OUR AWESOME GOD

     On February 25, 2005, I suddenly and unexpectedly collapsed on the street. My heart had stopped beating. Thanks to the modern miracle of cell phones, someone at the scene called 911. The paramedics arrived just in time.
     On March 8, 2005, I had open heart surgery ("double bypass").
     I have health issues with angina and shortness of breath -- and recently went through some medical tests. And, I have cellulitis -- wearing compression stockings helps keep it under control. Both of these conditions cause me concern.
     Yet, here it is -- my five year anniversary of a near death experience
     My tv/podcast ministry outreach continues. I am working on my autobiography. My loyal producer is working on a film documentary about my life and ministry.
     Each morning, I look out the window from my apartment. Viewing God's magnificent creation -- the west hills of Portland -- I breath a prayer of gratitude that I am still here, and am still walking around.
     I am surrounded with many friends who pray for me regularly. I believe I will live to see both my autobiography and film documentary completed. When I transition to the other side, I'll leave knowing that my life's purpose and legacy will live on; and that my ministry and calling, will be a blessing to future generations
     Last week I when I went to my Post Office box, there was an envelope with no return address. Inside there was no letter -- just a $5 bill tucked inside of a folded up sheet of plain white paper. Living on a small retirement income -- the $5 was a gift from heaven. It enabled me to pay the copay on two of my prescription refills.
     Today, on my weekly internet radio interview with SirDarry -- which you can click onto from www.sisterpaula.org -- when Darryl gave me the "last word" -- I said:
     "I could use some extra money. However, do not send your large donation(s) to me; rather, send the money to help the suffering people in Haiti and Chili. As for my ministry, if you could eek out a $5 bill, and send it to me now and then -- it would sure help and be greatly appreciated."
     Yesterday, at a weekly Lectionary Reflections meeting, I said:
     "I would love to be able to write a big check for the folk in Haiti and Chili. This I am unable to do. However, I can eek out a few dollars from time to time to help the hungry who are begging on the streets. It gives me great joy, and an inner peace, to give to the needy.
     This is the season of Lent. I am meeting with a Tuesday Lent devotional group at my Church. We are studying a wonderful book entitled An Altar In The World by popular author Barbara Brown Taylor (author of Leaving Church).
      Following are a few sentences, which I underlined, in this wonderful book:
     "...reverence [is] the proper attitude of a small and curious human being in a vast and fascinating world of experience."
     " Reverence is...difficult to define, but you know it when you feel it."
     Quoting classical philosopher Paul Woodruff: - *
     "...reverence is the virtue that keeps people from trying to act like gods....[he] argues "that true reverence cannot be for anything that human beings can make or manage by ourselves....
     He says:
     "...reverence is the recognition of something greater than the self -- something that is beyond human creation or control, that transcends full human understanding."
     "Reverence stands in awe of something..."
     Again quoting Woodruff:
     "...a formal worship service can be a confusing place to look for reverence....worship is not always reverent; even the best forms of worship may be practiced without feeling..."
     "Some of the most reverent people I know decline to call themselves religious."
     "Nature is full of things bigger and more powerful than human beings."
     While I look forward to church worship services, and Bible studies -- they do not compare with the awesome, peaceful, and overwhelming sense of reverence I feel each morning, when looking out at the beautiful Portland west hills.
     Psalms 90:1-2 declares:
     "Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
     "Before the mountains were brought forth,
     "Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
     "Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God."
     This awesome and almighty Creator, who always has been and always will be, is our one-on-one personal friend.
     As Barbara Brown Taylor says:
     "For [God], a leper is as kissable as a bishop's ring, a single bird as much a messenger of God as a cloud full of angels."
      Keep the faith! -- SISTER PAULA

Wednesday, March 3, 2010