Prayers for 2019

As many of you know, I do not make resolutions to start a new year, but a prayer list instead. Here is my prayer list for 2019--some I pray every year; some are on my heart for "today."

1. May every student who enters my room feel safe physically, educationally, emotionally, and spiritually.
2. May I never let education get in the way of my meeting the needs of my students each day.
3. May I love with a holy love--with a love that is unaffected by the response of the ones I am called to love.
4. May I see the sorrow of the world and respond with action.
5. May those I love who are away from Him come home.
6. May I always have a heart filled with gratitude--may I always pray with thanksgiving.
7. May I honestly present my requests and petitions to Him and then, always, respond with the prayer of surrender--"not my will, but thine."
8. May I be Christ-in-the room--spontaneously respond with grace and truth--integrity--to all people and situations. May Christ be seen in me.
9. May I rejoice each day in the beauty of His old age gift to me--The Acres.
10. May each time that I share His Word one heart be moved to a deeper obedience--beside my own.
11. May I continue to struggle to learn contentment in all things.
12. May I rest in His inescapable love for me.
13. May my investments be in the heavenly treasures safe from rust and thieves.
14. May I live each day for Him as if it were my last on earth.
15. May I rest in Philippians 1--to be with Him is far better, but since He hasn't called me Home; yet, I must be about my Father's business.
16. May the words of my mouth be acceptable in His sight--may I not curse the deaf man or put a stumbling block in the path of the blind man.
17. May I have an insatiable hunger for His Word.
18. May He give me the strength I need for each day, and may I rely on it and not my own.
19. May I never forget to pray prayers of remembrance for the hurting.
20. May I commit myself each day to the life of His disciple--though none go with me, still I must follow.
21. May I be unaffected by the applause of men--or lack thereof.
22. May I always have a sense of His presence.

The Foot of the Cross

When I think of the faith of Mary and Joseph, I wonder if it can ever be put into words adequately. To be chosen by God to be the parents of His Son--can there be a greater commendation to a calling? And we know so little about them honestly. Spoken to by angels; obeyed and submitted to the impossible. The birth of the Child interrupted by a flock of shepherds. A visit to Jerusalem days later and to encounter Simeon and the prophecies concerning their Son. How do you take all that in and not be overwhelmed? Even terrified. Then, nothing for two years--why did they even stay in Bethlehem and not go back home? Suddenly, a visit from the Magi--and they bow down and worship your little boy as the King. Then, the escape to Egypt at night--Herod is trying to destroy your baby! (Of course, the gifts of the Magi will meet all expenses--God's provision.) And how do you raise a sinless two-year-old? A sinless teenager!!!!? Then to return and have to "hide" in Nazareth. And He and they knew who He was--"I must be about My Father's business"--at twelve! Implication--"Why did you not look here in the temple first? Where else would I be?" I can't imagine. But we do know how Mary (and I assume, Joseph, "handled" it all) "And Mary took all these things"--all these events--Shepherds, Simeon, Magi, Herod, Egypt, Nazareth, Temple--"and treasured them in her heart." She may not at times have understood--but she always loved her Treasure. And "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." And so where do we find her at last? Standing at the foot of the cross. How could love be anywhere else? I pray today that He is your treasure--the riches of your heart. So when you do not understand, you will take yourself to the foot of the cross--the place where love embraces love through all the tears.

Christmas

What does Christmas reveal to us about our God?

His love is for all--from poor shepherds in a field to the richest of men in a land far away
The power of faith: Mary: "I am His servant; I will do whatever He asks of me." Joseph: "His name is Jesus."
He celebrates the arrival into the world of the little ones; He loves the little children--the babies in their mother's arms.
The omnipotent God is humble.
The darkness cannot hide Him.
The angels adore Him.
He wants us to celebrate His coming with joy and with the sharing that He has come.
He loves the interconnections and beauty of family.
His ways are not our ways; yet, His ways are perfect.
He is the ruler of the stars.
His prophecies are true--they are unstoppable; then and now.
He loves His old saints too--His Simeon and His Anna.
God is with us.

Seekers

Thousands of miles away some unknown men rejoiced that the King of the Jews was born. And set aside everything to go and seek Him. Several miles away the people who were looking for a Messiah and knew exactly where to look didn't "move a muscle."

 A descendant of Esau believed the message that He was born--and sadly, horribly, sought to kill Him.

 The scholars who knew the Scriptures didn't believe the message that He had been born. Spiritual blindness is a terrible thing--deadly. 
 

Only one group found Him. "If you seek the Lord with all your heart, you will find Him." That's His promise--because He is eagerly seeking those who are seeking Him. Yes, as amazing as it seems, the Eternal, Creator God of the Universe deeply desires to have a relationship with you. So deeply, that He died on the cross to make it possible. And when you "find" each other--He will never let you go.

Approval

I'm often encouraged by the fact that God thinks more of us than we do of ourselves. I mean, look at some of His disciples from the Old Testament. My naturally critical spirit always seems to zoom in on their failures--some quite egregious--and their mistakes. But then God says of them that they are men and women who exercised their faith in Him in such a way that He was pleased. They "gained approval through their faith." His approval!! I hope my heavenly story has wri...tten in the summary: "He pleased Me through the faith he placed in Me. I approve of him and the depth of his faith." And God adds of these men and women--faults and all, known and unknown, named and not named--that they are men and women "of whom the world was not worthy." That's God's Holy Spirit inspired view of those old saints I have a tendency to be critical of. And whose opinion matters, do you think?
And then He uses them to challenge us: "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Yes, when we, too--just like they did--find ourselves "encumbered" and "entangled," let us be encouraged to exercise our faith in Him, endure to the end, and gain the same greeting I'm sure that each of those saintly witnesses to God's existence and power and graciousness received--undoubtedly received--"Well done, good and faithful servant." He who knows you best, loves you best, and rejoices even in your mustard seed faith because it says to those around you--"God is real. You should seek Him in the day of trouble. He is faithful. He will use your faith to gain the victory and glorify Himself. He rewards those who diligently seek Him--faults, failures, and all."

(P.S. And remember that when you start being critical of others who have a deep desire to please Him but make mistakes in the struggle. See them, instead, as God sees them: rejoice in their faith instead of being critical of their faults and failures. God will be pleased.)

All

"If anyone will be My disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me."


We are redeemed to be disciples. And the first step of discipleship is denying ourselves. It is more than self-denial. Self-denial is the process by which we decide which things we will give up to follow Him. To "deny himself," a disciple must give up his entire life to be used when, where, and how Jesus desires--to give up total control of his will to His will. "All to Jesus, I surr...ender, all to Him I freely give." Too often, I find myself willing to give some of life, some of my hopes, dreams, and aspiriations to Him, but tightly hold on to others. Those things I hold on to are, of course, idols I have erected in my heart--which is His temple. And they may be more than tangible things--like, for me, The Acres. They may be my perceived need for the applause of men or for positive responses to the grace and love that I show to others. Those--and other similar "things"--are self-centered ambitions. It's not that I want to lose The Acres, or have my grace-giving taken advantage of, but I must embrace God's will in all things. Yes, my prayers, petitions, and requests should be an honest reflection of my heart's desire; "this is my wish, Lord." And sometimes my honest request in situations has been "Do anything but this, Lord." But when His answer is. "no, this is what is necessary for you to become more and more like me, to reflect my nature to the world," then I must be willing to surrender to His will. To not surrender to His will in all things means that my ability to bear my cross in those situations is imperiled. The joy that strengthened Him to endure the cross will illude me. The grace that prayes, "Father forgive them," will die in my heart. The resurrection power that is essential to following Him as a faithful disciple will be short-circuited. And is there any life more miserable than trying to live the life of Christ in the power of my own flesh. And such a disciple, sadly, tragically, lashes out at those in his or her life that they have been called to love. May He enable me to close all my times of honest prayers with the simple cry, "all to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all to Thee. Not my will--ever--but Thy will be done--always, on earh as it is in Heaven. Above all else, Jesus, I desire to be more like You this day then I was tomorrow--regardless of the circumstances and people you are using to give me a heart like Your heart."

