Force One before, there it is on your left!”
We stretched our necks and surely there it was! The President’s jet! Its name: United States of America. The U.S. President was in Phoenix the day before for a fundraising campaign.
And when we arrived at our departure gate in Phoenix that morning, another passenger remarked that Air Force One had just left. From the huge glass window, we saw a convoy of black SUVs and a fire truck headed to the other side of the airport.
“The security people cannot take a chance in having planes take off or land when the President’s jet is around,” J.R. said.
It did not occur to me that every precautionary step had to be taken for the safety of the U.S. President.
Wow! The most important man in the whole world was able to delay the flights!
Then I thought of yet another very important Being. One more important than President Bush. “Jesus Christ,” the King of Kings of the whole Universe! Our Creator God Who one day will come, unannounced, with a convoy of countless angels. He will not just stop all the flights. He will stop every activity of man in this world. And when He does, there is no resuming of any activity, except for those who will go to His heavenly place with Him.
I’m a very punctual person. In all my appointments, I’m usually in the meeting place half an hour or more ahead of schedule. I give myself enough time for unexpected delays such as traffic jams.
Flying from Phoenix the other day, I woke up J.R. early to get ready. After a quick breakfast at the hotel, we drove to the car rental place, and then took the shuttle back to the airport. We arrived at the terminal three hours before our departure time of 12:00 noon. I felt good even though J.R. kept chuckling for our being such early birds.
We found our gate and noticed that our scheduled time of departure had been changed to 1:30 p.m. One and a half hours later. This did not alarm us because we had almost three hours layover in Memphis and plenty of time to catch our next flight.
In the gate next to ours, due to the delay of the flights, they had announced free travel vouchers for 8 people who would like to give up their seats. It was obvious that many flights were delayed that morning.
We boarded the plane and three hours later, we landed in Memphis.
But a few others on our plane missed their next flights. The woman sitting next to me on her way to Washington was rerouted to Memphis, and she didn’t know why.
A woman grumbled for missing her plane. Someone tried to quiet her down.
After the plane landed in Memphis, we only had 45 minutes to go to our next gate. We quickly grabbed sandwiches and drink, scurried to our gate and gobbled down our food as soon as we sat down. I noticed that there were only a few passengers in the waiting area. “Where is everybody?” I asked J.R.
A few minutes later I glanced at the gate monitor and noticed our departure time had been changed from 7:30 p.m. to 8:53 p.m. I was puzzled because 8:53 p.m. was our supposedly arrival time in Baton Rouge. The other passengers were concerned, too.
What had caused the delay? There was no storm. No fog. What’s going on? I walked over to the counter to find out.
“Sir, are we delayed? And why?” I asked.
“President Bush was in Phoenix and had just arrived in Maryland. All flights are delayed!” The flight attendant replied.
“Yes, I know! I just came from Phoenix!” I exclaimed, for I suddenly remembered the unusual sight I saw while in the shuttle on our way to the Phoenix Airport that morning.
The shuttle bus driver had announced, “Hey folks, if you’ve not seen Air Force One before, there it is on your left!”
We stretched our necks and surely there it was! The President’s jet! Its name: United States of America. The U.S. President was in Phoenix the day before for a fundraising campaign.
And when we arrived at our departure gate in Phoenix that morning, another passenger remarked that Air Force One had just left. From the huge glass window, we saw a convoy of black SUVs and a fire truck headed to the other side of the airport.
“The security people cannot take a chance in having planes take off or land when the President’s jet is around,” J.R. said.
It did not occur to me that every precautionary step had to be taken for the safety of the U.S. President.
Wow! The most important man in the whole world was able to delay the flights!
Then I thought of yet another very important Being. One more important than President Bush. “Jesus Christ,” the King of Kings of the whole Universe! Our Creator God Who one day will come, unannounced, with a convoy of countless angels. He will not just stop all the flights. He will stop every activity of man in this world. And when He does, there is no resuming of any activity, except for those who will go to His heavenly place with Him.
In the Middle of the Night
Reva Lachica Moore
Emely awakened at 2 a.m. with a sense that something was wrong. As she became aware of her surroundings, she felt everything in the house was fine. The feeling seemed to overwhelm her and she couldn’t go back to sleep. Was God trying to tell her something? Was it her mom far away in California ? She got out of bed, went to her computer and checked her e-mail. But there was nothing. Urgent news will not come in an e-mail anyway. Later that morning she called her mom to see how she was doing. There were no problems.
The next night at 2:00 a.m. there was the same awakening and the same strange feeling. She had recently retired; life was full of happiness and joy. But what was it? Could it be one of her married children or perhaps a grandchild? Because it was the middle of the night, she did not want to call anyone. Besides, if something was urgent, wouldn’t they call her?
Unable to sleep, she again returned to her computer to check her e-mail. There was nothing but the usual junk mail and a few notes from some old friends. After what seemed hours, sleep finally returned to her. Calls to her family later in the day indicated that everything was fine and mom should not worry so much.
In the third night, it was the same 2:00 a.m. awakening. This was not fun! Emely poured out her heart to the Lord, requesting His guidance and relief from the strange awakening. Again, she returned to her computer to check e-mail (hadn’t she done this before she went to bed?). This time there was a message from someone she did not know. Should she open it, risking the chance of getting a virus?
