Sunday, December 28, 2014

Who Died For You?

"My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, 'I follow Paul'; another, 'I follow Apollos'; another, 'I follow Cephas'; still another, 'I follow Christ.' Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?"
1 Corinthians 1: 11-13

     In order to test my allegiance, the question should always be, "Rachel, who died for you?" If I am following any other ideal other than that of Christ, I'm heading in the wrong direction.

     Recently, a co-worker asked me if I wanted to wear a Santa hat to promote festivity. I said, "No, I do not believe in Santa Claus." What did that legend do for me? Did he sacrifice his life for me?  I realize this is an extreme comparison, but it matters.

     Satan smoothly slips those seemingly innoculous diversions into our lives for a reason. By wearing a Santa hat, do I not promote myself as a follower of a toymaker who resides at the North Pole? How ridiculous is that?

     December 25th marks the day that we celebrate Jesus' birth. The Messiah that will crush the head of the Serpent was sent by God to release the prisoner and mend the hearts of those broken by Satan. Of course, Satan does not want the focus of the holiday to be on this Victor, so he forms diversions.

     December 25th is not Hannukah, not Kwanzaa, not a compilation of Halloween, Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Christ was born to us on that day.

     Christians, stand up and clearly declare, "Jesus, our Savior, was born in Bethlehem." Celebrate peace on earth and goodwill to men. Swear your allegiance to the One who sacrificed his life for you, one in whose name you have been baptized and cleansed by his blood. There is no other name to trust, no other who rose from the grave and who will come again on the clouds of heaven surrounded by the saints and angels.

     Hallelujah! Amen!

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

The Greatest Christmas Gift of All

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
Revelation 3:20

     Hallmark movies and television commercials portray a profusive Christmas, one is which the tree is weighted down with sparkling ornaments, the gifts are piled one atop the other and the relatives pour through the door, sniffing the aromas of a homemade dinner.

     For many, this does not depict their Christmas. There are family estrangements and deaths. There are painful addictions that imprison some. There are bare cupboards, no gifts or painful loneliness. Nursing homes, hospital rooms or prison cells often do not resonate with such joy.

     Do you hear a knocking at your door? The King of Kings longs to come in and dine with you, just the way you are. No tree? That's fine; Jesus is the ever-green source of abundant life. No lights? No problem; your Guest is the Light that shines in the darkness. No fine meal with bread and wine? He provides all that is needed to be satisfied. His body is the bread; his blood, the wine.

     Isaiah 55:1 says, "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." The greatest gift of all is God's free gift of grace. Just answer the door!

A City Without a Cemetery

"And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!"
Philippians 2:8

     Cemeteries are a common sight in any city or town. Newspapers are not without obituaries. Death is a part of life, but that was NOT the case for Jesus, the Great I Am. In the heavenly city he came from, there are no burials, no calling hours, no sorrow. For an immortal being to lay aside his crown and raiment of glory and be willing to obey the Grim Reaper, one is left to wonder, "Why would he do that?"

     Love. Love is the answer. He laid down his life willingly for us, while we were steeped in sin."For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

     The wages of sin is death, yet Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us so that we could become immortal like him. I look so forward to seeing this city without a cemetery!

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Life: A Roller Coaster Ride

"When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up,' he said, 'Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.'"
Matthew 2:13

     Magi, or Wise Men, from the East had followed a star to a house in Bethlehem, showing them where to find the King of Kings: Jesus. Bowing before the child, they presented priceless gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Mary and Joseph witnessed this homage in awe.

     The door had barely closed on their royal heels, when Joseph was warned in a dream that another king desired to kill this same Jesus, whom the eastern visitors worshiped. Talk about a roller coaster ride! Faithful Joseph, willing to venture into unknown, pagan territory, followed God's instructions and therefore, had a hand in saving the Savior.

    The Christmas story is filled with wonder! Kings, dreams, trreasures and angels swirl around the mystery of Immanuel, "God With Us". Yet there is a spiritual battle taking place behind the scenes. Who was it that really wanted to thwart the plans of God but Satan. Throughout history, he did all he could to stop Jesus Christ from building the bridge between God and Man - but he failed. What God says He will do, will happen even if He has to use dreams, a star and ordinary people with extraordinary faith to do it.

    Christmas is so much more than a fat elf in a red suit. Who went to the cross for you? Worship him alone.

Jesus' Amazing Stepdad

"When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus."
Matthew 1: 24, 25

     Everytime I see a depiction of the Holy Family, Joseph seems to take a back seat. He stands off to the side, idly looking down at the mother and child.

     But I see him as a man of great courage, strength and faith. He had to fight social ostracization and family scorn as he struggled to comprehend Mary's pregnancy. He had to lay aside his own plans as he had to flee to Egypt, then settle in Nazareth, yet he faithfully stepped up to the plate and did all he was commanded. Without Joseph, there is no "family"; how could Mary have done all this on her own?

     The next time you see a nativity scene, study the face of Joseph and appreciate all he did in the name of the Lord. I'd like to have such faith!

Saturday, December 13, 2014

When Your Strength is Sapped

"The Lord will judge his people and have compassion on his servants when he sees their strength is gone."
Deuteronomy 32:36

     Have you ever been at your wit's end? The arsenal's empty, the shelves are bare, your resources are depleted entirely. You've exhausted your efforts and yourself in the process.

     When my youngest was little, she desperately wanted to learn to ride her bike sans training wheels. Since I was home most often with her, the task fell to me. Crippled over like Rumplestiltskin, I went up the sidewalk and down the sidewalk, holding bike and child erect, until I could go no more. My exasperated daughter threw her bike down and declared, "I'm never going to learn how to ride this bike!"

     Her dad came home from work and, after hearing our sad story, tried the task once with her and she caught on!

     The Lord, I believe, waits until we are at the end of our rope to show us that His rope has no end. It is when we have thrown up our hands in despair that His hands can take over.

     Give Him the praise and glory He so deserves for we worship a loving, compassionate God who is slow to anger and abiding in love. When your strength is gone, He will carry you.

Killing With Kindness

"Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.'"
Romans 12: 19 & 20

     Being a follower of Christ is hardest when we have to lay aside our natural responses to things of this world. It makes us sputter in unconsummated rage and feelings of injustice.

     A person whom your daughter "loves" flies into a rage and leaves bruises on her neck and arms. How do you feel? How should you react? "Who does he think he is?" you fume, "How dare he do this to MY child!" A natural response, yes? And yet we are told in the verses above, essentially, to kill him with kindness. Instead of throttling this person, you are to invite him to dinner.
   
     The Bible says this will be like heaping burning coals on his head. I imagine that to mean he will be cloaked in shame - and so he should be. Even your enemies are afforded God's loving mercy. Even in their clouded eleventh hour, God hopes the errant person will be won over by Christian love. If God can love this enemy, so should I.

     Even Jesus did not retaliate against his executioners but was silent as a sheep awaiting slaughter. And He was innocent! We are not. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

     Okay, so let's say you follow through and have this guy over for dinner; what's in it for you? The apostle Paul's verses in Romans are a quote from Proverbs 25: 21 & 22, but he omitted the ending: "...and the Lord will reward you." Pleasing God should be my agenda because it will have everlasting affect. Seeking revenge may feel good for the moment, but will ultimately cause more sin and grief.

     Father knows best. Listen to Him.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

A Worldwide Celebration

"Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'"
Luke 2: 13, 14

     I was reading an advent devotional when this portion stood out:

     "The night Christ was born was the most monumental and awe-inspiring event in human history. God was revealed by his Son on earth so that we could learn from him and ultimately have eternal life through him. There has not been an event in history before or after
Christ's birth that resulted in so many people celebrating."
 
     Angels filled the night sky above the starstruck shepherds on that long ago night in Bethlehem. Excitedly, these lowly men became the very first witnesses who spread the word to anyone who had the wisdom to listen: The Messiah has arrived!
 
     Recently, my father died. It's so strange to me when I ponder the finality of his being gone! No longer do I hear his voice or see him in his recliner. His blue eyes are forever closed. Where did he go? It's all so mysterious! Where exactly is heaven? How did he get there? It's as if there is a great chasm fixed between God's home and ours.
 
