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The Power of Forgiveness
by Pamela Gauthier

There will be many times in this life that we will have the opportunity to be forgiven. The reason is that we, as human beings are imperfect. The word (im perfect) when placed together as one word (imperfect) is grammatically used as a past action not completed at the time in question. We are not perfect and are very capable of faltering.  We will also have the opportunity to forgive. It goes both ways. 

Many times it is through relationships that we are found in places so undesired. It may be thrust upon us through many interrupted ways. Our hearts may even become hardened through unsolved relational issues. As Christians, we are taught the ministry of reconciliation, beginning with our own need for forgiveness of sin, as we repent unto salvation.  The door is then opened for us to forgive others, so they also can receive healing, restoration, and forgiveness. Jesus said in Revelation 3:20 NLT, “Look I stand at the door and knock. If you open the door and hear my voice, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 

In order to have forever relationships, we must learn to forgive and receive forgiveness. The story of Jacob and Laban ends with a covenant meal of forgiveness as they went separate ways. They ask that God would be a witness between them as they made peace. Jacob had worked for Laban twenty years. He was upset because his wages had been changed ten times. Laban also deceived Jacob during a marriage proposal. Jacob asked for one daughter’s hand in marriage (Rachel), yet received the other daughter’s hand in marriage (Leah), thus beginning a chain of lies, deception, bitterness, and hatred throughout the relationships. In all of this the Lord kept His promise, to Jacob. He instructed Jacob to take his family and leave. When Laban and Jacob settled their differences, they both could move on. 

Although this particular relationship ended with both men going in different directions, the point is that peace was made, and the Lord was part of their reconciliation. When we give our frustrations and differences to the Lord, He gives us the power to forgive.
Jacob also had another family situation   to deal with concerning his relationship with his brother Esau. This relationship was torn apart by Jacob’s own deception.

He deceived his brother by tricking him into giving up something of importance. This act led to Esau vowing to kill Jacob.  Jacob was so terrified of facing his brother after carrying this guilt for over twenty years that he came face-to-face with God because he feared for his life. 

Jacob learned the power of forgiveness when he faced his own need to be forgiven.  He was, in turn, able to be reconciled to his brother.  God saved his life and his destiny. “If any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, all things become new”, 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV).

HeARTune Creations Poetry, LLC., is owned by Pamela Gauthier. Pamela is a writer and poet, who has been writing for over 20 years. She formally started her poetry as a business in October of 2013.

Her poetry has been at several boutiques and stores in the Baton Rouge area. Pamela is a native Baton Rougean, who has lived here all of her life. She is the wife of Ronnie Gauthier, and the mother of four: Mrs. Jamie Baham, Mrs. Jessica Chatman, Joshua and Joseph Gauthier. She is also the proud Grandmother of Five.

Pamela started her writing journey by writing poetry as a way to uplift the spirits of those in nursing homes and the like. This is still the goal today, to touch hearts and lives wherever encouragement is needed.

 

Good News at The END…

Have you ever trained for a race? At first, you start with a high expectancy. You just know you’re going to win. There is much training and contemplation. A good bit of time is given to it day and night. Finally, the big day comes to put all the time and effort spent preparing to the test. Once you approach the finish line, the race is over.

The end of a year is approached with the same mind-set. A set of resolutions, goals, and a to-do list is placed before us. We are off to a good start, with such hope and expectancy. We run this race all through the year, and before you know it, we find ourselves at another years’ end and a year older. Where does all the time go? Do you feel like a winner, or do you end up somewhere lost in the hustle and bustle of it all? The calendar exposes us, and we feel that time has beat us again.

There is good news! It’s so good to know that we celebrate Christ(mas) at the end of every year. A time when we are reflecting and looking back and maybe feeling we haven’t measured up. We can be encouraged by words like Merry Christmas, Christ the Savior is born, or Away in a Manager. The end reminds us that there will be a new beginning and we can start again. The end also reminds us that we win. We win every time because Christ the Savior was born with us in mind. When we follow Christ’s will, our time will count for something.

