Christmas in Whoville

I'm not complaining, but it looks like this will be another Christmas in Whoville. As a matter of fact, I'm grateful. All too often, I get lost in the shopping, decorating, gift wrapping, food and all those props we use to "feel" like celebrating.

This year, it's my desire to focus on worship. If the Lord takes away the celebratory gadgets to get my attention and fix my eyes on Jesus to worship, then I'm grateful. He wants me to truly see the real reason for the season. And worship. It makes me feel blessed to realize the God of the universe would not only notice me, but he wants me to fellowship with Him. I am called, loved and kept. Who am I that I should be showered with such blessing? Even more important, who will be showered with the joy of coming to Jesus? That's the whole point of the Grinch. He was changed by seeing the Who's singing in spite of his having stolen their Christmas. I don't feel like my Christmas has been stolen but if there's no decorations, new music replaces the traditional, food changes,  no Christmas plays with a 4 year old lisping, "Welcome  to our program, everyone of you," no snow in Florida, there is still Christmas in my heart. I will still have family, food, music, and am about done shopping for gift cards, but they are not the focus I want to have.

Keep it going.

It seems like everyone is posting on Facebook that we need to pray for those suffering from Hurricane Harvey in Texas. No argument there. Anyone who's been through a hurricane, let alone 2 and one half hurricanes in three weeks like we did in 2004 appreciates the prayers being lifted on their behalf. It's the only thing that enables you to come out on the other side with any kind of sanity.

For those of you who've never experienced a hurricane, the aftermath can be as bad or worse. Insurance companies are more concerned about the bottom line than the people who pay into that bottom line. Contractors and repairmen descend on the area like locusts and many do not have the work ethic that's needed to restore the damage, let alone improve anything.  In 2004, China was building the Three Gorges Dam and concrete was hard to come by everywhere else.

I wrote to my Congressman and one Florida Senator at the time, asking for pressure on insurance companies who refused to understand that insurance is a pre-paid service. The response I got from both was, "It's not a national issue." A year later, those same men were more than willing to assist the people suffering from Katrina. The cobbler's children go barefoot and the baker's children go hungry, I guess.


For those encouraging everyone to pray, I say a hearty AMEN! I wasn't on Facebook when Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne hit Sebastian between September 4, 2004, and September 25 of the same year. I don't know if the same call for prayer was going on or not. I hope so. Sometimes, it felt like we were fighting the battle all by ourselves, especially after the Congressman and Senator refused any assistance in dealing with corrupt insurance companies.

It's often been said prayer is hard work. I cringe when I hear those words, but it's true. Most of the time, I feel like I'm chanting like the heathen do rather than pouring my heart out to Almighty God.

Does anyone else feel that way? Is that why the churches were full after 9/ll and Congress sang "God Bless America" on the Capitol steps, only to forget all about prayer and the Lord within a very few days? How long did it take for church attendance to return to what it was? How long before Congress was back at partisan bickering over politics? I say again, I heartily concur for those calling for prayer for the suffering in Texas. 

There are other forms of prayer and I wonder how often we express those. How often do we (I) worship Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe? Are my prayers filled with asking God to bless
rather than thanking Him for the way He has blessed? Do I whine because He hasn't done things the way I expected Him to, forgetting His thoughts and ways are not the same as mine? His thoughts and ways are far superior, but am I willing to admit that? Is my attitude petulant when He needs to chastise me for sin? Do I ignore Him when He reminds me that sin is there like Cain did after murdering his brother?

I learned a long time ago that good works is not the way to heaven, but do I still try to manipulate God with good works, rather than coming to Him in adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication like He longs for me to do? Am I wholehearted in my devotion to Him, or am I paying lip service, like many of us have done by praying during emergencies and then ignoring Him during the good times? Do my prayer times say I love the Lord and enjoy Him, as the Creed calls for me to do, or am I dutifully putting in time so I won't feel guilty?

II Chronicles 7:14 says, "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 will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin, and heal their land."

The way things are going in America right now, it's pretty obvious Texas isn't the only place that needs prayer.  Keep it going.

I Stand Corrected

No matter who anyone voted for, exchanges on Facebook have been pretty heated and at times, downright ugly.  I've been, at times, as guilty as the opposition.  I believe I've avoided name calling, but I've mentioned the bitterness and hatred I've noticed in what's been written about Trump and those who voted for him, me included.  That's when the nastiness really turns ugly. I pray I have not stooped to their kind of language or vitriol, but was merely pointing out that the name calling and the foul language is a sign of bitterness and hatred.

This morning, as I was having my devotional time before going to the craft fair, I was reading Proverbs 10:19.  "Sin is not ended by
multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues." That's from the 2008 New International Version. Years ago, I memorized it in the 1984 version, which said, "Where words are many, sin is not absent." Somehow, in all those years, that verse didn't quite have the impact it did this morning. I was immediately convicted,  I know I'm not going to change anyone's mind with my debate. No one is going to change my mind with their vituperative invective.   Multiplying our words on each other is a waste of time and it ruins the peace of mind.  However, the prudent hold their tongues.  It was time for repentance, confession, and some holding of the tongue.

I went off to the Craft Fair with high expectations and although I had some wonderful interaction with potential customers, only one person bought.  I told my boss I felt like the heavens were shut up. My peace was gone. My joy was gone. Before I go to a Craft Fair, I ask the Lord to make me a blessing to those I meet and while He's at it, I would appreciate being blessed.  I was blessed. Very blessed, just not financially.

It wasn't the lack of sales that left me feeling like the heavens were shut up.  It was all because I let myself get sucked into some silly argument that is OVER. And, pointless. No one is changing their mind. We are as divided in our nation now as we were before the Civil War.

Glenn Beck said something several weeks ago along the same lines. Unfortunately, I didn't get the context or much of the content of what he was saying.  From what I did hear, it was my understanding that he was saying all this talk wasn't helping.  Did he mean all this talk was not uniting the nation?  If so, I couldn't agree more.  If he wasn't saying all the rhetoric is not helping, I am. That's what the Lord showed me in Proverbs 10:19 this morning.

When I am in need of comfort or learning a lesson, Scripture does the job.  Again, I was reminded that we are directed to "Pray without ceasing." (I Thessalonians 5:17) I am convinced that Donald Trump is the President-elect for no other reason.  Thousands upon thousands were praying all across the country.  Franklin Graham spent a year, travelling to state capitols to hold prayer rallies. Over 200,000 people attended.  Thousands, perhaps even millions who couldn't get there were praying in other places, at all times.

Add to that the facts that Mr. Trump made every mistake in the book and even added a few of his own, was hated by the opposition and the media, and even disliked intensely by members of the party he was part of, and perhaps you can understand why I say his victory was an answer to prayer.

Therefore, it is now time to stop the blathering and start talking to the Lord about those things that disturb me. It disturbs me deeply that our country is so very divided and no one is willing to listen to any opinion other than their own.  Those who have followed my blogs know that I didn't come easily to the Trump camp.  I argued against him on several occasions, but as time has gone on, I have not only come to accept him as God's choice, but as my own as well.

Still here

The news we have from Sebastian this far is all good.  Really good
but we're still waiting for Matthew to decide where he's going to park.  We're still in the middle of the storm.  Experience says it won't be historic or even remembered after a year or two.  We were sure Floyd would be historic. The only reason it's being mentioned now is that it was the last one to come so close to Jacksonville.

