DEATH - PART THREE

Moving out of the valley… 

Ecclesiastes 3

 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven”.

                        “A time to be born and a time to die,”

                        “A time to weep and a time to laugh,”

                        “A time to mourn and a time to dance,”

Three young children boarded a train together clutching their suitcases and choosing seats near each other. It was such exciting fun and their faces were wreathed in smiles as they watched the scenery, ate their lunches, and played games. They were so looking forward to their destination but they journey was captivating.

Shortly after the train rolled out of the station, a tall porter approached them. He took the hand of the youngest. Looking into the sparkling eyes of the little boy he said, “Son your stop has come and you must leave the train. But the moment you step off the train you will be met and taken to a place where dreams come true.”

The other two children watched as their friend departed and pressing their faces against the window waved with all their might until they could see him no more. Their chubby hands wiped frantically at the tears spilling from their eyes, for the children thought they would travel for a long time together and get off at the same stop.

The little boy stood on the platform for only a second before the most magnificent friend to little boys met him. Where he had been cramped on the train a little, now he stretched his legs. He met new sights and smells as he was led to a bright green pasture. The little boy was happy.

Back on the train the other two children rode for a long time exchanging their childhood for maturity. Still they missed their friend. Gradually they accepted what they could not change and began to enjoy the scenery again. After a long time, the tall porter returned and took the weathered hand of the woman to escort her to her stop.

This time of course the two friends knew that their time together was over. They held hands until the final moment when the woman stepped down to the platform. Once again the man who was left pressed his face against the window and bitter tears flowed like rivers down his aged cheeks dripping onto the seat beneath him. He bowed his head and felt his heart would break.

Some time later as the train rolled on the man left aboard remembered the fun times he had with his other two companions. A smile spread on his face and his eyes gently twinkled. He noticed the beautiful scenery again and soon ate some warm stew. He felt content.

Finally the tall porter came and nodded to the man. His stop had come. By now he needed a cane to push himself upright and the porter put his strong arm under the man’s to help him along.

“Where am I going? How will I get there?”

The old man had a moment of fear as he left the train. But as soon as his foot touched down, things changed like a kaleidoscope. Someone was there to meet him, there was singing and off in the distance … was that possible?

The One who met the old man smiled and His eyes were like fire.

“You are going to meet your friends at our Father’s house of course. Come on.”

And so the three friends lived happily ever after with many new friends.

Make sure of our destination … help each other with the stops along the way … enjoy the journey …

DEATH - PART TWO

Practical ideas for helping someone (even ourselves) deal with the death of a loved one? We could make a list but let’s put the first thing first.

ROMANS 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

The prior blog “DEATH PART ONE” was designed to be encouraging. Hopefully it gave some clear focus on life following death and how to get there.

But today let’s step back to a different place … today we are at the raw shock of receiving the news; we are at the funeral service, we are beside the grieving widow, we are the bereaved son or daughter of our precious parent …

The temptation is to pack hope in a tightly compacted sandwich and force-feed the mourner. But this trembling person, who may have tears streaming or simply a weeping heart with a vacant stare to their eyes, needs the first thing first.

At the age of thirteen, I looked into the casket of my stepdad, “Jeffy”. A part of my heart was frozen with fear – what was our life going to look like? My mom, a rock of faith and a strict disciplinarian, was a mess. People streamed everywhere and I’ve never liked crowds.

Finally we came home and I headed for my room where I sat in my rocking chair and contemplated the carpet. I could hear voices and even an occasional laugh floating up the stairs. What could they be laughing about? I knew there was a cake downstairs but I didn’t understand why. Cakes were for parties. At some point I trembled with rage and demanded to know why there was cake. We had cake, but would we have food?

Days went by. I went back to school. Kids didn’t know what to say. My music teacher said she was sorry. At least someone finally acknowledged “it” - death. I tried not to cry. My life changed in dozens of ways. What was going to become of us?

 I was already an oddball because my parents were divorced (I’m old and no one was divorced back then). I had a different last name. Now I had a death in the family. I was a teenager and wanted to look “normal”. Well “normal” had exited.

One day after school in the distance I saw a man who looked like Jeffy. At first my heart leaped and I started forward then stopped. The one thing I was clear on … I would not see Jeffy again. I cried.

Allow people to mourn.

