Roiling Water/Calm Water

The Sea of Galilee was roiling with storm.

"But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary" Matthew 14:16.

The men couldn't gain any headway, it was dark, and they were tired and wet. A form approaches through the storm. Understandably, they're scared. The lake has a total area of 166.7 km² (64.4 sq mi) at its fullest, and a maximum depth of approximately 43 m (141 feet). *  No man can walk across the waves of Galilee, let alone in a terrible storm! Impossible!
 
But, Peter, our brave sailor, who certainly knows no man can walk on water--seeing the miracle of Jesus walking on the waves, asks to walk to Him!


"So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus" Matthew 14:29.

With God's approval that they were in the storm in the middle of the lake, Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water!

In another place, the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee in calm, shallow water, yet in opposition with God.

"After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias"cf John 21:1.

His previous instructions were "go to the other side", here Jesus tells the disciples to wait. (Matthew 28:10) They went fishing instead of watching, and Jesus arrived just as unexpectedly as He had in the storm. As soon as Jesus revealed Himself through a miracle catch of fish, Peter again gets out of the boat and goes to Jesus.

"Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment..., and plunged into the sea" cf John 21:7.

(The next verse explains they were only about 300 feet from shore.)

In the storm nothing was wrong. Jesus had told them to go out there. They're in God's will and yet in deep water. Peter got out of the boat to go to Jesus. When they're in calm, shallow water, yet out of God's will, Peter swims to shore, to Jesus.

Do you know what water you're in? How did you come to be there? By God's direction or your own initiative?

In a storm-tossed, deep sea, have you seen Jesus walking by you?

Or, have you gone fishing in the pretty lake contrary to Jesus' orders?

• Either way, do you know you can get out of the boat and go to Jesus?

•  Step from the first boat in the storm because you trust Jesus. 

• Step from the second boat for Jesus' loving restoration.

 * Ask.com

The Joy of Handmade Christmas Ornaments

There are millions of selections of decorations for your Christmas tree and surrounding décor but what about making your ornaments for next year. By simple internet search, you can find simple or elaborate patterns for many items with which to decorate. or go to a craft store for instruction books. Or just get creative and have fun! The possibilities are endless!

• Tinfoil stars twinkling in the light.

•   Shiny foil snowflakes gently turning sending myriads of sparklers around the room.
• Colorful paper or felt crafts dangling merrily from branches.
• Pipe cleaners, empty paper rolls, scraps of Christmas wrap and glitter all fashioned into Holiday Happiness by yours, and the hands of your children.
• Popcorn, Cranberries, Apple slices, twists of Holly leaves, and Beads, all strung into festive garlands to wrap around a tree hung with homemade Reindeer, Santas, Nutcrackers, Bulbs, Hats, Mittens, Sleighs, Globes, Animals, Doodads, Doohickeys and Thing-a-ma-jigs, Nativities, Magi, and Baby Jesus, all with love and care.

Among the reasons for homemade decor is the wealth of quality family strength, emotion and togetherness. The tree is usually the central focus of Christmas. It is where the most fun happens. The cameras come out to record the moments as paper flies in all directions. Faces light up and laughter peels throughout the house. Children of any age get involved with the joy of giving and receiving. It’s the best family gathering for anyone.

There is another Family involved in Christmas: God the Father sending His Son Jesus into the world as His gift. The first Family and the First Gift.

There is another Christmas Tree: the Cross. Jesus came for only that purpose. Jesus came only to that destiny.

        He did not come to be a Good Teacher. 

They Missed Christmas

They Missed Christmas

   The innkeeper missed Christmas. He turned away a woman heavy with child because she and her husband could not pay enough for him to bother to oust another paying guest.

   The guests of the inn missed Christmas. Not one of them took pity on the woman to give up their room for her comfort.

   The town of Bethlehem missed Christmas. When the shepherds came into the city seeking the wondrous thing proclaimed by the angels, no one ventured to search out why they were excited.

   Months later, the Priests and Scribes missed Christmas.

