THE GIFT
God gave me a special gift when I lost my daddy.
The night before Daddy's funeral service, I returned home from the funeral home exhausted from a day of tears and sadness. As I stepped out of the car, I looked up into the night sky, and there blazing from north to south was the most beautiful, brilliant shooting star I have ever seen. It seemed so close, I felt like I was witnessing some miraculous event. I could only stand and stare as I watched it disappear from sight. Of the five other people in the car with me, only one, Lauren, the youngest granddaughter saw it. She confirmed that what I had seen was real and not just the product of my exhaustion and grief. Me, the oldest daughter and Lauren, the youngest grandchild, were privy to the glory of God that night.
For me that shooting star represented my daddy's life; beautiful, brilliant, blazing with the fire of God. Our lives, too, are like shooting stars. God breathes into us his life and we are set ablaze. We journey through this life from our birth until our death. Some of us burn brightly, some are only glowing faintly, and some have no light at all. For all of us though, our lives are over in a moment, and we are only a memory. Those who burn brightly, like my Daddy, do so because God's glory is poured into their hearts by the Holy Spirit through Christ Jesus and that makes all the difference in a person's life.
God was living in my Daddy and God's presence brings light and knowledge; it brings direction and hope; it brings peace and love. What about you, are you filled with God's presence? Does your life look like a shooting star, blazing a trail of light, hope, and love across a starry night sky?
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
Friday, November 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Cause and Effect
"Girls who eat their vegetables get to have dessert."
"If you stay on your bed and rest, then we will go outside and play afterward."
I'm watching my daughter-in-law, Teresa as she teaches our two granddaughters, Kate and Audrey. She does a wonderful job of taking care of them and they are very well-behaved. Teresa is teaching them, even at one and three, that the choices they make have consequences.
Life is full of choices. Moment by moment, day by day, we make choices that will effect our future. I am who I am today, because of the choices I made when I was a child, a teen, and then a young adult. It's pretty scary to think of just how important the formative years are. Will I be truthful and honest? Will I work hard and do my best? Will I choose to do the right thing?
Every cause has an effect.
Every action has a reaction.
Every choice has a consequence.
And before you know it, you are a grandmother and you look back at your life and clearly see that the choices you made brought you to the place where you are today.
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12.
Lord, help us today to make the right choice.
"If you stay on your bed and rest, then we will go outside and play afterward."
I'm watching my daughter-in-law, Teresa as she teaches our two granddaughters, Kate and Audrey. She does a wonderful job of taking care of them and they are very well-behaved. Teresa is teaching them, even at one and three, that the choices they make have consequences.
Life is full of choices. Moment by moment, day by day, we make choices that will effect our future. I am who I am today, because of the choices I made when I was a child, a teen, and then a young adult. It's pretty scary to think of just how important the formative years are. Will I be truthful and honest? Will I work hard and do my best? Will I choose to do the right thing?
Every cause has an effect.
Every action has a reaction.
Every choice has a consequence.
And before you know it, you are a grandmother and you look back at your life and clearly see that the choices you made brought you to the place where you are today.
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12.
Lord, help us today to make the right choice.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Even Before I Knew
In the early morning darkness, I watched as she walked down the steps and to the street where the school bus was waiting. As it disappeared around the corner, it occurred to me that we hadn't prayed. In the 45 minutes since the alarm clock went off, we had hurriedly dressed, combed her hair, breakfasted, and checked her backpack for homework. But in that span of time we had never stopped to thank God for rest or ask his help and direction for the day.
I quickly offered a prayer for protection for Hannah and then I realize, God has been here all along; his holy angels are ever watching and guarding his little ones. Once again, I am awed by how wonderful our God is. He is faithful, even when I am not. He never forgets me. He is never too busy or distracted to care for me. He was thinking of me while I slept. Each morning he wakes the sun and pushed the darkness away just for me. He gives me all I need for life, and he does it faithfully every morning.
"Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations." Deuteronomy 7:9
Rest assured, God is way ahead of us. He planned for this moment long before I even knew him. He knows exactly what I need even before I ask. He is ever working in my behalf to teach me, to lead me, to care for me, and to prepare me for the things that lie ahead.
