Others Are Counting on Us

Encourage those who are timid. Take

tender care of those who are weak.

Be patient with everyone.

I Thessalonians 5:14

Those of us who have walked with the Lord any number of years often forget that there are those coming behind us are often watching us when we aren't aware of it. Some will mistakenly try to imitate us in any number of ways. I have watched some more inexperienced Christians walk, talk, dress like, carry the same kind of Bible and the list could go on as they long to be like a Christian they most admire. Of course, we know that is mere folly, but I'm sure such followers mean well.

Our witness or testimony aren't always vocal with well planned words that we want to express. We have no idea how many people simply watch us when we aren't aware of it. We don't walk around looking for people who want to start a fan club with our name attached, but they are there, observing and praying we will drop some words of encouragement their way. They will especially watch us when they know we are going through a personal trial just to see our reactions and demeanor. They want to see that this faith of ours really works in the nitty-gritty times of life and when they see it, they are encouraged.

I am thinking of some people in my own life who have set examples for me as they have gone through some very difficult times. Despite her suffering, I think of my sister Kay who could have growled and complained, giving people a hard time. I wouldn't have blamed her but instead, I saw a spirit of gratitude, graciousness and kindness despite her pain and weakness. I also think of Mary, a friend who all but died in a horrible car accident over a year ago. She knew pain on top of pain but visiting with her, one saw a smile and praise to the Lord for His goodness in her life. My friend Priscilla went through quite a time with cancer, with all the treatments including loss of hair. Talking with her one always saw an infectious smile and she would be quick to express how good God was (is) in her life. In any of these ladies, there was a spiritual radiance that showed through their pain and difficulty. They may not have known it, but I was watching and hopefully learned from them.

God has allowed us to walk some pretty difficult paths in this life of ours. (By the way, this path doesn't always involve physical distress of some kind. There are many kinds of suffering.) God has held us up, sustained us and allowed us to taste of spiritual victory in sometimes the most difficult of circumstances. We become examples and hopefully encouragement to someone else who is called to walk a similar path who might be feeling at their very weakest. We are in a position to be a spiritual cheerleaders in the lives of many who need to see something real and true in the life of another Christian. I'm not talking about putting on a front but showing forth Jesus Christ through the thick and thin of life. Some such folks may be too shy or embarrassed to approach us for advice or even to ask us to pray so they choose to watch and observe, drawing encouragement from the spiritual strength they see in our lives. If we are approached, most of the time it will be at the most inconvenient of moments when our patience might wear thin. However, we must be there and I mean BE there even in those moments, especially for hurting seekers.


I came across the following poem that reminded me of myself in times past when I was floundering in a sea of difficulty and felt almost hopeless in it all. Although I didn't write the poem, it could very well be words I could have cried out to another in my time of need, confusion and desperation:

And if, perhaps, Faith's light is dim,

because the oil is low,

Your call will guide my lagging course

as wearily I go.

Call back, and tell me that He went

with you into the storm;

Call back, and say He kept you when

the forest's roots were torn;

That, when the heavens thunder and

the earthquake shook the hill,

He bore you up and held you where the

lofty air was still.

O friend, call back, and tell me for I

cannot see your face;

They say it glows with triumph, and

your feet spring in the race;

But there are mists between us and my

spirit eyes are dim,

And I cannot see the glory, though I

long for word of Him.

But if you'll say He heard you when

your prayer was but a cry,

And if you'll say He saw you through

the night's sin-darkened sky---

If you have gone a little way ahead, O

friend, call back---

It will cheer my heart and help my feet

along the stony track.

---Selected

Dear Father...I thank You for those who have gone before me, walking their own difficult roads who have each walked with their own hands in Yours. They have set the pace and example for me and I'm so grateful for each one. Thank You for Your strength that is extended through each of their lives as they have been strengthened and sustained by You. Whatever path You choose for me to walk, may I too be the help to others these friends have been to me. May others see You in my life. I love You Father.....Amen

Refining...Don't You Just Love It?

