True Love

 "This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:10

    When I receive an "I love you" from either of my two daughters, sometimes my reply is, "I loved you first." They can't argue with that!

    Through daily videos and calls, I have the joy of watching my eldest wade through the ups and downs of motherhood. Yesterday, while she was folding laundry upstairs, she heard what every mom dreads: "I made a mess!"

    Cautiously, the nervous mother descended to the kitchen where she found her two-year-old daughter on a bed of rice, with the pantry door ajar and an empty bag on the floor. She watched as Esme was scooping it and sliding around in it as if it were a fresh blanket of snow, having a ball until she was told to help her mother clean it up. 

    To my daughter's credit, she held her peace until Esme began to throw the stuff around rather than sweeping it up, so she was ushered into a time out. After her mom's words of correction, she was more than willing to repent.

    Did Lauren ever stop loving Esme throughout this process? Of course not. Neither does our heavenly Father when we mess up. 

    I heard a sermon on TV last night during which the pastor stated: God doesn't love me the way I am; He loves me in spite of the way I am. If the sinful status that was mine since birth had been acceptable to God then there would be no reason for the cross. He loved me too much to let me remain in my mess, so He demonstrated his love for me in this: While I was still in my sins, He died for me (Romans 5:8). 

    That's true love! 

"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19 

The Wisdom to Know the Difference

 "The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom do they have?" Jeremiah 8:9

    While in a waiting room recently, when the talking heads on the television wearied me, I pulled out my phone to learn more about the wisdom of God, which is where the Spirit has been nudging me lately. 

    A search displayed many choices, so I selected one entitled, "The Wisdom of God: What it is and Why it Matters" on a Christian website. 

    Initially, the writer was spot on as she spoke of God, our amazing Creator of heaven and earth, whose complexities can be found in the delicate balances of our ecosystem, the mysteries of gravitational pull and the entire minute world of a single cell. The wisdom of God, she rightfully declared, culminated in the Person of Jesus Christ, quoting from 1 Corinthians 1: 24, 30 and Colossians 2:3. All along, she cited the scriptural references to support her words.

    Then I came to this confusing paragraph: "The universe burst into existence with the Big Bang event, giving rise to particles, atoms, stars, and galaxies over billions of years...Life eventually emerged when suitable conditions were met to support it.*" I wasn't surprised to find no biblical references here. 

    The irony was not lost of me that, in the midst of a teaching on the wisdom of God, ignorance was found. 

    This so unsettled me that I wrote to the author requesting to know from whence her information came. I will await her answer prayerfully.  

   Job asked, "Where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?" (Job 28:12) The answer came further in the same chapter: "God understands the way to it and He alone knows where it dwells. He said to the human race, 'The fear of the Lord - that is wisdom and to shun evil is understanding.'" (28: 23, 28)

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth... He also made the stars." Genesis 1:1, 16

*"The Wisdom of God; What it is and Why it Matters" by Amanda Williams, www.christianwebsite.com

     

Little is Much

 "As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 'Truly I tell you,' he said, 'this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.'" Luke 21: 1-4

    Some generous folks at my church donated gifts towards our Operation Christmas Child collection. We began to gather items early this year so we can host a packing party in November and the donations are piling up. As the coordinator, I can attest to the "showers of blessings" stacked in my basement.

    Because some had donated money, off to Wal Mart I went today to purchase toys. I couldn't think of a more pleasant way to spend a rainy afternoon. 

    Pushing my cart through the toy section, I became distracted by the baby dolls on an upper shelf so I was unaware that my cart blocked the way for an older woman who was riding an electric Rascal-type device. 

    "Oh, so sorry," said I. She kindly reassured me that all was well. I ventured to share my reason for blocking the lane, going on to explain a bit about the toys I was buying.

    "Billy Graham's son, Franklin, has an organization called Samaritan's Purse," I told her. "Since 1997, they have collected shoe boxes filled with personal hygiene items, school supplies and a toy such as this baby doll." She was interested to learn more so I continued, "The real gift, however, is the gospel booklet that is placed in each box, sharing the good news of Jesus with each child. They also provide discipleship classes for those who are interested to know more about this God who loves them."