Take some time to read the beginnings of the book of Job. Slowly take to heart his incredible loss. God knew what was happening and why. Job did not. Job sat down in the dust of the earth and mourned. His friends came to comfort and for the first seven days simply sat by him. Note - it wasn’t until they opened their mouths that the problems began.

            The final installation – Death Part Three – Moving out of the valley.

DEATH - PART ONE

In memory of … all the loved ones who have gone before us.

For the purpose of preparation … because we all will follow.

In hopes that we may comfort each other … be ready for the day … and live well.

Some verses to consider:

            John 12:24 – “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

            Psalm 139:16 – “… All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

            Psalm 116:15 – “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”

            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.”

Let me tell you a story of death … and of life. (It’s my story - I can use whatever order to things I want!)

            A lovely woman we will call Nana died when she was near the age of 95. Her funeral was held in a magnificent church with beautiful stained glass windows. As we took our seats, we quietly waited for the family to enter. I looked around at all the people who had loved this woman and marveled that she had touched so many lives.

            Then came the family. This lovely woman had raised 8 children so the group that came to bury Nana was large and varied. Nana had done many things in life and was a strong woman but nothing impressed me like the grief of her beloved family. It was clear they would remember their precious Nana for all the days of their lives.

            I couldn’t help but think of the verse of a single seed in its death producing many seeds. Life follows death. Because of Jesus’ death – that single seed – life will always follow – many seeds will flourish. There is a new pattern to things – death loses – life wins.

            All of Nana’s days had been written by God. The day she died and the day she was buried were precious in God’s sight. As a believer in Jesus Christ, Nana went on to eternal life with God where she will one day be reunited with her beloved family in a big house with lots of food – what more could an Italian family ask for?  In the meantime they go out and live – part of their living is the legacy of Nana.

            Life follows death. And no matter how shocked we are at the day of a death – the Lord has everything all ready.

            John 14:2 and 3 – “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

The way to life after death? John 14:6 – “Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one come to the Father except through me.”

Perfectly prepared and personally escorted. GO TELL IT!!

HANDLING THE WORD OF GOD

2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

For those who know the story of the Velveteen Rabbit and his quest to become “real”:

What did he look like when he was “real”?

He was a bit shabby and well worn.

What had made him “real” for the little boy?

It was love and constant contact with his beloved friend.

The story, first published in 1922, was written by Margery Williams and illustrated by William Nicholson, and has been republished and quoted many times. It captures our hearts and teaches us years later … what does “real” mean.

The tale strikes a note when the world tells us what we believe isn’t “real”.

When the Bible is viewed as a very long and very boring “book” or another piece of literature.

“God-breathed” – Imagine the exhale of a mighty God into the world, that those who picked up His word might breathe with Him.

“useful” – not a decoration for setting on a coffee table or desk or book shelf. This Word is USEFUL- it serves a practical purpose.

“teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” … so that we can be equipped for every good work.

The mountain climber readies himself by checking his equipment, getting directions, training for the climb. The parachute jumper learns with diligence every instruction and checks every part of the chute as he prepares for the jump.  The Olympic athlete trains daily pushing himself through all the physical preparations that will propel him to a chance at a medal.

And the Christian?

Shouldn’t our Bibles be worn, beloved, taped together, instructions followed, … believed in? Our equipment check and instructions for entry to heaven are way more critical than those for climbing a mountain. Our jump into the world around us is unsafe without them. As far as the reward that awaits us – a guaranteed win and nothing could be more valuable.

The Velveteen Rabbit – fiction that makes a lasting impression.

The Word of God – truth that makes eternity real. 

From the book - BREATHE – Psalm 23 - part 3

Before you go … have you shared everything? 

Grandma Bohn has rested in a lush green pasture and walked with Yashmea beside still waters  … just as Psalm 23 has described. So we can draw to a quiet time with Jesus to live this part. But how do we get to live in the crescendo of grace that closes this Psalm?

·      He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies.

·      He anoints us.

·      Our cup overflows – not just a satisfactorily full - but welling up and spilling over into the lives of others.

·      Goodness and love will follow us – every single day of our lives

·      We will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

To attain this requires more than a short time apart in His presence. We will need to walk back into the world holding hands with the Shepherd and trusting Him for all the results. For that … there can be no dark shadows in our hearts.

Back to our story…

            Grandma Bohn talked for what seemed like hours and told of all her worries and fears. But Yashmea could tell that she held back her most important care.