A journalist is reporting from Sebastian as I write.  He's in a strip that's 4 miles from where we live. He said the worst damage he'd seen was a false front come down from the building at that mall. Good news, indeed! I remember shopping at that mall after Frances.  The parking lot was full of broken glass at that time.  If that's the worst of it, God has been very good to Sebastian.

Whether Matthew is mentioned, remembered, historic or not, it's heartening to hear the governor say so many other states have offered to help. We're not alone!  I have to say, too, that the governor is impressing a lot of folks.  He was not that popular and being re-elected was not a definite.  However, he's appreciated now.  As I watched his press conference just a few minutes ago, I was impressed with his organizational skills.  He's a businessman who knows how to get things done.  Such behavior bodes well for those who intend to vote for Trump. They're expecting him to do the same.

However, Matthew has not yet come calling on our doorstep. Waiting is really hard because the hype is so overblown.  I understand the need to warn people and some, no matter how strong the warning, will ignore it.  Surfers in Hawaii loved strong storms and without exception, someone always needed rescuing, endangering not only themselves, but the emergency responders. There's probably a few dummies trying to surf right now.

Going back to the talking heads, I understand radios and televisions cannot have dead air, so the journalists have to keep the conversation going.  Since hurricanes travel at 10-15 miles per hour, and it has hundreds of miles to cover, obviously the talking gets thin on substance. Then, too, weather is so unpredictable, even with all the sophisticated equipment. Hurricanes rarely follow the path predicted. Thank you, Lord, that Matthew decided to follow the earliest predictions rather than the ones of last evening.

 So, now I'm sure you're thinking I'm getting thin on substance!  Stay tuned.

In the middle

Our son called Tuesday evening and asked us to seek shelter with his family while Matthew came close to Florida's east coast.  When the first indications of the storm were announced on the news, Matthew wasn't even supposed to make landfall in Florida.  Typical of hurricanes, it's following it's own path.

It's always a pleasure to visit with our son, so we packed our bags and made our way north, fully expecting to leave any possible danger behind.  NOT. The storm of the century has followed us. Well, it's following us. It's still beating up the Bahamas as I write this. Waiting for hurricanes to make landfall feels like FOREVER, but once it hits, then it seems to rush right on by-unless it stalls. Typical of hurricanes, it's also following it's own time schedule.

If memory serves, this will be the eighth hurricane we've encountered in the 21 years we've lived in Florida.  Each is different.  We also have been through a tropical storm.  The only thing I remember about that is taking care of Sheila, our 10 week old puppy. At that time, I had the strangest prayer I've ever had and God answered!  I asked the Lord to help Sheila make her deposit between rain bands and she did! I guess there are funny moments as well as serious ones. Scary ones and dangerous ones, too.

The first hurricane we encountered in our adopted state was Bertha in July of 1996.  Our son's family had endured Erin the year before.  The evacuation and endurance of Erin was enough to make him say he was staying home unless Bertha reached a category 3.  We left, telling him we'd rather he laughed at our skittishness than us crying over his grave.  Bertha steamed right on by, never reaching more than a category 1 and staying hundreds of miles off shore.  We left in sunshine and returned in sunshine while our son continued to build the backyard playhouse for our granddaughter.

Irene hit somewhere in there, but she, too. was no real problem.  We didn't even lose power, so we had our daughter-in-law and granddaughter over for a pizza luncheon because they'd lost power even though our houses were less than a mile apart.  Different grids, I guess.

Floyd was the terrifying one.  A monster storm, at times reaching a category 5.  Fortunately, those strong winds can't be sustained for long period of time.  He was a 3 when he hit the North Carolina coast.  That one, we drove all the way to north Georgia to avoid it.  Driving home was more annoying than any inconvenience of the storm.  Radio personalities in Atlanta made the remark that there was no gas available on I-75 all the way to Savannah.  I-75 doesn't go to Savannah!  Worse, they thought it was funny. Idiots.  Those poor people in North Carolina who'd fled to safety in Atlanta faced enough heartbreak when they returned.  They didn't need overpaid jerks making light of their situation.

2004 was the year of the storms.  Charlie hit the west coast of Florida.  Shortly thereafter, Francis hit us. We spent the night in Shiloh's school, laughing and having a party while the storm raged outside. When a hurricane passes, the sky is such a bright blue, the grass and shrubs a sparkling green.  Wires hanging precariously over the middle of the road and telephone poles leaning dangerously in the middle of flooded swales  juxtaposed with blue skies and green shrubbery makes for a confusing picture.  We were grateful that our condo suffered so little damage, we didn't even bother to make an insurance claim.

The hardest part of Frances was the 9 days without power in a hot, humid, tropical climate.  I've always said Florida is hottest in September because the heat and humidity builds toward the peak of hurricane season.  September was HOT and HUMID. 9 days without power had me concerned that Bob was going to have a heart attack.  He could hardly breath. Red slashes painted his cheekbones while his hands and feet had a bluish cast.  On day 9, he announced there was a snake on the porch, which meant we had to close the living room sliders and lose any breath of fresh air we were trying to find.  Ten minutes later, the power came on!  Thank you, Lord.

Ivan followed Frances.  I was stunned to learn that Ivan went all the way to Pennsylvania and then circled back to dump pouring rain on Florida.  Not finished with the hurricane season, Jeanne struck exactly 3 weeks after Frances.  Already weakened from the previous 2 hurricanes, Sebastian was devastated.  Most houses had a blue tarp roof. Many of the trees were twisted in the middle of the trunk and then snapped and laid over. Construction people descended like locusts, gypping people every way they could.  Some of the condos in our development had no exhaust pipe from the dryer to the outside of the building.  It took 6 years for residents to realize they were sitting under loads of lint and mold.  We were fortunate.  Our hot and cold water taps were reversed and had to be fixed before we could sell, but it was only an annoyance.  Our 2 year old kitchen was completely destroyed, thanks to the ignorant plumber.  That was more than an annoyance.

Finding the neighbor's cancelled checks littering the lawn along with bits and pieces of insulation wasn't pretty.  But, it was their pillow laying in the curb and their bathtub hanging out of the second story where the wall used to be was the saddest. Being homeless for 2 1/2 weeks was no picnic and waiting 22 months before we could return to the condo wasn't easy, either.  But, by God's grace we survived it all.  And became the better for it.

Wilma, sassy lady that she was, brought us to our son's place, but then she stalled over the Yucatan Peninsula, so we ended up going home and enduring the storm there.  No big deal.  We're pros by now at this hurricane thing. NOT.  You never know what's going to happen.  Literally.  It's all in God's hands and He has been gracious to us.  Losing stuff in nothing.  In fact, it can be freeing.  Losing health or life is another matter and many have done that.  108 in Haiti at the most recent count.

Matthew has already been declared the storm of the century, replacing Sandy from a few short years ago.  The "cone" is the strangest one ever. It started out looking like a backwards apostrophe, meaning the track was up the coast of Florida before turning east and going out into the Atlantic.  As time has passed, that apostrophe has taken the shape of a huge circle, meaning several models are now saying after it devastates the coasts of Florida, Georgia, South and possibly North Carolina, it will circle back around and hit Florida a second time.

Most of the models indicate landfall will take place close to Sebastian-both times. The devastation would be beyond description.





