Ah--------

I use to walk everywhere up until January 27, 2007 when my son bought me a brand new car.  Since then I've driven everywhere I needed to go, even to the store 1 1/2 blocks away to purchase one or two items.

Today, I got up early while it was still cool outside and took a walk through the neighborhood.  It was like walking down memory lane as I began to relax and converse with God, speak "good morning" to a family I passed standing on their front porch, and observe the hidden treasures of early morning we often miss in our rush to get to work.

Prayer, exercise, fresh air and a cool breeze was just what I needed going forward into a brand new day.

Mother's Day 2016

It has been 10 years since my mother's passing.  She passed away on Mother's Day 2006.  She had went to church that day; she preached the early morning sermon at her church, conducted Sunday School, went to my brother's house for dinner, went home, and while sitting in her chair with her oxygen mask in her hand------went to her eternal home.  She would have been 81 years old this past April.  
Some think that since my mother died on Mother's day, I would be depressed or sad.  But I'm not!  I celebrate her life.  I can't think of a more appropriate day for God to have taken her home.  Like Paul, she had completed her assignment, she had finished her course.

In memory of Mom and Grandma, I reprint the following that was written 2 years ago.

"When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also." I Timothy 1:5

Whenever I read the above verse regarding Timothy's mother and grandmother I think of my mother and her mother, Grandma Nannie.  My faith in the Lord was birth out of the faith I seen exhibited in these two women.  I don't recall my mother or grandmother ever teaching us the scriptures, but I do remember seeing them live out the scriptures.

Grandma & Me (celebrating my 7th birthday)

I remember one Mother's Day my siblings and I had bought gifts for mom and grandma. Before grandma would accept our gift she asked if we bought our paternal grandmother a gift too.  We explained that we did not buy her a gift because we didn't believe she cared about us.  Whenever she came to see us, which was rare, she'd spend the whole time taking about her other son's children; how wonderful they were, and the things she bought them.  She never bought us anything and she never had anything nice to say about our mother. Grandma Nannie would make us keep her gift until we bought a gift for our other grandmother.  Of course our gifts were always rejected and given away.  But we continued to show her the same honor we did Grandma Nannie.  And then it happen, after the birth of my 4th child, this grandmother who always dissed us, had a change of heart.  She began writing me letters, and sending me vegetable and flower seeds to grow in my garden.  When she came for a visit she asked to see my children and meet my husband.  The seed of love that Grandma Nannie taught us to sow in our other grandmother's life had taken root and now she was able to love us back.

This lesson I learned from grandma of loving and blessing those who do not love me has been applied many times to the difficult people I've met during the course of my life.  Is this not the kind of love Jesus commanded His followers to have for those who hated them?

Cordelia Ann Webster (mom)

During times of lack my mother would go to the piano and worship God in song.  As a child I would slip into the living room and sit quietly on the floor, at the foot of the piano bench, and watch my mother pour her heart out to the Lord.  "Wonderful Grace of Jesus, greater than all my sins.  How shall my tongue describe it, where shall its praise begin.  Taking away my burden, setting my spirit free------for the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me!"  I still remember the verse and chorus of that old hymn and others I learned while listening to my mother's songs of praise unto the Lord.

When I grew up and experienced hardships and other difficult situations, I'd steal away to a quiet place and worship the Lord in song and praise.  I discovered what my mother had learned; peace in the middle of life's storms can be realized when we direct our attention to the Lord.  Not only does the Lord grant us peace in the middle of the storm, He also makes a way in, through, and out of the storm.

I learned to call on the name of the Lord and to trust His word through the example of my mother and grandmother.  I pray that my children and grandchildren will learn the same from me.

YESTERDAY

Yesterday God blessed me to see my 61st Birthday.  I am so grateful.  The Sunday before, I spent the afternoon celebrating with my two younger sisters.

Yesterday I was lost in thoughts of how good God has been to me and my family.  I reminisced over the crisis He's carried me through, how He guided my education and training, intertwining both with good times, family, friends, and an experiential knowledge of Him to prepare me for the vocation He called me to. I'm just awe-struck at how the Lord has brought me to where I am today.

To God be the Glory forever and ever, Amen.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As of today, we are 40 days into the new year.