            “Not quite all my love. You still hold a care in your heart that continues to come back to you. You must give it to me if you would be in peace when you return.”

            “Forgive me, but of course You know. My family – Jed, Rachel, Samuel. We have talked before of them. Even after all these years I think of them everyday and some days the pain is too much.”

            “And …” Yashmea touched his hand to Grandma Bohn’s chin which quivered and tilted it just enough so their eyes met.”

            With a voice barely above a whisper, Grandma Bohn held her gaze steady and forced the words out. “And I know that You know what happened to them. You have never told me.”

            And there it is.

            The hurt in our lives that has undone us.

            The unspeakable thing that happened.

            The shadow that threatens to strangle our trust.

NOW WHAT?

Stay with the Shepherd – tell Him everything – ask, seek, open the door to Him.

Grandma Bohn did just that. While I could create a character in fiction that would respond to Yashmea, only you can form your response to Jesus.

Whatever is holding you back – GO TELL IT – to Jesus – the Shepherd of our souls!

From the book - BREATHE - Psalm 23 - Part two

The experience of coming away with Jesus 

PSALM 23 – Walking with the Shepherd involves green pastures, still waters, restoration, guidance.

In our story – Grandma Bohn, now in the presence of Yashmea, can feel the warm pressure of his hand, her body physically relaxes, and she is at peace.

That is living the psalm. Placing our hand into the hand of Jesus, inhaling deeply, and opening our eyes. We are in a different place. Our messy kitchen, piled high office desk, ringing phones – they simply fade for the moment.

Grandma Bohn was able to be at a different place.

“She laid down in the gentle green pasture surrounded by tall pine trees. Yashmea laid down beside her slowly releasing her hand. Their eyes met.

“Rest for a little then when you are ready, we will walk and talk. There is no hurry you know.”

 Grandma Bohn rested in the presence of her Shepherd. As she woke up to her surroundings, Grandma was a bit unsteady due to her age but Yashmea was right beside her until she regained her balance.

“Grandma now felt none of the usual aches and pains. Indeed she walked as though in her youth while holding hands with Yashmea. A river lay ahead of them and to that end Yashmea directed their path. When they reached the river, it was crystal clear and the current was almost imperceptible. The quietest water Grandma Bohn had ever seen.”

Living the psalm means we let Jesus guide us to a safe place, a quiet place, a place where it’s just us with Him – and we take in our surroundings when we are present with Jesus. They will be different than the everyday – while the world would have us hurry … Jesus would have us rest. The world would have us form a plan … Jesus would take our hand and guide us to still waters.

Yashmea and Grandma Bohn go on to have a comforting time of fellowship. But before their psalm 23 time closes, Yashmea searches for what Grandma Bohn has hidden in her heart …

Stay tuned for the final part of the Psalm 23 journey with Yashmea.

Are we sharing our whole heart with Jesus or do we have something we are holding back?

FROM THE BOOK - BREATHE - Psalm 23 - Part one

Over the next few blogs we are going to look at an excerpt from “Breathe” with an eye on learning Psalm 23 by living it instead of just reading the words. So by all means before we begin – take a moment to read through Psalm 23 – even if you feel like you already know what is there … okay ready – let’s live the psalm with Grandma Bohn.

In Chapter Two of Breathe, our beloved Grandma Bohn returns home between stops of delivering warm soup to those in need. Weary and filled with sadness, her next visit will be to a home where a small child has died, so Grandma Bohn sits down for a moment.

She folded her wrinkled hands and bowed her head.  Her eyes closed.  With a slowly drawn breath she uttered a single word as she exhaled, “Yashmea.”   The cottage took on a different fragrance mixing now the smell of savory stew and biscuits with another sweeter aroma.  Grandma breathed in again even more deeply and slowly opened her eyes.  There He was.  Sitting across from her in a plaid shirt and worn work pants with the most piercing brown eyes that now shimmered in the morning sunlight.

            “Yashmea,” she spoke again and then tears began a cascade down her careworn cheeks.   He drew a soft cloth from inside His shirt and blotted Grandma’s tears then lifted Himself in a fluid motion from the chair and was at the side of the weeping woman. 

            “Come with Me.”

As those of you know who have already read the book, the character of Yashmea represents Jesus (to the best of my ability).  So the first thing we need to activate Psalm 23 in our lives is to stop what we are doing.  Yes – now – just put it down. Next … say His name.