This gives you some idea of where Matthew might go. There's no telling.  It's must watch TV for those in its path.  Mind numbing, fear provoking it might be, but the minute you turn away, it might change.  That's why it's a relief when it finally arrives.  Then, it's the loss of power-usually in the wee hours of the morning, so it's pitch black.  Howling winds and pounding rain serenade you to sleep or insanity, depending on your nerves and faith in the Lord.  Falling trees, snapping trees can make you feel like you're in the middle of a war zone. They sound like cannon booming when they snap. Usually that's the result of tornadoes, which hurricanes add to the arsenal. The trees twist in the middle of the trunk, like you'd twist a wet towel to snap someone. When the twist becomes too great, the tree snaps and the tree falls from the twist.

When it's over, which it may not be for Sebastian until early tomorrow morning-if it doesn't return- and for us, late tomorrow night, it's a matter of assessing the damage and picking up the pieces. Worst of all is the warfare with the insurance company.  We've learned insurance companies are worse than the federal government when it comes to caring about the people they are supposed to service. Insurance is a pre-paid service, but you'll never convince them of that. Quite an adventure for a couple of old foggies.  Stay tuned.  

Who's the Boss?

There are those who do not believe as I do that God is Sovereign.  When discussions like that occur, I pray and seek answers in God's Word.  I believe He's shown me in three specific lives that He truly is Sovereign.  The subject could be easily dismissed by quoting Isaiah 55:8.  "'For My thoughts are no your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,' declares the LORD."

However, I think the subject deserves further attention.  There are three people in the Old Testament whose lives demonstrated God's Sovereignty.  The first is Job.  Job went through some very tough stuff. At the very beginning of the book, God taunts Satan with, "Have you seen my servant Job?" And the battle ensues.  Poor Job.  He loses all his children, all his livestock, and eventually, his health.

Worship was his response to the loss of his children. "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." Scripture goes on to say, "In all this Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing." It is true, as time went on, Job because less patient with what was happening in his life and defends himself against his "friends."  He didn't understand what was going on.  He was never let in on the plan.  It was all between God and Satan.  Finally, God answers Job's complaints-but with neither apology nor explanation.  He asks question after question that forces Job to realize God is Sovereign and he is worthy of worship-no matter what happens.

Job is humbled, but not humiliated. God forgives his friends of all their pontificating when Job prays for them.  In chapter 42, verses 7 and 8, God says. "I am angry with you and your two friends because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has...My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has."

Samson is next.  Chuck Swindoll says Samson was a he-man with a she problem. His job was to give the Philistines defeats and he did it.  Even though he was born at a special time for a special reason and had God's special power on him, he used all of it in a very worldly way. He was temperamental. With his great strength and penchant for the ladies, he tangled with the Philistines frequently.

The first time was when he married a Philistine woman.  His parents objected, as well they should. God specifically told Israel not to intermarry. However, Judges 14:4 says, "His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, Who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines..." Confrontation followed.  And, it wasn't the only time.  But, each time, except for Delilah, the Spirit of God came on him in power.  Even with that one failure, he still fulfilled his purpose of making trouble for the Philistines.

Third was David when he decided to count his men.  This too, was forbidden and in II Samuel 24:1, it says, "Again, the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He incited David against them, saying 'Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.'" But in I Chronicles 21:1, the Bible says, "Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel."

Chuck Swindoll has the best take on the apparent discrepancy. He says, "Although Scripture is clear that God does not cause anyone to sin, it also clear that man's-and Satan's evil acts are under God's Sovereign control."

Apparently, God means it when He says His ways and thoughts are not ours. Do we accept it and continue to worship Him, or fight it and rebel?

Prime Example

Heard the most wonderful Mother's Day message today.  It was all about Jesus.  The passage was Luke 2:41-52.  I appreciate pastors whose messages cause me to think and this one certainly did.  In fact, I had to work very hard to concentrate (tic flare-up).  He seemed to be a little off kilter at first, but his subject was so profound and yet so simple the need to concentrate made it worth all the more to hear.

This passage of Scripture is the only passage that allows us to look into the childhood of Jesus.  Why is that important?  I have to admit I never thought about it before, but once he started preaching, I realized it is an important subject.  There's nothing unimportant in Scripture, but some things just go right over my head-until I hear a good message or the Scriptures grab my attention in a way it never has before.  How many times have I read a passage and thought, "Now, where did that come from?"  It had never seemed important before, but the Holy Spirit knows what I need to learn and when I need to learn it.  Today was one of those days.

If Jesus is God, surely He knows everything, so why does the Scripture speak of Him growing spiritually?  Why was He born as a baby?  Why did He have a mother and siblings?  Again, I never really considered it that important.  However, as the pastor spoke this morning, I realized Jesus went through the entire human process for the purpose identifying with us.  To be the example for us as to how we should live.  Granted, He is God and He does know everything, but how would we learn to live without His example? How could we draw close to a holy God without His death on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins?

Other gods have no use for humans.  Have no desire to love us and communicate with us. It's been said that Muslims would be offended at the idea of Allah having a son. But God-our God-is the One True God and He desires to have fellowship with us.  Therefore, Jesus became man and lived as as human being to show us how to live and, through His death, we can have fellowship with Him.

Therefore, Luke 2:52, in which the author tells us Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man, it is very important for us to understand why that verse is there.  Jesus not only knew all about mankind's lives because He is God, but He also experienced what we do-without sin.  It was even mentioned that His family didn't believe in Him until after the resurrection.  In other words, His family was not supportive and didn't want Him to follow the will of the Father.

I'm grateful for the this morning's message.  Grateful that Jesus not only came to be our prime example, but to die for us because He also knew we could not live a life worthy of heaven unless the penalty for sin was paid and He did that, too.  What an awesome God we serve.

Prayer

As missionary liaison at church, I give a report about once a month. Today, I chose a different subject and it had more meaning for me than ever.  Hopefully, it was helpful to the congregation as well.  The reports are usually about one of the 40+ missionaries the church supports.  Missionaries send letters, I read them, and make a report to the congregation in order to keep them informed.

Recently, the sending agency of one of our missionaries sent their own letter.  In it, the President of the agency said he was asked more about how to pray for missionaries than anything else.  He went on to suggest several ways to pray.  I found them helpful.  He suggested using the hand as a reminder of how to pray.  Let the thumb be a reminder to pray for those closest to us.  When a missionary comes to the church to speak, sometimes they will have a message that speaks to us personally. Sometimes members of the church will send support on their own to a specific missionary. Whatever makes them feel close to certain one, the thumb is to remind them, that like the digit closest to us, pray for those we feel closest to.The index finger is used to point, so use it to remind us to pray for teachers and healers. The middle finger is the tallest, making us think of church spires, so use it to remind us to pray for pastors and church leaders. The ring finger is the weakest finger on the hand and it can be a good reminder to pray for those missionaries who may have difficulties such as illness, finances, or relationships.  The little finger can remind us to pray the Holy Spirit will prepare the hearts of those who are hearing the Gospel but have not yet responded.

I also told them how I was taught to pray.  I pray Scripture back to the Lord.  That way, I hide God's Word in my own heart, it reminds me how the Lord wants me to live and best of all, I know I am always praying God's will to be done when I use His Word. I might ask the Lord to increase their ministry (territory) like He did Jabez. Or I might pray that He will be the Shepherd that makes them lie down in green pastures.  Perhaps I'll pray that they will be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in Prayer (Romans 12:12)

Last night, as I was thinking about what I had prepared for today, the thought occurred to me that Jesus prayed a blessing over 5 loaves and 2 fish.  He fed more than 5000 and had leftovers. Only God can give that kind of increase.  I also remembered that Jesus said we would do MORE than Him and I can't begin to describe how my faith soared. If God can feed 5000 with leftovers from 5 loves and 2 fish, He can certainly take care of any need I might have.

