BLAHS vs JOY

 

Thou wilt shew me the path of lie:
in thy presence is fulness of joy;
at thy right hand there are
pleasures for evermore.
Psalms 16:11

It happens around this time of year to many folks, including Christians...the blahs. By the time people manage to survive until the first week of January, all of the anticipation, excitement, gifts have been given and received. There have been choir presentations, decorations, shopping, family visits, school parties, over-eating and over spending, that all take a toll emotionally and maybe even physically on almost anyone. We sang with great fervor and joy through the month of December:

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come,
Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart, prepare Him room
and Heaven and nature sing.”

I wonder, though, by the time we get past all the events and are left with let down emotions, if another song could be changed that would better describe our feelings. It's a child's song we used to sing also with joy:

I've got the blahs, blahs, blahs, blahs
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart.
I've got the blahs, blahs, blahs, blahs
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart to stay.

We've all been there. We don't like the feeling and we certainly didn't plan for it, but it can happen. Christmas starts in stores, on-line ads and catalogs as early as October and sometimes September. It is everywhere we go...can't get away from it. We find ourselves getting with the program. I remember as a little girl that the Christmas tree went up only a week before Christmas. Some people put their tree up on Christmas eve. Sounds odd, doesn't it and yet, I think there was more of a realistic view of the season back then. We weren't left in a huge emotional mess.

Keep in mind that these emotional let downs don't just happen with adults as they can happen with children as well. Children generally feel a letdown when they open their last gift and may even say or want to say, “Is this all?” All of us can remember as children the build up to a big day like Christmas or even birthdays. Parents along with the rest of their emotions feel a sense of guilt if they don't produce for their children those things other children are receiving. Forget Thanksgiving. In America there is a two month orgy our country has come to be called “Christmas” and even now, that word is hardly used in commercial entities. Just that fact can depress me as much as anything.

So what do we do? I'm speaking to all of us, common ordinary people who are emotionally healthy, at least ten months out of the year. We first have to recognize the cause of these feelings of depression, over-tired, listless, inactive, head achy, and perhaps not sleeping well. Some of the best advice I ever heard on this subject was to plan something eventful in the first part of January...it might be a trip, attending a special event, saving gift certificates until January or something you could think of that would be appropriate for you or yours that could be fun to look forward to. Most important is for us to maintain our spiritual priorities. It's easy over holiday times to let our Bible reading go. We might even be careless in church attendance and activities. Our spiritual strength isn't just going to happen. It should stem from an important relationship with the Lord that is vital to our well-being every day of the year.

The answer is a spiritual answer that applies to any time of the year. These blahs can attack us after coming home from a dreamed-of vacation or after a family wedding. I can remember as a girl being depressed for at least a couple of weeks after I had to return home from church camp. I had counted days until I could go to Lake Benton Baptist Camp. Suddenly it seemed, that day was there and each day there just seemed to fly.

As simplistic as it sounds, the Lord we sing of in “Joy to the world” is still the answer. That carol's first line is deep with meaning: “Joy to the world...THE LORD IS COME.” Jesus came then, but He comes everyday of the year into our lives. He wants the preeminence above all events, holidays, vacations, etc. If we are to get excited, He wants it to be over Him and not the things this world has managed to come up with. He understands happiness, but if our joy and happiness comes as a result of our relationship with Him, all other things will fall into place. Then when big events occur, we can get back to normalcy quickly because He is our normal.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if into the month of January, we could truly sing, even if quietly to ourselves:

“I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart.
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart.
Down in my heart TO STAY.”

There's only one reason we can sing that familiar song from childhood primary Sunday school. That reason is:

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King.
Let EVERY heart,
Prepare Him room.
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven...and heaven
And nature sing.”

That should not be just a song for Christmas, but for every single day because He is our joy. We must prepare Him room to work and move in our lives every day.

Thank You Jesus for being the only source of our joy. Forgive us, at times, for not making room for You in our lives when we get busy or preoccupied with so many things. Forgive our lack of consideration for You and all You've done for us. In Your precious name...Amen

The Best Present Ever

 

Thanks be unto God
for His unspeakable gift.
II Corinthians 9:15

All of us can probably think back to favorite Christmas gifts that meant a lot to us at the time. The highlight day at our house, prior to Christmas, was when our Sear's Christmas Catalog arrived in the mail. My sister Kay and I competed for time we could have individually with that precious book. Probably well over half of the catalog was full of toy items. If a toy had been created and ready for sale, it was in that catalog.

Along with the catalog on my lap, I also had in hand a pencil and piece of paper. This was almost an exercise of futility, but it was still worth listing those things a little girl only dreamed of finding under the family's Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Up until about the age of ten, our Christmas days were like many other families in our town. We got some nice toy items on Christmas morning along with gifts that came in the mail from various relatives.

One Christmas I got a play stove. Back then, they were made of a light-weight metal...none of that plastic stuff. My sister got the matching refrigerator so we could add a kitchen to our play house. The next year, I got a doll house (non-plastic, of course) and spent hours with it. It was so durable it even got handed down to the next two sisters. The Christmas I got my bicycle was really a special day except that I couldn't ride it for a week because of all the snow on the ground.

My favorite gift each year, however, up through about the age of ten, was a baby doll. I loved my dolls. I wanted to grow up to be a mom. I not only played house with them, but also played school and church with them as well. I once heard someone say, “Play, for a child, is a form of work although more enjoyable.” Often a child's play leads to their future, so toys parents provide their children at any time are important items. I would have to say that in the way of special Christmas gifts, my dolls were the most precious gifts in those days.