"But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Comforting, isn't it? Even before I knew I needed a savior, he provided one!
I quickly offered a prayer for protection for Hannah and then I realize, God has been here all along; his holy angels are ever watching and guarding his little ones. Once again, I am awed by how wonderful our God is. He is faithful, even when I am not. He never forgets me. He is never too busy or distracted to care for me. He was thinking of me while I slept. Each morning he wakes the sun and pushed the darkness away just for me. He gives me all I need for life, and he does it faithfully every morning.
"Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations." Deuteronomy 7:9
Rest assured, God is way ahead of us. He planned for this moment long before I even knew him. He knows exactly what I need even before I ask. He is ever working in my behalf to teach me, to lead me, to care for me, and to prepare me for the things that lie ahead.
"But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Comforting, isn't it? Even before I knew I needed a savior, he provided one!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
God Speaks Through Trials
Trials! Ugh....don't you just hate that word! Nobody in their right mind wants to have trials. Our trials slow us down, cause us pain and sadness, and frustrate us to no end. No one is immune either; they are common to us all. Trials are the stuff-of-life; our path is laden on every side with setbacks and struggles and suffering.
For years, I have not wanted to admit that suffering is part of the Christian experience. I would skip over the Bible verses about trials, sweep them under the rug, so to speak. I believed that my faith in Christ would somehow shield me from suffering, and there is some truth to this idea, because Jesus suffered for us, taking our place when he died on the cross for our sins. So, there is great comfort in the fact that Christ has paid the just penalty for my sins and I am no longer charged as guilty of those sins.
A good place to go to find out more about the topic of suffering is the Bible, of course. One major theme of the book of 1Peter is the willingness of Christians to suffer for Christ's sake. So, it is there that we will look to find some answers to the problem of suffering. Here we find that Christ suffered for our sake, to bring us to God (1Peter 3:18). We learn that Christ's suffering was an example for us to follow (1Peter 2:21) and the trial of our faith is more precious than gold (1Peter1:7).
We can be certain then, that we will have trials. Experience has proven that I was not exempt from suffering even though my life was hidden in Christ. Like everyone else, I have had my share of trials and problems to deal with. These trials and problems were the very "things" that have shaped my life. "Things" I encountered, like financial woes caused by debt and over-spending, "things" like difficulty in relationships caused by divorce and estrangement and unforgivness, and "things" like the heartbreak of caring for a child with a disability.
Suffering is inevitable because we live in a fallen world. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they died as a result of that one act and today we still live under the curse of that one act. We are born in sin and unless we accept God's salvation through Christ, we will die in sin and be eternally separated from God.
Let's look again at 1Peter 4:12-19; here we find some answers as to why we suffer and how we are to respond to trials whenever they come our way. We are instructed in verse 12 to think it not strange; to understand that it is normal, something to be expected. We will encounter persecution and opposition because we have an enemy of our souls and we are engaged in a war between the forces of good and evil. Our response to suffering, we see in verse 13, is to rejoice because Christ is glorified in us when we suffer. This is a reminder to us that even though we live in this world; this world is not our home. We are to live for the world to come. We are to invest in the kingdom of heaven. And we are to lay down our lives for the sake of others. Finally, in verse 19 we see that our response to trials is to commit the keeping of our souls to him in well-doing. This is where our faith takes over; we believe that God is in control, that he knows where we are and what we are going through, and he will bring us through it.
Most everyone who has suffered will admit that now, looking back on that time, they can see that God was at work in their life. God speaks to us through trials; it is at these difficult times that God has our full attention. We are brought to the end of ourself and we realize that we need his help. We grow stronger in our faith as we endure,and in time, like gold that is tried by fire, we too are purified and strengthened by the fire of suffering. The key is to endure; to remain true to Christ, to keep-on, keeping-on. God is speaking through trials.....but, are we listening?