Just like Grandma Bohn’s kitchen, our surroundings will have a subtle change as they take on the fragrance of grace – a sweet aroma. Now breathe again deeply and let’s slowly open our eyes.

Do we see Him? How do we see Him? For Grandma Bohn, Yashmea (Jesus) was a friend (note the ordinary clothing). She recognized Him immediately and was comfortable in His presence. Can’t you almost feel her relief as she lets herself show Him her raw emotions?

Psalm 23 is for those of us who are weary, perhaps in sorrow, questioning where we are going, wondering why life is so hard.  Let’s both say and live:

            “The Lord is my Shepherd” 

Next time: The experience of coming away with Jesus.  

WAITING FOR AN ISAAC ANSWER

GENESIS 15 – 21 – These chapters tell of God’s covenant with Abraham. God promises Abraham a son, to be God to all Abraham’s generations, to give land to him and his descendants. God encourages Abraham that although he is childless now – in reality he will be the father of many nations. Abraham will be fruitful – his wife Sarah will be a mother of kings and nations.

            GENESIS 15:6 – “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”

It’s a great start but somewhere along the way Sarah and Abraham took the issue of having a son into their own hands. Sarah gave Abraham her maidservant Hagar and Hagar bore a son named Ishmael.  Needless to say complications arose when 14 years later the son of the promise from God, Isaac, was born.

The problem didn’t arise because of lack of faith – the Bible clearly tells us that Abraham believed God – God could see that faith. But Sarah was desperate for a family – after all Abraham was in his late 80’s and Sarah was well past child bearing.

 So while they believed God – they probably couldn’t see how that was going to work. Waiting against impossible odds is so difficult.

So let’s place another woman in the marriage bed – that should go well.

Let’s get a child by a person’s ideas on how to work things out – that’s what God gave us a mind for – right?

Except he won’t be a child of God’s promise … Ishmael will be a child of human decision. Sarah and Abraham working out their own solution will be the start of heartache, anger, pain  - not just then – but on into history.

I always tend to get carried away with “Why didn’t they just wait for God?” – but of course that is why God has me read this passage so often.

Many of us (well definitely me) grab for an “Ishmael” solution when we need to wait for God’s “Isaac” answer in our lives.

God still stands by ALL of His promises in the word – He will never leave or forsake us; we will have an eternal life and home with Him; He will work everything together for good for those who love Him and are called to His purposes … there are tons of promises in the Bible. They are true no matter what our circumstances look like.

Let’s hold on for God’s “Isaac” answer to our prayers.

LOVE - THE BEST FRUIT

GALATIANS 5:22 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

In our zeal to “live right” we can forget, as did the Galatians, the foundation of our faith is centered only on Jesus - what He has done and our relationship with Him.

One of the best things my pastor has preached over the years is that believing in Jesus Christ and accepting Him as Lord and Savior is about a relationship not a religion. The relationship is born of love … His love for us … and our response.

Let’s look at a concrete example of what relationship can do. I love trees  - they beautifully illustrate so many truths. Trees need soil, water and sun. The fruit they produce is affected by the relationship they have to these essentials … continuously. One day of sun, one torrential rain – these don’t produce good fruit. A steady receiving of the essentials of tree life … then the very best fruit is produced to bless the earth.

Just as a tree cannot produce fruit on its on or by reading a set of rules or by someone standing in front of it telling it the proper way to grow … neither can I produce the fruit of love in my life on my own.

I need the essentials. I need a Savior. For a fruit as supreme as love I’m going to need a relationship … continuously. I need to experience real love.

Even if you have read I CORINTHIANS 13: 4- 7 a hundred times, please stop and read it again. Soak in what love is – not an emotion but real actions. Love does things differently. Love never fails.

My son recently reminded me of this story. When he was a teen and visiting another church for a program, he entered the sanctuary with his cap on and was met by a man from the congregation who told him in a curt tone to remove his cap.

“What if I had been a searching teen who didn’t know Jesus?” Good question.

The voice of religion says, “Remove your cap.” It is correct. It is proper to show respect in the house of God. That is religion.

The voice of love says, “Welcome.” That is relationship.

“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Galatians 5:6)

THE MOUNTAIN

MICAH 4:2 – “In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.”

