I am in the initial stages of discernment for ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church. The process has been on hold with the fourth Bishop of the East Tennessee Diocese retiring and the fifth Bishop, chosen on July 28th, moving to Tennessee. Once the fifth Bishop is settled in things will move forward.
Nearly a couple of years ago, I had shared with you the Words from Psalms 43:3 where God had led me back to the Episcopal Church. I had previously attended the Episcopal Church some in Washington state. In Tennessee, God has worked a miracle where Will, my spouse, and I are both attending. This is a miracle because in time past, Will has not wanted to frequent Church since we were rejected at a nondenominational Church in Washington. Now, Will and I both enjoy going to a Church where we are welcome.
At the time that God had spoken to me through Psalms 43:3, He had also spoken to me through Psalms 43:4-"Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God." The Words are all prophesy still being fulfilled.
God has led me to St. Timothy's Episcopal Church where I shall go to the altar to praise Him on the harp. The 'harp' I have is a classical guitar. It is on this musical instrument that I shall eventually praise God because I am still learning to play. Today, I had my guitar blessed by Reverend Harry Shaefer to set it apart for glory and praise to God. Amen!
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Saturday, December 31, 2016
A View of 2016 through a Spiritual Lens
God has manifested Himself through healing, sharing, talking, forgiving and communing at various times and places throughout 2016.
God's healing was shown when the lady written about in the blog entry dated for Thursday, August 6, 2015 showed up at a laundromat where I go and said she was doing better. I am convinced the laundromat is a Sacred Place because God shows up there frequently. I hope and pray the lady continues to do better each new day.
Another time God showed up at the laundromat when two ladies representing the Mormon Church shared youtube footage on their laptop of a virtual choir singing George Frederic Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus". What a blessing their sharing was indeed. You'll have to visit "World's Largest Virtual #Hallelujah Chorus" on youtube.
On more than one occasion during our visit to the laundromat there has been talking amongst the customers and a worker there about God and His ways and ways of the world. These talks have been enlightening.
On more than one occasion God has shown up at my workplace through coworkers and me forgiving one another over disagreements. One occurrence stands out when I was backward on how to approach a coworker to apologize and ask for forgiveness. I turned to God for answers and He led me to Matthew 5:9--"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God". Prior to this occurrence my coworker had apologized to me for a wrong and I forgave him. Now, I was in the position of seeking his forgiveness for my wrong. My coworker did forgive me. Since we had forgiven one another on each occasion I brought that to his attention along with Matthew 5;9 and said to him that since we're both peacemakers, therefore, children of God, wouldn't that make us brothers? He agreed. I expressed brotherly love to him.
Encounters with God occur at church. Communing with God can occur during the church service through the sermon, singing or taking the communion or through all of these means.
Thank you for letting me share this view of 2016 through a Spiritual lens.
God's healing was shown when the lady written about in the blog entry dated for Thursday, August 6, 2015 showed up at a laundromat where I go and said she was doing better. I am convinced the laundromat is a Sacred Place because God shows up there frequently. I hope and pray the lady continues to do better each new day.
Another time God showed up at the laundromat when two ladies representing the Mormon Church shared youtube footage on their laptop of a virtual choir singing George Frederic Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus". What a blessing their sharing was indeed. You'll have to visit "World's Largest Virtual #Hallelujah Chorus" on youtube.
On more than one occasion during our visit to the laundromat there has been talking amongst the customers and a worker there about God and His ways and ways of the world. These talks have been enlightening.
On more than one occasion God has shown up at my workplace through coworkers and me forgiving one another over disagreements. One occurrence stands out when I was backward on how to approach a coworker to apologize and ask for forgiveness. I turned to God for answers and He led me to Matthew 5:9--"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God". Prior to this occurrence my coworker had apologized to me for a wrong and I forgave him. Now, I was in the position of seeking his forgiveness for my wrong. My coworker did forgive me. Since we had forgiven one another on each occasion I brought that to his attention along with Matthew 5;9 and said to him that since we're both peacemakers, therefore, children of God, wouldn't that make us brothers? He agreed. I expressed brotherly love to him.
