Inspiration from Petra Pierre - Robertson

Losing a loved one is painful This  blog is written for a young woman who is grieving the loss of her brother. I am responding to her in a blog so others who may be in the same dilemma may find answers and peace.  The young lady, who I will refer to as N, shared with me  her concern with respect to where her brother was.  "I just want to know where he is and if he is ok.  Is he up in heaven?  If so how is it the Bible says when God comes he would resurrect him?"   The concern of the young lady is echoed by so many who have lost loved ones.  It is so comforting to think that they are up in heaven.  But if they are in heaven how can 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 - 18 be explained?  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be wit

Sing among the branches Psalm 104:12 (ESV) The birds of the heavens...sing among the branches.   "I thought birds sang sweetest in the morning. But I was wrong. They sing all through the day. I just didn't hear them since I was never home to listen...and even when home, the noises - cars, people, movement- crowded them out...but now...I hear them. They do sing...all through the day... #StayAtHome" (Petra Pierre - Robertson, April 23, 2020)   Ironically, exactly one year ago today, I came to this startling realization as I ‘worked from home’ in silence, during the height of lockdown, because of rising cases of COVID-19. Birds always sing!    They don't only sing when they are happy,  They don’t only sing only when they are free…   Singing a regular part of their daily activity They sing when they are working They sing when it is raining They sing when clouds are dark They sing when big dogs bark And although the songs differ based on the emotion or situation, we

   "...I will come again …"     John 14: 3  He bolted upright in the bed seconds before scampering from under the blanket.   He ran out of the room on hearing the sound of the opening of the garage door; a sound which alerted him to his father’s departure.   He was not going to be left back today!      “Can I come with you daddy?”   he trailed sleepily behind his father.    “You are not yet ready.    Get some more sleep. I will return for you.” I will return for you He ran back into the room rummaged through the closet; pulled out his track pants,   t-shirt and socks, laying them out neatly on the bed; then he ran to the utility room for his sneakers, ran to the veranda and set them by the door. Then, secure in the promise of his father’s return, he climbed back into his bed, rolled on his side and fell back asleep.   And while his father tarried he slumbered and slept (Matthew 25:5) sleeping amidst noises I musingly pondered the scenario as I engaged in my usual Su

  Exodus 18:17  …you will surely wear yourselves out…   I was so tired. I was skating from one activity to the next; one project to the next; one appointment to the next. Didn't even have the time to blog.  My l ast blog was one month ago on February 24. This is the reason.  2B 2  . Forgive me .  I felt like I was walking on air.  There was so much to do and so little time.  In addition to my daily routine, the grind was on… Daily Routine:    Get up at 5am.  Time for worship. I didn't stop to do the  bed.  Will do so after worship since I do not want any distraction from worship.  Amidst my busy schedule worship is critical.  It is the gas that keeps me going.  Mark 1:35:  Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.    After worship I go in the yard to hear the birds, breathe the cool morning air, feel the warmth of the rising sun, talk to the plants and stretch.  On my way back inside I

  "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." (James 1:12, KJV) Full, Fluffy, Flawless Flower They were so pretty. I loved taking pics of them. Especially the full, fluffy, flawless ones! I didn't know the name of it. I think they called it Rabbit Ears . It was nestled between Jacob's Coat and a Palm plant. They were planted in the same row, in the same soil, watered the same way, received the same sunshine and rain and were exposed to the same elements.   I admired them almost every day as I walked through the yard. Same Row, Same Soil, Same Elements Meanwhile, on the other side of the yard, in another bed, another Rabbit Ear wasn't doing too well.  He too was positioned next to the Palm and Jacob's Coat , like his compatriots on the other side. On the other side Because he looked so weak and forlorn, we switched the positions between him and

  “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come “ (Revelation 4:8) It was evening worship.   The family gathered. We sang together, as we always did whenever we met.  Before the day ended we worshipped and prayed.   The song – The Day thou Gavest .   We knew the words by heart. As children we had sung that song a lot in family worship.   Now, as adults, we sang it again, as the sun sank, drawing the curtains on another day, against the backdrop of the blend of our voices. As o'er each continent and island The dawn leads on another day, The voice of prayer is never silent, Nor dies the strain of praise away.  At the end of the song, we shared testimonies and promises with each other in preparation for the new week ahead. It was daddy’s statement that formed the thesis for this blogpost.   He recited stanza 3, linking the verse with a deep and profound statement as confidently he posited, “God is constantly worshipped...” Immediately it struck me. W

  Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow...  (Psalm 63:7) Your shadow hovers over me, reminding me you are very close I remember observing the image of a cloud blocking the sun. The result was a dark shadow.   It reminded me of quote I read in one of my morning devotionals   “ When things are darkest Lord, it is the darkness of your shadow hovering over me , reminding me You are very close… ” (‘Songs From Heaven and Earth’ Marlee Alex, p10) Shadows exist because of the presence of the sun This imagery is encapsulated nicely in Psalm 91:1 “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”   Of course that is only possible when one considers that the s hadow exists because of the presence of the sun.  Therefore, when  clouds of afflictions, burdens, persecutions, failed relationships and varied uncertainties, form, gather and hover, remember, the ensuing shadow represents the presence of the sun and not the power of the aff