Manual of Life

Saudade

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:04:17 GMT

SAUDADE

"Brazilians call SAUDADE: a longing for something so indefinite as to be indefinable. - All things born of the soul that can only be felt." — Anthony De Sa

Memories of past moments of joy that come flooding into our minds when a melody is played.
Missing the sound of a beloved voice.
Nostalgia that overwhelms us.
The longing to once again walk in scenes from the past.

At times, as a memory is in the process of being made, the knowledge that this time is so fleeting, and it will soon be over.
The awareness that “just on the other side” we’ll see loved ones who’ve gone on before us.

Learning to love, experiencing moments of joy – and then they are in the past.

Sometimes, the consciousness of life, memories, loved ones – all out of reach, overwhelms me. Tears prick my eyes, a lump in my throat. I cannot live scattered over the globe where all my loved ones live: children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, friends – ah, so many. I’m unable to reach out and touch them, those living today, nor can I touch those who lived in my past.

I have the sense that life is so much more than what I see and touch. The emotions of joy, loss, and longing engulf and almost overcome me.

Then God’s Spirit reminds me: There is a time coming when it will all be united and fulfilled: past and future. God will bring it all together. ALL of our loved ones, all those beautiful sunsets and sunrises, feeling the glorious breeze on a spring day as the cherry blossoms move in the wind, smelling the apple orchards in the fall and new mown grass in the summer, roses and lilacs, seeing and hearing a fire burning in a fireplace, feeling its warmth, the smell of guava, fresh pineapple, a rain storm coming on a hot day... the sound of waves and waterfalls and the heavens thundering a mighty symphony of sound mingling with a full symphony orchestra and choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus and we will be there experiencing a completeness never imagined.

There is coming a time when you and I will no longer experience SAUDADES. Only joy, fulfillment, wholeness as the Son of God sits on His throne and we, men, women, children and all of nature, create a NEW SONG of delight in His presence that fills the heavens and all the universe!

Saudade, loneliness and sorrow may walk with me today. But God’s NEW TOMORROW is coming, and my heart rejoices.

Voni Pottle

What did we do today???

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:16:12 GMT

What did we do today???

December 1, 2005

The sun is disappearing. Here in the tropics, when it goes down, it is dark immediately . No "in-between" twilight like I knew as a child, raised in the northwestern part of the United States. In fact, if I try to describe what twilight is like to people who've always lived in the tropics, they look at me with a blank face...Why would one want a twilight?! However, once in a while I remember, and think it would be nice to sit outside and experience a twilight once again.

Today is the first day of December. Thanksgiving slipped by almost unnoticed ( Brasil doesn't celebrate that day as it is done in the United States). So today, I was caught by surprise to see December turn up on the calendar... It was a somewhat "normal" day in our lives here in Natal. I was up at 2:30 a.m. working on the computer. We started teaching the book of Revelations to the Foursquare pastors here in the city and had promised to take the first lesson translated into Portuguese.

I was relieved to finish it a little after 5 a.m. and crawled back into bed to sleep until 7. . . and later was thrilled to realize I'd done a good job of translating. The written word is more exacting than the spoken word . . . and I always approach this type of translating English into Portuguese with fear and trembling.

After all that work, wouldn't you know it? The printer gave me problems! So - instead of 20 copies, we were able to take only six! sigh... God blessed the teaching! How can one not become excited when we talk about our Lord and WHO He is!?!? and how are you at horseback riding? for we'll come back with Him, all of us riding on horseback. Hmm.. that must mean there are horses in heaven, right?

I'm always thankful whenever we get to our destination as we drive here, and even more so when we get home. The traffic is nothing, compared to Rio or São Paulo or Belo Horizonte ... but it has enough excitement to keep one definitely alert! Besides cars whose drivers like to come within inches, buses who KNOW they have the right of way (and who is going to argue?), there are the motorbikes who are like bees flying everywhere. Our concern is that we not unintentionally hit one as he comes zipping between our car and the car next to us. Thanking God for Him using us, missing our families, wondering what all HE has in mind? Learning. Challenged.
Thrilled when we see some of the visible results of our teaching.