PSALM 22: 27 and 28 – “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations.”

ISAIAH 11: 9 – “They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

            From boyhood he had climbed the mountain putting his hands on the rock and securing his footing into the side of the mountain. With his calves burning from exertion he pushed upward. Some days just as he experienced the exhilaration of the new height, he fell. Scraping his knees, losing his gear, and bleeding – he began again.

As time went on he noticed some people who scrambled past him, seemingly without effort, their clothes sparkling, their faces smiling. Others he was sure had only started climbing a short time ago – certainly not in their childhood – yet they too passed him. Sometimes he wished that his climb could have been easier but mostly he was just thrilled to be climbing toward the top of the mountain. He had an appointment to keep.

                  There were moments when he was near other climbers. He had great joy when he was able to give them a sandwich, help them with their gear or a few times he even pulled some climbers up and boosted them onward.

                  The climb took a lifetime. At last came the day where he set his worn hiking boots on the top of the mountain. He was surrounded by people smiling, laughing, eating, talking … everywhere … like the biggest party ever. People he hadn’t seen in years. His black and white dog was there too. Unbelievable.

Everything glistened with light. It shimmered on streets, trees, buildings – more than the eye could capture. As he tried to take in all the sights, the most remarkable thing of all happened.  He was so glad he hadn’t given up.

One like the “Son of man” stood reaching toward him. Taking the climber’s calloused hands in His own, Jesus looked into his eyes and said, “Well done – good and faithful servant. You are home.

            Regardless of how we each visualize our journey to our heaven-home or the imaginings we have about the end times … it’s important to remember the mountain of the Lord. It’s a holy place. A place of remembrance, a place of safety, a place of comfort, a place of peace …  

            So come on – we’ve been invited. We don’t have to stay at the bottom cowering like the Israelites. Like Moses – we have been given an invitation through our Lord Jesus Christ – we can climb to the top and meet with God.

Share your sandwiches, help with gear and boost somebody up the mountain today!

Fierce Loyalty

JOSHUA 24:15 – “ But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

I was a good soccer player in my younger (much younger) years. When teams were picked – I was usually chosen in the beginning. On the other hand I rarely hit the ball during softball games so I was usually the last one picked.
Kind of how the world works isn’t it? What have you done for me lately? So when we run across someone in our life who consistently chooses us - who remains supportive to us through warts and all … doesn’t that feel great? The loyalty (giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance) of a friend or spouse can make all the difference in our lives.

Imagine how God felt when Joshua stepped out and spoke the challenge to the Israelites to choose who they were going to give their loyalty to … and further cast his own loyalty publicly and without hesitation to the Lord.

Fierce loyalty – Joshua showed it. Nothing was moving Joshua from complete and fierce loyalty to the Lord. Before Joshua’s display, the Israelites too bowed before the Lord, remembering all He had done and vowing to serve.

People notice the times we are loyal as well as to whom we are loyal. Fierce loyalty can bring remarkable results.

I have several loyal people in my life – my husband is at the top of my list. But let me tell you about his brother, my brother-in-law, Randy. He has always been fiercely loyal to me. I am assuming he is a gift of God in my life. Randy has stood up for me against others … he has felt badly for me during hard times … he has rejoiced with me in good times. During the recent phase of my life as a floundering (and I do mean floundering) author - Randy has read my books – encouraged my writing – talked about my books to whoever will listen … he staunchly maintains I am a good author in spite of no tangible evidence. Given our relationship – I trust him – Randy would tell me if I was lousy. His loyalty has affected my life. I keep writing.

What about fierce loyalty in relation to God? Joshua showed how it’s done. He believed God, he stood up for God, he pressed others into considering God’s work in their lives … Joshua led the way by choosing in front of everyone that the Lord was God and no one else. People followed that lead.

Does God deserve our fierce loyalty? Well you do the math.
As for me … I choose this day to serve the Lord.

Driveway Prayers

PSALM 139: 3 and 4 – “ You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.”

MATTHEW 10 – Jesus sent out His disciples and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal.

MATTHEW 28: 19 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations …”

I started out of my driveway recently but my mind wasn’t on the day or even driving to my destination. My thoughts were wandering over some areas of my life that are in less than stellar condition.

I stopped the car – that’s no way to proceed into the world.

With the car in park I looked at the calm blue sky and appreciated the bright sunshine surrounding the area. Then I closed my eyes and prayed.