For years, I have not wanted to admit that suffering is part of the Christian experience. I would skip over the Bible verses about trials, sweep them under the rug, so to speak. I believed that my faith in Christ would somehow shield me from suffering, and there is some truth to this idea, because Jesus suffered for us, taking our place when he died on the cross for our sins. So, there is great comfort in the fact that Christ has paid the just penalty for my sins and I am no longer charged as guilty of those sins.
A good place to go to find out more about the topic of suffering is the Bible, of course. One major theme of the book of 1Peter is the willingness of Christians to suffer for Christ's sake. So, it is there that we will look to find some answers to the problem of suffering. Here we find that Christ suffered for our sake, to bring us to God (1Peter 3:18). We learn that Christ's suffering was an example for us to follow (1Peter 2:21) and the trial of our faith is more precious than gold (1Peter1:7).
We can be certain then, that we will have trials. Experience has proven that I was not exempt from suffering even though my life was hidden in Christ. Like everyone else, I have had my share of trials and problems to deal with. These trials and problems were the very "things" that have shaped my life. "Things" I encountered, like financial woes caused by debt and over-spending, "things" like difficulty in relationships caused by divorce and estrangement and unforgivness, and "things" like the heartbreak of caring for a child with a disability.
Suffering is inevitable because we live in a fallen world. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they died as a result of that one act and today we still live under the curse of that one act. We are born in sin and unless we accept God's salvation through Christ, we will die in sin and be eternally separated from God.
Let's look again at 1Peter 4:12-19; here we find some answers as to why we suffer and how we are to respond to trials whenever they come our way. We are instructed in verse 12 to think it not strange; to understand that it is normal, something to be expected. We will encounter persecution and opposition because we have an enemy of our souls and we are engaged in a war between the forces of good and evil. Our response to suffering, we see in verse 13, is to rejoice because Christ is glorified in us when we suffer. This is a reminder to us that even though we live in this world; this world is not our home. We are to live for the world to come. We are to invest in the kingdom of heaven. And we are to lay down our lives for the sake of others. Finally, in verse 19 we see that our response to trials is to commit the keeping of our souls to him in well-doing. This is where our faith takes over; we believe that God is in control, that he knows where we are and what we are going through, and he will bring us through it.
Most everyone who has suffered will admit that now, looking back on that time, they can see that God was at work in their life. God speaks to us through trials; it is at these difficult times that God has our full attention. We are brought to the end of ourself and we realize that we need his help. We grow stronger in our faith as we endure,and in time, like gold that is tried by fire, we too are purified and strengthened by the fire of suffering. The key is to endure; to remain true to Christ, to keep-on, keeping-on. God is speaking through trials.....but, are we listening?
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The One Thing Necessary
"But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42.
Jesus had a way of cutting right to the heart of the matter. He said that there was only one thing necessary. Wow, only one. Out of all the things that we have to worry about and he brings it down to one. I believe Jesus was making the point that we should not worry and make a fuss over "things".
I can relate to Martha's frustration with Mary's lack of concern for the things that needed to be done for the meal preparation. I had felt the pressure involved with making sure the food taste delicious and is the proper temperature, and is not over cooked or under cooked, and is served attractively. I'm sure Martha just wanted everything to be "just right" for Jesus. But, even our best intentions can go array. Verse 40 tells us that she was distracted with all her preparations.
We, too, have been guilty of being distracted. Have you ever been too busy? Have you been so pressed for time that you forgot to do something important? Have you ever missed an important appointment because you were in the middle of something else? Have you you ever been too busy. I think Martha was too busy and she had forgotten what was really important. Why had she invited Jesus to come and have a meal with her and her sister and brother? She had invited him because she wanted to spend time with him. And now he is there and she doesn't feel that she has time to sit down and listen to him.
Mary, on the other hand, is not distracted at all. She knows somehow, the importance of this moment. She has chosen the one thing that is necessary. Mary is seated at Jesus feet, (verse 39) and she is listening to the Lord's word. Sitting at Jesus feet and hanging on to his every word is worship. Worship is the one thing necessary. All those other things will work out OK. The meal will be eaten and forgotten, but Jesus words live on for all eternity.
