PERCEPTIONS

When I was sixteen years old, my mother sat me down at our kitchen table to have a talk. I had been making big plans to put together a birthday party for my boyfriend. I explained I would like to rent a hall and order food… and mom said for me to have a seat.

                  I plopped down in a well-worn kitchen chair crammed against a table that was wedged in a tiny kitchen.  My mom made direct eye contact with me and made the crazy statement that we couldn’t “afford” what I was planning. I looked at her dumbfounded. Several of my friends had planned this kind of gathering so my question was obvious and totally teen.

                  “Why not?”

                  “Because Bev we are not rich. “

                  She proceeded to explain that we didn’t have that kind of money. My mind tried to process this new information. I went to school with rich kids, I thought we lived in a nice neighborhood, I had clothes and my own room. I proceeded with a comment that brought my mom both to tears and laughter.

                  “Are you sure mom? Because I feel rich.”

                  Perceptions. We don’t always get them right. In fact I’m pretty sure we are almost never 100% on target. I suspect that is why God told us not to judge. Our perceptions are off.  Even with people and situations we know well … our own view is not omniscient. After all who could have known my situation better than me at sixteen? I was living right there.

Why didn’t I pick up on the fact that to get around the kitchen table it had to be shoved against the wall and all chairs in or we couldn’t open the refrigerator? We had hand me down furniture from good friends (which my mom hated – the furniture not the friends). I got practical Christmas presents and gave them as well. My mom once picked up a package from under the tree and asked if it was stockings – could she open them because she needed them for work.

In a day and age where most moms were home, I was a latchkey kid. I started dinner in the cast iron skillet most days after school. When there were gift exchange days at school, the present I brought always cost the exact minimum. We never ate out. I was not allowed to open the refrigerator because it cost too much electric. In reality, I think our food was bought exactly to last for meals. Our entertainment was television, the Sunday “funnies” and sometimes a ride with a stop at the store for a carton of ice cream. Saturday nights were “stew”. Not the good stuff with chunks of meat and veggies in a rich sauce, but the leftovers from the week in a weak watery liquid.

Yet with all these facts surrounding me, somehow, I came to the conclusion that we were rich. My mom, in an effort, to help me understand she wasn’t being mean, but my request was simply unreasonable given our circumstances, had to make the tough call to burst my bubble and give me a realistic understanding of our place in the economy.

It wasn’t my first perception in life that was off, nor have I had my last. So, when God talks to us about “taking the plank out of our own eye and then we will see clearly to take the speck from our brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5) He knows what He is talking about.

God doesn’t want us judging or condemning others because we don’t have the capacity. Even the well-meaning Christians who hit others over the head with their sins, citing verses …  we were meant to use those verses to clear our own eyes of planks.

Remember Jesus and the woman brought to Him caught in the very act of adultery (John 8:1-11). Those who wanted to condemn her quoted the right scripture, the evidence was indisputable and yet Jesus did not condemn her. He suggested anyone without sin could throw the first stone. No one did. They left from the oldest to the youngest.

                  If my perception is ever that I can cast a stone at another human being, my perception is off.  Way off. If I am cherry picking verses for any cause… my perception is off. We need the whole word of God to understand spiritual truth. Psalm 12:6 tells us “…the words of the Lord are flawless”.

                  The judgment of the Lord is perfect. As He watches the people of earth, His perceptions are without error. The love of the Lord is boundless. The mercy of the Lord is unimaginable.

                  Headed back to my plank. Have a great week.

                  Love, Bev

UPDATE

Hi everyone or anyone who is out there. This feels a little like writing into a blank wall, but I’m going to trust someone is still there. If you are reading this post and would like to hop back into the Yashmea blog, please respond. I am putting out a bit of a fleece to see if I should pick up this ministry again. If I get 5 responses - I will go ahead. Wait a minute… God said if there was one lamb … ok if I get one comment I’ll pick this up again.

Meantime… the update. We are living “up north” now full-time still in the middle of the woods. It has been quite an adjustment to be without family and friends close by us, however we are plugging along. As many of you know - okay who am I kidding - as the few of you who have followed me know - there was a 3rd book to the Yashmea trilogy that I never finished.

In the past few years I believe the Lord has put another book on my heart entitled “The Neighbor”. You guessed it, Yashmea moves to the north woods. My dear friend, Margarita, has consented to help me by doing some reading to get me started up again. So any prayers to help me would be greatly appreciated. The 3rd book of the trilogy will be called “ENEMY” and I am hopeful to finish both within a year.

I am not sure I will be able to publish in the previous format as it was costly. My odds of a traditional publisher picking me up are slim. The learning curve to self-publish looks a little steep. But I’m not whining honestly. I was just wondering what you guys thought of me publishing installments (chapters) of the books online?

Love you all no matter where this goes.

We love an awesome God!!

WANDERING

I love the book of Deuteronomy. I guess a bit of a strange choice, but I found myself recently wandering through those chapters again. At least I started out thinking I was wandering. But really I was looking for God’s presence. Not that He moved … but I seem to have … wandered.

