What Are Your Plans for Christmas?

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2: 11, 12

    The inns were full. The restaurants had waiting lists. People had poured into Bethlehem from thither and yon in order to be compliant with the government's mandate: Head to your hometowns to register for a census.

    

    Consider Mary. She'd already been compliant saying of this unprecedented pregnancy, "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled." (Luke 1:38) Now she had to travel roughly one hundred miles, far from the aid of mother or midwife, at the apex of her pregnancy, with Joseph, with whom she had not yet been intimate. (Matthew 1:18) This whole census conundrum must've been highly inconvenient, to say the least. What did God have in mind?

    Upon arrival in Bethlehem, the weary couple could find no lodging. Again, compliance to God's plan was in order as they settled into a stable, sweeping a space for the Great I Am to be born by blood and water. 

    Consider the startled shepherds, who swallowed their fear before setting about in search of this Messiah. How many babies in the bustling town would be found lying in a manger, of all things? Had Jesus been born in a comfy, rented room, He would have been indistinguishable from any other infant who may have shared his birthday. To leave no room for doubt about the identity of Immanuel, there had to be no room for Him at the inn.

    

    Consider the inconveniences or altered plans in your life this Christmas. Are you being called to compliance as you struggle to understand what God has in mind? Keep in mind God's ways are not our ways; the world does not revolve around us. As long as we are living in the center of His will, everything will fall into place, exactly as it should. It's all part of the Master's plan.

"Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6: 9, 10

Peace on Earth

 "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." Luke 2: 13, 14

    Years ago, I saw one of those church signs that made me sit up and take notice. It said, "Know God, know peace; No God, no peace."

    Familiar Bible verses seem to roll off the tongue with little thought until ponderance is given. Such is the case with the account of the Christmas story. What did the angels mean when they told the solitary shepherds, "...on earth peace, goodwill toward men?" 

    The peace heralded to humanity on the birthday of our Savior means Jesus has created a way around the enmity between sinful people and our holy God. But, if there's peace on earth, you may wonder, then why doesn't it feel that way? There are wars, killings, deceptions, betrayals and all kinds of strife to prove otherwise.

    It's not enough to join the carolers in December with a nod toward peace. True peace with God involves accepting the gift of His Son whose Holy Spirit makes a new creation of us. One of the gifts of the Spirit, besides love, joy, patience and the others, is peace. It's a byproduct of a life with God.

    Once we have that peace within, then it radiates from us to a hurting world. As it says in Ephesians 2:14, "...for He himself is our peace." This brand of peace is not anything sold in stores or as seen on TV. No, it's the heavenly peace that transcends all understanding. Peace during storms. Peace during illness. Peace at the time of death. 

    This Christmas, as you unwrap bright packages or delve into bulging stockings, seek peace and pursue it by accepting the free gift of God's Son. It's the gift that keeps on giving for all eternity. One size fits all.

"And in despair, I bowed my head;

"There is no peace on earth," I said;

"For hate is strong,

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, goodwill to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail,

The right prevail,

With peace on earth, goodwill to men."

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

    The church sign was right!

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

Standing in the Gap

 "Some men came, bringing to Him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'" Mark 2: 3-5 (emphasis added)

    Since I was a child, I have had two great fears. One is surgery and the other is paralysis. Having seen a woman in a wheelchair while on a family vacation, my sympathy soared, yet I didn't want to trade places with her.

    Do you know anyone who is paralyzed, if not in the physical sense, then perhaps by fear, anxiety, depression or mental chains too strong for them to break? Crippled by what binds them, they lie on mats, exhausted by despair, unable to move unless someone helps them. 

    In the above account, the Scripture says Jesus saw their faith, meaning the hope in the eyes of the man's friends and, perhaps, that of the paralyzed man as well, for who would not want to be healed? What if the four men had tired of the continuous needs of the man and, with a backward wave of the hand, dismissed him and turned to their own way? Thanks be to God, they took him to the One who could save him. Can you imagine, the five of them on their way home? What magnanimous joy propelled their winged feet as they ran and loped with their friend, and how Jesus's face must have beamed as He watched their frolic.

    "I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one." (Ezekiel 22:30) "The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene." (Isaiah 59: 15, 16)

    Is there someone for whom you can intervene? Dig through the barrier and bring them to Jesus. Don't give up hope.

"A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out." Isaiah 42:3

My Jar of Clay

 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body." 2 Corinthians 4: 7-10

    I miss Sally, Dick and Jane. Do you remember those cheerful characters from beginner's readers? My daughters learned how to read from those charming books that echoed a simple, happy time with a mom and dad, a red wagon and a cat named Puff. The Mayberry, Leave-it-to-Beaver type of world is gone; perhaps, it never really was in the first place.

    Yesterday, there was a nation-wide challenge on social media for violence to erupt in schools and, since I work in a school, I was on high alert. Reciting the Bible verses I have taped on the wall of my work station, I prayed for the courage of David and the strength of Joshua yet, at some point, I took my eyes off Jesus and glanced at the waves around me, seeing only the negative possibilities.  I failed the faith test miserably, which only made me feel worse. 

    The above verse reminded me that I always carry death around with me, which sometimes threatens to snuff out the "life of Jesus" that illuminates my heart. Some days, I lose the battle, but the war continues and I pray to do better today. "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"(Mark 9:24)

    Is it any coincidence my daily devotional spoke right to my sore heart today? "Jesus said we will have troubles," the writer implored, "but he also said in the same breath to take heart, to be confident and of good cheer, undaunted, and filled with joy because He has overcome it all." (See John 16:33) 

Lord, may your light shine from my earthen jar of clay today! Amen.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18

Aspire to be Kind

 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3: 12-14

    In November, I attended a memorial service for my cousin's daughter who died too soon. Vivacious Lora had packed a lot of achievement and adventure into her thirty-four years, and her life's motto was, "If you can be anything in this world, be kind." 

    A friendly adult bends down to a child and inquires, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Indeed, we all hope our children are successful, humble and kind. When cuddling a baby, no one wishes that he/she grows up to be a mean-spirited bully, or worse. Yet, somewhere along the way, we have all been unkind, uncompassionate, proud, impatient people. So, what happened?

     When I was at the vet with my cat, there were signs taped to the lucite wall, which separated the secretary from the customer, that implored kindness be shown. The vitriol and hatred that have spawned from the masking and mandating have ramped up to ridiculous proportions, causing segregation. I read where, in Germany, Christmas celebrations have been divided between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. This should not be!

    These attitudes are reminiscent of the lepers in Jesus' day who were banned from society. Before approaching another human being, they had to call out, "Unclean! Unclean!" Thanks be to God, our Lord Jesus demonstrated compassion to these poor people, providing the touch of healing. As God's chosen people, we are called to do the same, for it is the fruit of the Holy Spirit to exude "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5: 22, 23)

    When tart words come to mind, let us pause and aspire to be kind, going the extra mile to show the love of Jesus in a dark world so we may "bind together in perfect unity."

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4: 31, 32

The Plumb Line

 "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world." 1 John 4: 1-3

    My dad taught me how to hang wallpaper. If not prepped properly, all the work is for naught, so he fished from his pocket a plumb line. Unwrapping string from around a metal bob, he expertly ran it through a ball of blue chalk, then held the end up high on the wall and gave it a snap. This made a straight line to begin with so my paper wasn't crooked and off kilter.

