Extra! Extra! Extra! 

The Annual Care Giver Retreat is on the way
                       Are you registered?   

    You can now register for the ACGR by app, text or computer...

Just go to Cash.me in the Google search site
    Sign in and setup a cash app account 
     Send registration amount to $HmanChaplain
        Registration $10.00
        You may pay the balance upon your arrival at retreat site.
     
     Great! Now you are registered for the ACGR !! 
                  Now -- Send Reply to Chaplain Cutter (hcutter@swchristiancare.org) or call 678-763-1871  to confirm registration.
Now you will receive a special instruction pack and information for the ACGR Care Giver Cruise-mates !!  
      Received Only after registration...

   Do you have questions about the retreat? 
What to bring?
How to dress?
Who will be there?
How long will the sessions last?
Send a note to hmanchaplain@gmail.com 

ACGR

the Annual Care Giver Retreat

It is again that time of the year to getaway with other Care Givers and renew your mind, body and spirit.  It is time for the Annual Care Giver Retreat!! 

The Theme will be: 

The Care Giver Cruise

We will not be on a ship but we will enjoy 

the best of nature as we reflect, refresh and renew

Come among the beautiful natural scenic environment at Historic Stone Mountain Park for a time of relaxing and reflecting on your call as a care giver.  This year's retreat will be expanded to include support for 

teachers of local schools.  

As a caregiver you give a lot of your time to others to make sure their daily needs of comfort are provided.  But may we ask you?  Have you taken care of yourself lately?   Caregiving is one of the most stressful tasks that anyone can perform in any situation.  As a provider of care, you are responsible for the wellbeing of those who would lack many needed services; services that may cause illness, pain, and stress. 

That’s a big job!!!                                                      

Yet, in order to care for someone else, one must effectively take time to care for oneself. You must take time to Reflect, Restore and Recreate your own emotional vitality.   This is done by stepping away from a busy schedule and taking a breath of fresh air.

You are invited to attend ‘The Annual Care Giver Retreat’ among other caregivers just like yourself.  All attendees will be given one agenda.  That will be the task of Reflection, so that each may Restore his/her weary spirits and be involved in Recreating the attitude which has peace, purpose, and hope.

The Retreat will be held by Chaplain Horace Cutter, M.Div., BCPC.  Chaplain Cutter and the other spiritual care givers will lead the caregiver retreat in activities, reflective readings and times of solitude that will bring opportunity for margin.

It is Chaplain Cutter’s aim to schedule a time of Reflection which many nurses, social workers, hospice and healthcare workers do not get during the busy schedule they keep.  Come among the beautiful scenery at Stone Mountain, Ga to sooth your soul and quiet your spirit. We are expanding the retreat to school teachers who desire to reflect and refresh their spirit. 

  

Stone Mountain Park is located on 3,200 acres of natural beauty that features a wide variety of fun family activities and things to do in the Atlanta, Ga area.  The park includes opportunities for outdoor activities such as golf, hiking, biking, and more.   You will be surrounded by nature and have time to take for reconnecting with your mind and body and spirit. 

The Retreat will take place on Fri. May 25^th from 9:00 am- 6:00pm, beginning with a mild breakfast, lunch on your own.  The attendance fee for the Retreat is $25.00.  Register by May 21st  (call Chaplain Cutter (770-969-8354) or (678-763-1871)  or send email to justask772000@yahoo.com   

                        Deposit for the retreat is $10.00

Participants will meet at Stone Mountain Park, GA:

1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Directions to Stone Mountain Park :  

*From I-285 north take exit 39B east towards (Snellville/ Athens) exit.  Travel 7.7 miles and take exit 8, Stone Mountain park entrance. Follow the exit ramp to the East Gate entrance of Stone Mountain.  

New Year's Update

     "I Am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God."     Isaiah 44: 6
Many times I come to my computer and find that it will not work like I want because there is a message on the computer that updates are being added. 
      As you finished last year and beginning a new one there are some things to be left in the last year and some that need to become a reality in the new one.    The world has been made with certain things that help us to know what we can be about in life.  The Kingdom of God is a sure Kingdom but our lives constantly experience changes that we have to come to adjust to.   Taking a few moments to put life on hold while you prepare in different ways to update your life for a New Year is a necessity with God.  
  