To be clear what that is and if I used the word correctly, I hit the dictionary and found these definitions:

            Wander: to move about without a fixed course, aim, or goal.

                          To go idly about

            Wandering: characterized by aimless, slow, or pointless movement

Yep that’s what life has felt like for me lately. But I was in Deuteronomy not by wandering, but by seeking to stop. And there I met again -wanderers like me. God’s holy nation of Israel that He loved, pursued, provided for, and set apart for good things.

When I was a young Christian, I would read about Israel and think, “Why aren’t they paying attention? How dumb can they be that after all God has done for them and shown them, they still turn away?” My goodness, He gave them miracle after miracle, written instructions, and Moses.

But now at the age of gray hair and grown children and grandchildren, I unfortunately see myself in those baby faith Israelites. I wander. So, I need to hear those words the Lord spoke to His people:

            “If My people who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

I need to pray like Moses. Because after only forty days of being on their own, the Israelites had already forsaken the Lord and the nation stood in danger of complete destruction. But Moses prayed for the people and God listened. He stayed His hand and gave them another chance.

And the story continues with clarity throughout the Word of God. People wander. God stays steady. People sin, all of us. Those who call upon the Lord and confess and turn around are saved and given a path of purpose. Not by our righteousness, we just don’t have it. But God knows our temptations, anger, misguided doctrines, sins. He put in place the perfect plan of Jesus, His Son to sacrifice His life on our behalf. The Holy Spirit in our hearts to comfort and guide us.

Wandering through an antique store might be fun for a hour. But I don’t want to wander in life. So … Deuteronomy it is!!

Love, Bev

HAGGAI AND THE PROBLEM OF PROCRASTINATION

I am a procrastinator.

Instead of starting what I should be doing, I sit down and pray sometimes.

Sometimes I sit down and think about what needs to be done.

Sometimes I make lists of what needs to be done.

I pretty much do everything except what needs to be done.

I’ve known at various times of my life that I love to write. I love to read my Bible. I feel better when I walk. I like a clean house. I feel good when I feed people. All little pointers along the way of things the good Lord has for me to do. Encouraging to others, fulfilling for me, doing my little contribution to honor God.

Enter the book of Haggai, which I highly recommend. It’s only two pages – two short chapters, which in God’s hands can be life-changing for those of us who are procrastinators. It was funny that I have a note in my Bible 2-9-03. So it must have been a spot God had me before. I only write the date if I have gained a life changing moment. Oh and another note 10-13-09 that said ‘conviction to finish “Breathe”’. My first book and it was published in 2012.

Back I am today in 2022 (wow that sounded like Yoda). My 3rd book, “Enemy” languishes in my computer, originally scheduled for 2015. The newest book, “Neighbor”, sits partially developed. My website gets occasional attention every few months or years.

My dishes are in the sink. My carpets need vacuuming. My dog wants a walk.

But clearly I read my Bible today because here we are at Haggai and I note 5-11-22 in the margin.

“The people say, ‘The time has not yet come for the Lord’s house to be built.’”

And there lies the root of the problem.

At the core of all procrastination is that idea: “the time has not yet come”.

While the house of the Lord still remained in ruins, the people were building their own houses. The prophet Haggai was given a clear message for the people from the very mouth of God.

“Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

The bottom line: procrastination on the things that the Lord has given us to do, leads to a very unsatisfying life. No matter how much work and organization we put ourselves to accomplish, if we neglect the things that honor the Lord – the work He has given us, we can never be satisfied. We can be busy. But we cannot be content.

The phrase “give careful thought to your ways” is used multiple times in Haggai.

The book of Haggai speaks of the Lord stirring up the spirit of the leaders and the people and they came and began to work on the house of the Lord. God promised peace and glory to His house.

He reminded them how when they had worked only for themselves, failing to turn to the Lord, their work was blighted. The results were not fruitful as the house of God was left in ruins and the people worked on their own agenda.

But beginning the task of building a temple that would glorify the Lord immediately turned the outcome of their lives.

“From this day on I will bless you.”

Procrastination: the time has not yet come…

Give careful thought to our ways…

Acts 17:24 – 28

A life- steering passage to read. It shows God’s sovereignty, how He doesn’t live in a temple built by human hands, how He determined our times and the exact places we would live. How God did all this that men would seek Him …He isn’t far … in Him we live and move and have our being…

As the people took in the message of turning to work for the Lord instead of themselves, things began to change …

May God bless His word to our understanding and send seed for the sower and bread for the eater…ISAIAH 55:10-11

Love,

Bev

The Genesis Project

Hi everybody!

As some of you know I’m working my way through the Bible on a project for the grandkids entitled:

LETTERS TO ZACH

This verse totally captivated me today:

Genesis 18: 19 - For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him.”

So the first thing that hit me was the second part of the verse - count on me to be backwards - anyway…

I read the “so that..” and it hit me there was a cause and effect here. What brings about the promise of the Lord for Abraham is him “doing what is right and just”. Obedience. And pretty much from the get-go that’s what Abraham was about - obeying the Lord.

