WHOEVER DRINKS THE WATER

“But whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never become thirsty again.

The water that I will give him will become a well of water for him, springing up to eternal life."

NISV John 4:14

What an amazing gift to receive, nothing in a box to tinker with, no instructions to decode, misplace and then locate in our clutter baskets and kitchen cabinet drawers! Not a gift to dust, or safely secure so that it isn’t tampered with or like a fine piece of porcelain displayed in our bellowed china cabinets, but instead a gift of empowered life! Oh my friends this wonderful gift alters the course of our life and beckons us to stop what we are doing, to abandon our entangled lifestyles. These words Jesus spoke induct us! It’s a pronouncement of relief and serenity for a provision of eternal life.

Yes my friends that’s what this living is all about, this reflective Lenten season ushers us into the remembrance of some very promising words! Jesus spoke to a woman hiding out from her potential, stuck in dead-end and defeated relationships that smothered and hurt but to now instead embrace new possibilities of hope. Her encounter with Jesus was the hallmark for her experiencing eternal life not a temporal existence but on a permanent basis!

Friends let me encourage you to meet God at your personal wells, your places of trials, discomforts and ambivalences.

Trust that He already knows all about what concerns you. Let humility erect your truth with your words, underneath your words. Yes, He’s a prayer away, alive in the scriptures and in the language of love! Go on let Jesus show you yourself, but more importantly build a bridge to our all wise, all loving all, all knowing Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ! See you at the well!

Words To Encourage Our Hearts from:

Linda Mose Meadows

Blogger (Celebrating Ordinary Days With Extraordinary Promises, The Blessedness of Believing ) Inspirational Author (The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises (Tate Publishing), Urban Views Weekly & Empower Magazine Columnist and Co-Editor of Eyes of Faith Magazine

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/
http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

MEET YOU AT THE WELL: HAVING A HEART-TO-HEART WITH JESUS!

Change and Transformation by Father Earnest Graham

Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman

¹³ Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

¹⁵ The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

John 4: 13,14

Reference Scripture: John 4:1-26 (New International Version, ©2011)

All of our lives we’ve heard words, words that have molded, shaped, prompted and prodded us to either to be at a standstill or words that literally gave us wings to soar. Not long ago I received an amazing gift from Ann Meyer, I think of it as a welcome gift to St. Martin’s Administrative Team. This gift was an unexpected literary treasure entitled Guerrillas of Grace-Prayers for the Battle by Ted Loder (see inside front cover).

Listen to Me Under My Words

O God, I come to you now

Asa child to my Mother,

Out of the cold which numbs into the warm who cares.

Listen to me inside,

Under my words

Where the shivering is,

In the fears

Which freeze my living,

In the angers

Which chafe my attending,

In the doubts

Which chill my hoping,

In the events

Which shrivel my thanking,

In the pretenses

Which stiffen my loving.

Listen to me, Lord

As a Mother

And hold me warm,

And forgive me.

Soften my experiences

Into wisdom,

My pride

Into acceptance,

My longing

Into trust,

And soften me

Into love

And to others

And to you

Maybe it was the Holy Spirit, maybe it was just a woman of God that sensed I would benefit tremendously from an inspirational book, or just possibly it was our preceding conversation about the office atmosphere that lovingly erects ministry and insulates joy, peace and caring! I don’t know, but I do know that when I read, I began to include this gift of prayers as part of my work day devotional, the words of the prayers scaled my heart matters and reminded me of how sacred my relationship is with God. It’s not taken lightly. So I easily connected with the prayer Listen to Me Under My Words. And really appreciate how God helped make the prayer so relevant to John 4.

So as I read John 4: 1-26 I appreciated the Samaritan woman’s frank and direct conversation had with Jesus. She attempted to earnestly converse. What really seemed apparent for me was that while she spoke, there were deeper issues- layers of words under her words which revealed her disappointment, her outlook, and ultimately her humility. Her sarcasm and loneliness were no stumbling block for Jesus’s replies. Her quizzical nature couldn’t stump or thwart the reality that what Jesus desired for her far outweighed her reality! She had stumbled upon a moment in time that changed her and many generations later to come! She visited the well at a strategic time that God had divinely orchestrated. Jesus’ words of life would become a wellspring to be reinvigorated, renewed and experience transformed natural and spiritual living! Let’s make our way with haste to that well! Don’t you want to go?

