I: Small Word, Big Problem

 "How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly...I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit." Isaiah 14: 12-15

    Someone once gave me this excellent advice: When beginning a correspondence to another, never begin your letter with "I." In practicing this, the temptation to prattle about myself is removed as the attention is focused on the recipient.

    The passage above refers to the fall of Satan, who once was an angel but got too big for his britches, so to speak. See how many times the word "I" is used? Perhaps you know someone who speaks much of themselves while failing to inquire about you. 

    Does God endorse big egos? "Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor." (Proverbs 29:23). "If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves." (Galatians 6:3). "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'" (1 Peter 5:5)

    When Jesus was invited to supper at the home of a Pharisee, He noticed how guests vied for the places of honor, so He told them a better way: Take the lowest place at the table. Then, if the host wishes to elevate you to a higher spot, you will be honored rather than humiliated. "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Luke 14:11)

    If I am tempted to crow about something, I will remind myself of Satan's fall as I join the Apostle Paul in saying:

"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

    

It's a Twister!

"So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." Luke 15:20

    Dorothy gathered Toto in her basket and ran away from home, determined to go her own way. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the winds were kicking up, the shutters were flapping as the Bert Lahr character ominously proclaimed, "It's a twister!" Auntie Em, frantically searching for Dorothy with a furrowed brow, was ringing her hands in her apron, reluctant to enter the safety of the cellar, even though Uncle Henry was imploring her to do so. "Where is she? Where's Dorothy?" Tumbleweeds battered her ankles amid howling winds as she entered the portal, right before the door was shut.

    In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the Father is wringing His hands, searching the horizon for the lost to return home. Think of all the times in the Scriptures when we are invited to come. Jesus says, "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) He wept over Jerusalem, lamenting, "How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." (Luke 13:34) Can you detect the emotion of His voice?

    The final invitation in the Bible is found in Revelation 22:17: "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let the one who hears say, 'Come!' Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life." Three verses later, it's Jesus who is coming: 

"He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come Lord Jesus." Revelation 22:20

The storm clouds are roiling; the winds are whipping. Where are you? Come on!

Watch Your Mouth

 "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name." Exodus 20:7

    A street evangelist was quizzing random passersby on various topics. One question struck me to the bone: Why do Hollywood and popular culture choose God's name to curse? Why don't they use names of other historical figures who are deserving of this like Adolph Hitler or Jeffrey Dahmer? Suppose they would use the name of Muhammed? What form of jihad would result if the god of Islam were so trampled? Why is it solely the Name that is more precious than pure gold, the Name above all names, that is dragged through the sewer of men's mouths? One movie alone, "The Wolf of Wall Street," blasphemed his holy name twenty-eight times! 

    It never ceases to amaze me, this blatant lack of respect. I must hear "OMG" eighty times a day, either in passing or on television, and I want to cry. The God who loves the world so much that He gave us His Son; the God who created the shining faces of people in His image; the God who cultivates love in repentant hearts and forms the dimpled hands of dear babies; the God of mercy who sends rain on the just and the unjust - this is the mighty One cursed by filthy, flimsy, fallible mankind? Who do they think they are talking about? He, who has the power to save or destroy - He is the one cursed? 

    Wherever rotten stench rises, there is Satan. 

"Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name." Psalm 119:132

What is my Identity?

 "So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3: 26-28

    The other day, I read about a man who had to complete an Identity Wheel as part of his job application. This was a new phrase to me, so I looked into it. The wheel is a pie chart in which the identity of the person is determined by factors such as gender, race, economic status, education, religion, country of origin, age, family structure and physical ability. 

    These questions reminded me of the product registration card I was completing after our purchase of a refrigerator. Initially, I was dutifully completing it until they asked what level of education I had. "Wait a minute," I thought, "what does this have to do with my large appliance?" Why does Whirlpool need to know if I am a white, middle-aged female who is non-Hispanic with a high school education in America? The only qualification they should be concerned with is that I am a person in need of cold food. So I quit answering so dutifully.

