The Richest of Fare

 "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare." Isaiah 55:1-2

    When I was a kid, eating out was a rarity, so when we piled into the family sedan and drove to McDonalds, it was a memorable occasion. I can still recall the aroma of french fries wafting from the golden arches, drawing us like crazed moths to a porch light. We threw a few fries onto the hood of the car for even the birds were hungry for them. 

    Ah, the days of blissful ignorance, before words like cholesterol and sodium content stayed our hands.

    I have noticed a hunger reminiscent of those days, but it's not for food, it's for the Word of God. Three times this past week, I wove scripture into the conversations I was having and I noticed how thirsty these folks were to hear from Him - like a tender rain on parched ground, they drank it up. 

    What a blessing it is to be a Christian these days when the fields are ripe for harvest all around us. The prophet Amos said:

"The days are coming," declares the Sovereign Lord, "When I will send a famine through the land - not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it." Amos 8: 11-12

    Let us don our aprons and feed those who are hungering for righteousness while we still can. When we, who have been satiated until our cups overflow, share our meal with others, they will then "delight in the richest of fare," and it doesn't cost us a thing.  

    People are famished and we hold the menu. "For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." (Psalm 107:9)

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" Romans 10: 13-14

Author and Illustrator

 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge." Psalm 19: 1-2

    The painting of a pink peony portrays what the artist desired to say. Before brush was put to paper, this peony only existed in the imagination of the illustrator. Now it is framed there on my wall to remind me of my daughter, the artist. It is proof of her existence.

    My biography, as told by God, is beautifully illustrated by the Author himself. I don't just hold the book in my lap, reading as a third party observer, rather I exist in this living tableau, excitingly involved as each page is freshly written. He and I together, as collaborators.

    When time allows, I sometimes flip back over previous chapters to reread favorite portions. When I can't sleep at night, pictures from my childhood home, captioned with words of my mother, are absorbed like dog-eared pages. Then, there are dark, unabridged chapters I prefer were not included, but there they are, to illustrate what I looked like without Christ. 

    As each day unfolds, the Author may write in a new character so I keep my eyes peeled for the introduction. One day, on a walk to the park, a brilliant gold leaf gave me pause, so I picked it up feeling it may be a clue. With each step, I examined the intricate, delicate design of the leaf, praying to share its beauty with someone. 

    A busy woman with two dogs approached me, but she was not the one. Continuing on, I spied a gal with wavy hair on a bench beneath the boughs of a maple tree, bent over her phone. As I passed, she glanced up and I knew she was part of my story. We exchanged greetings, then I stepped forward with the gold leaf.

    "Isn't this a thing of beauty?" I began. "That God would spend such time creating a simple lovely leaf..." These words developed into the next until at last, she and I joined hands in the sunshine and prayed over her needs. We met as strangers over a leaf, but it was not strange to the Author who knew the plot and whose illustrations completed the glorious scene.

    His painting of a gold leaf was the proof of His existence that drew two people together beneath the canopy of His grace. And someday, when He pens the conclusion of my life, I hope to flip back through and see many such smiling faces as the gal on the bench. 

    Only the Author and Illustrator knows how many I may see when my story continues in the heavenly realms, the sequel I cannot wait to read.

"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..." Hebrews 12:2

    

    

My Life According to God

 "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16

    A birthday provides the perfect time to reflect back on life's progress. Are there regrets? A few, surely. Were goals reached? Were they ever made in the first place? If former colleagues and co-workers were called upon to testify about me, what would their observations be? Most importantly, what does God see when He examines my days?

    Recently, when I attended a memorial/worship service for Charlie Kirk, tears rolled down my cheeks as I raised my hands to the Lord. As I did, it seemed as if God showed me clips of my life, like a movie trailer, demonstrating all the times He ministered to me personally. Scenes from childhood to present time were projected onto my heart; some were times of great sorrow while others triumphed with joy.

    As God spoke to me, it became clear that the pinnacles of my life, which identify who I am, all revolve around the One who wrote the events of those days in His book before one of them came to be. Success cannot be measured by the things that I have done, but only by the accomplishments of my Creator. 

