Arrival in Heaven

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Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.                   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks put the circumstances of our lives, both good and bad into God’s hands and help us see them through His eyes. Last night our beloved daughter-in-law Melinda slipped from this world into the presence of Jesus. And while we are overwhelmed with grief and shock, these words are promises to which we cling. Melinda has finished her race. Her battle with cancer is finished. And while that pernicious disease claimed her physical life, it could not touch her soul. That remained fully and exclusively in the hands of Jesus with whom she now lives. Nancy and I didn’t know how to process the news that came in three words. “She is gone.” Yet as sadness rolls over my heart I sense the message echo back from Heaven, ” She has arrived!”

God Plants on Rainy Days

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Though sunrise tarries in her bed
When nighttime lingers longer,
Our mockingbird still sings her song
With deeper notes and stronger

And though we fear to leave our dreams
She stirs us from our sleeping
To tell us God has good in store
And is His promise keeping

For while regrets and griefs may grow
In darkest dreary hours
God plants in us on rainy days
The brightest of His flowers!

God Plants on Rainy Days
By Peter Caligiuri
Copyright © 2026
All rights reserved



Gena’s Testimony

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Last Friday, Gena, who is one of our volunteers gave her testimony about how God has helped her deal with her daughter’s epilepsy. Her daughter Lindsey, who is just fourteen years old, already struggles with a non-verbal form of autism. But starting last year, that battle broke out on a second front, when Lindsey began experiencing seizures: some large, and some small. So far, they have run several tests, including an overnight study at a major hospital in our area. It is humbling to listen to how Gena talks about how God has helped her deal when the worst of these episodes come. She explains that there is no secret, it is all grace! Whether you have a family member dealing with any of these same issues, or if your struggles are in a completely different area, I think you will be encouraged, by what she has to say.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV

Surprise!

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And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. Genesis 2:21-22 NKJV

Before this verse, there are two things we learned about Adam: He was made in God’s image, and it was not good for him to be alone. So, God decided on something different. After Adam grows sleepy after standing all day long naming the animals. He yawns and decides to lie down for a moment for a nap. God smiles, while he watches Adam snoozing, and He takes a rib, from Adam’s side, and creates Eve. She is perfect, glowing with beauty and eagerly waiting for God to wake up Adam. Then God shakes Adam by the shoulder and whispers: “Wake up son. I have a surprise for you!”

That same surprise that our amazing God designed for Adam, should be the spark that lights a fire in our poetry. Many of us string together predictable rhymes, comfortable topics, and hope that if we thrash about hard enough, that somehow something beautiful will be born. Somewhere, between our inspiration and hoped for publication, we forgot the wonder of surprise that started us on our journey in the first place.

Think of the endless parade of superhero films. Whether you are a fan of Spider Man or Wonder Woman, Hawk Eye, or the Hulk, we like these folks because in some surprising way, they have been transformed, and given a gift that will “Save the World.” In poetry it has been the same, from Shakespeare to Dr. Seus, the poems that have had the power to stir us, have been fearfully and wonderfully different. So this morning, be like Superman and Batman. Step into your phone booth and strip off the clothing of the same old same old, or descend into your bat cave, start up your own unique and powerful vehicle, and then come roaring out with a poem that shouts, “Surprise!,” and go save the world today!

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