In Luke 2, Mary, the mother of Jesus, ran out of time because of an unexpected situation. When the Roman Emperor Augustus decreed that a census needed to be taken, Joseph had to return to his own ancestral town to register for the census. Joseph was a descendant of David and had to return to Bethlehem. 

Joseph and Mary looked everywhere for a place to stay. There were no rooms available for them anywhere. Mary had to deliver her baby in a stable. This sure seems like the most unlikely place to deliver a baby. In the midst of preparing to have the Savior of the world, they ran out of time, and they ended up with the animals. It’s also amazing to find that there were three wise men looking to worship a King. They were told to follow a star to their destination. The King was found in a stable lying in a manger. God’s perfect place! God’s way and thoughts are always different from ours.

This is a beautiful ending. The shepherds, angels, Mary, Joseph, and baby were in the perfect will of God. 

As you contemplate the end of another year, don’t count yourself out. 

Celebrate the birthday of our Savior like the angels did long ago with, “Glory to God in the highest, and goodwill to His people on earth”.

HeARTune Creations Poetry, LLC., is owned by Pamela Gauthier. Pamela is a writer and poet, who has been writing for over 20 years. She formally started her poetry as a business in October of 2013.

Her poetry has been at several boutiques and stores in the Baton Rouge area. Pamela is a native Baton Rougean, who has lived here all of her life. She is the wife of Ronnie Gauthier, and the mother of four: Mrs. Jamie Baham, Mrs. Jessica Chatman, Joshua and Joseph Gauthier. She is also the proud Grandmother of Five.

Pamela started her writing journey by writing poetry as a way to uplift the spirits of those in nursing homes and the like. This is still the goal today, to touch hearts and lives wherever encouragement is needed.

A Thanksgiving’s Rest
by Pamela Gauthier

In this month of November, we will celebrate Thanksgiving. We will give thanks for God and Country, our families, good food, and many other things.  It is interesting to note that thanks have to be offered willingly.  It is a choice. In many situations, there may be times when we feel like we don’t have anything left to give. It can feel as if we have given our all, leaving us with an attitude of anything but being thankful. This is the perfect time to pull aside and be embraced by the loving arms of our Father.

In Mark 6:31 NLT, Jesus said to His disciples, “let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” The reason Jesus said this was because there were so many people coming and going, they didn’t even have time to eat. This is so familiar and relatable to us today. We can become so busy that we don’t even have time to grab a bite to eat.

I remember a time in my life that I was found in this same place. The “bu-si-ness”, of job, family, friends, and church  was overwhelming. These were all great things, but I was at my wit’s end, and my life was out-of-order. I felt so confused at this time. Jesus began to call me aside each day to a quiet rest in Him. This is where I learned to hear His voice on a regular basis, and began to feel much leading and direction. My first offering of thanks was to Him. The word “order” was born in my life. It just fit perfectly, and whatever didn’t fit and wasn’t priority had to go.

Although Jesus had taken His disciples away from the noise and distraction, the crowd still followed them. The disciples were troubled because they were in a remote place with no food. The disciples could not understand how 5000 people were going to be fed in the middle of nowhere. Many times this is how we feel when we can’t keep up with our schedules. We come to the place of not knowing what to do. This is when we have to trust God.

Jesus challenged His disciples by telling them to feed the crowd that followed them. The disciples realized they did not have the means to feed them. They only had five loaves and two fish and realized this was not enough. This place of impossibility taught them that Jesus was the only answer.  After Jesus offered the bread up to God and blessed it, He gave it to His disciples to feed the crowd. The disciples received the miracle of multiplication as each person was fed. They even had left-overs.

When we surrender to the quiet place of rest in Jesus, we can watch Him work the miraculous and re-order our lives for His Glory. It is there we find the joy of giving thanks, first to Him and then for others! Happy Thanksgiving!