Of course she opened the e-mail. There it was: THE CALL. But hadn’t she retired? Wasn’t she too worked out to serve? Besides, the writer was someone she had never heard of; and he wanted her to become a principal, and not just of a small school as was her last school, but a K-12 school. And where was this place, in the middle of the Pacific, on some atoll she had never heard of? And, oh yes, it was a volunteer job with just a stipend. Who in their right mind would come out of retirement to do that?
Oh, and another thing, there was her husband Bill. They had only recently married. Bill had a good job and was not planning on retiring for three more years. Was she to leave him? In the middle of the night her mind was swarming with excuses and reasons to delete this crazy message. But why was she awakened for three consecutive nights? So she would not miss this e-mail from the other side of the world?
Strangely enough, she soon fell into a deep sleep and had the best night’s sleep she had in 72 hours. The morning’s explanations to Bill brought more questions and some serious discussions.
There was just no way that Bill could leave his job and what about the family debts? This was a crazy idea. But had he not told the Lord earlier this year that he would serve him any way he could? That is why he had taken the job of head deacon in the small church that really needed him.
Emely quietly reviewed the e-mail but gave no answer. Bill contemplated out loud and the family told them they would be crazy to even consider it. Wasn’t it time for them to kick back and enjoy life? THE CALL was ever present in their minds. After about 10 days, Bill had worked out almost everything. He could retire and start drawing his pension. He could be debt-free, and there was a buyer for his house. Emely’s mind was also made up. If Bill would come, she would do it.
Fourteen days after the e-mail was written, Keith Rodman thought that his inquiry was at a dead end. Perhaps the e-mail address was no longer valid. Who would give up retirement to be the principal on an atoll only half a mile wide and 30 miles long?
In the middle of the Guam night, Keith received the answer: “Yes, we are willing to come for two years of volunteer service.”
For just a stipend per month, leaving their family and friends, Emely and Bill took the call as volunteer teachers in Majuro Island .
Bill and Emely have since come back home from their 2-year volunteer missionary work in Majuro. The wonderful experiences and the many friends they have made there, they will forever cherish.
Emely awakened at 2 a.m. with a sense that something was wrong. As she became aware of her surroundings, she felt everything in the house was fine. The feeling seemed to overwhelm her and she couldn’t go back to sleep. Was God trying to tell her something? Was it her mom far away in California ? She got out of bed, went to her computer and checked her e-mail. But there was nothing. Urgent news will not come in an e-mail anyway. Later that morning she called her mom to see how she was doing. There were no problems.
The next night at 2:00 a.m. there was the same awakening and the same strange feeling. She had recently retired; life was full of happiness and joy. But what was it? Could it be one of her married children or perhaps a grandchild? Because it was the middle of the night, she did not want to call anyone. Besides, if something was urgent, wouldn’t they call her?
Unable to sleep, she again returned to her computer to check her e-mail. There was nothing but the usual junk mail and a few notes from some old friends. After what seemed hours, sleep finally returned to her. Calls to her family later in the day indicated that everything was fine and mom should not worry so much.
In the third night, it was the same 2:00 a.m. awakening. This was not fun! Emely poured out her heart to the Lord, requesting His guidance and relief from the strange awakening. Again, she returned to her computer to check e-mail (hadn’t she done this before she went to bed?). This time there was a message from someone she did not know. Should she open it, risking the chance of getting a virus?
Of course she opened the e-mail. There it was: THE CALL. But hadn’t she retired? Wasn’t she too worked out to serve? Besides, the writer was someone she had never heard of; and he wanted her to become a principal, and not just of a small school as was her last school, but a K-12 school. And where was this place, in the middle of the Pacific, on some atoll she had never heard of? And, oh yes, it was a volunteer job with just a stipend. Who in their right mind would come out of retirement to do that?
Oh, and another thing, there was her husband Bill. They had only recently married. Bill had a good job and was not planning on retiring for three more years. Was she to leave him? In the middle of the night her mind was swarming with excuses and reasons to delete this crazy message. But why was she awakened for three consecutive nights? So she would not miss this e-mail from the other side of the world?
Strangely enough, she soon fell into a deep sleep and had the best night’s sleep she had in 72 hours. The morning’s explanations to Bill brought more questions and some serious discussions.
There was just no way that Bill could leave his job and what about the family debts? This was a crazy idea. But had he not told the Lord earlier this year that he would serve him any way he could? That is why he had taken the job of head deacon in the small church that really needed him.
Emely quietly reviewed the e-mail but gave no answer. Bill contemplated out loud and the family told them they would be crazy to even consider it. Wasn’t it time for them to kick back and enjoy life? THE CALL was ever present in their minds. After about 10 days, Bill had worked out almost everything. He could retire and start drawing his pension. He could be debt-free, and there was a buyer for his house. Emely’s mind was also made up. If Bill would come, she would do it.
Fourteen days after the e-mail was written, Keith Rodman thought that his inquiry was at a dead end. Perhaps the e-mail address was no longer valid. Who would give up retirement to be the principal on an atoll only half a mile wide and 30 miles long?
In the middle of the Guam night, Keith received the answer: “Yes, we are willing to come for two years of volunteer service.”
For just a stipend per month, leaving their family and friends, Emely and Bill took the call as volunteer teachers in Majuro Island .
Bill and Emely have since come back home from their 2-year volunteer missionary work in Majuro. The wonderful experiences and the many friends they have made there, they will forever cherish.
The Room with a Rim View
Reva Lachica Moore
In our many travels, as we drive along country sides or crowded cities and I’d spot a certain type of house, I’d point to it and play a “Question and Answer” game with J.R. I would usually ask the questions.