An entourage of men, Astrologers from another country, came because of a new star that had appeared. They knew the prophecy that this new star announced the birth of the King of the Jews. When questioned by Herod about what these travelers were talking about, the Priests and Scribes answered correctly that the King would be born in Bethlehem. Nevertheless, they never went to see for themselves.

   Herod missed Christmas. He believed the Travelers about the new King and out of jealousy, he tried to kill the baby to get rid of the threat to his reign.

   Many people on December 25 will miss Christmas. Millions will have parties; laugh and exchange gifts but they will miss the real gift of Christmas.

  

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulders. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son and whoever believes on Him will not die but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Let us not miss Christmas.

Early Detection for Breast Cancer is Desired

Mammography exams are not fun. But they are necessary and very helpful.

In 2004, I had my regularly scheduled exam which is recommended routine annually for woman over 40. I wasn't expecting anything new--who does. Then the hospital called and wanted me to come in for further testing.

Oh Oh.

So I went in the next day for further screening and yes, there was a lump. So from there it was dates with Doctors, new exams, stress test, blood tests, all the pre-surgery formats the Doctors and patients have to go through.

From the time I was diagnosed until the surgery was about one month. A small pebble-sized offense was removed with about two inches of the flesh of my left breast. Because it was near the center of my breast meant my scar was approximately six inches  Thankfully, the lump was benign and I needed no other treatment.

I had many friends interceding to God on my behalf. I do not know why God had me go through that, but I was able to trust Him as I traveled through it.

 "Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed. And in Your book they were written, The days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them" Psalm 139:16

I am grateful for His kindness and the prayers of my church family.

Cancer is a bad disease. I know many men and women suffer with serious cancer. Maybe God wanted me to be able to commiserate with the cancer patients on my prayer list.

I recommend getting an annual mammogram. The technology has improved and early detection is desired. And maybe yours will also be benign as well. I do sincerely hope so.

# # # #

 The Breast Cancer Society is very helpful to people with cancer or undergoing treatments. Clicking the link will take you to their website.

(I do not have any affiliation with the Breast Cancer Society)

Handling Holiday Depression

This is an article from my files from when I wrote for the Somerset Times Weekly. (2008-2012) I feel it is still relevant.

  Emotions can either rise because of the Christmas season or close in on a person who feels unloved or put upon by others. Studies show that four to six percent of Americans suffer post-Christmas depression. Many of these people are isolated from family and friends, not necessarily by social distress but by choice. Many sufferers begin getting depressed before the holiday and slowly begin the isolation process, overwhelmed by the stress of shopping and resentment of pressure from what to give to who gets what. This makes the person close in on him or herself and seek to be alone, wanting the noise, and bustle to be over so their lives can get back to normal routine. Some people feel pressured by the Christmas Carols played extensively in stores and public PA systems. The songs meant for joy and festive ambiance heightening the emotional stress. These feelings can become dangerously extreme by the New Year.

  People who have lost loved ones during the year feel the loss more because they don’t have that person in their lives to enjoy the gift exchange, food, or parties. The void is sometimes impossible to fill even through many years. Facing the New Year can be tough for those living with such a loss.

When Gift Giving Generates Sadness In the Giver

Ever try giving a GIFT to someone, yet they refuse to believe you CAN give them a gift?

It makes me sad when people cannot accept that I want to give them something. 
When I give a gift to someone as an offering to my God, and yet the recipient insists on paying me, I am hurt and saddened that I am not considered capable of serving my God through serving them.
Am I so poor to actually not afford to buy something to give them? If they insist on paying me for the gift, they have not accepted my gift at all.
That hurts.

David said he would not offer anything to God if it costs him nothing.

To graciously accept a gift is as much a thank you as the words spoken.

For the recipient to graciously accept a gift can bring so much joy to the giver.

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" Colossians 3: 17.

Not only is this good advice for the giver but also for the receiver.

Oxymoron

Oxymoron: Origin: Greek: "Pointedly foolish', oxus: sharp; moros: foolish
Rhetorical figure, epigrammatic in form, in which what appear to be incongruous, contradictory, contrasted, ideas are associated.