I've often said I'm so glad God does not count slowness as men do. It took me 30 years to get a 4 year degree.  It's taken over 50 years to reach a plane of faith beyond what I've ever known or dreamed. He's not finished with me yet and He's continuing to perform the good work He began in me 54 years ago.  I am humbled and filled with His praise and joy at the same time.


It's been said that Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint on her knees.  I have to believe that tonight.  This has been one of  most difficult blogs I've ever done.  Sheila, bless her little heart, is jealous of the computer and wants to sit in my lap.  Try working on the computer with 23 pounds of fur in your lap! The computer has stuck it's tongue out at me all evening.  Moving the pictures around has been a bear. Trying to find a picture of Jesus blessing the loaves and fish has been impossible and I may have nightmares about the devil because I was looking for visuals for this paragraph.  That just tells me what I've written is necessary as a reminder to myself and all who read this.  God is calling us to call on Him.

Holy is the Lord

This morning's Bible reading in Numbers reminded me again that God is holy.  A friend once said we must be careful not to become legalistic.  Is that worse than becoming casual and careless about the holiness of God?

I'm referring to the verses that warned Israelites not to touch holy things.  One man touched the ark and paid the ultimate price.  I'm sometimes concerned that we Christians in America don't really understand what holy means.  I'm concerned that we pay lip service to the word and excuse ourselves for our behavior, our language, our emotions, our perspectives, and our motives.

Ravi Zacharias has spent the the past two messages talking about the meaning of worship and I must admit, I was convicted by his words.  And I was convicted by the word holy this morning as I read.  I do not wish to presume on God's grace and mercy, but at the same time I want to depend on Him for His grace and mercy.  Don't ask me to explain that.  I can't, except to say maybe one is my demand upon God and the other is the grateful receipt of what He has so freely offered me.

I cringe when people say they believe in the God of second chances-and blithely continue to change nothing of their lifestyle.  That's presuming on God's grace and mercy. However, when I sin, I must depend on God's grace and mercy to forgive me when I ask because He said He would, not because I deserve it, but because He is God and He said He would.

God calls us to be holy as He is holy and because He is holy.  A tall order, an impossible one in the flesh.  Thank God for the sacrifice He made on our behalf on the cross and thank God for the Comforter He sent when Jesus ascended into heaven.  

Keep me faithful, Lord I pray.  Teach me the true meaning of holy and worship.  You are worthy of that and more.

Hard on myself?

People who know me best and love me most say I'm too hard on myself.  Possibly, but I don't want to go through life casually assuming I've got it all together when I don't. I've always said if you want to be a good liar, the first person you have to convince is yourself.  The rest comes easy.  When it comes to my relationships, especially my relationship with the Lord, I do not want to be blind to the things I do, say, think, or believe that grieves Him.  I especially do not want to go blithely through life believing I am being the Christian God wants me to be. I don't want to live in a house of cards.

Yes, I know there are many Scriptures to reassure me of His love for me, in spite of my faults. Philippians 1:6 says I can be confident that He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

I am well aware of the fact that I will not be as much like Him as I can be until I see Him. I John 3:2 says that when He appears, we shall be like Him.  I know that.  I also know that I'm capable of fooling myself.

Ravi Zacharias' message this morning on Malachi sobered me, as did Andy Stanley's.  Stanley's message was about letting go of the hurts that have occurred in our past.  Pardoning people who have wronged us.  I think I've done that, but there are times I have to force myself to change my viewpoint.
His speaking of people whose lives seem so smooth and easy is what convicted me.  I feel like most of my life has been in emergency status.  That makes me wonder if I am fooling myself.

Malachi 1:2 says, "I have loved you," says the LORD, "but you ask, 'How have you loved us?"  Verse 6 says, "If I am a master, where is the reverence due me?" says the LORD Almighty.  Verse 8 says, "When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that now wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong?"

We no longer offer sacrifices, but do we bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord?  How often is my worship half-hearted or insincere?  How often does my mind wander off to other things instead of focusing on what the pastor believes the Lord has shown him to tell the congregation?

The late Vance Havner said more lies are told over a hymn book than any place else on earth.  Do I truly mean the words I sing? Zacharias quoted someone this morning who said in the Christian's life joy is central and sorrow is peripheral.  It's the other way around in the unbeliever's.  Sometimes I feel like Eeyore.  Always seeing the negative side of things.  I don't want to be like that.  I also know I have been wired to be a conflict thinker, so some of it comes from the fact it's a part of my nature to see the possibilities of disaster.  If that's from the Lord, I need to accept it and move on, but if it's from a sin-sickened attitude, I need to repent.

The upshot is that I'm headed to church this morning, seriously thinking about my own spiritual condition, longing to truly worship the Lord as He deserves, but well aware the my sin nature will battle whole-hearted worship.

It didn't help my attitude as I watched the debate last night.  I sincerely hope the rest of them are  not on Saturday night.  I wanted to tell about all of them to get over themselves and grow up.  My husband is right, Ben Carson is about the only one who deserves our vote and respect.  I got so sick of the rest of them calling each other names.  We don't know anyone's heart.  Only God knows that, so quit the accusations and start talking substance.  I went to bed with all that chaos rolling around  in my mind and woke up this morning with the knowledge that truly worshipping the Lord was going to take an act of the will. If I want to have that joy central in my life and sorrow peripheral, I have to get past remembering the nastiness of the men who want to be the leader of this country.

I have to remember the Lord is Sovereign and He will choose our leader for His purpose.  He chose me to be in this world at this time for a purpose.  Lord, let me fulfill that purpose, regardless what it is. And enable me to worship you in spirit and truth and joy this morning. You are worthy of that.

Turn it Off!

This morning, I heard a very profound young black radio talk show host by the name of Craig Johnson on the news. I emphasize his race because I will otherwise be discredited because he was primarily talking to blacks, but applied his words to everyone, me included.

He was asked about the video being shown in a Virginia public school, emphasizing the unfair way blacks have been treated. No denying that. He mentioned that Muslims have enslaved Jews, Europeans have enslaved other Europeans. Native Americans have been shamefully treated by our government. Women have been mistreated by men.  Today, women are mistreating the unborn by terminating their pregnancy. Mistreatment has been going on since the dawn of time. Cain killed his own brother because God appreciated Abel's sacrifice, but not Cain's. Cain knew what to sacrifice but didn't and suffered the consequences.  That's another event for another blog.

Today's blog is about attitude, specifically thinking the world is fixed and you can't get ahead because of the color discrimination or the glass ceiling women bump up against climbing the corporate ladder or whatever else you think is repressing your brilliance.  Mr. Johnson's astute comments were not only historical, he actually had a fantastic suggestion for today's world - unlike those who foster resentment, hate, and feelings of futility and failure,

After he made his statements regarding how wrong it is to constantly think and whine about the unfairness of the world, he was asked what he would do if he were making the video. "I would promote those who have made it."  There it is.  Focusing on the past is well known to cause depression.