Be Still

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:25:25 GMT

Sunday - December 18, 2005

“Be still and know that I am God...”
Psalms 46:10

I am learning the difficulty of obeying those words.
They are beautiful, profound, simple... and challenge me!
Be still - when I want to run and resolve.
Be still - when I want to knock down doors, make phone calls, write letters, fight windmills - what ever is necessary to do, to accomplish the needed goal.
Be quiet! Be still!

I honestly thought I'd learned this lesson.
Romans 8:28 "All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose"

Then we faced a loss I was totally unprepared for... when funds we were transferring to help the church in Brasil did not arrive.

I went into panic mode: people's needs would not be met, people would be hurt, I had to try to do something.

(Have any of you been there?) I was literally sick at my stomach... I couldn't sleep
Fighting against the clock.
No peace... carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. (something wrong here!)

But, finally, just yesterday, the Lord got through to me.
How? I remembered a lesson Joe teaches: The Battle is the Lord's, and the victory is ours.

--Moses with the Israelites blocked by the Red Sea and the Egyptian army coming to wipe them out. Moses' words to them: "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!" Exodus 14:13-14

--David - a young lad, indignant to see God mocked by the Philistines and their giant bully, Goliath. Walking towards Goliath who is calling down insults on his head, David swinging his slingshot and calling out: "I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel whom you have defied." 1 Samuel 17:45-50

--Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego standing before the king of Babylon, stating: "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:16-25

Marvelous stories out of history, each one. And each one reminding me, once again: I can depend upon the Lord to do what is right, even when all appears wrong.

His reminder to me is that my intelligence and personal rationale is not necessarily correct.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones." Proverbs 3:5-8

mmmm - yes, Lord!

Then the Holy Spirit threw down the gauntlet of even more verses

Psalms 37:7-8 "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently before Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger... do not fret... For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land."

Isaiah 40:28-31 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary... those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

That was enough for me to begin to get the message. It was time for me to change my attitude. Choose to trust God - or my own intellect? I've learned over the years, that it's best to trust God!

So - what am I going to do?

Choose to trust Him! It is my choice.

Thank Him in and for everything. Trust His way of doing things.
Be still and know that He is God. Wait to see what HE will do.
Trust Him!

This is my assignment. I'll let you know what God does...
I do have one question... in your life... is He challenging you with the same assignment?

Voni

The Challenge of Fear

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 07:40:07 GMT

Overcoming Fear

March 22, 2003
Edited 07 2

“Sometimes the Lord calms the storm; sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child.”
-- Unknown

Fear is not enjoyable!

Unfortunately, because of all that is happening in the world and in the USA, the feeling of security one used to have went flying out the window when terrorism came in the door.

A few nights ago, I was dealing with fear again. All the suggestions I'm receiving over the media and internet about the need for preparation of food and water in case of emergencies: terror attacks, hurricanes, earthquakes, the list continues getting longer... to have extra cash available, even an escape route; suddenly fear and uncertainty hit me like a bulldozer and I had trouble sleeping.

As I analyze it all, I believe the thing most frightening for me is the unknown; and the unknowns we face today are big ones. Because of the media and our sense that we should keep informed, we are made aware of what is happening all over the world. At times it is simply too heavy to bear.

I hope I'm beginning to work this through.

The Bible tells us that we are to be prudent. That means think things through, and take whatever precautions that are possible. However, in situations like those we are facing today, it is absolutely impossible to prepare for everything that could happen. As I recognize I cannot control my circumstances, at times, this admission creates anger and/or fear.

If I become immobilized and blocked by fear, I am unable to think: a terrible feeling. Therefore, I must work through this.

Jesus tells us: Perfect love casts out fear.

“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the Day of Judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.”

1 John 4:16-18 NIV

Christ loves me. I love Him. If I love Him and trust Him, then why am I afraid? And what am I afraid of?

