Journal

An Unexpected "Wow" Moment

Fri, 14 May 2010 22:49:00 -0400

Today I had the opportunity to interview for another position at Merck. During the of the interviews I was asked the question..."What do you think is your greatest personal accomplishment?" Without hesitation I responded "My three daughters." As I listened to myself describe my girls, I smiled and said to myself "Wow, I really have three TERRIFIC kids!"

My girls have never been in any trouble, avoiding the drug and alcohol crowds. They have always been very family oriented, attending family events and accompanying Jim and I on family visits, even when as teens it was deemed "uncool" to hang out with family.

All three have married wonderful, Godly men...men who didn't just show THEM love, but have love in their hearts and show it to everyone.

As adults, all three have chosen different, yet honorable paths...

:)Caryl has chosen a spiritual path, stepping out in faith and entering the mission field. As a wife and mother, she is a shining example of the Proverbs 31 woman.

:cool:Kelly has chosen a service path, desiring to help others who are no longer able to help themselves. She has a true servant's heart.

:wink:Courtney has currently chosen a knowledge path, furthering her education by attending college.

All three girls actively serve in their churches and are open about their faith. They strive to use the talents and spiritual gifts they've been blessed with to bring honor to God.

As I think of who they were as children and who they are as young adults, I am proud of them and can see God's hand in their lives. It was only by the grace of God that Jim and I were able to instill in them the courage to avoid the world's temptations. We feel God blessed our faithfulness in chosing to raise the girls in a home with Christian values. Things were not perfect...Jim and I made many mistakes, but through God's mercy and love our girls became women to be respected and admired.

As I sit here and think about my three beautiful daughters, all I can say is WOW, I feel truly blessed to have the honor of being their mother.:D

Opportunity "Knocking?"

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:02:00 -0400

Life has a way of throwing you a curve when you least expect it...:(

My curve was notification of separation from my career at Merck. I has survived the first two rounds of cutbacks, but was not spared from the third. Now what?

So many people have offered kind words of encouragement and solace during this difficult time, but one common denominator has caught my attention...most people feel this loss of my job is a blessing in disguise. I have been told that I was wasting my talents and abilities in corporate Amercia and now have an opportunity to develop my spiritual gifts and talents. Could this really be (as the old cliche states) "opportunity knocking?" Is God trying to show me a new path?

"I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11:)

Several people have suggested that I take my nature photography and make it available on canvas, in matted frames, and as art collages. They said I should open an eBay store or an online webstore. I am very passionate about photography...I can use my creativity, I enjoy it, and I try to make others happy through sharing it...so could this be my new path?

Am I the only one that can hear the theme from Jeopardy playing in the background?...

Thoughts on Good Friday

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 22:10:00 -0400

Why do we call the day of the Crucifixion ‘Good’ Friday?

In Germany, for example, it is called Karfreitag. Kar is an obsolete word, the ancestor of the English word care in the sense of cares and woes, and it meant mourning. So in German, it is Mourning Friday. And that is what the disciples did on that day—they mourned. They thought all was lost.

I’ve read that the word good used to have a secondary meaning of holy. There are a number of cases in set phrases where the words God and good got switched around because of their similarity. One case was the phrase God be with you, which today is just good-bye. So perhaps Good Friday was originally God’s Friday. But I think we call it Good Friday because, when you think about it, all that tragedy brought about the greatest good there could be.

I can see sense in using either terminology. If we call it Mourning Friday, as in German, we are facing reality head on, taking up the cross if you will, fully aware that the Christian walk is seldom a walk in the park. But if we call it Good Friday, as in English, we are confessing the Christian hope that no tragedy—not even death—can overwhelm God’s mercy, love, and grace. Either way seems fine to me!

While continuing to research this special day on the internet, I read that Good Friday is observed as a public holiday in countries with strong Christian roots. According to the history books, the United States of America was founded upon solid Christian principles. How did we fall so far away from our roots as to completely ignore the most important day in Christianity? In some countries shop owners close their stores down for the day and limit television and radio advertising. An example of such a country would be Singapore. In the country of Ireland, alcohol is prohibited from being sold and many restaurants are closed entirely on date. Germany prohibits comedy performances and public dancing on this day. Yet, here in the US, it is business as usual.

We’ve sent missionaries around the globe, bringing the message of the gospel to the unsaved. Those countries with generations of strong missionary influences show respect and take time to remember our precious Lord’s sacrifice, yet here in a country with the motto “One Nation Under God” the day goes by virtually unnoticed, except for the faithful few who attend Good Friday church services. We’ve turned into a nation of self-centered hypocrites no longer honor the day because it would cut into “profits”…which brings to mind Mark 8:36: “What profit will a man have if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?"