    My father also gave me sound advice spiritually. "When you attend a church, always check their statement of beliefs," he told me. "If they do not say that Jesus Christ is God, then they are going down the wrong road. Do not listen to them." 

    As I have walked through life, I have learned of folks who may have been reared in loving homes, but they were being taught false doctrine. Recently, I listened to a very educated man who was raised in a strict Muslim home. Prayers five times a day. Dutiful recitations from the Quran. Daily rituals such as stepping over a threshold with the left foot, never the right. His parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were all very devout Muslims, so he was following that tradition.

    However, in college he began to test the spirits, wrestling with truth for years before he became a Christian at great personal cost. As firmly as his family believed their religion, they had no plumb line because they did not recognize Jesus as God. It's sad.

    God gave me the opportunity to speak with a young lady at work yesterday who, in search for truth, approached me with questions. I counted it all joy to be able to plant some seeds in her heart as I encouraged her to prayerfully read the Scriptures for herself, asking God to reveal Himself to her. Then I quoted John 14:6 before we parted company. Please join me in prayer for Maria.

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6

Holy Ghost Tattoo

"The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 'Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.' But Jonah ran away from the Lord..." Jonah 1: 1-3

    Not very often do I find an inspirational story in the newspaper, especially one that mentions the name of Jesus, but listen to this as I must share it.

    Six years ago, Steven May was a liberal, secular tattoo artist whose life was about to change. His son had invited him to church where Steven accepted the Holy Spirit into his heart. Following his conversion, his occupation just didn't suit his beliefs anymore, so he sold his tattoo parlor in Kent, convicted about the types of tattoos he'd been creating.

    Freelancing as a graphic artist, he was surprised when God prompted him to open a new tattoo parlor, this time for the purpose of evangelism. May avoided this call for a long time for various reasons. Six months ago, God nudged him anew, this time with a specific location in mind in Madison Township, where a "For Rent" sign advertised the space. Again, he ignored God.

    But God has a way of getting one's attention, sometimes in humorous ways. A semi truck and trailer was having trouble making a turn, which caused a very convenient traffic jam in which sat one Mr. May who was positioned directly in front of the empty store that was for rent. The Lord used this prime time to convince the tattooist to take a leap of faith. This time, he obeyed God.

    Since its inception, not a day goes by at May's Holy Ghost Tattoo parlor without a request for prayer or inquiries about Jesus, and May has no problem talking freely about his faith saying, "The Lord is going to come out in my conversation because He is in every part of my life."  All are welcome because, according to Steven May, "all of them are God-bearing images, whether they realize it or not."

    As I read about the harmonious partnership between a tattoo artist and his Lord, I couldn't help but think of the prophet Jonah who ran from the work God had in mind for him. But, look what can happen in the hands of the Living God when we obey Him. The wicked Ninevites believed God and repented of their ways following Jonah's heralds, therefore God relented and did not bring the destruction upon them. Like Jonah, once Mr. May obeyed the word of the Lord, an empty storefront became an island of hope for many who need to hear about Jesus. 

    With a victor's shout, I can picture Mr. May joining the reluctant prophet in the words of Jonah's prayer:

"Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God's love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed, I will make good. I will say, 'Salvation comes from the Lord.'" Jonah 2: 8, 9

Do You Believe in Santa?

 "Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human...They exchanged the truth about God for a lie." Romans 1: 22-25

    Being the youngest child in my family, I recall feeling quite foolish and a little angry when I uncovered the truth about Santa Claus. Now, I realize the cultural icon Santa has become and the idea that he's not a bad chap; he brings toys to all the good little ones and all that jazz, but he's a myth. How much more benevolent is a gracious real Heavenly Father who sent His one and only begotten Son into the world to save it? And the requirement for this salvation is not being "good little boys and girls," but it's a free gift, bought and paid for by the lifeblood of Christ! There are no lumps of coal doled out when we sin, rather "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1) While we were yet sinners, He died for us (Romans 5:8). 

    These words of Psalm 103 say it best: "Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion." (verses 2-4) What a plethora of gifts!

    All of the extraneous falderal that surrounds Christmas is a smokescreen to obscure the truth about the glory of the immortal, loving and incarnate God, and if we perpetuate these stories to our children, how will they ever see the Bible as being anything other than a collection of fables? We pathetically build up myths to become the new reality, but find it difficult to believe in the Scriptures.

 Peel back the secular santas, snowmen and silver bells and join the shepherds of Bethlehem who, after seeing the baby in the manger for themselves, went and spread the word to anyone who would listen (Luke 2:17). Level with your children and grandchildren from the beginning by telling them that "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)

Believe in Him, not Santa, and you will receive indescribable, unique gifts that you would never dream of exchanging.

"And this is the testimony; God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1 John 5: 11, 12

Abide With Me

 "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit." Psalm 34: 17, 18

    Nary a day passes before a prayer request alerts me to the dire needs of others. Most every household is tinged by illness, grief and distress. How many of us have urgently called the doctor's office only to get the runaround? Eagerly we await answers from vacationing physicians, beleaguered nurses or harried pharmacists as the raiment of caregiver shrouds the shoulders of worried spouses. One day melts into the next as we wonder what the future holds? The effortless days of our youth seem gone with the wind.

    There is a balm available to anyone who calls on the Lord in truth. The Bible tells us, not just once, but many times over, just how loving and compassionate our Father truly is. He never slumbers nor sleeps, nor does he take vacations. There is no one to whom he goes for advice; he does not bite his nails, trying to figure out a plan of action. "He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them." (Psalm 145:19) 

    While the Apostle Paul was roaming around in Athens, he was distressed to see that the city was full of idols. He even found an altar dedicated to "an unknown god," so he set about to introduce the townspeople to the One they did not know. "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not dwell in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else...God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. For in him, we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:24-28, emphasis mine) 

    It's a unique and beautiful thing, this personal relationship with the Living God, who is as close as our own heart, soul and breath. Though illness may keep us from attending church or family gatherings, though medical experts may be too busy for our needs or lacking in wisdom, the God of Heaven abides with us, hears us and delivers us! 

Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide.

The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide!

When others helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, O abide with me!

Think to Thank

 "One of them (the ten lepers), when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him - and he was a Samaritan." Luke 17: 15, 16

     At the school where I work, students receive a free breakfast. One boy in particular says "thank you" as he selects his food every day, without fail. I was so impressed by the young man's manners that I took him aside and expressed my appreciation for his gratitude. Compare this to the student who, after making his choice, took three steps and threw it in the garbage can, unopened.

    As a mother, I know it takes many reminders to train children to be thankful. For years, "What do you say?" must be prompted each time the child receives something. The first time he/she thanks someone on their own is cause for celebration! What does this tell us? Gratefulness is not a natural response, it's a learned practice. 

    As I listened to people around me this week eagerly discussing their holiday plans, I silently wondered if they thank God? To whom do nonbelievers express their gratitude? Perhaps to each other? 

    From a website, I wrote down these thoughts on gratitude:

• It is the affirmation of goodness we've received, then recognizing that the source of this goodness is outside of ourselves
• It is not an emotion, it's a choice, one we must practice
• Ungratefulness begets malcontent

    When only one of the ten lepers expressed praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, Jesus told him it was his faith that made him well. The man's skin condition was only an outer expression of his much larger problem - his sin condition. Recognizing that the goodness he received was from a source outside of himself was the man's first step toward a life a faith. Any one of those ten men could come down with another ailment, but only faith in Christ was the cure for their eternal sickness. 