     Here's where the celebration comes in: God, laying his glory aside, crossed over the chasm himself in the form of a baby so he could show us the way back. Almost like a Lewis and Clark expedition! Jesus traced out the trail, frankly telling us, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes unto the Father except through me." (John 14:6) In my mind's eye, I can see him, wearing a khaki shirt and a pith helmet, hacking down overgrowth with a machete, looking over his shoulder to see if I am following safely. "C'mon! Follow me!" he says.
 
     Around the world, Christmas celebrations take place. When you see lights, trees and stars, join in the revelry. God is with us! Hurray!

Dare to be Different

"For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ."
Philippians 2:21

     When I was a youngster in Sunday School, we'd always sing, "Come into my heart, Lord Jesus." As then, my prayer today is for him to take the wheel as I step aside, but this verse reminds me that my interests must follow. How do I spend my days? Do I use my gifts and abilities to honor him or do my thoughts only turn to him at mealtime or close of day?

     God is able to do so much more with me if I truly and totally surrender all. I don't want to be like everybody else, going his/her own way and placing their own interests above all else. I want to be different. I guess that's what is meant when God commands us to be holy as He is holy. Dare to be a unique creation in Christ, with the help of God.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Don't Sleep Through This

"O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep,
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The Everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears
Of all the years
Are met in thee tonight."
     The little town of Bethlehem was packed to the gills with weary travelers that first Christmas night. Like Joseph and Mary, many came to be registered for the census. Busy with the cares of life, how many realized what miracle took place in the stable down the street? God came to earth in the vulnerable form of an infant, the long-awaited Messiah! The exuberant shepherds spread the word after they'd seen Jesus, anxious to share this great news. How many folks listened and allowed this news to change their lives? Or perhaps it was business as usual the next day.

     Christmas was the first coming of Christ; there will be a second one. "They will see the Son of Man coming on the cloud of the sky, with power and great glory...No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father...Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." (Matthew 24: 30, 36, 42)

     We WILL see. Our Lord WILL come. Just as the first advent of Jesus was predicted and those prophecies came to perfect fruition, you can bet your bottom dollar these predictions of his powerful return will also come true. Wake up! Keep watch! Emulate the jubilant shepherds and spread the news. Don't sleep through this.

What's the Use?

"Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun...I know that everything God does will endure forever."
Ecclesiastes 2:11, 3:14

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain."
Psalm 127:1

     What do I do with my hands? It would be less easier to list what I do NOT do with my hands! They are a blur of activity all day long! I make the bed, brush the teeth, prepare the meal, drive the car, run the vacuum. I would be unable to keep my job if I lost the use of my hands.

     But what am I really accomplishing that has lasting value? Tomorrow, the bed needs to be made again, the teeth need cleaning, more meals are demanded. What's the use?

     It's only when I weave my heart and soul into these daily activities that they take on an eternal glow. I can thank the good Lord that I have a bed, some teeth, a car, a job. Interaction with my co-workers, when rooted in love, can have lasting impact for the kingdom of God. Only then will the mundane become an investment.

     Let the Lord build your house and the foundation will be strong, the windows will gleam and you will find meaning in your days.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

When Jesus is All That You Have, He's All That You Need

"Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?"
Genesis 41:38

     I got to thinking about Joseph, son of Jacob and Rachel of the Old Testament. He had a dream that he'd be a leader, one to whom even his family would bow. In jealous hatred, his brothers sold him to a band of traveling traders who took him to Egypt, where he became a slave. Falsely, he was accused of an adulterous act and thrown into prison for many years. Throughout all this, God is with him, granting him the ability to interpret dreams which eventually frees him and he becomes Prime Minister of Egypt.

     How did he stay strong in his faith? He's living in a heathen nation so there are no church dinners or Bible studies. In fact, there's not even a Bible yet since Moses, author of the first five books, has not been born yet. All Joseph has are his distant childhood memories and prayer. Yet, he thrives, even in prison.

     This demonstrates to me that the Spirit of God is:
  • powerful
  • consistent
  • faithful
     Perhaps you're in a place in your life where you're new to the area or unable to study your Bible or you're having trouble getting involved in a church. I am not downplaying the need for fellowship with other Christians or pouring over the Scriptures, but remember, you are never powerless, abandoned or alone as long as the Spirit dwells within you. His grace really is sufficient for ALL our needs.

     So, thrive! Live life abundantly. He is with you always, even to the end of the age.

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Loving the Least of These

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a mulitude of sins."
1 Peter 4:8

     A young, impressionable girl grew up in a household fraught with pain. Her step-father was an alcoholic who abused her but when she tried to tell her mother, she was not believed. Although she eventually graduated with honors, receiving a degree as a medical assistant, she wandered into the world of strippers and substance abuse, looking for salvation from a line of men.

     This person is Joanne Calderon-Arkenburg, founder of Time is Precious Ministries. Having had enough of that rough lifestyle, Joanne launched this ministry whose mission is to make strippers feel loved and honored, just as they are. Joanne says, "Love conquers all." A team of compassionate volunteers provide gift bags, notes of encouragement and times of prayer to show these women they have worth and are valued in the eyes of God.

     Joanne recently remarried, works as a personal trainer and has authored a book entitled, "Pain into Purpose with Forgiveness." She had this to say in a recent News-Herald article: "I can't say that my journey from here on out has been easy, nor am I perfect or have it all figured out. But what I do know with certainty is this: The love I have been searching for in others was found in my heavenly Father."

     Only God can make lemonade from your lemons. Forgiveness is a wonderful gift, just waiting to be opened. It frees us from unimaginable hurts, heartaches and heaviness, opening the way to love one another as He loves us. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sinfulness. He met us on that road to Calvary, just the way we were. He didn't wait until we got our act together. Like Joanne, none of us is perfect nor do we have it all figured out, but with the tender grace of God, we can do great things.

     Love the least. Reach out to those who need it most. In doing so, you will be serving Jesus.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Silence is Not Golden

"For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free - and we were all given one Spirit to drink...If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."
1 Corinthians 12: 13, 26

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:21

     There is a foul stench rising from the Middle East as ISIS breathes threats and persecutions against the Christians. As this "angel of death" creeps over the land, Christians have been given a choice: convert to Islam, leave the country or be killed. Indeed, ISIS thugs have beheaded, executed and even crucified those they deem as apostates. Those who chose to flee left with only the clothes they wore; all else was confiscated. Now, winter is approaching. Where will they go? What will happen to them?

     Franklin Graham, head of the Samaritan's Purse, reports:

     "Just outside the 6,000-year-old citadel at the heart of Erbil, the owner of a shopping center opened the vacant top floor to refugees. When Samaritan's Purse checked  them, we found over 1,200 people living there who had almost nothing to eat. We joined with local churches and Christian refugees to bring them baskets of food, p[ray with them and shar the Gospel."

     Columnist Cal Thomas recently wrote, "Help for Middle East Christians," exhorting the American Christians to step up to the plate. He said Mark Burnett and wife, Roma Downey (who produced "The Bible" epic for the History Channel) have announced a campaign to raise $25 million to aid these homeless believers. They've set up a website called, "The Cradle of Christianity," promising that donations will go directly to the churches for distribution to those in need.

     And the needs are great. There are over 800,000 displaced people in Kurdistan alone. Don't sit back and assume the United Nations will take care of it; if it operated at 100% efficiency, it could only take care of 40% of these desperate people.

     The body of believers is worldwide. What affects those on the other side of the globe affects all. Do you feel their pain? We must do our part to overcome evil with good, or the terrorists win. Here's what we can do:

  1. Pray. Ask God to protect these refugees and those who are bringing aid.
  2. Talk. Bring up this topic among friends, coworkers, congregants. Do not be silent but educate yourself and others of these affairs.
  3. Give. Send what you can to Samaritan's Purse, The Cradle of Christianity, or another competent organization
     Remember the Golden Rule. If this were happening to you, you would want someone to send aid.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Love Personified in Mary

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."
Romans 12:10

     As my father lay drawing his last breaths, I leaned close to his ear and tearfully whispered, "I'll see you later, Papa." I had to leave the room as a wave of sorrow overcame me. Entering the hall of the nursing home, there I met Love, personified in a woman named Mary. With sincerity, she beckoned me over to her wheelchair and gave me the warmest hug. Murmuring words of compassion, I felt the love of Christ wash over my broken spirit, and I was comforted.