Sounds simplistic and something we’ve been told many times however it never spoke to me quite like this. We are participating with the Lord, which is way over my head, we obey so that the Lord will bring about what He has promised!! That’s how the Lord brings us His promises - He works His will through our obedience.

Abraham didn’t have the Bible on his nightstand. I doubt he was well-versed in doctrine because it didn’t exist yet. He didn’t participate with other people in debates on right and wrong or go to church on Sundays. Abraham had one mode of faith … he listened to and he obeyed the Lord. He didn’t try fifteen books on getting close to God; he didn’t have a mentor; he didn’t have a pastor; he didn’t have Christian friends. Now please don’t all write and tell me how necessary it is to fellowship and read the Word. I know that - but let’s take a look at the basic here in Genesis.

Abraham listened to God and did what He said.

He had conversations with God:

“What about if there are only 10 righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah?”

“How do I know I’m going to have this land?”

“What do I do about my son Ishmael?”

And he obeyed. Tomorrow I’ll be reading about when the Lord asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. His only son. No one to bounce that off of … Abraham just went and got the wood.

The Lord hasn’t changed.

John 1:12 “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God - “

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Abraham’s journey started with hearing and believing God.

So does ours. Some of us out there haven’t really come to that belief yet… or we come there and stopped.

The Lord has made promises. Big - wonderful - huge promises.

He has things to give that we are literally dying to have: Salvation, peace, joy, love, kindness … the list goes on.

So let’s drop the fear of where the journey with the Lord may take us:

“What of my lifestyle will I have to give up?”

“Will God want my money?”

“Will I have to forgive my brother?”

Let’s go get the wood for the offering and go where it leads.

If anyone reading this blog has not yet asked Jesus to be their Savior and decided to believe what God says, please don’t wait another moment.

love, Bev

The Truth of the matter is ...

MATTHEW 6:33

            But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew chapters 5,6 & 7 are best read together for context and teaching but just for the moment, I’m focusing on the above verse. Because I believe if we get that right, the rest of life will fall in place.

            The truth of the matter is … we try to focus on too many things. 

Let me use myself as an example. Right now I should be organizing our retirement home. We have a small house in the north woods that, Lord willing, we thought would soon become our permanent retirement home. So we began trying to reduce our possessions and decide what has to come up here. 

Of course now we have run into the issue of – can we really leave our family and friends? So laugh if you want, but now we are bringing a few things back in case we can’t make the transition. Do we sound like we are in a state of total confusion? Yeah and bonus… now both houses are a bit strange looking.

A few other notes - It has recently come to my attention that I am overweight … okay I know I’ve been overweight for years but it’s only RECENTLY come to MY attention. So I’m trying to decide how to handle that without throwing myself into depression. I love to eat.  I also love to walk. In recent months my back is not cooperating with my idea of myself as a walker. I see myself as self-sufficient. My son said I need to realize I’m getting old and ask for help. Seriously, can I just have one illusion left alone?

So let’s talk about family. I love my family fiercely. I can plummet from joy to misery with a moment’s phone call from one of my clan. My husband tells me I am an emotional roller coaster and much to my chagrin he is totally right. But family … we all have them. Some people’s families look so perfect to me and they spend quality time together. My husband asked me where I saw one of these families. I pondered for only a moment before I answered: “Blue Bloods”. 

He smiled at me in a piteous way and reminded me that Blue Bloods have scripts and actors and sets. Hey I’m a writer (sort of) I could write my family a script. They could follow the script and I could get someone to clean my house. The problem being my three children are the most headstrong varied personalities you have ever seen. They won’t do a thing I script. Yes I know they are all middle-aged adults but just for one Sunday dinner everyone in the same house? 

Then there is my procrastination and forever beating myself up because I don’t keep to a schedule, my house isn’t always clean (okay probably never all the way clean), I want to cook and bake and write and learn to play a keyboard and …

Truthfully lots of times I like to just sit and read or play solitaire or talk to my friends.

God wrote to me and said:

Seek Me and My ways… the rest of it will work out.

He said I’ll have what I need and what I want.

What I want will look different when I’m with Him.

Now I’m trying regardless of what happens to spend time in the presence of the Lord everyday. It’s very peaceful there. There is an acceptance that comes from God that really can’t be described. I stopped beating myself up. My children and grandchildren seem awesome to me … perfect … because they were created by God.

So here I sit writing to anyone who cares to read this and is perhaps ready to sit in the presence of the Lord and be cared for as only He can do.

Best of blessings to all.

Love,

Bev

THE LIFE I LIVE...

Obviously I didn’t pick this verse because I have attained it. But in these really hard times, these simple words give those of us who name Christ as Lord a direction, like a really solid direction.

The life I live …

My life is composed of a lot of stuff or so I thought. Probably a lot of us thought church was way up there. I mean if God is number one in our lives, His Son Christ our Savior, His Holy Spirit our comforter and guide … well… church. Churches are closed. Fellowship - looks a little different.

Family - that’s my heart (sometimes my downfall) - definitely top of the list stuff. Gathering together with family is a little difficult at the moment. I am actually alone in the north woods.