    God doesn't require our thanks because He needs affirmation. He loves it when we show gratitude for his graciousness because it cleanses us. This Thanksgiving, throw yourself at the feet of Jesus and pray these words from Psalm 100:

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."

    

The Lost Pearl

 "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15: 8-10

    When my mother turned sixteen, her parents had a ring made for her using a pearl that was brought back from Arabia by her Uncle Louis and Aunt Betty Dame, who were missionaries in that land. The story goes that, in appreciation for the school and hospital they'd established, the sheik paid them with jewels. Imagine my humble delight when my mom gifted me with that ring when I got married.

    The ring paired beautifully with my gold wedding band. As any new bride would do, I frequently glanced at my rings. Soon after I'd received the pearl ring, however, it was with great dismay that I saw an empty setting where the stone had been! Sometime that morning, it had fallen out. Immediately, I left work, called a friend for aid and combed my apartment. Did it wash down the drain? Was it lying in the parking lot? How would I explain this to my mother? That pearl was irreplaceable. 

    With rejoicing, we found the pearl amid the shag carpeting. I can still feel the thrill in my heart over that wee, white stone. Monetarily, it does not rank up there with the Hope Diamond, yet it was the story behind the pearl that I treasure and I still wear that ring today.

    The story behind my greatest treasure involves a cross and an empty tomb. Steeped in sin with my most righteous acts looking like filthy rags, my life was was like a hollow chocolate Easter rabbit. I'd broken each of the ten commandments; I was a selfish, vain liar, to be totally honest. How could I become clean? When all my earthly props gave way, God revealed Himself to me in the words of Romans chapter eight. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God...And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ...If God is for us, who can be against us?...Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (excerpts from Romans 8)

    True riches can only be found by knowing "the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:3) If you are lost, seek Jesus. He's irreplaceable.

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

Now Eye See

 "For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what was made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:20

    If you were to create a human eye, how long would it take you? Where would you get the necessary materials? How many botched prototypes would lie crumpled in the laboratory wastebasket before you got it right? Don't forget even one of the millions of rods and cones which are contained in the retina, because each is needed to detect dim light and color. Even if you could correctly bundle the fibers of the optic nerve, how would you then connect it to a brain? If you failed to hook up the flow of aqueous humor, all your hard work would be for naught when your eyeball died of malnutrition. If, by some miracle, you did create a fully working eyeball from nothing in a matter of weeks, how would you feel if no one believed you made it?

    When my granddaughter first made her presence known to her parents, she was the size of a poppy seed. By the time she grew to the size of a cauliflower, her eyes were fully formed; she could blink in response to light. How can this miracle be explained if one does not believe in God, the Maker of heaven and earth? It is heresy at the highest form to say there is no God! Surely, "men are without excuse."

    It amazes me what great lengths people will go to deny God. They misuse the brains God gave them to come up with pitiful explanations for our existence, or they just go through life, happily enjoying all the bounty and blessings of their human bodies, claiming this is all there is. When the curtain falls, they just go into the ground like a dead squirrel. 

    What it all boils down to is this: they cannot accept the supremacy of Jesus Christ. Since everything was made through Him, for Him and by Him, there is no way around Him unless you pretend He isn't there, and the true irony of the whole matter is: He loves us enough to allow us to deny Him. But look how much wonder, grace, love and freedom they refuse to see!

    "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see." 

"Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made." John 1:3

The Verdict

 "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." John 3: 20, 21

    At the conclusion of the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, what will be the verdict? The National Guard and the police departments are poised, awaiting the answer, ready to respond to possible violent reactions. What do you think? Is Rittenhouse a domestic terrorist who crossed state lines with murder on his mind or a gutsy guy who stood in the gap between right and wrong during the Kenosha riot last year?

    Let's take a look at other narratives we've been spoon-fed over the past several months. The "peaceful protests" of 2020 (I have read) caused $2 billion dollars in property damage and claimed 20 lives, but the "insurrection" at our Capitol on January 6th was the worst assault on our democracy since the Civil War, so it has been said. Hmm. How about the Russian collusion? Was it true? Is it any wonder a cloud of suspicion surrounds the Coronavirus, the "vaccine" mandates and the 2020 election? Of course, half of the Americans being viewed as a "basket of deplorables" is a fair indication of how our leaders view us. We must not be that smart; we'll believe anything.

    Before Stephen became the first martyr for the Christian faith, he did not mince words as he spoke the irrefutable truth to the stone-wielding members of the Sanhedrin. But they gnashed their teeth at him in fury, covered their ears and, yelling at the tops of their voices, dragged him out of the city and stoned him to death. (Acts 7:54-58) Lovers of the darkness cannot abide to be exposed by the light of truth. 

    So it is today. I wrote down a bit of wisdom that crossed my path: "Truth sounds like hate to those who hate the truth." Please be in prayer for Mr. Rittenhouse and his family as they await the verdict. May we stand for the truth, come alongside the oppressed and the "canceled" people in our culture as we enter the battle zone every day. Thanks be to God who tells the truth.

"They perish because they refused to love the truth and be saved." Romans 2:8

"I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right." Isaiah 45:19

The Sandman

 "Once more He went away and prayed the same thing. When He came back, He again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to Him." Mark 14: 39, 40

    Jesus had been telling his closest disciples that He would be betrayed and handed over to the authorities for execution. When He bade them to keep watch and pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, why did they keep falling asleep? It was as if the Sandman liberally dusted their eyes that fateful night.

    Jesus has been telling us for some time that the end is drawing near. Nation will rise against nation, famines and earthquakes will abound, false prophets will appear to deceive many, the increase of wickedness will cause the hearts of many to grow cold, many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate one another. "Therefore, keep watch...So you must also be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." (Matthew 24:42, 44)

    Seems like that Sandman is still alive and around, sprinkling his potion with great intent. Satan likes nothing better than to distract, deceive and disarm the disciples of Christ. How many of us stalwartly swear allegiance to Jesus, yet allow the cultural erosion to steal our coastline? Perhaps the mark of the beast, as referenced in Revelation chapter 13, is a gradual acceptance. How many of us are not wont to define the lies of our day for fear of retribution and unacceptance? Can a man really become a woman? Can two men or two women leave their homes and cleave to one another in "holy" matrimony? Is a child in the womb not a human if the mother does not want it? Is gender fluid or did God make them male and female?

    If we don't arise from our slumber, we will find ourselves face to face with the Son of Man, who will demand an accounting of our faith, and we won't know what to say to Him. With boldness, we must shine light into the darkness, exposing the lies by speaking God's truth in love.

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Matthew 25:13  

The Far Side

 "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." Psalm 139:9

    Recently, I flew alone to Houston to meet my baby granddaughter, Esme. Even though wild horses couldn't have kept me away, my confidence waned during the trip. After Dave dropped me off at the airport, I had ample time to join the throng of travelers, but as I stood in line at security, I dismally observed the dystopian scene before me with a sadness in my soul. The sea of masked strangers following orders left me feeling very vulnerable and alone, as the sniffing service dog checked my footwear for bombs. 