Give me a heart like Mary, Lord; a heart that worships. May I choose the one thing necessary and not be burdened with the busyness of life and all it's distractions.
Jesus had a way of cutting right to the heart of the matter. He said that there was only one thing necessary. Wow, only one. Out of all the things that we have to worry about and he brings it down to one. I believe Jesus was making the point that we should not worry and make a fuss over "things".
I can relate to Martha's frustration with Mary's lack of concern for the things that needed to be done for the meal preparation. I had felt the pressure involved with making sure the food taste delicious and is the proper temperature, and is not over cooked or under cooked, and is served attractively. I'm sure Martha just wanted everything to be "just right" for Jesus. But, even our best intentions can go array. Verse 40 tells us that she was distracted with all her preparations.
We, too, have been guilty of being distracted. Have you ever been too busy? Have you been so pressed for time that you forgot to do something important? Have you ever missed an important appointment because you were in the middle of something else? Have you you ever been too busy. I think Martha was too busy and she had forgotten what was really important. Why had she invited Jesus to come and have a meal with her and her sister and brother? She had invited him because she wanted to spend time with him. And now he is there and she doesn't feel that she has time to sit down and listen to him.
Mary, on the other hand, is not distracted at all. She knows somehow, the importance of this moment. She has chosen the one thing that is necessary. Mary is seated at Jesus feet, (verse 39) and she is listening to the Lord's word. Sitting at Jesus feet and hanging on to his every word is worship. Worship is the one thing necessary. All those other things will work out OK. The meal will be eaten and forgotten, but Jesus words live on for all eternity.
Give me a heart like Mary, Lord; a heart that worships. May I choose the one thing necessary and not be burdened with the busyness of life and all it's distractions.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
..............VALENTINE POEM............
Be my Valentine, Lord!
My heart, yours entire;
All that I hope for
And all I desire.
Be my first thought
When day has begun
And linger there always,
My treasure, Dear One
Be near to comfort,
Your presence, so sweet;
Teach me and guide me
My soul to complete.
Be the center of everything
Dear to my heart.
Indwell me, Divine Master,
And fill every part.
Be my object of devotion,
My reason to live,
To tell all the world
Of the love that you give.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
The Greatest Commandment
Deuteronomy 6:5, "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."
A. W. Tozar writes in The Pursuit of God, that God formed us for himself, that all things were created for his pleasure, and God's desire is that we would see him and live with him and draw our lives from him. The soul of a believer longs to worship; in fact we were created to worship God.
The Pursuit of God is one of those books that stirs the heart every time you read it. The first time I read it was in 1981 and it kindled a fire in my bosom that has never gone out. It was then that I joined the ranks of what A. W. Tozar, it's author, called the "fellowship of the burning heart": those who seek to love God with all their heart, soul, and might.
One such man was Frederick Faber, a poet, songwriter, and a theologian. Tozar included some of Faber's works in The Pursuit of God. One of those poems impressed me so that I memorized it and have never forgotten it. I have included it below for your pleasure.
A. W. Tozar writes in The Pursuit of God, that God formed us for himself, that all things were created for his pleasure, and God's desire is that we would see him and live with him and draw our lives from him. The soul of a believer longs to worship; in fact we were created to worship God.
The Pursuit of God is one of those books that stirs the heart every time you read it. The first time I read it was in 1981 and it kindled a fire in my bosom that has never gone out. It was then that I joined the ranks of what A. W. Tozar, it's author, called the "fellowship of the burning heart": those who seek to love God with all their heart, soul, and might.
One such man was Frederick Faber, a poet, songwriter, and a theologian. Tozar included some of Faber's works in The Pursuit of God. One of those poems impressed me so that I memorized it and have never forgotten it. I have included it below for your pleasure.
Only to sit and think of God.
Oh what a joy it is!
To think the thought, to breathe the Name;
Earth has no higher bliss.
Father of Jesus, Love's reward!
What rapture it will be,
Prostrate before thy throne to lie,
And gaze and gaze on Thee!
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