However, if blacks, Asians, Europeans, Native Americans or any race or ethnic background are honored because of their accomplishments (not the color of their skin), others of that same race or ethnicity can follow their example and make their own lives better.  Jews have been mistreated more than any group in history and their list of accomplished people is awesome.  Strangely enough, I can't remember their names but I can remember the names of many accomplished blacks. For example, George Washington Carver was born in slave times and look what he accomplished.  Same with Mary Bethune, founder of Bethune Cookman college.  (I studied her in college because she was a Moody graduate) In today's world, we have a myriad of blacks who have made it, including one who currently holds the most powerful position in the world. Whites couldn't hold him back.  It's too bad he doesn't credit the whites who put him into that position. Bad attitudes are never satisfied. They're black holes that gobble up positive ideas.  Ideas that could have taken someone where they wanted to go in life.

I remember Charleton Heston saying years ago the number of actors who didn't make it were astronomical compared to those who did.  There's probably 100 Michael Jordan wannabes for every basketball player who actually becomes rich and famous.  In fact, there was a recent Facebook post in which Michael Jordan listed his failures.  He may have done that to encourage the recent quarterback who lost the SuperBowl.  Quarterback Cam was the darling of football because he was so young and had done so well, but he met more than his match against Peyton Manning and the Broncos.  Then, people began dissing him right and left.  Why?  It had nothing to do with the color of his skin, or even his team's loss.  It had everything to do with his bad attitude.

Speaking of football, one coach has been known to keep a losing score on the scoreboard until the next game to remind the team of their failure.  Not a good idea in relationships according to Joe Stowell, former President of Moody Bible Institute.  Negative thinking, especially self-pity, traps people into thinking there's no hope or blaming someone else for failure. Or both.

The past two Sundays, our pastor has been speaking on I Thessalonians 5:16 - 18.  Verse 16 says: "Be joyful always."  In other words, have  a great attitude.  Verse 17 says, "Pray continually."  Take action. Talk to the Lord about it. Verse 18 says: "Give thanks in all circumstances."  Accept what's going on in life.

I suppose if someone has to be blamed for life not going the way I want, it's because I have surrendered my life to the Lord and He knows what's best for me.  Yes, I have to admit there are times I feel sorry for myself because things aren't going my way.  However, the Lord always sends someone along to remind me that He's in control.  Today it was Craig Johnson and Joe Stowell.  Thank you, Lord, for being in control and making sure I have a good attitude, take action, and gratefully accept what comes in my life.

While listening and them to Craig and Dr. Stowell, I was reminded of the events in Joseph's life.  Sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused by a woman, forgotten by another slave, God still did incredible things in his life.  I guess I trying to say in all this, it's God who decided who's going to do what in life.  When the time came, Joseph could have made life very miserable for his brothers. Instead, he honestly said, "What you did, you meant for evil, but God meant it for good."

God is weaving all our lives in a beautiful tapestry.  Unfortunately, all we see is the back side of it, where all the knots and crossed threads are.  It's only when we see it from His perspective do we realize how beautiful He has made life for us. Finally, let's all turn off the negative thinking for a better attitude, proper action, and gratitude.

Praise

I am so grateful to be living in this day and age when wisdom comes from so many people so much smarter than I am.  I have much to learn and I love being humbled by people whose wisdom seeps into my heart when I least expect it.  (People deliberately trying to humiliate me to make themselves feel better fail miserably.  I don't think the Lord uses them in my life.  It's the devil and their pride.)

Still reading Billy Graham's Where I Am.  His profound teaching this morning showed me how casually I sometimes read God's Word.  Yes, I have read many, many times that Jesus and the Disciples sang a hymn as they left the Last Supper.  So? Hymns are songs of praise.

Graham pointed out that Jesus went to the cross the next day!  That never dawned on me.  I've often thought about the Apostle Paul and others singing praises while in jail, being beaten, etc., but it never crossed my mind that Jesus sang a hymn when He knew what was going to happen to Him in very short order.

I mentioned it to the Pastor and he remarked that Jesus also knew the final outcome.  Hebrews said that Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him.  If I understand Jesus to be no more than an example to follow, His praise of God the Father before He went to the cross should teach me to praise Him in all circumstances.

If He's more to me, and He is, then it becomes more than a matter of begrudging example following. It becomes a matter of knowing God and enjoying Him forever. It is a matter of praising Him for no other reason than He is worthy of my praise, regardless of my circumstances. All that happens in my life is for God's glory and my good.

Sometimes, in our tough circumstances, when we don't feel particularly like praising, the Lord graciously sends someone to encourage when it's needed. Another thing I read this morning came from  Our Daily Bread.

"When we were going through a particularly challenging time with our son, a friend pulled me aside after a church meeting. 'I want you to know that I pray for you and your son every day," he said. Then he added: 'I feel so guilty,'"

"Why," I asked.

"'Because I've never had to deal with prodigal children,' he said. 'My kids pretty much played by the rules. But it wasn't because of anything I did or didn't do. Kids,' he shrugged, 'make their own choices."'

The author goes on to say "I wanted to hug him. His compassion was a reminder, a gift from God, communicating to me the Father's understanding for my struggle with my son."

Whether or not the Lord sends someone compassionate to encourage us or the enemy sends someone smug and proud to discourage, God is worthy of my praise. It's all for His glory and my good.

Finding truth

Sometimes I find truth in the most unusual ways.  Thursday, I was working with a young student who has a great deal of trouble with comprehension and retention.  At Shiloh, boys are required to memorize Scripture, which means a need for retention.  Since the school uses the King James Version, sometimes the ability to comprehend is a little difficult, so I try to explain it in modern, age appropriate terminology.

Since I've been attending church, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and several Bible colleges all my life, Scripture is easier for me to understand than most of the boys  Or is it? Not only am I a lot older, but most of them have had little to no Biblical training.  It's often been preached to me the necessity of meditation on Scripture.  Yes, I read my Bible daily.  Yes, I get a great deal from it.  However, working with a young boy who hasn't had my training taught me something new.  Well, validated other verses of Scripture is closer to the truth.

The passage the boys had to learn for the month of December was Matthew 1:18-23.  Makes sense to learn the passage about the birth of Jesus.  How many times have I read that passage, memorized that passage, heard Christmas carols, watched movies about it, or heard it preached?  Dozens?  Hundreds?  Many, many, to be sure.

And yet, as I worked with this boy who was having such difficulty learning that passage that is so familiar to me, I learned something, too.  I have long known that Jesus said He is the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6)  Known it, studied it, believed it, experienced it. It always thrills me to find other passages of Scripture that validates one I've known and believed for many years.

Going back to working with the boys, I would have the young man quote a small phrase over and over again until he knew it.  Or so I thought.  When I was sure he knew that phrase perfectly, I'd have him quote another phrase until I was confident he knew that one.  Then, I'd have him put the two together.  That's how I learned two chapters in Romans-word perfect-for a class at Moody when I was 45 years old.

The trouble is, it wasn't working with my charge, so I'd try to explain it in language appropriate for a nine year old.  For example, every time he's quote verse 19, he'd leave out the word "not."  That's a very important word in that phrase.  Joseph was not willing to make Mary a public example.  He'd leave it out every time he tried to quote that phrase. That changes the meaning entirely.

But, it was verse 21 that was the eye opener for me.  ..."thou shalt call His name JESUS for He shall save HIS people from their sins. Such a little insignificant word that I'd been passing over my entire life.  Only HIS people will be saved from their sins.  Acts 4:12 says there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.  It gave me the opportunity to share truth with this boy that Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven, the ONLY way to be saved from our sins.