    Upon arrival at the massive intercontinental airport in Texas, I strode off the jetway, glanced around and wondered how I would ever find my son-in-law. There were so many concourses! I began to amble along, unsure of where to go so I asked a pilot for direction. Though he meant well, he was not too familiar with this hub either. As soon as we parted company, a random woman approached me and kindly offered to assist me. Before I knew it, she had hailed a cart which we both boarded. She seemed to know the driver well and fed her directions with me in mind. As these benevolent women took charge, a peace enveloped me as I relaxed against the seat. I knew this was a God thing.

    Before a word is on my tongue, before I even form a prayer, the Spirit within me knows when I sit and when I rise. Nothing can ever snatch me from God's right hand, which holds me fast. No trouble or hardship can ever separate me from the love of Christ Jesus, who will command his angels to guard me in all my ways, even angels with a proficient knowledge of the Houston airport.

"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 will snatch them out of my hand." John 10: 27-28 

Follow the Signs

 "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw - that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." Revelation 1: 1-3

    Have you ever watched the ants? How do they know where they're going? They have no road signs, no named villages, no house numbers. Yet, when you block their path, they doggedly seek a way around it.

    Imagine our life without signs, maps or GPSs. How easily we'd get lost. This is akin to how our lives would be without the Bible. Have you ever stopped to imagine what our world would look like if God had not given us His written word, this wonderful owner's manual? Questions like "How did we come to be?" or "What does the future hold?" would all be left to conjecture, mythology and such man-made explanations like evolution. How hollow and sad.

    Many of the Bible's prophecies have come true, exactly how God said they would i.e. the birth of the Messiah. Old testament hero, Daniel, had a vision of the world's empires yet to come to power, such as Alexander the Great and the Roman Empire. And when it comes to those last days that are yet to come, we have not been kept in the dark, without signs to give us direction. What a blessing, that God, in His rich mercy, has told us the truth.

    Some people may refrain from reading such books as the Revelation, fearing they will not understand it or they may find it a cause for fear. Quite the contrary, these words have been written to bless the hearers, to equip them for the battle. 

    If you feel lost, as if you've taken a wrong turn, or you have been wondering what in the world is going on around here, please prayerfully read any of these passages: 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18, 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-12, 2 Timothy 3: 1-9, 2 Peter 3: 1-18, Daniel chapters 11 and 12 and the book of Revelation. 

    There's no reason to be lost; follow the signs.

"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book." Revelation 22:7

Praying Against our Enemies?

 "Do not grant the wicked their desires, Lord; do not let their plans succeed. Those who surround me proudly rear their heads; may the mischief of their lips engulf them. May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise. May slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down the violent." Psalm 140: 8-11

    To be honest, the above passage represents my feelings in the year 2020. As I saw what I perceived to be my enemies rising up against authorities, looting, burning out small business owners, pushing down random elderly folks in the streets, tearing down statues and replacing them with their own warped ideology, anger rose like bile in my throat. It was a righteous anger, one rooted in true justice and indignation, a strangled cry for the Lord to act swiftly.

    Psalm 140 is one of several imprecatory psalms, which is to say the writer is invoking evil upon his enemies. How do I reconcile this with the teachings of Jesus in Luke 6 which implore me to "love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (verses 27, 28)? As a daughter of the King, I am called to turn the other cheek, to give up my cloak as well as my shirt and to invoke the Golden Rule.

    Though it seems these passages contradict one another, it helps to identify who my enemy is. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12) The missile of the imprecatory psalm is to be aimed at Satan, never our fellow man who is created in the image of God. For if all have "sinned and fallen short of the glory of God," then I was once as lost as those who "proudly rear their heads" in our government and society.  However, in fighting the good fight, I must stalwartly pray that Satan be bound, his plans be thwarted and the hearts of mankind be turned to salvation in Jesus Christ.

    Our God is a loving, merciful One who is also just and holy. A day is coming when everything will be made right and Jesus Christ will rule the world with equity and true social justice. Until then:

"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. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12: 20, 21

The Sting of Death

"On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people's disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken."             Isaiah 25: 7, 8

    Through the macabre maze of ghouls, ghosts and gory movies, the Christian roots of Halloween have become buried. The very name of this observance is a contraction of Hallow and Evening, and it was a vigilant time set aside to honor the souls who have passed away during the year. It behooves the believer to turn their face aside from what it has become and look instead to All Saint's Day, which is still celebrated in some churches.

    Death visits everyone - all peoples and all nations - and though it stings, there is no cause for fear for those who trust in Jesus. God has taken away the sting of death and the victory of the grave by sending his most precious Son to die on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins. By his wounds we are healed, praise God! Because Christ rose from the dead, so shall we who believe in His Name.

    Our tears are not overlooked by our merciful God. Jesus himself wept at the graveside of his friend, Lazarus. The Bible says, "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled." (John 11:33) He shed tears even though he knew he would call his friend forth from the grave. 

    There will be a day when He will bestow on us a "crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." (Isaiah 61:3) Listen to these words from "Hymn of Heaven" by Phil Wickham:

"How I long to breathe the air of Heaven,

Where pain is gone and mercy fills the streets;

To look upon the One who bled to save me,

And walk with Him for all eternity.

Every prayer we prayed in desperation,

The songs of faith we sang through doubt and fear,

In the end we'll see that it was worth it,

When He returns to wipe away our tears."

    While death and sorrow swirl around us in this season of illness, loneliness and grief, comfort those with the words of our God as you embrace them in love.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4

            

     

What's in God's Wallet?

 "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it." 1 Timothy 6: 6, 7

    Sometimes I wonder if God prods me to ask a question just so He can have the joy of providing the answer a short time later. 

    Feeling the heat of socialistic leanings in America had me wondering what will become of the economy? After all, money cannot be printed off like there's no tomorrow before the house of cards falls flat, so this led me to ponder the future security of our retirement nest egg. While it is certainly prudent to plan for the future, we believers must never treasure our resources above the Living God, but what, I wondered, would become of my family if we were to become suddenly destitute?

    Not long after that, I was reading "Where Do We Go From Here" by Dr. David Jeremiah where I found the answer to my question. In the book, the author drew on this quote from John Piper:

    "God deals in the currency of grace, not money...Money is the currency of human resources. So, the heart that loves money is a heart that pins its hopes, and pursues its pleasures, and puts its trust in what human resources can offer. So the love of money is virtually the same as faith in money - belief (trust, confidence, assurance) that money will meet your needs and make you happy."

    "Faith in money?" May it never be so! Piper's words "trust, confidence, assurance" struck me with force because I have used them to build my faith in Christ, saying thus: "In God I trust!" "With confidence I may approach the throne of mercy." "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine." Here's where the rubber met the road. Would I rather have Jesus than my 401K and IRA? I felt Jesus put His arm around me, chiding, "O ye of little faith, why did you doubt?"

    What's in God's wallet should also be in mine: the currency of grace.

"But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6: 8, 10

    

Would You Rather?

 "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." Psalm 84:10

    My great-nephew, Mason, and I played a game called, "Would You Rather," via snail mail. Using our wild imaginations, we would pose a question to one another that would require an explanatory response. Here's an example: "Would you rather sit on a tack or eat a pine cone?"  It was entertaining to explore just how silly we could be.

