No such thing as "coincidences!"

Just 4 weeks ago, I was admitted to a Rehablitation Center/Nursing Home, trying to gain back a little strength after my car had a little encounter with a fence and a tree, resulting in 17 fractures inmy body. The fence and tree will recover just fine!

If you've ever been in a car accident, you probably know that feeling of "Holy Moly. Please God don't let my car be totalled, let me make it out of here alive, MY HUSBAND IS GONNAKILL ME!" And, yes, I thought those 3 things. (My favorite song these days was on the stereo: Laura Story singing "Savior, He can move the mountain! My God is mighty to save He is mighty to save!...." The paramedics turned it off.)

So, after a week at our fine Leigh Valley Medical Center on the Trauma Unit, I was taken to this Rehab, where I was the youngest one by about 50 years, and I WAS EXCITED! Why? Because you never know what God has planned, and I figured this one must be a DOOZIE! Think of the hurting people I might run into and strike up a conversation with! Think of your testimony, Cindy. About how God continuously saved ME from the grips of death, so now this was my job, I figure is to tell other about what Jesus did FOR ME! In other words, there was a REASON for me to be there--it was NOT a COINCIDENCE!

Did God WANT me to be so injured that I had to be in this place? Of course not! BUT, while I was there, He was going to USE me, and not allow me to either away in my room, feeling sorry for myself!

When you find yourself someplace you want to be, like waiting for hours to see the doctor, or standing in line, be sensitive to the Spirit of God Let Him USE you! And see who you might run into in line...! YOU NEVER KNOW!

I had the pleasure of having a brief conversation with a slightly older woman, before being whisked away for physical therapy. I happened to run into her later, and she was reading a book. I could
se that the last word in the title was "God," and asked her what she was reading.
"Its called Sarah meets God. ts about a young Jewish woman who becomes a Christian." She went on to explain that she had gotten it from a local Rabbi.
I told her that I, too, was a Jewish woman who became a Christian, and she immediately asked me if I would mind "sharing my story?!" Now, understand, I didn't know which side of the fence she was on, if any, but I thought "what the heck, said a little prayer, and got on with the "sort version of my salvation testimony.
She listened intently, almost hanging onevery word, and was smiling. She thanked me for sharing my testimony with her, and then stated that she was a Pastor who lived in a very Jewish neighborhood. We talked about how challenging it is to reach the Jewish people for Christ, as His name itself is offensive to many. My best strategy is to live out my Holy Spirit lifestyle wherever I go, both among the Jews and the Gentiles, and let God do the rest1 i never did find out much about her, but I know that through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we were able to connect on a very deep level.

So, given a choice, I'm not likely to want to stay in a nursing home again, but I know tht many of the things that happened while I was there, were by God's Divine Design, and by no means were they "coincidences!"

Love,
Cindy

Love,
Cindy

Its all about CHOICES!

What a great day to be a child of the Living God! It is bright ad sunny, not too hot or sticky, as it has been for weeks, and my list of things "to do" actually looks like fun to me! My son might look at the very same list and say "Ugh! You've got a LOT of work to do!"
True. I do! But its all "spiritual work," so I'm psyched to get started!
"Spiritual work?"
I'll share my list, and that phrase will make more sense.
1. Prayer and daily bible reading (check!)
2.Read chapter 3 of Step Study book for Fri. night
3. Call and review answers with accountability partner
4. Finish weeks 5 & 6 of Marriage Bible Study
5. REST!

So, yes, it reads like homework from a student's assignment book, but I am involved in training that I will never, ever complete! You see, my training is a course given to me by my Father, to become as knowledgeable about Him, His character, His will for my life, and, in a nutshell, training to be making wise choices throught the day, EVERY SINGLE DAY.
There isn't much in this earthly life that we have any control over, but the one thing we CAN contol is a B I G G I E: Our choices, and the way we respond to what goes on around us! We are bombarded with opportunities to make hundreds of choices a day, if not more, and my life goal is to make as many decisions that are plesaing to God as I possibly can! Simple as that.