HeARTune Creations Poetry, LLC., is owned by Pamela Gauthier. Pamela is a writer and poet, who has been writing for over 20 years. She formally started her poetry as a business in October of 2013.

Her poetry has been at several boutiques and stores in the Baton Rouge area. Pamela is a native Baton Rougean, who has lived here all of her life. She is the wife of Ronnie Gauthier, and the mother of four: Mrs. Jamie Baham, Mrs. Jessica Chatman, Joshua and Joseph Gauthier. She is also the proud Grandmother of Five.

Pamela started her writing journey by writing poetry as a way to uplift the spirits of those in nursing homes and the like. This is still the goal today, to touch hearts and lives wherever encouragement is needed.

 

Recipe for Joy

“I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance” (Philippians 1:18-19 NLT).

I love to cook.  As any chef will tell you, the key to a good dish is the proper ingredients.   Sometimes if I cook something good, I wonder what can I add to make it great?  God is known by many names but is seldom referred to as the “master chef.”  However, He provides all the ingredients we need to regain our joy.  

Sometimes in life things are simply falling apart and as men we try and try to put the pieces back together and get more and more tired and frustrated.  We cry out and ask, “Where is God?” when the fact is the He is right next to you waiting for you to trust in Him and let Him take the pieces of your old life and transform them into a new life that is centered in Him.    

We all reach a defining crossroad at times of great adversity.  Our options are to worry (depend on yourself) or worship (trust in God).  Paul modelled for us the value of choosing worship.  His ministry in Philippi was grueling.  When Paul went to this city to start a church, he was whipped, falsely arrested, thrown into prison, and survived an earthquake.  Despite these obstacles, Paul gave thanks.  “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God” (Philippians 1:3).  Paul had learned the “secret of being content in any and every situation (Philippians 4:12).

Paul reveals several “ingredients” for strength for being joyful in tough times.  Paul says in Philippians 1:18-19, “I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.”   Paul keep his perspective on God and not his problems.  I like how Paul writes “For I know.” In times of trouble we fall back on what we know to be true.  Paul was falling back on the promises of God that he knew to be true.   

Paul knew that he had people praying for him.  He also knew that “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16).   Paul also acknowledges “The Helper” (John 14:16) and received support from the Holy Spirit.   The passage ends with “This will lead to my deliverance.” Paul had faith that God would work out his problem for good (Romans 8:28).

Paul had God’s perspective, the prayer of righteous men, the Holy Spirit, and faith.   Paul had all the necessary ingredients to “continue to rejoice.”  We also have the same ingredients.  So, do we choose to worship or worry during hard times?

Prayer: “Praise the Lord, my soul;all my inmost being, praise his holy name.  Praise the Lord, my soul,and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sinsand heals all your diseases,who redeems your life from the pitand crowns you with love and compassion,who satisfies your desires with good thingsso that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.  The Lord works righteousnessand justice for all the oppressed” (Psalm 103: 1-6).

Where is God?     https://www.todd-shupe.com/done-baton-rouges-todd-shupe-asks-the-great-question-where-is-god/

Pray     https://www.toddshupeblog.net/the-power-of-prayer/

Knew     https://www.toddshupebatonrouge.com/the-power-of-the-mind/

Holy Spirit    https://www.toddshupelsublog.com/do-we-realize-who-is-with-us/

Continue to rejoice    https://www.toddshupeblog.net/a-prayerful-life/

Todd Shupe is a Vice President with Arnold Forest Products Corp.  He is active in several ministries including his Christian blog ToddShupe.com. Todd is the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men, Database Coordinator for Gulf South Men, and Board Member of the Kingdom Group. Todd is currently preparing to be a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men.

 

Seasons Greeting!
By Pamela Gauthier

Welcome Fall! After a long hot summer, we are all thankful and prayerful for a glimpse of a new season to come. That season, of course, would be fall. A crisp in the air, the falling of leaves bring a relieved sigh. We also aspire to feel that cool chill that spells out fall is here. A new season also brings new hope and vision. In fall it’s not too cold and not too hot . This is what we hope, anyway.