Wherein ye greatly rejoice,

though now for a season, if need be, ye

are in heaviness through manifold

temptations:

That the trial of your faith, being

much more precious than of gold

that perisheth, though it be tried

with fire, might be found unto praise

and honour and glory at the appearing

of Jesus Christ:

Whom having not seen, ye love;

in whom, though now ye see him not,

yet believing, ye rejoice with joy

unspeakable and full of glory.

I Peter 1:6-8

The other day, I had to go for an appointment with a urology surgeon as it appeared that I had a serious problem that needed to be treated. I had to go through a very uncomfortable process of examination. I looked at the good doctor and said, “May I tell you that I really do hate this.” He smiled and said that he would wonder about me if I didn't. Tests and trials of any kind are experiences we don't care for. If we do, people would probably wonder about us.

The books of I and II Peter are wonderful books that prepare Christians for suffering. Once in the middle of a trial is a little late to dig into these two books, but it wouldn't hurt to read them frequently. It is believed that Peter was in Rome at the writing of these books. Within two or three years, Peter would pay with his life the price of being a Christian, the kind of Christian Nero the insane leader of the day feared. Peter saw suffering on the horizon of his life and was led of the Holy Spirit to write these two wonderful books.

I have often taught these two books in ladies Bible study sessions. They can be of great comfort when going through a tough time but they have the added benefit of preparing one for the toughest of times. Peter wastes no ink or paper with frivolous words. He begins up front talking about trials, testing and yes, even the refining process God allows in our lives.

The process of refining is not a picnic in any sense of the word. Ask a stalk of sugar cane what it is to go from a field where it grows into the canister that sits on your kitchen sink...the cutting, slicing, smashing,drying, and then granulating process. Glad I'm not a stalk of sugar cane but must admit there have been times when in the midst of trial, I've felt just about like that stalk of sugar cane.

Not so much anymore, but we've heard of young ladies of the past who were sent to refinishing school so that they might become refined young ladies that would make any parent proud. They spent hours sitting at tables learning dining etiquette. They seemed to walk miles with books on their heads, learning how to walk in a lady-like manner. When they graduated from those schools, they had been through the rigors and for what...that they would be refined and proper in every way.

Should we expect less as we view our faith? Peter equates the refining process with trials and “manifold” temptations (a variety of testings, trials).

Verse 6 introduces us to the process. With all we have going for us as Christians, as children of God, we have every reason to be people who rejoice. Peter assures us that our trials will be temporary but that they will create in us a heaviness of spirit. Otherwise, we aren't looking at a Sunday school picnic. The simple fact is that God must see something of great quality in us to allow these tough times to purify and clean us up for His glory.

So how does He do it...the refining process. Verse 7 clues us in...God wants you and me to be people strong in their faith. The way to strengthen that faith is for the faith to be tested and tried. It is compared to gold that is put in a refining pot and placed over great heat. The gold begins to melt down ever so slowly. As the heat increases more and more, so the gold is heated to an extremely high temperature. However, the refiner sits right there by the pot keeping a careful eye on the gold. Little by little, impurities rise to the surface. The refiner has a tool whereby he can skim the impurities off of the surface. He keeps doing this until almost no detectable purities can be seen. He knows when the purifying is completed as much as can be when he looks onto the surface of that very hot gold and sees there his own reflection. Do you know what I love about this process? Malachi 3:3 speaks of just such a refining process when God was refining His people. This verse says:

And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver:

and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge

them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto

the Lord an offering in righteousness.

Do you see what I see in that verse? God, the refiner sits right by that refining pot, keeping His eye on the process. He doesn't allow you and me to go through a tough time while walking away to do something else until our trial is over. He sits beside our refining process, with us in it all. When does God know our refining process has reached completion? A good way of telling is when His reflection can be seen in our lives.

Peter understood in verse 8 that for those he was writing to, they had not seen Jesus in the flesh as he had but they had learned enough about Him to love and believe in Him. We are in the same position as those receiving Peter's words. It is our faith that needs building and strengthening. Hopefully, the result for us will be that through any trial, we can rejoice in Him through the roughest of times. Hopefully this joy will be such a rich joy that we can't explain it or describe it but that it will be full of God's glory. Every trial and test is to point others to Jesus. We live in a sick and sorry world and people need to see that in the hardest days of our own lives, there is hope and joy in Jesus.