God knows all about my days, my sorrows, the people I love … He knows about my travels in and out of my driveway – day after day and year after year. God is familiar with me.

He knows for example that I am an emotional person. Yes it’s taken me 62 years to admit it but I am an emotional person. I cry easily and often. I am full of joy in the presence of teenagers. I am in love with my family. I am addicted passionately to God’s Word. Sorrows and joys and insights and worries ride a roller coaster in my heart and mind. God is familiar with it all.

So remembering that I was leaving the driveway and would be going out into the world for Him – well I was going to need to leave my agendas and worries behind – hence the driveway prayer.

Driveway prayers are essential for our trips into the world. We never know what we are going to find out there – evil spirits … sick people … someone who needs Jesus … I’ve even heard we have an enemy that prowls around like a lion looking to devour us.

Stop – pray – proceed.

May God bless your driveway today.

Bitterness

Hebrews 12:14 & 15 – “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

Being set apart for God and allowing bitterness in our lives cannot co-exist.

There are lots of things in this world that don’t work out in ways that we think are “good”. Situations of conflict and hurt arise. These are the tantalizing temptations for a poison called bitterness.

This poison is so potent in its ability to harm our life with God that we are admonished to not even let a root of bitterness survive. If bitterness is allowed to grow it will afflict not only our lives but will spread – distressing and corrupting many others.

Think about our children, friends, church members, and co-workers; people who walk near us daily. If we entertain that bitter root against a person or situation, we are exposing those who walk in proximity to our lives to a poison that can become an epidemic.

We are told not to allow a bitter root, so clearly we hold the responsibility to excise this poison … but how?

Just as walking in love requires active involvement about what we say and how we act, so does chopping out the root of bitterness. In conversation we don’t speak in bitterness or malice against another person. We behave in ways that acknowledge God’s grace. We receive the peace Jesus promised and we live in peace with others. We cut bitterness out completely.

Precautions against exposure to contagious illnesses or toxic materials abound in the news media, written materials and posters. We read, we listen, and we pay attention to what protects our physical health and the health of those we love.

Should we not be concerned with taking precautions against exposing ourselves and our loved ones to spiritual poison? Our spiritual life is much more important than our physical health.

Life will have its tough moments – temptations to be bitter abound … but with them God has provided the way of escape. Let’s keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from poison … See to it that no bitter root is allowed to grow up … live in peace… don’t miss God’s grace.

JOHN 10: 1- 21

“I tell you the truth…”

Yep that’s how it always begins and ends with Jesus – He tells the truth. People may not accept what He says. His words have always divided as well as gathered people.

Look at the closing verses in today’s passage. They describe division – some people saying Jesus was “demon-possessed and raving mad”. They further posed the question “Why listen to Him?”

But others disagreed: “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

What was the truth Jesus told?

“I am the gate.”
Jesus tells the people plainly that whoever enters through Him will be saved, will find pasture, and will have life to the full.

“I am the good shepherd.”
The Shepherd leads safely, protecting His sheep even to the point of His own death for their life. Jesus was clear that He would be laying down His life by choice. No one could actually take His life because only Jesus had authority from His Father to both lay down His life and take it up again.
The sheep – well they know the Shepherd’s voice. They know Him as intimately as Jesus knows His Father. They follow Him.

This analogy of sheep and Shepherd is clear. In the face of people not understanding – Jesus speaks the truth of Himself plainly. Jesus assures us that He is recognizable by:
His voice
His knowledge of us
His leadership
The Shepherd is the way the sheep know where to walk, He is the only truly safe place to be, and He is the One who guards the lives of the sheep with total commitment to their well-being.

John 14:6 – “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Truth will always divide and gather. Some people still think the whole Jesus idea is crazy. Others name and follow Him as Lord and Savior - the Good Shepherd who laid down His life and told the truth.

Have we forsaken our first love?

Revelation 2:4 & 5
Jesus says, “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first…”

Who might this passage apply to in 2015?
Churches of the world?
Fellowships of believers in the Lord Jesus?
You?
Me?

Yes.

Think back to the time we first knelt and named Jesus as Lord. Learning the Word of God was like sitting down to a banquet. Real fellowship with other believers was like a cool drink of water on a hot summer day. We strained forward to know Jesus more, rearranging our lives willingly to make a place for the Savior. It was a joyful time.