     Sometimes we complain that our computers are updating when we want to do something important.  As I have done in the past, I will hit skip-update in order to something that I think is more important than updating my computer but soon....  I have to update my computer because the manufacturer sends out a message to update my computer regardless to what I am doing.  This update is  so the computer will work together with other updated systems that communicate on the internet.  
       This is very much like what I see in the world today.  We need to understand the world in a new way but we try to hit the skip-update button with God the Holy Ghost.  He is gracious so, He may not rush me to update today or tomorrow.  The only problem is that He, Holy Ghost wants to update me so that I will be ready for the future happenings in my life.  The sooner I allow Him to update my mind, heart and soul, the better; but if I keep denying the opportunity for the update, I will be sitting right in the middle of the future without the update and then I wonder why life is so unfair.   

       A  person who has hit the skip-update button too many times may not be ready for the downsizing of the company he works for or the progression of her children in maturity.  Sometimes we have serious problems in life when troubles hit and we have been hitting skip-update for years.   God wants us to allow the update of the Holy Ghost to make a positive difference in our lives.   The loosing of one job to gain an advance in pay at another corporation.  The failed attempt to keep some friends because God wanted us to release the grip of a toxic relationship.  Maybe you found out about the cancer in your body that was developing when you got a surprise pregnancy and the doctor found it just before it began to develop (this was a true testimony told to me very recently).
  
        The first part of the verse refers to God as "the King of Israel, and His redeemer the LORD of Host."  This may just look like the prophet is referring to the Israel of the Bible but as he refers to the Israel of the Bible he is also referring to what the name Israel means, 'he who struggles with God.'  As people of the church we are those who struggle with God to understand what life is all about.  Those who struggle with God are those who are in covenant with Him.  We seem to struggle against God due to our sin nature but we struggle with God because we are redeemed by Him and desire to follow Him in a life that is set against the ways of God.     If we can get a grip on the fact that God loves us, we may get onto a reality that God will use the good as well as 'the bad' events to springboard us to something better.
  
      I was reminded by a mentor of the verse in Romans 12 that informs us, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will."  
  That sounded like a warning to make sure that we receive the updates that God sends.  The updates will help us to give glory to the perfect will and purpose of God in our lives.  

      Some people do not understand how people of faith can be so calm in a situation of chaos or be able to cope with danger with a response of courage.  God can and will supply whatever the believer needs in order to face the challenge especially when that believer has been open to the update from the Lord beforehand.   This thought causes me to ask you 3 questions...

   1- From last year to this year, have you evaluated the things that you need to let go of and the things that you need to take up to honor the presence of God in your life. 

    2- Have you taken some time of reflection in order for God to update you on life itself so that you will be ready for the challenges of the new year?  "I Am The First and The Last"  

    3- Have you made the effort to understand what the Lord would have you focus on through certain means like, Bible study, Prayer, or even reconnecting with prayer partners who can support you in following God's will for your life?
    
     These are very important spiritual disciplines that will assist us in receiving the update from God so that our minds will be renewed and ready to display the glory of God in our lives.  
    Allow for the update and then, watch the loving Creator, Redeemer and Wonderful Father work miracles into the fabric of your story.  
     Allow for the update.    

The Hopes and Fears of all the years Are met in Thee tonight

The words are from the Christmas song

O Little Town of Bethlehem

      Bethlehem Ephrathah – lit- “house of bread, fruitful”

      Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel. Whose coming forth is ‘from of old, from ancient days.”

 *  It seems that God favors the little one’s of the world, the little children, the small yet faithful beginnings, the small yet sincere offerings and even here the little town of the birthplace of David the king.  Remember that when David was chosen, his own dad literally overlooked him as a candidate for the calling of God. 

    We have that same theme going on in our world today.   In making the most important announcement of the world, we think that maybe God would use the most powerful voice, the biggest and most influential town in the most powerful empire in the world. But no….

      God chose the smallest town in a little unknown province to be born king of the Jews. 

The most important person in the history of humanity was being born as a baby.
     Why?  Why not the son of a well known king or even an angel?

Westminster Larger Catechism

Q. 40. Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God and man in one person?

A. It was requisite that the Mediator, who was to reconcile God and man, should himself be both God and man, and this in one person, that the proper works of each nature might be accepted of God for us, and relied on by us, as the works of the whole person.

  §§This must be a lesson to us, God does not flaunt his power.    

  

*  This should inspire us to remember the call

O Come, All Ye Faithful, be Joyful and triumphant

   The tumult of currents in this world continue to flow against the way of the One who created it and loves those that turn to Him. 

   The whole world is like an incredible machine, a computer, built and designed to reflect the glory of God’s power, holiness, connectedness and love.  Yet, all evil is set against the blueprints to make it operate to perform acts of selfishness, cynicism, separateness,  and hate.  The Faithful really need to come and be joyful because…..

    When the faithful show up, it is a whole different story. 

