Happy Saturday! 

Today I went to our church garage sale and purchased two glass-topped end tables, a drying rack, an over-the-toilet shelving unit and a set of wooden utensils in a container for the new apartment.  I spent a grand total of $20.00 and got Geni some really nice things.  I also spent some time getting towels, dish towels, and kitchen things together out of my kitchen for Geni to start her kitchen.  She still needs a few things like a canister set, but those things will come a bit later.

The new carpet was laid in her apartment today.  It is really nice.  She is going to move some things tomorrow, but will probably accept the keys on Monday and begin her life as an adult on her own. (Although, I think she plans to come home for dinner a lot!)

My morning devotion helped bring peace to my anxious soul with these words, from Jesus Calling June 10, “Remember you are on a journey with Me.” All of you know how I feel about journeys.  I must remember to hold tightly to God’s hand when I am anxious about anything.  Remembering God is a daily discipline and I must never lose sight of God’s presence with me.  Remembering God’s Presence with me is what will bring peace to my anxious soul. 

Prayer:  “Father God, I come before You this morning to say thank You for a brand new day.  I look forward to the opportunities of this day.  I ask You to guide me by Your Spirit throughout the day.  Help me, O Lord to be salt and light before those I encounter that I might represent and reflect the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I praise You and give You glory.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

“That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Romans 8: 4

President Lincoln proclaimed the Emancipation Proclamation, abolishing the law of slavery and bringing freedom to the slaves in the United States.

The apostle Paul was set free (emancipated) from the law of religious legalism.  The Law of Moses was given by God to Israel to expose the sins of the Israelites, but the law could not set the people free from their sins. The Law could not save them, it could only condemn.  Praise God for sending Jesus to save us from our sins without condemnation.  Jesus did what the Law could not do.  This verse from Romans says that Jesus fulfilled the “righteous requirement of the law” at the Cross.  The indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables us to “walk in the Spirit” and not under the law.  Under this new law of love we experience God’s grace and freedom.

Take joy in the journey.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep.  Count your blessings and say your prayers.  See you in worship.  Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com     

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.

Happy Friday! 

I went back to Huguley Hospital today for a TB test.  I also received instruction and testing on how to put on a mask.  The mask is to be used if I am called to go into an isolation room with a patient who has a contagious disease that is airborne or contact.  The mask is to protect me and the patient.  I keep learning new things each time I go over there that I never thought about before.  PLEASE keep me in your prayers. 

This morning my Jesus Calling devotion reminded me that God holds nothing back in His love for me and I am not to hold anything back either.  The light of God promises to bring out of the darkness any uncertainties or anxiety I have into His transforming and cleansing grace.  I am excited about this new chapter in my life. I am also nervous about this new chapter and the changes it will bring about.  There is no turning back.  God has all power on heaven and earth and I know I can and will come to God for help.  I know I have a teachable spirit. I also know I have everything to learn.  As you pray for me, pray for me to remember to enter God’s presence with thanksgiving with the desire to be transformed into the servant and representative I am called to be.  Thank you my friends. 

Prayer:  Father, Thank You for getting me up early this morning to hear from You.  Your Spirit has drawn me to my prayer time. Help me to hear exactly what You have to say to me.  O Lord, speak Your truths into my heart and grant me wisdom to respond to Your will and direction.  Use me for Your glory and honor.  Thank You, heavenly Father, for speaking to my heart.  I love You and praise Your holy name. Amen.”

“These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

1 Corinthians 2:13

God’s Holy Word was written to reveal His person and purpose to those who desire to know Him.  We learn this Word through the power of the Holy Spirit.  The apostle Paul reminds us in this verse that the Holy Spirit teaches us spiritual things according to God’s wisdom, not ours.  The Word of God is inspired which remains that “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter, 1: 21) We have been taught the Word of God so that we might teach others.  So my friends, if we truly want to know God then we must pray for the Holy Spirit to teach us His Word. Time to go to school…

Take joy in the journey.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep.  Count your blessings and say your prayers.  Come to the Advent Youth Garage Sale on Saturday.  Love you all and thank you for your many prayers and constant support.  Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com     

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.

Happy Thursday! 

I traveled to Hughley Hospital today for processing.  I received my ID badge.  It says Chaplain Gaylene. I received a DPT shot just in case I get bitten or a needle breaks off in me somewhere. (Isn’t that something to think about?!) I go back in the morning for a TB test. Then my real time with them starts at 8:00 Monday morning.  Please pray for me and my family as our lives are going to change once again at least for the next ten weeks.  I hope to keep you posted with writing, but I do not know how the scheduling works.  I only know I work 40 hours per week with some of the time in class, working with a CPE group and time with patients.  There are times I will work in a specific unit and times I will be the only chaplain on call for the hospital.  I have been told there will be times I will be there overnight or throughout a weekend.  This could be interesting…

“I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace.  In the world you face persecution.  But take courage, I have conquered the world.”

John 16: 33

Tonight I am going to share my morning “in the car devotion” with you.  It has stuck with me all day as I have thought of close friends who are suffering earthly persecution.  Sarah Young’s words from June 7, 2012 spoke to me.  These are her words tonight as she has reflected on God’s presence and listened to God’s voice.

“ I AM ALL AROUND YOU, like a cocoon of Light. My Presence with you is a promise independent of your awesome awareness of Me.  Many things can block this awareness, but the major culprit is worry.  My children tend to accept worry as an inescapable fact of life.  However, worry is a form of unbelief; it is anathema to Me.

Who is in charge of your life? If it is you, then you have good reason to worry. But if it is I, then worry is both unnecessary and counterproductive. When you start to feel anxious about something, relinquish the situation to Me. Back off a bit, redirecting your focus to Me. I will either take care of the problem Myself or show you how to handle it. In this world you will have problems, but you need not lose sight of Me.” (I bolded and italicized the previous sentences as I really needed to commit this promise to memory.)

