We are in room 1005 on the 10th floor. We had decided to spend Thanksgiving week in Gulf Shores, Alabama. We have a gorgeous view of the ocean and the beach. People were busy with the activities of the day: looking for shells, building sand castles, trying to get a tan, playing Frisbee, chasing after toddlers, unfolding blankets to spread picnic lunches.
Then, unceremoniously a young girl maybe 12 years old with her feet free of encumbering sandals begins walking by the fence along the beach. Her movements are, at first, both deliberate and puzzling as she shuffles through the sand until finally her purpose is clear and her project is complete. Written with her steps in giant letters she spells out in words big enough to read from our balcony—HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Exclamation point.
Those on the ground might easily miss it. There are other sights and activities vying for their attention. Others wrote their names in the sand. Sophie did, as did David and Joel. Who was she, this young girl who thought to write Happy Thanksgiving? From the ground it might have looked like random footsteps. But from the balcony, the message is clear.
The day of Jesus’ gift was such a day. People were busy with their daily lives. They were getting ready for the holidays. They were rushing off to their jobs in Jerusalem or tending their farms and their animals. They were dodging horse-drawn chariots and bargaining in the market for food. They were fighting with their wives and chasing after toddlers. The smell of blood from sacrifices in the temple mingled with the stench of garbage and the buzz of flies.
Most hardly noticed yet another execution—the Romans at work keeping order and imposing peace. They were used to averting their eyes to the sights of men and women enduring the grueling punishment. If they didn’t know better, they could easily have missed its significance. Others were nailed to a cross right beside him. From the ground it might have looked like just another killing—a random event in a world of distractions.
But, from the balcony of the resurrection the message is clear. The death of this man is like no other. It is God’s message in Giant letters: I LOVE YOU! Exclamation point.
And for those who see it—the world is never the same.
“Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again…My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you—I, whom you have redeemed.” Psalm 71:20, 23 (NIV)
I like the saying, “Christians are Easter in a Good Friday world.” Love describes the lifestyle of Christ; but love and joy are necessary to meet our needs in these difficult times. Noted author, Beth Moore, states that “Love melts the heart of stone. Joy touches the deepest part of that heart. We need joy, and our world needs believers who evidence the fruit of joy.” We, as Christians, do have joy, even in the darkest moments of life, because we know that God is with us.
On television I have seen and heard the singing of the Haitians as they stand in line, waiting for water and food. Their singing comes from their love of God. What joy! What love! Alleluia! One lady had been buried in the rubble for six days, and when she was finally rescued, she praised God and began singing a song of joy.
Even before Jesus’ birth, John the Baptist showed joy. “As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” Luke 1:44 (NIV) And at Jesus’ birth, “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10 (NIV) Jesus brought much joy to others as he performed miracles, as he taught the people about God, and as he showed his love through his words and actions.
What joy was seen in the discovery of the empty tomb! “So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.” Matthew 28:8 (NIV)
And, yes, we sing “Joy to the World” at Christmas time. On Easter we sing the wonderful song, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” I find great joy in those lyrics: “Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!” Yes, there is joy, joy, joy, deep down in our hearts today and everyday as we know God is with us today and everyday. Alleluia!
Even on Good Friday, we know joy, rejoicing, gladness, enjoyment and bliss. We can celebrate as Christians; we can rejoice!
“Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight.” Psalm 43: 3-4 (NIV)
Before He Rose: Maundy Thursday
The Passover, Then and Now
by Sandy Feit
The low table was set for 13 on that Thursday evening. Cushions—or perhaps low benches—surrounded it so guests could recline while eating special foods, singing hymns, and retelling the amazing story. For every person in that upper room overlooking Jerusalem, the ritual had no doubt been an annual event all throughout life.
This time, however, would be different. Until now, the disciples had understood the service and symbols in a concrete, historical way. But in celebrating His final Passover on earth, Jesus exposed the ceremony’s deeper layer of significance.
As Christians anticipate Resurrection Day this Sunday, Passover is being celebrated in Jewish homes around the world. During the eight-day festival, all leaven is omitted from the diet; in fact, yeast, baking soda, and any other “rising agent” are physically removed from the house.
The holiday opens with a ceremony known as the Seder. Hebrew for “order,” the word refers to a prescribed sequence of readings, prayers, and symbolic foods commemorating the Hebrews’ exodus from Egypt.
The most famous Seder of all time was that last supper, which took place just hours before Christ’s crucifixion. Previously, Passover’s ancient symbols had only pointed back to the Israelites’ miraculous redemption from bondage. But now, as Jesus led His disciples through the feast rituals, He revealed their full messianic significance at last. Two of these symbols have not only survived in Jewish observance; they’ve been incorporated into church tradition as well.
First is the bread, which was not a plate of plump rolls, as Leonardo da Vinci imagined it, but rather, flat unleavened flour “cakes”—a reminder of the dough that had no time to rise when the Israelites hurriedly left Egypt (Exodus 12:39). Matzoh, a large, crispy cracker, is the commercial product that meets the requirement for bread made without yeast (v. 15). On the Seder table is a cloth bag with three separate compartments—a sheet of matzoh is slipped into each one.
Just before the meal is served, the middle matzoh is removed from the bag and divided in two. One piece is broken and distributed, while the other is wrapped in a napkin and hidden nearby. As a rule, this is the children’s favorite part of the Seder, because searching for the matzoh is like a game, and the leader typically pays a price to buy it back. Participants, however, are usually unaware of the true underlying meaning. The three matzohs are often said to represent either the main branches of Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform) or its patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But neither idea explains the curious steps involved in the ritual.
Jesus explained the mystery when He broke the bread, handed pieces to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body” (Matthew 26:26). The rich meaning is now clear. In the Bible, leaven symbolizes sin, so bread without yeast represents God. The divided bag, with the matzohs unified and yet distinct, stands for the Trinity. The middle one signifies the Son, who left His Father’s side to dwell among us (Galatians 4:4) and was broken for mankind (Isaiah 53:5), wrapped in a burial cloth (Matthew 27:59), hidden away in a tomb (Matthew 27:60), and raised back to life (Matthew 28:6). And just as our ransom was costly (1 Corinthians 6:20), there is even a redemption price involved!
The other symbol Jesus explained was the wine, which is actually poured four times at a Seder. At the beginning of the evening, the cup of sanctification is consumed. Next is the cup of deliverance, from which ten drops are removed—one for each plague visited upon the Egyptians (since our joy is diminished by their suffering). The third, known as the cup of redemption, celebrates God’s mighty act in ending His people’s bondage. And the fourth, called the cup of completion or praise, is taken at the end of the evening. Scholars believe it is the third one—the cup of redemption—about which Jesus said, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:27-28).
The elements of Communion come directly from the Lord’s final Seder. There, as He so often did, Jesus met people where they were in their understanding and led them into deeper awareness. That’s a good example for us to follow as we speak of the Savior to others.
And whenever we partake of the bread and the cup, we are to remember the night Jesus sat with His disciples and opened their eyes to the great truth: He was about to pay an enormous price to redeem humankind from a bondage far worse than Egyptian servitude—slavery to sin. Because the Savior gave up His life to pay the penalty we owed, our transgressions are forgiven, and we are assured of eternal life in God’s presence.
So when you next take Communion—perhaps even during this Holy Week—look back on what Christ did for you, look forward to His return, and remember that Jesus is our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7).
My journey to learn more about Christ has been greatly enhanced by my relationship with the Ironmen on Wednesday mornings. We have studied numerous books that have expanded my prayer life and I really feel that I would not have made my first trip to Manresa, a Jesuit retreat, if not for my desire to learn more about God. I have become more comfortable in knowing that God will provide for me and my family through my new education. Last year, during one of the Manresa classes, we were shared the following story which impacted my life and how I now trust God to take care of me.
The Little Hut
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed upon a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling to the sky. The worst had happened, everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger “God, how could you do this to me?" he cried.
Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. “How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It's easy to get discouraged sometimes when things appear to be going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground; it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
“I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you , plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11
Matthew 21:22
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (NIV)
And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and
[really] believing, you will receive. (AMP)
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer,
believing ye shall receive. (KJ)
The Bible teaches us about miracles. We read about Jesus and the miracles He performed; we talk about His disciples and the miracles they performed; we watch amazing stories of survival on TV—and say to each other, “Wasn’t that a miracle?” But, have you ever been present, front and center, as God performed a miracle?
If you have prayed in these past few years for my sister-in-law, Miranda Watson, you are part of a miracle. Look around you…you are part of a miracle!
As many of you know, Miranda was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer in November 2007. Since that time she has undergone chemotherapy, radiation and had a double mastectomy. Miranda is young, 38, and she and my brother, Brett, have 2 children—Whitney, 11, and Brooke, 5.
In August of 2009, Miranda’s oncologist told her that tests showed the breast cancer had spread to her lungs. Having been diagnosed with its spread to her bones in January 2009, this was especially hard news to hear.