"If anyone will be My disciple, let him deny himself . . .

Timing

"In the fulness of time, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman."


God's timing is always perfect. We, as His children, must confidently surrender to where we are right now. It is where He wants us to be at this moment and in the circumstances He wants us to use for His glory. Who I am, where I am, and what He has me doing for Him is exactly who He needs, where He needs me, and what He needs me to be doing. We must not resign ourselves to waiting, but rejoice in our prese...nt tense assignment. If I am impatient with where He has me, I am not waiting in faith. And "without faith, it is impossible to please Him." And I am not waiting eagerly for His return if I am not lovingly obeying Him right now. What He has planned for my life and for the life of those I love, and the life of those to whom I have been called to minister will occur when, and only when, His love and wisdom know that this is exactly the right time--"the fulness of time." His loving direction for my life has never been late--or early. If I believe that, I obediently rejoice in my now.

Assumptions

When we look at the actions of others and make negative assumptions about their motivations--motivations that we cannot know--we become participants in the new McCarthyism--"guilty until proven innocent." And then we gossip about it--the sin of self-worship--idolatry of the most arrogant kind. We need as followers of Christ to not practice those sins that we are quick to point out in others--we falsely assume the worst and attempt to destroy the character of others--murder by imagination. Too often, we pridefully walk around with stones in our pockets waiting for the opportunity to cast the first one. God is the judge of the thoughts and intents of a man or woman's heart because He knows them--we don't. May God enable me to set aside the natural man's readiness to assume the worse and spread gossip about it, and replace it with the spirit-filled man's eagerness to leave justice in the hands of the just and loving and forgiving God of the Cross.

Pursuit

One of the devil's most effective weapons against a culture and against Christians in that culture is what Jesus called, "Mammon." We call it the pursuit of earthly riches--of temporal things. Our economy calls it consumerism--as if it's a good thing. And too often we buy into it. The accumulation of things, of stuff, of money in the shape of things is a subtle, dangerous enemy of our faith. Not only does it entangle us in the things of this world, but the entangling is ...done with chains. Once our love for "mammon" is ignited, the flame becomes all-consuming. Enough is never enough. Satisfaction becomes the stimuli for the undermining of our contentment with His provision. A heart with the wrong treasures is a heart incapable of finding meaning in life. Because a heart with the wrong treasures is a heart out of touch with God's heart. There is no legitimate list of priorities. There is no stuff first, God second. If the pursuit of stuff is first, God is no longer on the "list" of your loves. And I didn't say that, Jesus did. What are you pursuing? What is the love of your life? Well, are you going to spend more on stuff this month or on God's work? And next month, and next . . .?

Reflections from November 2018

It is true that we are in the world and not of it. But the world should never doubt that we are in it. We must live a life of praise to Him in order to demonstrate our confidence that there is a better place that all who believe in Him are enthusiastically, lovingly, welcome to make their Home too.

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Are you joyfully anticipating His return?  The evidence lies in your daily, faithful, joyful obedience to the calling He has placed on your life right now.

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In the "heat" of life's crises, always flee to the shadow of His wings--His loyal love that He promises to you as His child.

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The greatest tragedy for the fool is that when the storm destroys his house, all those he claims to love will be inside it.  Disobedience always comes with "collateral" damage.

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The purpose of prayer is surrender.

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The command "subdue the earth, be fruitful and multiply" like all God's commands can only be fulfilled from a heart of love and deep concern.  Why is it that those who don't even acknowledge the Creator have a deeper love for it than those of us who claim to know and love the Creator?  Greed and exploitation of this beautiful world for the lining of my pockets with money is not Christian.

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The minute you stop praying for someone or for a situation, you have given up on God--not on them or on the situation--but on Him, the omnipotent, all-wise, all-loving God of eternity. Sound like a logical for someone to make?

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The Gospel message is invincible. Its truth unstoppable. Its victory eternal to those who embrace it. Its message has never interacted with a sinner's heart that it could not transform and redeem. So, share the Gospel.

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Often it takes time to see the good He is doing in your life in the midst of the evil others have done--or are doing--to you. Be a Joseph. Keep believing that you are living in His presence, and so, live lives of obedience until He lavishes you in the good He's been planning all along. Overcome evil with obedient faith--with good.

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He does not save us to live lives of comfort, but to live lives of giving comfort--the comfort He has taught us in the most difficult trials of our life. The trials He takes you through are because He is bringing others into your life who are experiencing the same trial. You are the provider of His comfort to others--you are His heart of love in action.

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The most dangerous lies are the half-truths the enemy tries to deceive us with. The way to avoid such deceptions is to know the whole counsel of God. Nothing else will do.

Day Seven 2018

Day Seven Thanksgiving Week 2018

I am thankful that Jesus never fails.

His mercies are new every morning
When I am faithless; He is faithful. He will never forsake me. "Great is Thy faithfulness."
He never fails to forgive.
He never fails to comfort.
He never fails to discipline that I might bear the fruits of righteousness.
He never fails to provide the strength--joy--for each day.
He answers every prayer.
He is always revealing to me the beauty of His creation. I don't know what He's "paying" my Gardening Angels, but it's not enough. =)
His loving kindness is steadfast.
He daily satisfies my spiritual hunger--still waters and green pastures fill my day.
He never fails to meet my needs and often "meets" my wants.
He always gives good gifts.
He will never allow me to be separated from His eternal love.

"Heaven and earth may pass away, but Jesus never fails."

"Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul, thank you, Lord, for making me whole, thank you, Lord, for giving to me, Thy great salvation, so rich and free."

Day Six Thanksgiving Week 2018 Majestic Moments

Day Six: Thanksgiving Week 2018

I am thankful for the moments of each day.
The furry alarm clock waking me up as if we're still on school time this week.
The sun shining in the window--and then shining most of the day.
The anticipation of some rain tonight--I love listening to the rain.
The Last Ride--I am enjoying her though I keep wanting to shift.
Warm toast with a touch of cinnamon for breakfast.
Feeding the birds--face-to-face encounters with the downy woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, and tufted titmice. No fear. It's as if they expect me to "fly away" and not bother them while they eat.
Finding a couple colorful indoor plants for the jungle in front of the doorwindow.
Running into a couple of my former students on the same day. Thank you Ellie Bowers and Courtney Farrell for saying "hi." They are not my "kids" anymore. God has them on the move.
Finishing the last bed make-over for 2018. I made it!!
Great lunch at Corner Bakery--love their BLTs. You should try one. I mean, bacon!
Relaxing moments reading the paper with Homesteader curled up in my lap demanding attention now and then--mostly content to just be relaxing along with the servant.
Vacuuming. Doing dishes while looking out at The Acres through the kitchen window.
Two nice long treks through The Acres.
Not grading papers.

