Sing God's Praise

A couple of months ago, I read in someone's email: "When it comes to martyrdom, I'm a card carrying member of Cowards Unlimited. I don't relish the idea of physical pain. The dentist is bad enough, but martyrdom is something else. Jesus warned His followers of terrible tribulation in the end times. Many Christians believe that the church will be raptured before it happens.

"Frankly, I don't believe that. I don't think the Scripture teaches it. Of course, I might be wrong. Believe me, I want to be wrong. I don't feel like hanging round and being “tribulated.” However, the fact remains, should Jesus ever require you and me to be crucified, how will we react? My prayer is that He will strengthen me to accept it as from His loving hand. I don't think there is any other way."

At which point, the following poem streamed from my fingertips whole-cloth. It is past time I shared it with my readers.

When times of trouble
Come flowing our way
Many of Faith will look
For Blessed Rapture Day
But what if, at that time
Lord Jesus asks us to stay?

There are two Witnesses
Called to stay behind
And share the Truth that
Others could not find
For many repentant hearts
Is what GOD has in mind

Before that final period
As in the words you give
Comes the time of Martyrs
Brightness shining thru a sieve
But what if during this time
Request is not to die, but live?

There are many in the world
Who suffer acute chronic pain
There is no cure, no correction
No hope being pain-free again
Tho they pray and have Faith
Their agony is still the same

 Yet, these chronic sufferers
Are also bright points of Light
They keep their eyes on GOD
Tho in agony day and night
It is through their example
They bring others some delight

For through their days of pain
Their tears are more than few
They still sing God's praises
For all they are still able to do
Not a minute or movement is
Taken for granted by them too

While some may die Martyrs
In one of many horrible ways
There are also chronic pains
For some all of their days
No matter what our life holds
May we always sing God's praise!!

~ ESA

Happy Yom Kippur

I want to share a recent exchange with a friend. Yesterday evening, knowing she recently started to celebrate Jewish Holidays, I wished her "Happy Yom Kippur."

Her response was: "Yom Kippur is not a good day. Never say 'happy.' Always say good luck on your fast. To some Jews, saying 'happy' is disrespectful. Saying 'Happy Yom Kippur" is disrespectful. Very serious day."

This morning, I had a chance to read her text and respond:

From what I read and understand, Yom Kippur is the Day of Penance/Reconciliation very much like our solemn Sacrament in the Church. We self-examine, discover what is wrong/keeping us from God, go to God, lay it on the table and ask for God's Forgiveness. God then Forgives us of our past transgressions, frees us from what keeps us apart (from God and each other), and enables us to receive God's Blessings during the Jewish year.

Why would Yom Kippur NOT be a happy day? It is the day Jews get right with God on a personal level. I believe GOD is very happy with that.

It is with this in mind and heart, I wish my readers, HAPPY YOM KIPPUR! May you be right with GOD and may the coming year bring many bright Blessings for you.

~ ESA