“How’d you like to live there?”
“Nope!”
“How about there? How would you like to live there?”
“Nope!”
I’d wait a while and after an hour or so, I’d spot another house and my questioning would resume.
“How’d you like to live there?”
“Absolutely not! Who would live in a God-forsaken place like that?”
Then I’d chuckle. Glancing at J.R., I’d see his lips curve into a forced smile. Then I’d ask, “Didn’t you say you’d live with me wherever I choose to live on this earth?”
“But you don’t live there,” he answers. Then we’d both laugh.
I usually ask these questions while pointing to houses with varied sizes and looks. Most are small. Some shacks. Some with yards littered with junk like old cars. A few are exceptionally nice. Once in a while when I’d see a nice town, I’d ask the same question. Every once in a while J.R.’s answer would be: “Maybe.” But most often, “Nope!”
Last week while driving along the Mojave Desert, we saw a mansion-looking house on the side of a hill. I asked the same question and got the same answer—“Nope!”
I realized then that the main reason why J.R. doesn’t want to live in the houses I had pointed to is because the houses are isolated. They’re in the middle of a desert. Or on top of a mountain. On the side of a cliff. In the middle of a field. Alone. With barren or ugly surroundings. No neighbors in sight. And miles away from towns.
We both realized how blessed we are to have a comfortable home with a big yard, many trees, and around neighbors. When we see these isolated houses, we wonder how people could live in them. We also knew that even Christ, when He lived on this earth, didn’t live in a mansion. He lived the poor life of a carpenter.
Matthew 8:20 says… “And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
And though there was no room in the inn for Jesus during His birth, because of God’s love for us, He wants us to live comfortably and in beautiful places.
During our recent trip to the Grand Canyon, we had planned to drive to the North Rim after a three-day stay in the South Rim. Two weeks before our trip, J.R. checked the Internet and made phone calls for three successive days to reserve a room at the North Rim’s Grand Canyon Lodge. Each day was a disappointment. He realized he had acted too late. A cabin in the Lodge had to be reserved 6 months to 2 years ahead of time. Upon seeing J.R.’s disappointment, I suggested that he make another phone call and say these words: “Would there be one in a million chances that you would have a room for me?”
While J.R. dialed, I breathed a prayer asking God to give us a room, for the other accommodations were an hour or so away.
“Really? You have a vacancy?” I heard J.R. ask, and then he nodded at me.
We didn’t have a hard time finding a hotel room in the South Rim of the Canyon. We stayed there for three days. The view was simply breathtaking!
From the South Rim, the drive to the North Rim took 4 hours. But the many miles of the scenic Vermillion Cliffs along the way awed us; we didn’t notice the time.
At the Grand Canyon Lodge, J.R. went straight to the counter to ask for our cabin. The receptionist asked how long ago did J.R. reserve the cabin and how did he get one with a “rim” view. When he answered, “Two weeks,” the receptionist said there must have been a cancellation. She told us to come back an hour later. The cabin wasn’t ready.
To pass the time we decided to view the Canyon. Many people sat on the spacious veranda taking in its awesome beauty. Others walked the narrow paths to overlooks with railings. Next to the Lodge was a beautiful cabin. I took a picture of it and said, “God, it would surely be nice to have a cabin like that.”
Back at the Lodge, the lady gave us our cabin key (#301). Surprisingly, it was the same cabin I took a picture of earlier. A porter brought in our luggage and asked, “Did you know that to get this cabin, you have to reserve it 3 years in advance? There are only two cabins with porches overlooking the North Rim.”
We were stunned but thankful. Folks who passed by our cabin commented that indeed we had the best view.
And so I asked J.R. the same question.
“How’d you like to live here?”
“Absolutely yes! Who wouldn’t like to have a backyard like that?”
As we sat on rocking chairs watching the sunset from our cabin porch, we thanked God for His amazing handiwork—a creation, which no man can ever reproduce. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon is 277 miles long with an average of 10 miles in width and an average of 1 mile in depth. Its magnitude and unsurpassed beauty tells of a very powerful and loving God.
In our many travels, as we drive along country sides or crowded cities and I’d spot a certain type of house, I’d point to it and play a “Question and Answer” game with J.R. I would usually ask the questions.
“How’d you like to live there?”
“Nope!”
“How about there? How would you like to live there?”
“Nope!”
I’d wait a while and after an hour or so, I’d spot another house and my questioning would resume.
“How’d you like to live there?”
“Absolutely not! Who would live in a God-forsaken place like that?”
Then I’d chuckle. Glancing at J.R., I’d see his lips curve into a forced smile. Then I’d ask, “Didn’t you say you’d live with me wherever I choose to live on this earth?”
“But you don’t live there,” he answers. Then we’d both laugh.
I usually ask these questions while pointing to houses with varied sizes and looks. Most are small. Some shacks. Some with yards littered with junk like old cars. A few are exceptionally nice. Once in a while when I’d see a nice town, I’d ask the same question. Every once in a while J.R.’s answer would be: “Maybe.” But most often, “Nope!”
Last week while driving along the Mojave Desert, we saw a mansion-looking house on the side of a hill. I asked the same question and got the same answer—“Nope!”
I realized then that the main reason why J.R. doesn’t want to live in the houses I had pointed to is because the houses are isolated. They’re in the middle of a desert. Or on top of a mountain. On the side of a cliff. In the middle of a field. Alone. With barren or ugly surroundings. No neighbors in sight. And miles away from towns.