Is it not true, as one of America's poet's has asserted (Lowell), that "there is nothing more extraordinary than the ordinary"? Thank you, Lord, for the majestic ordinary moments of an ordinary day.

Day Five Thanksgiving Week 2018 Memories

Day Five Thanksgiving Week:
I am thankful for those visions of the past God gives to us--for memories. Memories of past events, memories of people who have moved away, memories of people gone Home. Sometimes they come with sorrow, but even the sorrow is mixed with the joy of a taste of their presence. They are a reminder of the love and joy, and yes, even the disappointments and losses of our lives. But I can't imagine not being able to remember Pop in his garden, Mom sitting in her floppy hat on my patio, my boys as children entertaining Mom and Pop, their growing up years--even Brad as a small, small child sitting in the hospital bed after his cancer surgery having no idea why Mommy and Daddy let it happen. Memories of sitting in church as a young boy with my parents. And, oh, the boxes of exquisite candy they passed out at Christmas! School days--elementary to college--friends and occasions all planted in my mind. Made another memory today--had Thanksgiving dinner with Brad and Mindy at their new home--it's a marvelous little place with a monstrous backyard. And Brad's becoming quite the chef. And Mindy knows how to put up a Christmas tree that brightens up the world. The new little puppy is a doll as well. Love memories. They edify, encourage, fill our hearts with joy, remind us all the wondrous things He has given us in our lives--people, events, treasured moments. And for a moment we can have the presence of those we love and miss back in our hearts. Thank you, Lord, for those visions, those memories that make up the wonders of our lives. To list them all would take another lifetime.

Day Four Thanksgiving Week 2018--Strength

Day Four Thanksgiving Week:
I am thankful for the strength to work. My "job" today wasn't nine to five, but close. Eleven to 5:30--with a nice walk before I decided to enjoy the curse. Maybe I've been blessed with a little bit of Pop's strength. My hands are frozen, but other than that, no complaints--at least until tomorrow. Did lots of mulching today--and finally re-did the one big bed on my schedule for 2018. Still have one little one to go--maybe later this week. Met a new friend today as well--Aaron's puppy; a black shepherd. Full of curiosity and play. Brought me a stick to throw in case I was a slow learner. I guess I passed the test--he kept bringing it back. Feathered friends are active--just a few snowbirds though and a flock of robins comes by off and on, and a mockingbird. Don't the last two know that winter is coming? I mean, this morning was the first this week that I didn't wake up to snow. Work is such a blessing--tires the body, fills the soul, relaxes the mind. Thank you, Lord for tasks to do, and the strength to do them. If I wake up groaning in the morning, ignore me.

Day Three of Thanksgiving: The Gifts and Calling of God

Day Three Thanksgiving Week:
I am thankful for the gifts and calling of God. I can remember as a first grader sitting in the one room that made up our entire elementary school in the basement of a church in St. Louis, Missouri, knowing that one day I would be a teacher. That may seem improbable to many--but I remember. Miss Anna Irwin was our teacher, and the class was looking at a "play" I had written about vegetables--and I knew. And what a saint Anna Irwin was--teacher extraordinaire. 
Now, what I would teach was still "up for grabs," but never teaching. I think my entire family was chosen to teach--Mom, Pop, Chloe, Janice, and finally, the spoiled younger brother. I have always taught the Bible. I remember "preaching" my first sermon at sixteen in a little country church in Missouri--I spoke on loving God in such a way that all would know He was the love of your life. But "academically" it took until my sophomore year in college that I settled in on English and history. Originally, and I hesitate to confess this--I was going to teach math and physical education. Strange combination I know, but I loved math and wanted to coach. I did well in my college math class, taught by my brother-in-law, Larry Lemon, (perhaps he remembers differently), but I was drawn to literature and history as a means to teach truth and virtue. I did coach--not very well--for many years, but I gave that up in 1980--no regrets at all.
So since 1969--with some years off in hiding or taking care of Mom--He has placed me a classroom. And I am still learning every year what it means to be a teacher. The most important thing it means is that you have been called to love your students by demonstrating to them the love of God. I have not always done that well. Brokenness was the love He used to change my focus from self to others. And it is a focus that is just as challenging now as it was when He first began to teach me. It is also important that you teach the things you love so that it becomes contagious, and the students learn to love those things as well, and love to critically embrace the ideas being presented. Embrace the analysis and the ideas--not accept them necessarily. The third most important thing I am learning is that the greatest danger I face is to become a grader rather than a teacher. That will always be a struggle in education today.
The last place--I think--that He has called me to teach is Worthington Christian High School, and the last "age" He has called me to teach is the seniors. And, though I don't get to teach them all under the current system (sadly), I do get to love them all.
I love my Lord and Master Teacher. I love learning from Him each day. I love that He has called me to be a disciple who happens to be a teacher. I love that He has given me the gift of teaching so contrary to my love for solitude. I love each student He sends my way. And I pray that He will enable me to continue to do His calling until He's ready to call me Home. Faithful is He who calls you to empower you to fulfill His calling. That is a truth I am experiencing each and every day.
He called me when I was too young to know what a calling was. He has patiently taught me how to be His teacher in the classrooms where He placed me--and trust me, I have not always done a work pleasing to Him. But He continues to not give up on me, and, who knows, maybe someday I'll get to teach the grand-kids of kids I've taught. (That's a scary thought)
Thank You, Lord, for your calling, for each student You send me, and for the strength to continue to grow in the calling you have placed upon my life.

Day Two Thanksgiving Week November 2018: Places

Day Two: Thanksgiving Week

I am thankful for places. My childhood and teen years were spent in Wellston, Missouri, right outside St. Louis. (Go Cardinals!) Most of it was spent on Chatham Avenue. Grandma lived behind us, Ziff cousins right up the street, our church--Chatham Bible Church--was up on the next block, the greatest bakery in the history of the world at the top of the block (Krausse's I think was its name.) High school was a nice walk--"ten miles uphill in the snow; there and back" Mr. Winkler with his horse and fresh vegetable truck--with chunks of ice on hot St. Louis days. Even more refreshing than a Pepsi. Basketball in the alley with Eddie; baseball in the streets. I envy no one his or her childhood--the growing up years.
College and the few years afterward were a number of unmemorable hangouts. The next place that is dear to my heart is a little garage turned into an apartment in Bainbridge, Georgia. Out in the country, fishing pond behind it. Brad was born while we lived there. I would gladly trade that garage home for many of the places I've lived in my nomadic life. And, of course, the little home the boys and I lived in in South Carolina after Susan left us. My sister, Janice, and her husband, Dewey, let us live their for practically nothing--one of our lives greatest blessings. Woods behind for the boys to explore and wander and get lost in. Brad the Trailblazer would always find the way home. A place of quiet healing for us. The name of the town says it all: Traveler's Rest. Indeed--for body and soul.
All the places after that kind of blend together--Clintonville, down near campus, East side, apartments in the Worthington area. Stops along the way. Good places for the most part. The hearts make the home, do they not?
And now, finally (I hope and pray) The Acres. The perfect place for me (perfect but not perfected)--a place in the country with room for all the things I cherish--quiet, solitude, beauty. (Wish you could have joined me on my early morning walk in the dark and the snowfall today.) Dick Ault was the friend God used to find The Acres for me. (I'm sure one of the many stars in his crown was for leading me here.) It has everything a flower lover could covet--areas of bright sun, dappled shade, deep shade, a pond, a bog (come on, how many people have their own swamp?) Any flower can find a place to thrive here. And feathered friends are abundant as well--the colors of winter. God saved the "best place" for last. By His grace it will be my final place on this gorgeous earth. I am resting contentedly in Philippians 1--to live is Christ, to die gain, to go home so much better, to be used to touch lives for Him until my calling is complete. 
Places. He has undoubtedly led me to each and every place with love and patience and provision. And, of course, by His grace the actual "best place"--perfect and perfected, still awaits. Home. He has gone to prepare a place for me in His Father's House. Thank You, Lord, for the places you have planted me along the way in my journey Home. And thank You for this place, The Acres! I couldn't have chosen a better one for my olden times. For the beauty of my place on earth, I give you thankful praise!