The first blush of faith is similar to falling in love. It is an exquisite time of excitement, hope, freshness and deep security as the Lord reveals Himself to us. We nestle into His presence and drink deeply of His love.

So what happened to this church, the people to whom the first letter was written?
The same experience happened to the church at Ephesus that has happened to many of us at varying times in life.

The church was a group of believers working hard, persevering, testing the true from the false, enduring hardships for Jesus’ name. They hadn’t grown weary – in other words they weren’t giving up. Shouldn’t that have been enough?

But no … His ways are so much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8, 9).

They had forgotten their FIRST LOVE. They had fallen from a great height.
And so have we most days.

But there is a solution -Repent (turn around/ away from this way of doing things) and DO THE THINGS YOU DID AT FIRST.

What did we do when we first fell in love with Jesus?

So today I am turning around … going in the direction of loving my Lord … before I DO anything else.

ISAIAH 55:10 – 11

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

***
The Sunday school teacher walked timidly into the classroom. She had a shiny new book of curriculum and a battered Bible. Four children sat in hard plastic chairs of bright colors at a semi-circle brown table. The teacher smiled and sat down. The children smiled back.
To the side of the room an old bookshelf sat with a few Bibles. Next to the black, shabby Bibles sat some glossy red workbooks, construction paper and some paints. The teacher looked at the children and they looked back at her.
Slowly she reached for the Bibles and carefully handed one to each child. Then she opened hers. The children looked at each other, then at the bright red workbooks. One by one they opened their Bibles.
Gently the timid teacher helped each child find their place in the Bible at John 3:16. When all of the children were at the same place, the teacher asked who would like to read.
A boy who had a smear of dirt across his face and ragged jeans lifted his hand. After finding out that his name was Eli, the teacher smiled again and asked him to read the verse. With halting words Eli spoke the truth of life into the little classroom.
***

This then is the substance of teaching. For the promise was not given for our own ideas or clever games but for the Word of God. Just as the rain and snow fall to earth and nourish seeds that lead to harvest and food … so is God’s Word.

Each time His Word is spoken on the earth whether into young minds or old minds – this promise prevails … God’s Word will never return to Him empty but rather will accomplish what He wants and achieve His purposes.

I can’t imagine a Christian who would deliberately withhold food from a starving world, let alone hungry children.
Nourish the world – read, believe, speak, and do the Word of God.

Situational Hope

Ever given much thought to the quality of hope? Hope is a great experience. The dictionary refers to hope as “to wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment; to look forward to with confidence”.

As Christians, our hope is to be in the Lord. So since the Lord is constant, never leaving or forsaking us, I should be feeling hopeful – acting with hope – praying with hope – all the time. Right?

To use a phrase my beloved husband once made popular – I’m just not feelin’ it. That’s right – I’m putting it out there. There are some things going on in my life that hurt. Skies are gray. Some situations are looking hopeless. So now what?

Years ago there was discussion of sorts about “situational ethics” – deciding what to do based on what the situation of the moment was bringing. Some lined up on the side of depending on the circumstances a response of ethics could be tailored to meet the occasion. Others were just as adamant that standards of ethics were meant to be guidelines in all situations.

Example: Susie might “need” to lie to spare someone’s feelings
Vs.
Lying is wrong. (note the period)

Frankly we should be more concerned with “situational hope”.

And that my friends is where I landed today. I found myself indulging in “situational hope”.

Romans chapter 8 talks about life through the Spirit, future glory and that we are more than conquerors. But where I froze today was on:

Romans 8: 24 & 25: “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

See my mistakes? Hope is about expecting, looking forward. By staying on my current situation – I’m looking back. In addition I was basing feeling hope on what I can see – hope is all about what I can’t see. (seems eerily related to faith)

So there you have it. Turns out I am in the perfect situation for HOPE. Who knew? Oh and by the way as I finished this – yep – the sun came out.

When Life Changes Course

Have you ever had a day planned in one direction only to find the day had an agenda of its own? Perhaps it was more than a day. Sometimes life veers from the straight line of our plan, hugs a curve of events, and shoves. We aren’t in Kansas anymore.