This morning I was writing and thinking through a list of “important” stuff in my life, trying to decide what to do. Our family has lately had some pretty significant challenges. I bet yours has too. Oh we aren’t facing the same circumstances exactly, but everybody is facing hardships of some type. How to proceed?

So after I did my scribbling, I looked back at Galatians (I have a young friend who challenged me to read it - she’s always on to something). And there buried in the text this little line jumped out: The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Well exit stuff - Covid - sickness - money, even the big stuff - family - fellowship.

This life I live in the body, I don’t live by health, or friendships, or even family. This life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God. I don’t live a life in the body devoid of sorrow and suffering. At the moment I have about 100 things going wrong, things that I fear, things I can’t control, loved ones suffering that I can’t help. But those aren’t what I made my choice to live by- long ago I decided to accept God’s offer of salvation and so … I live by faith in the Son of God. Some days I do that better than others.

These last few days haven’t been so good. I have some extremely close loved ones who have gotten ill. Since I’m alone so much, I’m feeling pretty useless. There are some things in my life that look like they may not turn out so well.

So this morning the Lord sat me down and had me listen. I live by faith in the Son of God. And why on earth does that sound like a good choice? Especially if I have no guarantees of health, or happiness, no clue if things will get better. Why would I hang my life on the scars of Christ? Who cares about a future resurrection when this life gets so miserable?

This life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Not trusting in a what … health, wealth, circumstances, etc.

Long ago I made a choice to trust in a Who. I believe He is trustworthy and my life is safe in His hands no matter what “stuff” is happening. No matter how serious and threatening the world gets … this Jesus loves me and He gave Himself up for me. The best reason ever to trust.

This life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

with love,

Bev

WHAT TO DO WHEN A VIRUS EXILES US TO HOME

Before we cruise through this blog, it is important to take a look at the Bible verses attached. While I recommend reading all of Jeremiah, I know that’s not happening with most of us. But please at least read Jeremiah 29: 4-7. I’m hoping by that time we are hooked. If your Bible isn’t handy, the VERSES tab has them written there.

Ahhh… God’s people are in a pickle now. Although God has displayed His glory, provided for His people, protected them against enormous odds …well you get the picture. He has clearly been God. Yet Israel, His beloved people, continue to turn away. Whether they are clinging to idols, being influenced by social media (yes they had it - just looked a little different), embracing the surrounding culture or just plain getting off track … the Israelites turned from God.

Warnings, encouragement, laws, pronouncements, surrounded them. Yet they kept going in the wrong direction. And so the pattern that God has used prevailed … it was time for serious consequences. They were taken into exile by a harsh leader. Exile meant they were drawn from their meeting places, unable to choose their surroundings and just plain not able to have and do what they wanted.

Into this dire situation, God sent through His prophet Jeremiah, a letter. The God who sees all things and knows the future as well as the best path through all situations … sent Israel a letter. He told them in their place of exile to build houses, to plant gardens, to continue with marriage and babies. God told them to pray for the peace and prosperity of the place where they lived in exile. He cautioned them not to be deceived.

The Lord God then assured His people He would come for them and bring them back. He promised them His plans would prosper them and give them both hope and a future. He said to call upon Him and pray. He would listen. He said that Israel would find Him, when they sought Him with their whole heart.

These days are full of opportunities to turn our faces to God. This time of exile is a familiar pattern of trouble in the world. It will always be here in some form. There are beginnings and endings - God sees it all. The letter to the exiles of Israel is just as applicable today. It really says … keep going in life. Sit still with God. Trust His promises. He has plans for us … good plans. And for all our sakes …. pray … for leaders and community …without ceasing … with faith … God is listening.

May God bless us today in exile and keep us looking at Him.

Love,

Bev

WHERE DID THE TIME GO?

No matter our age, at some point we all look around and wonder, 

“Where did time go?”

The young person who was sure they had plenty of time to get the school project done, now sits in the twilight of the day staring at a blank page with a looming deadline coming up with the sun.

A mom enters the end of the day with dishes in the sink, the bedtime story not read, and lays out her work clothes for tomorrow ... barely able to keep her eyes open.

The dad who works so hard for his family that he never sees them and though he laments the situation, it seems there is no other way.

A silver haired couple gazes lovingly at their toddler’s picture and realizes he now has gray hair. Does he know they love him more now than ever?

We are portioned our days from the Lord and we have enough for what we are to do. Oh I’m sorry … did that sound too simplistic? Yes … well the other theory is that the Lord purposely gave us insufficient time for what He designed us to do. You pick.

Lately I have been thinking about this problem because even though I am in an ideal situation to complete my goals … I’m not. So I reviewed who God is and who I am; then decided the problem must lie with me. Now everyone else can go with your own conclusions, I’m just sharing mine.

Logically then if I have sufficient time from the Lord to complete the life He intends, with the work He created beforehand for me to do, me running out of time must mean? Yeah that’s what I came up with too. I’m putting pieces in my life that aren’t really part of the plan and taking too much time for lesser activities.