     From what I obeserved, Mary has lived there for some time. She seems to struggle with a host of medical problems yet she cast her personal worries aside and devoted herself to me for that moment in time, just when I needed it the most. Like the widow in the Bible who offered her last two coins, she gave what she could to me, and I treasured it.

     Love is the cornerstone of the Christian belief. Without love, we are just clanging cymbals, but when we reach out to others, mountains crumble into the sea and hope shines on our paths.

     After my dad's funeral, I took a bouquet of flowers to Mary. This time, it was she who was comforted. I have made a new friend!

Eternally a Princess

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
John 10: 27, 28

     I love the personal, intimate tone portrayed here. In the same way I know my husband's voice, I know that of Christ Jesus. I recognize it. He knows me - he doesn't just know of me, that I exist. He knows when I sit and when I rise. He knows how many hairs are on my head. He knows my heart, my thoughts, my past, present and future. He knew me as I was being knit together in my mother's womb. He offers eternal life and divine, powerful protection. He loves me so much that he safeguards me as though I were a precious princess. No one can snatch me from his hand! There is no end to this loving relationship and nothing can ever sever me from the love of Christ.

     I'd be a fool not to follow him.

Where Do I Go From Here?

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you, I will come and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
John 14: 1-3

     Every day, obituaries are a staple in the newspaper. As I view the various photographs that accompany the notices, I wonder if the person knew where their soul was going after death?

     The above verses set the stage for Jesus' declaration, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life." He exorts me to trust in him in the same way I trust in God the Father. Plainly he says, "If it were not so, I would have told you." I can always expect the truth from my Savior; He cannot tell a lie.

     He's going ahead of me to prepare my room: hang fresh curtains, flip the mattress, stock the shelves, vacuum. He knows the way because he is the Way and will personally escort me to the front door.

     Rooms are for the living and Jesus wants me to live with him eternally. Thanks be to God the truth has been told to us plainly. Trust in Jesus today for your salvation so you will know where you go from here.

Saturday, November 8, 2014

What Is Truth?

"Do you believe this?"
John 11:26

     A woman named Martha was mourning after the death of her brother, Lazarus. In an act of comfort, her friend Jesus spoke these words to her: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die..." Picture his earnest gaze upon her troubled face as he finished, "Do you believe this?"

     My father died this week. Long ago, when he returned from the service in World War Two, he was asked this same question, Do you believe this? Stepping out in faith, he placed his hand into the unseen hand of the Savior and began his walk with the Lord. Raising four daughters in the admonition of the Lord, he also taught Sunday School and led Bible studies in his home, all the while remaining certain of what he did not see: eternal life in Jesus Christ. As his body and mind gave way to the affects of age, his soul remained sealed by the Holy Spirit, anxiously waiting to see the whole picture, in living color, in real life. As he lay close to death in that drab, colorless room at the nursing home, he may have wondered: Is it going to be true? Are there streets of pure gold past the pearly gates leading to a mansion prepared just for me? Will I see this Jesus, my Redeemer, personally greet me with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant?" Will all I placed my hope and trust in be real?

     Yes! Today, he sees in whole, not in part. He walks without trouble in wholeness and truth, exploring life the way God intended it to be, without reservations, hesitations or guilt and shame. He's dining at the table of the Lord and listening to a symphony of angelic voices.

     Praise be to God for telling us the truth. Do you believe this?

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Be an Overcomer

"Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."
1 John 5:5

     What is it in this world that you long to conquer? Are you held captive by something stronger than you are? Maybe it's fear or abuse or a bad reputation? What suppresses you? Perhaps addiction, guilt or a skeleton in your closet? How can you overcome this ghoul that has such a strong hold on you?

    Well, you cannot do it alone. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Be an overcomer by giving it over to Him for, "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

     But wait, there's more! Not only will you receive incredible relief, freedom and peace of mind, but these prizes will also be yours, at no extra charge: a crown of life, a white robe of righteousness, authority over the nations, a new name and a throne in heaven for all eternity.

     It's a deal too good to pass up!

What a Blessing

"The Lord said to Moses, 'Tell Aaron and his sons, "This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them;

     The Lord bless you and keep you;
     The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you;
     The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."

Numbers 6: 22-26

     This passage brings such lovely, peaceful memories to me. At the close of the church service, as the congregation stood with heads bowed, the pastor would speak that blessing over us as he gave the sign of the cross. We would respond with a triple Amen! before going home to begin a new week.

     By repeating the words slowly and personally, they bathe my heart with the warm love of God. He wants to bless me and keep me!  If his face shines upon me, that means he's happy to be with me! He is filled with grace and peace and it brims over onto me as his face turns toward mine. What a wondrous blessing.

     I encourage you to begin your day with this benediction.
    

Sunday, October 26, 2014

The Beauty of Having a Heavenly Father

"For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." 1 John 3:20

"Your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Matthew 6:8

     The hardest thing I ever had to do was to leave my dad at the rehab facility. He was brought from the hospital in the evening; I met the ambulance there to help my dad become acclimated with his new "home." He's 90 years old, blind in one eye, survivor of a stroke, has dementia and, now, a fracture in his spine. My heart went out to him, this hero of mine, now so feeble and lost. The very sum of the surroundings and the futility of the situation weighed heavily on my soul like a sinister fog.

     He won't be able to return to his home, the humble place that's been his since the 1950s. Will never again sit at the round, oak table he'd refinished, where our family had countless gatherings. He can no longer read the classics, research a topic in the encyclopedias or even go upstairs, for that matter.

     Now garbed in an ugly hospital gown and in need of a shave, I have to leave him in the care of complete strangers in this glaring, yellow room. The flourescent light outlined the homliness of the place and the direness of life. My heart sank.

     Then the fog lifted and the light of God shone through my depression as He reminded me: "I am your dad's Heavenly Father. This man is not lost to me; I know exactly where he is because he is my son. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow. Your dad's name, Russell, is written on the palm of my hand - he is mine and I am his."

     I went home and slept like a child - a child of God.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Did God Really Say That?

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say...?"
Genesis 3:1

    Satan's first technique used to deceive mankind was to plant a seed of doubt by asking Eve, "Did God really say?" He still uses that device today because, apparantly, it works.

     Take Adam Hamilton, for example. He is the founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City and author of the book, "Making Sense of the Bible." In chapter 21, he addresses the account of Noah's Ark. Here is what he has to say:

     "So, is the Noah story true or not? Great question. As many ask it - meaning, did it happen exactly as recorded in the Bible? - the answer is 'sort of.' Did Noah bring two of each of the millions of species on animals that otherwise would not have survived a global flood onto an ark? No, I don't believe so. Did water cover the earth to twenty feet above the highest mountains? Again, I don't think so...Could there have been a Noah who built a boat and brought his family and some animals on the boat...Did God destroy every animal and human being on the planet except Noah and those on his boat 4,300 years ago, or ever? I don't think so. The story seems to me to be anchored in historical events that happened at the end of the last Ice Age but it is not entirely historically accurate." (emphasis mine)

     Now, let's see. What did God really say about Noah?

     "And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood. Pairs of clean and unclean animals, of birds and of all creatures that move along the ground, male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark as God had commanded Noah. And after the seven days, the floodwaters came on the earth. The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more that twenty feet. Every living thing that moved on the earth perished - birds, livestock, wild animals and all creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out...Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark." (Genesis 7: 7-10, 20-23)

     Why can't Mr. Hamilton believe what God has said? Remember that age-old question, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" Mr. Hamilton, as evidenced by what he says in previous chapters, believes in evolution. He thinks the earth is 4.57 billion years old and that a giant asteroid struck our planet, eliminating the dinosaurs. He believes prehuman hominids evolved through a process of genetic mutation long before Adam and Eve met the serpent, disregarding God's account of creation. He has placed his faith in the "chicken" of evolution, then tried to cram the "egg" of God into the puzzle somehow.