Thankful November 18, 2019

Day One Thanksgiving Week:

I have been regenerated. Once dead in my trespasses and sins, I have been made alive in Christ. Christ lives in me--the Hope of glory. Absent from the body, I will find myself in His presence, and so, I shall ever be with the Lord.
I have been redeemed. In loving kindness He paid the price to redeem me from the kingdom of darkness and call me into the Kingdom of Light. I am no longer a slave to sin, but a bond-servant of the Eternal God who has made me His child. He sees me as His good and faithful servant.
I have been justified. He has taken away my old robe of unrighteousness filthy as the filthiest rag and instead clothed me with His own righteousness. My life is hid in Christ. When the Father looks at me, He sees His Son--my Savior.
I have been reconciled. Once I was an enemy of God--a soldier of the prince of darkness, fighting the losing battle, totally incapable of overcoming the world, an enemy of the cross, headed toward eternal destruction. Now He calls me "friend," His soldier no longer entangled with the world, armed with spiritual weapons of love, tearing down the strongholds of the enemy, empowered to take every thought captive to His will. Each day armored up with the armor of God.
I have been lavished with His grace and mercy. No longer condemned. No longer, deservedly, under the wrath of God. I am now enabled by His power to be a giver of grace and mercy to others. Saved by grace. Growing in grace. Lavishing His grace on others.
I have been sanctified, He has set me apart as His holy one. He is transforming me into His likeness on a daily basis. I am His child and one day, when I see Him, I will be like Him. He will give me a body incorruptible, incapable of being defiled, immortal--so that I can spend eternity in His presence.
I have been given son-ship. Born again by the Spirit into His family. Adopted by His good will and pleasure into His family. I have been given the right to be called a child of God. I have been given the ability to come boldly into the presence of my Heavenly Father to obtain grace and help in time of need, confident in the inexhaustible riches of glory. I have been made--unbelievably--a joint-heir with Christ.
I am loved with His everlasting, loyal, faithful, inescapable love.

Thankful praise belongs to Him. What a Savior!

In Everything

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord."


In everything:


I am thankful for those times when the physical resources were not nearly enough to meet the physical needs for they have taught me that He has more than enough resoures from treasuries outside my self to meet my every need....
I am thankful for the times of self-doubt for the Spirit then assures me, "you are My child"--and His assurances are greater than even the doubts of my own heart.
I am thankful for the times my good intentions have been "misinterpreted" and led to misunderstanding for such times have taught me to embrace with joy all the good intentions of others.
I am thankful for the tears for how else could I learn to weep with those who weep--and if He hadn't taught me that how could I learn to rejoice with those who rejoice?
I am thankful for the brokenness that has given me a sense of the brokenness in others--a sympathy, no, an empathy, for the hurting ones He continues to bring into my life--every day.
I am thankful for the storms of life for they have made me rely totally on my faith in His promises--they have given me wings of faith to soar on the winds of adversity.
I am thankful for the winters of life because when He in His grace brings the renewal of a spiritual spring His beauty is breathtaking.
I am thankful for the aging of my body that makes me more and more dependent on His strength to face the physical and spiritual challenges of the calling He has graciousl given me.
And, of course, I am closer Home with every step.

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord."

Focus

As He endured the agony of the cross for you and me, what was His focus?


"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."


"John, behold, your mother. Mother, behold, your son."
...

"This day you will be with Me in paradise."


Yes, His focus was on the needs of the hurting people around Him--dearest loved ones and deepest enemies. As you and I bear our crosses as His disciples, on whom, then, should we focus?

Believer

Believer:

 Your life is hid in Christ.
In times of distress, He is your strong tower.
When you fall, His everlasting arms catch you up.
Each day you abide under the shadow of The Almighty....
When you sin, He advocates on your behalf, and His righteousness is your defense.
Today He will lead you to the quiet waters and the green pastures. You will not want.
When you return from straying from His love, He and His angels fill heaven with celebration.
His lovingkindness--His loyal love--endures forever.
As His betrothed, He is coming to take you home to the Father's house. He has prepared a place for you.
In your times of weakness, He strenthens you with His joy.
He enfolds your cares to His heart; your needs He embraces as His responsibility to meet.
His goodness and mercy saturates your yesterdays.
He sweetens heaven with your every prayer.
When you see Him, He will transform you into His likeness--immortal, incorruptable.

O come let us adore HIm

Days Off

Psst. God doesn't take Tuesdays off. So, you're worried, why? Are the Democrats the light of the world and the salt of the earth? Not a chance. Are the Republicans the light of the world and the salt of the earth? Not a chance. No matter what happens on Tuesday our assignment as His children will not change at all. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and your neighbor as I have loved you." Perhaps, our problem is that we're trying to pass on our assignment to people who don't know it and wouldn't care to live by it even if they did know it. The real "issue" on Tuesday--for every day--is will I be faithful to keep my assignment: Love God with all that I am, and Love my neighbor as deeply as He loves me. My faithfulness to that command is the only power that will produce change. And change starts when my neighbor knows the love of God, when I love my neighbor as He loves me: sacrificially, kindly, patiently, with a heart of forgiveness, unconditionally. God doesn't take any days off. You and me?

Reflections for October 2018

Often, the "poor" are just as susceptible to the danger of the love of money as the rich--and just as caught up in the all kinds of evil that such love generates. Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven or the intense, blinding darkness of materialism will be the "light" of your life. A life of continual stumbling--continual "tripping up"--is the result. The lure of prosperity is one of the Devil's greatest weapons in destroying a man or woman's soul. Nations too.
---------------


"The heart of man is desperately wicked; who can know it?"


Guard your heart!
_____________


Invest your money in the needs of people.  The interest rates will be sky high--heavenly even.
______________


Everything the person you vote for does, he or she does with your full permission.
______________


So many of the "good things" that happen to bad people aren't actually good things.
______________


Why is it that a man or woman's character matters--unless he or she is doing something we like?
______________


God already defined morality--right and wrong.  You don't get to.
_______________


Just because you call the golden calf you've built "Jehovah," that doesn't mean that it is.  Be sure you are worshiping Who not what.
______________


Don't forget your prayers of remembrance today.
______________


Every day through our circumstances, our regrets, and our fears, God is asking us the same question:  "Will you trust Me?"  The simple--but never easy--way to answer, "Yes," is to live a life of praise-filled obedience.