Well, to list just a few? Increasing violence, senseless violence, loss of work, neighborhood gangs, possibility of government takeover, natural disasters, not enough food, dirty bombs - all the different threats they are throwing out on the media... war spreading in the middle east... the United States thrown into turmoil. my loved ones being hurt or killed. The unknown. Inability to care for situations we may face, chaos.

When I stop to think about it, Jesus walked in a world filled with chaos, The apostles taught in such a world, Paul journeyed in such a world, and the gospel's been carried by people throughout such a world. In all reality, the potential dangers and chaos have always been around me: I just didn’t open my eyes to see them.

Some conclusions as I work through these fears:

Conclusion #1: Jesus promised us His peace, and it isn't dependent upon circumstances.

Phil 4:4-7 NIV

“4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

When I start concentrating on the evil around me, Paul tells me what to focus my thoughts upon:

Phil 4:8-9 NIV

“8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Conclusion #2: If I obey, rejoice, present my needs and concerns to God, focus on the certainty of His good, rather than focusing on the unknown, I will have peace.

Paul is the one who wrote these words. His life was not calm. Rather it was full of turmoil, danger, beatings, misunderstandings... the list is long.
Yet – after he writes the above verses, he concludes by writing what he learned. And what did he learn?

Phil 4:11-13 NIV

“11 For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Conclusion #3 I, too, can learn to be content, regardless of the circumstances.

The situation may be foggy to me, but it is clear to God.
There is much for me to learn here.

The final challenge is in a verse that my husband and I read and quote each day.

Prov 3:5-6 NIV

“5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

My final conclusion: I'm required to return and depend upon Him and His Word.

I'm asking God's Holy Spirit to give each one of us His wisdom. May we learn how to better hear His voice. May you and I pray for protection from the evil that is roaming throughout the land; for that evil to be restrained. May the light of truth prevail in the darkness, and I learn to trust in the Lord with all my heart.

May you and I, our families and friends, learn how to walk in wisdom and peace.

None of this is easy. But since I want to walk in peace, not in fear, I choose to walk this road of learning.

To sum it all up? This phrase fits well.

“Sometimes the Lord calms the storm;
sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child.”

The eagle dives into the storm and lets the winds carry him ever higher.
May I learn to not fear the storms.

Fear = False Evidence Appearing Real

Concepts

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:10:32 GMT

January 19, 2009 Monday Natal,RN Brasil

At 6:30 this morn, it was cold outside – 75 F. Now, don’t smile ☺
For me, that is cold.
After all, it isn’t the actual temperature on the thermometer that matters, but what our bodies say about it, right? Or is it?

What if my body says it’s cool when it’s 100 F, so I bundle up, go into the heat, and get sunstroke. Or if my body says that 25 F is warm, and I go outside in jeans, t-shirt and thongs... and freeze?

We do have to depend upon factual realities, even if our bodies and emotions say the realities are not reality. Just as a pilot has to depend upon his instruments, rather than his own sense of direction, we need to depend upon the unchanging and undergirding reality of God’s principles in our daily lives.

As we enter into the unknown future, and are bombarded with facts and figures about the economic and political “realities” in which we live, our emotions and bodies react from worry, frustration, anger at people (and even at God). Fear crouches at our doors, wanting to come in; the sounds of confusion mounting around us.

However, if I hear another drumbeat, a different rhythm than the cacophony of sounds coming from my tv, radio, the internet and newspapers... then my body and emotions react differently.

If I live in the Kingdom of God, and listen to that drumbeat, my emotions and body settle into a quieter mode.

The concept is simple: live within the principles of the Kingdom of God.
The daily application can be a challenge!

Check out some of the principles of the Kingdom of God that Jesus taught. They are radically different from the beat of daily life in which we live!

Matt 5:1-12

1-2 • When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

3 • "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

4 • "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5 • "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are — no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

6 • "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

7 • "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull', you find yourselves cared for.

8 • "You're blessed when you get your inside world — your mind and heart — put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9 • "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

10 • "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

11 • "Not only that — count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.

12 • You can be glad when that happens — give a cheer, even! — for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

It is GOOD to be challenged with God’s reality ☺

Voni Pottle

Contemplations

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:31:29 GMT

Gate to Dreams

The gate is there before me,
My dreams on the other side.
Good dreams and longings.
But -there is a closed gate in front of me.

