by Manuela Mitchell

Every year I try to prepare myself for the spontaneous trials that may occur around the Holy Day season. I never know how I will overcome these trials, but most of the time, they are already expected. My reactions vary in each occurrence. Even though I “plan” for a trial to occur, I still find myself impatient, frustrated, annoyed, insecure, and sometimes even helpless. Satan tries in every aspect to make things more and more difficult than they really are; while God allows the way of escape through self-recognition and prayer.

Just recently I realized that my dog training class, which I teach, fell on the Tuesday of a Holy Day. So, I talked to my class and asked if we could arrange a session on a different day of the week. Most were compliant, and some were neutral, but we all finally agreed on Monday evening because some couldn’t attend the class on any other day – which was great. When I got home, I realized that Monday evening was the start of the Holy Day. What was I thinking!!!!??
 
I felt horrible, and didn’t know what to do, since I thought I would lose my clients if I cancelled again. I prayed, asking for strength and to help convince my students’ minds that I wasn’t incompetent. I called my clients, re-apologized, and to my surprise, everyone understood; no one was angry and somehow, everyone was able to accommodate different schedules, including mine. I expected trials, but I didn’t expect to feel worried for 4 hours before I finally asked God for help and then informed my students about the second change. I should always expect room for improvement.

by John Amorelli

My alarm clock goes off every morning to begin a new day for me. I normally set the alarm clock one to two hours before I drive to work. That would give me enough time to get ready. However, there is a feature on my alarm clock called a “snooze” button.  When the alarm goes off, I can depress this “snooze” feature button and it quiets the alarm for 10 minutes.  After 10 minutes, the alarm will sound again and the process is repeated.  Lately, I have been “snoozing away.” I have been hitting the “snooze” button three or more times so I can keep sleeping.  As a result, I had to rush, frantically, to get ready for work.

The above scenario is my physical life situation. But what about “snoozing away” in my spiritual life? Have I been “snoozing away” in prayer, fasting or Bible study? Am I depressing my spiritual “snooze button”?  Or, do I avoid the snooze feature on my alarm clock and get myself spiritually ready for Jesus Christ’s return at the sound of the first alarm?

Each morning, when the physical alarm goes off and I avoid depressing the physical snooze feature button, it is a reminder to get my spiritual alarm ready every day and not snooze away!

by Louise Amorelli
 
My husband and I live in a very rural area with mountainous terrain and unpaved narrow country backroads.  We moved here to leave the “rat race” of urban life and drink in the serene and breathtaking views of the two mountain ranges that surround our home.  Quite a difference from the fast-paced thrill-seeking drivers on the New Jersey turnpike that seem to enjoy leaving those drivers in the dust who take life in stride in the slow lane. 

But as laid back as these West Virginia roads can be, there is still danger and uncertainty.

As I drive my “city” car ‘round these country roads with spectacular views, I realize that I need to use wisdom.  Many roads are two lanes with no dividing yellow line, with just enough space between two passing cars to barely squeeze through.  When the road bends, you just don’t know how fast the other car will be coming.  You also hope that the oncoming driver will use his or her expert and cautious driving skills to judge where his or her side of the road begins and ends.

One of the scariest driving situations I encounter is when I have to drive over a one-lane-bridge with poor visibility that I can’t even see the oncoming car!! I still cringe when I have to make it to the other side of that one-lane-bridge.  Each time I do, I pray that God will guide me to the other side safely.  I am totally in His hands and each time,  I realize what blind faith really means.  Since moving here, there have been many trials that have tested my faith, not knowing what awaits me on the other side.  But I have and will put my faith in God, knowing that He will get me through to the other side, safely.  I know that I have to continue to humble my life to Him and to His lead, no matter what lies ahead.

This Life
by Kalon Mitchell

We live in a world of get and of debt. Nationally, the United States of America is going backwards literally by the second. And so it is, as I sit here writing this article for the Youth Forum, that I wonder what I will do with my life. I have an amazing wife and of course our furry animal family. But there is more that we both would like. That is children and a house to raise them in.

As I stop to think about others my age, I see that more and more young people are going back to live with their parents after they get out of college because they cannot afford to be out on their own. Gas prices are going up. Food prices are going up. Life as we know it is exploding out of control. Will I ever be able to have children; will I be able to afford a home? These questions go through my head a lot. How will I afford to raise a family?

But unlike many of these young people whom I am around, I thankfully have something that they do not at this time–and that is the help of God. God has said numerous times throughout the Bible that He is here to help me and to shower me with good things. But what is it that I must do? Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. That is the key. No matter what, I must be striving to live up to the standards set forth by God. If I do this, then I will have nothing to worry about because God will take care of me, in accordance with His Will.

by Eric Rank

A few weeks ago I had the tremendous privilege of witnessing the birth of  my son. It barely scratches the surface to say that it was an amazing  experience. As much as my wife and I prepared ahead of time for that fateful day to happen, we were caught a little off-guard. After spending perhaps just a bit too much time laboring at home, my wife nearly gave birth in the car on the way to the hospital. Fortunately, we managed to arrive in time in the care of expert hands, but only with a few minutes to spare.