Showing up for the Purpose of the Lord is the most rewarding task any person can accomplish.  Why the most important?   Because God is the only one who knows the blueprint and calls the cosmos to conform to His will.  Working with God brings satisfaction because, “If God is for us who can be against us.”  This is why we can sacrifice ourselves for the sake of God’s plan and will, Paul said, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” Rom 8:36.

 Because there is nothing “in all of creation that can or will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”   

    

§ The Lesson here is that we who believe must live a life that is pronouncing the glory of God in this world today.  A life of self-significance will not do. 

  Come all Ye faithful, express your joy and the triumph of the Kingdom of God over the leadings of the world.

 

*  That is why Christmas is under fire-  you know that don’t you?   The message of Christmas should not be confused with the frustrations of people who do not know the Lord Jesus.  People who benefit from a grace of which they do not have time to entertain.  They do not know it but they ‘Need A Little Christmas’ in fact ‘We all need A Little Christmas, right now’!!

     If there is anything that people benefit from, it is the magic of Christmas.  Just think, the real Christmas is about God coming to rescue people in the world from the evils and terrible influence of those who do not care for others.

 It is about a little baby…. Who could not like a baby?  Who came to challenge: the status quo of family dysfunction, corrupt politics, unfair treatment and irresponsibility in money transactions and last of all, the evil powers of influence in religion. Because He came we can identify what is good about the world and what is not working right.      

 

  So how do we actually enjoy the benefit of the blessing of a little baby born long ago?

The Westminster Shorter Catechism gives us an answer straight from scripture.

 

Q. 58. How do we come to be made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured? 

A. We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured, by the application of them unto us, which is the work especially of God the Holy Ghost.

What does this mean?

    We Need A Little Christmas, Right Now!! Right Now!!

Not the rush and bustle for fancy stuff

Nor the tinsel and brassy glimmering gold

Not the buy 5 get one free that we seek

Nor the endless extra overtime of those who don’t believe

 

But the humble beginnings of God’s choice plan

But the Celebration of love, life and liberty from man to man

But the welcoming voice of care and concern

But the presence of God, peace on earth goodwill towards man

 

   Yes, we do Need A Little Christmas, right now! 

Right now we need the magic of a season anew,

We need the birth of a baby true.    

We crave a solve for eternity and a taste of all that is right

We need a reprieve from this troubled plight

We Need A Little Christmas, we do.. We Do !!!!

And the whole purpose and reason is Jesus for You

Turn to Him and get to know his perfect way

 

§  And you will have a Silent Night to go to sleep restfully or

should I say

         ‘Sleep In Heavenly Peace’

 

Chaplain Horace Cutter, M.Div., BCPC,  HPCF

 

 

 

Luke 2 reflections 2017

Luke 2:1
      And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a
manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.   9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.      10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.   13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men 15 And it
came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying
which was told them concerning this child.


Reflection:
In the Scriptures It always seems as though we are waiting on God to do something. I’m
thinking about Abraham who was very close to God, so close, that God spoke to him and
gave him the promise of a new land for his heritage to live on in this world. But God
finally came and made good on his promise bringing out of Abraham a heritage and the
promise of his personal presence. The great grandson of Abraham, Joseph waited on the
deliverance from God after he was sold into slavery and then suffered the demise of a
terrible prison penalty. And God finally came to deliver him. And he became the second
most powerful man in Egypt.

How about the people who were chosen by God to represent his way on earth? The Israelites were in a bad predicament in slavery and they waited on God to do something. For 400 years they called on deliverance… And God came to their rescue. All down through history we can turn to numerous accounts when people who truly believed in the One true God, waited for some time for Him to come to the rescue, bringing deliverance to an impossible situation. You may look at many times in
the historical record to find that God seemed to be running late. Oh, But was He.

As we recollect, we think about the tragic death of Lazarus the close friend of
Jesus, the scripture attest to the news being relayed to Jesus and then when you expect a
command to exit immediately to go to the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, we are hit with
a strange phrase, “Yet he delayed in where he was for 2 more days."  'Two more days, why
two days.'  The account is written in such a way that you look at your neighbor and say,
“Well, what happened? I thought he was Jesus’ best friend that he loved. Two more
days?"     But the account is written to teach us all a lesson about God’s scheduling 'Day-timer'.

 God transcends time; that is to say that God created time, God is above time, God
works with time and in spite of time. God is the one being that cannot be dragged along
with time. God will never at the beck and call of time, running late like I am found to be
on many occasions. God does not have to manipulate time but He commands time and
guess what? Time can do nothing but obey His sovereign will. God is all powerful, all
knowing, all seeing and never lacking in any capacity in His being. God is God and that
is the best that we can do to understand Him. All of our descriptions of God lack clarity
because He is truly king of creation.