Calling

God often calls a man or woman to a ministry contrary to their make-up--or gives them gifts contrary to who they are. Why? First, because the first step of discipleship is denying yourself. Second, because then all the glory for what gets accomplished goes to Him and not to the individual--and he or she knows it. Such gifts and callings are not mistakes, and woe, to the disciple who says "but I don't have the make-up for such a calling, send someone else." He will. And ...the ministry will be fulfilled, but the disciple will lose the blessing. Instead, the disciple must respond simply and in full confidence in His enabling, "Here am I, send me." And again, He will--and "there will be showers of blessing, this is the promise of God." Trust Him. Submit to His calling and enabling. You will be amazed at what the omnipotent, omniscient God can do with an obedient servant. And for His glory.

At All Times

The last fruit of the Spirit is "self-control." Why? The Spirit wants us to know that regardless of the circumstances, regardless of what other people are doing, the believer still--always--must be loving, joyous, gentle, kind, patient, faithful, good, practicing self-control--under the control and empowered by the Spirit. Nothing, or no one, releases us from demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit at all times.

Masters

Everyone has either one master or the other. There are only two. The links in the one master's chains are the desires, the I wants: I want power and prestige, I want fame and fortune, I want the approval and applause of men, I want more than I have, I want to be the master of my own fate. And he knows that no matter what I get in any of these areas, the more I will want. The more I want to be in control, the stronger his chains hold me forged by the fire of discontent.And the outcome for his slaves is an eternity with absolutely nothing but the memories of what and who I have forever lost.
The Master of Love calls His servants to a life of ministry, a life of esteeming others better than themselves, a life of spontaneous service to those around them, a life of denying themselves, a life of bearing their cross and following Him day by day. And He supplies His servants with all they need--even the strength needed to spontaneously serve Him. In fact, the most astounding aspect of serving Him is that freedom He provides to do all the things He calls someone to do accompanied by a joyous heart. And the outcome of serving Him is an eternity of love and beauty and rest shared with the rest of His faithful servants.
Follow the master of emptiness or follow the Master of fulfillment even if you have nothing at all but Him.

No man can have two masters.

Prosperity

Often, the "poor" are just as susceptible to the danger of the love of money as the rich--and just as caught up in the all kinds of evil that such love generates. Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven or the intense, blinding darkness of materialism will be the "light" of your life. A life of continual stumbling--continual "tripping up"--is the result. The lure of prosperity is one of the Devil's greatest weapons in destroying a man or woman's soul. Nations too.

Difference Makers

Education that isn't aimed at the heart and soul of the student is misguided--dangerous. Touch the heart and soul with a love for Jesus and a desire to do His will, and you will produce students who go out into the world thinking right and loving right and living right. They will be members of what someone has called "a colony of Heaven" dedicated to doing God's will on earth and not man's. Difference makers is what we call them.

He Knows

The Triune God of the universe--Father, Son, and Spirit--knows our frames, that we are but dust; fragile creatures who struggle day-by-day in our efforts to please Him. That is why we must rest in our opinion of ourself and of others of His children in the answer to Peter's rhetorical plea--"Jesus, you know all things, and you know that I love you." Yes, He does know. He knows that we love Him. That is why He is the God who looks into our hearts and sees our feeble faith ...and wavering obedient love and is still pleased with us for He knows that we do love Him and that our heart's desire is to please Him with our walk of faith. And that is why He calls David--faults, failures, and all--"a man aftet My own heart." That is why He says of Lot--yes, that Lot--"that righteous man." That is why He says of those mentioned in Hebrews 11--struggles and all--"of whom the world is not worthy." One day, when He calls us Home, He will not greet us with a reading of our faults and failures--even eternity may not be long enough for that--but with a smile, a "thank you," and the words, "Well done! Good and faithul servant! Enter into My joy." So, when you want to wallow in your past, or accuse other believers of their failures--you do know who the accuser of God's children is, don't you?--remember, as you walk on the shores of your Galilee with Him by your side, that He knows all things and He knows that you (and those others of His children) love Him. His word to you is the same--"don't be defeated by your past, focus on the now, focus on the future, go on now, feed my sheep."

"Lord you know all things and you know that I love You."


"Yes, I know child, I know that you love Me."

Courage

Courage is a necessity for the faithful disciple. We are soldiers behind enemy lines. We all face the mocking giants that ridicule our faith in a loving, sovereign God. We all have been commanded to use spiritual weapons--love, prayer, forgiveness as our "strategy" against the enemy. We all face the subtle encouragements to become entangled in the world system. We are all tempted to embrace success over godly character. We all encounter outcomes that would lead us to be...lieve that we have lost the battle. 
 

Where then do we find our courage?


 Only one place: the promises of our Captain.
 
"I will always be by your side."
"All of your tomorrows I took care of yesterday."
"When you go into battle, it is I who will fight for you."
"When you by faith in Me resist the enemy, he will flee."
"Obedience is the undeniable proof of victory, not the visible, human outcomes."
"The walls of the world's Jerichos fall flat at the sound of shouts of praise."
"No weapon of this world is mightier than the spiritual weapons you wield."
"I have made you more than a conqueror through the power of My love spread abroad in your heart by the heat of the battle."
"I have overcome the world."
"The battle is won. The earth will be filled with the My glory as the water covers the sea."
"Only be strong and very courageous."

One Thing

In those times in our lives when the answer to our prayers is the one thing we didn't want to happen . . .In those times in our lives when things are going on that break our hearts but are totally out of our control to change . . . In those times in our lives that the tears are flowing so deeply from the very depths of our souls that we wonder if even in eternity they can all be wiped away . . . In those times in our life when those we love are hurting and we can do nothing t...o help . . . In those times in our lives when we have been totally misunderstood and judged guilty . . . In those times in our lives when it looks as if evil is winning in a rout . . . In those times . . . one thing is necessary, vital to our joy, our strength, our spiritual victory. 
 

One thing:


We must fall on our knees and pray: '"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." . . .


"Not my will. but Thine

Quiet

I always enjoy coming home to the peace, stillness, and quiet of The Acres. Tonight there are some off and on showers to add to the mood. Yes, rain adds to the peaceful stillness. Another of His gifts that we too often complain about instead of enjoying its beauty. We, as disciples, so need those quiet times--alone times. They are invigorating times of meditation on the Word He has planted in our hearts. They are times of honest conversation with the One who knows our e...very fear, every struggle, every doubt and is never "put out" about our wayward selfish thoughts. He is quick to encourage, ready to lovingly exhort, eager to edify His child--to build us up for what He knows is coming--settle our hearts and minds on the Rock of our Deliverance. He is eager to fold us under His wings. I have found that the rest He places in my heart in the quiet times remains at work in my soul even when I have returned to the chaos and busyness of the next day. As quiet, alone times strengthened our Savior as He walked this earth so they will strengthen us as we walk the dusty roads of our place of calling. Often, He has been gracious enough to make me slow down, embrace the quiet, relish the aloneness. Do not despise the times when He says, "Stop, you need some time with me alone." No matter if you are by nature a quiet, lone soul like some old man I know, or an avid doer like so many I know and love, faithful discipleship finds its strength for the day in times alone with the Lover of your soul and the Power of your daily walk of obedience. "Be still and know that I Am God" is not a suggestion. And to know Him more deeply is to love Him more deeply, and to love Him more deeply is to love others more deeply, and such love is the essence of the Christian life. "Love the Lord your God with all your strength, with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your will, and with all your soul, and love your neighbor as I have loved you." Don't let busyness--even Christian busyness; especially Christian busyness--keep you from those times alone with the Savior of your soul.