     This is all wrong! God is the consummate scientist, historian, creator of all who has told us how it all began and how it will end through the gift of his Holy Scriptures. To read, digest and believe man's account, then see how God might fit in, is Satan whispering in your ear, "Did God really say?"

     Yes, He did! And I will believe in every letter of the Bible before I'd listen to one word of Darwin's.

    God said it. I believe it. That settles it.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

This Means War!

"Then the dragon (Satan) was enraged at the woman (the nation, Israel) and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring - those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus."
Revelation 12:17

     Earlier in this chapter, it tells me that Satan is "filled with fury because he knows that his time is short." (vs. 12) Scary stuff! An enraged dragon is filled with fury and determined to make war. Good thing I know how this story ends.

     Have you ever watched one of those movies that has a really bad antagonist who perpetrates pure evil? He may have even started out as a nice guy who gained the trust of others, but as the movie gets closer to the end, the evil increases, like a Satanic creschendo. The viewer is on the edge of his seat wondering if the protagonist's strength will hold out just a little bit longer. After all, he must overcome evil and save the others!

     Satan is depicted in the Bible, aptly enough, as a foul, enraged dragon. Probably has yellow teeth, red beady eyes and rancid breath. Who does he attack with vengeance? Those who obey God and hold on tightly to the testimony of Jesus. That means me! The smelly dragon is waging war on me. Shall I quake in my boots? Run for my life? NO! By the power vested in me, infused by the Holy Spirit, I hold the cross of Christ high and remember: Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world." With patient endurance and stalwart faith, I know that my Redeemer lives and he has overcome. He is my protagonist.

    

Thursday, October 9, 2014

The Bottom Line

"You shall have no other gods before me."
Exodus 20:3

     Perhaps one day, an Islamic terrorist will take me by the hair and demand I convert to Islam or die. This has already been happening in various parts of the world so I will not be naive enough to think, "It can't happen to me." How will I react?

     In the third chapter of Daniel, this type of persecution happened to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They were ordered to worship the golden image of the king or be thrown into a fiery furnace which  meant certain death. I adore their courageous, faithful response when they said to the king:

     "We do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us 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: 16-18)

     You see, this is not a question about your life; it's not about you. This is about the strength, the holiness, the absolute power of the God you serve. The bottom line is, Allah will never love me so much that he would send his son into the world, not to condemn, but to save me. Allah was not the fourth man in that fiery furnace, walking unbound and unscathed by the flames. Allah did not rouse from death by crucifixtion to sit at the right hand of God in all his glory, nor will he be coming back again to rapture his loved followers to eternal life in heaven. No sir!

     Whether I live or die, I gain because I have Christ, the Living One, reigning in my heart. He is able to save, to rescue me. I will not serve any other god. Amen.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

The Cage Door Has Been Opened

"Before this faith came, we were prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith."
Galatians 3:23, 24

     Do you have a certain one of the ten commandments that makes you squirm? Maybe it's "Thou shalt not take the Lord's name in vain" because you have a hard time restraining your tongue. Or maybe it's "Honor your father and mother" because they were horrible parents. Maybe you'd rather be on the golf course on the Sabbath. Maybe the memory of a shoplifting incident weighs heavily on your conscience. Have you had an affair? Told a lie? "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."

     The law has a way of convicting us, showing us our dirty deeds like an embarrassing stain on our shirt, but it need not lock us in a prison of guilt, thanks be to Christ! If you are guilty of adultery, confess it and let it lead you to the cross, for it's by his stripes we are healed. He paid our debt to set us free - but NEVER take that lightly! He despised the shame of hanging naked on that cross, being mocked and spat upon, becoming sin for us while the face of the Father turned away in disgust.  Hebrews 12:2 says, "Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

     To repent of our sin means to confess it, turn from it and change your ways. Open the locked doors of your heart. Christ came to set you free, to break the chains that bind. You are forgiven now go and soar like an eagle!

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

God = Love

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

     "God IS love." How can anyone BE love? I can be loving, but I do not embody love, like God does. When we have God dwelling in our heart, we have his qualities: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self control. This is why, when a Christian friend of mine was harrassed by an angry driver, she did not become aggravated. Rather, she prayed for that person. That is love.

     Jesus commands us to love one another as God loves us. Once you begin to talk to people and really listen to their stories, it's easy to see why this is such an important commandment.

     During the course of a day, just by conversing with those around me, I have heard some heartbreaking stories, reminding me of the need for love. One man's family is estranged from him; his grandson omitted his name from the invitation list for his wedding. One acquaintance told me she'd been raped when she was a teen. One of my best friends lost her daughter in a terrible accident. She must somehow endure unbearable burdens. There are those who struggle with alcohol addictions or hampering anxieties. This one lost a sister to cancer. That one's father has demetia and wants to "go home."

     Everyone has been created with a God-shaped hole. Everyone has stories of disappointment, discouragement or disillusionment. Are you willing to listen, offer prayer and be a bit of Jesus?

     I've loved this poem, though I do not know who wrote it:

 
Love One Another
 
"Love one another, as I have loved you"
May seem so very impossible to do,
But if you will try to trust and believe,
There are many great joys that you will receive.
 
For love makes us patient, understanding and kind,
As we judge with our hearts and not with our mind.
For as soon as love enters the heart's open door,
The faults we once saw are not there anymore.
 
And the things that seemed wrong begin to look right
When viewed in the softness of love's gentle light.
For love works in ways that are wondrous and strange,
And there is nothing in life that love cannot change.
 
 
PS: for added emphasis, replace the word "love" with "God", then reread the poem

    

Monday, September 22, 2014

Mercy > Wrath

"You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the fathers' sins into the laps of their children after them."
Jeremiah 32:18

"For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."
Exodus 20:5

"Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."
Exodus 34:7

     I imagine every parent has trouble with their kids now and then; I know I have. But is the Lord punishing them for something I or their father did? Or maybe something we failed to do? In 1 Samuel chapter 3, the Lord told Eli he would "judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about." (vs. 13) His sons were wicked but Eli did not restrain them. Also, King David's son, Adonijah, tried to usurp the throne. The scriptures say, "His father had never interfered with him by asking, 'Why do you behave as you do?'" (1 Kings 1:6)

     Proverbs 29:15 says, "The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother."

     As parents, it is our responsibility to "train up a child in the way he should go." I know I told my children about God's love, about Jesus' sacrifice. I prayed for them and with them. We made a birthday cake at Christmas time for baby Jesus. We spoke of his resurrection at Easter, not of bunnies and eggs. I'm sure I could have done more, though.

     I can honestly say I don't understand these verses about the father's sins being cast upon the next few generations. Our sins are placed on the shoulders of our Savior, are they not? I would cringe to think that punishment for my sins was thrown in the laps of my daughters. They should not be held accountable for what I have done.

     I do glean from Exodus 20:5 that God's mercy is greater than his wrath. I have never hated God so I would think he'd show his love to "a thousand generations of those who love me," even though I have failed to always keep his commandments.

     This is what I firmly believe: "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed...The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53: 5,6)

     Although I do not always understand what I read, I rely on God's wisdom and discernment to guide me and my descendants through this life into the next.



Friday, September 19, 2014

Being Clingy is Okay

"My soul clings to you."
Psalm 63:8

     I fondly remember holding my daughters as toddlers; they'd cling to me with their chubby, little hands. This told me they trusted me, they needed me and I loved it. Sometimes, they clung out of fear (my youngest was afraid of costumed mascots or Santa Claus) or sometimes, love drove them. Either way, they knew they had a safe refuge in me.

     Likewise, I love the vision of my soul clinging to my Father. I still feel like a child inside, one who would love to return to my childhood home, smell the supper on the stove and watch for my dad to come home from work. When responsibilities press down hard on me, I long for these pastoral days of my youth.

     There is no other feeling than going to the Lord with my apprehensions and appreciations, or just to rest at his feet in pastures green. What a relief to be yolked with my Savior, knowing that he will never give me more than I can bear.