Take joy in the journey.  Trust God, wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep.  God is awake 24/7 so there is no reason for both of you to be awake! Count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all so very much, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com     

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.

Happy Wednesday! 

Praise God for the rain!! 

All three papers have been completed and edited by my beloved editor and husband and all three have been sent off via email to my professor.  I even received confirmation from her that she received them.  Praise God!!

Prayer:  “Father, as I begin this new day, I give You praise and thanksgiving for a good night’s sleep. Thank You, heavenly Father for the opportunities You’ll place in my path throughout the day.  Help me to be sensitive to Your Spirit that I might use godly discernment as You direct my steps.  Help me, O Lord to be a godly influence in the lives of those I encounter this day.  In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.”

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:  ‘Not by might not by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

Zechariah 4:6

The Word God gave to Zerubbabel concerned a lamp He had placed in the temple. It was fed with oil by two trees that would give a continuing supply of oil to this lamp. God’s purpose for the lamp was for Israel to be the light of God for the world.

 God’s Holy Spirit is like that lamp.  Jesus came and declared Himself the “Light of the world.”  Jesus was to be the light of the world in a never ending supply.  Jesus died and was resurrected.  The Holy Spirit came to live in our hearts as our continual supply of light no matter how the darkness might try to overcome.  When we are at our weakest God is not hindered nor will God be aided by our strength.  Far too often we become more dependent upon our own resources rather than the power of God through the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul realized that Hebrew intellectual knowledge was not able to compare with the mighty power of God’s Holy Spirit. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  It is not by our own power, but the power of the Holy Spirit within us that brings us out of weakness and helplessness with the reminder that God’s oil (Spirit) is available in abundant supply.

Take joy in the journey.  Wear comfortable shoes, carry an umbrella and get some sleep.  Count your blessings and say your prayers.  Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com     

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.

Happy Tuesday! 

Busy day!  Geni and I worked this afternoon to clean up her classroom.  I thought I had left that kind of work behind me, but actually her room was not so bad. She is just overwhelmed right now. I think the reality of leaving home is finally settling in as she does laundry and sees her room in boxes. Please offer a prayer for her. 

On another front, Bruce has edited two of my papers which are due tomorrow and was working on the last one until a refrigerator emergency was called to our attention.  He is working on that right now. Tomorrow I will begin writing my papers for the second ordination interview.  The interview is in September, but the papers are due July 17^th.  I am going to try to get it finished before I begin CPE. (On Monday…!)

Prayer:  “Lord, today keep me in Your love. Thank You for Your love. I know how much it cost for You to love me.  Help me to love others no matter the cost. Help me to realize that every person I meet today was made in Your image.  I know there is someone I will meet today who may be in pain.  Allow me to be an instrument of Your healing love.  May Your loving-kindness revealed in me win an unbeliever to Christ. Amen.”

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

Jude 21

My meditation tonight begins with this scenario.  “A pastor asked a children’s Bible study class why they loved God.  One little boy said, ‘I guess it just runs in the family.” (Charles Lowery, Lindale, TC)

We are the family of God and the body of Christ.  The scripture today teaches that God’s love runs in His family and it is that divine love that leads all of us to eternal life.  Each Sunday that I am the assisting minister I ask the congregation to join hands before I begin the prayers of the church.  The joining of hand and the prayers unite each of us in the love of the family of God.  When we join hands in prayer the Holy Spirit connects each of us one to another and we are bound by the love of God through the blood of Christ. 

When we are built up in the love of God we can lift others up in that same love.  We know the love of God is truthful and never deceitful.  God’s love is merciful so we are to demonstrate that love to all we meet.  God’s love is secure because it is eternal.  God’s love is what leads us through this life here on earth and what will continue to be with us when we reach eternity. 

In the movie Ghost with Patrick Swayze, his character becomes a ghost because his spirit does not ascend when he dies.  At the end of the movie when he is ready to ascend to heaven he tells his girlfriend, “The love inside…you take it with you.”  The love we take with us is the love of God because it lives within us and never goes away.

Take joy in the journey.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep.  Count your blessings and say your prayers.  Love you all so very much, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com     

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.

Happy Monday! 

Please pray for Geni.  She is feeling somewhat (a lot!!!) overwhelmed at this moment.  She is trying to pack her room at school and put it away for the summer.  She is trying to pack her room at home to move into her new apartment and then soon unpack her apartment and move in. 

Prayer:  “Father, I love You.  It is my desire to walk through this day completely trusting in You.  As challenges come, help me to trust the sufficiency of Your grace and the strength of Your might to carry me through each struggle.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

“ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.”

Matthew 14: 31, 32

I have always loved this story.  Yes, Peter began to sink when he stepped out of the boat after he took his eyes off of Jesus.  But at least he risked getting out of the boat while all of the other disciples stayed safely aboard.  But tonight I would like to focus on the question Jesus asks, “Why did you doubt?”

So let’s examine the word doubt.  The word doubt can mean attempting to go in two different directions at the same time or trying to follow two masters simultaneously.  These are impossible tasks. Thinking and acting in this way never works.  Peter did not sink because he stopped believing in Jesus.  He sank because he tried to trust in his ability to stay afloat. 

Okay Lutherans, listen up…faith is not about our ability; it is about recognizing and maintaining complete trust in Jesus.  When our faith is divided our failure is certain (and it isn’t good!).  My Disciples friends claim “No Creed but Christ.”  Let us trust in Christ alone.

Take joy in the journey.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep.  God has the watch tonight so there is no need for both of you to lose sleep.  Count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com     

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.