Published in Lent Devotional (The Journey to Surrender) 2011 Lenten @ St. Martin's Episcopal Church

Listen to Ce Ce Winans sing: I Surrender ALL and let the music minister to your spirit and renew your outlook!

Revived & Overjoyed!
Linda Mose Meadows, Urban Views Weekly Columnist and Inspirational Author of: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises and Co-publisher of Eyes of Faith Magazine

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

You’ve Got the Umph to Rejoice in 2011!

Live out and spell out t-r-i-u-m-p-h-a-n-t!

You’ve Got the Umph to Rejoice in 2011!

by Linda Mose Meadows

GRAB HOLD

URBAN VIEWS WEEKLY,

FEBRUARY 16, 2011 PG.3

OF THE INSPIRATION

Inspirational Blogger, Columnist, Author and Magazine Publisher.

Celebrating what God's doing in our midst: http://www.eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

Blessed In the Rough Times – An Encore Post for Times Like These!

“Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.” saith the Lord.

Psalm 91:14-16

My son phoned from his internship today with that frantic undertone in his voice. My mother instinct kicked in when I heard his voice. He tried to mask it with a cordial “Hi Mom!” but I knew better. Finally we got to the heart of the matter, he needed money for food and I really don’t have to tell you that it was only several days ago that my paycheck was received and now there is little indication in my account that I was even paid. I honored his request the way most of our parents do and sailed to the convenient branch banking location in my neighborhood supermarket to deposit something in his account.

"Thank you Lord God!"

I chatted with my favorite Bank Teller/Manager and after we discussed favorite travel spots, she too got to the heart of the matter- the words fell from her lips, I am sure unrepentantly, that her husband was returning to the Middle East for his third tour of duty. I learned that after I inquired: “Hadn’t he already been?” My heart sank when she shared a faint smile. This smile belied the apparent truth that her heart was very heavy about her husband's approaching departure date. I promised I’d pray for them.


After leaving the bank/supermarket with a few grocery items that had shot up in price in a week’s time, I just shook my head in amazement. There was one more stop before going home. I drove to my neighborhood Shoe Repair Shop that had not been maintaining their usual business hours. I quickly ran in the shop surprised that the door was ajar and wondered why there had been a sign on the door with the handwritten words Closed for several weeks?


The young proprietor confessed in an apologetic tone that his family was facing difficulty and he now worked elsewhere during the day. He shared that financially they were having difficulty paying their mortgage and his elderly mother now covered the shop. This was a rough patch! Once again I knew well about mortgage woes. But friends what really resonated in my spirit were when the young man said, "But it’s going to be all right I guess!” Without a doubt these are some of the most difficult times that this many people have encountered simultaneously in a while. It feels like more than a pinch, it’s often a strangle hold to stay afloat making a living. Yes, indeed it’s rough-it’s real, it’s personal hardships on an intimate level!


As our elders would utter,” But God!"

"But for the love of God!"
"But for the supernatural provision of God!"
"But for the undeniable grace of God!""
"But for the beauty of God’s word which reminds us that His love never foresakes us!"


Imagine an abiding love for you-his children. A love not predicated on status, religion or pedigree. No matter the personal attacks, innuendos hurled and/or the tumultuous hardships experienced God's wonderful supply of protection, grace and mercy is evident. Daily we can abide under His care: His Lordship! Wouldn’t you agree it’s comforting to realize this? His deliverance and most assuredly His love and shelter will protect us even in the rough places.

Hang on friends and tuck this in your hearts:

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is [our] my refuge and [our] my fortress [our] my God in who I trust.” Psalm 91:1, 2

Enjoy on :Youtube Tonex and Kirk Franklin -God Has Not Forgot



Peace and God's Abundant Blessings To You,
Linda Mose Meadows, author of:
The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life’s and God’s Promises
http://www.blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/
http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/
http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

EXPLORING THE MEASURE OF THE MAN

“Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true.” Martin Luther King Jr.