After prayers with the oncologist, Miranda decided to hit this latest result with the strongest chemo possible, which resulted in debilitating doses of these drugs for a 4 month period. Miranda lost her hair, had no appetite, and was plagued constantly with bone aches and mouth ulcers. Her mother continued to be her strongest supporter…driving 1½ hours each Friday afternoon to take care of Miranda, the girls and my brother.
The chemo Miranda was taking interfered with her sleep…so often times Miranda was up during the long nights…and as each of you did, she prayed to God for His help with this disease.
A couple of weeks before the PET scan scheduled to detect how far the cancer had spread, unable to sleep, Miranda got out of bed. While wandering the house, she heard someone say, “It’s going to be okay”. Turning around, she found no one in the darkened room with her. As she headed back to her bedroom, she heard the voice again say to her, “It’s going to be okay”.
The next morning, Miranda called her Mom to tell her about the voice she’d heard. Her mother started crying. When Miranda asked why, her mother told her that she’d had spoken with Miranda’s grandfather the day before, and he had told her of a vision he had had while in prayer for Miranda. In that vision, Miranda’s deceased father and grandmother appeared and both said, “It’s going to be okay”.
What was the likelihood of that phrase being spoken…if not from God?
On the day of Miranda’s tests, I spoke with a prayer warrior friend of mine, and asked for his prayers as we met with Miranda’s doctors to get results. Believing that we should ask God for God-sized miracles, I asked my friend to pray for healing…and vowed that I would also be saying that prayer at the time we met.
Fast forward to the afternoon meeting with the doctor…fast forward past the anxiety, the nervousness, the tears and the ever-present breath prayers. Fast forward to the three of us, my brother, Brett; Miranda; and me sitting in a small doctor’s examination room…trying to find light conversation…weighted down by the unknown.
And watch for the miracle!
Miranda’s doctor comes in…with a HUGE smile on his face! The tests showed no new lesions…no new growths! The chemotherapy had done its job…it had contained Miranda’s cancer! (In the back of your mind…are you hearing the words, “It’s going to be okay”?)
The doctor sat between us and read the report. In the midst of all the medical language…one truth rang out—“It’s going to be okay”. Tears flowed down our cheeks…and prayers of thanksgiving to an awesome God were lifted up!
And then…I saw my own miracle and assurance that God is in control: the last sentence of the report read: “There has been a HEALING metastasis…”
Healing metastasis? Did he just say and read, “healing”?
The doctor said he rarely, if ever, gets to give a report with those words! Surprised? We shouldn’t be! We had asked God for a God-sized task…and believing, we received.
Praise God! I was present at a miracle! God came down to this world and showed me He is in control. All we had to do was pray and believe!
It’s your miracle, too…your prayers answered, too!
Keep your eyes open…and prayers coming! Nothing is too big for our God!
“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,
correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God
may the thoroughly equipped for every good work.” --2 Timothy 3:16-17(NIV)
The King James Version says all scripture is given by inspiration from God. What does that mean? Is the Bible to be taken literally word-for-word? Is the Bible just a collection of stories, made up over time and perpetuated by men to keep women and others who did not agree with them subjugated to the men’s beliefs? Are some parts of the Bible literal and some metaphor? Does it all apply to us today?
As Christians (and especially as United Methodists) we have members and perhaps some clergy w ho embrace the full range of beliefs expressed above. I would never presume to tell someone else what they should believe with regard to how to read the Bible. If I think of the question as a continuum from absolutely word-for-word literal on one end to absolutely metaphor on the other, I tend to fall very near the literal end. For me, if Job did not really exist, how can I be sure Moses really existed? If God expects us not to murder, does he really also expect us not to be gluttons -- especially here in Now Orleans with the best food in the world? Did our God of love really tell Joshua to kill everyone living in Jericho and in Ai?
For others, those questions seem to be pure nonsense.
This is a true matter of personal faith. I think the real question is, “Do your beliefs with regard to how literal to take the Bible work well for you? Is your faith strengthened by what you believe? When you extend your beliefs as far as they will stretch, do you feel content or do you have doubt? Are you created in the image of God or are you attempting to create God in your image? How can you know?
We debate those issues often in Ironmen and in Sunday School. If you are still seeking answers, please join us. The answers you find will be yours alone and everyone will not agree. However, the debate can help.
I don’t like Hallmark holidays- Grandparent’s day, Valentine’s Day- all of the days set aside as a reminder to treat those special people in your life well. The people that you should show how much they mean to you every day! Jesus’ love for us doesn’t need a special holiday. He loves us no matter what and never forgets us. Why can’t we treat the people around us that way? Why do we have to have a certain day on the calendar to do it? We should treat every day as if it were a Hallmark holiday. How about a different holiday for each of the Ten Commandments? Imagine how the world would change if people observed “Thou shall not kill day” as well as they observe Valentine’s Day!
I think we all need to take the time to do something special for someone every day no matter what the date is on the calendar. I think we should treat those we love, with the most love we have to give every single day and not wait for a holiday to put out the effort. I think all of us could slow down just long enough to think of someone else, rather than what we have left to cross off of our to-do list for the day.
Slow down and think about others, pray for others, help others, and take care of yourself, too. I think if we did this, we would see the path Jesus has for us much more clearly. Next time you pass the holiday section of a store- think of Jesus and how he gave of himself- how much he thought of us.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. — Galatians 6:10 (NIV)
The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always
have me.
--Matthew 26:11(NIV)
…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
--Matthew 28:20(NIV)
There are only two verses in the gospels of Matthew and Mark where Jesus said “always”. The first one occurred after the disciples complained about Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume instead of selling it and giving the proceeds to the poor. The second verse with “always” is a promise at the end of the gospel of Matthew that Jesus will always be with us.
So what does this tell us? Perhaps we can be assured we will always have an opportunity to help out the poor and more importantly Jesus will always be there to help us out. And how should we give?
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times; having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
--2 Corinthians 9:7-9(NIV)
The word cheerful can also be read as “hilarious”. I never saw a hilarious giver until I went to my first Mardi Gras parade. I saw the people on floats tossing out beads with great joy with absolutely no concern about the cost. Let us pray to be a hilarious giver since the poor will always be there and Jesus will always be with us.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
--Matthew 5:16(NIV)
I cannot think of this verse without thinking of one of the best friends I have ever had. His name was Roy. However, most people called him “Sonny”. I personally think the spelling of his nickname should have been “Sunny”. It suited him because he was so full of light even in his darkest hours. When I met him, he told me his name was Roy so even though I seemed to be the only one who called him by his given name, I did so because I figured he must want me to. I think I know why, but that will have to be another story.
When Roy introduced himself to me, he could not wait to make me smile. He just had to show me a gift that was given to him. It was an ink pen that lit up and played the LSU fight song. He loved that pen and he demonstrated how it worked to every single person who came to his Hospice bed. His whole face would light up brighter than anything else ever did in that Hospice every time he had the chance to share the joy his gift brought to him with others.
I can’t help thinking about what a wonderful gift God gave to us. He gave His son to us to give us light, to give us joy. It is our purpose to let our light shine to others every chance we get. I only knew Roy during the last twelve weeks of his life. I will never forget him. I loved him and I feel so blessed to have known him. He was my best friend. His light shone every moment.
Dear Loving God, Thank you for all the wonderful people you have put in my life. Help me to be more like you. Thank you for the examples of my friends. Help me to remember to let my light shine especially when the darkness is all around. Amen.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
–Proverbs 3:5 - 6 (NIV)
When first told by myth grade teacher that we had to learn a prayer to pass our reading class,wondered "Whatprayerto do with anything we’re studying?"
Since then I've come to understand "why" and how God can use whatseem senseless as a defining moment in our lives.
I've prayed these words every night for over 40 years and have come to see and know God more clearly through them:
O God, we thank thee for all thy blessings that are so continually abundant. We do not know if we have a tomorrow but we do have today.Help us to live this day to its fullest for your glory. In the name of Christ I pray. Amen.
Call unto me and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.
--Jeremiah 33:3(KJ)
When I was a boy growing up I thought God was somebody to steer clear of. It was fear. It wasn’t until I became a Methodist that I felt God really loved me. But I had to have the courage to get inside of a Methodist Church long enough to find out. I was nearly 28 by then. Sorry that it took so long God.
One of my biggest challenges in life was going off to join the service in the early 1970’s. I could have stayed home and gotten a safe comfortable job. But I wanted something more, something else in life, and that required me to make a total change in my life. To move away from home.
After I became a Methodist I didn’t think myself qualified to take a Bible study class like Disciple I. I had to be convinced by Rev. Earline Guidry. I eventually took the class, then took all the rest of them and taught 3 others. But nothing would have happened without taking the first class.
Every time we have made a change in the Church we were challenged to wait, to remain as we were, with every reason from “its working now why fix it?” to “but the cost!”. From the expansion of the Sanctuary, the new parsonage, evangelism programs, Fellowship center, Sunday school building, Scout trailer, etc. But all have been done, and now we find ourselves at another critical junction; a chance to grow numbers through a well defined spiritual evangelism program.