If not in the middle of a trial right now, every Christian has a trial waiting around the corner. May we be strengthened through His Word in days prior to such times. Refining will still be painful, but we will know and trust the Great Refiner in our lives so much more. Just knowing He is sitting there, supervising the process is enough to get through our times of testing and trial. Our Heavenly Father always does all things well and in the process we will reap a “joy that is unspeakable and full of glory.”

Dear Father...Please sit right there with me, encouraging my heart as I face any trial You see fit to allow into my life. May I be faithful in my trust and may I come through any trial loving You more than ever before. I love You, Father and place my life in Your loving hands. Amen.

Our Best

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,

do it with thy might; for there is no

work, nor device, nor knowledge,

nor wisdom, in the grave,

whither thou goest.

Ecclesiastes 9:10

And whatsoever ye do, do it

heartily, as to the Lord, and

not unto men.

Colossians 3:23

Thanks to my Mother, church life has been my life almost from my first remembrances.  I said my Christmas “pieces” when very small. I was in Vacation Bible Schools since being old enough to attend them and not just at my own church. Neighborhood kids made it a summer activity to attend each others Vacation Bible Schools. When in junior high school, I began singing in the church choir which led to my being church pianist and then church organist. I taught in summer VBS's when in high school and during that time served as a camp counselor for junior age girls during the summer. I don't write this list as a bragging thing. Perhaps it was the general climate of the times, but one never thought of doing a second rate job at anything. I saw in my Daddy an honest mechanic who took pride in fixing a car, watching a customer drive away in a happy, purring vehicle .   Many times he had paid for the parts needed for repair out of his own pocket.  People paid attention to details, taking pride in jobs well done. The work ethic in general was just different then and it passed down from one generation to another. Hard work done well was something that was most often  “caught, not taught.” One learned a strong work ethic from those adults in his or her own life. Thus, no matter my church activity at the time, I wanted to do it well. I learned from a dear lady that doing God's work well pleased Him.

So what's happened? I know society has changed in many ways. Anyone with half a brain in their head can tell that. We now purchase products that are in many cases faulty when we pay for them, and yes we do pay for them believe it or not. Car companies knowingly build cars with built in problems that show up a little later that requires your return to a dealership for repair....ever had a problem with that magical yellow light that lights up to let you know you have an engine problem when you really don't? We've settled for junk we get from overseas, sometimes that we've been told can even poison our children.

I, like most, have learned to live and yes, groan with many of these things. However, there is an area of my life and yours we've come to take a lax attitude regarding and that has to do with our church life. I'm so weary of folks holding church positions who want them for recognition only. They have no intention of giving their all in doing a good job for the sake of the church or as an example before others, let alone for the Lord. I realize our busyness and yes, lagging work ethic has greatly affected even church life, but doesn't our Lord deserve so much more from us than He is receiving?

Several years ago, I was with a church choir in a small church warming up prior to the first Sunday morning service. A man came running into the room desperately looking for a Sunday school teachers book that he would need to teach the mornings Sunday school lesson after that first service. I know of Sunday school teachers who read their lessons to their classes from the same materials the students hold in their hands. I've been approached by soloists five minutes before a church service to rehearse with them their solo of the morning. I've heard more offertories played in services that were obviously unrehearsed. Nursery workers at times think nothing of showing up late for their responsibilities while parents wait with little ones in a hallway waiting for child care which in turn makes those parents late for their responsibilities. Choir members don't show up for choir rehearsals or show up only on Sunday morning (and sometimes late at that) to sit, smile and look good from the choir loft.

You might ask, “Glendarae, who are you mad at?” I can't say I'm mad at any particular person. I realize God can take perfectly good care of Himself and doesn't need my defense, but I am weary of what we hand to him in the way of slip-shod offerings of service. All one has to do is look into the Old Testament and what was required of sacrifices and offerings that were to be given to God. The commands and expectations of sacrifices the people offered to God in light of what we present to Him would never fly today. The animals sacrificed had to be as perfect as any animal could be. Only the very best was offered to God and it's a good thing because He accepted nothing less. I realize we are now past that kind of service and do not live under the Old Testament Laws... that we live by the grace of God. However, why shouldn't we still love God so much that we would never want to offer Him anything but the very best we can give.