January 20th didn’t seem to arrive fast enough. We had marked our work calendars weeks before in eager anticipation of seeing Michael Eric Dyson. This was a great way of our honoring Dr. King and being able to attend a worthy and inspiring commemorative celebration in his honor. I couldn’t believe that we’d have the opportunity to see and hear Doctor Brother Preacher Teacher Michael Eric Dyson right in our own backyard! Right here at historic William and Mary College-literally down the street from work. This noted college campus is only a stone’s throw from work. We'd first have to return home to scoop up our son and mother in law-that evening, it was a family affair and we knew it would be robbery to leave them out.

Later on I would observe that the audience was a wonderful cross section of people all ages and ethnicities. The young, the elderly and the in between -their attendance was a sure sign that others felt the importance of bringing along their loved ones as well to witness and partake. Here stood this intellectual giant right in our midst and he was honestly frank and funny, just really real! Thank God for candor! Laughtern is not a bad thing either.

We were insured perfect seating because our arrival on campus planted us at the Sandler Center’s Auditorium before the ushers pushed open the locked entrances. I am pleased to share that we were not disappointed as I shared on face book! No shortchanging the attendees! This was without a doubt mentally exhilarating! For a moment I wondered, what must it be like to sit in this intellectual dynamo’s class room?

I was a student all over again and listened intently to Michael Eric Dyson,
the prolific commentator, the brilliant theologian, the insightful Sociology professor, the astute NPR correspondent and the best selling author who imparted his wisdom and easy humor as he poured out his heart about Dr. King. The word magnanimous comes to mind regarding my perception of the whole evening. Noteworthy is what the evening was! Dr. Dyson’s arguments and delivery regarding Dr. King were engaging. It was as though we too were drawn in dialogue about the measure of the man: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Click on excerpt which will give you a glimpse of the magnitude of our evening.








Friends, I wish you had been there! It was a no holds barred evening-a well balanced intellectual assortment! Dr. Dyson shone a bold flood light on the social and historic realities for a nation in the midst of radical social, civil and economic change. The food for thought shared by Dyson brought a revealing panoramic view of who Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was for America in his life and after his untimely death. I thank God for planting Dr. King on this earth!

Author of: "April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Death and How It Changed America.” is especially significant during this 40th anniversary of the life of our civil rights leader. As a result of Dr. Dyson’s presentation I am compelled to encourage you to read his website, listen to his telling interviews, acquire his recent book(s) and let's agree to engage in relevant and yes, difficult discussions that stretch us and most certaintly celebrate and honor the rich legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We'll certainly be all the better for it as we explore the measure of the man!


Peace and God's Abundant Blessings To You,
Linda Mose Meadows, author of:
The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life’s and God’s Promises
http://www.blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/ http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/
http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

2010 IN REVIEW: THIS BLOGS HEALTH-O-METER READS MINTY-FRESH!

Photo of my dear friend and sister, Donna. Loving life, she always has a song of thanksgiving in her heart!

Those who wish to sing, always find a song.

Swedish Proverb

Sifting through my email was the unexpected! Instead of the multiple coupons and soliciting ads there was a surprise email message regarding my 2010 blogging history. It was mail that pleasantly encouraged and affirmed my blogging efforts. Refreshing! That moment it was the food needed to continue nurturing my literary efforts on Blogger and WordPress. Affirmation feed my soul! You too? Thank God for words that ignite our curiosity, delight our hearts and provide fuel for furthering our quests to reach our goals. It was as though the youngster in me was hearing a loved one say, "Keep at it, Lin!" I pray someone, somewhere continues to affirm you and express life giving sentiments that bath you with the assurance to not retreat, nor surrender your heart's desire! So my friends this was a superb way to jumpstart my new year's blogging with a message from WordPress that read:

2010 in Review 03, Jan 2011

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com
mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its
overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Minty-Fresh™.

Crunchy numbers

The Leaning Tower
of Pisa has 296 steps to reach the top. This blog was viewed about 1,100 times
in 2010. If those were steps, it would have climbed the Leaning Tower of Pisa 4
times .