We need to be missionaries in our OWN backyard and remind our leaders and citizens why we are the greatest country in the world…it is because of the abundant blessings by the God of our Fathers on those who were faithful to the Lord and His biblical teachings…make the dangerous journey across the wide expanse of the ocean to an unknown land so they could worship their Lord and Savior freely. Seems like the USA needs a HISTORY lesson!

My apologies...

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:06:00 -0500

Due to a "glitch" in my site updating, my last three postings were deleted...

Terry

Christmas Season 2009

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:39:00 -0500

As we approach the holiday season this year, many are settling down into their traditions of what the holiday means to them. Tradition gives us a cozy feeling as we approach the seasons and attaches memories and significance that the calendar day alone does not provide. We are all traditional in some way, even if we resist the thought of it. There is certainly nothing wrong with having traditions as long as they do not impinge on the reality God provides us. There is exchanging of gifts and decorating Christmas trees, holiday music and relatives visiting; children pining over gifts and merchants trying to keep stock of that new craze, while parents try to put that unique smile on their children’s faces. Christmas may also be a lonely time for some, as they wait patiently for the festivities to pass so they can get back to the comfort of normalcy.

While we all go through this time of tradition in our own way, there is a central truth found in the phrase, “the reason for the season”. God sent His Son into the world and this is the cause for such great rejoicing; just as the angels rejoiced on that magnificent morning, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). God did something important on this particular day out of so many. Our Lord was born into the world! “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). When any baby is born, there is usually a time of rejoicing. That rejoicing does not simply come from ease, but it is as a result of much travail. How wonderful it is to hear that piercing baby’s cry for the first time. Later, that cry may be a source of irritation, but now it brings forth smiles and applause. In the case of our Lord’s birth, the angels were the ones rejoicing that God did send the Savior.

What is unique about our Lord’s birth is we may also participate in this momentous occasion. Over 2000 years ago, our Lord arrived and we are still rejoicing today, just as the angels did. We can do so as we understand the reason for the season. We can do so as we know and experience the salvation He came to provide. Only then can we see the tremendous significance of this birth over all the other babies born into the world. John also realized this when he saw Christ coming, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Our eyes are now drawn to the reason Christ came into the world, to die for us. As we think about the universal nature of what Christ did, we are left with admiration. Many religions of the world focus on a particular group or culture. Christianity is global in scope, and Christ did not come to die only for Jews, but for the entire world. “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1Jn 2:2).

God has a master plan to bring peace to the world. I am not referring to world peace between nations, but a peace between a Holy God and fallen man. Christ is our peace, and without Him, reconciliation is just not possible. On this Christmas day, are you reconciled to God? Have you understood the reason for the season? It doesn’t matter what the world does with Christmas time. We can make Christmas a special time for ourselves, that is, those of us who understand and are reconciled. We have peace with God. No more trying to please Him or satisfy some requirement or laws. No more struggling with the guilt of rejection and the fear of death. We can go on, embrace God and the new spiritual life He has planned for us. We can live with the confidence that God loved us so much, that He provided a way for us to be reconciled. Our Lord reminds us, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). He is that way. Now go and celebrate traditionally, but we can be like Mary, who “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).

Merry Christmas!

Take a Moment to be Thankful

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:33:00 -0500

I consider it an honor to share my thoughts from time to time.

We are approaching the Thanksgiving holiday. No matter what your tradition is during this time, you may take the thought of thankfulness with you as you go through your holiday. If we stop and think of what God has done and what He has made us, we can only have thankfulness in our hearts. If you have a hard time figuring out what to be thankful for, just look around. Are you able to read these words? You are still here in this world, and that means our God still has a purpose for you. We can thank Him for His awesome salvation, given to us free of charge. We can think of the person of Christ, who gave Himself for us without reserve. We can recall that all of this speaks of a love from God that none of us has earned.

Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Col 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Heb 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,

Col 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, (Eph 3:14) One point to make is about Paul?s attitude before the Father in prayer. Even though he has a ranking position in the Church, notice he kneels before the Father. Kneeling is not just posture; it is an attitude of humility. It is an attitude which gives open recognition and respect for our eternal God and Father. It says we are creatures from His hand and we have an abiding appreciation and admiration of His majesty. It further says we willingly submit in total humility to this One who is all wise and powerful. Kneeling speaks more of our humility than it does posture. It says we know His plan and willingly present ourselves before His wisdom to use us as He sees fit. It is to abandon our agenda and place ourselves in the loving hands of the Father, willing and ready to act according to His will. We are not to give ourselves to anyone or anything like this in this world. We are not to bow to earthly rulers or angels because this type of worship and surrender belong only to the Father. We are free to have this attitude anytime we approach God, whether kneeling or sitting, whether walking or driving in a car. We can approach the Father with the reverence and honor He deserves.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

That Annoying Drip!

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:15:00 -0500

We have all experienced it at least one time during our lifetime...a leaky faucet.

We might first hear it as we are getting ready to leave for work. Drip...drip...drip. "I'm going to have to do something about that when I get home" you might say to yourself.

Then later that week, while you are watching your favorite television program, you hear it again, and it's gotten a bit worse - drip...drip...drip. Annoyed, you say "I need to fix that when this is over" and you continue watching the show.

Sometime during Sunday night, while you are turning over to get more comfortable, you hear it again, although this time it is echoing off of the broiler pan you left soaking - DRIP...DRIP...DRIP. You lie there in bed and try to fall back to sleep but the noise seems to be getting faster and louder with every moment. You're tired so you try to ignore it, but its getting more prominent with every moment. You toss and you turn, but it is still there. Hour after hour...

The next day your co-workers say "Hey, you look awful. What's up with you?" It would be too embarrassing to tell them that a little faucet leak kept you up all night, so you make up an interesting story to explain your lack of sleep.

The next three nights you lose sleep over the constant pattern of the leaking faucet...DRIP...DRIP...DRIP! Then, as you stumble into your office everyone looks at you with concerned faces, and one person approaches you and says "Are you ok?" "OF COURSE I AM! MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!" you snap back. Your co-workers leave you alone the remainder of the day.

Night after night, the saga continues, and you are becoming a shell of the person you once were. Your body begins to show your exhaustion and lack of concern for your appearance. Your mood is irritable and angry, nothing like the pleasant, happy person you once were. Everyone is avoiding you, not wanting to be subject to the negative response they now can expect from you.

Driving home from work one evening your body gives out, you fall asleep behind the wheel and crash head-on into an oncoming tractor trailer. As you lie in the mangled wreak, feeling the life drain out of you, you think "Why didn't I just fix the faucet when I first noticed the leak?"

Ok, that seems extreme. But this is a perfect example of addiction.

You want to experience it just one time, for curiosity's sake...drip...drip...drip.

You try it again, telling yourself that it will never happen again...DRIP...DRIP...DRIP.

A few more times, but you feel you have it under control. Friends comment that you are looking tired. You make up a story to cover up the truth. DRIP...DRIP...DRIP.

The behavior continues until everyone notices that you are no longer yourself. Your performance at work is suffering, you fall behind on your bills, your friends stop calling, and your responsibilities fall by the wayside. DRIP... DRIP... DRIP!

You lose your friends, your job, your money...then one day your body can't take anymore and gives out. As you lie there dying, you ask yourself "Why did I do this?"

You fell prey to weakness...

The absence of Christ in your life leads to lack of strength...which leads to succumbing to weakness...which leads to a life of misery, and worse yet, an eternity of suffering.

The grace and mercy of Christ helps you to fix the leaks "sins", and if "drips" (temptations) occur, you know just how to fix them and prevent things from getting worse.

Every Christian can attest to Phillippians 4:13 and 2 Thessalonians 3:3. Look them up for yourself.

Something to think about...

The Main Piece

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 09:40:00 -0400

Lord, I really need you now...

I'm feeling so confused

I've been somewhat abused

By people who just do not understand...my love for You.

They mock me when I read your Word

And start and end my day

By taking time to pray

I am because You've chosen me to be...I am Your child.

Lord, its hard to be a Christian in this world

Where people only care about themselves

Lord, I'm Yours and I will never fall away

Still, its hard to be a Christian in this world.

People do not take the time

To notice that You're there

They do not even care

The one who suffered on the Cross was You...they reject You.

They worry about trivial things

The deadlines they must make

What shift for lunch to take

A puzzle of life missing the main piece...You are that piece.

Lord, its hard to be a Christian in this world

Where people only care about themselves

Lord, I'm Yours and I will never fall away

Still, its hard to be a Christian in this world.

(I wrote this song and still haven't found anyway to write out the music for me!)