God is still good to me.  He is still my refuge, my strong tower, a present help in time of trouble, and joy in times of peace.  He is my all in all.  I am so amazed at how He provides for me.

Lord, please let my life always be a sweet smelling savor in Your presence, a song of praise before Your throne.  Amen.

Thanksgiving Blessings!

In the movie "Holidaze," there's a scene in which the matriarch of the family makes a toast at the beginning of the Thanksgiving Dinner.  She says, "Thanksgiving is a funny sort of holiday; and every year families get together to celebrate everything they have in their lives and then b^@#h and moan about it."  She continues as the family raises their glasses with laughter, "Here's to b^@#hing and moaning!"

Regardless of where we find ourselves this Thanksgiving, we are a people most blessed. Despite a down economy, job loss, hardships, crisis, etc. we have much to be thankful for. If you don't think you're blessed, lift your head toward heaven and worship the King of Glory.  Doing so will reveal all of the unnoticed miracles and blessings He has performed on your behalf.

So, instead of b^@#hing and moaning about what you have and don't have, give

thanks to the Lord for His Love, Mercy and Grace to you.

Thanksgiving 2015

This year I add to the lists of things I'm grateful to God for is the gift of laughter.

This past Sunday I was out to dinner with a good friend.  We had so much to catch up on, we lingered over dinner a good 30-40 minutes after we had consumed our meal.  When it was time to go, I was so stiff I could hardly get up.  It took several steps before my joints loosen up enough for me to regain normal walking.  "Are you okay, Anna?" my friend asked.  I began to laugh. "I'm just find," I replied to my friend and to a concerned patron who was watching me closely.  I leaned toward the patron who looked to be my age, "You've got to have a sense of humor as you age!"  He laughed with me.

Life is what you make it.  And I am determined to live each day to the fullest by entrusting my life to the Lord and maintaining a healthy sense of humor.

The Journey Continues........................

I lost my job yesterday because I supported a co-worker who was being unjustly fired.  I have no regrets and, I'm able to sleep at night.  Sometimes Christians are often the first to complain about corruption in the workplace, and sadly, the first to look the other way when a brother or sister is being harassed or falsely written up by an insecure and corrupt department head. 

When Christians fail to let their light shine, they give Satan a foothold into their life, and cause the name of Jesus to be mocked before ungodly men. 

I rejoice in the good that has come out of this situation.  The faith of the co-worker I supported  was renewed.  She said before she met me, she believed all supervisors were the same; unethical, and unconcerned about the people who worked under them.
Another employee resigned.  She said her conscience would no longer allow her to compromise her faith. In this, God has been glorified.

So, the Journey continues as I walk on the water with Jesus..........

Near The End

Wow!
We're 4 months away from the end of the year and this is my first post for 2015.  I can't believe I haven't posted since December 2014.  This has been another full year for me.
As a teenager I always felt a connection to biblical Joseph.  And now, at age 60, it seems like I've connected with him again.   Five months into my new job, I was promoted to a position that has made it possible for me to initiate needed services to impoverished communities in Chicago.  God is good.

I never cease to be awed and amazed at how God weaves us into His plan for humanity.

End Of The Year Blessings

The later half of this year has been-------I don't even know how to describe it!  It been exhilarating. It's been full.

It all began in the month of July.  My granddaughter who has lived with me for the past 4 years moved to New York to live with her mother and siblings; and I moved to a smaller apartment. 

In October I was asked by one of the teens at the church I formerly attended, to represent him at the Boy Scouts' Board of Review.  I was so honored and humbled at his request. 

On January 3rd he will be acknowledged for achieving the highest rank in scouting: Eagle Scout.
Thus completing his tenure in boy scouting.


On November 3rd I began a new job.  I wasn't looking for a new job, it came looking for me! After spending considerable time in prayer, I accepted the offer.

The later half of this year's journey also brought a bittersweet experience.  My former husband was diagnosed October 22 with a rare type of Leukemia.  He passed away on December 9. On November 14 we were reconciled.  I and our youngest daughter was at his side when he transitioned from time into eternity.

I don't know what the new year will bring but, I am confident that I won't go it alone.  For He who said,  "I will never leave you nor forsake you" is always with me.

The Journey

This past April I celebrated my 59th birthday----"It's been a long journey."

