Follow Me

"Do we take the highway or go through the city?" I asked my son, Jon, on a recent trip to the airport. "I don't know how to go through the city though."

"Well, let's try the highway then" Jon said. As soon as we had passed the route to go thru the city, the traffic on the beltway came to a complete stop. We inched along for maybe 20 minutes.

"We have to get off this beltway and find another route or I'm going to be late for my flight", I said, starting to feel nervous as time was passing. We got off at the next exit and I saw a sign that said "alternate 83" which turned out to be an alternate route through the city.

"Follow those signs" I told him.

Now as long as I've lived in Baltimore, I don't think I've ever been in this part of town, Park Heights Avenue. The road was very convoluted and hard to follow.
After driving for some miles, we finally made it to the city. My anxiety was growing as the time passed.

"Now what?" Jon asked.

"Now we start praying for guidance and direction." I muttered a short prayer of desperation to the Lord as we were stopped at a light. "I'm going to ask this guy" I said as I rolled down my window to ask the driver in the car next to me for directions.

"Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the airport from here?"

"Follow me," the man replied. "I'm going there myself."

Incredibly relieved, I looked at Jon and said "That's God. Ask and you shall receive".

We both smiled and followed the driver.

Jesus loves us so much. He knows our every need. All we have to do is turn the situation over and ask for His help and He is ready, willing, and more than able to help us. Who or what are you following today, dear one? Follow Jesus and He will never lead you in the wrong direction.

Until next time, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

Resurrection Power

For many, Easter has come and gone and now it's back to hum drum life. I don't know about you but I am excited about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Just as Jesus was transformed, we too, can be transformed. How? you ask. By the power of the Resurrection, that's how. If God can raise a dead man, can He not handle the issues of our lives? Can He not raise us up again as well?

Acts 2 talks about the things that the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit does for us - strengthens us, gives us confidence, enables us to overcome obstacles, grows our faith, heals us, performs miracles, and gives us NEW LIFE! Now that is something to be excited about, if you ask me.

What is it in your life that you are struggling with, dear one? Whether it is a health issue, a finances issue, a relationship issue or an emotional issue, Jesus is able to transform you and make you whole. As Jesus said to the woman with the issue of blood in Luke 8:48, "Daughter, your faith has made you whole. Go and be in peace."

Today, I am putting my faith in Jesus Christ and the power of His Resurrection. I am choosing to trade my suffering for His peace. How about you?

He Raised Me Up

As I nailed my list of burdens to the cross at church on Good Friday, the impact of what Jesus did for me on the cross pierced my heart and tears of grief and sadness welled up in my eyes.

Yet, though the cross was a dark and hopeless place, joy comes in knowing that Jesus did not stay there. As the women approached the tomb, they saw the stone was rolled away and Jesus' body was gone. "He has risen" they were told by the angels. Indeed, what Jesus had told them had come true. The women's grief was replaced by unspeakable joy.

Once again I am reminded that the promises of God are true. Jesus is alive and He has conquered the grave as well as the darkness that often pervades our souls. His Resurrection power is available to each of us who believe in Him. This season Jesus healed me of an unexplainable sickness and brought me into a greater revelation of who He is.

Whatever dark and hopeless place you may be going through, remember that Jesus has a purpose for it and He will raise you up as well. Rejoice and be glad, for Christ is Risen!

Is it Sunny?

What's the weather going to be like today? Are you ready for the next snow? These are some of the questions I have been asked quite frequently lately. Very understandable as we have had history and record breaking snow fall so far this year in Baltimore, last I heard over 80 inches.

Today the sun is out and the snow is white and beautiful. The roads are pretty much clear and everyone is going about their business as usual.

So, my question today is how does the weather affect your mood, disposition, and outlook? Do you get up, take one look at the snow, rain, clouds, whatever and get depressed? Does the weather set your tone for your entire day or week?

I agree, it is nice to see the sun. Something about the sunshine energizes me. I like to believe it's God's power shining down on His children.