 Someone today is waiting on God for some reason. There is a situation, a crisis, the
makings of a critical event and unless God moves soon, you will be looking at disaster
and ruin. Just remember that the Lord is faithful to those who love Him and call out to
Him. God Never Misses An Appointment and does exactly what is needed especially for
those who look to Him in faith. God will Never Fail. It may seem as though He leaves
us hanging but He will make the perfect decision for all involved.
Remember when the course of a world gone wrong, the world was looking for a savior
something special happened.

NLT Galatians 4:3 And that's the way it was with us before Christ came. We
were slaves to the spiritual powers of this world. 4 But when the right time came,
God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy
freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very
own children. 6 And because you Gentiles have become his children, God has
sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and now you can call God your dear
Father. 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are
his child, everything he has belongs to you.

 As a Christian believer I am here to testify, we don’t always get what we want and I
am grateful for that. But being God’s son I have found that God loves me in ways that I
cannot describe and He challenges me to rely on Him at times that cause me to grow
when I am faithful to Him and not to my own desires. God is truly good. Waiting on
God? Please continue to wait because he will come when you call on Him. I have found
that God shows up in ways that you have not figured and His way is the best way. No
matter how smart you are, the lesson is that God’s plan is the best plan and as you follow
it, you come out better than you planned.

KJV Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall
strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
 The story reveals that the Sovereign Lord, God is not only all knowing, all powerful,
completely comprehensive in His understanding but he is all loving. And He Loves
You…
   Benediction:
Now may the glory of Christmas in celebration of lights, candles and communion with loved ones across the globe,  give illumination of the glory of The Great God of Heaven, The comfort and support of the Sweet Holy Spirit and the reality of our Majestic Savior Jesus who came just in time to redeem us and welcome us into the holy family of God as children adopted into a radiant life of everlasting joy, peace and love.   Amen
     

Thanksgiving: A Great Refreshing Joy

“Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion.

Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception.

Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude.

Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and

    limps along the spiritual road.” 

John Henry Jowett

             The greatest virtues of life are the concepts that add meaning to life and offer to others the real you.   Giving thanks looks without oneself to acknowledge the grace someone has seen fit to offer you.  God offers us the experience of love and fellowship with others if we are willing to allow life to challenge you with the risk to enjoy companionship. 

     

Thanksgiving, giving thanks, making gratitude a priority, can you see that as a virtue?  Will you go limping along life’s spiritual road maimed and fumbling with no sure way?  God has given us the model of His only Son to help us experience the grandeur of friendship, brotherhood, comfort and fellowship.  Thanksgiving is an experience that is meant for knowing and expressing the best of life.  Giving thanks allows someone to joy in the pleasant things that you enjoy.  God has connected us that way.   Accepting thanks is a way of being humble and strong enough to help another human-being, life resonates between us that way.  And you say, “Your are welcome”, because grace demands a response.

           

            Living a life without thanksgiving leaves too much time to think about what is wrong and not enough time for the consideration of what is already right, good and pleasant.  The life of a person of passion will be filled up like an inflated balloon offering joy to the little child who receives it but the life lacking thanks will be flat and miss out on the joy of a refreshing attitude.  We like the company of someone who will offer words that lift us up, not miss the pleasant things in life and will never ever ignore the opportunity to say, “Thank You very much.”  Be that person and allow others to be refreshed in your acquaintance.  

Looking up to say thanks offers a refreshing gift to God one that will return an excellent attitude and rebound in a certain refreshing of yourself.  That is why Thanksgiving is offered in Scripture to those who believe.

I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.  ( ^NLT Psalm 116:17)

Offering a praise to the Lord cannot be done without reflecting on the blessings that God’s grace has brought.  When we muse on the good that we have experienced, we take in spiritual oxygen and enrich our soul, try it today.  The believer in God above must think positively upon the world in which we live and find where in this life can I look to be thankful.  

        Are you living with real love and a passion for life? 

        Do you have a hope that is lined with fine perception?

        Does your faith have strength and fortitude?

Try making it a point to say, “Thank you very much” to someone and wait for the happy response you will receive.  Try it several times because ‘Thanks’ is becoming a rare expression to our broader society.  You will probably surprise the person you are addressing.  Try a life of thanks and God’s gracious response will fill you up so that return of being welcomed and free will refresh you, creating  another experience to look to and know that refreshing the soul really begins with you.

Happy, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.  

         Chaplain Horace E. Cutter