I don’t believe we ever achieve any measurable success or greatness in the eyes of the Lord by constantly doing the same things over and over again, in life and especially in the Church.
It is so easy to get into a comfortable grove, stay on the same tracks, and do the same things week after week, especially if the status remains comfortable, and unchallenged.
Jeremiah challenges us to call upon the Lord, to dream beyond the status quo.
I’m a collector of quotes. I like them because they give me a point of reference and often help capture thoughts that I can’t or perhaps don’t clearly articulate. Jonathan Huie writes: “Play with life, laugh with life, dance lightly with life and smile at the riddles of life; knowing that life’s lessons are written small in the margins.” While the lesson embedded in Huie’s quote is insightful, it is Carolyn’s witty comment, “The problem is that I erase the lessons” that offers the most provocative insight.
My mind doesn’t necessarily process thoughts in a normal fashion; so last week, while others in my Sunday Life Group engaged in conversation about how life repeats itself over and over again, my mind took a left turn and began to dissect Solomon’s declaration: “There’s nothing new under the sun.” I decided that while it may be true that there is the predictability of life, each cycle finds us in a different place, a different point of reference or a different state of mind. It makes sense to me that lessons learned during an earlier cycle may have a totally different meaning and purpose. As I processed the cycle of life, lessons learned, lessons erased and lessons forgotten, I came to the decision that learning life’s lessons over and over again is God’s way of getting our attention; of letting us know that we don’t know everything and relearning is the path that leads back to Him.
Learning is a lifelong process. I like to think that I learn something every day. Some days what I learn is best described as an “aha” moment. Some days, I’m reminded of something that I once knew but had forgotten. Some days I learn a piece of totally useless information. What I learn each day isn’t important. What is important is that I learn. Recently I’ve learned how to enjoy yoga, how and why certain cows are sold at auction, that as trout swim upstream they feed off bugs that are being washed downstream and that regardless of whether I want them or not, I need bifocals.
Then, there are the lessons that I have to learn over and over again. I prefer to believe that instead of erasing a lesson because it doesn’t apply to where I am in life that I acquire a deeper and more meaningful knowledge as I pass through each cycle of learning. Some of the recycled lessons that God is still waiting patiently for me to learn include the following:
Never say never.
God laughs at me; so should I.
Don’t worry about tomorrow because He is already there.
If I want something to change then I must first change something.
Some things aren’t for me to decide.
I am not in control.
Always do the right thing because if you don’t it will come back to bite you.
I don’t like the taste of my own foot.
It is okay to ask for help.
Life is easier to manage when I let God lead the way.
God does answer prayer. I may not always get what I want, but I am always changed.
There is always a straw that breaks the camel’s back.
God is predictably unpredictable so there is no need to get too comfortable.
Real peace comes from being.
God is in the good and the bad, the big and the small, the laughing and the crying, the calm and the chaos, the loud and the quiet. It is my responsibility to find Him.
Relaxing will not kill me.
My mother was right.
I am part of something bigger.
Confidence is multi-dimensional.
A day has been successful if I have served.
I know without a doubt that God isn’t finished with me yet. I know that I am not too old to learn. I know that God often writes the most meaningful lessons in the margins and expects me to willingly move beyond my established boundaries to experience what He has to offer. I know that God writes these margin lessons in indelible ink and try as I might I can’t erase their imprint on my life.
Now that I am a partner in the company where I have been working for the last ten years I have more to worry about.
Now it’s not just my family that is affected by choices I make. It’s 25 other families that are affected by good and bad choices. The economy is down, construction is down and the competition us up, but I have to find a way to keep 25 people working and working productively so that we make ends meet and pay the bills and the payroll, its enough to drive you crazy.
BUT Jesus said: “So my counsel is: Don’t worry about things- food, drink, and clothes. For you already have life and a body-(and a home, and a church family) and they are far more important than what to eat and wear. Look at the birds! They don’t worry about what to eat- they don’t need to sow or reap or store up food – for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Will your worries add a single moment to your life? --Matthew 6: 25-27
So does that keep me from worry, NO WAY, but when it really gets to me I go back to this passage and try and turn it all over to God. Some days I can and some days I can’t, the days I can’t, I “just keep on praying, just keep on praying.”
So may we all remember that we are more valuable to God then the birds of the air and the animals of the fields.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all under standing, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6 -7 (NIV)
What wonderful words of assurance Paul give us in these verses. Yet too often do I forget them and try to rely on myself to solve a problem, accomplish a task, etc. I worry, fret, and doubt my abilities. But once I remember the above verses and Proverbs 3: 5 (“Trust in Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”), and go to the Lord in prayer asking for His guidance and strength, everything changes. When I turn it over to God, I receive that “peace from God that transcends all understanding.” What an awesome feeling that is.
We think of the internet as a most wonderful tool that is at our fingertips to use, and we rely on it for getting information and communications. But the best tool at our disposal is the every presence of our Lord. All we have to do is ask and we will receive in accordance with His will.
Recently in Sunday School we had a discussion about fear and the fact that we live in a generally fearful society. I think the root of this is the mistaken belief that we can control everything in our world. Our society is constantly striving to make everything “safe” and this quest, coupled with the media’s need to report on what they feel will hold the attention of viewers (if it bleeds, it leads) gives our brains the impression that danger lurks around every corner.
Fear in some situations, is of course a good thing, but this constant insidious “be afraid” trickling into our brains can make us afraid of living…of taking any risk, whether it’s to be different, to try something new, to love someone, to take a stand…
As Christians then, how does God expect us to deal with fear?
Well, first, He expects us to be afraid some times. If He didn’t, the reassuring words “Fear not” and “Do not be afraid” would not appear so many times in the Bible. Reference sources differ on how many times (most say over 360), but it’s a lot, and I’ll bet you can think of several right now off the top of your head.
Second, He expects us to be logical and examine whether there is really any reason to be afraid. 2 Timothy 1:7(KJ) says: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. God gave us that sound mind so that we can think through things and not live our lives in a “spirit of fear”.
And third, He expects us to have faith. In our Christmas cantata, Julia Kokemor sang a beautiful song about overcoming fear through faith.
“Doubt will always whisper, there’s no one there to catch you when you fall. Fear will come to rob you of any chance to see a miracle.” The song goes on to say, “Often faith looks foolish, a leap into the dark, but that’s not how it is with the believing heart. Faith will hold you closer, faith will keep you safer, faith will take you farther than you dream.”
Faith is God’s answer to fear. Following those biblical “fear not’s” and “do not be afraid’s” are details of what God has done and will do through faithful followers. If the people in the Bible had not relied on faith to overcome their fear, they would have missed out on God’s covenant with Abraham, the parting of the Red Sea, and even the birth of Jesus.
What are you missing because of fear? Trust your faith in God to take you farther than you dream.
God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. -Ephesians 4:14-16 (Msg)
After reading those verses, I don’t know about you but I feel like the pressure is on to be perfect! I think so often we confuse following Christ with having everything together in our lives. Rory Noland writes in the book “The Heart of the Artist”
Authenticity is a powerful witness to the power of God in our lives. Being authentic includes being real with our struggles and shortcomings.
I’ve started learning recently the freeing power in letting go of the need for perfection. I used to think that if people knew that I was confused or puzzled by an issue that meant I was admitting failure. I was so afraid of being seen as a failure that I refused to ask questions or get clarification on things. Needless to say that led me to get myself into situations where I agreed to things I had no idea how to handle. I am now learning to lean on those around me who have expertise in areas I know nothing about and to admit when I have questions or concerns. Thank God that He made us all in His image and that He gives us the tools to grow up into the unique tasks He has planned for us.
Whoever wants to embrace life
and see the day fill up with good,
Here's what you do:
Say nothing evil or hurtful;
evil and cultivate good;
run after peace for all you're worth.
God looks on all this with approval,
-1 Peter 3: 10-12 (MSG)
On the way to work, in my usual hurry I stopped at my favorite ATM to get some cash. I pulled alongside the curb and noted someone at the ATM machine. The individual seemed to be preparing his business as if he were at his desk in his office. So my wait began. I know I waited for at least an hour because of all of the patience I gave. This story is not about the “I” person. It is about the “he” person.
As he, the person (later to name himself Mr. Big) ahead of me on the ATM machine completed his transaction and left in his own hurry; I just happened to mention to him, who had just tried my patience, “If you take care of your preparation before you get to the ATM you would not inconvenience other people”. Well, this person stopped dead in his tracks after covering a distance of about 40 feet. He became scary. He now was ready to give me his full attention, face to face, eyeball to eyeball, as he moved quickly toward me.
Oh yes, a rumble was in the making. Thankfully it was only the vigorous waving of his tongue with verbal assaults and descriptive explicatives that could cause sugar to sour. I was left speechless to say the least and fearful to put it into perspective.
This man whom I had apparently irritated, then without cue, turned from me ranting, raving, and flailing his arms as he went away. As he distanced himself from me, he again stopped and turned toward me. Yes, it was not over yet. Yep, this is really gonna hurt.