    The words of a song brought this special time to a close as I cried out to God: "All my life you have been faithful; all my life you have been so, so good! With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God."

    God has done His best work in my life when I have gotten out of His way in total submission and fully relied on Him. When the Potter has completed His task, I will resemble Jesus.

    I join Charlie Kirk in saying I want to be remembered for my faith in God. Nothing else matters.

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." Colossians 3:2-4

 

On a Bicycle Built for Two

 "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you...and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 1:18-20

    When our two daughters still lived at home, we went on a family vacation to Mackinaw Island, Michigan. The island is a charming spot where automobiles are not permitted, so horse-drawn carriages clip-clop down cobblestone streets, while mingled aromas of fudge and horse manure swirl through the air. It's a very unique experience. 

    Our eldest, Lauren, who loved all things equine, couldn't wait to ride a horse on the beach, so we got her set up with that before heading over to rent two bicycles, one being a tandem. Hannah and I hopped on the tandem and the three of us set out on a trail in the heat of the day. 

    The charm quickly wore off when we became disoriented with the map and the profusion of sweat soaked my cute outfit as I struggled to power the bike. "Are you pedaling at all?" I spoke into the wind to my passenger, who seemed to be enjoying the ride. By the time we reunited with Lauren, my mood had soured and my limbs quivered.

    Life, under our own power, can be exhausting. The effort it takes to rise, shine and greet the morn in a broken world is like riding a tandem without much assistance.

    But the beauty of being in Christ is the infusion of power He bestows, so we don't have to pedal our brains out all by ourselves. He's with us on the ride.

    Picture Christ ahead of you on the bike. You see his strong muscles working, his hair blowing in the breeze while he takes you to places of which you had never dreamed. Some may seem scary, but He turns around and pats your hand. "Don't worry!" He implores. "Just keep pedaling. I am the way." 

    At times, the way is arduous as hills are scaled, but the descent on the other side is a breeze, so you raise your hands with a whoop, as if on a roller coaster. The days are not always sunny, the clouds cover in brooding fashion as contrary winds buffet, but when the Driver is the same one who calms the storm, what have you to fear? Though dark nights crowd 'round you, the feeling is never sinister when you're riding in tandem with the Light of the world. There's no chance of getting lost and the destination at the end of the trail will be sheer paradise.

    Don't go it alone. 

    "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 and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but 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." Isaiah 40: 28-31

Call Me Gloria

 "The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything." Philippians 4: 5-6

    As the mother of four daughters, my mom had her hands full. Often would she hear, "Mom, where's my _____?" or "Mom, can I go to _____?" or "Mom, watch me!" At times when weary she would quip, "I'm going to change my name to Gloria!"

    As I watch my granddaughter grow, I am reminded of how much a child needs her mother. Lauren will send her out to play, hoping for a few untethered moments to accomplish a task, yet there's a knock at the door within minutes. "Mommy!" 

    Recalling my own childhood experiences, I'd restlessly await sleep upon my bed. Always a little anxious, I would need that blessed reassurance of my mom's presence, so I'd call out, "Mom, what time is it?" Not concerned about the time, I just needed to hear her voice.

    My morning devotional lead me to the familiar passage of Philippians chapter four, but today, it spoke to me anew: It's enough for me to know the Lord is near, just like my mother always was, and though He has far more children than four, He never gets exasperated when I call upon Him. 

    My heavenly Father is patient. He is kind and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love. He never slumbers nor sleeps, so I can call out to Him at any time of night or day. He lives up to His Name: Immanuel - God with us! 

    And when, at the close of my days, I reach the golden shore, I will look over my shoulder and say with quiet conviction, "Surely goodness and mercy followed me all the days of my life. Now I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!" (Psalm 23:6)

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

    

Dying for Telling the Truth

 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants." Psalm 116:15

    Charlie Kirk paid the ultimate price because he spoke truth.