I can see the beauty through the gate.
Friendships I long for,
Women sharing cups of coffee and their hearts,
Men supporting each other in mutual affection and appreciation

Me, finally knowing who I am.
Knowing I am loved unconditionally,
so I am free to love others.

Happiness and fulfillment,
New adventures, new horizons.
Places I haven’t yet seen,

Sunrises and sunsets,
Music waiting for me to hear.
Laughter and contentment.

Romance.
Joy.

Families united.
Girls giggling together over shared secrets,
Boys romping with their buddies
Husband and wife, walking hand in hand on a beach,

Families
experiencing with the ones they love
the shared joy and tears of
Christmas. Weddings,
Graduations. Births.
and even deaths...

But there is a closed gate to my dreams!
How do I even have the courage to open it?
For so many of my dreams have been irrevocably
Lost and destroyed.

I weep in frustration,
Turning away from that gate.
But wait – what is this?

The friendly Gatekeeper with an old key in his hand,
standing at the gate,
calling and beckoning for me to come.
He is smiling at me with love in his eyes,
and my heart lurches with hope,
even though there is no reason to hope.

He smiles into my confused eyes.
“Come, take this key,
unlock the gate,
and walk into your dreams.”

“Yes, some of your dreams are gone forever.
However, there are many more just waiting for you
to walk into them to make them reality.”

“This key is formed out of
love, trust, joy and obedience.
Accepting the love that comes from Me,
releases you to be free to love others.
Trusting Me and My promises for you,
opens new horizons to walk
into in the joy of an abundant life
full of adventures.
Discover the sense of true freedom
when you obey My precepts and principles.”

“Use this key to unlock the gate.
You will become conscioius of new dreams,
new joys,
to replace those that were robbed from you.
Now go – in the joy and strength of your Lord!”

I took the key, trembling.

He smiled at me and said:
“One other thing.
Leave behind the past.
Don’t look back.

I am doing a new thing.
Open your eyes and see.”

He reached out and took my hand,
steadied the gate as I turned the key in the lock,
He opened the gate and
we walked in together.

The gate to my dreams is open,
My Friend walks with me
into this new reality. . .

***************************

Isa 43:1-3,15-16,18-19

1 • Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

2 • When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you.

3 • For I am the Lord your God, the Holy one of Israel, your Savior;

15 • I am the Lord, your Holy one, the Creator of Israel, your King.

16 • Thus says the Lord, Who makes a way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters,

18 • Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old.

19 • Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
AMP

by Voni Pottle

Winter and Spring

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 07:54:16 GMT

Winter and Spring

Yesterday someone said something - I don't even remember what it was... but it brought back a vivid picture into my mind.

It was in the early 40's. We lived on a farm north of Bellingham, Washington, just a few miles south of Canada... small farm, only 20 acres, but that was enough to keep us busy, for Dad and Mom were running a fuel business in Bellingham. On clear days we could see the Canadian Rockies, and the snow-capped Cascade Mountains were framed in my bedroom window (although I could see them better when there were no leaves on the trees.)

It was a different life from today. A big radio in the living room for news and programs (there were some excellent ones, and we had vivid imaginations.) In the evening, my brother and I loved to sit on the floor in the front of that radio and be totally carried away by the adventures we heard.

Our phone was on a party line, so when we picked up the receiver to use it, we had to make sure no else was using it. When we picked up the phone, a live operator answered. We told her the number we wanted. and she rang it for us. I walked or rode my bike to school, a mile away... gravel and then blacktop roads, farm houses scattered along the way... no one lived close to each other (which was wonderful unless you had an emergency and needed to go to the bathroom!)

Trees to climb and hide in to read, cows and chickens to feed and gather eggs... dad did the milking early in morn and when he got home at night... it was a different kind of life... a good life...

We were seven miles from Bellingham where we went to church, and Dad had his fuel company: it took 30 to 40 minutes to drive into town... yes, in a car... the cars and roads were a little different then...