With the expectation of a hopeful fall, I pondered on seasons of life that come to us all. Seasons bring change, it gives us a chance to focus on what’s to come.
Genesis 8:22, says while the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer….will never cease. God made this promise after the flood, in which He destroyed every living thing, with the exception of Noah and his family. We see the rainbow in the sky today as a reminder that we serve a God that keeps His promise. This means God is faithful in every season.

Noah had witnessed massive destruction in his generation. He had been given the task to build an ark that would supposedly protect him and his family from destruction. Noah’s eyes had witnessed the terrible violence that plagued the land but he had chosen to follow the Lord. The Lord judged Noah as a righteous man. Noah obeyed God and built the ark.

Although Noah was a man that feared the Lord, this surely had to be a very challenging task placed before him. There were many questions he needed answered. God will ask us to trust Him by faith, even though it may seem to us that it may not make any sense. In my experience, it was having a child out of season and having to raise him at an older age. He was also diagnosed with a disability. Imagine having to care for a child out of the season of childbearing, not to mention him needing special care. Oftentimes we will never understand why God may be calling us into a season of unfamiliar territory for His own purposes. This can be overwhelming, and we can find ourselves paralyzed with a sense of uncertainty.

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven, (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV). This is very encouraging. It helps us to know that if God allows something into our lives, though many times it may come with hardship and pain, a new season is sure to follow. He determines the times and seasons of life. This takes the burden off of us. 1Peter 5:7 says, cast your cares upon him for he cares for you.

God remembered Noah and blessed his life after the flood. He never left him for one moment. The ark of protection kept him safe through it all. Jesus is our protection through every season that we face today. If we sow tears of sorrow for one season, we will reap tears of joy in the next! Seasons Greeting!

HeARTune Creations Poetry, LLC., is owned by Pamela Gauthier. Pamela is a writer and poet, who has been writing for over 20 years. She formally started her poetry as a business in October of 2013.

Her poetry has been at several boutiques and stores in the Baton Rouge area. Pamela is a native Baton Rougean, who has lived here all of her life. She is the wife of Ronnie Gauthier, and the mother of four: Mrs. Jamie Baham, Mrs. Jessica Chatman, Joshua and Joseph Gauthier. She is also the proud Grandmother of Five.

Pamela started her writing journey by writing poetry as a way to uplift the spirits of those in nursing homes and the like. This is still the goal today, to touch hearts and lives wherever encouragement is needed.

Giving the Best Gift….Love
by Pamela Gauthier

Matthew 6:24….Thy Kingdom come thy will be done…..

There are so many songs, names given, relationships started, all in the name of love. Why is love such a popular word?

What is love? It is kind, patient, does not demand its own way, never gives up, never loses faith, never loses hope, and endures through every circumstance 1 Corinthians 13. If we conquer this impossible feat, only done successfully through Christ’s love, we can conquer all.

To be honest, I’ve had relationships that were so unbelievably disappointing, which made me want to become an island to myself. How could I protect my feelings from never being hurt again? In the Lord’s Prayer there is one line that stands out, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done”. God’s will is for us as believers to walk in love. If we’ve truly been crucified with Christ, then we don’t live according to our will. We fulfill the will of God to walk in love. God is love. Many times it seems unfair to love.

In the story of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-24, the father gives his son his heart’s desire, his inheritance. He allows him to take this inheritance and start a new life, even though this was not the father’s will. He knew this was not what the son should do, but he allowed him to make his own decision.

In dealing with family members, it can be extremely difficult to accept circumstances that are not favorable to what we would like to see. Imagine the father’s grief as he released his son into the unknown world. This father teaches us a valuable lesson, God’s love for us. God gave up His only Son so we could be saved from judgment. Does God demand His own way? He does not demand it, but His love follows us and endures through every circumstance (Luke 15:4). If we receive His love given to us as a free gift, we have the power to love others. He has given us the biblical blueprint in which to do so.