    He's in good company:

• John the Baptist, beheaded for speaking against immorality 
• Stephen, stoned for rebuking the stiff-necked Jews
• Simon Peter, crucified upside down for preaching Christ
• James, beheaded by Herod, trying to silence the believers
• Bartholomew, beaten to death for being a missionary in Armenia
• Thomas, suffered martyrdom for ministering in Persia and India
• Paul, beheaded in Rome by Nero's order who hoped to silence him
• Above all, Jesus, who gave His life, shedding His innocent blood as a ransom for many, including us. All praise and glory and honor to His Name, before Whom every knee shall bow!

    There's not room enough to tell of the river of blood that's been shed around the world for the gospel, and "the world was not worthy of them." (Hebrews 11:38) 

    There are two options from which to choose that are summed up like this: Life or Death, Good or Evil, Truth or Lies. In other words, God or Satan. Choose this day whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15). There are no lukewarm fence-sitters in the Kingdom, only Christian soldiers.

    Sometimes when I read the Hall of Faith written of in Hebrews chapter eleven, I insert my own name. "By faith, Rachel..." As I walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, how have I completed this sentence? Am I ready to suffer as others have? Will I stand firm when the day of evil comes? 

Voice of Truth

by Casting Crowns

Oh, what I would do to have

the kind of strength it takes

to stand before a giant

with just a sling and a stone,

surrounded by the sound

of a thousand warriors

shaking in their armor,

wishing they'd have had the strength to stand.

But the giant's calling out my name

and he laughs at me,

reminding me of all the times

I've tried and failed.

The giant keeps on telling me 

time and time again,

"Boy, you'll never win."

But the Voice of Truth

tells me a different story.

The Voice of Truth

says "Do not be afraid;

this is for My glory."

Out of all the voices calling out to me,

I will choose to listen to 

the Voice of Truth.

Truth will never be silenced because it is not a concept but a Person, the Person of Jesus Christ who said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Speak truth, even if it kills you.

    

    

    

Same As Always

 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

    In a world that never stays the same, I puzzle at the immutability of its Creator. God, who never changes, made a world that never stays the same. Though this seems incongruous, I am glad it's true.

    Imagine with me the flip side of this. What if God were always changing His mind? Just when you thought you had things figured out, He would change all the rules of the game, upending all of us in the process.

    I spent ten days visiting my eldest daughter and her family in Houston, Texas. The night prior to my departure, I made sure to check in, downloading my boarding pass and all that. I had informed my husband who was meeting my flight that it was on time and told my daughter from which concourse I was departing. I was all set to tackle the intimidating intercontinental airport.

    Security was a breeze; I had no trouble finding my gate, so I was feeling very confident until I read the sign at the gate. "Houston," I thought, "we have a problem." The next flight that was leaving from my gate was heading to Mexico! 

    I rubbed my eyes as I checked and rechecked my information, feeling my confidence ooze from me like a whoopie cushion. Praying, I sought an employee who told me the gate had been changed. Now I needed to go to another concourse. 

    "Go on down this way, turn left," the employee began with a gesture of direction. "Then turn right when you see the Auntie Anne's pretzel place. After awhile, you'll see an escalator on the right. Go up and you'll see a train. Get on board," she continued in spite of my glazed expression, "and get off at the first stop. Then go down another escalator, turn left..." 

    By this time, I must've looked like a shell-shocked cornhusker from Iowa, so my benefactor kindly repeated the instructions. With my hand in His, I found my way.

    The journey along life's way is comparable to my airport experience. There was only one gate I needed to find that provided my way home. Not just any gate would do or I would've ended up in Mexico. Jesus said, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved." (John 10:9) No other gate will get me to my heavenly home. "I am the way, the truth and the life," Jesus plainly declared in John 14:6. 

    And these dependable words have not changed since He uttered them. The same holds true for all, throughout all the generations of travelers. The gate will never be changed on us, so check your ticket. Are you at the Right Gate, heading north? Or are you depending on the wrong pilot, heading south? 

Destination is crucial. 

"I the Lord do not change." Malachi 3:6