    Her expression glowed as she asked, "Will you accept a donation from me?" 

    With a full heart I replied, "Certainly!" She rooted about in her purse, pulling out the only cash she had.  Then we selected a doll which she said resembled her granddaughter. After I placed it in my cart, I implored her to please pray for the child who will receive it. Right then and there, at her suggestion, we clasped hands and prayed together.

    We sealed the deal with a hug, just two shoppers who began as strangers and left as friends of Jesus who shared a common purpose: to spread the love of Christ.

    As I said, I can't think of a better way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon.

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38

Back to the Basics

 "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" John 8:12

    Last Tuesday, the tornado siren went off. Though this was meant to incur protection, it still sent a shiver though Dave and me as we headed for our basement as strong winds buffeted about. We were so thankful to have had no damage, but we did lose power for four days.

    Those four days gave me cause to reflect on the goodness of the Lord. 

    Our street, a main artery for travel, was closed due to downed lines so it added to the feeling of serenity and quiet that a lack of internet and electricity gave to us. The nights were inky black without and within. Because no electronic auras, nightlights or streetlamps cast their shadows, I slept very soundly. "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8)

    When necessity called, I got up during the night and proceeded across the bedroom without my flashlight, only to run smack into the wall! Though I thought I knew my way, I needed the light to guide me. "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." (Psalm 119:105)

    Neighbors gathered together for the common good, supplying needs in whatever way possible. Debbie came by sharing her peaches and tomatoes. Our perishables didn't perish after all because Tom and Kathy afforded us room in their refrigerator, which ran on a generator. I washed some laundry at the home of my niece while we all played games and enjoyed a lunch. Whatever the need, there was always someone there to supply it. "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Leviticus 19:18)

    Free ice and cases of water were offered at our senior center, as well as a refuge for cooling and charging ones phones. As I drove up to the supply trucks to accept this offer, I thought of the Living Water of Jesus. As He told the Samaritan woman at the well, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13)

    It's interesting to me that when a crisis comes, people get back to the basics as all the frivolous entrapments of life fall to the wayside. We needed water in its frozen form to fill our coolers. Without light, some of us ran into a bedroom wall. A lit match was needed to light the burner of our gas stove. Water, light, fire - all key for survival, all made directly, exclusively by God. 

    When the electricity was restored, we let up a happy holler. As I texted concerned friends and relatives, "We have power," the thought occurred to me that I was never powerless as long as I was attached to the Vine. As Jesus said, "Apart from me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

"Power belongs to you, God; and with you, Lord, is unfailing love." Psalm 62:11, 12

    

    

    

     

God, not god

 "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me; your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139: 7-10

    Although I was raised in a Christian home and attended church every time the doors were opened, I wasted half my life serving god while running from God. 

    The god I desired fit into my purse, like a compact mirror. I could take him out every now and then to check my reflection, then tuck him back in so he couldn't see what I was doing, and so I couldn't see how poorly I reflected Christ. I wanted to bring him out only when I needed him. 

    I guess I just assumed it was He who followed me, because, for example, when I became lost in the woods as a child, I felt His presence with me, guiding me to safety.

    When in communion with nature, I lay cradling my head in my arms as I gazed up at the majestic maple tree, appreciating how she swayed in the breeze, it was as if He were laying right beside me at times like that.

     As a young woman, alone and bankrupt, He encouraged me through his holy scriptures, wrapping me in His warm embrace. So, I knew that He was with me, even when I had "settled on the far side of the sea."

    But, it wasn't until I morally hit rock bottom that I sold all I had and accepted His invitation to follow Him. (see Matthew 19:21) I had to leave my nets on the shoreline.

    When Jesus called the disciples Simon and his brother, Andrew, He didn't say, "Hey, fellas, can I come fishing with you?"

    No. He invited them to "Come, follow me." (Matthew 4:19)

    I wasn't found until I admitted I was lost. I became alive when I died to self. When I thought I was seeing clearly, I was so blind. 

    These days, I follow Him wherever He leads me. "Wait for me, Lord! I'm comin'!"

"And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:27