Twenty-five years ago I had a dream in which I was in a race against a red Ferrari.  I couldn't see who was driving and it didn't seem important.  Here I stood on the starting line next to the car.  As the starter shouted "Go!"  the red Ferrari took off leaving me behind.  After a while I caught up with it.  In the middle of the trail was a mountain.  The Ferrari was at the base, gunning its engine in an attempt to drive up the mountain.  I now took the lead in the race as I climbed the mountain and continued on the trail.  Having run a great distance I looked behind me and could see that the Ferrari was still stuck at the base of the mountain.  I looked forward and continued on my run.  Before me in the far distance I could see what appeared to be the Kingdom of God.

Seven months ago I returned to this dream.  I saw a glimpse of the Heavenly city before me more visible than it was 25 years ago.  I looked behind me but could no longer see the starting line.  The Ferrari was no where in sight.  Was it still at the base of the mountain?  Did it pass me by?  I'm covered in sweat, I'm tired, and exhausted.  I dropped to my hands and knees. Waking up, I pondered the meaning of the dream.

At the time of my return to this dream I had been battling weariness.  Just tired of life; not suicidal, just tired.  For a long time I struggled between longing to go home to the Father, and crying out for strength to continue to the end.

Today, praise the Lord, I have been refreshed and recharged!  I had become weary because I had taken my eyes off the Lord and began looking at my circumstances and at people.

With my eyes re-focused on the Lord, I have resumed my walk on the water with Jesus!

Remembering Moma & Grandma

"When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also." I Timothy 1:5

Whenever I read the above verse regarding Timothy's mother and grandmother I think of my mother and her mother, Grandma Nannie.  My faith in the Lord was birth out of the faith I seen exhibited in these two women.  I don't recall my mother or grandmother ever teaching us the scriptures, but I do remember seeing them live out the scriptures.

Grandma & Me (celebrating my 7th birthday)

I remember one Mother's Day my siblings and I had bought gifts for mom and grandma.  Before grandma would accept our gift she asked if we bought our paternal grandmother a gift too.  We explained that we did not buy her a gift because we didn't believe she cared about us.  Whenever she came to see us, which was rare, she'd spend the whole time taking about her other son's children; how wonderful they were, and the things she bought them.  She never bought us anything and she never had anything nice to say about our mother. Grandma Nannie would make us keep her gift until we bought a gift for our other grandmother.  Of course our gifts were always rejected and given away.  But we continued to show her the same honor we did Grandma Nannie.  And then it happen, after the birth of my 4th child, this grandmother who always dissed us, had a change of heart.  She began writing me letters, and sending me vegetable and flower seeds to grow in my garden.  When she came for a visit she asked to see my children and meet my husband.  The seed of love that Grandma Nannie taught us to sow in our other grandmother's life had taken root and now she was able to love us back.

This lesson I learned from grandma of loving and blessing those who do not love me has been applied many times to the difficult people I've met during the course of my life.  Is this not the kind of love Jesus commanded His followers to have for those who hated them?

Cordelia Ann Webster (mom)

During times of lack my mother would go to the piano and worship God in song.  As a child I would slip into the living room and sit quietly on the floor, at the foot of the piano bench, and watch my mother pour her heart out to the Lord.  "Wonderful Grace of Jesus, greater than all my sins.  How shall my tongue describe it, where shall its praise begin.  Taking away my burden, setting my spirit free------for the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me!"  I still remember the verse and chorus of that old hymn and others I learned while listening to my mother's songs of praise unto the Lord.

When I grew up and experienced hardships and other difficult situations, I'd steal away to a quiet place and worship the Lord in song and praise.  I discovered what my mother had learned; peace in the middle of life's storms can be realized when we direct our attention to the Lord.  Not only does the Lord grant us peace in the middle of the storm, He also makes a way in, through, and out of the storm.

I learned to call on the name of the Lord and to trust His word through the example of my mother and grandmother.  I pray that my children and grandchildren will learn the same from me.

The Day After

Yesterday, (April 19) I experienced another birthday.......59 years.  It's been a long journey to where I am today.  Sometimes I wonder "how did I get here?"  In many ways I've changed.......I'm not the same person and in some ways I am.