Take for example the plan of a steady career; bills paid, insurance, money in the bank. Know anyone who has experienced that train derailing?
Anyone picture life with a family – but now you are single with no kids?
Pictured the single life but now you are in the midst of a screaming crowd?
Ahhh – but then the days come when the kids are grown – grandbabies, family dinners, sons, daughters, husbands rising up to call us blessed and singing our praises? Not exactly?
Taking health seriously … eating right, exercising, and life is good … suddenly you are facing sickness – maybe death.

We don’t know what is coming …
Proverbs 27:1 “…you do not know what a day may bring forth”.
James 4:13 & 14 reminds us that we shouldn’t boast about what we might do tomorrow – we don’t know what’s coming. Remember and live the phrase “If it is the Lord’s will …”
Matthew 24:42 encourages us to keep watch because we don’t know when the Lord will return.

But God does …
I Samuel 2:3 – take time to read Hannah’s entire story. It is a beautiful account of a woman who fervently prayed for a child and then turned her firstborn miracle child over to the God who answered. Her prayer of thanksgiving and praise to God includes the description: “the Lord is a God who knows”.

Psalm 139 – If we have any doubt that the Lord our God knows us and all about our days … this is the psalm that answers.

So plan for eternity … the days in between will take care of themselves. Life will never “change course” although it may surprise us on a regular basis.

How to do that?

John 3:16 Go tell it!!

Hugs

The dictionary says: To clasp or hold closely; to hold steadfastly, to cherish; to keep, remain or be situated close to; to embrace or be in physical contact; an affectionate clasp or embrace.

Of course you all know where we are going with this right?

Yep! We need to HUG God! All day – every day … giant hugs for God!!

How do we hug someone we can’t see? Refer to Hebrews 11:1. No I’m not doing all the work – stop – get your Bible – look it up!!

Are you back? Good. Now you know – we hug by faith. Even the dictionary did not narrow us to being able to see the one we hug. So many times we make our life in Jesus take on complications. We tack on so many things to do or be or remember … doctrines, theology – so boring and stuffy.

What we really need to remember is to HUG God – the rest will fall into place. Our lives will never be the same once we hug the Lord God Almighty – maker of heaven and earth – the author and perfector of our faith.

We will hug what we truly worship – if it is money then we will hold it closely, we will situate close to it, our affections will belong to it. Plug in anything else we hold dearly and consider … we are hugging idols.

Now for a new day … hug God. Hold Him closely and steadfastly by obeying His Word. Embrace God by recognizing His sovereignty – He is in charge not us. Cherish Him by holding Him as precious in our hearts. Be in physical contact with Him by drawing near and remembering when we love Jesus – God lives in us. Let God be the One who holds our affections. Situate ourselves close to God.

Hugging requires close proximity. We need to feel comfortable in the presence of the one we hug. After a hug its nice to just hang out together.

ROMANS 5: 8 “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

JAMES 4: 8 “Come near to God and He will come near to you …”

The theology of those verses:

God hugged us first … He will hug us back!

Psalm 37

One of my favorite Psalms!! For just a moment while we are together here – let’s draw away and experience some of these excerpts:
“Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong”…
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture”…
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”…
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”…
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him”…

In 1983 we found ourselves under the power of some evil men. We did what we could to combat a situation that took our livelihood, jeopardized our family, and devastated our hopes for the future. Nothing we did made a difference.

Has God ever taught you the meaning of the Bible by having you live it? That’s what happened to us. While I wanted life to go back to the way it was - to escape the suffering (do I sound like the Israelites?) - the Lord wanted us to move forward and have us learn a particularly potent lesson by experience.

Life taught that Psalm 37 is exactly the way of the Lord. Trust and delight in God. Commit to Him. Dwell and enjoy safe pasture. Be still and wait patiently. The Lord knows about safety, desires of the heart, and justice.

Never mind fretting about the evil men. Until Jesus returns, there will always be evil men. Never mind being envious of those who are doing wrong and seem to be thriving. Appearances can be deceiving. We are ALWAYS safe in God’s presence. No exceptions.

One day about a year after the suffering began … it ended. An evil man doesn’t necessarily give up … but he is no match for God. The Lord’s righteousness shines. The justice of our cause was shown – yes just like a bright sunny hour in the middle of the day. Amazing. I would have missed the whole idea of Psalm 37 if I hadn’t lived through it.

Fretting over some evil guys? Looks like they have it made? Don’t be deceived. Hang out with the Lord. Let Him take care of your dawn, your sunshine, and your heart’s desires. After all – He created them.