People Out There

 The word of the week is LIGHT

: something that makes vision possible : a particular illumination : something that enlightens or informs

It was 1:30 in the morning, and I had insomnia. I’m not exactly sure why I couldn't sleep. Maybe it was due to the stresses of college, or to the fact that I had been questioning my existence in this world. It was a common pity party for me during that time. So, as I sat and sulked on the bed in my small Chicago dorm room, I looked out the window and noticed Franklin Square in the distance.

Not a very pretty sight, really, compared to other parts of Chicago; but maybe that was a good thing. It helped me focus my attention on the darker corners of the city, the parts that needed more light; and as I began to think and pray about why I was there in that dark city, my heart was redirected off of myself and onto others. I looked out at the darkness, then saw the small lights shining in the distance. The reason for my existence became more clear as I  realized, as Christians, WE are the light of the world. We need to be shining our lights brightly to help illuminate the darkness.

THAT is why I was there.
In fact, that is why we are ALL here - to shine our lights for the glory of God.

Here is what I wrote about that night...

PEOPLE OUT THERE
By: Victoria (McIntosh) Stankus, April 6, 1989

There are people out there.
Real people.
Lonely people.

It is dark out tonight.
Dark in many ways.
There are a few lights shining brightly in the distance.
The light is so small compared to the darkness.

The American flag flies freely on top of Franklin Square.
It symbolizes the freedom of the people.
But, yet, they are not free.

There are people out there.
Real people.
Lonely people.
People who need Jesus.

Encouragement Challenge #13: Remain True

I was a young, 20-year-old college student when I wrote the following poem. I remember feeling alone, I remember feeling like God had left me to fend for myself. But, God had not left me. He was teaching me to seek Him, and to listen for His voice.

GOD IS THERE

By: Victoria L. Stankus

I was alone tonight.
I needed God.
God was there.
He was there all along.
But, I didn't take time for Him.
That's why I was alone.
And, I needed God.
And, when I called to God,
God was there.
So, I cried to God.
I couldn't cry before.
I was frustrated and helpless.
I needed God.
God was there.
I asked for forgiveness.
I had neglected Him.
I asked Him not to leave me.
He would never leave me.
God was there.
He'll always be there.
He'll always care.
GOD IS THERE.

In Acts 11, Barnabas encouraged a growing church in Antioch to remain true to the Lord. I think, in a world where God seems to be disappearing, and more and more Christians are feeling distant from Him, we need to continue to encourage each other to remain true - to stand firm in our faith, and be loyal to the only One who can give us the strength to keep going.

ENCOURAGEMENT CHALLENGE #13

For this week's challenge, consider sharing an encouraging article or video with someone who might be feeling distant from the Lord. Here are some ideas. Just click on the title to be taken to the site of interest: 

BIBLE.ORG ARTICLE:  When God Seems Distant

Short excerpt from this article: The test of your faith is not when God’s presence is real, when you see God at work in your life. The real test of your faith is when God seems distant. Do you seek Him then? If you seek Him, you will find Him, but if you turn to the world or look for a quick fix for your problems without seeking God, you won’t find Him. Seek God especially when He seems distant.

GOTQUESTIONS ARTICLE: Why Are There Times When God Seems Silent?

Short excerpt from this article: In our walk as born-again believers, it may seem that God is silent, but God is never silent. What looks like silence and inactivity to us is God allowing us the opportunity to listen to "the still small voice" and to see the provisions that He has made for us by faith.

 

FRANCIS CHAN VIDEO: Do You Feel Distant From God? 

Quote from A.W. Tozer, mentioned in this video: "Every man is as close to God as he wants to be."

YOU TUBE VIDEO:  When God is Silent 

Short excerpt from this video: When God is silent, He wants us to learn to distinguish HIS voice.

 

Mary's Song

MARY’S SONG

By:  Victoria L. Stankus

~*~*~*~

Joseph and I had a long way to go.

We traveled both day and night.

But when we arrived in Bethlehem,

There were no empty rooms in sight.

I didn't complain, but trusted God

To find us a place to stay.

Soon, there was this stable

Filled with plenty of nice warm hay.

It is here where my song was born.

Jesus, God's son, I did bear.

The thought of this babe as a king

Is almost a bit of a scare.

But, as I look in His eyes,

I see beautiful sparkles of love.

I know He is not just my son,

But also the Father's above.

The birth of the king is shown by a star.

Some shepherds followed it and came.

When they arrived, they worshiped Him

And praised His holy name.

I’ve wrapped the babe in swaddling clothes

And laid Him in a manger.

There He will be plenty warm

And kept away from danger.

Now, as I watch Him sleeping,

There’s a song that fills my heart.

And, my baby boy is the melody

That made the music start.

Some Do, But Only A Few...

As we near St. Patrick's Day, I think about the kind of life "St. Patrick" led and how he became determined to share his beliefs in Christ with others in the country of Ireland.

Below, you will see a little diaglogue I wrote that is meant to encourage us all to tell others about the Lord and what He has done for us. This can be done through our words AND our actions.....

SOME DO, BUT ONLY A FEW...

"Do you consider yourself to be a missionary?"

"A missionary! Me?"

"Yes, You."

"No, not me."

"Why not you? You're a Christian, aren't you?
"Yes. But, I . . . "

"You what?"

"Oh, I hate bugs!"

"Heh heh. I'm sorry, but that's not an excuse."

"What do you mean?"

"It's silly. You can't get away from bugs no matter where you are."

"That's true, I guess, but I'm allergic to the jungle."