I've just begun Billy Graham's book Where I AM.  In it, he quotes Zig Zigler saying the good news is that we can do nothing bad enough to keep us out of heaven.  On the other hand the bad news we can do nothing good enough to keep us out of hell.  A pastor once said there'd be a lot of surprised people in heaven and and lot of surprised people in hell.

Matthew 1:21 showed me yet again that only those who come to Jesus will be saved from their sins.  Only HIS people will be saved. There are many, many other passages that say the same thing, but it was that one little word that affected me so powerfully.  

Our gentle, loving God

I'm so grateful God is loving and gentle when He corrects me.  I'm sure He knows how I get my back up when people try to advise me without my asking.  They're 99.9% wrong and 100% meddling.  On the other hand, the Lord often uses examples from the lives of others to show me I'm no different.  Life applications I call it.  That's one of the myriad of reasons I wrote my book and have others about ready to go.

I have no right to judge other people and don't appreciate their judging me.  However, if I can use stories to prove my point, perhaps they'll understand and "get it."

Yesterday, I told Bob I was giving up the icicle lights I bought 14 years ago and had attempted to put up on the condo porch only a couple of times.  His thank you was so sincere and so full of relief, I realized how selfish I was being, asking an 80 year old man to climb a ladder and put up lights strangers driving by could enjoy for a week.  (We're going to our son's for Christmas and the lights will be out.)  Adding insult to injury, Bob is not really a celebration kind of guy.  One of the first things he told me when we were dating is that Christmas was just another day in the week when he was growing up.  That statement was so foreign to me, I was just sure he'd be dazzled and change his opinion once he saw how Christmas was really done-my way, of course.

Didn't happen.  He's never really complained, but I get the impression he kind of grits his teeth, hoping I'll get done shopping for others before we go completely bankrupt.  Childhood abject poverty left deep scars I've so often selfishly ignored.  I'm trying to express my love to others and he's paying for it.  Not good or right. He hates glitter, so I make the effort to please him by vacuuming every day. There just aren't any decorations in this day and age that don't have glitter. Even Christmas cards glitter.

Spray on snow.  Well, that's an absolute no-no.  Has been for 47 years.  He still mentions it on occasion.   (Nagging, I think it's called, but at least he does it in a joking way.)  I was pregnant with our second son 47 years ago and pregnancy, for me, was difficult.  Spray on snow was cheap-but oh, so hard to get off after Christmas. It took months and Bob growled and groused about it the whole time. He still talks about it when I say something about decorating for Christmas. Lesson learned.

Last night, while I was watching TV, I noticed my vision was a little blurred.  It's happened before.  Don't know why, but it doesn't usually last long.  It made me remember three people and reminded me that I need to make some changes in my diet.  I've been gaining and losing weight since I was 13 and would dearly love to get off this ridiculous whatever you want to call it.  My daughter-in-law is concerned about my son's health.  He's diabetic and recently, his vision began to blur.  It scared him and put him back on eating right. Diabetes affects vision and he knows it.  I told my daughter-in-law about the man on Facebook who is diabetic.

When he first started posting, he mentioned he was diabetic and the doctor said if he didn't change his ways, he would die.  That scared him enough to change his diet.  For months, he posted his weight loss and it was phenomenal.  Then, a few weeks ago, his post was full of typos.  He posted that suddenly his vision was black.  Nothing but black.  Yep, he's now blind.

I've known about him and his situation for months, but it didn't affect me.  Until last night.  My blurred vision, my son's blurred vision and the Facebook posting of sudden blindness. It also brought to mind one of our students who's no longer with us.  I dearly love that boy, but he was a handful.  One of the rules of Shiloh is that a boy behaves, and if he doesn't, he has to leave.  This boy had been warned repeatedly.  I have to say our culture has changed so dramatically and it's causing our boys to act out in violent ways.  He was one of those boys.

In the classroom one day, he was the only one there and he was sobbing violently.  The others were in with the pastor. I'd never seen him that boy so emotionally distraught.  I've seen boys cry, even caused some of them to cry. (Sometimes, they're afraid they can't do what they need to do to complete the assignment.  They'll get teary eyed, expecting me to pity them. I ignore it and we always get the assignment done.)  Ever so gently, the Lord reminded me that my yo-yo behavior with food is no different than the boy's being good and bad.  I was playing the same game with God.  The boy was forced to leave the school and may face military school, especially if again is expelled from public school.  That's how we get a lot of our boys.  If I continue to binge and diet, I could face diabetes and worse.

If I might digress for a moment, I would love to learn the lesson that intrinsic motivation is so superior to extrinsic.  Extrinsic motivation is often from fear and seldom is lasting.  Intrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is lasting and isn't from fear.  God's Word says perfect love casts out fear.  Why can't I understand that God is not trying to scare me into eating properly?  He's telling me He loves me so much, He doesn't want me to destroy myself-His creation of love.

Finally, this morning, we were having our typical love fest with our dog Sheila.  She loves it when Bob puts her on the bed between us and we lavish love on her and she us.  Her little tail beats strong and steady to our petting her.  She loves it when we rub her chest.  If I stop, she paws me, letting me know to do more. My hand is at an awkward angle and it tires easily.  It's reminds me of the boys who complain that typing or writing in cursive tires their hands.  Blithely, I tell them they'll get used to it.  They're learning something for their good.

So, how does that compute with my dog's demands on my hand and time?  It reminds me that I'm giving of myself unselfishly.  If you've read my book, you know that love is spelled s-a-c-r-i-f-i-c-e.  That's how the Lord showed His love for mankind.  He demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Therefore, Lord, let me learn intrinsic motivation.  Let me learn that proper eating is Your expression of love for me.  You want me to be healthy.  You want me to focus on You-the Lover of my soul.  You want me to give up the idol of food.  Stay tuned.

Sweet hour of prayer

Ever had times when praying seems like you're chanting like the heathen do?  Like your prayer isn't going above the ceiling?  If not, I have.  Many times.  I've read or heard of many prayer warriors who have had the same problem.  Many have said prayer is work.  I'm not exactly sure why.  After all, it's talking with God, our Friend, Father, Creator, and Savior.  If I can babble on for hours to a friend over the phone, why can't I come before the God of the Universe and talk to Him?  Certainly, He'll be more understanding and He's promised to never leave or forsake us, so He definitely hears.

Perhaps it's a sense of awe that makes us feel awkward.  He is so transcendent and no one likes to feel awkward.  But, He's also close and personal.  He often tells us in His Word to seek His Presence.  Even that sometimes seems to fall flat.

One of the ways I've pulled my prayer time out of the confines of the room is to sing hymns as a way to praise Him.  It worked this morning.  How could it not?  The old hymns are so rich with the majesty and glory of God.  They speak of His great love for us, so how can we help but love Him?

Charles Wesley was a prolific hymn writer, as was A.B. Simpson, the founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, the denomination of my childhood and youth.  Moving so much as an adult often took me places that had no Alliance church, so I would go to the closest denomination, doctrinally.  The Baptists.

But, it's the Methodist, Charles Wesley, the 18th century hymn writer, who deeply touched my soul this morning and pulled me out of my "God bless..." and "God bless...."  Frankly, I think the Lord gets weary of listening to our shopping list of God blesses.