I am grateful to God to have seen this day.  It's been 20 years since the doctor said he couldn't promise I'd live to see my 40th birthday.  I pray everyday that my life would be a song of praise, a sweet smelling fragrance unto the Lord.

Chicago!

The first day of spring, will arrive in Chicago at 11:00 am central standard time.  Four hours before its arrival winter gave us a farewell snow shower that lasted about an hour.  I enjoy living in this part of the country.  We experience a variety of weather that doesn't always come in its correct season.  I recall in April of '74, instead of April Showers we had snow!  I remember it well because my husband along with other employees were stranded in Niles, IL because of snow storm.

Storm Vulcan

I enjoy every season, especially the unexpected display of nature, the expression of our Awesome Creator.  I've been so consumed with work that although I haven't been posting on a regular basis, I have been snapping pictures.

Valentine's Day 2014/Sunrise

This photo doesn't capture the beauty of the icicle seen with the naked eye.  This picture was taken from the inside of my living room window.  With my eyes I could see the colors of the sky reflected in the icicles.

Spending Time With The Father

I miss having access to the church sanctuary to meet with the Lord.  I know God is everywhere and any place I pause to worship becomes a sanctuary.   But there is something special about meeting God in a place that has been specifically set aside for intimate and private fellowship with the Lord.

Precious were those times when early in the morning before the staff arrived, or in the evening after everyone had left; I would go into the sanctuary and lay on the altar in quiet communion with the Lord.  Sometimes I'd pray, and sometimes I'd just lay quiet, listening for His voice.  I felt a connection with the patriarchs Abraham, Issac and Jacob when I lay their awaiting His arrival.  

Around 1:30 am, the day after Thanksgiving I awoke from my after dinner-guest gone home nap and began the task of cleaning up the kitchen.  As I washed dishes and scrubbed pots and pans I started worshiping the Lord in song and praise.  And then as it had happened many times before when I laid on the altar, the presence of the Lord came into my kitchen and ministered to me.  Even at work, in the privacy of my office I'm blessed with His intimate presence as I kneel in prayer seeking His guidance and  blessings in meeting the demands of my job.

Truly God has accepted my kitchen and office as a sanctuary for communing with Him.

VOICES

Since the mid 1980s I've been hearing in my ear the following:

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; I ordained you a prophet to (my church).  For you shall go to all to whom I send you.  And whatever I command you, you shall speak.

Do not be afraid of their faces,  For I am with you to deliver you."  "Do not be afraid of their faces lest I confound thee before them.  I have made you this day a defensed city and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land.  They shall fight against you but they will not prevail against you; for I am with you to deliver you."

"See, this day I have set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant."  

Are you speaking to me Lord?  I'm just a woman, a nobody.  No one will listen to me!

"I have made you a watchman over (my church) hear the word from my mouth, and give them warning from me.  Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house."

"Clean the rubble off my foundation and BUILD MY HOUSE!"
Who am I Lord?  Are you really calling me to serve you as you did the prophets of old?  No one will believe me.  The last pastor you sent me to sent out emails implying that I was delusional------------gifted, but delusional.  

"A voice crying out in the wilderness, 'Make a straight path to the Lord!'"
If John the Baptist was here today he wouldn't be welcomed in any of our churches.  
Three times I've been asked to leave and just recently I was secretly voted out the church without the congregation's knowledge---"religious" leaders fear me, lay people hear me and seek God.

This morning as I thought about these things in prayer I heard the following phrase from a song-------
"God has spoken, let the church say, Amen"

A Day with JaNice

I spent yesterday afternoon with my middle daughter, JaNice. She took me up north (North-side Chicago) with her to run some errands. I regret not bringing my camera----there was so much to see. I hadn't visit this part of the city in years.  

We went to a place called "Reckless Records" to pick up some CDs she had reserved.  I didn't know there was any place that still sold records.  It was fun looking through the selection of LPs seeing titles and artists from my teen years. The store even sold 45s, cassettes, and 8-track tapes! From the DVD section we purchased 4 old favorites.

JaNice (doesn't like being photograph)

From there we visited neighborhood bookstores, and took in the sights of a very diverse community lined with outdoor cafes and various ethnic restaurants.  At one of the bookstores I found a copy of Mary Higgins Clark Mystery novel, "Stillwatch." Stillwatch was the first book I read by Clark.  I've been reading her books ever since.   Of all of her mystery novels that I've read, Stillwatch is still my favorite.  