The Prodigal Son in our story represents fallen humanity with its own ideas. We follow our own ways apart from God and in His loving mercy, we come to our senses and choose His ways again. It says, the son returned home broken and repentant, only to find himself placed in the arms of a loving and compassionate father (Luke 15:20). He was also met with a party, the finest robe, a ring and sandals. This represents being clothed in the Fathers love. His righteousness alone makes us right. It is undeserved but freely given.

When it is understood that we have been given a love that’s free, it takes the pressure off. How exciting to realize that we get to love. We give to others what has been given to us, a love that overcomes every obstacle. We can then boldly confess, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done…….”

HeARTune Creations Poetry, LLC., is owned by Pamela Gauthier. Pamela is a writer and poet, who has been writing for over 20 years. She formally started her poetry as a business in October of 2013.

Her poetry has been at several boutiques and stores in the Baton Rouge area. Pamela is a native Baton Rougean, who has lived here all of her life. She is the wife of Ronnie Gauthier, and the mother of four: Mrs. Jamie Baham, Mrs. Jessica Chatman, Joshua and Joseph Gauthier. She is also the proud Grandmother of Five.

Pamela started her writing journey by writing poetry as a way to uplift the spirits of those in nursing homes and the like. This is still the goal today, to touch hearts and lives wherever encouragement is needed.

 

A LEADER AND HIS VISION

Last week, Father Theodore Hesburgh (former President of Notre Dame University) reminded us of the crucial nature of a leader’s vision. He wrote:

 “Vision is the essence of leadership. Knowing where you want to go requires three things: Having a clear vision, articulating it well, and getting your team enthusiastic about sharing it. Above all, any leader must be consistent. As the Bible says, no one follows an uncertain trumpet.”

Nehemiah, an Old Testament Servant Leader, never blew an uncertain trumpet. Not when leadership was essential. His vision started with a gruesome report about his beloved Jerusalem. The city was under great distress—walls broken down, city gates burned to ashes, the sacred temple smashed, and few survivors, others deported to Babylon. Gruesome.

Nehemiah confesses the mess and the nation’s sin to God. “We have acted very wickedly toward you (Nehemiah 1:7). He was living in Susa, the capital city of Persia, serving in a royal position to King Artaxerxes.He asked permission from the king to take a leave of absence that he might return to the city of his ancestors. Permission granted. Once there, he hangs out touring Jerusalem, walking around, taking notes of the devastation, perhaps praying out loud, wondering what God has in mind.

In 2:17 of his book, Nehemiah rallies the civic and religious leaders along with the people and casts a powerful vision. “You see the bad situation WE are in. OUR city is wiped out. Come. Let US rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.” That’s the vision—a clear and compelling picture of the future. It was so clear and compelling (and passionate) it leaked out. The leaders and people bought it. “Let US arise and build!”

Chapter 3 looks like a Jewish telephone directory. It’s a list of names of who did what.  Everyone worked together—civic leaders, religious leaders, families, singles. EVERYONE. No one goofed off. No one took vacation time. No one worked alone. They were one team fulfilling the vision. Vision drove them to labor to fulfill the vision.

Catch this. In 6:15, “the wall was completed in 52 days.”  No engineers, no general contractors, no heavy-duty equipment, no gate companies specializing in gate repair. Just a leader’s vision and hard work.

In 6:16, “The enemies/nations surrounding us recognized THIS WAS THE WORK OF GOD.” 

Anyone said that of your work lately. IT’S THE WORLK OF GOD.

TEAMWORK BEGINS WITH A SERVANT LEADER’S VISION.