I went on a hunt for an old hymn that I can remember singing in my home church where I grew up. I have several hymn books here in my home but found the hymn only in a hymn book printed in 1933. I realize there are lots of hymn books and know there are ones in several churches containing this hymn, but I doubt it will be found in many modern hymn books. The title of the hymn is “Our Best”...the words from it are wonderful:

Hear ye the Master's call, “Give Me thy best!”

For, be it great or small, that is His test.

Do then the best you can, not for reward,

Not for the praise of man, but for the Lord.

Wait not for men to laud, heed not their slight;

Winning the smile of God brings its delight!

Aiding the good and true, ne'er goes unblest,

All that we think or do, be it the best.

Night soon comes on apace, day hastens by;

Workman and work must face testing on high.

Oh, may we in that day, find rest, sweet rest,

Which God has promised those who do their best.

Chorus:

Every work for Jesus will be blest,

But He asks from everyone his best.

Our talents may be few, these may be small,

But unto Him is due our best, our all.

How deep does our love and devotion for God run? He gave His Son, Jesus to die a horrible death on a cross for each of us. Jesus was God's perfect sacrifice so why can't we aim for perfection in our service for Him? Whatever we have been called to do, may we always give God “our best.”

Dear Father...So often I have been guilty of giving You the leftovers of my time, money and talents. I have often served You if there isn't anything else to do or if I have time to give. I marvel at Your patience with me when at times I haven't made You THE priority in my life. May my life reflect that there is no one in my life more important than You. Thank You for the perfect sacrifice of Your Son. Because of that perfect sacrifice, I have a relationship with You and life eternal. I love You and want You to have my best. Amen

Blessed Solitude

He went up on a mountainside by

himself to pray. When evening came, he

was there alone.

Matthew 14:23

It was the spring break of my junior year in college when I agreed to go on a Gospel Team trip to various areas in Kentucky. The team was made up of four students and a college staff representative. On this trip, we held services in four small churches. It was always a fun trip to take along with an opportunity to witness and serve the Lord in various other ways.

While we were driving between engagements, I noticed a small sign that we passed and asked the driver to turn around to go back so I could see the sign again. It said what I thought it did: “Gethsemane Abbey.” Our Bible professor had mentioned such a place during a Bible class and that the place was located in Kentucky. That was enough for me. I insisted we go down the road that appeared to wind around some Kentucky hills. Suddenly around one hill and in the distance, there seemed to appear a beautiful white castle with high white walls and a cathedral-type roof and spire that could be seen above the walls. That was it...the monastery.

We drove up to a small entry that was the door to a gift shop. Inside we found shelf after shelf of cheeses the men in the monastery had made for sale to help with monastery expenses. There were three men of the order there in charge of the gift shop who were allowed to talk to us. We were told we could walk into the large cathedral which, size-wise looked like it should be in a large city. Things may have changed now but it was very typical of a large Roman Catholic church in the way of decor. We were cautioned, however, that we were not to approach any of the monks nor try to speak to any even from a distance. This monastery was one where no vocal conversation was allowed. The men could sing and participate vocally in church services but beyond that, no conversation was allowed.

We were told that the men used a lot of sign language, anywhere from “Pass the chain saw” to “Pass the salt and pepper.” Men all had their jobs and responsibilities but when not working could be seen under trees and various areas on the grounds with their religious materials where they would read, meditate and pray. These things were the main responsibility of the men in the abbey. Men could be seen all over the place in their uniform robes but the place was eerily quiet. As I've thought back, I've admired their dedication in giving up so much, working hard and devoting themselves to strict spiritual disciplines. However, I'm not sure there is a need for the strict isolation from a world that is so very needy in so many ways, but that was my opinion only. 

Visiting that place left more than a lasting impression on me. I admired the monks greatly for their sacrifices despite my not understanding the purpose of it all. I know they pray for hundreds of people every day and night and have other disciplines they take part in, but...