So I headed back to the Bible and checked things out. What did God say was His work and what does He see as most important?

            John 6:28 & 29

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent”

            Matthew 22: 36 – 40

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

So now that I am back on track with what’s important to God, I looked at my life again and was reminded of the analogy of the jar that was filled with rocks, pebbles, sand and coffee. I don’t know who to credit but it isn’t me.

The jar is life and the first things to fit in are the large rocks, which are the most important parts of our life. The pebbles, some pretty important things to do but secondary. The sand – everything else – I’m thinking my solitaire games may qualify.  Last but not least, the coffee is poured around everything else, showing there is always time for coffee with a friend.

So just some examples … because if you decide to go with this – you and God will work this out together:

ROCKS: These get priority time every day

            God – love Him first. 

            Relationships (love my neighbor) 

PEBBLES

            Work **don’t worry God knows we have to work – put Him first and He will clear a path. Put Him second and we will struggle**

            Church ** Yep don’t scream – important BUT God comes before church and if done in that order – He will give us something to contribute to church other than a warm bottom on a chair.

            **anything that is important but not God or people

SAND

            And here my friends seemed to be where I was spending the majority of my day. Playing in the sand … the things in life that distract us from rocks and pebbles.

COFFEE

            Yep – there is always room for coffee with a friend!

Love,

Bev

HEART'S DESIRE

I was reading in Genesis this morning about how God had chosen and blessed Abram (before the name change). Abram had wealth, resources, a beautiful wife, victory over enemies and carried with him the promise of God to make him into a great nation.  Pretty sweet life.

Yet one day after a huge victory when God came to Abram and said:         

         “Do not be afraid, Abram.

         I am your shield,

         Your very great reward”

Abram had an unusual reply.

He questioned what God could give him, because his heart’s desire was for a child and that God had not given him. 

(Genesis 15)

I felt for Abram. 

I too have received many blessings from the Lord and enjoy His fellowship, however I also have a heart’s desire as yet unfulfilled. 

I read on and the Lord’s word came to Abram promising he would indeed have his own child and further Abram would have offspring as bountiful as the stars in the sky.

I was silent for a moment and then as tears began to fall I talked with God. I told him I didn’t feel I was living in victory but I know I have been blessed.

         “But God … this __________________ is my heart’s desire.

And though I have prayed for it for many long years, I have suffered and pleaded to no avail.”  And then I asked again.

Oh were you waiting for a big finish? Well that was it. 

Abram came away from the conversation with God and believed Him and it was credited to him as righteousness.

Me … well I didn’t hear that I would be receiving my heart’s desire. But from other Scriptures, I know God heard me. I know that God is perfect. I know that He is faithful. He loves me – proven by the gift of His Son for my salvation. 

Am I sad and sorrowful that my heart’s desire is not within sight? Sometimes. I keep asking and believing the Lord knows what is best. 

The worst thing we can do with our heart’s desire is give up on it. So hang in there … talk to the Lord honestly and believe in Him. 

If mine comes through one day while I’m still here … I’ll let you know. In the meantime, I would consider it a victory today for God if those who read this will pray and trust God with their heart’s desire.

Love,

Bev

#yashmeajourney

DROPPING THE STONES

 I am a believer in Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of God, the only way of salvation.

I am a believer in God’s Word, perfect, true and living.

I believe Him about what is sin and that His Holy Spirit convicts us when we do wrong. 

I believe in confession, repentance and forgiveness as the Lord leads us into a relationship with Himself.

I believe in the power of the blood of Jesus Christ to cover us completely so that we, though we are all sinners, can come into the presence and fellowship of God.

I believe when Jesus taught us not to judge others, that He was serious. 

The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees flung a woman down before Jesus. There was no question of her guilt; she was seized in the very act of adultery. The Law required she be stoned to death.

In voices of false concern and tinged with self-righteousness, the religious leaders asked Jesus “what do you say?” Their motive wasn’t a true spiritual question, but rather they wanted to trap and accuse Jesus. But our Savior always sees the heart.

The leaders and crowd stood with stones in their hands, ready to kill the sinner.  Jesus, the only perfect judge among them, gave this response:

            If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.

They all left one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left.

            Then in a stunning act of mercy, the only One who could condemn her … chose not to do that but rather told her to “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Under the Law I would be an adulteress … since I was married and divorced.

                        In Christ today I celebrate 38 years of marriage to the man God gave me after forgiveness.

Under the Law I would be a murderer … because anyone who is angry with his or her brother is subject to judgment and anyone who calls another a name is in danger of the fire of hell.

                        In Christ the Holy Spirit has worked faithfully with me over many years on conquering anger. We are still working.

I could go on but you get the picture. I would be listed with those who are not allowed into God’s presence or eternal life.

But thanks be to God the Father who sent His own Son to be our salvation and His Holy Spirit to be our guide, my story will end differently. 

I am still far from perfect. Confession, repentance and forgiveness are part of my daily life as I walk with God … a walk I don’t deserve but I am so grateful to continue.

Revelation 21:8 “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur …”

Our identity when we are in Christ is none of the above.