Embracing Philippians 4:6-7

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:22:00 -0500

What a month it has been! Trials and tribulations with mercy and grace in abundance. All through it all, I've held on to some Scripture that comforted and reassured me:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

I held on to these verses while awaiting news of my job. Even though my position was eliminated, another position with a different franchise was made available to me. God's grace!

I held onto these verses while awaiting Courtney's tests results. Although she was incoherent for 11 hours in the hospital (which terrified us), her condition is not a serious one, and can be easily treated with medications. God's grace!

I held onto these verses while lying in the bed awaiting surgery for the removal of my thyroid and surrounding tumor. It was a delicate surgery, with the possibility of severe complications. The surgery was not only very successful with minimal post surgical complications, but the biopsy results were "benign!" God's grace!

I feel blessed that I was able to experience these trials and emerge victorious...knowing that my Lord and Savior was with me through it all and that it was His strength that allowed me to endure it all.

Sometimes it seems like we can't go on a moment longer. Our own strength is used up, and we feel as though we're falling into pieces. Life is just too much for us to handle. but it's okay to feel like that; we don't have to be strong all the time...we are only human. Times like that we just have to let go - and allow God the chance to take over. His strength can get us through and never fails.

A Need for Refreshment of Mind, Body, and Soul

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:33:00 -0500

The past few weeks have been jammed packed with stress, activities and pressure.

I had to oversee five major events at work:

Lecture by a nationally renowned author
Patient's Perspective Presentation
PINK DAY Information Fair
Healthcare Specialist Symposium
Competitive Simulation Workshop

My sister, Robin, had a very difficult and dangerous spinal surgery on November 4th. She'll be in excrutiating pain for weeks and have many months of rehabilitation ahead of her. The hospital staff was very neglectful of her and she developed pneumonia and severe bed sores. She was also abused by a staff member. My brother-in-law was able to get her transferred to a rehab/nursing center so she could receive proper care.

Then Courtney was taken to the hospital twice in a matter of a month...she had severe head pain and was incoherent for hours at a time. Diagnosis after CTScan, MRI, and lumbar puncture...aseptic menigitis AND the possibility of pseudo-tumor cerebri...she is being given medication and being monitored by her doctor. At her last visit she said the doctor told her the steroids weakened her immune system and she now has strep. It is sooooo hard to be 650 miles from your child when you just want to hold them in your arms and make them feel safe.

To top it off, work announced a reduction in the amount of staff at my level...criteria would be based on performance reviews over past two years and length of service. Although I had good performance ratings, I've only been with the company 3.5 years. With a child in college and two upcoming weddings, the thought of being out of a job is unnerving. This is going to be the ultimate test of my faith...I won't know until November 10th.

In the midst of all the tension and anxiety...just when I did not know how much more I could take...it was time for the annual women's retreat for my church. Three days at Traber Center at the top of a mountain in Spring City, PA. The timing was perfect...just what I needed!

Our speaker was Sherrie Holloway, a professor at Baptist Bible College and founder of Wellspring Ministries. Her topic for the weekend was "Seeking Through the Darkness." Well, if that wasn't perfectly appropriate!!!!

Sherrie spoke about how the Light in the Darkness of Fear is Faith...The Light in the Darkness of Failure is Forgiveness...The Light in the Darkness of Fatigue is Fellowship. A verse that spoke to me the loudest over the weekend was Psalm 46:1-2..."God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." I struggled throughout the weekend with my emotions, crying out to God that I could not handle the pressures on my own, and He kept bring that verse to mind. He wanted me to know that despite the trial, however desperate a situation might appear, He would be by my side, holding me up.

Sherrie said in seeking light in the darkness, ask yourself 3 questions:

What do I want? (Am I seeking God's will in my life?)
What do I know? (GOD is in control of it all!)
What will I do? (Live by faith, trust in Him)

When confront with who God is, I must trust Him - anything else is unexceptable!

I also had a chance to take a few pictures over the weekend, although the weather was quite disagreeable all day Saturday.

I was able to relax and enjoy fellowship around the firepit, pamper myself with a happy hands session, enjoyed a bit of history at the Slavery "Underground Railroad" Museum at Camp Sankanac, and of course, being a stress eater, indulged in Chef Mark's creations!

I've arrived back home with a renewed strength, my mind, body, and soul refreshed. My Father knew exactly what I needed, and He provided it in abundance.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path...When I feel afraid and think I've lost my way, still, You're there right beside me. Nothing will I fear as long as You are near; please be with me to the end...Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.