This Place

In my years of following my Savior and Lord, I have noticed--even at times in my own struggles--a propensity for disciples to believe that where you are is more important than who you are. What I mean is that often I see Christians--some that I love dearly--thinking that if they could just go somewhere else other than where God has them now, that they will find contentment and fulfillment there. The problem with that is, of course, that wherever you go to find "success," you take you with you. The real issue--Paul states it clearly, "I have learned wherever I am to there be content"--is my relationship with Him and my submission to His will. It is not a mistake that He has me where I am. God never says, "Oops, I really didn't need him there."
I think at times, though, He lets us move on in an attempt to get us to realize that it is who we are in Him, our faith and confidence in His wisdom and His will, that brings meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in our lives as His disciples. Sadly, I have seen many who keep moving around physically that also begin to move slowly but surely farther and farther away from their relationship with Him. Thus, in the new place they become even more discontent, disheartened, and miserable. We need to ask Him daily, "what would You have me do today--right where You have me--that will make You known to others?" He will show us why He needs us where we are--why this is the place that, if we renew our submission to His will and not push for our own, that we will find the contentment and purpose that He has for us. If am dedicated to do His will each day, I will find a sense of His presence in my daily walk as His disciple. And if He walks beside me and directs my actions then where I am will make no difference at all, will it? As the hymn writer says, "Tis so sweet to walk with Jesus." Serve Him today where you are and with all your strength and loving obedience. Your life is not about you; it's about allowing Him to use you in the this place, the place of His calling.

Reflections from September 2018

"Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;"
Sing to Him--lift the hearts of those who hear you, saturate your own heart with the melody of His presence, fill the throne room of Heaven with your exultation of His majesty.
Sing!
...

"Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord."
__________


Speak the truth--IN LOVE.
__________


Laugh.
__________


Forgive.
__________


Encourage.
__________


In case you forgot, He's still on the throne of the universe today--full of infinite wisdom and infinite love and infinite patience.  He'll be there all day.
__________


Alone?  Never.
__________


Suffering is the path we must walk to fully understand His love for us.  And He who has walked the path on our behalf, always walks beside us to deepen our understanding and to strengthen our relationship with Him through the sharing of His joy.
__________


He who sustains the entire universe is more than able to provide all the strength you need for this day.
__________


Only a bond-slave of Christ is truly free to be the servant to others God has ordained him to be.  Every believer is called to be a minister--motivated by love and humility to put the needs of others above His own.
__________


Two words you can never say too often:  "Thank you."
__________


Use the strength of a submissive heart to empower those you love to be everything He has called them to be.
__________


Any so-called "right" that is not inexorably linked to inviolable responsibilities is (to use an old King James word) lasciviousness.
__________


Quit trying to earn grace.  Embrace the weaknesses that make it necessary and possible.  Then, He can perfect His strength in you for your good and His glory.
__________


A quote I encountered today in my reading:


'The line separating good from evil passes not through states, not between classes, not between political parties either--but right through every human heart." Solzhenitsyn
__________


For what it's worth. In "evaluating" people in a position of power, I always ask myself one question: How many of the fruit of the Spirit do they demonstrate in their daily interactions with other people--friend and foe alike? Love. Joy. Peace. Gentleness. Goodness. Patience. Kindness. Faithfulness. Self-control. If those are not evident in their daily lives, they are not God's man or woman.

Prosperous or Bankrupt

God's definition of a spiritually prosperous disciple:


poor in spirit
heartbroken
gentle...
famished for righteousness
merciful
pure in heart
committed to peace
persecuted for righteous living
insulted for their faith in Him
joyful

God's definition of a spiritually bankrupt disciple:


spiritually proud
lacking compassion
gloat over those who have stumbled
satisfied with their righteousness
judgmental
superificially pure
quarrelsome
spiritually invisible
faithless in their walk
murmuring and complaining


Taken a self-examination lately? The Spirit will be delighted to help you with the assessment.

A Little Child

I saw a picture last week on facebook that I can't get out of my mind. Or should I say out of my heart. It was a photograph of Joel and Amy Walton holding their beautiful little boy, Judah whose is, as usual, grinning from ear to ear. He exudes such a gentle, joyous nature. (Some of it I'm sure comes from Mom and Dad's DNA). The world would view little Judah as "challenged." But I can't stop imagining how delighted our God and Father and Savior must be with such gifts of love that He lavishes on this world. If only we could all become like little Judah. He seems to cherish each and every waking moment. I love his laughter as he enjoys a "ride" in a swing--from ecstasy to a tinge of fear and back to ecstasy on each "trip." And what courage he has shown in times of suffering and pain. I have not seen a shred of pretense in his smiles and laughter. And, Oh, how he embraces being loved and returning love to those who love him. What an example he is to those of us called to be children of God, called to become like little children if we are to be convincing evidence to the world that we are members of the Kingdom of God! Think of it--are we filled with the joy and wonder of each moment? Courageous in times of struggle and pain? Men and women of simple integrity? Those delighted in being God's love gift to the world--embracing being loved and returning love to those He has put into our lives for just such mutual, wondrous, eternal moments? How beautifully that little love gift lives up to the meaning of his name: Judah--Praise. If only we would all let God transform us into such a little child--a child of God whose walk with our Father reflects such stupendously simple Praise.

A little child shall lead them.

"Unless you become like one of these . . ."

Wrestling

Too often we forget that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood." The enemy uses men and women to do his work, but they are not the enemy. And we must fight the real enemy with spiritual "weapons." We must know the whole counsel of God so that the cleverest of liars cannot lead us astray. Often he comes as an "angel of light." Often he comes as a roaring lion. With the sword of the Spirit we can expose his disguise and reveal the darkness. With the sword of the Spirit... we can resist the lion--and he will flee. And we must pray. It is with prayer that we "put on the whole armor of God." It is with prayer that we intercede on the behalf of those we love and those we have been called to serve. It is with prayer that we cast our burdens on Him so that we might focus on "bearing one another's burdens and so fulfill the love of God." It is with prayer that we are empowered with the humility to love our human "enemies" and draw them to the Savior. Nothing makes our true enemy happier then when we focus our attacks on flesh and blood. When we do that, we are fighting on his side. When we do that, we are going to battle with harmless weapons. Be an effective wielder of the Sword of the Spirit. Be a man or woman of prayer. Demonstrate the unconditional, holy love of God to those who are enslaved by the one intent on destroying their souls. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood."

Remember

Remember:

 You are a joint-heir with Christ.
Absolutely nothing that happens today can separate you from His love.
Your life is hid in Christ--and when you see Him you will be like Him.
He will strengthen you today with His joy....
He will supply all that you need--and some of your wants.
You are welcome into the throne room of God at any time today that you desire to talk to Him.
He will gladly bear any care you cast on Him.
There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.
He has promised you rest as you lean on Him.