     Being clingy is okay with Him, thank God!

Friday, September 12, 2014

Helpless? Never!

"My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly."
Job 42:8

     Do you ever feel helpless when a friend comes to you with a mountainous problem?

     God held Job in high esteem. In the beginning of the book of Job, God boasts to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him, he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." (Job 1:8) Imagine God, thumbs under his suspenders, rocking back on his heels, mouth upturned at one corner, bragging. Would he say such about me? As memory of my sins loom before me, I doubtfully scoff.

     However, if, by the graceful redemption of Jesus, I stand against evil, in fear of the Lord, perhaps then God could boast? Like the apostle Paul, I say, "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14) Then, with the power of the cross infusing my soul, I'd pray for my friends and God would accept my prayer on their behalf and not "deal with them according to their folly."

     Two people I know and love have come to mind as I write this. Both have been shocked and rocked by tragedies. Both need prayer desperately. They have both come to me, pouring out their hearts' lament and, although I cannot remedy their situation, I can pray! There is power in prayer.

     Lord God, my fervent prayer for my friends is this: carry them to pastures green, make them lie down beside still waters and restore their souls. By the power of the cross, accept my prayer. Amen.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Faith or Fear?

"Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful."
2 Chronicles 20:20

     The Christians in Syria and other such places persecuted by the Islamic State (ISIS) are warned, "We're coming to get you" as ISIS marches across the land, purging anyone in their way. They mercilessly behead men, rape women, plunder towns, and impose high taxes as they strive to set up their caliphate. The very description of these dastardly acts stokes fear in the heart of mankind.

     What would you do if they came to your town?

     King of Judah, Jehoshaphat, was told similar fear-invoking news as the Moabites and Ammonites came to make war in his land. Alarmed, he "resolved to inquire of the Lord and he proclaimed a fast for all of Judah." (20:3) Gathering the citizens in front of the temple, as he prayed, he reminded God of his plan. "Didn't you drive out the inhabitants of this land so you could give it to Abraham, your friend? You said if calamity ever came upon us, we should cry out to you and you would hear us and save us." (paraphrase mine) At the end of his prayer, the great king surrendered in humility by saying, "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." (20:12)

     As Christians, we are all part of one body of believers, so if our brothers and sisters in Syria face attrocities, so do we! We must assemble together and resolve to inquire of our God. Declare a fast; do without something you like so you can better implore of the Lord on their behalf. Remind God of his power and might, his promises and prophecies. In humility, hit your knees, acknowledging the omniscience of God. Christ is the Head of the Christian body and He is our Victor. Keep your eyes on Him. We have nothing to fear and all the reason in the world to have faith.

     "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours but God's." (20:15)

Saturday, September 6, 2014

My Pink Suitcase

"You hem me in, behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the night will shine like the day for the darkness is as light to you."
Psalm 139: 5, 7-12

     Ever feel like running away?

     I was mad about something, one dramatic childhood day, so I grabbed my pink suitcase and set to packing my belongings. "I'll show them, by jove! I'll run away!"

     The suitcase, which was perfect when packed with swimming stuff for the Y, suddenly seemed so small when I tried to cram in all I had. Slowly, it dawned on me how good I really had it as the piles of clothes and toys in my wallpapered bedroom would not fit. And, the thought of walking, at night, alone, past "The Boulevard" where I'd never been allowed to go, suddenly scared me, so it wasn't long before I simmered down and unpacked.

     Even if I had left, it would not have changed my identity; I was still my father's daughter no matter where I went. I was a Schupp with three sisters, two loving parents and grandparents and nothing could alter those absolute truths. I belonged to that family, more than just genetically. They loved me and would have come looking for me (right?).

     Do you ever feel like running away from God? You squirm and writhe under his absolute truths and it becomes uncomfortable to be "hemmed in" by Him, especially when you want to go "past the Boulevard." But you can't change your identity. You are your Father's child no matter where you roam and, like the Prodigal son, the Father's eyes scan the horizon daily, looking for his lost son.

     Look around at your piles of benevolence. Simmer down and unpack your suitcase. Nothing can ever sever you from the love of Christ Jesus so just accept that and settle into the warmest embrace you'll ever experience.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

The Keeper of the Keys

"Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last, I am the Living One; I was dead and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."
Revelation 1:17-18

     Remember when you got the keys to your first car? Holding the keys to my car or my house means I am the owner and I have the right to enter and do what I wish. No police officer is going to question me about that.

     Jesus holds the keys of death and Hades, for which I am soooooo glad. I would not want THOSE keys! Since he has the ownership, what have I to fear? Jesus owns Satan and his dastardly realm. He was given those keys when he became Victor over death on that first resurrection day and I will live eternally because His spirit lives within me. Whew!

     Jesus. He's the First. He'll be the Last. He'll close up at night and tuck me in. Sleep in peace.

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Charles Atlas

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9

     Remember with me those last pages of comic books. Next to the cheesy ad for Sea Monkeys was one for Charles Atlas' exercise program. The cartoon showed the 97-pound weakling having sand kicked in his face at the beach by husky bullies while his disgusted girlfriend flounced off in a huff.
"If only I were muscle-bound like Charles Atlas!" he thought, as he sent for the program.

     Where do Christians derive their strength in the face of adversity?

     A paralyzed person who cannot lift a spoon has the power of Christ at his disposal through faith and prayer. A person of low IQ may be discounted by most of society, but the grace of Christ transforms him into a powerhouse. The simple prayer of a faithful child can move mountains. A feeble old man with dementia utters universal truths propelled by the Voice of the Ancient of Days.

     "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1: 27)

    So, if you ever feel weak or powerless as the haughty folks kick sand in your face, think again! You are stronger than any Charles Atlas. The Creator of the world resides in you! When others persecute you, insult you or create hardships due to your faith, rejoice! "For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10) You bear the marks of the crucifixtion on your spiritual body and you may proudly claim the power of the resurrection!

     Remember with me the words of one of my favorite hymns:

"Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Ye soldiers of the cross.
Lift high his royal banner,
It must not suffer loss!
From victory unto victory,
His army shall he lead,
Till every foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed!"

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Who Was Jean Champollion?

     God kept two records of his history and his revelation to mankind. One is the Bible and the other was written by the ancient ruins of civilizations.

     Biblical archaeology fascinates me. I love it when relics are found that point directly to a person, place or thing in the Bible. Not that I need this verification to stabilize my faith, but it's exciting to see physical proof of the Great Flood or view the remnants of Solomon's stables.

     Over the years, there have been a number of men and women archaeologists who have tediously uncovered such buried treasure. They have picked up the threads of ancient life from a thousand city mounds and woven them into a pattern which parallels the lives and times of Biblical characters.

     A major key in unlocking long-ago languages was found in the Rosetta Stone. Discovered in Egypt by one of Napoleon Bonaparte's men, it is a granite stele bearing three languages; one Greek, the other two, a mystery.

    A brilliant Frenchman, Jean Champollion, dedicated his life to deciphering the Rosetta mystery. His older brother, also an unsung hero, supported him for 23 years while he labored over the stone's contents. Twenty-three years! He must've been cross-eyed when he triumphantly presented his translation, but what an irreplacable tool it was for gaining knowledge of the ancient civilizations.

    

Living in a Delightful Land

"'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there might be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty. 'See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it...Then the nations will call you blessed, and yours will be a delightful land.'"
Malachi 3: 10-12

     Most people have heard of a tithe, meaning a tenth of your earnings should be given to charity, but how about a tenth of your time?

     There are 1440 minutes in each day. If I were going to give God one tenth, that would equate to 2 hours and 24 minutes. Even if I subtracted eight hours for the time I sleep, my tithe should then be 1 and 1/2 hours. How many of us spend that much time devoted to the things of God during a day? We might could watch a movie for that long, but reading the Bible and praying?

     The Bible tells us to "pray without ceasing" so I thought it would be best to allow God into my heart 24/7, to let my thoughts flow in ceaseless praise. For instance, as I pass a grumpy neighbor on the sidewalk, send up a prayer for him. While commuting to work, turn off the radio and ruminate on memorized scripture or hymns. If two frisky squirrels chasing each other 'round the oak tree make me smile, remember to thank their Maker. There are countless ways we can weave God into our lives all day long.