We both realized how blessed we are to have a comfortable home with a big yard, many trees, and around neighbors. When we see these isolated houses, we wonder how people could live in them. We also knew that even Christ, when He lived on this earth, didn’t live in a mansion. He lived the poor life of a carpenter.
Matthew 8:20 says… “And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
And though there was no room in the inn for Jesus during His birth, because of God’s love for us, He wants us to live comfortably and in beautiful places.
During our recent trip to the Grand Canyon, we had planned to drive to the North Rim after a three-day stay in the South Rim. Two weeks before our trip, J.R. checked the Internet and made phone calls for three successive days to reserve a room at the North Rim’s Grand Canyon Lodge. Each day was a disappointment. He realized he had acted too late. A cabin in the Lodge had to be reserved 6 months to 2 years ahead of time. Upon seeing J.R.’s disappointment, I suggested that he make another phone call and say these words: “Would there be one in a million chances that you would have a room for me?”
While J.R. dialed, I breathed a prayer asking God to give us a room, for the other accommodations were an hour or so away.
“Really? You have a vacancy?” I heard J.R. ask, and then he nodded at me.
We didn’t have a hard time finding a hotel room in the South Rim of the Canyon. We stayed there for three days. The view was simply breathtaking!
From the South Rim, the drive to the North Rim took 4 hours. But the many miles of the scenic Vermillion Cliffs along the way awed us; we didn’t notice the time.
At the Grand Canyon Lodge, J.R. went straight to the counter to ask for our cabin. The receptionist asked how long ago did J.R. reserve the cabin and how did he get one with a “rim” view. When he answered, “Two weeks,” the receptionist said there must have been a cancellation. She told us to come back an hour later. The cabin wasn’t ready.
To pass the time we decided to view the Canyon. Many people sat on the spacious veranda taking in its awesome beauty. Others walked the narrow paths to overlooks with railings. Next to the Lodge was a beautiful cabin. I took a picture of it and said, “God, it would surely be nice to have a cabin like that.”
Back at the Lodge, the lady gave us our cabin key (#301). Surprisingly, it was the same cabin I took a picture of earlier. A porter brought in our luggage and asked, “Did you know that to get this cabin, you have to reserve it 3 years in advance? There are only two cabins with porches overlooking the North Rim.”
We were stunned but thankful. Folks who passed by our cabin commented that indeed we had the best view.
And so I asked J.R. the same question.
“How’d you like to live here?”
“Absolutely yes! Who wouldn’t like to have a backyard like that?”
As we sat on rocking chairs watching the sunset from our cabin porch, we thanked God for His amazing handiwork—a creation, which no man can ever reproduce. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon is 277 miles long with an average of 10 miles in width and an average of 1 mile in depth. Its magnitude and unsurpassed beauty tells of a very powerful and loving God.
Leaving An Indelible Mark
Reva Lachica Wallace
(This Sharing Time was written back in 2002 when I was a widow).
With the start of a New Year, I couldn't help but reflect back on my life. Have I been the best example of a friend, daughter, mother, or even a stranger? I have to admit I never even tried nor thought of being one. Two weeks ago, my son Adam lamented on the absence of Christmas decorations in our home. Looking for an excuse, I was quick to say, "I just don't have the incentive anymore." "But Mom, Cliff and I are still here with you," the boy retorted. He was right. For the past four Christmases after my husband's death, not a single Christmas decoration had left its place in the closet. My reason: during the first two years, even Adam, himself, said, "With daddy gone, there's no use to have a Christmas tree." So I thought it right to continue; but with Adam's complaints, I realized I'd been leaving an unhappy mark in their memories the past few Christmases. Everyday, everywhere, we leave indelible marks in places and in people's hearts. Two years ago my son Cliff, a medical technologist, came home from his first day of work at the Our Lady of the Lake Hospital here in Baton Rouge. He said that many people remembered him when he was just a toddler. I used to take him to the laboratory. "Are you Reva's son? How is she?" asked those who remembered me when I worked there some twenty years ago. Cliff said that someone brought pictures of me the following day to show him. They talked about how a good worker I was. I haven't been back to that old lab since I left, and probably would notremember even a face. How do these people remember me? I worked there for only 4 months (notice NOT years). My son said, "Mom, you told me once a long time ago that you drew pictures of hematology cells and posted them in front of the microscopes. Do you know those pictures are still there and we're still using them?" I was very surprised. In the four months that I worked in that lab, I had scrubbed every inch of space to perfection and meticulously drawn those pictures. And 20 years later, they're still being used? Every once in a while, I'd run into folks who'd remind me about the times I had prayed with them, or helped in some kind of way. I received these e-mails not too long ago: "You are always so kind and generous. I will never forget the time when I went to visit you nearly 10 years ago. I don't know if you remember, but you took me shopping and told me to pick anything I wanted. Never in my life had anyone told me or offered anything like it. I felt like my Christmas came all at once. If only you know how I feel. That memory will always be with me for the rest of my life. Thanks again!" ~ Joy from Australia"Ma'am, I just want to tell you that you have forever changed my life for the better." ~ Pastor Rudny from the Philippines"Ma'am, You don't know me but someone gave me a copy of your letter about Jesus. For someone like you who now lives in America, you still have the humbleness and love to think of us people here in the Philippines." ~ Evelyn"Mom Reva, I hope that I'll be able to pay back your sacrifice to send me to college. If not to you, maybe to others." ~ adopted son - Reuben Villanueva ( Adventist University of the Philippines)But I wish I could say that the indelible marks I've left were all pleasant. Unfortunately, not all. I have a friend who will probably never forgive me for a tactless remark that I made, telling him that a certain person is a better pianist than he. In my hopes to spark interest in him to like my girlfriend pianist, I jokingly said those words. But instead, my not-well-thought out words were like daggers piercing his heart. And I've asked for forgiveness many times. This friend still refuses to talk with me. Sometimes in our frustrations, we also say the most horrible things, especially to our loved ones. Yet, we are on our best behavior with others. Hurting words once said cannot be taken back. It can gnaw on one's person forever. I remember some very hurting words said to me when I was 8 years old. A neighbor who was visiting, made a remark to my mother, saying that of her seven daughters (pointing at me) I was the ugliest. Those hurting words never left me and I carried them through the years. Because of those words, my self-esteem was very low for a long long time. How cruel could this neighbor be? Forty years later I ran into the same neighbor while in California. She couldn't recognize me of course. I wished to have told her how much she had hurt me. And for next year, I promised my sons that we'll have festive Christmas decorations all over the house again. This New Year, may we make it our goal to leave beautiful and loving indelible marks in people's hearts. May we not become too busy to say loving words, and to fill the needs, not only of our loved ones, but also of others. The Lord bless.