I'm not going to get on them or the lives they've chosen just in case you might expect that. Instead of being critical of them, I found myself being critical of myself and the lack of spiritual discipline in my own life. I don't have walls, nor do I have to wear specific attire. I have work and responsibilities but what do I do with the time I have left over and yes, we all have some leftover time whether we choose to admit it or not. What do I do with that time? Can I be found under a tree reading my Bible and meditating? Can I be found sitting somewhere... anywhere... in prayer ? How long can I be somewhere in quiet solitude before the Lord so that He can speak to my heart?

Philippians 1:5 begins by saying, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus...” and thus begins Paul's directives regarding our being Christ-like in our living. You might check it out in some “quiet” moments. Our mandate as Christians is to be like Him in every way possible.

Wellllll...how about His example of often getting away alone to pray as can be seen in our opening verse. This verse speaks of His getting off to Himself. In this verse alone, we see how He did this:

1. He went up on a mountainside.
   He looked for a different place to be. Our verse says that He went up, so He went to some effort to get to where He wanted to be.
2. He went up alone.
   We like to keep people around us or at least where we can see them. We find real comfort and security in having people near. When on retreats, I've looked for private places to go to read and pray. Let me tell you though, it never hurts for me to see some folks in the distance even though I may not wave or speak to them.
3. Jesus had a purpose in going off to one side.
   He went up on the mountainside alone to pray. That's just it, short and sweet. Jesus may have needed to get away from the crowds and even the disciples for a time but we are told He drew aside to pray.
   How determined am I to carve out some little niches of time for prayer and devotion. Those men in that monastery in the Kentucky hills are fairly regulated in their scheduling. I would imagine if I were TOLD when and how to show my devotion to God, it could get tedious, boring and not worth much. I have learned in my own life that no matter how busy I am, I usually make room to do the things I really want to do and that's been true of my praying, Bible reading and times of meditation. I don't need the walls, robes or a beautiful cathedral. I can pull off to one side to spend time with my Lord anytime and anywhere. I am blessed with the opportunity to go off into the mountains whenever I want, but everyone has their special place or places where they can go and mountains are not a requirement.
4. Notice our verse says He was there until evening.
   This indicates to us that He probably went earlier in the day and that He didn't have any time constraints. He took the time He needed for this spiritual exercise.
   May I suggest that every Christian needs an extended period of time every now and then or when needed to get away from the routine to focus on the Lord? I used to suggest to folks that they have their own private retreat every now an then, taking 4-5 hours away from home. I've suggested taking Bible, notebook, lunch, new Bible study booklet from the bookstore that is a fill in blank thing. Take no CD's or DVD's. If you want music, sing to yourself. Keep the distractions down...just a time for you. No kids allowed...this isn't meant to be a family outing.

I trust you and I will try to make some time for blessed solitude where the Lord has our undivided attention. Not only do we have a lot to share with Him, but He wants in the worse way to speak with us in that still, small voice of His. These can be some precious moments...our times of solitude.

Dear Jesus...Thank You for the example You have set for us in Scripture in so many ways that we often miss. Not only did You pray alone on several occasions but for the most part, You died alone and did that for each of us. Thank You for the privilege of spending time with You anytime we want. Give us a desire to pull to one side to spend quality time with You. We love You. Amen.

The Beauty of Unity

Behold, how good and how pleasant

it is for brethren to dwell together

in unity!

Psalm 133:1

Many say that it can't be done...unity among brothers and sisters in Christ. I'll admit, I've seen some pretty damaging evidence that it's next to impossible for we Christians to function and live in a spirit of unity. When it does occur though, it's a good and pleasant thing.

Over the last few days, it's been my privilege to witness first hand what unity among God's people looks and feels like. It was my privilege to travel to Austin, TX and to my former church and to be with some of it's people that I dearly love. First stop, church office. It is impossible for the world outside a church office to know what all must be done in planning a retreat for 100 people. The planning in this case, wasn't for just ordinary people...this retreat was for the adult choir. An adult choir is made up of a lot of energy and emotion. I've always said that if there is to be a church split, it can begin with the church choir. Musicians are very emotional people and can be on the touchy side (sorry choir members). People had to be divided up into several cabins, no choices. If you ended up in a cabin with Lizzie Borden or Jack the Ripper, you were just stuck and slept with one eye open (just kidding). However, the spirit and I do mean Spirit was so evident with this bunch that it was just astounding. The choir director came with new music to be rehearsed. That can be a little precarious with folks who sometime have their own views regarding music, but even the music was so beautiful and God honoring that rehearsing voices surely must have lifted the roof at least a little on the main lodge where the choir met to rehearse. There were smiles, tears, laughter....well, one knows when unity is going on and it's nothing that human beings can think up or plan. What a sweet time. The music staff had planned well...I never heard a complaint from anyone and that in itself is about as miraculous as walking on the water outside our main lodge.