Fred Campbell lives in Ovilla, Texas, just south of Dallas. He pastored two independent Bible churches for 40 years. Currently, he is the president of Living Grace Ministries, a ministry committed to helping churches develop servant leaders, following the model of the Lord Jesus. Fred has traveled to 29 countries and 15 states to lead the workshop. He received his ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary and his D Min from Phoenix Seminary. Fred is married to Carolyn and has a married son and two grandchildren. His web site iswww.livinggraceministries,com and his email is fred@livingraceministries.com

What makes a great leader?

When you hear the phrase, they’re a great leader, what comes to mind? You might suggest corporate or church success, well-developed management skills, conflict resolution, wise decision-making, gifted communication, winning attitude, motivational abilities, use of power, or a domineering presence.  

In the 1970’s, Robert Greenleaf, an AT&T senior executive, made a staggering statement in his book, SERVANT LEADERSHIP. He believed an organization existed for the person as much as the person existed for the organization. Greenleaf’s statement rocked the autocratic, top down, corporate establishment, proposing that “the great leader is seen as servant first and that simple fact is the key to his greatness.” Quite a statement!

Someone greater and smarter than Greenleaf said it first. Before His death, Jesus told the 12 disciples, “Whoever wants to become great among you, must be your servant; and whoever wants to be first must be a slave to all.” The He defined His mission “. . . not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) That’s pretty clear. Jesus came to serve and give, not to be served and to get. He didn’t come to be rich and famous or to attract attention by His popularity. Jesus didn’t come to sit at head tables and be admired. He preferred to serve, and wash feet, and go unnoticed. Jesus did what servants do best: serve and give. GREAT LEADERS LEAD BEST WHEN THEY SERVE. SERVING MAKES A LEADER GREAT.

This is a different approach to leadership influence, isn’t it? It’s not influence by taking control, demanding obedience, commanding loyalty. That kind of influence doesn’t change lives. Jesus calls His leaders to an unheard-of approach where people follow a leader who doesn’t look out for himself/herself only, but primarily, looks out for them. Leaders who serve and give and love attract people who will look up to them and f follow. That’s real influence!

 Henri Nouwen put it this way:

“A whole new type of leadership is asked for in the church of tomorrow; a leadership which is not modeled on the power games of the world, but on the servant leader, Jesus, Who came to give His life for the salvation of many.” (In the Name of Jesus)

When Jesus labeled a leader GREAT, He didn’t look at numbers, or knowledge, or people’s opinions. He looked at a servant and modeled it in His life.

Fred Campbell lives in Ovilla, Texas, just south of Dallas. He pastored two independent Bible churches for 40 years. Currently, he is the president of Living Grace Ministries, a ministry committed to helping churches develop servant leaders, following the model of the Lord Jesus. Fred has traveled to 29 countries and 15 states to lead the workshop. He received his ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary and his D Min from Phoenix Seminary. Fred is married to Carolyn and has a married son and two grandchildren. His web site is www.livinggraceministries,com and his email is fred@livingraceministries.com.

By Pamela Gauthier

“When I was a child I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians  13:11 (NLT).

As a child I loved to receive gifts, it all started when my mom would take me shopping. She would buy me several outfits at one time, and the store clerk would so elegantly wrap the garments in a huge box. When we arrived home, my mom would allow me to take the clothes from the box and try them on again and again. The new clothes smell would take my breath away, and the tags hanging everywhere spoke volumes to me. I would have several new outfits to wear, and this brought loads of excitement to my life.

As time went on however, those beautiful clothes became old and I needed something else to bring a fresh excitement. I was always looking for that special gift to make me feel excited again. I loved my parents and I knew they loved me, but there was something missing. I didn’t realize at this time there was a gift that superseded every gift that could ever be given, a gift that even surpassed the love of my parents.

I’m reminded of the story of Mary and Martha, Luke 10:38, Matthew 26:7-13 (NLT).