     Don't be like the disciples who kept falling asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane. Be diligent. Keep watch and do not squander time. In increments, we can tithe our time to God and thereby live in a delightful land.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Life: the Real Reality Show

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his own soul?"
Mark 8:36

     The sameness of life has a way of lulling us into a numbing pattern. Day in. Day out. Go to work. Eat dinner. You settle down into a nest of security until something happens to blow out the bottom of that nest, plummeting you to the ground.

     It was a typical Monday. My dear friend spent the day at the beach with her 27-year-old daughter. It was unknown to either of them that two days hence, her daughter would be killed in an abrupt accident. No chance to say goodbye. Too stunning for comprehension, this reality caused lasting wounds for my friend and her family as they were tearfully confronted with stark tragedy.

     The first day of school, a third grade teacher was happy to get a new year under way until the phone rang. Her father had been in an accident; could she come right away? The distressing news to follow was not good. She will be planning a funeral, too.

     It was a bright, sunny day for these two women, now walking in the valley of the shadow of death. How can anyone be prepared for such reality?

     Jesus came to abolish death. After laying down his life, he rose again and ascended into heaven to prepare a mansion for us. He has promised to come back again. For those who believe in him, they have become sons and daughters of God and will live eternally in a paradise where death, sorrow and pain are no more. All things will have been created new.

     What should we be doing in the mean time? Baptize your children. Pray with your friends. Study the Bible and claim the promises of God. Put on the full armor of God so you are prepared to stand against the evil forces. Be aware of your surroundings. Invest in other people with a loving interest. Forgive one another and love deeply. Avoid argument or acrimony. Live each day as if it is your last.

     My great niece is being baptized this weekend. One life ends and another begins. I promise to pray for her, that she will never forfeit her own soul in exchange for the passing fancies of this world but that she will walk in the way that leads to life. Eternal life.

    

Ultimate Celeb Endorsement

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:17

     Celebrities endorse products they ostensibly believe in, knowing that the fame of their name will increase sales. Clothing designers fix their names on all sorts of items: waistbands, ballcaps, purses, T shirts, and the toes of socks. Wherever the product is seen, so is the name - so it had better be good, right?

     As a Christian, YOU are the product Jesus endorses. Unless you are wearing a cross necklace or sporting a T shirt from the Christian book store, how will others know Jesus is your Designer? By your love!

     The logo of the Christian involves God's greatest commandment: Love One Another. We are not always going to get it right. We may lose our temper in traffic, find ourselves sharing gossip or having too much to drink at a company function. When this happens, humble yourself. Ask God to forgive you and clothe you with compassion, patience, kindness and self control, then ask others to forgive you, too. It's important to your witness.

     Remember, Jesus is the Celebrity who lends you his holy name. You represent the name by which every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess. Be an upstanding product worthy of that precious name.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

I Change My Mind

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 2:5

     I have become a Negative Nancy. The older I get, the more I am like Crankshaft! I grouse about the state of our country. I slander whole races rather than seeing the worth of the individual. I gripe about television commercials. I'm an old grump! When and how did this happen? How can I gain the mind of Christ?

     I set out to implore God to change my mind and I have no doubt that He will. After all, he "knows the thoughts of man" (Psalm 94:11) and he is never against self-improvement. It gives him the glory he so deserves when people want to become more like him.

     My prayer is for wisdom. Lord, show me to adopt the attitude of Jesus.

     Here's a start I found in scripture: put myself aside. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3) Be interested in others. Take on the very nature of a servant. Humble myself. Be obedient to God's will. Die to self.

     I am reading a memoir written by Vinh Chung entitled Where The Wind Leads. He says:

"There is no greater love than to give one's life for a friend, but giving one's life does not always mean dying- sometimes it means living. Living can be a sacrifice, too, and a noble one, especially when it's done to benefit someone else. Dying might require more love, but living takes a lot more endurance."
 
     There are many little ways each day that I can "die to self" - call a friend, let someone go ahead of me in line, put a newspaper on the porch for a neighbor, send flowers anonymously, pay a compliment, visit an elderly person, mail a card of encouragement, practice hospitality, commit random acts of kindness. 
 
     Do not complain or argue. Work out my salvation with fear and trembling, being confident that He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion. God, you are the Potter; I am the clay. "Mold me and make me after thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still."
 
     Romans 8:6 says, "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace."  Therefore, may the Spirit help me to think about these things, as spoken of in Philippians chapter four: Whatever is noble, true, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Ferret out the good stuff, dig for treasure. Seek and I shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto me. Work at it with all my heart because it is the Lord Jesus I am serving. Let my conversation be always full of grace. (Colossians 4:6)
 
     If you notice you have become a Negative Nancy like me, you don't have to settle for that. Change your mind! It's a woman's perogative, after all.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Love Lavished on Us

"...he ran to his son..."
Luke 15:20

     When I picture God, I never picture him running. Seems like, in my imagination, he sits on his throne or he may stand with outspread arms and flowing garments. But running? What would cause him to run?

     In the parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus tells about a young man who was sick of working on the farm so he told his father he wanted his share of the inheritance - couldn't even wait for his father to die to receive it - he wanted it now. Then, he squandered it all in wild living. Seemed like a great idea at the time.

     This is likely how addictions get started. Alcohol commercials make it seem like only the sleek and sophisticated imbibe with the beautiful partygoers. A small voice deep inside prods you to partake in sinful living until you are so embroiled in it that it's killing you slowly. The sleek scenes that pulled you in have become ugly tableaus of dirty neediness yet you don't have the power to end it all unless you take your own life...

     The son in the parable had hit rock bottom, deciding he'd return to the farm and ask to be a hired hand.

     Picture his father, scanning the horizon as he has done each day since the son left. He spots him! Before the errant young man with the bowed head has a chance to open his mouth to explain, the father runs to him and engulfs him in a hearty embrace. "Get some clean clothes! Put a ring on his finger! Let's party! This son of mine who was lost, has come home!"

     It doesn't matter how you've squandered your riches, how you've treated your inheritance. You are God's child and he loves you unconditionally! Repent and come home. He has left a light on for you.

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"
1 John 3:1

Sunday, August 10, 2014

When Money Morphs Into Mammon

"No one can serve two masters; for he will either hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Mammon."
Matthew 6:24

     What is money? Is it more than just a way of exchanging this for that? This week, I read a quote from an Irish clergyman, Donagh O'Shea:

     "Money is much more than the paper it seems to be, or the metal or the plastic. It is our love of things; it is our escape from dependence on people; it is our security against death; it is our effort to control life. It is easier to love things than to love people. Things are dead so you can possess them easily. Money will never hurt your feelings or challenge your motives, but neither will it respond to you - because it is dead. After a while, you will be incapable of loving anyone. The religion of God is the religion of love. The instinct of love is to share, to give away. But the instinct of Mammon is to accumulate."

     When the temple was going to be built by Solomon, King David, from his personal possessions, contributed 110 tons of gold and 260 tons of silver! It was not a tax write-off that possessed him to do so. This is what he had to say:

     "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand." (1 Chronicles 29:14)

      Once you know the source of your wealth, it makes it so much easier to let it all go! It is not yours, you can't take it with you. We are merely conduits of the power, like electricity; God is the source. So, let all he gives you run through you and overflow to others who really need it - be it money or talent or time or emotions. Freely you have been given; freely you should give. We have been commanded to love one another. Why would you want to love the things God gave you rather than the God who gives? That is when money morphs into Mammon. The definition of mammon is "the false god of riches and avarice."

     There is one suit I always wear that has no pockets: my birthday suit! It will also be my deathday suit, when I think about it. "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart." (Job 1:21) If I should die today, the only purse I will carry is my heart. What is in there? The admission price to heaven was paid with innocent blood, the sacrifice of Jesus. If he is not found in my heart, I am not admitted.