With such a sudden event, I was reminded about the similarities and parallels between child birth and the coming Kingdom of God. Just as my wife and I know that the Kingdom is coming in the future, we knew nine months ahead of time that the birth of our son was coming. We didn’t know the exact moment to expect it–if we had known, we would have been in the car a bit earlier. This reminds me of what the Bible tells us about the timing of the end. Even though I cannot know the exact time of Christ’s coming, the Bible instructs me to be prepared. By knowing, watching, learning and living as righteously as possible, I can be sure that I won’t be caught off guard when the Kingdom comes.

by Tom Shadoin
    
I have been wondering over the years why God allowed Job’s children to die–and what this may mean for me. We are told that Job’s children were eating and drinking in their older brother’s house when a wind, perhaps a tornado, made the house cave in and kill all the occupants. This came about when Satan had challenged God to remove the hedge God had put around Job and all he had.
    
I asked myself, wasn’t it unfair of God to allow the death of Job’s innocent children? But then, I wondered, were they really innocent? We don’t know in detail what their behavior and character was, but we are told that Job would sanctify them and offer burnt offerings for them. He was concerned that they may have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. As a righteous man, he seemed to have reason to believe this.
    
We have all probably heard the old slang of “preacher’s kids,” and how bad they can be. We might think of Aaron and his sons; Eli and his sons; David and his sons; or Hezekiah and his son Manasseh. There are more examples, to be sure.
    
What I had to realize from all of this is that righteous Godly character is not hereditary. I had to accept the fact that no one makes it into God’s kingdom by virtue of who his parents were or what his parents did. To qualify, I cannot rely on others. I am told to overcome my shortcomings, without blaming others for them or relying on the righteousness of others. I am challenged to take to heart and personalize Christ’s response to Peter that–no matter whether many or few will enter the Kingdom at His return–I need to strive to enter it.

by Cali Harris

Prior to and throughout the Spring Holy Days, I have been considering my educational, work, friendship, family and, especially, my spiritual goals. While analyzing so many different areas of my life, I have felt overwhelmed at times by the vast number of things that I need to work on, in order to attain my goals. I think, “Where do I begin?”

It is sometimes a challenge for me to realize how to best overcome obstacles and work toward goals—all too often I see the big picture, but fail to see that the big picture is made up of smaller parts. What I am learning is that the small steps I take are what give me momentum to move toward the bigger goals.

“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” This wise saying is attributed to Plato, and it is a sensible reminder to myself that I have to take one beginning step toward my goals, no matter how “big” that step is. I can take beginning steps like writing a card to a friend, turning in a project at work, or praying for a Church member who is ill.

The answer to the question, “Where do I begin?” is actually a fairly simple one: “Begin with the first step!”

by Shana Rank

As I sit and ponder some of life’s challenges and experiences, there has always been ONE constant–more constant than friendships or living conditions, more reliable than a paycheck or automobile, and more patient than a diligent teacher. God, of course, is that ONE constant.  A truth I take much courage in, is that God does not change.

I, on the other hand, am not always constant–with family, friendships, attitudes or even paying bills. God’s perfect mercy understands the ebb and flow of my life, and waits to see growth.  I must bear fruit, and my labor must be with a happy heart.

Even though I will never achieve perfect consistency–I can still try!  My constant faith in God will insure His support through all of my life’s adventures.

by Shelly Bruno

That’s a favorite saying of mine—one I use when I feel the appropriate moment arises. It’s my secret weapon. Something I find useful when I see a situation where someone is in doubt. It’s such a simple statement, but one that can wield a powerful impact. It can simply erase doubt.

I’ve been using it a lot on my husband lately. He’s interviewing for a new job and has experienced stress and consternation about it—worrying about what so-and-so might say or think, and doubting the outcome of the situation. “It’s not up to them,” I quickly submit. And I believe it. “They” aren’t in charge of the outcome, God is. And it’s easy for me to see that God will indeed control the results. I have no doubt.

That is, as long as the situation involves others.

Lately I’ve noticed that doubt is inserting itself into my own life. Creeping in here and there when I least expect it. Creating worries where there shouldn’t be any. And these worries, whether rational or not, have cast a serious shadow of doubt. How can I rid myself of it? What do I need to do? Is my secret weapon failing me?

Maybe I can’t really “do” anything. I can worry all day long but that won’t change a thing. I can, however, change where I put my faith. I can still believe “it’s not up to them,” but more importantly I should accept that it’s not entirely up to me, either. I have to let go of my own doubtfulness and turn my worries over to God.

So as I continue my crusade to erase doubt, I think I’ll change my secret weapon. “Me,” “them” or “they” don’t really matter, because ultimately, “it’s up to Him!”

by Simon Akl

Recently, in one of my Health Science classes on Epidemiology, I was shocked by some of the statements made by my teacher. We were discussing how religious-based lifestyles can promote better health.  The concept of clean and unclean foods given in the Bible came up.  The teacher explained that there were clear health benefits from abstaining from unclean foods.  He explained why pork and other sea creatures were bad for our health and were known to promote certain diseases.  However, he ended by saying that such health hazards were now outdated and no longer needed to be followed.  Later in the discussion, I was even more surprised when he stated how in the past the Catholic Church had modified their teachings in order to incorporate more predominantly pagan celebrations.  I could not believe how aware he was of this information and yet continued to follow their false teachings and customs. 

On a different occasion, in a conversation with my school secretary, she also stated how so many teachings had been changed by the Catholic Church.  She knew about their pagan roots, yet chose to still follow them.  Even when the truth is plain and clear, people still find ways to be deceived by Satan and his evil works.  Though it is sad to see others being deceived, it helps me to realize how truly blessed I am to be a part of God’s calling, and how thankful I ought to be to have been given the ability to resist Satan and his deception.