Encounters with God occur at church. Communing with God can occur during the church service through the sermon, singing or taking the communion or through all of these means.
Thank you for letting me share this view of 2016 through a Spiritual lens.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
God is Glorified through "Sister Beck"
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid" (Matthew 5:14).
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
"O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me... (Psalms 43:3).
The Lord's Light and Truth has been shown through my sister, Becky. From the time that Gary and I moved back to Tennessee in June to this present day, Becky has shown us nothing but love. She has encouraged us during our readjustment to life in Tennessee. She has gone above and beyond in helping Gary and me. Becky has overlooked our differences and has accepted Gary and me with open arms. She continuously expresses her love for us. She wants us to succeed in our life in Tennessee.
Becky has offered uplifting words and has demonstrated faith through her actions all because she loves us. I am blessed to have Becky as my sister. God has sent His Light through Becky and revealed the Truth in His Word through her good works. Good works so numerous to list!
One thing to add is that Becky's example led me to the Bible to search the scriptures to find her example in James 2:18 where she has shown her faith by her works by providing for help with our needs. Amen!
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
"O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me... (Psalms 43:3).
The Lord's Light and Truth has been shown through my sister, Becky. From the time that Gary and I moved back to Tennessee in June to this present day, Becky has shown us nothing but love. She has encouraged us during our readjustment to life in Tennessee. She has gone above and beyond in helping Gary and me. Becky has overlooked our differences and has accepted Gary and me with open arms. She continuously expresses her love for us. She wants us to succeed in our life in Tennessee.
Becky has offered uplifting words and has demonstrated faith through her actions all because she loves us. I am blessed to have Becky as my sister. God has sent His Light through Becky and revealed the Truth in His Word through her good works. Good works so numerous to list!
One thing to add is that Becky's example led me to the Bible to search the scriptures to find her example in James 2:18 where she has shown her faith by her works by providing for help with our needs. Amen!
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Hymn for Grace and Healing
Lord, she said you speak to her all the time through Your Word. She has been moved to shout in church--something she has never done. Lord, she has faith in Your healing power, as she requested prayer for her Parkinson's. You are clearly working in her life. Now, Lord, I share this hymn from The Hymnal of the Prostestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America: 1940, p. 517 by Edward Hayes Plumptre, for grace in our hearts toward You and in hope for her healing in Jesus' name:
Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old
Was strong to heal and save;
It triumphed o'er disease and death,
O'er darkness and the grave.
To thee they went, the blind, the dumb,
The palsied, and the lame,
The leper with his tainted life,
The sick with fever'd frame.
And lo! thy touch brought life and health,
Gave speech, and strength, and sight;
And youth renewed and frenzy calm'd
Own'd thee, the Lord of light:
And now, O Lord, be near to bless,
Almighty as of yore,
In crowded street, [in laundromat,]
by restless couch,
As by Gennesaret's shore.
Be thou our great deliv'rer still,
Thou Lord of life and death;
Restore and quicken, soothe and bless,
With thine almighty breath;
To hands that work and eyes that see,
Give wisdom's heav'nly lore,
That whole and sick, and weak and strong,
May praise thee ever-more. Amen.
Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old
Was strong to heal and save;
It triumphed o'er disease and death,
O'er darkness and the grave.
To thee they went, the blind, the dumb,
The palsied, and the lame,
The leper with his tainted life,
The sick with fever'd frame.
And lo! thy touch brought life and health,
Gave speech, and strength, and sight;
And youth renewed and frenzy calm'd
Own'd thee, the Lord of light:
And now, O Lord, be near to bless,
Almighty as of yore,
In crowded street, [in laundromat,]
by restless couch,
As by Gennesaret's shore.