Mary was the one who sat at the feet of Jesus taking in His every word, while Martha was busy worrying about many other things. In the final analogy, Mary was the one who understood the love of Jesus so much she took an expensive oil, equivalent to a years’ salary, and poured it (the Alabaster Box) over the feet of Jesus. This was such an extravagant offering that Jesus said it was significant in preparing Him for His burial. Jesus said this deed would never be forgotten and every time this story would be told it would be in honor of her. Matthew 26:13 (NLT).

What a testimony of a love so powerful that brings a life to give its total self. 

This was the Gift, I, a young women in my twenties, would grow up to receive. The Gift of all gifts to the saving of the soul, salvation by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8,9. Indeed, Jesus takes our lives, forgives us, heals us and restores us. He is all that we need, just as He took a years’ salary from a woman’s life and made it an unforgettable story, so can He do with you and me. 

HeARTune Creations Poetry, LLC., is owned by Pamela Gauthier. Pamela is a writer and poet, who has been writing for over 20 years. She formally started her poetry as a business in October of 2013.

Her poetry has been at several boutiques and stores in the Baton Rouge area.
Pamela is a native Baton Rougean, who has lived here all of her life. She is the wife of Ronnie Gauthier, and the mother of four: Mrs. Jamie Baham, Mrs. Jessica Chatman, Joshua and Joseph Gauthier. She is also the proud Grandmother of Five.

Pamela started her writing journey by writing poetry as a way to uplift the spirits of those in nursing homes and the like. This is still the goal today, to touch hearts and lives wherever encouragement is needed.

Taking refuge in god’s calling

On Wednesday, June 20th, Lighthouse coffee hosted an event for world refuge day.

I used to hide my confusion and frustration when others would share that God’s voice was calling to them—what on earth did they mean and how can they hear it? Some of the greatest theologians and philosophers of our time have argued that in each of our hearts lies a calling—a passion, waiting for us to live out. Frederick Buechner defined a calling as the place where the world’s greatest need and our greatest joy intercept. The word vocation, defined as the work one is called to by God, is biblical with origins in Christianity, and comes from the Latin word vocare, which means “to call”.

While I certainly have had my own humbling faith journey in getting to a place of complete trust in God, and while I too wrestle with the typical human emotions such as fear and apprehension, God’s calling and voice now overpowers them all. I believe God places a calling in each of our hearts that may sometimes feel like small stirrings or like gravity pulls as strong as lightening. We’ve all felt pulls—either to be a parent, perhaps to work in media, to build houses, or maybe to paint or write music. These pulls can paralyze us with fear or drive us with determination.

For me that calling is to help people through counseling and teaching. A calling that has led me to multiple trips to Malta. My journey to Malta started four years ago when two highly regarded and beloved professors of mine extended the invitation to co-teach alongside them at the University of Malta. We were to be teaching Malta’s transcultural counseling students in preparation for them to begin their internships at refugee camps.

I was instantly triggered to research and learn everything I could possible about Malta, refugees, and migrant populations. What is a refugee? Why exactly are people fleeing Africa to go to Malta or other neighboring places? What will some of our students be doing at the camps? The more I learned the deeper my compassion grew.

But as I reflect on lessons learned from my three trips to Malta, the one that carries the most significance is the importance of grounding our understanding and perceptions in Truth, as opposed to fear, knee-jerk judgment, or cynicism.

One of the most common misperceptions about refugees is that they are to be feared. Quite the contrary, a refugee is a person who leaves their country of origin because of feared persecution, violence, conflict, or other circumstances that have seriously disturbed public order, and who, as a result, require international protection (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [UNHCR], 2016). Refugees are recognized and protected by international law with access to assistance from states, UNHCR, and relevant organizations (Misfud, 2016). These are people for whom denial of asylum has potentially deadly consequences (UNHCR, 2016).

A migrant, on the other hand, is someone who chooses to move, usually across an international border (UNHCR, 2016). The term forced migration has been used by social scientists to refer to people who have been displaced by environmental disasters, conflict, famine, or large-scale development projects (Misfud, 2016). The factors leading people to move can be complex and the causes are often multi-faceted (Misfud, 2016). Migrants may leave their country to improve their lives by finding work, for education, family reunion, or to alleviate significant hardships that arise from natural disasters, famine, or extreme poverty (UNHCR, 2016).