Who can remain blase after singing, "Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to sing, my great Redeemer's praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of His grace"?  Or, Simpson's song, "Himself."  "Once it was the blessing, now it is the Lord.  Once it was the feeling, now it is His Word..."

The first time I heard, "Fill My Cup, Lord," I was living in Aurora, Colorado.  My parents were visiting.  Dad was so touched by the song, he wept.  To this day, the words reverberate in my heart.  "Like the woman at the well, I was seeking.  For things that could not satisfy;  and then I hear my Saviour speaking; 'Draw from My well that never shall run dry."

Perhaps one reason those songs resonate is that our world has become so chaotic and busy.  So many things are clamoring for our attention.  In Wesley's day, Simpson's day, and Blanchard's day, there were no computers, cell phones, televisions, video games, and all the other things progress has brought us. Unfortunately, they all too often drown out the still, small voice that is calling us to seek His Presence.

This morning's prayer time was sweet, precious.  I'm so grateful for hymn writers of long ago.  They stripped away all the "progress" and took me to throne of grace.  There are hundreds of songs in the hymnbooks. Many, I know, some I don't, but all of them will lift my heart and my thoughts to the One Who cares for me like no one else.  There's no better way to start the day.

Rather than complain, pray.

Love that heading.  It's not original.  It's from Our Daily Bread, a daily devotional I use each morning, along with Jesus Calling and Jesus Today, both of which are by Sarah Young and essential to my walk with the Lord and my sanity in this world gone mad.

No, I'm not complaining.  Like I said in previous blogs, it doesn't do any good, anyway.  My brother has been saying that for years and he's right.  It doesn't do any good.  By saying we live in a world gone mad, I believe I'm merely speaking facts.  What to do about it?  PRAY.

Many years ago, someone suggested my prayer follow the format of ACTS  and although more often than not feel like I'm "chanting as the heathen do," it does enable me to focus on Whom I'm speaking with, how worthy He is, and how much I need Him.   If you're unfamiliar with ACTS, it's an acronym for "Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication."  And, it makes sense to me. Good psychologists have been using the Apostle Paul's letter writing style for many, many years. Paul starts his letters with compliments to those who are going to receive it.  In Romans 1:8, for example, he says, "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world."  Had to make the Romans feel pretty good, right?

Again, in I Corinthians 1:4, he says, "I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus".  I don't know about you, but I'm a more attentive when I'm complimented than when someone comes at me, shaking their finger under my nose.

It's not that God is more attentive when I begin my prayer with adoration, but it does make me more aware of Who I'm addressing.  The God of the Universe.  The Lord of Lords, the Kings of kings, the Prince of peace.  Holy, almighty, majestic God.  How can I do anything else but adore Him when I am aware of how wonderful He is?

Once I become aware of how great He is, I am humbled to know how weak and unworthy I am.  It's been said we can only know what true repentance is when we truly understand how sinful we are and what it cost Christ to redeem us.  And, so, step 2 is to search my heart and ask God if there is anything in my life that I am doing my way and if so I want to repent of it.  Confession comes from the Greek word, "homolegao," which means "to agree."  It's where we get the word "homogenize." And, so I confess-agree with God-that I want to remove anything that is in my life that comes between God and me.

Thanksgiving is next.  There is so much to be grateful for.  Even in this mad, mad, mad, mad world. This morning, I read the story of a dear friend I met online several months ago.  If ever there is someone who has the right to complain, it is she.  Instead, she's a bright, shining testimony of God's grace and goodness.  Another friend in Mississippi is the same way.  Sometimes I feel as though the path God has chosen for me is rough and rocky.  I want to sing with the Marty Robbins song about God giving me a mountain too big to climb.  Going over the rough patches in life, however, have drawn me closer to Him.  It's removed a lot of rough edges.  Unfortunately, there are still many to go.  I've often said I don't envy the rich.  If I had money, I'd be too busy involved in spending it to make my path smooth and easy. I wouldn't have time for God.  Nor have I been willing to work as hard as those who have earned their fortunes, making envy a selfish waste of time.

Finally, supplication.  It's the time we seek God's help and blessing for those things we believe are His will.  Charles Stanley once did a sermon on Solomon's prayer when the Temple was dedicated. Stanley indicated we need to come to a point where our prayer is more praise than petition.  I agree. However, I also noticed that Solomon's prayer didn't say "if" the people sin in any matter he listed, it says "when," meaning he had to wisdom to understand people are going to sin.  That's where we can again go to adoration and thanksgiving.  We do serve a loving God Who is willing to forgive.  We do serve a longsuffering God and while I cringe at the number of times I have imposed on His grace by sinning, I am eternally grateful He is willing to forgive when I ask.

Supplication is the place where praying for this crazy world comes in.  A new movie is coming out on August 28, I think.  It's called "War Room."  I hope it's as good as the trailer.  Rather than complaining, we must pray.  I'm beginning to see more and more people who are willing to identify with Christianity. Glen Beck said yesterday the Chinese are praying America will fall so that we will be humbled.  It may take that.  When the squeeze and pain of persecution begin, some will fall away and some will grow stronger.  It's begun.  Can't say I look forward my turn, but if it brings me, America, and especially my family and loved ones to their knees in repentance, I'll be grateful for the way God has answered those Chinese prayers.

I have to admit, down through history, a country that falls does so because they've turned their backs on God and become arrogant.  Psalm 34:12 a says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." That's where we started in 1620, but look where we are now.  Am I, as a Christian, praying, or am I complaining?  Am I thankful to be living in this nutty world because God has a purpose for me in it? If so, thank You, Lord.  If not, please forgive me.

More about faith

The wise  comment at the bottom of today's Daily Bread is "Eyes of faith see God at work in everything."  Those are encouraging words.  As we watch the events of world unfold and see so much darkness and misery,  I am encouraged to know that even though the enemy thinks he's winning, he's playing right into God's hands!

Perhaps that realization has come from the fact that I'm reading through the book of Job right now. At the very beginning of the book, the enemy comes before the throne of God and God challenges him to examine Job's life.  The enemy takes the bait and for most of the rest of the book, Job is miserable. Even his closest friends misunderstood.  They made his life even more miserable.  Unfortunately, that happens today, too.  However, the good news is that, like Job, God is working it all out for His glory and our good.  At the end, Job had a deeper understanding of who God is and God blessed him as richly as before.

When American Christians look with horror at the terrible things that are happening around the world, it makes us wonder if those things will happen here.  Truthfully, they've already begun, as I mentioned in yesterday's blog.  Why can't our government see?  Unfortunately, many of them are spiritually blinded. They have no eyes of faith.  That too, is part of God's plan.

I'm also reading about persecution in the book of Acts.  Persecutions of the early church scattered the believers throughout the known world, taking the Gospel with them wherever they went.  I have to wonder if the persecution of the American church will become severe enough to cause many of us to scatter throughout the world.  If so, will those who scatter take the Gospel to wherever they go?

Will those who stay behind be able to sing God's praises though their prison bars, dressed in chains, as the Apostle Paul did?  Jesus tells us not to worry about such things.  If it happens in our lifetime, He'll provide the message we are to give.

To be honest, sometimes when I hear Christians complaining about how terrible our world (government) has become, I want to ask why give the bullies the satisfaction of knowing they're causing us pain?  It's music to their ears.  I'm sure if we were flies on the wall in our halls of government, we'd hear raucous laughter because we are indignantly complaining they can't destroy our government. It's not only happening, they're having a good time doing it, but they don't realize they're playing right into God's hands.

