McFadyen's Window
on the World

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

In Distress



Psalm 31:9-24 (New International Version)

9 Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;
my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
my soul and my body with grief.

10 My life is consumed by anguish
and my years by groaning;
my strength fails because of my affliction, [a]
and my bones grow weak.

11 Because of all my enemies,
I am the utter contempt of my neighbors;
I am a dread to my friends—
those who see me on the street flee from me.

12 I am forgotten by them as though I were dead;
I have become like broken pottery.

13 For I hear the slander of many;
there is terror on every side;
they conspire against me
and plot to take my life.

14 But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, "You are my God."

15 My times are in your hands;
deliver me from my enemies
and from those who pursue me.

16 Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love.

17 Let me not be put to shame, O LORD,
for I have cried out to you;
but let the wicked be put to shame
and lie silent in the grave. [b]

18 Let their lying lips be silenced,
for with pride and contempt
they speak arrogantly against the righteous.

19 How great is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you,
which you bestow in the sight of men
on those who take refuge in you.

20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them
from the intrigues of men;
in your dwelling you keep them safe
from accusing tongues.

21 Praise be to the LORD,
for he showed his wonderful love to me
when I was in a besieged city.

22 In my alarm I said,
"I am cut off from your sight!"
Yet you heard my cry for mercy
when I called to you for help.

23
Love the LORD, all his saints!
The LORD preserves the faithful,
but the proud he pays back in full.

24 Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the LORD.
posted by RiverBend1 at 9:29 AM 0 comments

Monday, September 25, 2006

I've just spent a weekend in heaven!



As a friend said yesterday " I've just spent a weekend in heaven but had to come back today!"
We spent nearly the entire weekend in church, Friday through Sunday. I know, I know that's not what most people would think of as a good weekend and I would normally say the same thing. Our church went through the second in a series of weekends on a spiritual Journey called Lay Renewal. I'll just quote the self description from the NAMB website....

When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we begin our Spiritual Journey and many different people, events and experiences in our lives causes us to grow on that journey. Most of the time progress on our Spiritual Journey cannot be measured by time or by our age. Our relationship with our Lord grows in both the mountain top highs when we celebrate and praise Him, as well as when we are in the low valley and desperately need and call on Him.

A visiting team of Christians from other churches come and participates with the church during the weekend, leading in praise songs and testimonies about where they are on their Journey. They are not "Super Christians," just ones that are aware of their journey and are willing to testify about what the Lord is doing in their life at the present time.

The weekend begins at the church on Friday night with a church-wide meal then a General session in the Sanctuary. There are meetings in the church members homes on Saturday morning and separate Men and Ladies luncheon meeting. Free time after lunch until Saturday evening when the church regroups for another meal and general session and special family prayer time. Part of the Sunday School time in used for testimonies from home church members about what the weekend has meant to them and a special Sunday Worship Service completes the visiting team member’s part of the weekend. The Highlight of the weekend is the Evaluation Service Sunday night, when the church as a body evaluates what the Holy Spirit has been saying to them during the Weekend.


The experience was nothing short of incredible. I feel lifted up.... filled up maybe even overflowing. I can't really explain it all and it's going to take some time to process it all but I am very, very thankful to my God for leading me to this place in my life.
I feel renewed to get back to encouraging others as I've done so much in the past. I feel like a part of what I am meant to do in this life is to use the pain I've experienced to some how lift others up and encourage them to get through the pain in their own lives and this weekend has brought me back to the place where I can again do that.
Thak You Lord!

MOVIE
posted by RiverBend1 at 8:59 AM 0 comments

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Say A Prayer For Georgia

She's going through another surgery today.
posted by RiverBend1 at 8:52 AM 0 comments

Friday, September 08, 2006

Blue Angels



Click the photo to see the larger version.
posted by RiverBend1 at 9:36 AM 0 comments

Thursday, September 07, 2006

I'm Late...I'm Late...I'm Late...I'm Late...



I know.... I am late in getting started but Debbie and I are walking again this year in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)Walk for a cure.

I just can't sit back and do nothing after loosing Teresa to this horrible disease. It's not much but when combined with the rest of the country this money does a lot of good toward finding a cure. Debbie was also diagnosed with diabetes a few months after we were married and there is still a good chance of Kristy developing it at some point in her life.
So, once again I am asking you to support me in honoring Teresa's memory by sponsoring me in the walk. you can contact me personally or use this link Walk Central to make an on-line (secure) donation. There is also information there for you to sign up to walk as well if you would rather help in that way. ( you are more than welcome to join our team )
Thanks in advance for your help and support.
Jerry
posted by RiverBend1 at 8:05 AM 0 comments

Friday, September 01, 2006

Spending the day with Ernesto













Photo from Wilmington, NC


Well, it looks like we pretty much dodged the bullet in this part of NC. Lots of rain and wind with some trees and power lines down but nothing major. A couple of the area schools are closed because of power failure but other than that it's business as usual.
forecast for today...

Rain likely this morning...then a chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Breezy with highs in the lower 70s. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

It's 62 degrees here right now.... let's see... 8:15 am... what a welcome change after all those hot muggy days.

posted by RiverBend1 at 8:13 AM 0 comments