    When reading Psalm 84 one time, I saw a question that was perfect for our game so I wrote to Mason and asked, "Would you rather be in church with your family or hanging out on the streets with a gang?" (or something similar). Then I provided the reference above so he could discover the Biblical answer. 

    Listening to some bleak polling results, it has become habitual for people not to attend church, become a member or be affiliated in any way. When I look back on how regular worship has bolstered and shaped my own life, sadness shrouds me when I realize all that is being missed by some. 

    By contrast, a person who is a sports enthusiast may not blink an eye to spend a hundred dollars to attend a game. Or perhaps a lover of the arts holds season tickets for the theatre. Time is made for these temporal activities, but nary a moment is spent on that which matters for all eternity. Within my neighborhood, there are two churches that I know of that have permanently closed their doors and posted "For Sale" signs.

    How many of us, at the end of our days, when we stand before God who asks us, "Why should I let you into my kingdom?" will pine to be at a football game instead of walking beside Christ on streets of gold, listening to the throng of angels sing praises? Church attendance alone will not save us, but why wouldn't we rather be serving, learning and worshiping the One who redeemed our life from the pit of hell?

"How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty. My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord. My heart and flesh cry out for the living God." Psalm 84: 1, 2

Is That Your Final Answer?

 "But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15

    This question was recently asked of me: "Do you ever wonder if you would be a Christian if you hadn't been born into a Christian family?" So, I pondered why I follow Jesus. It's certainly not a popular choice in this world. It does not bring me wealth or pave my path with roses. Why do I read the Bible every day? I can't imagine reading any other written word every day of my life, even if it were my favorite book; it would become quite rote. So, what's the draw?

    True, my Christian parents laid a firm foundation by following their faith. Church attendance was a high priority, but my folks were not just Sunday believers. They daily consumed the Scriptures, attended and hosted Bible studies, prayed for others, supported missions and shared their faith as easily as one would share a pack of gum. It was who they were.

    Yet, even with all that, I had to decide for myself what I believed. As a young woman, far from home in prodigal style, I found myself feeding the swine, so to speak (see Luke 15: 11-32). It was then that I opened the Bible my folks gave me for confirmation for the first time, not out of compulsion but out of hunger. I stumbled upon the eighth chapter of Romans as if I opened an unknown door into a festal hall filled with a sumptuous feast! Sated upon those words, I flipped to the Psalms for dessert. 

    Why do I follow Jesus? God is for me. He who did not even spare His own Son graciously gives me all things. No one condemns me; the Truth has set me free! Christ Jesus, who was raised to life, sits at the right hand of the Father and intercedes for me! Who shall separate me from this kind of love? Shall unemployment, divorce, an empty refrigerator, a tornado, loneliness, bankruptcy or weariness? No, in all these things, I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me!

    Will I pick up my cross and follow Jesus? A resounding YES is my final answer.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8: 38, 39

Volleyballs

 "This is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: 'On what are you basing this confidence of yours?...On whom are you depending that you rebel against me?'" Isaiah 36:4, 5

    Without hesitation, I made out a list of at least a dozen threatening elements which have shown their vicious intent in our country since last March as I sat in the counselor's office. "It's as if my mind is a big gymnasium into which all these volleyballs have been dumped," I explained to him. "They all vie for my attention as they bounce about. I cannot ignore them, nor am I able to deal with them." 

    After considering my plight, he replied, "Imagine if, while I am here counseling you, fifteen others came into the office demanding advice as well. There would be too many people at once." He went on, "You have too many people in your office." From there, we devised a strategy to write one or two of these daunting matters on an index card, accompanied by a related scripture. Each night, I kneel beside my bed and lay one card before the Lord, giving my report to my Commander-in-Chief. Since then, I am refreshed, well-rested and restored.

    When Judah's King Hezekiah received a threatening letter from the vile king of the Assyrians, he took the letter into the temple and spread it out before the Lord in prayer. Guess what happened? "Then the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning - there were all the dead bodies!" (Isaiah 37:36) The people of Judah didn't even have to battle anybody! They just awoke to see what the Lord had done.

    That's what I am going to do. Just wake up and see. After all, the battle is His. You see, if I place my confidence in myself, I get battered by the volleyballs. But when I keep my eyes on Jesus, the peace that passes understanding guards my heart and mind.

"'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.' And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said." 2 Chronicles 32: 7, 8 

Build Back Better

 "So the service of the temple of the Lord was reestablished. Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced at what God had brought about for his people, because it was done so quickly." 2 Chronicles 29: 35, 36

    My sister and I were talking about all the negative changes we have witnessed in our culture and society in such a short time. "It's scary," we agreed, as we sadly recalled happier times.

    Just as quickly as weeds grow, God cultivates a garden of strength and beauty if the soil is right. When King Hezekiah took the throne in Jerusalem at the young age of 25, the former administration had left things in a hot mess. Under the wicked King Ahaz, the temple furnishings had been cut into pieces before the doors were shut. Idol altars were then set up on every street corner. 

    When King Hezekiah came into power, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work vowing, "Now I intend to make a covenant with the Lord, the God of Israel, so that His fierce anger will turn away from us." (2 Chronicles 29:10). Within the first month of his reign, he cleared the overgrowth that obscured the broken temple doors, repaired the portal and assembled priests and Levites to help. Together, they removed all the defilement and brought back the accoutrements of worship. As soon as the temple was ready, the very next morning the King gathered all the city officials who brought sacrifices along with cymbals, harps, lyres and trumpets. "The whole assembly bowed in worship, while the musicians played and the trumpets sounded." (2 Chronicles 29:28) 

    Can you imagine if we saw this kind of revival in our land from the President on down? If this is something we long for then I propose we start from the bottom and work up! Invite others over to our homes, play worship songs on YouTube, kneel in prayer and devour the powerful word of God. Don't wait until Sunday. Rise early each day to spend time with God, communing over the ups and downs of life. We may be surprised how quickly He responds when we take action against evil.

    Lets roll up our sleeves and build back the best!

"There was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the days of Solomon son of David king of Israel, there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. The priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven, his holy dwelling place."                 2 Chronicles 30:26, 27

Who Am I?

 "'So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.' But Moses said to God, 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?' And God said, 'I will be with you.'" Exodus 3: 10-12

    What affect does one little person have against a hoard of many? Let's look at history for the answer.

    Goliath, a nine-foot-tall bully encased in bronze, daily shouted his blasphemous challenges to the Israelites in the Valley of Elah. One small boy named David, who was there to deliver cheese to the army, stood firmly in his faith with five smooth stones and a sling, silencing the giant.

    The mighty, mean Midianites so impoverished the Israelites that a man covertly threshed his wheat in a winepress to keep it from the bullies. Though he was a frightened member of the weakest clan, God chose Gideon to unsheathe the sword of victory.

    A bush was burning without ceasing. When a curious shepherd drew near to investigate, he was given a divine assignment: Deliver the enslaved Israelites from the hands of the Egyptian pharaoh. An incredulous Moses asked, "Who am I that I should go?" Yet, go he did and got the job done.

    What do these ordinary men have that they should be victorious Biblical heroes? Did they first attend a military academy to learn the ways of warfare? Were they clothed in impressive outfits arrayed in Purple Hearts of bravery? Did they have a surging army of warriors behind them marching in unison?