(This Sharing Time was written back in 2002 when I was a widow).
With the start of a New Year, I couldn't help but reflect back on my life. Have I been the best example of a friend, daughter, mother, or even a stranger? I have to admit I never even tried nor thought of being one. Two weeks ago, my son Adam lamented on the absence of Christmas decorations in our home. Looking for an excuse, I was quick to say, "I just don't have the incentive anymore." "But Mom, Cliff and I are still here with you," the boy retorted. He was right. For the past four Christmases after my husband's death, not a single Christmas decoration had left its place in the closet. My reason: during the first two years, even Adam, himself, said, "With daddy gone, there's no use to have a Christmas tree." So I thought it right to continue; but with Adam's complaints, I realized I'd been leaving an unhappy mark in their memories the past few Christmases. Everyday, everywhere, we leave indelible marks in places and in people's hearts. Two years ago my son Cliff, a medical technologist, came home from his first day of work at the Our Lady of the Lake Hospital here in Baton Rouge. He said that many people remembered him when he was just a toddler. I used to take him to the laboratory. "Are you Reva's son? How is she?" asked those who remembered me when I worked there some twenty years ago. Cliff said that someone brought pictures of me the following day to show him. They talked about how a good worker I was. I haven't been back to that old lab since I left, and probably would notremember even a face. How do these people remember me? I worked there for only 4 months (notice NOT years). My son said, "Mom, you told me once a long time ago that you drew pictures of hematology cells and posted them in front of the microscopes. Do you know those pictures are still there and we're still using them?" I was very surprised. In the four months that I worked in that lab, I had scrubbed every inch of space to perfection and meticulously drawn those pictures. And 20 years later, they're still being used? Every once in a while, I'd run into folks who'd remind me about the times I had prayed with them, or helped in some kind of way. I received these e-mails not too long ago: "You are always so kind and generous. I will never forget the time when I went to visit you nearly 10 years ago. I don't know if you remember, but you took me shopping and told me to pick anything I wanted. Never in my life had anyone told me or offered anything like it. I felt like my Christmas came all at once. If only you know how I feel. That memory will always be with me for the rest of my life. Thanks again!" ~ Joy from Australia"Ma'am, I just want to tell you that you have forever changed my life for the better." ~ Pastor Rudny from the Philippines"Ma'am, You don't know me but someone gave me a copy of your letter about Jesus. For someone like you who now lives in America, you still have the humbleness and love to think of us people here in the Philippines." ~ Evelyn"Mom Reva, I hope that I'll be able to pay back your sacrifice to send me to college. If not to you, maybe to others." ~ adopted son - Reuben Villanueva ( Adventist University of the Philippines)But I wish I could say that the indelible marks I've left were all pleasant. Unfortunately, not all. I have a friend who will probably never forgive me for a tactless remark that I made, telling him that a certain person is a better pianist than he. In my hopes to spark interest in him to like my girlfriend pianist, I jokingly said those words. But instead, my not-well-thought out words were like daggers piercing his heart. And I've asked for forgiveness many times. This friend still refuses to talk with me. Sometimes in our frustrations, we also say the most horrible things, especially to our loved ones. Yet, we are on our best behavior with others. Hurting words once said cannot be taken back. It can gnaw on one's person forever. I remember some very hurting words said to me when I was 8 years old. A neighbor who was visiting, made a remark to my mother, saying that of her seven daughters (pointing at me) I was the ugliest. Those hurting words never left me and I carried them through the years. Because of those words, my self-esteem was very low for a long long time. How cruel could this neighbor be? Forty years later I ran into the same neighbor while in California. She couldn't recognize me of course. I wished to have told her how much she had hurt me. And for next year, I promised my sons that we'll have festive Christmas decorations all over the house again. This New Year, may we make it our goal to leave beautiful and loving indelible marks in people's hearts. May we not become too busy to say loving words, and to fill the needs, not only of our loved ones, but also of others. The Lord bless.
A Piece of Roll on Her Neck
Reva Lachica Moore
Have you ever gone to bed hungry? I have. But not because there was no food in the house. I’ve gone to bed hungry because I was on a “crash” diet. And I felt pretty miserable.