     Dear God, may I serve you and you alone. Forgive me if I ever feel prideful or possessive of the things you have given me. Remind me to keep the flow going, to share with others and not keep a clenched fist. I love because you first loved me.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

I'd Rather Be Laughing

"Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
James 4: 8-10

     I prefer Easter over Good Friday. At church, the altar is bursting with trumpeting lilies. The congregants are fairly buzzing with excitement, well-coifed and arrayed in their Sunday best. Star soloists lead the exuberant procession as brass horns gaily announce the Lord's resurrection. It's as if the rocks themselves would sing for joy if no one else did. This I much prefer over the somber melancholy of Good Friday; the black cloth entombing the cross, the stark altar void of decor, the dim lights and hushed tones, all very funereal.

     Yet, to arrive at the point of jubilation, I must first trod through the valley of Christ's death, humble myself, mourn and wail over my sinful soul. I must envelope myself with the sackcloth and ashes of my original state in order to recognize my need of a Savior. The outpouring of Jesus' innocent blood should cause me to kneel in true contrition, showing me just how much I have fallen short of the glory of God.

     Dear God, as your holy light shines into the dark cobwebs of my heart, convict me as the sinner I truly am so that, when you lift me up, I may soar higher than I ever thought possible. Amen.

"And God will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of his hand."

Friday, August 1, 2014

Don't Eat Pine Cones

     God's word is alive, viable, fresh every day. It never morphs into a dusty novel on the shelf. Even my favorite work, Gone With The Wind, cannot feed my soul, though I've read it numerous times. It cannot be a "lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:106) No other book can do this: "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119:11)

     "If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death." (John 8:51) Eternal life is within its pages!

     "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (Mark 13:31) This book will never be out of print.

     Think about the food you eat. There are calories. Vitamins and minerals are extracted to meet our daily needs. It gives us energy. We would not eat pebbles or pine cones (hopefully!) because they are void of the things our bodies need. No, we must eat the right things to thrive and survive.

     Living on God's word provides my soul with all it needs: direction, hope, eternal life. It satiates my curiosities about how the world began, how it's going to end and all that happened in between. Turning to any other book would be like eating pine cones. No wonder it remains the best seller. I know it's the only book in my collection that is read every day.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

A Fairy Tale Come True

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:8 & 9

     Do you believe in fairy tales? Maybe you wished a Prince Charming would notice you, rescue you and take you to live in a wonderful castle. Maybe you married someone, your dreamy attractive person, only to be disappointed. Don't worry! You just picked the wrong Prince.

     Cinderella was lifted from the ashes of her life and given a diaphanous blue gown to wear to the impressive ball, where she had longed to go.

     Sleeping Beauty was roused from her nap, freed from the curse that was placed upon her, by the kiss of a benevolent lover.

     Snow White found unconditional love, apart from the vain queen who sought revenge.

     Every fairy tale seems to have an ogre, a rotten-toothed, hunchbacked, mean-spirited person that sets out to harm the protagonist, usually a sweet, young girl in need of rescue. Who will save her from this tower of captivity or this life of drudgery? Is there someone strong enough to break the binds of injustice, the curse of evil that was cast?

     Yes! Jesus is that Prince. True royalty, whose kingdom shall never end, he laid down his life for his Beloved. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He pulls us from the sooty ashes of despair, dressing us in the most lovely, shimmering gown. Listen to this passage from Isaiah, chapter 61:

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim freedom for the captives
And release from darkness for the prisoners,
To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor
And the day of vengeance of our God,
To comfort all who mourn,
And provide for those who grieve in Zion-
To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
And a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
 
     This is one fairy tale that is true and has a happy ending.
 
"This is amazing grace,
This is unfailing love,
That you would take my place,
That you would bear my cross.
You laid down your life,
That I would be set free.
Jesus, I sing for all that you've done for me."

Thursday, July 24, 2014

The Hebrews Queue

"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they'd been thinking of the country they'd left, they'd have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."
Hebrews 11: 13-16

     The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is known as The Faith Chapter since the word "faith" is used 28 times. God's definition of faith is "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (verse one) It goes on with an all-saints line up, a who's who of Bible days. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses are a few named.

     Abel loved God and showed it by offering his very best to him. Enoch was so close in his walk with God that he did not taste death, he just disappeared one day. Noah risked ridicule by building a boat where there was no water and he kept his faith is a very godless society. Abraham struggled to assemble a crib on his 100th birthday.

     Maybe these people all seemed nuts to their neighbors. Picture one skeptic buzzing to a buddy at the corner bar: "Now why do you suppose Abraham would pull up his tent pegs without a game plan? He doesn't even know where he's going, doesn't even have a map! What a loser!"

     And what's up with this guy, Moses? He'd rather mush in mud with the tattered Hebrews than wallow in the riches of Egypt?

     Strange people, these Christians. In modern day, we might appear looney to some as we nibble a wee wafer and sip from a tiny cup, or dribble water on the sleeping head of an infant, or bow our heads to pray in a restaurant.

     But, you see, we are aliens here, eagerly waiting to set up housekeeping in the New Jerusalem, watching the skies for the trumpet call heralding the second advent of Christ. We believe in things we cannot see and are so certain about it that we surrender all.

    Where is my name in the Hebrews Queue? "By faith, Rachel..." How am I filling in the blanks today?

Monday, July 21, 2014

A Soft Spoken Man

"Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, my Elect One in whom my soul delights! I have put my Spirit upon him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles, He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering flax He will not quench. He will bring forth justice for truth. He will not fail nor be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth."
Isaiah 42: 1-4

     I was raised in a loving, Christian home. My parents were self controlled and soft spoken, rarely raising their voices or saying things they'd regret.

     Therefore, I can only imagine how healing these verses are to someone who has been abused or who experienced a lot of friction and hollering at home. How awful to live life on the edge of one's seat like that. But envision our loving Savior: He does not raise his voice. You won't walk by his house and hear dishes crashing or people screaming. Rather, with tenderness, he will encourage a bent stalk or fan a smouldering flame, not giving up if he sees the tiniest spark of hope. What a loving God we have! Yet, he's not a milktoast, a doormat or a pushover. He will bring forth justice. You who are oppressed, take heart! Look to Jesus because He has the strength, courage, compassion and justice. He will not fail!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Cain or Abel?

"By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead."
Hebrews 11:4

     Two statues flank the entrance to the Lake County Courthouse in Painesville, Ohio: Cain and Abel. They serve as silent reminders why our judicial system is necessary. In Genesis chapter four, one can read of the first murder, when Cain slew his brother, Abel. When viewing these statues, Cain is the one with the clenched fist behind his back and the thunderous countenance to match, whereby Abel appears more pensive and peaceful.

     As the story goes, God favored Abel because he gave the best of what he had whereas Cain's sacrifice was more of an afterthought.

     I wondered about my own faith. What will it say about me long after I am gone? It's unlikely my statue will be erected anywhere, but perhaps my writings will remain? With this in mind, I must be very cautious about the impression I am making. My love for God must come first, then all else will fall into place - that's the way I see it.

     It's my prayer that I am remembered as a righteous person who had a genuine love for God and others.

     What will your faith say about you?

Friday, July 11, 2014

My Two Worlds

"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."
John 17: 15-17

     I live in two worlds.

     Born in Painesville, Ohio, I slowly learned about my world. I relied on people as much as I needed food. I slept as I became fatigued. Gravity held me to the sod. I learned about plants and animals. Some plants are beautifully soft and aromatic, others have nasty prickers. Some animals are sleek and soft, yet there are claws. People are similar.

     My parents introduced me to the facets of Jesus' world as I went to Sunday School and spoke my prayers. As I learned right from wrong, I learned about black and white, God and Satan. "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so." I learned that I am a sinner in need of forgiveness. My Savior died on the cross to pay for my sins and he is coming back again someday. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

     To me, the word "sanctify" equates to my spiritual growth as I journey with God. As I feel my way around the spiritual realm, God pulls me back from dangerous precipices. He beams his radiant love upon me as I study his word, the truth, and test his waters. Is the pasture really green and lush, as he said? Are the waters still? Will he lead me through dark valleys, calling me by name? Can I count on him to look for me when I have strayed?