    One of today's buzz words seems to be "identity." How do I identify myself? Thanks be to God, I am glad to say my Identity Wheel would be composed of one large section with the name of Christ in the center! Here's why: I work as though working for the Lord; He is my employer. My gender and race do not concern Him; He looks upon the heart. I have learned to be content in whatever economic situation He has placed me because it all belongs to Him anyway. He supplies me with wisdom, willing to dole out more upon my request, regardless of my level of education. My age is of no concern to Him: to my old age and grey hair, I am vital in the kingdom of God. My citizenship is not in this world; I am just passing through. My family structure is worldwide; wherever there is a Christian, my familial bonds lie. 

    A child of the living God; that's who I am!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Hell? No!

 "This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might." 2 Thessalonians 1: 7-9

    Have you ever heard someone declare that they desire to go to hell upon death, where they will live it up with their friends? Cartoons have depicted hell as a reddish cave, which looks like a seedy saloon, tended by a demon with horns and a pitchfork. For some, the idea is that in this place, they will be able to pursue their desires and their vices without limitations. As one song says, "I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints."

    The radio where I work played (much to my dislike) "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC. As I listened, I sadly noted some of these lyrics: "Ain't nothin' that I'd rather do, goin' down, party time, my friends are gonna be there, too...No stop signs, no speed limit, nobody's gonna slow me down...I'm on the highway to hell." 

    Here's a glimpse of what this "party time" will be like:

• you'll be completely naked and vulnerable
• you'll be shown no mercy, no love, no comfort nor companionship
• you'll have no rest, no goals, no wisdom, no rescue
• there will be an intense darkness and a penetrating evil all around
• fear, hatred and hopeless despair will dog your days for all eternity
• your thirst will be insatiable; there is no water there

    Hell is the total absence of God so, anything that He is will not be in hell. By comparison, check out these attributes and gifts we have from God:

• He clothes us with righteousness and covers us with His wings
• He sends rain on the just and the unjust; His mercies are fresh every morning.
• His yoke is easy and his burden is light. We will find rest for our souls in Jesus.
• Jesus is the Light of the world. In Him is no darkness at all.
• Jesus rescues us from death and sets us up on a pedestal.
• He is our Living water; our cups runneth over!

    Author Edward Donnelly says it well: "He (God) gives you the beauty of a summer evening, the coolness of a refreshing breeze...He delights you with the taste of fresh crusty bread or the juice of a ripe peach. Perhaps you have experienced the ecstasy of love. These are God's gifts...All of these are blessings from God... But, in hell, all this will be taken from you...all the dignity that you now have as an image-bearer of God will be stripped from you...The wicked will burn with fire but they will not be consumed."

    It gives me no pleasure to speak of hell, but contrary to popular belief, it is a very real place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. God does not wish this on anyone. The Bible says He does not want anyone to perish. That's why Jesus came and sacrificed his life on the cross and rose from the dead. He's throwing you a life preserver; grab ahold of it!

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

My Mother's Legacy

 "I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things."                     2 Peter 1: 13-15

    A few weeks before Christmas 2015, my mom asked me to order several copies of a small book she had read entitled, "Answers to Questions about Heaven" by Dr. David Jeremiah. When the books arrived, she wrote this inscription on the presentation page: "I want you to know where your Grandpa is now." Then she set about gifting one to each child and grandchild in her family. 

    It was with tears that we received them because she was called to heaven on December 21st of that year, even though she was in fine health. Perhaps she knew this would be her last Christmas? Regardless, this dear Christian woman made "every effort" to refresh our memories of eternal life found only in Christ. 

    What a beautiful way to wrap up what she began at our births, our baptisms and our confirmations. All the bedtime prayers and family devotions, the mentoring during our trials and the earnestness with which she kept in step with the Spirit have been passed on to us. Now, as the role of grandmother soon comes to me, I know how to take up that torch and follow in the grace and wisdom of God. 

    Inside the front cover of the Bible my parents gave to me years ago is this verse:

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forevermore! Amen." 2 Peter 3: 18

PS: I'm coming home one day, Mom! Thanks for leading me to Christ.