According to world statistics, 1.3 billion people live in extreme poverty today. And tonight, 800 million people will go to bed hungry. Real hunger is a reality for millions of people in the world – even here in this blessed country of America . You’re probably asking - Why in America when there’s abundance of food? And who in America goes to bed hungry?
The hungry person in America is the child who goes to school each day having gone to bed hungry because there was no food in the house. He may be the child of a single parent whose income isn’t enough to pay for house rent, transportation and food.
The hungry person may be a child whose parents are working but only make minimum wage. Money is spent on living expenses and very little on food.
The hungry is an elderly on fixed income who often spends his money on expensive medications and try to live on less food.
For families in unexpected situations such as illness, death, or other tragedies that consume household income, food is often sacrificed.
I only think about this problem when I receive letters from working students or very poor folks in the Philippines who said they have no money for food.
Not long ago I saw on CNN a most horrible news; I was stunned and felt horrible. Some of Haiti ’s poorest people in the worst slums who can’t afford even a plate of rice are using inconceivable ways to fill their bellies. They eat cookies made of dried yellow dirt from the country's central plateau. Dirt, salt, and vegetable shortening have become their regular meal – a remedy for hunger pangs.
But one day, a sobering thought came to me upon seeing something quite unusual. Our elderly friend, Frances , 81, was a guest in our home for several weeks. At mealtime, Frances would eat every piece of food on her plate. Any leftover, she’d carefully put in containers and stored in the refrigerator. The next morning, she’d warm the leftovers for her breakfast. How nice! We’re not throwing away food. I said to myself.
As I cleared the table after supper one evening, I noticed Frances wrap her leftover roll in a napkin. I didn’t say anything. I thought she was going to throw it away later. During supper the next evening, I noticed Frances wrap her leftover roll again so I said, “Here, let me throw that away for you.”
“Oh no,” she said, “this is for my snack later.”
“But why a piece of roll? Here I have cake and ice cream for desert. And you are welcome to all the goodies and drinks that I left on the dresser in your room.” I usually have all kinds of snacks and drinks placed in our two guest bedrooms.
That evening Frances told me her story.
“Reva, I have suffered so much hunger as a child during the depression years that even today I cannot waste food. Let me tell you, when things started to get better during those years, my father would wrap a roll and place it on my neck after tucking me to bed at night. The roll or bread is to remind me that I will never get hungry again.”
Stunned for what I had heard, I asked, “But why on your neck?”
“So I could feel it and know that I have food when I get hungry.”
So even today, Frances still wraps a roll or a piece of bread and places it by the nightstand at bedtime and in the middle of the night, she eats her roll.
Can you imagine how it would be like if something like the Great Depression happens again? God forbid that it does because it would be a very, very horrible thing.
But it’s easy to see that happening. During Huricanes Katrina and Rita back in the summer of 2006, the shelves of grocery stores in my town were wiped out by customers in such a short time; we couldn’t find a loaf of bread, bottled water, eggs, etc. And even everyday necessities such as batteries, ice, toilet paper were gone. The line of people who wanted to purchase things such as generators was unreal. J.R. stood on line for 2 days only to be told there weren’t enough to sell and we never got one.
Not trying to be foreboding, if indeed there comes a time when food would become scarce, what would you do? I remember seeing on CNN during the Y2K hype when many folks stored food and water for a year.
If indeed extreme situations should happen, the Holy Scriptures say not to worry. During the Bible times, God took care of His people like Elijah who was fed by ravens with bread and meat day after day. I have also read about a prisoner during World War I who was fed by a cat who brought a piece of bread every morning to the prisoner’s cell window. I’ve also written the story of my friends – The Singing Baterzal Family – who didn’t have money to buy food but the mother prayed, and rats brought the family dried fish, sugar and bread three mornings in a row. The rats dragged the neighbors’ food to the Baterzal’s apartment.
Just like Frances’ father who assured her when she was a child that she will never be hungry again, our Heavenly Father likewise has assured us in Isaiah 33:15, 16: Those who are honest and fair, who refuse to profit by fraud, who stay far away from bribes, who refuse to listen to those who plot murder, who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong—these are the ones who will dwell on high. The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress. Food will be supplied to them, and they will have water in abundance.
Have you ever gone to bed hungry? I have. But not because there was no food in the house. I’ve gone to bed hungry because I was on a “crash” diet. And I felt pretty miserable.
According to world statistics, 1.3 billion people live in extreme poverty today. And tonight, 800 million people will go to bed hungry. Real hunger is a reality for millions of people in the world – even here in this blessed country of America . You’re probably asking - Why in America when there’s abundance of food? And who in America goes to bed hungry?
The hungry person in America is the child who goes to school each day having gone to bed hungry because there was no food in the house. He may be the child of a single parent whose income isn’t enough to pay for house rent, transportation and food.
The hungry person may be a child whose parents are working but only make minimum wage. Money is spent on living expenses and very little on food.
The hungry is an elderly on fixed income who often spends his money on expensive medications and try to live on less food.
For families in unexpected situations such as illness, death, or other tragedies that consume household income, food is often sacrificed.
I only think about this problem when I receive letters from working students or very poor folks in the Philippines who said they have no money for food.
Not long ago I saw on CNN a most horrible news; I was stunned and felt horrible. Some of Haiti ’s poorest people in the worst slums who can’t afford even a plate of rice are using inconceivable ways to fill their bellies. They eat cookies made of dried yellow dirt from the country's central plateau. Dirt, salt, and vegetable shortening have become their regular meal – a remedy for hunger pangs.