No: Negative particle: Refusal, denial in word

Lord: Master, Lord, Superior, Ruler

Saying "No, Lord, is an oxymoron.

Definitions from "The Little & Ives Webster Dictionary and Home Reference Library International Edition"

Poofy Angels

Several places in the Bible angels popped into the lives of people.  These angels also popped out of sight as quickly as they appeared. In many cases, when appearing, the angel had to say "Don't be afraid."

That's an interesting statement. Most people I know who think they see angels always speak of how wonderful and beautiful the experience is. I think if I saw an angel, I would most likely need him to say, "Don't be afraid."

An angel is in the presence of God most of the time. This being, if one were to come to me on some errand from God, would be so much more holier than I. My sinful self would be exposed standing beside this being, even though it is only a created being, as I am.

God says He makes His messengers a flame of fire. (Hebrews 1:7) In other places they are told to kill people. Lots of people! (1 Chronicles 21: 14-15, 2 Kings 21:35) But as in meeting Mary, they can be so kind and assuring.

If an angel physically poofed in and out of my life, I'd be astonished, and amazed, and probably fall down in a faint like Daniel (Dan 8: 18).

I think I have only encountered an angel once and then I didn't see the creature itself, only something occurred where I can't explain what happened....except to say God sent an angel.

One day, during a blizzard, a friend and I were on the highway in whiteout conditions. Traveling from Bangor to home is usually about a 45 minute drive. We hadn't intended to be out in such conditions, but the storm came on us as we were in Bangor and worsened as we headed home.

In a particularly dense gust of snow, where everything disappeared, we both saw a bright yellow car right ahead of us. Then we lost sight of it. Not knowing where the car was, or even being able to see the road, my friend pulled over to what she thought was the side of the highway. In the blowing snow,  we found ourselves stopped next to a milepost. Just as she put the car in park, a Semi-truck went by us driving way too fast for the conditions.

If we hadn't been frightened by the yellow car's sudden appearance and disappearance, we most certainly would have been overrun by the truck.

I believe God sent an angel in a yellow car to save us from a very deadly accident.

We both prayed our Thank You and asked God to get us home safely. We had no more problems, even if the going was extremely slow in the storm.

We never saw the yellow car again.

Poof!

EBook Squished! Why God Seemingly Destroys Our Fruit

 EBook Squished! Why God Seemingly Destroys Our Fruit

Click link here to go to Amazon to read portion of the book
http://www.amazon.com/Squished-Seemingly-Destroys-Fruit-ebook



Here's an excerpt from the Kirkus-Indie Book Review of my EBook available on Amazon Kindle, Westbow Press Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook devices.

BOOK REVIEW
Kirkus-Indie

Estes chronicles, in broad strokes, what her church went through after its pastor abruptly left before a Sunday service.
 The book does use cutting language at times...
(the book...) focus on ways that readers can be good Christians; and urges readers to follow in his footsteps (and later, to avoid what he avoids). The author writes lucidly and candidly about faith,...

##

 Squished! is a short devotional/study guide with provocative questions for a believer to answer about their faith. I wrote it during a time I needed answers to difficult questions. I discovered the Bible is a great help when read with faith in God speaking to me and guiding me through my trials.

Maybe you can find your answers through this book also. or it may motivate you to ask some deep questions you personally need answered.

Restoring John-Mark

"Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem" Acts 13:13

Did John-Mark leave because he didn't know how to take the miracles that happened around Paul? (Acts 13:1-12) We really don't know. But, maybe John-Mark did leave the early ministry for a more familiar station. For safer ground. It has been known of others to do this also. We may get overwhelmed and back-off from a certain group or 'calling' in the church.

(I didn't feel comfortable teaching the tweens in our church and left that age group to other teachers. I am more comfortable teaching the ladies and young women.)

