Stray Noodles

OUT OF CONTROL - OR RATHER NEVER IN IT... Every person wants to believe that they have some aspect of control over their lives.  At some point perhaps many of us think...if I do this or that, or gain this thing or that, then this or that will happen.  I know I did.  But what I have slowly been learning is that, no matter what happens in my life, I am not the one in control. Maybe we don't think about it much, but if we are honest with ourselves, we can admit that we spend most of our time in uncertainty, rather than confidence.  Even those of us who believe in the Lord and have asked for direction...after following that leading...can be tempted to assume that we made a mistake when the road turns in an unexpected, or more difficult direction.  If we aren't careful, we may throw in the towel just when we are about to achieve a victory.  Case in point... MONKEYS ON MY BACK When I was a newly converted Christian and working my way through my rest...

In the quiet of the day - which for me is usually early in the morning - my favorite place to be is outside. This morning after hemming and hawing for a bit because it looked like rain, I decided to just go for it and out I went. With my Bible in one hand, coffee in the other, and my cellphone tucked into my pocket I headed for a walk around my building and a quiet spot to read. Usually I try to be intentional about my walks, making sure I set just the right pace to make it a workout. However, this morning I suddenly had the desire to recreate the first truly present and  especially peaceful morning walk I had had a few weeks ago. With that in mind I instantly started walking more slowly and purposefully taking in deep breaths of the fresh morning air. Even though the sky was still overcast I was rejoicing in the beauty all around me. Remembering the first time I became aware that God had truly created everything I slowed my walk even more. I am so thankful I did. For I was to be r...

(Authors note:  This story was originally written as an English assignment.  It was later published under the sub-title, "When You're Ready to Give Up Hope," on page eight of Volume Eight Number Three, July - September 1994 issue of 'Action Africa,' a publication of the Africa Evangelical Fellowship, 881 Maxted Crescent, Milton, Ontario, Canada L9T 4E2) I Am A Towel  Written by Beverly Campbell              Once upon a time, I was a rug.  A small insignificant floor covering, occupying one of the many corridors of life (a very distant corridor I might add).  Very few of the billions of people in existence ever traveled in my direction.  Of the few that did, some avoided me at all cost, others casually stepped around, or over me.  And then there were those who used me.  Of the latter most didn't bother me.  But the ones that chose to wipe their muddy shoes or boots on me...

If there is anyone out there who is reading this and has read my posts in the past, you probably noticed that they disappeared.  In a moment that I now wish I could take back for some of my posts, I removed everything.  I had a growing, legitimate concern for the direction the blog was taking, one more of boasting about doings than of encouraging others to follow Christ.  In addition, a dear friend shared a concern about how expressing oneself over the internet may be taken and used.  However, I recently got a very clear picture that this cannot be prevented.  This is now the way most of the world communicates and no matter what, I must not let my voice for the Lord be silenced.  He saved me for a purpose, to be a witness to His miraculous saving grace and bring hope to the lost.  Our world is changing, hostilities are rising, and the end is drawing near.  We all must die one day be it through old age, illness, or violence.  We can't always ...