Having worked 10 years as a mental health clinician in both hospital and outpatient settings, I have heard and been witness to unimaginable tragedies and sorrow. I have also worked with dangerous individuals. I have an informed and educated perspective on human behavior and suffering. Part of the human complex is that our perceptions are shaped insidiously over time by how our brains process our reality and life events. This makes it all too easy for misinformation about people and about situations to subconsciously permeate our understanding of how we see the world and how we see others. Do we look through a lens of fear? Of mistrust because of bad experiences in childhood? Do we look at refugees through a lens of threat because of what we are used to seeing on the news and because of the social settings we are used to?

What I’ve learned is anyone can be dangerous; from a grocery store clerk to a family member. When I think of a refugee, I choose to look through a lens of compassion and see a courageous and vulnerable human being, who is often looking for safety and sanctuary—a home. Try looking through a nonpolitical, compassionate lens. Life is more beautiful when you look through a lens of compassion grounded in Truth, instead of a lens of fear grounded in faulty perception. While I too struggle with misperceptions from time to time, many have asked how my own perceptions stay grounded in truth—I seek refuge in my faith of an all-knowing, loving God and I cling tightly to those who have discipled me to him.

Each of us are uniquely, fearfully and wonderfully made, with uniquely different life experiences. Yet too often the challenges of life, the loudness of unsolicited advice, and bombardment from noise in the media can drown out our heart’s callings. Overtime as we grow, age, and experience challenges, if we’re not careful our calling might drown away. Did God plant a dream in your heart? Is there a time in your life that you can recall thinking or dreaming of how you might live your life? Go back to that dream. Listen for God’s whispers. You might like what he has to say.

For more information visit www.surprisinglywell.com or e-mail katie@surprisinglywell.com

visit www.surprisinglywell.com

Katie Fetzer is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Doctoral Candidate in mental health counseling. Katie earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Louisiana State University in psychology and mental health counseling, respectively. Katie currently works at her private practice, The Wellness Studio, LLC, and Our Lady of the Lake Hospital adolescent psychiatric unit where she provides mental health counseling and crisis stabilization services to adolescent patients suffering with acute mental health and/or substance abuse issues.  Katie’s research interests include mental health stigma, mental health policy, and the globalization of the mental health profession. Katie has taught internationally in the role of a T.A. alongside her professors and has presented at both national and international professional conferences on topics related to globalization of mental health. For more information including a digital podcast bio visit www.surprisinglywell.com

 

In June, Amber Elworth, owner of Light House Coffee, hosted a special event for the community. World Refugee Day was designed to answer important questions about refugees, including how they arrived in the U.S. and what they have experienced.

 

“Many people think illegal immigrants and refugees are the same,” Elworth said. “But that is not true. Being a ‘refugee’ is a political status like being a ‘citizen’ or a ‘resident.’ Most immigrants leave their country because they want to. Refugees leave their country because they feel like they have to — for safety and survival. It’s important to know the difference.”

 

Light House employs refugees and helps raise money through an on-site shop: 

We employ refugees because we saw a need to not just provide employment, but to be a mentor and coach to help them better understand American culture, job norms, and expectations in the U.S. workplace. We want to push our employees to make enough money to provide for themselves, which might mean learning new skills so that they can get better jobs outside of Light House.

 

Why it’s important to know the facts about this issue:

I love people. Most of us do. I have a hard time believing that if someone had a friend who came to our country as a refugee, they heard their story, and that they had no other option but to flee, that they would reject them. I think education is so powerful and can cause love and compassion. Not just factual knowledge, but knowledge through personal relationships. That’s another huge reason we’re looking forward to creating volunteer opportunities in the near future to provide connection points.