This time as he approached his language and manner became quite different. He was shouting that nothing had been going well that morning, that he was experiencing one setback after another. Yes, I was correct in saying he should have taken care of his business before approaching the machine. And that this bad day must stop. He uttered this memorable phrase, “IT WILL STOP NOW”. He looked at me still excited. He began saying, among other things that he was sorry for inconveniencing me and he was sorry for his language. He concluded by saying he didn’t want me to think poorly of him.
It was at that moment I regained my speech and realized who he was. He had introduced himself to me as Mr. Big. My response to him was, “No, you are about 10 feet tall right now. I can’t imagine anyone bigger than you”. He turned from me, got into his car, and drove away.
He is a hero. He is a Christian in the making.
Prayer:
Lord of all; continue to help us to recognize that we set the tempo and fullness of our day by the ways we connect with each other. Amen.
You are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure. —Deuteronomy 7:6
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
--Patrick of Ireland
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. —2 Timothy 4:18
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. -Romans 12:2(NIV)
Well, that is what I said before I came to Destrehan. I wasn’t too happy with some of the statements made by the national Methodist assembly and couldn’t see how I could grow and learn about God as a Methodist. As it turned out God had other plans for me and renewed my mind (again) to follow His will.
We had spent several years previously in the St. Louis area looking for a church that was right for us without any success. Now we were in Destrehan with only one viable local church to choose from and it happened to be Methodist! Don’t let it be said that God does not have a sense of humor and enjoy when the proud have to eat their words.
I learned a church is a family of believers and not official statements or perceptions. We are all travelers on the road to follow Christ and need to encourage each other along the way.
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
Prayer: Thank you Lord for my church family and the renewing of my mind to follow God’s will. Amen.
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. —James 5:16
My mother had an effective prayer life.
Late in her life, a person she cared deeply about developed Alzheimer’s. We’ll call him Joe. The disease progressed to the point that Joe was unable to find his way home at times. It became obvious he was becoming unable to care for himself. Joe had no family and he feared losing his independence above all else.
Mother knew what the ultimate outcome of his disease would be. Joe would require confinement at the Veterans Home near his home in Oklahoma. She also knew he would fight that outcome with all of his strength.
At first, Mother was troubled about the prospect of forcing Joe, against his will, into the Veteran’s home. Then, after much prayer, she became suddenly and totally at peace with Joe’s future. She told me she had stopped worrying and that I did not have to worry either. The transformation in her attitude was both evident and remarkable.
A few weeks later, Joe was visiting Mom. He was in her kitchen and they were preparing to go to church. Mom had gone into her room to change clothes when she heard a thud. She returned to the kitchen to find Joe dead on the floor. He had experience a massive heart attack and died instantly.
At Joe’s funeral, Mom said, almost with humor, this was not exactly the outcome for which she had prayed. However, she continued to be totally at peace. She knew God had a better place in mind for Joe than the Veteran’s Home that Joe feared so much.
God’s answer to our prayers is not always exactly the answer we have in mind. However, God’s answer is always the best answer. Prayers do get answered in tangible ways that are real and life changing.
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. --Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
I was really looking forward to our i-Witness Christmas performance – we had worked hard to learn the music we were going to perform that night. But as the evening began, I found myself looking forward to the music we were going to play the next morning in church. With that thought running through my mind, it seemed the performance was over in the blink of an eye. Many times (too many times), I find myself looking forward to what I’ll be doing tomorrow, only to realize that I missed most of it because I was already focused on the next day.
I often say to myself, “I can’t wait until ….?” But then that moment or event seems to be over so quickly – probably because I’ve already moved on to the next one. The author Harrold Hill once said, “You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you've collected a lot of empty yesterdays.” Why do we put our lives off until tomorrow?
In one of the greatest baseball movies ever, Field of Dreams, we were introduced to Archibald "Moonlight" Graham, a baseball player from the 1920's. Moonlight's dream was to play professional baseball in the major leagues. During the conclusion of one season, he was called up from the minors. In the final game, he got to play one-half inning in right field, but he never got to bat. Following that season, he retired from baseball and went to medical school. In the movie, Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) asks Moonlight what that experience was like. Moonlight responds:
“It's like you get this close to your dreams and then watch them brush past you like a stranger in the crowd. At the time you don't think much of it. You know, we just don't recognize the most significant moments of our lives while they are happening... back then I thought, ‘Well, there'll be other days.’ I didn't realize that was the only day.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to focus my thoughts and energies on today and to leave tomorrow where it belongs – in Your hands. Amen.
“It is not Jesus as historically known, but Jesus as spiritually arisen within men who is significant for our time and can help it. Not the historical Jesus, but the spirit which goes forth from him… The abiding and eternal Jesus is absolutely independent of historical knowledge and can only be understood by contact with his spirit which is still at work in the world. In proportion as we have the Spirit of Jesus, we have the true knowledge of Jesus.” Albert Schweitzer
I haven’t read Albert Schweitzer’s “The Quest for the Historical Jesus”, and I’m not sure if I would agree with its purpose in being written or its conclusions. However, when I read this quote I struck by what I thought were several profound aspects of our Christian faith.
Anyone reading the Bible to understand who Jesus was gets a picture of a teacher, healer, philosopher, savior, king, and Son of God. But I think that those who simply read the Bible to look for who Jesus was risk missing out on who Jesus is… For although scripture tells us that only a few have actually seen the risen Christ, we only have to read the wonderful words of comfort and promise in John 13-17 to know that we can be in communion with God on a daily basis if we only choose to do so.
Jesus indicated that the miracles were a result of God working through him, and promised that God can also do wonderful things through us if we believe in Him and align ourselves with God’s will. I think that our true knowledge of who Jesus is comes from doing the same thing that Jesus did – His Father’s work – and for the same reasons – for the betterment of our fellow man and to glorify God. For ours is not a religion of simply knowing, but of actively doing God’s will and spreading the Word to a needy world.
There’s another quote attributed to Albert Schweitzer: “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.” In this season of Lent, are we brave enough to look at ourselves as others see us? Do our actions indicate that we believe the promises and expectations that God has laid out for us? Can others look at you and know you’re a Christian even before they’re told? We all have far to go on such a journey, but isn’t that what we should be striving for?
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. –Mark 8:31 (NIV)
In the Catholic Church, the faithful are encouraged every Friday during the Lenten season, and especially on Good Friday, to walk the Stations of the Cross. For those of you unfamiliar with this, it entails stopping at one of 14 (or 15) stations, where a painting or sculpture is shown depicting a scene of Jesus’ march to and death on the cross. Each station has a particular meaning and involves a lesson and a prayer before proceeding to the next. Usually the churches have seven station scenes on the left and right walls of the sanctuary. Some churches have beautiful, elaborate outdoor garden walkways with benches at each stopping point. In the Methodist church we sometimes walk an abbreviated version of this during Good Friday services.
Some of you may remember me from running the video system during the worship services at St. Charles UMC for several years. What you may not know is that I run the video for Stations of the Cross several times at various churches throughout the year. Since the Stations has such a rich history, I have had the honor and privilege to pick out different sets of pictures from different artists each time to make each Walk special. Even when shooting The Passion of the Christ, Mel Gibson made sure that all the fourteen iconic scenes were included in his movie.
But for the last couple of years there have been two different sets of Station pictures that haunt me. Because of this I have not shown them to the public.
The first is a series of paintings shown in modern times in corporate America. There are no Roman soldiers… only businessmen in suits , with Mary the mother of Jesus in glasses and a denim pantsuit, and a Sadducee at the cross dressed as a modern priest in the classic black suit and white collar. Will people take these images the wrong way? Will they understand that ALL of us put Jesus on the cross by our sins?
The second series is even more haunting. It shows the classic scenes done in a Nazi concentration camp. Every picture is in dark blues and grays and dead Jewish people litter the ground along Jesus’ path. Death is everywhere and there seems to be no hope. If I show this, will the people understand that all of these dead people could represent the spiritually dead, or will they concentrate only on the morbid scene and be repulsed?
I pray for the strength to show these images to the right kind of audience who will truly understand. But even for those of us who can’t, please consider your walk with Christ this Lenten season. Think of Jesus’ walk, and remember the sacrifice He made for you and me.
Have you ever been so hurt that you didn’t know if you could make it, and you realized you couldn’t hardly take another step without God’s help. When will you turn it all over to God? When will you realize that you could go so much further if you would just put Christ first in your life? Do you wake up each day and make time for God, the same way you may make time for breakfast? If you knew that God created you in order to have a relationship with Him, why wouldn’t you recognize this and accept the greatest gift in the world? Eternal life in heaven with all of our loved ones that have gone on before us, and everybody’s healthy, happy, and full of grace. I’m not even sure that I can even imagine.
You know how the song goes…right? So what will you say when you are face to face with God? Whatever it is you would say, why not go ahead and say it now? Why wait to develop the most incredible, grace filled, love relationship with your heavenly father? All He wants to do is love you, ask Him into your heart and soul, talk to Him, and ask Him to please hear you and talk to you.