The lakefront was bursting with life! The beach was filled with people grilling, jogging, bike riding, and just stretching out on lounge chairs enjoying the view.  Chicago has such a beautiful skyline. That and the sailboats made Lake Michigan a picture perfect postcard scene.

A Still Small Voice

When experiencing unforeseen circumstances in life and/or ministry we often seek advice from our pastor or close friends. We strain to hear God’s voice of direction through a sermon, or a song. We’ll pull out our Topical Bible looking for passages that mirror our situation to explain or make sense out of what we’re going through. And many times God will speak to us through others and through specific examples from the Bible.  But there are also times when God will speak through the still quiet moments of a seemingly mundane task.

One of the easiest to grow houseplants for me is the philodendra. I like the fact that it can be grown in water or potting soil, and it produces lush green cascading vines. I had notice that for some time one of my plants appeared to be dying. One by one its long lush vines withered, turning yellow and then brown before falling off the main branch. Yet there was new growth shooting up near the base of the plant. In an attempt to save the last of its dying vines I clipped it and placed it in a separate container of water with a few drops of plant food. The next morning, the clipped vine had made a miraculous recovery! The leaves were no longer drooping, they were pointing upward and the green color had returned to its stem. It was here, in this unexpected moment of serene amazement that God spoke peace to the bewildering situation I was going through. 

There are seasons of growth when it becomes necessary for God to "clip" us, setting us apart from the group in order to prepare us to bear more fruit, either in a different position or in a new location for His purposes. If we cling to where God desires to remove us from, like my vine, we will wither and become unproductive.

It's Not Over........It's Only the Beginning

Since June I've been in a battle that I thought had come to an end.  But as of today, the battle still rages.  I heard a song by Israel Houghton this past week that encouraged me greatly. 

When God is ready to do a new thing in His children, He often uses persecution to move them from their places of comfort to grow them, to bring them into a greater level of ministry.  In the US as it was in Jesus' day, very little persecution comes from the spiritually lost; it comes from the people we hold dear to our hearts------the place where we live, and worship. 

Whewwwww...........................

Can you believe it?!  The New Year is almost half over.  For almost two years I've been writing a weekly column for a community newspaper, which is one of the reasons why I haven't been posting regularly.  Beginning today I hope to rectify this and resume at least weekly postings.  There is still much to write about as I continue to walk on the water with Jesus.

It's A Wonderful Life!

As I looked at my life these past few months I began to feel a kinship to George Bailey in the holiday movie classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

 From his youth up, George lived a life of helping others.  As a young man he gave up his long anticipated dreams of traveling and attending college after his father unexpectedly died.  Instead he sent his brother to college, and took over his father’s business to ensure that honest hardworking families could realize their dreams of owning a decent place to live and raise their children.  He even gave up his honeymoon money to protect the interest of those families who would have been taken advantage of by the hateful and wealthy Mr. Potter during the town’s financial crisis.  When George’s blundering uncle unknowingly gives the company’s deposit monies to Mr. Potter, Potter, in an attempt to destroy George, keeps the money and takes out a warrant for his arrest accusing him of embezzling company funds.  It is at this point that George contemplates suicide and later wishes he had never been born believing that everyone would have been better off if he’d never existed.

With the help of his guardian angel, George discovers that his life really did make a difference.  Had he not been born, Bedford Falls would have become Potter’s Field.  His brother would have died as a child and an entire transport of soldiers would have died because his brother would not have been there to save them.  Uncle Billy would have been in an insane asylum; his mother would have become a bitter old widow; the druggist would have gone to prison for accidental poisoning of a patient; and the honest hardworking families would have been subjected to living in Potter’s slum houses.  George also learned that the people he helped didn’t take him for granted.  They and even his old rival classmate and his brother came to his rescue when they heard he was in trouble.

My personal version of Mr. Potter had for a moment blinded me to the truth that God had used me to make a difference in the lives of those He sent me to serve.  The very people I was sent to serve showed their love and appreciation for me through acts of service, gifts, dinner, and well wishes.  Many of them didn’t even know I was in crisis.  I will probably never make the Forbes 500 list but because of friendships formed by the Spirit of God I am one of the richest women in the world.