Author Archives: Patricia Ann

A Change of Mind

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Metanoia is an ancient Greek word meaning “changing one’s mind”.  It seems to me that the minds that can conceive of killing people brutally and mindlessly, need changing. Yesterday’s Bible study on the Book of Acts brought to light the story of Saul, the persecutor of Christians, who was depicted as a terrorist of the times. On his way to Damascus to round up even more Christians and throw them into jail, he was confronted by Jesus Himself, and underwent a thorough transformation. It reminded me of a poem I wrote in 2009 about that very story, and I share it with you now.

METANOIA FOR THE MODERN WORLD

On that long road to Damascus

The Lord stopped Saul in his tracks

“Why, Saul, do you persecute me?”

The voice from heaven asked.

“Who are you, Lord?”

The stricken man cried

As he rubbed his sightless eyes.

“I am Jesus whom you persecute!”

The voice from heaven replied.

For three days Saul was blinded,

He neither ate nor drank a drop

Until he was convicted

To change the way he thought.

When he saw himself as Jesus did

His eyesight was regained

And Saul the persecutor

Became known as Paul the saint.

We need that kind of metanoia

In our modern world today,

Let people think before they act

In such destructive ways.

Away with guns and knives and threats

And bombs and words of war!

Hear God’s voice from heaven say,

“These things I do abhor!”

And if we listen carefully,

If we try to be humane,

Then surely metanoia

Will touch our world again.

Our road to Damascus is just as real today

As it was in Paul’s time

May we meet Jesus on the way.

©2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

World, Take Heed

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What was going on in the world in 1995 that inspired the following poem? I’m not sure that I remember, but what is going on in Paris and other parts of the world at this time has inspired me to re-post it. It just seems fitting, somehow. Here then is:

THE VICTIM

People dead

before their time,

victims

of some heinous crime.

Callous killers,

world’s worst foes,

victims

of God only, knows.

Wars created

through sheer greed,

victims

of abnormal need.

Governments

whose rule a hoax,

victims

of the peoples’ votes.

Our planet Earth,

soon indigent,

victim

of our ignorance.

World, take heed!

The time has come

for remedy

lest you become

the victim.

©1995

 

Remembering

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Today is a day for remembering. We remember those who fought for our freedom, who died for our freedom, and who are still alive today to enjoy that freedom.

A friend and I are meeting for lunch today to remember as well, two very special people in our lives…our lifelong best friends, both of whom are in a different world of freedom…heaven.

We will also remember other loved ones who have left our lives through the mystery of death, gone but not forgotten.

Remembering is a soulful act in that it touches our souls the way our love for all these people touched our hearts.

Be blessed as you remember today…

And from the greatest teacher who ever lived, “Do this in remembrance of me.”

 

Gold Star Junkie

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downloadDo you like to be appreciated; to be told you’re doing a good job, to be loved for who you are?

I saw an interview with author Gretchen Rubin and Oprah Winfrey last night. Gretchen wrote The Happiness Project, a book about creating your own happiness by concentrating on what you can change in your life to make happiness a reality rather than a longing.

The following are some of the helpful hints mentioned in the book:

Be yourself (authentic)

Let it go (the garbage we carry)

Act the way you want to feel (sing in the morning)

Be polite and be fair (respect others)

Don’t be calculating (don’t expect return favors)

There is only love (love is the tonic)

Oprah asked Gretchen if she liked to be praised (don’t we all?) and Gretchen’s response was, “Oh yes! I’m a gold star junkie. I loved to see those gold stars on the top of my homework when I was a child.”

Someone once said to me, “You only like to hear good things.” Well, yes, I do. It makes me happy to hear good things. It makes me happy to be appreciated, to be truly loved for who I am. But it makes me happier to see others happy and to help contribute to their happiness in any small way.

While visiting someone in hospital, she made this remark, “It makes me happy to see your face.” Gold Star!

Yup, I’m a gold star junkie…and a gold star goes to all who read this blog.

Help My Unbelief

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You know what? I’m no theologian, clergy person, or Bible scholar, but I am a strong believer with an abundance of faith, and tend to take God’s promises seriously. However, I am not naive enough to expect that even though my motto is “All Things Are Possible” that all things are going to be possible. There are some limitations to human expectations and experiences.

It’s wonderful to pray for and with people who, despite limitations being a possibility, still hope enough to entertain the possibility that their prayers can and will be answered. Believing is a huge part of experiencing answered prayers.

There are those of us who pray that our belief and faith will trump the doubt on the recipient’s part, and so go ahead and pray for miracles. Some will say that this gives false hope. False or not, all hope is conducive to positive feelings which help people expect the best outcome for their situation…come what may.

Alexander Pope wrote in An Essay on Man, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast”…

Mark tells the story of the healing of a boy with an evil spirit since childhood. The boy’s father begged Jesus, “…if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” The boy’s father responded, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Jesus then relieved the boy of the evil spirit. (Mark 9:14-29)

Help my unbelief…what a pleading, positive and powerful prayer.

An Interesting Question

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Have you let God’s call go to voicemail? Isn’t that an interesting question?

Our new associate pastor/pastoral care leader said that this was what led her into ministry. She had felt drawn to this profession most of her life, but pursued other avenues such as teaching and raising a family, always putting the “nudges” onto a back burner of her life, until one Sunday she heard a sermon with the title “Have You Let God’s Call Go To Voicemail?”

Monica said it had a profound effect on her and prompted her to answer “the Call” that had been a quiet and steady urging for years.

Yesterday, our church had the honor of inducting this dedicated woman as Associate Minister of the pastoral charge.

I, for one, am very happy that Monica retrieved God’s message, followed his guidance, and is now an integral part of St. Andrew’s.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

Have you let God’s call go to voicemail?