Open your mind and ears and seek Him as God communicates with us through others, nature, or ourselves. Be patient in your prayers because God will bless you more than you can ever imagine. I promise. He will do it in His time -- or should I say when you are ready to receive the blessings?
Start today to seek those whom God may put in your path, and emulate God’s love to others, so that you could be a blessing to God by bringing people, His childrenthe greatest gift, His undeniable, forgiving love. I would think that the more you give away this gift the blessings and the gifts will come back to you tenfold. God will provide to those who seek Him, and He will never give us more than we can handle.
So the next time you are down in the dumps, take God into your heart and grow closer with Him, but don’t wait till then when you need Him the most. Do it now, and also when things are good, and always. This is the same way He loves us.
Submit yourself, then, to God. Resist the devil, and the devil will flee from you. Come near to God and God will come near to you. –James 4:7
And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” -- Genesis 21: 7(NIV)
No, I am not having a baby, but I did look up worry in my Bible’s index and this is where it brought me. Sarah said these words after many years of prayer, sometimes believing with faith and sometimes giving up with unbelief.
I, too, know about worry. Being a Louisiana public employee, I am fortunate to be eligible for retirement after completing 30 years of employment. Through attendance at workshops and conferences with human resources, I could retire from teaching, sit out one day, and if I was rehired, continue teaching. After a year, I could collect not only my regular paycheck, but also a retirement check. I carefully calculated my risk of being rehired. I had never had a bad evaluation, I was mentoring new teachers, I was chairing our school’s discipline committee, and my employer was sending me to a conference across the country, three days before “the sit out day” arrived.
Yea, paperwork was complete! Three days before the school board was to put their stamp of approval on it, I get called in to make sure I “understand“ THE POLICY. Unbeknownst to me, my employer had failed to inform me of their unwritten policy of rehiring retirees for only one year. I would lose seniority, have to re-interview, and be the last of any teacher with experience to be rehired each and every year I would continue to be employed.
Getting ready to have two sons in college, I was faced with the possibility of having no means of providing adequate income to support my family. The battle lines were drawn. Was I to be robbed of my prayerfully considered plans, possibly not being rehired and having to seek employment elsewhere OR crumble under the pressure and rescind my request for retirement?
Although I shed many tears of worry, played all kind of scenarios in my head, and vented freely to anyone who would lend an ear. On some level in my inner being, I knew that I needed to complete the process I had started and trust that God would provide a way out.
So I looked up peace in my trusty Bible index, and found Psalms 3:5: I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
No, I’m not fighting for my life. David was though, fleeing from his son Absalom.
I’m presently employed with my same employer, anticipating a more peaceful spirit as my employment contract once again ends in May.
Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. — Isaiah 49:15-16 (NIV)
I bet you did not know God had a tattoo! He loves us so much that he has made our names forever present to Him. God’s relationship with us is permanent and unchanging. A mother is more likely to forget her own baby than God is likely to forget us! Our “walls” (meaning protection) are always a concern before God.
I heard that in the time that Isaiah was written, there were idol worshipers who wrote or tattooed the name of their gods on their hands so that they would remember them. Isaiah reminds us that we do not have a god who needs to be remembered and built up; we have a God who remembers us and reaches out to us with love.
Do you also know that Christians also have a hidden tattoo?
God has written his law on our hearts through the Holy Spirit as part of the new covenant with us through Jesus Christ our Lord.
This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. -Hebrews 8:10-12(NIV)
This past year I found out that my sister had been taking advantage of, and misusing funds of my father’s that had been entrusted to her by my dad. The family knew if she needed help with medicine, dad would help out, but we had no idea how much she was taking which amounted to thousands of dollars, and the simple truth is that now my 80 year old, very ill Father is completely broke. He does receive a small pension and Social Security benefits, but not enough to meet his monthly bills. What she did was just plain wrong.
Needless to say, upset does not describe how I felt. I was sad, hurt, and disappointed, but most of all I was TOTALLY MAD! I was so angry, and stuck in unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment, and that went on for months. I knew this unforgiveness was wrong and interrupting my relationship with my Lord. I had no peace, and could not think about very little else. So I began to try and pray for her. One day I was in prayer, asking God to heal her, as she has health issues, and in my spirit He ask me, “Does she deserve healing?” My response was, “No, but who does deserve to be healed?” (If going by our own merit; we are all sinners, who deserve death not life). He responded “Exactly” I knew what He meant. He didn’t need to say another word. I was asking of God something that my sister doesn’t deserve. He is asking of me to also give her something she doesn’t deserve – my forgiveness, and to stop treating her like she owes me something. How could I do anything less? And I think God is asking me to help care for her as well. We are to be Christ in this world. He will give us the strength. Forgiveness isn’t about deserving it; it is a matter of obedience.
Now, my forgiveness of her doesn’t mean I will let her continue to hurt my dad. I am currently in the process of taking over legal control of his care. But at the same time, I am going to ask God to show me how my sister can be cared for as well. She is God’s child too. She has sinned, but my goodness I know I sure have too.
The Lord’s Prayer: “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” —Matthew 6:12
Ronda Knox
Thank You for the Trials, Thank You for the Strength!
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cord of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, save me!” Psalm 116: 1-4
One year ago, I thought I was going to die. I had visions of my wonderful husband as a widower with two small children (2 years old). I saw a grieving mother and father that wished they could have done more. I witnessed a sister and brother agonized by the thought of losing a sibling before they could make it to Louisiana to say goodbye. Their pain ran deep; however, their love and support flowed deeper.
My fear was not for me, but my family. Death did not scare me. I knew that I would be going home, regardless of the outcome. I had a relationship with God, but I allowed that relationship to have limits when I worried about how my family would be without me.
Who would take my children to their first day of Kindergarten? Would my husband go alone on “Parent’s Day?” I had a difficult time picturing my husband helping my daughter apply make-up for the first time or putting pink spongy rollers in her hair at night. Forget about teaching both of the children about the birds and the bees! Who would fret over the girls my son dated? Obviously, none of them would love him or his sister like their Mommy did. Would they remember that I did?
As I write, I can’t stop the tears from streaming down my face. These were just a few of the random thoughts that crossed my mind when faced with heart failure. I could list a million more. Now I can list a trillion reasons to give thanks.
The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27: 1
The “whom” was death. This perspective and comfort is just one of my praises.
My beautiful Pastor and her husband visited me in the hospital, and I relayed these fears to them in confidence. I did not want my family to know my worries, because I felt it would intensify their grief. This is what she said to me, “If you trust that the Lord will take care of you, you have to trust that he will embrace your family, as well.”
I knew that this was truth, and I let go of that fear.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:4-9
The gifts that were bestowed upon the brilliant physicians, physician assistants, nurses, social workers, and so many more were instrumental in my miracle.
I cannot describe the love and care I received from the heart transplant team at Ochsner. I felt like I was their daughter, sister, friend. When I cried, they were a strong presence for me. When I needed guidance, they were frank, yet kind. Their confidence carried me, and my confidence grew. They helped me make the right decision, even when I fought the obvious. I always say, “When the doctor tells you something that you are sure he is wrong about, ask a nurse.” Fortunately, they were all on the same boat. They offered me a life raft.
I couldn’t even begin to list the countless friends and employees that offered me joy, comfort, companionship, as well as those that provided their spiritual gifts of healing. What a blessing they were for me.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14: 27
I also give thanks for the peace that was in my heart and mind during the process of being listed for a heart transplant. I felt the peace like a blanket, and it never left me cold with fear and doubt. Even when I was transported from my hospital room to the operating room on January 2, 2009 at 1:00 a.m., I felt peace. This was something that I could not give to anyone else. It was given to me as a gift, a precious gift.
Someone had to die for me to live. I am ashamed to say that this was not first and foremost in my mind prior to my heart transplant. My grief for the family of my donor was quite powerful when I lay in my hospital bed and felt my healthy heart beating like never before.
What courage it took to say goodbye to a precious loved one, and offer the gift of life to others. The thought still overwhelms me. This gift is quite obviously one that I could never repay with thanks. I think that I must also repay with action. It is my responsibility to glorify my Lord and honor my beloved donor and family. I do not know who they are, but I hope to meet them one day. If that day never comes during my time on earth, I will still give thanks until my last breath. Thanks to them, that should be a long, long time.
Paul writes, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19
I bet you wonder why I have not mentioned my love and deep gratitude for my family. It is certainly not because they are last on my list or an afterthought. My family and friends stuck by me through very dark and uncertain times. They held me through my pain, took care of my children, and showered me with love that can make a healthy heart beat even better! I love them. I give thanks for them and their unconditional love and support . . . even when the steroids got the best of me!
I am supposed to write my testimony, and I find myself writing a book. My gratitude is endless, and I would bore you to tears with even the tiniest details that I now see very clearly. I once was lost, but now am found . . .