Without Him, we all qualify.

Let’s stop calling out the sin of others, that is the job of the Holy Spirit and He does it best.

My prayer today is that we would allow others to enter that walk with Jesus. We have no right to stop them. We need to drop the stones.

A CALL TO PRAYER

I understand there are masses of people who do not believe in God’s authority, but this message is for those who do. This is about coming apart from the noise of the world for a moment to decide how to proceed. This is the suggestion …

 LET’S PRAY

Somehow even believers have been caught up in the crazy, malicious chaos that now comprises our political discussions.

My brothers and sisters – this should not be.

I Timothy 2: 1and 2 – “I urge then first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness…”

We are not to be standing and shouting amidst the malice of our times … but rather praying to our God in the quietness of time alone with Him. 

2 Timothy 2:23 and 24 – “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And God’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”

We need to be faithful in reading the Word of God, since He was faithful to give us not only the written word, but the Word made flesh … our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Hebrews 4:12 and 13 – “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

 I am only one person, but I believe in God … in His Word … in His Son … in prayer. Can we withdraw from this world of violence and malice into a quiet space in our homes … to do something worthwhile that will yield answers from the only One who has them?

Please … in the name of Jesus … let’s stop joining the world in arguing … let’s pray.

DIRECTION IN A WORLD OF CHOICES

Today’s verses are Proverbs 3: 5 and 6 (take a peek in the “verses” tab if you don’t have your Bible handy).

These verses are well known, popularly quoted, endlessly referenced … and rarely lived, because in this world of a million choices with everything acceptable to somebody … we get lost.  

I’ll make this blog personal since I can’t speak for anyone but me. If this helps one person in the universe draw closer to God for answers … well then it’s been a good day … and for sure direction is on the way.

Confession: I can’t really figure out what to do with myself since I retired. Oh I’ve tried several things, I had plans before I retired, I’ve had well-meaning suggestions since I retired and I have sought the counsel of people, books, media etc.

But well … here I am. And by the way just to keep the record straight, I have prayed and scoured the scriptures. I have kept moving in this decision-making process leaving no stone unturned.

And that as it turns out is my problem with finding direction.

I did everything but let God “make my path straight”.

Trusting in the Lord with all my heart isn’t a fast-paced search for an answer - 

                It takes place in the quiet and staying still portion of my day … so I needed to find one.

Leaning not on my understanding requires me to pitch out a few logical ideas of my own – 

                 Pushing off the solid wall of what I think and what other people think … and even what looks like it might work. 

Acknowledging Him in all my ways takes focus.

                  Thinking where I am and praying for the Lord’s will every moment of every day – nothing is to be left outside of recognizing God is my Heavenly Father, my Savior, and the Holy Spirit who guides me.

The promise when this is done?

                        And He will make my path straight.

Trust in the Lord with all my heart.

Don’t lean on myself (or others or society or … you get the picture) to understand life.

Acknowledge God everywhere I go… with everyone I meet.

Reading a verse and living a verse are two entirely different actions.

Hope this helps us toward living the Word.

SOME THOUGHTS ON THE GOOD SAMARITAN PARABLE

If you haven't read it in a while, this is a powerful lesson that could literally change the world. Ah but perhaps you are busy today. No matter ... spend a few moments reading Luke 10: 25-27. I promise it will be worth your while.

So these are some thoughts I had ...

Being a neighbor is a choice ... having nothing to do with the block we live on.

Religion can get in the way of goodness and mercy. Religion can make the hands and feet of Christ stumble to the other side of the road from folks who need us most. So ... go for relationship over religion.

The best thing to give a wounded person ...

                   the bandages of kindness

                    the oil of compassion

                     the refuge of love.

Your turn ... what are your thoughts on this parable?

KNOWLEDGE … UNDERSTANDING … GOD’S TAKE = WISDOM

Let’s take a look at reading God’s Word and attaining wisdom. We read the words and gain knowledge, we pray and God helps us understand, we look at situations in the Word and realize what God’s take on things is … and that is wisdom – applying God’s words and ways to our lives.

Lots of believers prefer to spend their time in the Word cruising through the New Testament. It seems easier to understand. It appears to be a plainer type of message. And let’s face it … the God in the New Testament sounds a little nicer. I get it. When new Christians ask where to start, I also send them to the gospels first. It is critical to understand what our Savior Jesus Christ has done for us … the gospels deliver that message that Paul declared as most important. Jesus Christ – born as the Son of God – suffered and crucified for our sins – risen as the firstborn of the dead – breaking the enemy’s power forever.

But that doesn’t complete our understanding. Let’s talk about that word a moment. If we have understanding, it means we comprehend the situation … we have insight or good judgment … an individual’s perception or judgment of a situation.

Today’s message is to declare that we cannot have comprehension of what Christ has done unless we take the totality of God’s Word into account. While the gospel starts us and the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom … let’s keep going. The proverbs make a great case for seeking wisdom and it is a journey, not a one-stop dispensation.

Knowledge … understanding … God’s take on things = wisdom.