"The jungle? Who said anything about a jungle?"

"You did."

"No I didn't. I asked if you consider yourself as a missionary."

"Well, don't missionaries go to the jungle?"

"Some do, but only a few."

"You mean, as a missionary I wouldn't have to go to Africa or South America?"

"Of course not. You don't even have to go overseas."

"Isn't that what missionaries do?"

"Some do, but only a few."

"So, where do the rest go?"

"They stay where they are."

"I don't understand."

"The definition of a missionary is: One who is sent to do a religious or charitable work in a certain territory. In other words, you can stay right here in your home town, tell others about the difference Jesus Christ has made in your life, and be considered a missionary."

"So, if a person is a Christian and is being a good witness for Christ through his words and actions, he is a missionary?"

"That's right. Not every Christian is commanded to go overseas, but we ARE all commanded to be witnesses for Christ."

"But, not every Christian obeys this command, do they?"

"Some do, but only a few."


-Victoria L. Stankus

Acts 22:15 - For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. (NAS)
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Sky Time

I guess its been about three weeks since I last posted anything. Time sure flies, doesn’t it? Whew.... And, you know what? Its hard for me to even recollect what these past 3 weeks have entailed.

That reminds me of a poem I wrote quite a few years ago. It’s a poem about how just ONE DAY can flash by us so quickly. It refers to the fact that we, and those around us, can tend to get caught up in life and forget to take time for what is really important. If we're not careful, we end up rising each morning, doing our duties, then going to bed each night - all out of habit. It then becomes easy to miss out on the beauty of nature that God has created for us; to miss out on getting to know our children and family members better; and to miss out on spending time with God.

Please don’t let life pass you by without “taking a look” at what is most important... BEFORE its all gone.....

~ ~ ~ ~

SKY TIME

Silent night. Peaceful dawn.

Take a look before it's gone.

Twinkle twinkle little star.

You seem so close, but yet so far.

I watch you as you fade away.

The sunrise greets a brand new day.

The wind blows softly o'er the lake.

All the birds are now awake.

The birds fly by just like the time.

The sun begins to make it's climb.

Peaceful dawn. Busy day.

Take some time to stop and pray.

Don't forget the God of love

Who made the stars and sun above.

Morning madness makes you ill.

The sun above is rising still.

Noontime meals. A coffee break.

Friends around are now awake.

The wind blows swiftly through the trees.

The time whips by just like the breeze.

Busy day. Calming eve.

The sun begins to make it's leave.

The wind blows gently o'er the lake.

The birds sleep in the nests they make.

The sun will sink a slowing pace.

The stars begin to take it's place.

Twinkle twinkle little star.

You seem so close, but yet so far.

The sun is going...going...gone.

It will return at peaceful dawn.

Calming eve. Silent night.

The moon serves as sufficient light.

A glimpse of light flies through the sky.

A falling star softly whispers good-bye.

Everyone is now asleep.

The stars will twinkle as they weep.

Twinkle twinkle little star.

You seemed so close, but yet so far.

The wind blows swiftly through the trees.

The time whips by just like the breeze.

Silent night. Peaceful dawn.

Take a look before it's gone.

– Victoria L. Stankus

Christmas Blessings

.
A Message from God

(Based on Luke 2:8-14)

Specially chosen shepherds,

were watching their flocks in the night.

They were people with no social standing.

Yet, important in God’s eyes.

Bright lights engulfed the darkness

as angels appeared in the field.

With peace and reassurance,

a message from God was revealed.

“A savior has been born!”

The angels declared the news.

They encouraged the shepherds to find Him,

praising God before they withdrew.

“Glory to God in the highest,”

The heavenly angels proclaimed.

“Peace on earth, good will toward men.”

They praised His holy name.

-Victoria L. Stankus

A quote from Charles Spurgeon: 
"We venture to assert, that if there be any day in the year, of which we may be pretty sure that it was not the day on which the Savior was born, it is the 25th of December... Regarding NOT the day, let us, nevertheless, give thanks to God for the gift of His dear Son."


May you be blessed this Christmas as you remember the birth of our Lord!
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GUEST BLOGGER: Mary Lee

Mary is a good friend of mine. We both attended the same college, but at different times, and I "found" her one day in our alumni magazine. I was interested in getting to know her, as I thought she looked familiar, and I also saw she was a mother of special needs children (something we definitely had in common). I e-mailed her one day, and we became friends almost instantly. We have shared prayers and support, shared several family "outings," and have studied God's Word together. It has been a blessing to know Mary, and she has allowed me this opportunity to share a poem she wrote in her college days. It is a poem about Wisdom and how it's important for us to strive at living our lives in a way that would make God want to say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." 

Matt 25:21 - "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'(NKJ)

Now, here's Mary....

In college I spent some time serving the elderly in a particular apartment complex. We ran errands, fixed things, and spent time talking. One woman stood out in particular to me.

Wisdom

“Enjoy your youth,” the woman said,

Imploring with her eyes

I could not grasp her full intent

But knew that she was wise.

“I was young once, just like you,

And felt I’d always be;

But now I look back with regret

On all I did not see.

If I could relive my youthful days

I’d get it through my head

That life is short and I must grasp

Each moment, each word said.

Don’t demand love from your friends

And don’t expect too much.

Love them each for who they are

Don’t use them as your crutch.

Look for ways to be content

With what God gives to you

That way you’ll not regret

And to His word You’ll be true.”

As she spoke she brought me

To a state of deepened thought.

I thanked God for wiser people,

Praying others could be taught.

~ Mary Lee ~