Now I ask a favor. You ask yourself, “What more could this girl want?” Think about your last 24 hours. Can you think of at least one thing to give thanks for? I am sure you can, but if you are coming up short, please give thanks to those selfless families and donors that save lives every day for people like me. People more worthy than me. Our blessings are endless. I now know that we don’t need a life-altering experience to recognize them.
To conclude my testimony of gratitude and praise,
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 116:5-9
You will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.—Isaiah 58:9
I often think of those that aren’t believers in Jesus Christ and all of the privileges they forfeit. Being human, I too have my times of doubt. But this doubt is quickly erased when I witness and receive the blessings of God’s comfort and steadfast love for me. I have come to realize that I am most confident in my walk with the Lord in my times of trouble. Although I fight with tooth and nail to avoid the disappointments life brings, I am always blessed when I allow God to take control and deliver me. For without a doubt, the Lord heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
—Psalm 147:3
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. --Hebrews 11:1 NIV
“Faith” is neither bought nor sold, yet its value is unquestioned. Upon need, it is either there in excess or too little. The excess of it raises security. The lack of it raises despair.
There was this guy, (Guy 1) and this other guy (Guy 2). One sunny day Guy 1 says to Guy 2, ”Let’s go fishing”. So they did.
They putter aimlessly about in a little rented boat searching for fish. They putter here and there. They mutter as they putter. Again and again they toss their freshly baited hooks into the cool clear water hoping for the tug and pull of a giant fish. Sadly not even the nibble of a crab was found.
Frustrated and bored they set out along the shore searching for an inlet to fish. While moving along Guy 1 spots a little cut–in. So there they go. As they approached the opening they saw a mound and on the mound was a huge, gigantic alligator sunning himself in the cool crisp air of the day. The gator wasn’t moving a muscle as he enjoyed the warm morning sun.
Guy 1 has his trusty 22 caliber long barreled pistol for protection against fish attacks and the such. Guy 1, against the advice of Guy 2 removes the weapon from the holster and points it at the resting gator. Guy 1 was at the moment a practicing idiot and Guy 2 had joined the party. This animal was big.
Guy 1 sends off a round. It strikes the gator on the head. He is annoyed. A second and third round is fired striking the gator. The gator is no longer annoyed. He has had enough and into the water he splashes.
You must be wondering by now as to what this story has to do with faith. Well, just keep reading.
The brain of a gator is not big at all. Some say about the size of a pea. Guy 2 had a thought. Since the brain is so small and this gator is now in the water headed straight to the boat, this animal is about to teach a lesson in humility in a most gruesome way.
Guy 2 has forgotten about Guy 1. Guy 2 is totally focused on the quickly approaching gator. Guy 2’s options are flashing in his head. It didn’t take long to exhaust the list. The option that stayed with him was very simple. It is only about 30 feet to shore. If he could move fast enough he won’t sink in the water. He would almost walk across it. He will be safe.
Guy 2 had wished for faith in himself. He wanted something to happen with no chance. This guy pondered the experience again and again over the years. He examined it from one end to the other.
Guy 2 discovered there are many lessons from his experience. One of them is he should put faith in God in all times rather than wished for faith in himself. And the only way to do this is practice building faith (see James 2:14-24) in God.
Prayer
My Lord and Savior, help me in my faithful walk with you. Amen.
Thought of the Day
Put a little more faith in your heart.
This is the day that the Lord has made
Let us rejoice and be glad in it. -- Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
Be Joyful Always. --I Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV)
It’s hard to believe now, but prior to September 2009 I had never been in an emergency room, much less stayed overnight in a hospital. As many of you know that has drastically changed in the last few months as I have undergone tests, surgeries, and hospital stays for abdominal pain. Since most of my life has been spent in good health, I struggled with my inability to do the most basic of tasks and especially with what my purpose was while I was stuck in a hospital bed. The hardest days for me were the Sunday mornings when I was unable to attend church because I so enjoy the fellowship with our family of believers. One particular Sunday in November I was in the hospital listening to the music that the praise band was going to be playing that morning for worship and feeling very frustrated that I was unable to be there. One of the songs was “Today is the Day” by Lincoln Brewster and the chorus lyrics are:
Today is the day you have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
And I won’t worry about tomorrow
I’m trusting in what you say
Today is the day
I have always found that song to be very uplifting and yet it was very hard to “rejoice and be glad” in that hospital room. I was convicted since we are called to have joy in all circumstances, even when we don’t understand them. I began talking to God about my frustrations and asking for peace in the midst of the confusion. Eventually I was able to listen to the song and appreciate it’s meaning for me—This is the day that the Lord has made and I can rejoice and be glad in it, whether from a hospital bed or a pew at church our purpose is not tied to our location.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." --Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
It all began as I woke up after running the Crescent City Classic. I couldn't move my right arm or my right leg. Both limbs felt asleep, but were paralyzed because I couldn't move them on my own. I was in a lot of pain. On my way to the Doctor's office, I wondered what had happened and why had God allowed this to happen to me?
It was such a strange observance and as my mind raced, I thought to myself; God had given me a wonderful man and a beautiful daughter to love. God had given me the gift of dance, years of ballet training, a flexible body, great balance, good feet for point, and a heart of passion for performance. What was happening to me? Was I now being punished for the gift of dance and good health?
I have always had a strong belief in God. A strange collage of thoughts went through my head. I don't know if I just tuned out or if I heard celestial music, but there was hope that maybe it wasn't so bad. However, it wasn't well with me and I knew it. My mind was racing back to my childhood of my Sunday School days and church with my family. I was seeking to get a handle on the drama that was happening to me.
The Doctor diagnosed me with Rheumatoid Arthritis in April, 1995. I had pushed my body too far and now I will have this disease the rest of my life. I finally learned to deal with it when in August, 1998 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had already had surgery for uterine cancer in 1988. As I lay there waiting to go into surgery, I began to pray. It was the first time I heard God speak to me. A calmness came over me and I was certain I was surrounded by a superior love from God and I had no fear. The surgery went well. In May, 1999, I underwent another breast cancer surgery. I accepted for the first time in my life, that God has a plan for me. I wasn't sure what it was, but he is very much alive giving me joy, peace and love. I thank God for giving me strength to handle these past battles that I faced in my life. I feel so blessed that God is with me.
Ever since I first read this Psalm, it has been my favorite quote and instant thought when I am in doubtGod's will for me in a given situation.My first reaction to a(usually of my own making)to jump into that "squirrel cage" and let my mind race with the "what ifs".I learned very quickly that my mind is a very dangerous playground to be on when I am alone.
I have come to realize that my first thought has to be "to be still and to" for God's message.My answers come by various ways these days:a phone call from a friend when I feel lonely; the beautiful shape of one of God's clouds when I doubt thatwould hear my cry; a hug when I am hurting; a smile when I least expected it andneeded it; and a note or a card from someone letting me know I am being prayed for or thought about.How awesome is my God when I am awareabundant blessings!
I have learned that those promptings from God cannot be heard or heeded if my life is too busy....I have learned to be still and know.
This year was a bottom for me. After going through a divorce for the last couple of years, this summer I found myself at the bottom of a dark pit with no light and no way out. I had prayed for answers and direction. I was having severe anxiety and found myself sitting in churches in the middle of the night. I was consumed with pain and loneliness. My relationship with God had always been more of a son who respected and feared his father. I had prayed, but I was not listening or did not want to hear what God had to say. I wanted a booming voice or burning bush. I was more focused on my fear than on His plan. I heard once that fear was the devil’s tool. It stands for ‘false evidence appearing real’. I really felt abandoned.
During one of my walks, I tried thanking God for everything I could think of rather than focusing on my pain and uncertainty. For 2 hours, I walked and prayed. When I ran out of things to thank God for, I would repeat. That night when I came home, I turned on the radio before getting in the shower which was very unusual for me. Just as the stereo power came on the following song lyrics played “make a change, if you want things to go your way you got to make a change”. There is more but this lyric repeated over and over. Very quickly God gave me a list of things I needed to do so I wrote them down and committed to do them. When I looked in the mirror, I felt peace and I felt God tell me that I was going to be OK. My relationship with God changed from one of fear to one of love. I felt His love. God said He would give me strength, and He did not want me to suffer anymore. This is the prayer He gave to me and I share it with you. May you be given the strength you need this year.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray for many things at different times in my life,
but most of all I pray for strength.
Strength so I will try as though everything depends on me.
Strength so I will pray as though everything depends on you.
Strength so I will believe that things happen with a purpose.
Strength so I will seek the good in all things, even adversity.
Strength so I will have faith even when I do not understand.
Strength so I will accept all things knowing it is your will.
Strength so I will be given understanding and wisdom of your plan.
Strength so I will focus not on earthly challenges
but heavenly rewards.
Strength so I will not be blind to your blessings
and take the time to be grateful.
Strength so I will have the fortitude and conviction
to resist all temptations.
Strength so I will forgive others and show compassion.
Strength so I will surrender myself to your mercy and grace.
Strength so I will open my heart to the peace and serenity
of your forgiveness.
Strength so I will experience the hope, joy, and happiness of your promise.
I pray this in your son Jesus Christ’s name that I may have a
life of confidence. Let Me Go Forward With Your Strength.