Some things we are missing if we skip reading the Old Testament:

1.     God’s Holiness – Nothing unclean or sinful could touch the mountain of God. We can’t understand the sacrifice of Christ and how badly we need a Savior without knowing the Holiness of God.

2.     God’s wrath – Yes that’s right and another reason we skip to the New Testament. But the fact remains a Holy God has righteous wrath at a world that blasphemes Him, ignores Him, reduces Him to human standards, and blatantly indulges in sin without repentance. If you slap someone in the face they will become angry. And although they perhaps turn the other cheek, continued disrespect will earn you a lesser relationship and eventually perhaps no relationship at all.

3.     God’s love – Right … it all starts in the beginning and continues with real life relationships between God and those who worshipped and obeyed Him. It’s a big love, with remarkable things that happen and prayer life that is a two-way conversation. Imagine talking to God Almighty.

4.     God’s character – There is rich depth to the passages that reveal the heart and ways of God. And when life hands us trials and sorrows that we can’t understand … we can lean back on God’s character and trust.

5.     Themes – Reading through we can’t help but notice themes and they root in the Old Testament and take wings in the New. For example … OT shows all the times that God’s people get impatient waiting on His promises and what happens when they do. Jesus admonition in the Golden Rule is rooted in the OT laws. Faithfulness, mercy – God’s record is perfect … mankind’s is no where close.

6.     Passages relate to the “end times” in several places … not just Revelation

7.     Profound images of sin are found showing what sin looks like to God.

8.     Beautiful passages of what Jesus will be bringing when He comes and descriptions of the hope that we have because of Him.

I could go on forever.

God made sure the written word contained everything we need to become people glorifying Him and living with purpose and passion.  So take a moment and read … and consider diving deep…

            Old and New Testament … One glorious God.

Happy Reading!

UNTIL... and IF ONLY...

Have you ever found yourself caught up in the drift of thought:

         “I can’t wait until…”

                  I’m done with school

                  I get a good job

                  I get married

                  I have kids

                  The kids are grown

                  A promotion comes

                  I have some money in the bank

                  My mortgage is paid

                  Retirement

         Lots of other phrases fit the end of that sentence. So we give up the moments of life looking to a future, which we neither know nor control.

         Sometimes we look to the past:

                  “If only…”

                           I had gone to school

                           I had taken the other job

                           I hadn’t married that person

                           I had done better with my kids

                           I had used my money more wisely

                           I had sought a writing career earlier in life (okay so that one is mine)

         We have those moments of  “if only” …  a backward glance to a time that is gone. A time we can’t change, with events we can’t live over… even if we know how to do it better.

       It isn’t wrong to anticipate a possible future joy, if it is done in the spirit of “God willing”. And it isn’t wrong to review the past as the road God walked with us to bring us to now.

         But it is now that we live. It is this moment we decide what place God has in our lives. It is here in this place of today that we decide what we believe about Christ. Today we choose right this minute if we will build our house on rock or sand.

I have decided today that I can wait for all things “until…” - God says: “It’s time.”

I glanced back this morning… the “if only” was calling. But then I remembered God was weaving it together for good … the broken places, the sorrows. I could see the Lord pouring the oil of forgiveness and mercy on my past.

His hand then gently turned me to this moment of joy and contentment in His presence.

Please join me in this moment.

Love,

Bev

LIVING LIKE A SQUIRREL

In our Bible study group we sometimes get off track and our friend Curt will yell, “Squirrel.” Meaning of course our minds are operating on that track, darting from thought to thought. Now the whole group uses the term and we are usually quick to refocus when someone says, “Squirrel”.

Our puppy, Tuppence, likes to chase squirrels and is ready to go off on a mad dash any time one comes into view. Recently on a walk, I was watching her stalk two of them. I just stood perfectly still to see what would unfold.

One squirrel put its nose in the air and looked around. Like lightening he ran back to the safety of a huge tree close by. The other one - cut of a different personality - looked at Tuppence then at the safety of the tree.

But just a few feet ahead of the squirrel was an irresistible acorn, so after assessing the situation … danger vs. greed … you guessed it. The squirrel darted for the acorn and waved caution to the wind.

Just like in the parables of ordinary life that Jesus told with farmers and fields, I could feel the lesson forming. God is in everyday events and is everywhere, able to teach us in a moment if we remain in Him.

After getting my puppy under control (that squirrel was lucky for the leash and my quick reaction) I meandered along on the rest of our walk thinking … I live a little like those squirrels.

My strong protection stands ready in the Lord my God and sometimes I run to Him.

But I have to admit that I have my days where the enticements of the world catch my attention and like our random thoughts in Bible study that can pull us from a moment of revelation … I too allow something in the world to pull me from the place of God’s shelter.

For the squirrel – it was the lure of more food … a moment of greed where he ignored the instincts that keep him safe and decided that MORE was worth the risk.

For me … and you? We face that lure everyday. Keeping safe within a perimeter of obedience or just a few more steps toward what looks good.

Ahhh … its an old story … check out Genesis 3.

With love,

Bev

TOO BUSY? THERE IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE FOR THAT

If I had a nickel for every time I have reported to others on my busy schedule … I would be a millionaire.