Be thou our great deliv'rer still,
Thou Lord of life and death;
Restore and quicken, soothe and bless,
With thine almighty breath;
To hands that work and eyes that see,
Give wisdom's heav'nly lore,
That whole and sick, and weak and strong,
May praise thee ever-more. Amen.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
God Sent His Light and Truth
After a period of silence, God has spoken to me through the Words of Psalms 43:3--
"O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill and to thy tabernacle."
These Words were actually fulfilled in my life last week. Let me share with you how--God sent His Light and Truth through two Episcopal Church members I met last week. God's Truth came through the Words of John 8:1-12 mentioned during our conversation. The leading came through an invitation to church. The church was on a hill surrounded by trees. The service was a blessing for my spouse, Gary, and me. Amen!
By the way, we are back home in Tennessee!
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Silence Broken
The death of my Uncle George Valko on March 5, 2015 has moved me from silence to a voice in celebration of his life on this blog. I cannot help but think of a time when I called his home and was talking to my Aunt Joan when Uncle George inquired in the background to whom Aunt Joan was talking. Uncle George discovered it was me and said in his resounding voice, "Is that Eddie...Eddie Townsend?" It may have been a while since I had talked with them and I cannot help but remember the excitement and warmth expressed in his voice to have heard from me. It puts a smile on my face to this day!
I must say Uncle George will be greatly missed. I have many good memories of him throughout the years. I appreciate the Biblical knowledge he has shared on many occasions. For quite some time, he and Aunt Joan have referred me to Matthew 24. I'll never forget when he, Aunt Joan and Steve ventured out in the cold to help Gary and me. May you rest in peace Uncle George. My tears surfaced as I brought this to a close...
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
"How do we know if we're hearing from the Lord?"
Today, I received a letter from Pastor Charles Stanley with In Touch Ministries which asks the big question: "How do we know if we're hearing from the Lord?" I could not help but compare my recent response from God with the guidelines set forth in the letter. Here are the guidelines:
1) "God's voice is always consistent with His Word." (Acts 17:11)
2) "His messages often challenge our faith." (Hebrews 11:6)
3) "(T)he Lord's voice is often quiet." (I Kings 19:11-13)
In reviewing these guidelines I am happy and certain to say that my last response from God which I posted in a blog entry yesterday was indeed God's voice. Referring to the guidelines, the Words I received were directly from Isaiah 55:10, 11. My faith was challenged in the sense that I was moved to share the experience with you. My faith was increased because of the presence of God that I experienced. Personally, the reward for me is God's presence (Hebrews 11:6).
In his letter, Pastor Stanley said, "...(God) often speaks quietly to our hearts at unexpected times (I Kings 19:11-13). This describes my experience because I was searching for other scriptures when I unexpectedly came across Isaiah 55:10,11. To increase my faith even more, God has spoken to me in His perfect timing through the words of Charles Stanley. Amen!
Has God ever spoken to you? If so, I truly would enjoy hearing about the experience. Write to me at e.towns@hotmail.com to share your experience.
1) "God's voice is always consistent with His Word." (Acts 17:11)
2) "His messages often challenge our faith." (Hebrews 11:6)
3) "(T)he Lord's voice is often quiet." (I Kings 19:11-13)
In reviewing these guidelines I am happy and certain to say that my last response from God which I posted in a blog entry yesterday was indeed God's voice. Referring to the guidelines, the Words I received were directly from Isaiah 55:10, 11. My faith was challenged in the sense that I was moved to share the experience with you. My faith was increased because of the presence of God that I experienced. Personally, the reward for me is God's presence (Hebrews 11:6).
In his letter, Pastor Stanley said, "...(God) often speaks quietly to our hearts at unexpected times (I Kings 19:11-13). This describes my experience because I was searching for other scriptures when I unexpectedly came across Isaiah 55:10,11. To increase my faith even more, God has spoken to me in His perfect timing through the words of Charles Stanley. Amen!
Has God ever spoken to you? If so, I truly would enjoy hearing about the experience. Write to me at e.towns@hotmail.com to share your experience.
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