AMEN.
While showing some visitors around the French Quarter this Christmas season I notice a large number of psychics and mediums that had set up shop around Jackson Square in the vicinity of the St Louis Cathedral. Several were waiting for customers while others had patrons holding out their hands or attentively listening to the diviner as they read their cards. I thought of the following scripture.
Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her. the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities.
--Acts 16:16-19(NIV)
While I didn’t have any of them get up follow me, I did feel the need to pray not only for the misguided looking for enlightenment in the wrong place, but also for those “slaves” to the occult, that the Lord work in them to open the eyes of the searching to find the true way.
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
--Ephesians 1:18-19(NIV)
May we all find the peace and strength provided for us, as believers, to do and be all He calls us to be. With the Jesus at my side who shall I fear.
OK, I admit it I am addicted to Sonic ice and fountain Diet Coke. I go at least 4 times a week during Happy Hour, where I can get it for ½ price. As far as addictions go, it’s not so bad.
I am one of those people who never thought that God talked to us about our small day to day business. I figured he had bigger issues to deal with such as calling people to be ministers, answering prayers, etc.
I’m sure you’re thinking what do these two random paragraphs have to do with each other.
I was driving home one day and planned on stopping at Winn Dixie. I had this urge to pull into Sonic as I passed but resisted the urge because Happy Hour was over and I didn’t want to pay full price. I ran into the grocery store and picked up a few things for dinner. I got back in the car to head home and felt that urge to drive back to Sonic. This time I “gave in” and found myself pulling in and ordering my Route 44 Diet Coke. The carhop came out and we laughed about my having to pay full price. I had seen her the weekend before at a Mardi Gras parade and as we were talking about that she started crying and “unloaded” to me about her marital problems, etc. She kept apologizing for crying and I kept reassuring her it was OK. We had a nice long talk (she talked and I listened) and she was much better when I left.
As I pulled onto the highway I felt this “well” in my head. I knew immediately it was the voice of God saying, “Well do you believe that I talk to people?” I immediately knew that urge to go to Sonic was from Him. I was sent there because the girl needed someone to listen to her.
I immediately called Jim and told him that God had sent me to Sonic. Needless to say, he thought I was making an excuse for paying full price for my “addiction.” I told him I was serious and relayed the events to him.
Not only do I now believe that God talks to us during our routine day, if we take time to listen, but I think my Diet Coke is OK with him too!
“In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision.” Acts 9:10
I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 (NIV)
This is one of my favorite scriptures. I can read it and feel God with me. Years ago, when my son Ben was born he was very sick. I gave birth to him in a small hospital and because of his health; he had to be air lifted to a hospital with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. My husband went to stay by Ben’s side. My parents were at our house with Ben’s older brother Michael. This left me at the hospital by myself. It had been a very long stressful day. I was terrified that Ben would die. I started praying to God to watch over him. I prayed with everything I had and turned all of my fears over to God.
All of a sudden, I felt this incredible peace come over me. I knew in my heart that God was with me and he had answered my prayers. There was no doubt in my mind that Ben would be OK I had the feeling that I needed to call the hospital to check on Ben. I called the hospital and asked for Ben’s nurse. She came on the phone and said I had incredible timing. Ben had just been taken off the ventilator and was breathing on his own. He spent two weeks in the hospital but I knew God was with him every step of the way. Today he is a healthy 14 years old, Praise God!
God takes our fears away. Just give God the opportunity to work in your life.
New Orleans Saints fans haven’t always been so enthusiastic about their now beloved Saints. In fact, not many years ago, it was more likely to hear the team referred to as the “Aints” instead of the Saints and many, out of shame, wore paper bags over their heads during football games. During those years you couldn’t give away a Saints ticket; now you can’t afford to buy one. Football fans are fickle, but for now thousands of football fans aren’t vacillating in their devotion to Saints football or to Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and Jeremy Shockey.
Louisiana football fans are ecstatic! Ok, even the word ecstatic is an understatement. Louisiana football fans are in what can only be described as “football frenzy!” “Who dat?” is now the most common greeting between friends and the “Who Dat? Nation” is out in full force. It is not at all uncommon to hear people chanting: “Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?”
The New Orleans Saints are having the best season of the team’s history. The Saints are in the NFL Championship playoff game Sunday at 5:40 P.M. and churches in and around New Orleans are cancelling Sunday afternoon activities and Sunday night services. It goes without saying that 72,348 Saints fans will fill the Superdome Sunday afternoon to cheer the Saints to victory. Thousands more will congregate with family and friends to watch the game on television and if I were a betting woman, I’d say that all 4,410,796 Louisianans will be singing “When the Saints Go Marching In” as the team takes the field and continues its historical march to Super Bowl XLIV. Yup, Louisianans definitely love their Saints!
Behind our administrative office is a digital billboard that has the word, “Believe” in big, bold letters. I’m glad I was at a stop light when I first noticed the sign, because it took me several seconds to realize that the billboard isn’t promoting faith and it isn’t sponsored by a local church. Instead, its purpose is to support the New Orleans Saints on their journey to the legendary Super Bowl, the game of all games.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a Saints fan. I have whooped and hollered along with everyone else. Carolyn and I have held Football 101 sessions (we consider ourselves successful because Christol now knows that the little lines on the football field are called hash marks) and have repeatedly explained the deep emotional nuance of “Who Dat?” to the less informed staff. It has even become tradition to leave the office each afternoon to the sound of the Saints theme song.
I understand the passion and the enthusiasm. However, I must admit that I experienced a brief wave of disillusionment when I realized the intent of the billboard. I immediately thought about how different our world would be if 72,348 people were as enthusiastic about Christ as they are about the New Orleans Saints. I thought about how we readily teach others about football but hesitate to share our faith. I thought how we show passion for pro athletes but hide our passion for Christ. I thought about how we will pay $75 for an NFL ticket but are not willing to give our 10% to God.
I wondered when all is said and done what the final score will be in God’s game. Will the winner be, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” or will it be “Who Dat?”
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 (NIV)
The relief effort for Haiti gives us a practical way to help by preparing a health kit. Information regarding the UMCOR kits stated in bold letters: “TO SUSTAIN EVERYDAY LIFE.” That phrase brings to mind the question, “What sustains everyday life?” We can say food, water, and shelter are basic needs for life. But to really live, to be really human, to really “be,” I feel we need more than these basic necessities.
What we need is love—love of all kinds. We use the one word “love” for feelings of affection, but the Greeks had several totally different terms for the various kinds of love. (Both the Greek and Hebrew languages tend to be more specific than the English language.) The Greeks identified eros love as romantic love, a love of passion or sexual pleasure as presented in 1 Corinthians 7:1-7 (NIV). Philos love is brotherly love, the love of loyalty and friendship: “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter 3:8 (NIV). Storge love is protective love as discussed in Titus 2, a parental love for one’s child and other family members. Agape love is that of selfless love that seeks nothing back, a caring, sacrificial love, a love of charity and grace. Agape love is clearly demonstrated by God in the beloved Bible verse, “For God so “agape” the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJV)
To sustain everyday life, we need love—all four kinds of love. Most importantly, we need to learn to give agape love. God tells us to love as He loves. God demonstrates His agape love to us over and over again. But how do we demonstrate our own love? Are we demonstrating “agape”? Are we kind? Compassionate? Patient? Sensitive? Selfless? Helpful? Slow to anger? I hope so, because, if we have agape love, then we are truly living as Christians. Yes, love is a basic need and the greatest gift.
“Follow the way of love” 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NIV)
Prayer: Dear loving, Heavenly Father, may my love for you show in my actions toward others. Amen.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3 (NIV)
This means the Christian is not supposed to judge hypocritically, but take another look at the example Jesus gives. My sons and I often joke about this passage when one of us tends to judge the other unreasonably.
I think Jesus had a great sense of humor. This is a seldom talked about subject. I think he probably laughed and had a good sense of humor to be able to put up with the disciples.
When I was 4 years old my mom took me to one of the brand new two story department stores. My brothers and my mom proceeded right up the escalator. I was right behind them and I just stood there right in front of the disappearing stairs while they went up, up, up. I stared at the stairs. I was afraid the escalator would eat me up. I saw the stairs disappearing and thought, there is no way I’m getting on there. I stood there and yelled for help. Many came to my rescue.
Today, I am still afraid to go into the mall and get on an escalator, but the disappearing stairs don’t bother me, it’s the disappearing money instead.
We can laugh at ourselves. There is plenty of material. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
I think Jesus had moments when as serious as His mission was, that He had to humor Himself and those around Him, especially His disciples, who often stumbled and bumbled trying to understand His teachings. It’s part of the miracle of being you, that we are so different, we often entertain others just by being ourselves.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. Isaiah 43:2
When Emily, my 18 year old was diagnosed with epilepsy, needless to say I was distraught, worried, and very OVERWHELMED. Emily, had been the picture of health her entire life. She was now an incoming freshman in college, and dealing with all the stresses that new freshmen must navigate. How would this affect her now and for the long term? How could I protect her? I had so many questions and no answers.