If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard others say how busy they are … I would be a millionaire.

If being busy added to the true treasures of life … I would be rich indeed and so probably would you.

But I have decided if I keep going in this direction of “busy” … I will be without true riches and caught in a prison of poverty made of overscheduled days followed by sleepless nights. So although I’ve always tried to be a law-abiding citizen, this former probation officer has decided on a prison break.

Now before those of you who know me start thinking, “Well she can do that … she’s retired.” …

Let me assure you the enemy has seen fit to slither this “busy” battle into every lifestyle of people who are trying to do the “right thing”. This is particularly true as we approach Christmas.

Jesus taught about this tyrant of busy in the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). Martha was busy with preparations for dinner, which included Jesus – a good thing to do. But her sister Mary was sitting on the floor at Jesus feet, doing nothing but listening to him speak, an activity that Jesus named as a better choice.

Keep in mind Jesus deeply loved this family … both sisters. But when Martha came to him pointing out Mary wasn’t helping her -  here was His response:

         “Martha, Martha … you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.”

Being busy all the time is not a badge of honor if it means we don’t have time for sitting at the feet of Jesus.

So the spiritual warfare for this?

·      Be still and know that He is God. Stop what we are doing and pause during the day to think about our Heavenly Father.

·      Read the Christmas story. No Bible today at work? Click on the VERSES tab, I decided I had time today to type it out for you.

·      Choose to read God’s Word … there is always time for the blessing this will bring to our lives.

·      Pause and pray … the Lord waits for His people to ask for His guidance … it will be a path we have time to take and the treasures will be eternal.

Anybody else up for a prison break? The Lord stands ready with freedom from busy.

Love, Bev

GOD HAS THE POWER

2 CHRONICLES 25:1-10

The story of Amaziah, King of Judah, who while he amassed an army from the people of Judah to face a formidable enemy … did not quite think he had enough power to win.  And so as we have talked about so often … he decided what was needed by his own knowledge.  More soldiers right?

Amaziah went and paid a hundred talents of silver (about 3 ¾ tons) to men of Israel to accompany the army of Judah. Sounds like a plan.

PROVERBS 3: 5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

         What a human mind devises as a solution … no matter how good … is less than best.  Especially if we are walking off on our understanding and circling away from what God has said.

What happens next is interesting and evidence that the Lord intends to keep us on the right path … if we will simply pause and listen and then … wait for it … OBEY.

2nd Chronicles 25:7 & 8

“But a man of God came to him and said, - O king, these troops from Israel must not march with you, for the Lord is not with Israel … not with any of the people of Ephraim. Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow.”

Amaziah hesitated for a moment and then asked “But what about the hundred talents I paid …”

The man of God replied, “The Lord can give you much more than that.”

Amaziah dismissed the troops he had paid from Israel.

The Lord delivered the enemy into his hands.

The Lord is more powerful than our best efforts.

He is more knowledgeable than our brightest scholars.

The Lord is a better leader than any Democrat or Republican.

He has 100% track record on making the right call.

God has the power to guide us into the best life ever although the path sometimes looks a bit precarious – we are safe.

The Lord knows humans need saving – we sin, we stumble, we get confused.

So this season, let’s put aside the stuff we think will make for a great Christmas (3 ¾ tons of stuff)… let’s go with His idea … Jesus Christ, His own Son, our Savior.

WHAT'S ENOUGH?

Scripture Reference: Exodus 16

I love the account of God’s stumbling nation of Israel after He delivers them from slavery; they get together in the desert and grumble against their leaders. They wish for former days, they want the bounty of food they had in Egypt. The people have already forgotten the terrible conditions they lived in before God prepared their exodus from slavery.

Somehow stumbling and grumbling and wishing for something else rings a note of familiarity to me … I struggle. So every so often God shows me again the story of the manna … His own bread from heaven for His people, complete with specific instructions.

While the people were sure they were going to starve, God of course had a plan. His provision was perfect, bread from heaven. They were to gather exactly what they needed for each day except for the sixth day then they were to gather double. So that when the Sabbath arrived, the people could rest according to God’s plan. Bread in the morning and meat in the evening … stewardship was set up … a measure for each person.

The ones who gathered much and the ones who gathered little … everyone had what they needed in the end. Of course, true to humanity, some tried to gather extra to store it paying no attention to the instructions. The result … it was full of maggots and began to smell.

What about the day before the Sabbath when they gathered double? It was fine. Six days they were to gather, the seventh day was a Sabbath. Simple instructions. The perfect amount of food. The people rested.

So what’s enough? God’s provision. It is perfect in quantity and quality. Wherever we find ourselves today friends, we can be sure that God has not forgotten us and that we will have enough … of everything we need … for our lives each day.

So the cliff notes?

1.   God provides perfectly for His people.

2.   If you don’t want maggots – don’t be greedy.

3.   God’s instructions are not to be messed with

(sorry to my former English teachers for ending the sentence with a preposition … for everyone else thanks for tuning in today)

Love,

Bev