Setting Our Hearts Aflame
Imagination
Holly got a message that on this day, God wants her to know... that you are only as free as you imagine yourself to be. There is nothing ''out there'' that's holding you down, - you are limiting yourself only with your own imagination. And your greatest limits are not even the ''cannot'' and the ''should not'', but the places where your imagination hasn't yet gone at all. There has never been a better time for you to open your eyes, let the imagination soar and see what more is possible.
A few months ago I joined Facebook and I came across a little application called “What God wants you to know…” Everyday a little message is delivered to me. Very often these messages provide me with much food for thought and prayer.
This message brought me back to a day in November 1970. My parents gave me a newspaper clipping with the heading “My Parents Knocked the Word Can’t Out of My Life.” On November 8, 1970 the placekicker for the New Orleans Saints, Tom Dempsey, kicked the game winning field goal in the last two seconds of the game. The kick was good at 63 yards, a record still held today. What was amazing about this feat was that Tom Dempsey was born with only a partial right hand and no toes on his right foot (his kicking foot).
The news article gave a brief synopsis of Dempsey’s life. He gave full credit to his parents for encouraging him in anything he wanted to do. The word “can’t” was not allowed in his household (nor was it allowed in mine.) I kept that news clipping until this day as a reminder to me that with faith anything is possible.
The next time you feel something is impossible ask God to show you a path. Ask Him for strength, insight, and imagination and you will find that with God’s help, nothing is impossible.
God Bless… Holly Clark
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Sunset Alert!
Setting Our Hearts Aflame
Sunset Alert!
In my “previous life” as a medical technologist I worked in a hospital chemistry lab that was in a glass building. We were on the fourth floor with a wonderful view of the western sky. As the days grew shorter, and sunset occurred closer to 4:30-5:00 pm, very often someone in the lab would shout out “SUNSET ALERT!” At that point we would all stop working and congregate to the west side of the lab. We’d all make a special effort and take a few moments to silently admire God’s handiwork. No matter what our differences, faiths, stress levels at the moment, we’d come together for a few moments of peace, solitude, and camaraderie. These times were very special to me.
I find a sunset one of God’s most awesome works of nature. For me they always seem to come when I am in most need of cheering up or de-stressing. Who could remain upset or stressed after gazing at the pinks and oranges of a sunset?
The other day I was musing that sunsets remind me of Jesus’ resurrection. Daylight “dies” and a glorious colorful sky is born. About two years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and when I underwent radiation therapy. I was totally exhausted mentally and physically. As I was driving along one day, during this period, I came across a beautiful sky, full of color, and silhouetted against the panorama was a church steeple and cross. I knew God was speaking to me. He was giving me hope and letting me know that I could lay down my troubles at His feet and he would bear the burden for me.
As we travel through life let us pause at beautiful sunsets and shout out “Sunset Alert” to those around us so that all may partake of God’s wonder. God Bless, Holly Clark
Sunset Alert!
In my “previous life” as a medical technologist I worked in a hospital chemistry lab that was in a glass building. We were on the fourth floor with a wonderful view of the western sky. As the days grew shorter, and sunset occurred closer to 4:30-5:00 pm, very often someone in the lab would shout out “SUNSET ALERT!” At that point we would all stop working and congregate to the west side of the lab. We’d all make a special effort and take a few moments to silently admire God’s handiwork. No matter what our differences, faiths, stress levels at the moment, we’d come together for a few moments of peace, solitude, and camaraderie. These times were very special to me.
I find a sunset one of God’s most awesome works of nature. For me they always seem to come when I am in most need of cheering up or de-stressing. Who could remain upset or stressed after gazing at the pinks and oranges of a sunset?
The other day I was musing that sunsets remind me of Jesus’ resurrection. Daylight “dies” and a glorious colorful sky is born. About two years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and when I underwent radiation therapy. I was totally exhausted mentally and physically. As I was driving along one day, during this period, I came across a beautiful sky, full of color, and silhouetted against the panorama was a church steeple and cross. I knew God was speaking to me. He was giving me hope and letting me know that I could lay down my troubles at His feet and he would bear the burden for me.
As we travel through life let us pause at beautiful sunsets and shout out “Sunset Alert” to those around us so that all may partake of God’s wonder. God Bless, Holly Clark
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Who are the Poor and Marginalized?
Setting Our Hearts Aflame
Who are the Poor and Marginalized?
For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please, ” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there, ” or “Sit at my feet, ” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? James 2:2-4
Before reading on, please pause for a moment and reflect upon this passage… Have you ever looked at someone and thought “what shabby clothes” or “that person looks abnormal, and is probably mentally challenged as well?” Have you ever walked across the street to avoid a homeless person?
In studying the Bible we talk a lot about how to behave towards the poor and marginalized but no one ever talks to the poor and vulnerable. We talk about “them” as if they were just anonymous blobs of flesh that need handouts, protection and charity… we tend to think we know what is best for them… we need to open our eyes, ears and heart to the poor, handicapped, and others who live on the fringes of society.
Strangers have looked upon me as a marginalized person many times in my life. It is sad that some cannot look beyond physical deformities and see the beauty of the soul.
Let us welcome those on the fringes as Jesus did. Let us make an effort to befriend those less fortunate. We must remember that though we are many parts… many different parts… we are all one body in Christ.
- God Bless, Holly Clark
Who are the Poor and Marginalized?
For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please, ” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there, ” or “Sit at my feet, ” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? James 2:2-4
Before reading on, please pause for a moment and reflect upon this passage… Have you ever looked at someone and thought “what shabby clothes” or “that person looks abnormal, and is probably mentally challenged as well?” Have you ever walked across the street to avoid a homeless person?
In studying the Bible we talk a lot about how to behave towards the poor and marginalized but no one ever talks to the poor and vulnerable. We talk about “them” as if they were just anonymous blobs of flesh that need handouts, protection and charity… we tend to think we know what is best for them… we need to open our eyes, ears and heart to the poor, handicapped, and others who live on the fringes of society.
Strangers have looked upon me as a marginalized person many times in my life. It is sad that some cannot look beyond physical deformities and see the beauty of the soul.
Let us welcome those on the fringes as Jesus did. Let us make an effort to befriend those less fortunate. We must remember that though we are many parts… many different parts… we are all one body in Christ.
- God Bless, Holly Clark
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