However, I don't use the fact that the sun is not out as an excuse to waste my day. Each day is a gift, that's why they call it "the present". Life is too short to waste one minute of it as far as I'm concerned. We are called to be good stewards of our time. In fact, hanging in my office is a framed photo of a sunrise over the beach shoreline with the verse from Psalm 118:24 that says "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." as a reminder to choose to rejoice each and every day that the Lord gives me.

There is always something positive we can rejoice about, so next time the weather starts to get you down and out, let the joy of the Lord be your strength and go out and have a great day!

My Valentine

Today is Valentine's Day. Some people don't really care about this holiday. They think it's no big deal and just another reason to spend money on chocolate and flowers. Frivolous, they scoff.

For me, Valentine's Day is a very special day. My first husband proposed to me on Valentine's Day many years ago. I have always given Valentine's cards and gifts to others to let them know how much I love them. Even at work, I would drop a small Valentine off at coworkers' cubicles. It made me smile to think of them seeing it. Doesn't everyone need to be reminded that they are loved?

But today, as a single person, I still have a special Valentine. His name is Jesus. He loves me more than any human being ever could. He always listens, always understands, and is always to there to comfort me when I'm down. He is the lover of my soul and my protector.

So, too, beloved, Jesus is your Valentine. He loves you more than you will ever know. He knows your innermost thoughts and He knows the desires of your heart. If you are single today, fret not. Know that God is watching over you and is preparing your special someone just as He is preparing you. If you are married, show your spouse how much you love them in whatever way they need to receive it.

It's only one day a year, but to me, Valentine's Day should be everyday! Everybody does need to be reminded that they are loved.

Angels in Our Midst

During this time of trial in my life, I am continually amazed to see how God sees me in my times of desperate need and sends an angel to help me. Now, I don't mean an actual Angel, you know, the kind with wings and such, but an angel in the shape of a friend and or a stranger.

Just yesterday, for example, I was preparing to venture out to an important appointment just as the snow from the next blizzard storm had begun to fall. My son warned me not to go out and told me to call my neighbor and ask her to take me.

"No, she's busy, and she had a test to take today. I'm not going to bother her. " I answered stubbornly, once again not listening and willful.

Just as I got of the phone with my son, the phone rang.
Guess who it was?
My neighbor!
She had just returned home from taking her test and when I told her I was planning on going out, immediately, she replied,
"I'll drive you. I have an SUV. I'll drive you."
I could tell by her tone she was serious.

Despite the weather and the stress of her day, there she was volunteering to take me out in the snow and rush hour traffic. We prayed for safety on the way.

"Thank you so much, Lord," we both said as we arrived safely home.

"Thank you, dear friend, for being such an angel today.Truly the Lord has brought you into my life for such a time as this."

As you go through your trials in life, be aware of the Lord's provision and grace. It comes in many forms. And maybe, tomorrow, be an angel to someone you know!

What to do when you're snowed in

We're having a lot of snow this winter here in Baltimore. We've had several storms and almost 3 feet of snow from the storm that started yesterday. As I sit here wondering what to do next, I see some folks taking a walk along the snow-covered road around my complex. Two kids are outside playing and making snow angels.

I personally don't mind being snowed in. I always have things to do for some reason. But lately, I have been asking myself some questions like "What is really important for me to do?" and "What is the best use of this gift of time that the Lord has given me?" Sure I could spend it watching movies or being on the Internet, but is that really the best use of this gift?

This weekend, I'm making time for reflection and reevaluation of my priorities. I honestly believe that's what God intends for us to do at these times when He slows us down, either by a weather event, an illness, or an unexpected crisis. To me, it's like God is saying, "Slow down and enjoy the beauty of my creation." The verse from Matthew 6:31 pops into my mind "Do not worry about what you shall eat or drink or about what you shall wear..." and the answer comes to me once again. "Seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things shall be given to you as well."(verse 33).

Today, may you, too, seek His kingdom and His righteousness for these are things of eternal value and isn't that the most important use of our time after all?