But one day, a sobering thought came to me upon seeing something quite unusual. Our elderly friend, Frances , 81, was a guest in our home for several weeks. At mealtime, Frances would eat every piece of food on her plate. Any leftover, she’d carefully put in containers and stored in the refrigerator. The next morning, she’d warm the leftovers for her breakfast. How nice! We’re not throwing away food. I said to myself.
As I cleared the table after supper one evening, I noticed Frances wrap her leftover roll in a napkin. I didn’t say anything. I thought she was going to throw it away later. During supper the next evening, I noticed Frances wrap her leftover roll again so I said, “Here, let me throw that away for you.”
“Oh no,” she said, “this is for my snack later.”
“But why a piece of roll? Here I have cake and ice cream for desert. And you are welcome to all the goodies and drinks that I left on the dresser in your room.” I usually have all kinds of snacks and drinks placed in our two guest bedrooms.
That evening Frances told me her story.
“Reva, I have suffered so much hunger as a child during the depression years that even today I cannot waste food. Let me tell you, when things started to get better during those years, my father would wrap a roll and place it on my neck after tucking me to bed at night. The roll or bread is to remind me that I will never get hungry again.”
Stunned for what I had heard, I asked, “But why on your neck?”
“So I could feel it and know that I have food when I get hungry.”
So even today, Frances still wraps a roll or a piece of bread and places it by the nightstand at bedtime and in the middle of the night, she eats her roll.
Can you imagine how it would be like if something like the Great Depression happens again? God forbid that it does because it would be a very, very horrible thing.
But it’s easy to see that happening. During Huricanes Katrina and Rita back in the summer of 2006, the shelves of grocery stores in my town were wiped out by customers in such a short time; we couldn’t find a loaf of bread, bottled water, eggs, etc. And even everyday necessities such as batteries, ice, toilet paper were gone. The line of people who wanted to purchase things such as generators was unreal. J.R. stood on line for 2 days only to be told there weren’t enough to sell and we never got one.
Not trying to be foreboding, if indeed there comes a time when food would become scarce, what would you do? I remember seeing on CNN during the Y2K hype when many folks stored food and water for a year.
If indeed extreme situations should happen, the Holy Scriptures say not to worry. During the Bible times, God took care of His people like Elijah who was fed by ravens with bread and meat day after day. I have also read about a prisoner during World War I who was fed by a cat who brought a piece of bread every morning to the prisoner’s cell window. I’ve also written the story of my friends – The Singing Baterzal Family – who didn’t have money to buy food but the mother prayed, and rats brought the family dried fish, sugar and bread three mornings in a row. The rats dragged the neighbors’ food to the Baterzal’s apartment.
Just like Frances’ father who assured her when she was a child that she will never be hungry again, our Heavenly Father likewise has assured us in Isaiah 33:15, 16: Those who are honest and fair, who refuse to profit by fraud, who stay far away from bribes, who refuse to listen to those who plot murder, who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong—these are the ones who will dwell on high. The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress. Food will be supplied to them, and they will have water in abundance.
It Started Out as a Rumor
Reva Lachica Moore
It first started out as a rumor five years ago. My co-workers who are fishing and hunting enthusiasts and who also love sports and the great outdoors were excitedly talking about the coming of this giant store called Bass Pro. And since it was getting built outside our subdivision, they asked me what I thought about it.
“The traffic around Range Avenue will be unreal,” a co-worker said. “But I’m happy it’s being built there; I don’t have to drive to Houston anymore.”
“I cannot see it happening,” I told them. “And if it does, it wouldn’t affect me in anyway. There’s nothing going on outside our subdivision because the people would fight every business that tries to come in.”
Because of my disbelief, I could sense them snickering behind my back.
A few months later, residents of my subdivision started talking about the giant store. They didn’t want any big business coming close to our homes, so they voted against it. Three years passed and there was not a single sign of the store’s coming. The street going to our subdivision remained quiet.
Everything seemed tranquil in our little bedroom community when suddenly, hotels and motels started coming up like giant mushrooms popping up almost overnight. Many things were happening and a huge sign – BASS PRO Coming Soon - showed on the site near the interstate. Again, the people fought to stop the building of the store. Then things were quiet again. “It will never happen!” many people said.
On the spring of 2006, the newspaper finally reported the forthcoming of the huge store as big as three and a half football fields. And this time, nobody could stop it. People started talking again.
The traffic of I-12 has increased tremendously after Hurricane Katrina and we worried what will happen when the new store opens.
When the summer of 2006 came, a couple of contractor trailers stood on the construction site and bulldozers started clearing the land. But as soon as the work started, it suddenly stopped again due to more court hearings. A year passed with no signs of continued progress. By this time, the jobsite seemed completely abandoned.
J.R. and I went to the Philippines on the spring of 2007. When we got back home, the site of the proposed giant store seemed neglected. Tall grass had covered the lot. An abandoned trailer stood on the same spot where it first was.
But one day, when we least expected, a convoy of vehicles arrived and parked on the site. A week later, heavy machinery was grading the lot and all I could do was shake my head in disbelief. In two weeks’ time, the frame of the giant store could be seen from the highway. Everyday, the building was getting taller and bigger. Rain or shine, people were working, although we couldn’t see them since we couldn’t get close to it.
It didn’t take long before we could see the massive structure standing straight and tall. And the small pond, which was originally there, had increased in size and changed in shape, yet we never saw anyone working on it.