I loved spring, summer and fall...

but winter meant being inside the house... and going to school in cold, rain and snow. Freezing weather And when the storms came in from Canada, there were the blizzards. (We enjoyed those more, for then school was closed.)

Everything died.

Trees with bare limbs, creaking in the wind. Sad. No flowers... everything dry and dead. Garden area desolate.

Most of the time grey skies... once in a while a clear cold day with bright blue skies... but everything on the ground dead.

I would despair of ever seeing beauty growing again.

After months of desolation, the weather changed very slightly. No more freezing.

Still raining....still everything dark and sad.

VERY gradually, one saw little little changes.

Dad would go out and plow the ground for the garden, turning the old soil and grass underneath to nourish the soil. He would then harrow it, breaking it up even more, before staking out the rows... and we would all help plant the seeds. Not too many in one spot, not too close nor too far apart. And if Clio and I didn't do it right, a month or so later Dad would call us out, point at the spot where we goofed, and say "what happened here?" of course, he knew... but he wanted us to recognize what we'd done so we wouldn't repeat it again. Usually we remembered... however, we'd constantly tried to invent new ways of doing things... and it would always become obvious what we'd done!

Our backs hurt from hoeing the flower beds around the house ... breaking the ground so the plants that were there underneath could come up again.

A LOT of work, tiring and at times back-breaking, in not too pleasant weather.

I remember thinking as a kid: "WHAT are we doing all this work for? It won't make any difference. All of the stuff is dead anyway..." (One December, when it wasn't freezing, I'd gone out to the flower beds and dug up some bulbs to see if they were still alive. Nope! dead... cold... I put them back in the ground and placed the earth over them, giving them a proper burial.)

Perhaps you can imagine the shock to my unbelieving eyes, when things started to grow...those bulbs that were dead, sprouted up from the ground and became beautiful flowers!

the dead rose bushes started creating leaves...the limbs in the trees were covered with leaves and once again wonderful to climb up in and hide

and the smell of the lilacs!... I'd sit under those lilac bushes, have picnics there, or read.

Lilacs are still one of my favorite flowers for they meant life was coming back after what looked like death.

Ah - it was great to be outside and be alive. More work to do than I wanted (naturally) but also many hours to look at the sky, feel the sun, and my brother and I inventing games... Like battles throwing unripe cherries. My brother and I learned that wasn't such a brilliant idea, when the cherry trees didn't bear many cherries that summer.

I smile when I remember those days.

Then came autumn, beutiful clear crisp days with leaves turning all colors, follwed by rain and wind blowing down the leaves, and once again, the trees were bare and creaked in the wind, and it was no longer enjoyable to be outside. And I still had to walk or ride bike to school every day, regardless of the weather. yuck!

As I look back, I now realize how these seasons taught me about life - and even emotions.

Over the years, so many of my emotions have been killed... destroyed...frozen.

I had places in my life where I thought I would never smile again... I was dead on the inside...

But somehow, I kept on going. I couldn't change my emotions. But I could choose to obey God, following His priorities, thanking Him for and in every circumstance, forgiving out of obedience to Him... and without me realizing it,

He plowed and harrowed the soil of my emotions, planting new seeds and/or reviving old bulbs... until one day I could see beauty around me where all had been desolate and without hope.

Even as the desolateness and coldness of winter made me doubly appreciate the beauty of spring and summer, so it is in my life. If I'd never experienced the desolation of hurt and loss and sorrow, I wouldn't be able to truly appreciate the depths of beauty and joy when He gives it to me.

I know He WILL keep His promises, for I've experienced so many winters and so many springs, both physically and emotionally. My responsibility is to walk in His will, so He can plow, harrow and plant and water, and bring beauty into my life once again.

I sorrow for those who've never experienced winters, physically and/or emotionally. For that is what teaches one to value what one does have. One small flower that once appeared dead, now blooming...

Key to Life:

Without sorrows to cut the chasms in our lives, we do not have the ability to experience the depths and fullness of joy

February 1, 2006 - Natal

Voni Pottle