The Garden of Gethsemane Moment

I believe that we need to tell those that we are encouraging to follow Christ that the path of discipleship leads to a Garden of Gethsemane moment (at least one). The time will come when the follower of Christ will find his or her life in the one set of circumstances he or she would have never wanted to be a part of their life's experience. Finding themselves on their knees because they lack the strength to be anywhere else, they will have to make the most crucial decision.... Will they in submission cry out, "Nevertheless, not my will but Thine"? Or will they struggle to their feet, turn their back on God, and walk out of the Garden away from the cross every disciple must bear daily? "If anyone will be my disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me continually."
Those circuimstances will not change. But those who walk away will change and become insensitive to the Spirit, angry at the Father, dismissive of the Son. That's as empty a life as anyone can live. No life is more out of control than the life that a man tries to take control of himself.
Those who submit to His will live the life of the cross--a life that touches others with unconditonal love, sacrificial love, forgiving love. No life has more meaning, is more fulfilling, makes a greater impact on the world. It is a life energized by the resurrection power of God.
Why must those who have been in the Garden moment and prayed the prayer of submission tell those coming behind us that such a moment (moments) are coming? Because then we can tell them that it has been worth it all to choose to follow Him as His faithful disciple in the midst of life's more devastating moments. They will find Him faithful. They will be able to love the world with a holy love. And that will make an eternity of difference.

This Day

He has promised you all the strength you need for this day. And He has promised you that this day would present you with great opportunities for rejoicing. And He has promised you that He would be with you every step of this day. Rest in His strength. Rejoice in His blessings. Pray for a sense of His presence. Don't let your worries about your yesterdays and tomorrows take away this day of rejoicing, empowered by His strength and basking in His presence

The Answer

God answers every prayer. I know we like to use the idea that His answer is "yes," "no," or "wait," but I think it's more than that. God answers every prayer with the promise: "I will use this situation for your good, for the good of my Bride, and for My glory. For your good and the good of My church because I love you. I can promise that it wil be good because though you can only see the present tense and imagine what the outcome will be, I can see all things--the past,... the present, and the future. I will make all things work for your good. At times that will mean turning your tears into laughter; at times that will mean turning your laughter into tears--but always for your good. And it will be for My glory because the world needs to understand that I am the Living God, the God who is hands on in the history of the world and each of its people. Thank you, My beloved child, for putting this situation into my hands. Remember: I AM."
How must I pray then? Grateful praise that we come to the God of infinitie love, infinite wisdom, infinite patience, infinite goodness, infinite gentleness, and an infinite loyal love for His children. Thankful rejoicing that He alone can be trusted with the situation--and deeply desires that we cast all our cares on Him--that by doing so, we proclaim our confidence that He does indeed care.
And petition--help me, Lord, Father, to see the good, to wait patiently for its arrival. Help me, Loving and wise Master, to submit to Your promise so that I might be a vessel that reflects Your glory--that makes Your active presence in the world undeniable. I can't believe You trust me to glorify Your Name. Empower me to do so in all humility.
"Pray without ceasing." "In everything by prayer and petition let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God that guards your hearts and minds--beyond your ability to even comprehend how"--will keep you on our knees confident that He does all things for your good and for His majestic glory.

Do

God does not expect me to put into practice the things I do not know--the things He has not taught me yet. And He is always revealing new truths and insights to me no matter how ancient I become. But He does expect me to live out the things He has taught me--old and new. To not do so is deadly to my Christian walk. To not do so leads to a life of stagnancy. To not do so hinders the Spirit's desire to teach me more. To not do so makes me dangerous to those I know and lo...ve--it makes me a builder on the sands that cannot withstand the storms. To not do so makes me susceptible to the insidious idea that I've arrived at spiritual maturity--that I know all of Him I need to know and that I know all I need to know to be the disciple He has called me to be. To not do so makes me a blasphemer to those who know what I claim to be true about Him and His love. To not do so makes me a fruitless branch on the vine, a wandering sheep, a cowardly disciple quivering as I hear the roaring lion. To not do so makes me resistant to the Spirit's love that He desires to spread abroad in my heart. One of the truths I pray that the Spirit will always keep before my eyes is that if I love Him, actually love Him, I will keep His commandments--and that doing so will not be a chore but a source of life-strengthening joy.

Tests

God doesn't test us in anticipation of our failure. His tests are designed to convince us that we need to be totally dependent on Him in order to live a victorious Christian life. Dependence is difficult for us to embrace in a society that idolizes independence and self-sufficiency. Yet, we must embrace our reliance on Him--on the power of the Spirit who resides within us--a gift from Him. "Without Me you can do nothing" are not idle words. He exhorts us to keep on growi...ng in grace and the knowledge of Him. Through His loving testing--yes, loving--He teaches us the need for His sufficient grace. The more we rely on our own human strength to live the spiritual life, the less we have of His omnipotent strength to do His will. And He often tests us in those areas that we believe are our strengths. He has empowered us in certain areas, and we begin to think it's us and not Him doing the living, the ministering to others that He has called us to do. The testing reveals to us our spiritual pride. And the knowledge we are to daily acquire is experiential knowledge, not head knowledge. Oh, He has implanted the knowledge in our heads, but the testing engraves it on our hearts. We no longer "just believe" the truths in our theology, we have experienced the power of the truth to transform us by the testing that made it undeniably effective in our daily walk. Testing--God's proof of His love for us as His beloved child--transforms us into the image of His Dear Son--makes us more like Jesus as unimaginable as that can be. Pray for His love tests in your life. Embrace the grace you need to live for Him.

Reflections for August 2018

You are His bride. Great love and grace.  Great responsibility.
__________


Today's struggle--if embraced as the evidence of God's loving hand at work in your life--is the foundation for tomorrow's victory no matter how difficult the spiritual battle.
__________


Why has man since the beginning of time resisted the doctrine of Creation?  Because the Creation is God's declaration of His power and glory.  And the man who denies it will be without excuse when they stand before Him.  Kneel before Him.
__________


When it seems that God is not doing anything in your life, it's time to get into the Word in every way you can.  Quiet times are listening and learning times.
__________


My proof for the existence of God?  I talk to Him every day.  No, not to Him, with Him.  Go ahead, smirk.  Call me "crazy."  "Insane."  But as the hymn writer says, "It is glory just to walk with Him."
__________

The Word

The Word of God:


Restores the soul
Makes wise the simple
Rejoices the heart...
Enlightens the eyes
Warns
Rewards
Keeps from presumptuous sins

In need of any of those? Find your Bible, open it, read it.

The Lord

As the psalmist reminds us:

The Lord is our strength. We need not--dare not--rely on our own. We have received the power of the Spirit to enable us to do all things through Him. He has never called us to do anything without granting us the strength we need to fulfill the calling.

The Lord is our shield. Our faith in His protecting presence enables us to resist the darts of the evil one. We are promised that if we resist the enemy armored up, that he will flee. Greater is He who is in us.

The Lord is our love. He is the One--the Love of our life--who calls us to obedience, to rest in His inescapable love for us.

The Lord is our help. Our help comes from the Lord in every situation. The mountains in our path, the giants looming before us have no chance against our "very present help in time of trouble."

The Lord is our joy. In the deepest sorrow, His joy that endured the cross is ours so that we can exult His name in every situation. And our joyous exultation builds within in us the power of endurance and perseverance so vital to our daily walk with Him.

The Lord is our song. The sacrifice of praise speaks to our hearts, to the hearts of those around us, and even to His heart our King and Redeemer--our Strength, our Shield, our Love, our Help, our Joy.

Foundations

David cried out in hopelessness: "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
Then, the Spirit reminded him, "The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven."
It's never hopeless. He Lives! He Reigns!


Remember the old hymn?