    No. David was the youngest son in a family of shepherds. Gideon, also the youngest in his family, felt very unworthy of such a call, being from the weakest clan. Moses keenly felt inadequate, arguing with God about his slow speech and lack of leadership qualities. 

    What, then, brought the victory? God did!

    If you see a job that needs doing, don't ask "Who am I?" rather say, "Send Me!" God, who will never leave your side, will equip you for every good work. Just learn from history.

"David said to the Philistine, 'You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you defied.'" 1 Samuel 17:45

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

I Thirst

 "Later, knowing that everything had now been finished and so that the Scriptures would be fulfilled, Jesus said, 'I am thirsty.' A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." John 19: 28-30

    Sitting up at two a.m. for a drink of water, the words Jesus said on the cross suddenly came to my mind: "I thirst." Odd that, of all the stripes and deep wounds He suffered during the horrors of crucifixion, it was His deep thirst of which He spoke. 

    Perhaps His mind drifted to a happier time in Cana when He lifted His glass with the others in a toast to the bride and groom, partaking of the wine that had been water. Or, maybe He recalled that hot, sunny day in Samaria when He sat at Jacob's well and asked a woman for a drink, using water as an object lesson. Most likely, though, our Savior thirsted for the souls of the lost to kneel at the cross in repentance as the beatitude came to mind: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6) 

    I am so grateful to have an ample supply of fresh, clean potable water; I drink it all day long and even in the wee hours of the night. But I am even more thankful for the Living Water drawn from the bottomless love of Christ. When I wake, my soul requires the daily saturation of God's presence, which He reveals in the Bible, prayer, music, sermons, fellow Christians and the beauty of creation.

    Only Jesus can quench your thirst. He's the real thing.

"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 

Counterfeit Christians

 "Jesus said to them, 'Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name claiming, "I am he," and will deceive many." Mark 13:5

    There's an invasion of psuedo-Christians in our culture today who call themselves "progressive."

    The core beliefs of Christendom, that have shaped the church from its onset, are all up for conjecture according to this invasive group. The odor of Satan abounds in their tenets. Just smell this:

• Rather than seen as the inerrant, inspired, infallible word of God, the Bible is seen as an ancient spiritual travel journal written by people who were trying their best to understand God.
• The truth of Original Sin, which mankind inherited from Adam and Eve's fall, is rejected.
• The cross of Christ, which is the central message of the gospel, is deemed horrific and unnecessary.
• The deity of Jesus is questioned; we can follow his example by finding the divine within ourselves, which is the Universal Lie Satan first introduced in the Garden of Eden.
• Both the virgin birth and the resurrection are downplayed, unimportant.

    To recognize lies, one must know the truth and that is only found in the word of God. I am urging you today to become a Bible thumper! What a shame that Biblical illiteracy is so rampant among Christians. And why? We are so blessed to have the Holy Scriptures written in our language along with the liberty to read it openly. This vital piece of the armor of God is our sword, our only offensive equipment in battle. If you are satisfied with a scanty diet of the living word, you are under-armed and very vulnerable. 

    

    In the gospel of Mark, chapter 13 verses 5-37, you will find what's known as the Olivet Discourse. Jesus, sitting on the Mount of Olives, taught his disciples about the times in which we are currently living. Here's a list of his warnings I gleaned from that sermon: "Watch out that no one deceives you. Do not be alarmed. You must be on your guard. Do not worry. Stand firm. Let the reader understand. Pray. Do not believe it. So be on your guard. Learn. Keep watch. Do not let him find you sleeping. What I say, I say to everyone: Watch!" Please study this passage for yourself.

"For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect...Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Matthew 24: 24, 35

My Epitaph

 "You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts." 2 Corinthians 3: 2,3

    My grandmother, Harmony Schupp, was a prolific poet. She left behind three binders of poems, many of which she shared each week in her company newsletter when she worked for Ohio Rubber. A slim volume of favorites was published into a book entitled, "Harmony in Verse." Etched on her tombstone is a depiction of this book, a tribute to her legacy.

    The definition of the word "epitaph" is twofold. It is either an inscription in memory of the deceased on their gravestone or it's a brief statement epitomizing the person. Have you ever pondered what your epitaph will be? 

    Like my grandma, I love to write so I was tickled to purchase a T shirt that declares, "God is not done with my story." Maybe that's a great epitaph for me. Death is not the period marking the conclusion of life; rather, it's a semicolon linking the two clauses that are closely related. The climax of my story is yet to come!

    Like my grandma's dear volume of poems, I wish to leave some evidence of my existence. As a writer, I leave words on a page (or computer screen) to hopefully become etched on the hearts of those who read them, words not from my mouth, but those of God. When the power of God's living word transforms lives for all eternity, time extends beyond the grave. As my legacy, I'd love nothing better than the beautiful assurance that hearts have been given to Jesus, our Savior. 

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitude of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." Romans 1: 16

Stand Firm

 "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." Isaiah 7:9

    A nonprofit group called "Americans United for Separation of Church and State" have been busy pursuing their agenda. Having caught wind of instances of prayer and proselytizing infractions at various school events in Tennessee, they dutifully wrote a letter to a school district in Putnam County reminding these offensive schools that these things will not be tolerated. "Courts have consistently ruled that prayer and proselytizing cannot be sponsored by schools or school personnel," said a school lawyer. 

    However, high school football players there took a stand for their faith by taking a knee and leading fans and parents in prayer after the game.  One fan, Bob Vick, enthused on Facebook: "Satan's power was defeated tonight as the threat of a legal action to forbid prayer after the game was overwhelmed by player-led prayer." 

    The book of Daniel tells about these three guys whose names are always listed in the same order: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They were given strict orders to bow down and worship a huge golden statue of the king. Upon their refusal, the king demanded to know what their problem was. Boldly, they stood their ground and declared, "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 deliver us from it." (Daniel 3:16, 17) They stood firm, confident in God's ability to save them. "They trusted in Him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God." (Daniel 3:28)

    The time to confirm your convictions is not when the heat of the moment arises. We must choose this day whom we will serve. Be brave! Be bold! If you want to know how to overcome the enemy, that rascally accuser and stonefaced liar, read Revelation 12:11: "They triumphed over him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." 

    Jesus went to the cross for you. Take a stand for Him.

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:13

    

They Knew Nothing

 "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away." Matthew 24:38, 39

    Sometimes, does it seem like you are the only believer around? Does it exasperate you when others just will not see, will not listen? With glazed eyes and moldy ears, they go about their daily agenda unaware and unconcerned with what's going on around them and your heart longs for them to come to salvation! "There is none so blind as those who will not listen." (Neil Gaiman) 

    One of the most significant words in the Bible is "but." It's a small arrow whose purpose is to point the reader in a new direction and one of the best examples is found in Genesis chapter six. In just six short chapters since the creation, the world had become so corrupt with wickedness that the Lord regretted he'd ever made human beings so he's going to wipe them all out..."but Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord." (verse 8). One guy, ONE. But he was enough to save from the deluge, he and his family. Though Noah preached for over one hundred years while he swung a hammer at gopher wood, others would not listen and, as Jesus said in the verses above, "they knew nothing" when the judgement came. 