In 2010, there were 42 new posts, growing the total archive of
this blog to 227 posts. There were 141 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of
21mb. That’s about 3 pictures per week.

The busiest day of the year was December 16th with 24 views. The most popular post that day was REMARKABLE CHAUTAUQUA: A SOUL AWAKENING EXPERIENCE!
Where did they come from?
The top referring sites in 2010 were en.wordpress.com,
blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com, facebook.com, blogcatalog.com, and
search.aol.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for devising a
marketing plan, daisy khan, charles bibbs, linda mose meadows, and new year
messages.

Attractions in 2010 these are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1 REMARKABLE CHAUTAUQUA: A SOUL AWAKENING EXPERIENCE! July 2010

2 SHARING A WONDERFUL “WOW MOMENT”: PUBLISHED IN
THE INTERNATION REVIEW OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ART! April 2010

3 GOD’S BEEN JUST THAT GOOD! October 2010
3 comments

4 THE POWER OF BEING UNDERESTIMATED November 2010
1 comment

5 2009 LIFE THROUGH LITERATURE FESTIVAL: AN UPLIFTING EVENT! October 2009

God, I thank you for the small nudges that awaken us and especially how you elect to bring us encouragement! WordPress reports that my writing has staying power! I am truly appreciative. But , I understand my ultimate power comes from my reliance on our Heavenly Father who gives me directions and ignites my desire to write and share heart matters. Friends this report is extremely encouraging! Take from it what you need to pen your reports. I believe I’ll continue to blog and climb new summits (one blog post at a time) and behold vistas that I’ve yet to see! Prosperity and peace to all of you, have a great new year! I am confident that blessings await you also! You can win, hang in there!


Linda Mose Meadows, Urban Views Weekly Columnist and Inspirational Author of: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises and Co-publisher of Eyes of Faith Magazine

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/
http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

EYES OF FAITH MAGAZINE-WINTER 2010 IS HERE!

Living with Greater Intention was the title that emanated months ago when I began to think about our second edition of Eyes of Faith Magazine. I knew it was no accident because God was being busy conveying that message! When I read scripture, listened to NPR, spoke to students, glanced at highway billboards, stopped and listened closely to lyrics, read St. Augustine’s prayers, discovered an uplifting website, the “intentionality” for living faith filled lives and impacting others for greater good was there.


Prayers of Saint Augustine:
God of life, there are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and wear us down; when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies gray and threatening; when our lives have no music in them and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage. Flood the path with light, we beseech you; turn our eyes to where the skies are full of promise.
(From Prayers of the Saints: An Inspired Collection of Holy Wisdom, ed. Woodeene Koenig-Bricker - San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1996)
http://www.wf-f.org/StAugustine.html


So I realized it was no mistake what God had planted in my spirit! When you think about all of the accomplished folks in your personal circles and in the world, what comes to mind about their character and calling? Is it their dogged persistence, their resolve that no matter what life flings their way it won’t hinder their mission? Is it their demeanor, faith, prayer life, outstanding creativity, insight, amazing, wisdom, wit, fortitude-what exactly is it? In my estimation it may be a combination of those traits! Certainly it’s personal, plain and simple! God has planted something deep down within them and it can’t be fettered. God has fashioned them to move from the fray, battle if they must but not wallow in the ashes of discontent, but to instead rise like a phoenix, hearts singed and surely better for the trial. Thank God for their fortitude and sticktoitiveness. Yes, it’s a blessed gift to live with greater intention.


So my friends without a doubt each of the selections you peruse in this second issue of Eyes of Faith Magazine know that the featured person’s life experience is verdant with promise and they are vigilant about their calls in life. We salute each of them for their wonderful endeavors. Learn of their passions and take heart as you too fix your gaze with eyes of faith. Go on and live life on purpose and with greater passion. We wish you God’s continued blessings now and in the coming year 2011.


Revived & Overjoyed!

Linda Mose Meadows, Urban Views Weekly Columnist and Inspirational Author of: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises and Co-publisher of Eyes of Faith Magazine

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/
http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/
http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/