I used to live a very different lifestyle than I do now. I grew up in an affluent home and community, with everything I ever needed, and almost everything wanted too! So, I learned to appreciate, well...nothing. By God's grace, I didn't become the snobby carbon-copy of some of my other family members, but I will admit to being judgmental and critical of others "back in the day..."
When my husband, Lew, and I became Christians in 1995, we were living in a lovely development/subdivision amidst thousands of impoverished families. At one point, we decided to completely change our lifestyle, sell our house to buy something smaller and less "glamorous," give well above our regular tithe, and just make things simpler. In the process, we dound out that we were being relocated back to our hometown, and although this iswhere al my family is, I really didn't want to move! I loved the simpler life we had adopted, plus, having lived in "The Bible Belt," where almost everyone you met is a Christian, we were coming back to a group of very religious Jewish family-members, who don't believe in God. (???) We'll go there another time. So, we chose a pleasant home, far enough from my mother that she wasn't likely to just drop in, and immediately found our awesome church home.
I believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God had us move to Alabama so that we could meet him, seperate from the inflence of my Jewish family. We were only supposed to stay there for 2 years, but we stayed there 10 years, also by God's design. You see, after just 2 years as Christians, we'd have had trouble standing strong when we moved back. But with 10 years under our belts, we were mature enough to hold our own, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and know better how to handle the wall we were about to face when we hit Philadelphia.

Always remember one thing. God always has a plan. And if you receive Him, He will always and forever be a part of that plan. And with God not oly involved, but INSIDE you, and you listen to His voice, you simply can't go wrong!

Love,
Cindy

"Priest for people who don't go to church!"

This entire weekend, for 4 services, we have the awesome opportunity to hear our Missionary friend, Johannes Armritzter, President of MissionSOS, preach the Gospel at our church. So, you may say, "OK, another missionary. I think I'll stay home."

BIG MISTAKE!

Johannes is a pretty regular guy, who grew up with many of the same tough situations that some of us have, and others of us have been blessed not to. But, by God's grace, his family is now on fire for Jesus, and he travels the world, taking the Good News of Jesus Christ "to the unreached peoples of the world." He truly has a heart to "bring as many people with (him) to Heaven as (he) possibly can!"

The teachings for the weekend are focused on the Holy Spirit, getting to know God who lives in us (ME!) and letting the gifts of the Holy Spirit flow freely in our lives.

Being in a wheelchair, I must admit that my physical body started feeling very achy and tired, but when God is revealing Himself to me in a whole new way, the pain is no longer so important!

Johannes will be preaching again tonight and Sunday morning, so if you're local to me, I can guarantee that if you come expectantly, with whatever measure of faith you have, YOU WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!

Why am I standing on this Crazy for Jesus soapbox I've been on? Until Jesus returns to take me home, as He promised! (Wanna come?!--you can!) See, I can't save the world--actually, I can't save anyone at all, and I don't propose to be able to~~that's God's work (or shall I say pleasure?!) All I CAN do, is to share what Jesus has done in my own life, and let that speak for itself. The changes are astounding! I want to see everyone get to know my God-- the one and only God--The Creator of the Universe, the One who saved me, and delivered me from the impossible, and has me sitting here writing this so that maybe, we can be a little bit more like Jesus every day.

Father God, thank you for your people, who are obedient to do what you have asked them. Thank you for your Holy Spirit who lives in me, who comforts me and guides me through every moment. Let me be sensitive to His voice. Most of all, Father, may the light of Your precious Son Jesus shine in me, that others would come to know Him in a profound and eternity-changing way.
In His name,
Amen.

*Please note

This Blog is intended for private and personal use only. It is not funded in ANY WAY by any religious, political, or special-interest group. Donations are NOT ACCEPTED, but prayers are always welcome.
Thanks,
Cindy

CELEBRATE RECOVERY!

If you are reading this, and you or someone you know is needing help, keep reading!

Many people have this misconception that people who are heavy into church are either 1) super-religious and "righteous" or 2) really messed up!

The truth is that many Believers are dealing with (or have dealt with) many different kinds of hurts, hang-ups, and habits that they could use help working out! But where do you turn when you are a Sunday School teacher who can't start her day without alcohol? Or what about the well-known tax accountant who takes out his frustrations of the day by beating up his wife? Or maybe your life is in pretty good order, but you've never really mourned the loss of your dad, who committed suicide when you were in 2nd grade, and noone ever talked about it?

There is help, and there is hope! Well-reknowned Pastor and best-selling auther (The Purpose-Driven Life) Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in California, had one of his Associate Pastors approach him in 1991, telling him of a vision he had of a 12-step, Christ-based Recovery Program, to help people break free from these hurts, hang-ups, and habits! Nearly 20 years later, thousands and thousands of people have been through this program, which is now International, and can be found in churches and even prisons! This life-changing program is called Celebrate Recovery (CR.)

Its easy to get started: all you need to do is show up, and you will be greeted by the warmest, friendly, and most caring bunch of men and women you could ever imagine meeting. They will lead you exactly to where you need to be. All YOU need is the courage to walk across that parking lot for the first time.