A few weeks after we found out the diagnoses, I went with friends to hear a Catholic priest at a mini retreat in Baton Rouge. The topic he was speaking on was that the Lord promises to be with us in our trials, to BLESS us during the trials we face, not to just simply see us through them. The priest encouraged us to look for the blessings God will bring as we trust Him for all that we need when facing any difficult, painful situation. Well, I really could not see how God could bring blessings out of epilepsy. I know God to keep His Word, so I began to look for blessings in our trial. And I decided to start that night while driving home from the retreat. I told God that I knew He was always loving toward His children, and I would look for the blessings of Emily’s epilepsy.
OH MY. There were so many! The very first thing I realized was that God had made provisions for Emily long before she had any symptoms. God brought Emily’s biological family into our lives about a year earlier. Had we not known her genetic history, we probably would not have had a clue what was happening to her, and not gotten medical attention as quickly as we did. And again before any symptoms occurred, Emily made the decision to attend UNO and live on campus. As opposed to moving out of town, where getting her medical care would have been more difficult.
The second blessings were how quick I was able to obtain an appointment with a wonderful neurologist, who was a younger woman, whom Emily took a liking to immediately.
A Huge blessing was that Emily tolerated well the best medicine with the least side effects that she can take for seizures. And it worked!!
God was even in the smallest of details during this time. Emily’s car insurance came due exactly at the same time that she was not able to drive for 6 months! So we were able to make timely decisions concerning this matter.
The time we have had in the car together, have been a blessing and a privilege to me, one that most moms don’t have with their freshman in college.
But the biggest blessing came in the form of a renewed relationship with Em’s dad, and the concern and provision which came from that renewal was immeasurable.
And last of all, this ordeal has given my precious daughter an insight and compassion that she would not have had otherwise.
We are assured and know that all things work together and are for good to and for those who love God and are called according to His design and purpose. Romans 8:28
If you are going through a hard time, look to God, trust Him and His promises, and look for the blessings in the midst of the trial, where He promises not to let the water overwhelm you, nor the fire burn you.
“Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”-- Colossians 3:12
“Entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels.”-- Hebrews 13:2
One dreary day, I dragged myself back to the grocery store with my receipt clearly showing I had been overcharged. I got in the customer service line behind a woman who appeared to be about my age. Immediately, I noticed this woman’s odd hair. It looked as if she had chopped off her own hair with any old pair of scissors she had without even using a mirror. It was chopped close to her head, all over. I stood behind her for quite a while as the clerk tried to find the exact type of Pall Mall cigarettes that she wanted. I thought to myself, who smokes Pall Mall anymore? I tried to remember if I ever even had known any woman who had smoked Pall Mall. To my surprised, the unusual woman pulled out a checkbook. I hate to admit it, but I wondered if her check would be good. She started searching for a pen. The clerk was gone. She jerked around rather wildly and asked me if I had a pen. I pulled one out, and she thanked me with a wide toothless smile revealing black areas where each of her teeth used to be. I was quite shocked. We continued to wait for the clerk as she filled out the check and I became more and more curious about the stranger. A couple of times, she jerked her head over her left shoulder to give me a quick glance. On the third time, she added words to her actions. “I didn’t want you to think I was stealing your pen,” she said. I said, “Oh, no, no. I know you aren’t stealing it.” Then she repeated the whole thing over again and so I did as well.
I had begun to pray for her minutes before. Now, I began to realize God had put me here for a reason. I began to engage her in a simple chitchat of a conversation as I often do with people in lines. It was difficult for her as well as for me. Clearly, it appeared to me that something was not quite right with her. Finally, the clerk reappeared and finished the woman’s transaction. She jerked around to face me once more with another great big toothless grin. She pointed the pen at me, and I offered for her to keep it. She declined and once more told me that she hadn’t wanted me to think she was stealing my pen. Once more, I tried to reassure her that I had never thought she would do that. When I took the pen out of her outstretched hand, she reached out to me with a great big warm hug. When our hugged ended, she said softly, “I just wanted to let you know how I feel.”
The stranger only asked me for a pen. I gave her all I knew to give, my prayer and compassion, along with my pen. In return, she gave me so much more. She gave me kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We shared God’s love with each other.
Dear Lord,
May we always keep you as our focus so we can be ready to hear your voice. Thank you for loving us. Amen.
Onni Cesta
The Lord is the Light in the Darkness and the Darkness Can’t Overcome
Sometimes things happen in your life that you are totally unprepared for. It jolts your entire body, your mind, and breaks your heart into pieces. You can’t see how you can handle something so heartbreaking or even understand why. It’s then that you realize, after all the tears, that you are not alone. There is a greater power, a friend who loves you. His name is Jesus.
Twenty three years ago, our grandson, Casey, was born. A beautiful baby boy, we were all so happy. Two months later he was sent to a pediatric neurologist, who said he would be blind, a dwarf, have seizures and really should be institutionalized. I think we all felt the darkness descend on us. The doctor said there was no hope. Casey did not respond to anything you showed him. He didn’t see any of it. We prayed along with all those who knew us, for a miracle.
Many months later as we prepared for Christmas, decorating our Christmas tree turning on the lights, Casey crawled into the room, looked and pointed to the tree saying, “See the light.” Casey graduated from high school, seventh out of a class of 195 and is a senior at a Christian college in Georgia, making straight A’s. Through the years, he corrected his teachers if they did anything wrong and even called the weatherman on TV to tell him he had made a mistake. Today he sees every plane in the sky, every car on the road and even asked, “Why do they have so many 20s on a twenty dollar bill?” Darkness can never overcome the Light of Jesus and we thank Him daily. He is the true light in our lives.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. 1 Peter 1:3-4a [TNIV]
If Advent is a time of anticipation, then I think that Lent must be a time of preparation… a special time intended for us to take stock of where we are in our spiritual walk as the anticipation of Easter morning continues to build.
When I was growing up, one of my Sunday School teachers was fond of saying “You can find any type of story in the Bible – it’s all there, you just need to look for it.” He was right. And although the Bible can be read as a collection of stories and songs about history, adventure, love, goodness, deceit and betrayal, it can offer much, much more. The Bible teaches us about the nature of God, what God expects of us, how we can reconcile with God, and how ordinary people can do extraordinary things in the service of God – even in the midst of daily trials.
Can you feel the excitement and celebration contained in today’s Scripture? Do you hear the promise and comfort that the Resurrection holds for us? I hope that in addition to Sunday worship, some of your Lenten activities include participation in small groups and Bible study. When you read the Bible, please consider doing so in quiet time set aside for community with God through His Word. I think that’s a key to transforming a task of obligation – or even drudgery – into an opportunity to learn something new about our relationship with God. Also try reading a little before and after the verses of interest to understand its context and get an appreciation for why it was written and why it’s included in the Bible.
Then quietly listen for what God may be revealing to you about the Scripture – just let it soak in - for like Elijah we can find God’s voice in a gentle whisper instead of the wind, earthquake, or firestorm that we’re often looking for.
“To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
Those words, by an unknown author, complete a passage entitled “Success”. I have it in a frame on my dresser, and I read it each morning as I start my day. While not biblical, I think the passage expresses real life examples of “succeeding” in living life as Christ taught us. Living out Christian principles makes our lives better and hopefully we, in turn, can make life better for others.
Each year for Lent, individuals sacrificially give up something or stop doing something in order to draw closer to God during this time of preparation for Easter. While there is certainly nothing wrong with this practice, wouldn’t sacrificially doing something during Lent also draw us closer to God? In Matthew 25, Jesus encouraged us to do.
(35)For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, (36)I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' (37)"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? (38)When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? (39)When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' (40)"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
As you read the entire passage below, consider not only giving up something for God during this Lenten season, but also doing something for Him. Either way, you will be a success in Him.
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” II Cor 7:10 (KJ)
The Lenten season is one of the most important in the church year. It begs the question: Where are you? Just as Jesus was driven into the wilderness and tempted for forty days, we too go through the wilderness at times. While the wilderness is usually not looked forward to in the believer’s life, it is necessary. It is when we see what we are made of. Only when we are tested and tried can we know the rock that we stand on is a sure foundation.
As we examine ourselves during these days of Lent ask the questions: Where am I? Where am I yielding to God’s will? Where am I falling short? Look deep into your heart and quiet yourself to listen to what it says. As we look at our shortcomings, the good news is that we can get better. Those deep things that keep us in bondage can be exposed. Those things that keep us from experiencing God’s best for our lives can be dealt with.
Godly sorrow works repentance to salvation. WOW! What a promise! Repentance sometimes is seen as approaching God in sackcloth and ashes and crawling along the jagged, rough ground to get to the feet of Jesus. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Repentance is allowing ourselves to say Lord, forgive me and help me. Repentance is the gift given to us by God to break the hold of anything that hinders our walk with God. So this Lenten season remember Godly sorrow produces great fruit. It heals, sets free, delivers, and brings us back into right relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
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