Sunday school time came the day after the retreat. I had so grieved leaving my wonderful Sunday school class. Another teacher, and a wonderful one now sat before the class teaching as I had done this time last year. My former class members were all sweet, glad to see me and I so appreciated that but when class time came, I was really thrilled. Suddenly I saw as we sat down for our class session, that I became a visitor. I don't say that in a negative way. I had prayed for this moment. You see, an adult class can be torn up by the leaving of one teacher and the coming of another. It can end up a real mess with hurt feelings, divided loyalties and even more things that don't honor the Lord. I smiled as I sat there...a visitor. I looked around at those ladies I had once taught with eyes fixed on me but now fixed on another....THEIR teacher and believe me, she's the best around. As I sat there, I said to myself, “They've made the shift...thank you Lord.” I had prayed for a smooth, loving transition and now I sat in the middle of the same unity I had witnessed in that class prior to my leaving. Thank you Lord for allowing me to sit and witness that sweet spirit.

Monday came and I had the privilege of seeing again my home Bible study group together again along with others from my former Sunday school class who weren't able to attend the home Bible study. I think there were about 30 there, not sure of the number. As they arrived, it was all so familiar, warm with welcoming hugs and laughter. If you want to discuss unity, here is where we could really start. Many of the ladies were close friends of our hostess who don't attend our particular church and they come from varied spiritual backgrounds. Now throw in a bunch of Baptists to make up the difference and you can have chaos. Looking at the group you could not know how very diverse this group is that runs a wide range of life experience. The first time I taught the group, I was scared to death, not knowing how that group would meld together, if it was even possible. However, as God does when He shows up, that Bible study group just seemed to melt and merge into one loving, caring unit eager to study the Word of God together. We enjoyed another time of coming together wanting to know more of what God's Word would have to say to us in a practical and useful way. It was a sweet time.

May I tell you that in all three of these settings, I could have sat with a rather resentful attitude. These three things were so much a part of my heart for so long and now I was, to a great extent and in reality, an outsider. I could have caused just little snippits of division in comments made quietly to others in each setting, but that thought didn't even cross my mind. I loved my choir and always will. It will do well with God's leadership and it's wonderful choir director. My former Sunday school class is thriving and will continue to do so under the Spirit leading a wonderful and capable teacher. Every time the Bible study group manages to get together, there will be a sweet spirit with me not there for that spirit doesn't rest with a human being but with the Spirit of God.

You see, in all three of these settings, even though leadership is necessary, the key is the moving of the Holy Spirit in the hearts and lives of folks who are participating in those areas. When we keep our focus and eyes on the Holy Spirit of God, His instruction through the Word and consistently walking with God, unity happens. When we lose our focus on Him and put it on self, it won't take long for division to happen. Does this mean that we will always agree....mercy no!! But in Godly ways, we can learn how to deal with disagreement that is handled in appropriate ways.

I am one blessed person today as I sit thinking over those experiences of the last few days. I left some very healthy people, spiritually speaking. I leaned back in my seat on the air plane with a bit of a smile. “It's okay” (I told myself)...”All is well...they are all fine.” I then anxiously waited for my plane to land on my now homeland, back to do what the Lord wants of me here. I have lots of sweet memories but now roll up my sleeves to meet the tasks here that God has planned for me to do in our little church.

Dear Father...I thank you for these last few days and the blessing of being with so many friends. I thank you for NOW and all You still have for me to do in this place. My friends will carry on as it should be and so will I here. Bless them and their every effort for Your kingdom. Even despite the miles, we will sing, teach and fellowship in unity for it is through You, Holy Spirit, that we will be ever connected. Amen