    Keep planting seeds as you "swing your hammer" even though it feels as if no one hears. Speak truthfully. Love unconditionally. Lift high the cross. As it was said of Noah, may it be of you: "...he walked faithfully with God." (Genesis 6:9)

"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Matthew 24:12

In My Back Yard

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save him? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2: 14-17

    Like a runaway kite, a bit of news landed in my own back yard. When I read a newspaper story about a ministry located a mile within my home who is preparing to house and care for twenty-five Afghan refugees, I paused to ponder that. 

    Of course, I had heard of the catastrophic collapse of the government in Afghanistan (a chill should run down every spine at the thought of anyone in the hands of the vile Taliban); such a thing could indeed happen to Americans one day. I was especially touched by the love shown by the Christ Kingdom Ministry, who are the Good Samaritans in this story. They are backing their faith with action, demonstrating the love of Christ.

    An argument can be made that we, as Americans, should take care of our own first after securing our borders, and there is merit to that. But, as Christians, love has no borders. 

    Recently, I'd listened to a radio broadcast about a Muslim woman whose faith in Islam, with its rules and rigid expectations, left her feeling as an empty vessel. She declared the Quran makes no mention of love from Allah. Can you imagine? It was the bottomless love of Jesus that won her heart to Christianity. May the same hold true for these refugees in my neighborhood.

    News stories can seem distant and irrelevant, but when they land in your own back yard, may we be prepared to share the love of Christ with anyone in need, as God has commanded us to do. There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still.

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19

 

Father Knows Best

 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3: 5, 6

    The above verses are a cinch as long as your life is going in the direction with which you agree. But what happens when you're being lead where you do not wish to go?

    I was watching "Leave it to Beaver" the other day. In this episode, the parents put in an offer on a house in another city, which displeased the older brother, Wally, very much. He had accomplished friendships and participation with athletic teams where he currently lived and, well, he just did not want to go! 

    Catching wind of this, the dad had a talk with Wally. Putting his arm around his son's shoulders, he said, "You know that I wouldn't do anything that was wrong for you, don't you?" 

    My heart quickened as if God tapped me on the shoulder. You see, I can identify with how Wally felt as I dispiritedly see that what's happening in America is leading where I do not want to go, but God has another path in mind for me. I may have to go through discomfort, sorrow or sadness along the journey, but there's also much good to enjoy, too, especially when I place my faith in my Father's plan on not on my own conceptions.

    When Jesus reinstated Peter after he had denied knowing his Lord three times, He told his apostle:

    "Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." (John 21:18)

    Scripture tells us he said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Tradition says when Peter was sentenced to death by crucifixion, he chose to be crucified upside down so as not to lessen the glory of Jesus's sacrifice. When I imagine this same man in his younger days as a married fisherman in Galilee, it likely never occurred to him that he would die in this way, but I remain convinced he would not have had it any other way once he received his inheritance. 

    Our Father really does know best.

My Father

 "By this I will know that God is for me...in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 56: 9, 11

    When I was a child, there was a boy who was mean to me. When my father found out about it, to my surprise, he strode out into the street to speak to the boy. Though my dad was wearing his old yard clothes that day, to me he was attired as the Caped Crusader of Gotham City. I felt so safe, beloved and protected.

    Years have passed; so has my dear father. The bullies that bother me today are much larger, far-reaching and more threatening, but they are no match for my Father. Just as my dad took care of me, how much more does God?

    When the shadow of Goliath falls across my path, I draw such comfort in knowing there's nothing that can ever separate me from the love of God as shown in Christ Jesus. No circumstance in life, no threat of death, nothing in the unseen world nor in the ages to come, not a thing far up in the sky nor in the pits of hell can ever make God stop loving me. It's not because I have deserved it; it's just who He is.

    He's my Father.

"If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8: 31, 32

How to be a Pray-er

"I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before Him, I tell my trouble." Psalm 142: 1, 2

    Prayer is hard work. Often it seems like a one-way conversation which takes time, planning and a certain methodology. Should I go in my room, close the door and kneel by the bed? It's been said that I should first properly address God in reverence and fear, then pray for the needs of others before getting around to myself. Though I am sure there's truth in these, maybe I'm overthinking it as well.

    A Christian friend of mine is a prayer warrior so I asked her, "What's the secret to being a pray-er?" Her response was simple and candid: "I just talk to Him."

    This brought to mind the words of a Johnny Cash song, "I talk to Jesus Every Day." 

"Well you talk about important people that you say you know,

Presidents and superstars of big television shows.

Well, I know Someone personally who's bigger than 'em all,

And, next to Him, your superstars look mighty small.

I have a talk with Him each day,

And He's interested in every word I say.

No secretary ever tells me He's been called away.

I talk to Jesus every day." 

       In a day when robots answer phones and Alexa talks back to people, isn't it so refreshing to banter with the Creator of the Universe? If I could travel back in time to take part in a Bible story, I'd love to be one of those guys on the road to Emmaus, when the resurrected Jesus covertly sidled up to them, asking questions and listening to their tale before explaining everything in the Scriptures, beginning with Moses and all the prophets (Luke 24:13-35). Just walking along, talking. 

    That's what prayer is all about.

"Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked with them; but they were kept from recognizing him." Luke 24:13-16

When the Journey is Too Much for You

 "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. `When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. 'I have had enough, Lord,' he said. 'Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.' Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep."                       1 Kings 19:3-5

    Because it seems like the talking heads in the news always exude a confident air, I was taken aback to read a recent column by the syndicated political commentator, S. E. Cupp, whose opening statement declared, "Never, in 25 years of writing, has a blank page felt so intimidating." 

    Intrigued, I wondered the cause of her writer's block. She went on to explain that, though there's been no shortage of news worth covering, she "hasn't been able to read or watch any of them without spiraling into an uncontrollable sense of panic and fear." I read on. When she admitted to being stuck in a "deep black hole of anxiety," which she attributed to the "perfect storm of pandemic, politics and problems," I felt a kindred spirit. That's how I feel.

    In an online bio, I learned Ms. Cupp is an atheist. While she and I are experiencing similar reactions to the realities surrounding us, she has no faith in God to see her through. Admittingly, Christians have their Elijah moments when crashing beneath a broom bush in a depressed heap seems preferable to maintaining functionality, but it's the Savior of Calvary who beckons us to pick up our cross daily and follow Him. He leads by example, having walked the walk Himself. 

    When the journey became too much for Elijah, the angel of the Lord ministered to him. I know that He, who promised to be with me to the end of the age, will take care of me, too. 

   But what of Ms. Cupp? Within the same bio I had read, she sounded like a lost sheep when she said, "I really aspire to be a person of faith someday." Please join me in praying for her, that she may open her heart to the Good Shepherd.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4: 16, 17 

     

Two Sparrows

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside of your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10: 29-31

    Have you ever yearned to see what goes on inside a nesting box? I have. Birds fascinate me because they seem so small and vulnerable, yet they have such keen instincts and endurance. God has instilled in each the blueprint for the right type of nest, which they construct without the benefit of hands. To examine them is to see a masterpiece from the Hand of God; therein lies the reason behind my nest collection.

    Some ingenious bird lover fashioned a nesting box complete with an inhouse camera and posted the captured videos. Raptly, I watched the avian activity when the future parents inspected every detail of the house before bringing in bits of moss and tatters of grasses. Day by day, the soft nest became a circle of safety for the wee eggs. I adored how the parental pair worked in fine unison to feed their four hatchlings and keep the house clean. On day seven, the protective wings of the mother bird spread over the babies as she hunkered way down into the nest, head tucked and silent for, at the door was a dastardly crow bent on seeking some fast food. Following her instincts, she remained that way until the danger passed.