Four months later, the store looked finished with new galvanized roof and walls on time for the scheduled grand opening. But as days passed, the building started to look different – old-looking. The roof and walls were being covered with “old barn materials” to make it have the rustic look – typical for Southern Louisiana . The newspaper said it’s the first store of its kind with a different look. Then small trees were sprouting in places and parking lots were being paved. A few days before the grand opening, a new traffic light was installed at the entrance street.
Finally, it was grand opening day. Celebrities came to help with the celebration and thousands of people were waiting in their cars as long as 10 hours before the 6:00 p.m. opening time on a Wednesday night. Dozens of police cars with their roving lights were parked in strategic places with cops helping with the traffic.
According to the paper, the waiting people chanted, “Let us in! Let us in!” hours before the doors opened. Some 16,000 people walked into the store’s turnstiles that night. And over 65,000 people came to see the giant store in 3 days.
Since opening night until today, over a month later, the lanes going to our subdivision are jammed with traffic and police cars are still stationed in places; we had to find alternate ways to go to our house.
And new stores and restaurants are popping everywhere. We now have to go to 3 traffic lights when there used to be none before we could enter the interstate.
It was rumored two thousand years ago that a big event is going to happen on this planet earth. Jesus Christ will come again to redeem His people and take them to heaven to live with Him. We have seen signs of His coming and have wondered why it has not happened yet. Many are skeptical whether this event will really happen, so they do not prepare for it. But it will happen when we least expect it! Are you ready for His coming because it will be here before you know it! I’m looking forward to be one of the multitudes who would excitedly say, “Let us in! Let us in!” into the doors of heaven.
It first started out as a rumor five years ago. My co-workers who are fishing and hunting enthusiasts and who also love sports and the great outdoors were excitedly talking about the coming of this giant store called Bass Pro. And since it was getting built outside our subdivision, they asked me what I thought about it.
“The traffic around Range Avenue will be unreal,” a co-worker said. “But I’m happy it’s being built there; I don’t have to drive to Houston anymore.”
“I cannot see it happening,” I told them. “And if it does, it wouldn’t affect me in anyway. There’s nothing going on outside our subdivision because the people would fight every business that tries to come in.”
Because of my disbelief, I could sense them snickering behind my back.
A few months later, residents of my subdivision started talking about the giant store. They didn’t want any big business coming close to our homes, so they voted against it. Three years passed and there was not a single sign of the store’s coming. The street going to our subdivision remained quiet.
Everything seemed tranquil in our little bedroom community when suddenly, hotels and motels started coming up like giant mushrooms popping up almost overnight. Many things were happening and a huge sign – BASS PRO Coming Soon - showed on the site near the interstate. Again, the people fought to stop the building of the store. Then things were quiet again. “It will never happen!” many people said.
On the spring of 2006, the newspaper finally reported the forthcoming of the huge store as big as three and a half football fields. And this time, nobody could stop it. People started talking again.
The traffic of I-12 has increased tremendously after Hurricane Katrina and we worried what will happen when the new store opens.
When the summer of 2006 came, a couple of contractor trailers stood on the construction site and bulldozers started clearing the land. But as soon as the work started, it suddenly stopped again due to more court hearings. A year passed with no signs of continued progress. By this time, the jobsite seemed completely abandoned.
J.R. and I went to the Philippines on the spring of 2007. When we got back home, the site of the proposed giant store seemed neglected. Tall grass had covered the lot. An abandoned trailer stood on the same spot where it first was.
But one day, when we least expected, a convoy of vehicles arrived and parked on the site. A week later, heavy machinery was grading the lot and all I could do was shake my head in disbelief. In two weeks’ time, the frame of the giant store could be seen from the highway. Everyday, the building was getting taller and bigger. Rain or shine, people were working, although we couldn’t see them since we couldn’t get close to it.
It didn’t take long before we could see the massive structure standing straight and tall. And the small pond, which was originally there, had increased in size and changed in shape, yet we never saw anyone working on it.
Four months later, the store looked finished with new galvanized roof and walls on time for the scheduled grand opening. But as days passed, the building started to look different – old-looking. The roof and walls were being covered with “old barn materials” to make it have the rustic look – typical for Southern Louisiana . The newspaper said it’s the first store of its kind with a different look. Then small trees were sprouting in places and parking lots were being paved. A few days before the grand opening, a new traffic light was installed at the entrance street.
Finally, it was grand opening day. Celebrities came to help with the celebration and thousands of people were waiting in their cars as long as 10 hours before the 6:00 p.m. opening time on a Wednesday night. Dozens of police cars with their roving lights were parked in strategic places with cops helping with the traffic.
According to the paper, the waiting people chanted, “Let us in! Let us in!” hours before the doors opened. Some 16,000 people walked into the store’s turnstiles that night. And over 65,000 people came to see the giant store in 3 days.
Since opening night until today, over a month later, the lanes going to our subdivision are jammed with traffic and police cars are still stationed in places; we had to find alternate ways to go to our house.
And new stores and restaurants are popping everywhere. We now have to go to 3 traffic lights when there used to be none before we could enter the interstate.
It was rumored two thousand years ago that a big event is going to happen on this planet earth. Jesus Christ will come again to redeem His people and take them to heaven to live with Him. We have seen signs of His coming and have wondered why it has not happened yet. Many are skeptical whether this event will really happen, so they do not prepare for it. But it will happen when we least expect it! Are you ready for His coming because it will be here before you know it! I’m looking forward to be one of the multitudes who would excitedly say, “Let us in! Let us in!” into the doors of heaven.
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