     YES! Resoundingly, the answer is affirmative. I don't have to leave my first world - the one with rose petals and sleek fur, prickers and claws - to abide in my second world. I just need to stay connected to Jesus through the truth of his word and the righteousness that is his. I am in this world, yet my citizenship is in heaven.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Me, a Ruler?

"When I consider the heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you would care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings, and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas."
Psalm 8: 3-8

     God crowned me with glory and honor? He must think more highly of me than I do myself. With all this on my shoulders, what type of ruler ought I to be? A humble one! Repeatedly in scriptures, God smiles on the humble and frowns upon the proud.

     Notice, the passage does not say he put other people under my feet. No, if I am a ruler then so are they. I should strive to work in tandem, loving my neighbor as God loves me. As far as it is up to me, I must be at peace with others.

     The other day, I was impatient and frustrated by the idiosyncrasies of my dog so I was gruff with him. But it weighed heavily on me and I asked God to forgive me; I was not a good ruler that day.

     How can I improve? Feed the birds. Take in a stray. Tend my property with care. Show God I love him by adoring his creation.

     What type of ruler ought you to be? A proud despot? A humble leader who knows the value of servitude?

     I choose the latter and ask God to help me achieve it.

Monday, July 7, 2014

This Shepherd is Good

"The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out."
John 10:3

     Jesus leads, he doesn't drive us, as cattle.  The sheep know his voice; he has names for us all. The sheep will run away from a stranger, they will not listen to any hollow or deceptive philosophy.

     Jesus saves us. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10) He cares for us so much that he laid down his life for us all.

     He protects us from predators. "Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4) Sheep have no natural means of defense; they do not spray, scratch or shoot quills. They need the Good Shepherd who protects them from evil.

     "He leads me beside quiet waters."(Psalm 23:2) Sheep become fearful around agitated waters. Jesus knows what our fears are, he know our needs just as a good shepherd should.

     "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." (John 10: 27, 28) Jesus not only leads us here on these earthly pathways, but his is the Way to heaven, to life eternal.

     Look around at all the lost, scattered sheep. They've no restive pasture, no provision for their soul, no protection against evil. They will either get hurt or killed with no Shepherd to guide them.

     I exhort you to follow Jesus. He loves us so much that he laid down his life for us. He's sharp - he knows how to deal with our enemy. He wants us to have restoration for our souls, abundant life and green pastures. He will lead us through the valley of the shadow of death. We've nothing to fear.

     This Shepherd is GOOD!

Thursday, July 3, 2014

He Sat Down

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."
Hebrews 1:3

     After a hard day's work, doesn't is feel good to plunk down on the sofa, knowing you've earned your keep?

     What if Jesus had not followed through with the cross? Many times, when the Jews tried to sieze him, he escaped from their grasp. He could have done so in Gethsemane. Or what if he'd succumbed to Satan's temptations in the desert? Hot, hungry and tired, it would have been so easy to buckle, grasping the worldly trophy and forgetting the Plan of the Father.

     But where would any of us be had he done so? He was and is the only bridge to salvation. Our hopes are pinned on him. Unable to throw off the chains that bind, we are like scattered sheep, helpless and hapless.

     Thank you, Jesus, for seeing the bigger picture, for becoming sin for us, for tolerating mockery and pain and God-forsaken loneliness.  Plunk down on your throne with a beaming smile and a sigh of relief! You've done what no one else could have, no one else was qualified to do, and because you followed through, so can we. We can follow you to resurrection on the Last Day, to eternity on streets of gold. I can hardly wait to see you in all your radiance, to wet your pierced feet with my tears of gratitude and to wipe them clean with my hair.

     I worship you, King Jesus.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

God Blessed My Yard Sale

"A generous man will prosper, he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."
Proverbs 11:25

     I sought the Lord's opinion before I had a yard sale. The last time I hosted such a sale, I said I'd never have another, but I wanted to pare down my possessions. A verse I read in Luke said, "Sell your possessions and give to the poor" so I priced my stuff and set it out on the front lawn, telling all visitors that the proceeds were to be given to Samaritan's Purse.

     I am pleased to say many people gave more than was asked. By mid-afternoon, we were going to box up what didn't sell and take it to a drop-off place. Just that moment, two women pulled up to shop. When I described what was happening, they said, "We are from Lake Shore Assembly of God church and we collect items to give to the less fortunate." With renewed zest, I happily packed up what I had and filled their car. They were thanking me, but it was I who felt refreshed.

     As the ladies formed a circle with us for prayer, right there in the yard, I felt the radiant face of God smiling down on me. It's amazing what can happen when you invite God to your event! I met nice people all day long and sent a check to my favorite charity.

     Maybe I'll host another sale some day.

The Freedom of Meriam

"So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer."
Ezra 8:23

     Join me in praising God! A few days ago, I petitioned readers of this blog to pray for the safety and release of Meriam Ibrahim, whom an Islamic court had sentenced to flogging and hanging because she refused to renounce her Christian faith. Imagine my unmitigated joy when I heard on the radio that she had been released!

     Praise our Lord God Almighty, for his mercies are fresh every morning. Having now saved Meriam from the death sentence, I can hardly wait to see what His will for her life is.

     You know, when I heard this news, I almost had to sit down, so great was my surprise, but then I wondered, "Why am I surprised?" Time and time again, God is faithful and powerful. Just as he rescued Peter from prison in the New Testament, so he has rescued our sister, Meriam.

     Isaiah 58:9 says, "Then you will call and the Lord will answer. You will cry for help and He will say, 'Here am I.'"

      Thank you for your earnest prayers.

The Standard of Love

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
John 15:12

     This verse embodies the Christian standard of love. The word "standard" has several meanings:

1)   any figure or object, especially a flag or banner, used as an emblem or symbol of a people, more specifically, a long, tapering flag used as an ensign, as by a king.

2)   something established for use as a basis of comparison in measuring or judging capacity, quantity, content , value, quality.

     Christ, as my King, has a standard. On his flag would be a heart and a cross. As a follower of his, I am his standard bearer, but if my king's standard for measure is to love one another as He has loved me, that means I must be willing to lay down my life for my friends. ("Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13) If I am honest, I would say that I do not possess that level of integrity. Often, I love others because they love me. Do I love my enemies? Do I pray for those who persecute me? How deep does my willingness to sacrifice run? What are my limits and why do I set them? Maybe I have too much pride or I am afraid of getting hurt.

     Here's where the rubber hits the road: True surrender to Jesus entails trusting him with the chambers of my heart. If I hold my cards close to the vest, then I will not see much of God's heart in return, but if I let go and freely give, so shall He freely give to me. My cup overflows.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Shackles

"I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God."
Luke 12: 8 & 9

     I read the following in a newsletter from Samaritan's Purse:

     "In Sudan, an Islamic court has sentenced a pregnant Christian mother to be flogged and then hanged because she refused to renounce her faith. Meriam Yehya Ibrahim, who is a physician, defied the court, shouting, 'I am a Christian and I will remain a Christian.' Under Sharia law, since her father was a Muslim, she cannot become a Christian, and therefore her marriage is considered adultery. Eight months pregnant, she has been shackled to a wall in a prison in Khartoum."

     This woman, it can be said, has a lot on the line. She has a husband, children, career, yet she knows what is most important - faith in Christ. Jesus Christ has her name on his lips. He hears her prayer and acknowledges her as his eternal daughter. The angels in heaven are all familiar with Meriam.

     Oh, how I would love to read this update, in fact, I am praying for this:

     "After spending weeks in shackles, Meriam Yehya Ibrahim has miraculously escaped from a prison in Khartoum! Though many guards surrounded her, the shackles were broken, the gates swung wide and she apparently walked to freedom."

     When the apostle Peter was arrested and held in prison by King Herod, the church earnestly prayed for him (Acts 12:5). The night before he was to be brought to trial, the chains fell off his wrists, the iron gates were opened as an angel led him safely past sixteen sentries to freedom.

     Please join me in praying for our sister in Christ, Meriam. If it is the Lord's will, may she be physically freed and restored to her family. Bring her the peace that passes all understanding, protect her from the Evil One and rescue her, dear Lord! Amen.