    It dawned on me that I feel like that mother bird did as she experienced the danger outside her four walls. She pulled into herself as she gathered her chicks about her, unable to fight that which was larger than she. I feared for her as I wondered where the male bird was? Would he come to her rescue? Then I remembered the camera, which represents God who sees it all! His eye is on the sparrow.

    There are ominous crows who crowd 'round the lintels of our lives, seeking to kill and destroy, but the Eye of God is upon us around the clock. He who loves us neither slumbers nor sleeps, and He has graciously given us all things needed for abundant life. Like those laboring birds, we continue to work in His kingdom, doing all we can to feed and protect the flock, even if it means hunkering down at times. God will take care of those crows.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Matthew 6:25-27

 

Iowa Basic Skills Test

 "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15

    Okay, people, settle down. You have each been given a test booklet for which you will need two sharpened No. 2 pencils. Once the test has begun, you will not be permitted to go to the sharpener. We will open our test booklets in unison precisely at 9:00. Ready, class?

    It's time to get down to the basics. This is where the recitation of creeds of our Christian faith are important, be it the Apostles' Creed or the Nicene, for example. When the lies of the devil leech into church doctrine, sharpen your pencil and write a creed of what you believe and why you believe it. Ask yourself:

    True or False?

• "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis. 1:1)
• "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)
• Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
• "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)
• "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
• "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)
• "Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." (Matthew 24:30)

    If you answered "true" to all of the above, you have claimed that the Triune God is your Creator, Savior, Redeemer, Sustainer and Judge. Congratulations! You have passed the test! If your church is teaching anything other than the truth, leave. Learn the truth of God's word for yourself by devouring your Bible. Do not be deceived. Here is an essay question for bonus points:

"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25)

TMI

 "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." John 17:15

    Scarlett O'Hara escaped the burning of Atlanta with a wagonful of weary loads. With the cadence of each step, she yearned to reach her childhood home and lay the burdens down at her parents' feet. Upon her arrival, however, she found more troubles awaiting her and, as the list of grievances were being piled onto her young shoulders, she wondered how much more the enemy could request of her until finally she barked, "I don't want to hear any more about what 'they' did!"

    Oft times, I feel exactly like this. Try as I may to soldier on in a vanishing America, each newscast or podcast telling me of what "they" are doing to dismantle the world I knew suffocates me as much as these horrid masks!  The words of Isaiah pour from my heart like a torrential rain as I look to the heavens and implore of God: "Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you...Come down to make your Name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you!" (Isaiah 64: 1,2)

    I don't know what has increased more: technology or corruption? Perhaps it's both, but I struggle to find a balance between sticking my ostrich head in the sand and pretending nothing is happening, or keeping abreast of what's coming my way so I can meet it in the street. Honestly, I find it to be TMI (Too Much Information). This must be how Adam and Eve felt when they sampled the fruit from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. We were never meant to deal with this level of deception, corruption and hatred. I want to slam down the lid of this Pandora's box of evil in an attempt to keep the slithering snakes inside, but I cannot.

    Who has the power to do this? Who already came down from the heavens and made His name known to the nations? None other than our hero, Jesus Christ! Like a bushman with a machete, He has gone before us, hacking the way through the tangled briars that threaten to choke, kill and destroy. We may get some scratches or bug bites on our journey or even spend some time in the swamp, but He intercedes on our behalf, praying to the Father for our protection. When we tire beneath the weary load, He leads us beside the still waters and restores our souls. 

    "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11: 28-30

     

The Cool Whip Container

 "What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?" Psalm 116:12

    One rule of etiquette is "Never return a container empty." Having learned this at my mother's knee, I curiously opened a Cool Whip container Someone left on my stoop, knowing I'd have to do some baking in response. However, cookies were not therein; on a bed of straw, there lay the greatest gift of love, a heart-shaped Son who humbled Himself to the death so that I may live. Graciously, I accepted the exquisite gift as I stuffed enough hugs to pop the lid off the container before setting it on the stoop at dusk.

    At break of day, there was the second gift. Lifting the lid brought cacophonous shouts of joy from within: "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!" (Nehemiah 8:10) Once I recovered, I enclosed a photograph of my parents, who are both at home with Him.

    On the third round, I hesitantly peeled off the lid, (recalling the previous shouts), but was greeted by a barely-there pale-pink puff, soft as a whispery wing. This was the peace that passes all understanding and, in response to that, I gladly returned all my contrary ideals that I'd used as my weapons of war. I'd broken them into bits.

    I couldn't wait for my fourth gift. When I lifted the lid, the irony was not lost on me: Patience stood there with a staying hand upon my shoulder. I took my time returning my offering: a tidy piece of paper listing all my wiser choices once prudence came home to roost.

    The next time I pried the plastic apart, I could hardly believe what I saw. It was the blue toy Jeep my dad had given me years ago "just because." This random act of kindness echoed through the halls of time, prompting me to pay it forward so I opened my fist and let it flow. Freely, freely, I have received; freely, freely I shall give. I tucked a donation receipt into the white vessel with a wistful smile.

    The sixth gift stumped me. Upon opening, a vision emerged of the Garden of Eden, when purity reigned and goodness prevailed, prior to the corrosion of corruption. Overwhelmed by its sheer beauty, my dirty face glanced away, unable to take it in. The filthy rags of my most righteous acts lay pooled 'round my feet as the words of the Psalmist reminded me: "There is no one who does good." (Psalm 14:1) Aware I could never return the container, as I sorrowfully moved to replace the lid, that's when I spied it. There, in the bottom, lay a cloth I had not previously seen. It was the bloodstained robe of Christ, perfectly sized for me! Eagerly, I donned it and began to overcome the evil in my world with good. (Romans 12:21) Knowing I dare not boast, I humbly retrieved one of my filthy rags and returned it to Him in the container.

    When the seventh gift arrived, I had just begun to grow weary doing good, so I caught my breath and plopped down to open it. There lay a small, wooden music box which I promptly wound. Closing my eyes, strains of "Great is Thy Faithfulness" grabbed my hand and led me down well-worn pathways where the Good Shepherd doggedly led mankind in faith and justice. In answer, I sent a small American flag, along with a copy of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Christian Flag, vowing to follow Him alone.

    Gift eight was a diminutive oxen yoke. Remembering Christ's words in Matthew 11:29, I shared my burdens with my gentle Savior, learning how to humbly put myself last, checking my pride at His door. Instantly, my yoke became easy, my burden became light.  A butterfly wing on a cottony pillow made its trip to heaven as my reply. There is great strength in gentleness.

    By now, I knew one gift remained and it took all my self-control to await its arrival. Weeks passed and still it didn't come. Then the Spirit caused me to see that, in the absence of it, I was actually receiving and practicing the gift, patiently abiding in His grace as I await The Day. 

    When the heavens roll back like a scroll and my faith becomes sight, I shall see Him face-to-face. What then? When I approach the throne, wondering what He'll say, perhaps I will see the empty Cool Whip container at His pierced feet before accepting His extended hand welcoming me home. 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law." Galatians 5:22