John-Mark later recorded the Gospel of Mark, a great description of Jesus as the servant to man. Many Bible scholars believe this may have been Peter's account of Jesus' life on earth, as dictated to Mark. However it was written, John-Mark was used by God, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to write one of the great books in our Bible.

God knew for what He would use Mark. Whatever failings John-Mark may have had, God forgave him, placing him in a wonderful ministry.

Paul restored John-Mark himself later in his second letter, instructing Timothy. "...Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry" 2 Timothy 4:11.

If we know a brother or sister that leaves a ministry we thought they should have kept, we can and should restore them. We can watch and help them find where God uses them and then build them up in that ministry. Never should we set them aside or give up on them because they left the ministry we thought they should participate in. God knows all about them, their strengths and weaknesses.

"But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased" 1 Corinthians 12:18.

God restored John-Mark and used him for His glorious purpose. Praise God.

Enjoy Giving & Bless God

“But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”

Matthew 6: 3.

Have you ever done something for someone who wasn’t expecting it, and you did it just for the joy of giving? 

While God made men to be subtly appreciative, God made woman with the capacity of giving and receiving with more emotion. Sometimes with extreme emotion.

Visually emotional is part of woman: love, joy, anger, sympathy, empathy, and motherly. Women utilize their God given specialty as wonderful givers, doers, motivators, counselors, and those who encourage. And they often do it without anything in return.

But God never said we are to expect a return, at least not on earth. All our works done in the name of Jesus gain rewards in Heaven.

Is there anyone you can help without thinking of any return for your effort?

What is great about a Christian woman blessing others---God is very happy with her doing so.

Do good---Bless God.

There are 365 'Do not fear' sayings in the Bible.

Jesus was always thinking about the future---
                                        but did not worry over it

Jesus planned for the future---
                                        but did not worry over it

Jesus prepared for the future---
                                        but did not worry over it

Jesus discussed the future---
                                        but did not worry over it

Jesus prayed about the future---
                                        but did not worry over it


God knows tomorrow---
                                        let Him  deal with it

"So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings."
                                                   Matthew 6: 34 (Good News Bible)

Salt & Light

Salt = 
purifies
preserves
flavors
protects
irritates
sterilizes
absorbs

Light =
reveals
spot-lights
highlights
burns
dispels darkness
heals
brightens
shines
guides


Just a few things salt and light does.

To paraphrase Jesus, "When I go and send the Holy Spirit, you will do much more than I as Salt and Light in the world."

(Matthew 5: 13-16, John 14: 12-17, Acts 1: 8)

EBook Now Available

Hello, I'm Susan Estes, former journalist/columnist for the late SVWeekly,a small local newspaper in Central Maine.

My EBook is published under my by-line S. L. Estes. Through Westbow Press, a Division of Thomas Nelson Publishers, the title Squished! Why God Seemingly Destroys Our Fruit is an inspirational and devotional study guide written to help those experiencing introspective personal events. Designed for individual devotions or group settings, the chapter themes and study section will especially inspire Christians stressed with difficulties.

     

     I wrote wrote Squished! Why God Seemingly Destroys Our Fruit from my own personal journaling while enduring a phase during a time my home church suffered an apparent disaster that unfortunately happens among congregations- -the experience of a church splitting. In it, I describe the sequence of events from the initial crash to the result of a blessing in disguise in the amazing outcome brought through what seemingly came to destroy.

     In this short, easily read EBook, I wrote of looking for and finding guidance while under pressure. Anyone facing difficulties may find this book helpful, as times of personal struggles hurt, leaving us feeling troubled and alone.

     Please leave a comment and I will be glad to dialogue with you about either the EBook or my publishing experience.

The EBook is available for Kindle through Amazon or Westbow Press bookstore, and for Nook at Barnes & Noble.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Some Truth About Partying

"Where two or three are gathered in My name, I am in the midst of them."

Matthew 18:20

Jesus liked to be with people. 

When on this earth, He often attended parties.

God likes people to have fun.

Christians can have fun at parties without sinning.

 

John 2: 1-10

Mark 2: 13-17

Luke 19: 1-10