Marshmallows or Steak?

 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Genesis 1: 1 & 2

    In an article about actor Jeff Bridges, he was talking about the relationship he has with his three daughters. With one of the three, he said he shares a "spiritual connection." With interest I read on, wondering if he may be a Christian but, no, he went on to discuss the oms they chant together and so on.

    When googling the word "spirituality," a plethora of willy nilly phrases pop up: crystals, metaphysics, tarot cards, spiritual candles, mindfulness, healing and New Age. These are marshmallows when compared to the true T-bone steak of the Holy Spirit of God.

    While praying the other day, in awe I realized that the same Spirit which lives in me was the One hovering over the surface of the deep at the creation of the world. That's what I'm talkin' about! 

    Grasping the Trinity is difficult; we naturally relate to the Person of Jesus Christ so much easier because He was here in the flesh. But what of the Spirit? Here's some scriptures I read in my quest for knowledge:

• "I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit in you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you...You will be my people and I will be your God." (Ezekiel 36: 26-28)
• "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our heart as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come."             (2 Corinthians 1: 22, 23)
• "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit." (John 3:5)

    At Christmastime, when we sing carols about Immanuel, which means "God With Us," this depicts the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers. Our bodies are temples of the Spirit, with whom we are to keep in step. This generous Spirit gift us with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. When we don't know how to pray, the Spirit intercedes before the throne of the Father for us. Our heads are anointed, as if we are royalty, and our cups run over! I can sink my teeth into these.

    

    Be wary of those fluffy, air-filled marshmallows I mentioned earlier, for they lead to evil spirits. There is only death and destruction on that menu. Select true food that has lasting substance and sates us with life everlasting, grace and peace.

"I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." Ephesians 3:16 

    

They Have Value

 "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?" Matthew 6:26

    If I ever start complaining about anything, all I have to do to gain perspective is read about the trials of people in other countries.

    In a mailing I received from Samaritan's Purse, I learned of a young mother of two who refugeed from Venezuela, where the economic collapse has brought much suffering to millions. This brave woman carried her one-year-old son in her arms while her four-year-old disabled daughter lay across her shoulders. After using various methods of transportation to reach the border, once inside neighboring Colombia, the little family had to walk twelve miles over hilly terrain before they reached the Samaritan's Purse shelter. Here, their physical needs were met as the Gospel was presented to them. 

    "Many of them feel like they've been forgotten," the article said. "But when I talk about Jesus, they understand they have value." 

    Please remember these desperate people and those who serve them in the name of Jesus. Pray for those still struggling to survive in Venezuela. Pray that God would continue to provide Samaritan's Purse with all they need. And pray especially for the salvation of the lost souls. 

"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." Psalm 91:4

You Never Know

 "For who knows a person's thoughts except their own spirit with them?" I Corinthians 2:11

    It must be human nature to make quick assessments solely based on the outer package of a person because I catch myself doing it all the time. Perhaps we make these initial judgments intuitively, but it's dangerous to remain there. Usually, our initial thoughts are quite misconstrued.

    For example, I know a delightful, cheerful woman at work who has a kind word accompanied by a smile every single day. At first glance, it seemed she had not a care in the world. One day, I asked her about the wrap bandage she had on her ankle, thinking she'd sprained it. I was shocked when she told me that years ago she had been in a horrible accident which severed her foot! Perhaps surviving this near-death traumatic experience has sealed her decision to live each day positively and joyfully. 

    A quiet child passes by me every day. She's a slight, petite gal who usually stands alone in the lunch line. It broke my heart to learn of an unspeakable tragedy she has endured. Now, grief shrouds my soul as she walks by and I silently beg God to hold her in His arms. 

    How many more unspoken biographies surround me? O, God, it's no wonder your greatest commandment is to love one another for, without that, we are ignorant of the needs of others. Without your grace, envy, anger, indifference, selfishness and pride abound. With you, we can see people as You see them, for You look upon the heart.

    You never know what someone has endured. Be kind, quick to forgive and empathetic. Be Christ.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8