How can I say such a nasty thing?  When you've lived long enough, you'll see it, too.  George Soros was asked if he felt remorse for the way he mistreated other Jews in the German concentration camp during WWII.  He said no.  He rather enjoyed it.  

What he and others of his ilk and position don't realize is that God is laughing at them.  It's in the Psalms.  It's part of His plan.  Just as He used Job's difficulties to reveal Himself to Job, his sanctimonious friends, and everyone who reads the Bible, God has placed us here in this day and time for His glory.  Regardless of the circumstances, let's just praise the Lord.  He's worthy and we'll be richly blessed by His loving Presence no matter where we are or what's happening to us.



 

When is faith not faith?

When is faith not faith?  I've been trying to define that for years.  A long time ago, someone made the statement that faith is not a noun.  It is a verb.  That resonated.  However, defining the difference became a lot harder to do.  Through the years, I've thought that sometimes it seems as though our faith is really our fears.

For example, when we lived in Chicago and Aurora, Colorado, I saw to it that I got the walks shoveled very early in the morning.  I didn't want anyone to fall and sue us.  That wasn't love for my neighbors, that was fear.  By the same token, do I do the same thing to God?  Do I obey Him, read my Bible, pray, etc., because I love Him and want to draw close to Him, or am I doing what I'm supposed to do because I don't want to go to hell?  If it's the latter, it's not faith.  It's fear and self-preservation.  Salvation is so very much more than fire insurance.

When I hear someone tell me, "I have my faith," what do they mean?  Do they mean they are actively pursuing a relationship with Jesus Christ, seeking to know Him, and not just His blessings?  Are they seeking the Only One Who can comfort in difficult times and expressing it in an unclear way?  Or are they saying they do all the things a Christian has been taught to do and they're trusting the dictates of their traditions and loyalty to the name on their church door?

This morning, as I was reading my Bible, I found a verse of Scripture that says it all so clearly.  How many times have I read that verse and took no note of it?  50? 60?  More?  I have no clue.  Job 4:6 says, "Is not your fear of God your confidence and the integrity of your ways your hope?"  That's in the English Standard Version.

In the NIV it says, "Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope?"

Beside phrase a of  the verse in the NIV, I have written, "fear of God vs. faith in God."  Beside phrase b of the verse, I have written "faith in self and works."

It's entirely possible I'm misunderstanding Eliphaz's message to Job, but the message I received is that I need to constantly check why I do what I do and for Whom I do it.

I realize we are expected to have a reverential fear (awe) of God.  But, I'm not sure that's the kind of fear that's being lived today, at least among American Christians.  We are being bombarded with culture changes that are not only rocking our society, but endangering us as Christians. Supposedly, Governor Huckabee stated that legalizing homosexuality could make Christianity illegal.  He may sound extreme, but I can see the thought process clearly.  Any homosexual who wants to work or worship in churches that preaches God's Word would consider the truth "hate speech."  Face it, there's not a day goes by that we do not hear God's or Jesus' holy names taken in vain, but if I mention God or Jesus in a reverential and public way, I could be arrested.

Then, too there's the threat of radical Islam.  People are dying the world over for their faith in Jesus Christ.  Will it come to America?  Megan Kelly had a woman on last night who was nearly beheaded by a man Megan Kelly believes is a jihadist.  More than a dozen died in Ft. Hood, Texas.  There have been others.  Worst, we seem to have forgotten 9/11.  

Unfortunately, there's a lot of hand wringing and whining going on among Christians today and I admit I, at times, am just as guilty.  Beside the verse in the ESV (the one I'm now reading) I have written "Prayer Request," and dated it.  Lord, whatever happens, just keep me faithful.  You are Worthy.

Miracles still happen

Persecution Project called me a short time ago.  It's a Non-governmental agency that does work in South Sudan.  Through our church, we've been following the situation over there for several years. It's tough.  Sometimes it's so bad it's hard to read the newsletters.  The suffering is intense.

In fact, on Sunday, there was an announcement that two pastors have been captured and are being tortured by Sudan.  For those of you who are unaware, a few years ago, the country of Sudan divided and became two countries.  In the north is Sudan.  It's about all Muslim.  One area that is not is the Nuba mountains and that's where so much of the terror and torture is occurring.  The Nuba mountains are rich with oil.  The Sudanese government is trying to destroy the Christians or force them to become Muslim.

I remember when Parade magazine in Sunday's paper used to list the top 10 worst world leaders. Those most known for their cruelty and acts of violence against their own people.  The leader of Sudan was almost always number one.  When South Sudan was formed, it was hoped the Nuba would be incorporated in the South.  The Nuba are predominantly Christian, as is South Sudan. However, that did not happen.

The man who called said they had to meet in caves and on the day they arrived, 4 of them exploded about 1/4 mile from the cave where they were hiding.  The night before, 7 went off, killing one boy. He mentioned several others as well.

Now for the good news.  Not too long ago, several Christian pastors were captured, taken away, and forced to kneel.  Whether they were going to be shot, stoned, or beheaded was unknown.  As they knelt awaiting their fate at the hands of their captors, their captors were suddenly surrounded by bees! So many bees they were forced to run for their lives, leaving the pastors to flee to safety!  The pastors were not stung!  Isn't God amazing?

Face vs. Hands

Great minds must truly think alike.  As I headed off to bed after my last lousy post, my thought was "Lord, I've seen Your hand in my life.  Now, I need Your face."  God had done so many wonderful things and yet, I was miserable.

Looking through Scripture, it's easy to see that we're a selfish, demanding, ungrateful people.  Never satisfied.  And, we're no different today.  Continually trying to fill the vacuum with things instead of God.  And we're miserable because of it.

This morning, reading Made to Crave I see that Lysa Terkeurst has come to the same conclusion. She uses the catchy expression of "tying your happy to______________."  Since the issue that spawned her book is about weight and skinny jeans, she tied her happy to wearing skinny jeans.

So, what am I tying my happy to?  A relief from all the stress.  When Sheila gets sick and we can't get her medicines down her throat, I'm unhappy.  Scared.  I have yet to receive May royalties from the publisher.  Checking on the royalty statement was so discouraging, I'm wondering if my hopes were too high.  The woman who travels to a lot of the book fairs said I did "very well"  in Frankfurt, Germany.  What does that mean?

My tics have increased in intensity as well as number, leaving me exhausted.  Psalm 119:71 says, "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your decrees."  I try to remember that, but sometimes the physical exhaustion affects the emotions, making it hard to be grateful for God's choice in how I am to glorify Him.

Trying to start a career at my age is preposterous.  Yet, here I am, stressed to the max at trying to learn to use the computer, trying to find an agent and a publisher, a laptop, and trying to find a way to afford a writer's conference.  I don't imagine Moses always enjoyed leading millions of people across the dessert for 40 years when he was 80 years old.  Sarah giving birth at 90 couldn't have been a whole lot of fun, either.  So what am I griping about?

My favorite One to remember, though, is Jesus, "Who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  Hebrews 12:2

I know, I know, God won't give me more than I can handle, but sometimes I feel like He's got more confidence in me than I do.  That's why I need Him to fill the vacuum.  As long as I hop from one answer to prayer to another, I'm continuing to seek His hand.  God doesn't owe me a thing and I'm grateful for all He's given me, but the one thing I long for more than anything else is Him.