How do I know? Because I am a grateful member of Celebrate Recovery (CR) and you couldn't PAY me to miss a single Tuesday night meeting. This program has changed my life in ways I never dreamed possible.

You don't have to do it alone. As a matter of fact, you CAN'T! But with God's help, along with the amazing support you'll start feeling the minute you walk through the doors and say, "Hey, its my first time..." you CAN overcome your old hurts, hang-ups, and habits, and your life WILL BE CHANGED!

For more info, PLEASE e-mail me at cbuchanan@dejazzd.com.
Please note: CR is open to all wto adhere to some basic guideines. If you have never stepped foot into a Church you are MORE than welcome to join us!

Love,
Cindy

Discovering Your God-Given Gifts

Gifts? From God?? For ME???
YOU BET!
And no two of us are quite alike. "For I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (Scripture verses will be referenced after the casts come off and I can hold up my Concordance!)
So we all have unique sets of gifts.

God created each one of us for a very special task/job/ministry. For some of us, it is obvious: For one friend of mine, it went like this: I LOVE KIDS. THEY NEED HELP IN THE NURSERY. BINGO! I'LL APPLY TO BE A NURSERY WORKER. That was 5 years ago, and she remains faitheful to that call on her life.

For me, it wasn't ever so clear-cut. First, I had to be a part of everything and anything! And not just your ordinary helper, but the LEADER! It took me a very long time to figure out that the girl who keeps the Ladies' Room clean has just important a job as the Youth Pastor, the person working in the "Welcome Center," and that guy who's always taking out the trash after Community Day!

As part of our Church's membership process, optional seminars are available for people to take, one being titled "Discoverig Your God-Given Gifts." We took a surve of sorts, and I scored highest in "helps," "mercy" "teaching" and "pastoral care," which all fit right in with my career as a pschotherapist for children with behavior problems, and my acute awareness of the needs of others, along with a strong a desire to give them the tools to improve their cirumstances.

So, to make a long story short, the girl who has been working alone with the children, with ZERO help, needs a CO-LEADER! YAY! She's coming over this afternoon, so we can work on a training, so other's can help out as well, and learn a new skilll set. I'm really excited about it! Iok a while, but with lots of prayer, and thoughtful consideration, as well as a few long convsersations with some of the elder women of the church, I feel that I am i the center of God's will, if only in this particular situation!

I feel closest to God when I am involved with His people, doing His work. Of course, I absolutely live for the times of day that I can just meet with Him, quietly, settle myself into his loving arms, grace, and salvation, and sing His praises for saving me from eternal separation from Him and his incomparable love.

And Still More Miracles....!

Long time, no Blog! Something about having casts on both arms, and 15 other broken bones can keep even ME away from the computer!

On July 14th, 2009, my steering wheel froze up as I was driving home, and I successfully knocked down a fence and a tree, before landing in a ditch, literally trapped in my car.

Cool note: When I looked up, I saw 4 angels surrounding my car! So, instead of being terrified, I was just a little claustrophobic jammed in there, but knew that I was in the hands of my Father. Praise God!

Despite my injuries, a week in a trauma center, 2 more in a rehab, I couldn't be more encouraged!

I've had the opportunity to have wonderful conversations with nearly the entire Pastoral Staff of my very special church, Morning Star Fellowship, as well as many calls, cards , and even flowers from others as well! I got to share my testimony with a female Pastor while doing Physical Therapy, of my conversion from Judaism to Christianity. I am convinced that behind every trial, is a tremendous opportunity, and my plan was to make the most of it.

My "art-world" friends have shown such a huge outpouring of kindness, generosity, and true compassion~~I am overwhelmed with tears!

And, of course my family~~my mother has been there every day, and what would I do without

Lew's strength, faith and perserverence, Josh's hugs, kisses, and impromptu prayers for sweet dreams filled with such wonderful thoughts were my mainstay, and knowing we'd be recycling that week made!

But of course, let all of the honor and glory for my rapid recovery go to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who not only wants us to have life but MORE ABUNDANT LIFE! (Will reference the vs. later!) So, no more mediocrity for Cindy Buchanan, but instead I will try to live out my Church's "tag-line" for 2009: Adventurousv, Expectant Living!

This coming Fri.-Sun Eve., we have th privilige ofspending the weekend with our Austrian Missionary friend Johannes Armitzter, "TThe Priest for Peopl Who Don't Go To Church!"

http://www.missionsos.org (check out his ministry and lend your much appreciated support!) as he is flying over here from his home in Sweden to spend the weekend at Morning Star.

Please remember him in your prayers for safe travel and a special annointing for the weekend, if you think of it, OK?

Love,

Cindy