How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! What more can He say than to you He hath said, to you, who for refuge to Jesus hath fled? To you, who for refuge to Jesus hath fled?
"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed, for I am Thy God, I will still give thee aid; I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause you to stand, upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand, upheld by My gracious omnipotent hand.
"When t...hro' the deep waters I call thee to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; for I will be with thee thy trials to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
"When thro' fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be they supply, the flames shall not hurt thee; I only design thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine, thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine."


The Foundation that can't be destroyed:

The Word of God:


Restores the soul
Makes wise the simple
Rejoices the heart
Enlightens the eyes
Warns
Rewards
Keeps from presumptuous sins

In need of any of those? Find your Bible, open it, read it.

Armed

God gives each of us different weapons in our battle with the world. Some are armed with the gift of encouragement. Some are armed with the gift of creativity. Some are armed with the gift of listening. Some are armed with the gift of graciousness. Some are armed with resources to invest in His kingdom. Some are armed with the treasure of little children to raise up to serve Him. Some are armed with patience. Some are armed with the gift of comforting that comes only ...with the gift of suffering. Some are armed with the witness that they are waiting confidently for the good that is coming. Some are armed with the beauty of caring for others who are in need of great care and love. Some are armed with a servant's heart that tirelessly works behind the scenes content without a word of recognition. But it takes each of us using our "weapons" in His strength to make Him---and all that He is--visible to a seeking world.

The Attaining of Patience

"strengthened with all power . . . for the attaining of patience."

 It takes total reliance on the power of God to become a patient disciple--to let patience have its perfecting work in our lives. What are the characteristics of a patient saint? Consistency--not letting the circumstances of life or the behavior of others change who I am--is certainly one. If I let events or people keep me from being a kind, loving, compassionate Christian, I am lacking patience. If I "jump... to conclusions" about others and their motives, I am lacking in patience. If circumstances or people undermine that other fruit of the Spirit--self-control, I am lacking in patience. i believe it all comes down to that first descriptor of a true disciple--"If anyone will be my disciple, let him deny himself." The impatient saint is the self-centered saint, the saint who has put himself and what he wants, above others. He thinks only about his own needs and desires. Never, ever will he put the needs and desires of others above his own. And, of course, it takes the Spirit's power to "chip away" at my natural self-centeredness.
We need to pray for patience. Patience leaves room for spiritual growth in others. Patience empowers me to wait confidently on the good work God is doing in my life and others. Patience allows God to mold me into one who is faithful no matter what comes into my life--to be one of His faithful remnant in the worst of times. Patience enables me to be a listener, someone who people can come to for acceptance, loving advice, and encouragement. We have need of patience to become a mature disciple of Christ in whatever ministry God calls us to. Pray for patience.

Who You Are

This is how God sees you:

His friend
His beloved child
His adopted, chosen child
A joint-heir with His Son
One of the sheep of His pasture
His letter to the world perfumed with the sense of His presence
Saint--Set apart one--holy one
More than conqueror
Overcomer of the world
The inner sanctuary of His temple where the Holy Spirit dwells
A member of the royal priesthood
His light in the dark world
A vessel He has molded into exactly what He needs and then filled with His glory to perform His sacred purpose at this time and in this place
His workmanship of grace--His masterpiece--His poem
A Majestic one
A tree planted by the rivers of water
A branch abiding in Him, bearing fruit for His glory
His own eternal possession

And if He sees you that way . . . Guess what you are?

Self-examination

Self-examination is essential for the disciple. As I heard a pastor say once, "Keep in touch with your depravity." Now, the purpose of that exam is not so that you will throw a huge pity party, or question God's ability to use you, or be overwhelmed by your struggle toward Christ-likeness. (The struggle is dynamic prove of discipleship. He is working in your life!) The purposes for self-examination are diverse but powerful. The more I see myself as He sees me the more amazed I am at His grace and love. He saved me by His grace. He now sustains me by His grace. Understanding the deep love of God for me as I am motivates me to serve Him through the love of my obedience. How can I not respond to His love but by being obedient?! Sel-examination also enables me to love others as He does--as they are on their own journey to Christ-likeness. It quickly enlightens me to my own weaknesses and removes any thoughts of judging the weaknesses of others. We are on this journey together--and the end is promised: when we see Him we will be like Him. There is great humility to be found in self-examination. Self-examination also reminds me of my dependence on Him for spiritual growth--I cannot maufacture spiritulality--only the Spirit can transform me. I am the clay pot. He is the power and the treasure in the vessel that makes it fit for the Master's use--as He sees fit. Self-examination as a catalyst for my amazement at His great love, as a lesson in humility in my interactions with the rest of His children, and as a reminder of my total dependence on His power is vital to my walk and growth.

Uh-ohs

It's early. Perhaps when the routine of school sets in, I'll settle into a somewhat normal sleep pattern. Perhaps.
I've been sitting in the chair by the front doorwindow looking into the darkness of the morningnight. Unfortunately, my mind became distracted by my Uh-ohs.
Uh-oh. Three days until teacher meetings, and I still have four flower beds I need to re-do. And it's supposed to rain every day until the middle of next week. I hate the uh-ohs of unfulfilled goals.
Uh-oh. Three days until teacher meetings, and when I look at the piles of books I had hoped to read this summer in the pursuit of the next "soul book," there are least twenty I didn't get to. (Maybe if I had quit ordering more . . . Three are in the mail now.) I hate the uh-ohs of missed opportunities.
Uh-oh. Three days until teacher meetings begin, and I just found out yesterday afternoon that the number of students I have in AP English has risen from 23 to 31. You would think after all these years I would know to wait to order copies from Wes (WCS will have to shut down if we ever lose Wes) until all the schedule changes were in. But did I? Nope. Hey, I've only been at this now for about fifty years. But now, I'll need to go in to school and run off more copies. (Actually, I shouldn't complain. That's kinda a partial answer to my prayers. Shhhh. Don't tell anyone, but I was praying all summer that they wouldn't be able to find a teacher for the College Credit Plus class. I confess, I am a jealous egotist. I don't like the idea of any seniors graduating without my having a chance to touch their lives with my favorite soul books and a deeper understanding of the Lover of their Souls. Jealousy! Spiritual Pride! Guilty as charged.) Anyway, now I have to run off some more copies. I hate the frustration of messing up my own plans.

Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Uh-oh. The frustration of goals unreached, opportunities missed, plans gone awry. Such noise in my brain though I sit in the dark stillness of a morningnight.

But wait. Sitting in the darkness, one of my favorite poems by Wendell Berry slipped in among the Uh-ohs.

"Best of any song
is bird song
in the quiet, but first
you must have the quiet."

I have the quiet! I am sitting in the hush of the morningnight this very moment. Ah, stillness. Any minute now the Morrow County Tabernacle Choir will begin its oratorio. Meditating on that wonder easily dispels the noise of all the Uh-ohs in my brain. And I think I can imagine how it will begin. The "sweet, sweet, sweet" of the cardinals nestled into the quiet background cooing of the mourning doves. Shhh. Any moment it will begin--in the quiet. Bird song.

If you're up in time, I hope you're listening. I hope you don't let your Uh-ohs--goals not reached, opportunities missed, plans gone awry--mess up the soul-quieting joy of the concert. It will be magnificent. Listen. (No wonder His eye is on each sparrow--beautiful members of His early morning choir.)

Sh. Listen.

Sorry. You're frustration with your Uh-ohs is ruining the quiet. I'm going to leave you. Bye. It's symphony time.

Sweet, sweet--cooooooo. Sweet-cooooo-sweet. Coo-sweet-ooo.