October 2, 1949 dawned with bright sunshine and on the chilly side. It was what appeared to be just a typical Fall day in our town. It was a Sunday and I loved Sundays because I loved going to church and Sunday school. (I've never been able to figure out why many people don't care if they go to church or not). I was ten years old and in the junior girls Sunday school class. My teacher was also my music teacher at my grade school. She liked that I could read notes and that I also sang a strong alto. I had learned to sing alto by sitting with my Mother in church, singing along with her alto voice.

On that Sunday, we had a special evangelist, C. W. Stucky. I'll never forget him and would know him to this day if I were to meet him anywhere except he's in Heaven but I'll still know him. He was very grandfatherly in appearance with the kindest eyes I had ever seen. We junior girls sat on the second pew, center section of the church auditorium...near the pulpit. If we got the giggles or were a little unruly, the “old ladies class” the Loyal Mothers, who sat on the pew behind us, would kindly tap us on the shoulder. That October Sunday was different. I recall listening carefully to the sermon with no wiggle problems. To this day I wouldn't be able to tell you a thing about the sermon. I do remember feeling as if my heart was beginning to warm inside of me, not like I was sick...just warm. The invitation was given to accept Jesus as Savior. A couple of my friends from our class and the junior boys class went forward, but wasn't terribly aware of them at the time. I stepped out into the sun-soaked aisle in my own time as if I were the only person in the auditorium. The sun was terribly bright coming through the window as I recall, but I knew in that moment as I stepped out that something magnificent was happening in my life. I look back now to that moment knowing that Jesus was doing something in my heart that no little girl could explain.

We were taken to a side room where the evangelist and pastor spoke to us. I remember sitting beside my Sunday school teacher who was quietly crying. I felt bad that she was so sad, but now with age understand her emotions more from that time. Even though I felt when I had stepped out in that aisle, I had accepted Jesus as my Savior, I was glad for the pastors to talk with us and share with us further Scripture. I was so happy then to be baptized the following Sunday night as an act of obedience to the Lord.

I know it was only the first Sunday in October and Christmas was yet to come in December, but I was told what a gift my salvation was. I knew it was mine because of what Jesus had done for me on the cross. I have to tell you that the gift of my salvation was not only the best gift up to then, but remains the best even now.

This gift wasn't a gift that could be purchased with money. It couldn't be found in the Sears Christmas Catalog. It wasn't one anyone other than Jesus could give to me. It didn't come gift wrapped. The only material thing I walked away with that Sunday morning was a little copy of the Gospel of John. On the back I had written my name and date that was like a “born-again birth certificate.” I still have that little Gospel of John. It's aged through the years as I have as well, but it's message is still fresh and as new now as it was that day in 1949.

My prayer today for any reader is that of all the gifts you can receive in your life, it is the gift of salvation that can only come through accepting Jesus into your life as Savior. We can all think of wonderful Christmas gifts we've received through the years, but God has given us the very best gift possible...His Son, Jesus. Years can dim some things in our thinking. Maybe some folks aren't as close to that Gift as sometime in the past. A renewed relationship with Him would not only benefit us, but would be of great joy to Jesus, the Giver of the best gift ever given to the world.

Dear Father...You gave us so much when You sent Your precious Son to die for us, giving us the wonderful gift of salvation. Forgive our lack of love and appreciation for all You do for us all the time. Draw us even closer to Yourself in these special days, that we will not only keep Jesus in the center of this season, but fully in our lives every day of the year. In Jesus' name...Amen

YOU ARE INVITED!!

And when they were come into the house,
they saw the young child with Mary his mother,
and fell down, and worshiped him: and when
they had opened their treasures, they presented
unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense,
and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11

We've all received invitations of various types. Some invitations invite us to birthday parties, some perhaps to graduation events and then there are the wedding shower invitations. However, baby shower invitations, especially to honor a first baby, have an extra element of joy attached to them.

Brian and I talked about adopting a baby after we were married. My mother had been adopted and I felt something special about that process. After a couple of years of marriage, I had friends all over the place praying that a baby could be found for Brian and me to adopt. Before we knew it, Jennie came into our lives, into our home and into our hearts. In those days, no one knew the sex of a baby prior to birth so it remained a mystery until THE day. I can't tell you the friends who wanted to honor us with baby showers. I also can't tell you how many showers Jennie and I attended. She ended up with a wardrobe that would have shamed royalty.

No matter who the couple is that is going to welcome a baby into their home, it's such a special time that friends and family want to have a part in celebrating that baby. When babies come into the world, no matter how ugly (sorry, but a good majority are), everyone raves about the beauty of the baby. The beauty of the baby no matter the weight, amount of hair, etc. is in the fact that we are looking at a precious miracle.

New babies are remembered, but only for awhile. We mothers always remember that special day of a baby's birth, but babies grow up and we rejoice with every birthday. We remember our babies with pictures and home movies, but we celebrate the current year of one's birthday.

The only birthday in baby form I know of that is celebrated every year is that of Jesus. On December 25, we have no pictures in our mind of Jesus as a boy in the temple, working miracles in people's lives and really not too much even of the cross and resurrection. We know where that birth is going to lead future-wise, but still on Christmas cards, manger scenes, adoring shepherds and some of the wisest of men from the East, we celebrate the birth of a baby... Jesus...same baby every year. I find nothing objectionable about that for without that birth, nothing else of any note could have happened including our own personal salvation experiences.

Mary and Joseph were in difficult positions. An unmarried young woman found to be pregnant in those day could have been banished somehow or even executed. Where an expectant couple in our day can't wait to share their good news with parents and friends, there could be no rejoicing with others regarding their blessed event. Joseph was on a spot as well. He couldn't brag with his buddies about a coming baby in his family that he didn't as yet have and that in reality, wasn't even his. This baby was to be the very Son of God, something that couldn't really be explained to anyone.

This couple couldn't enjoy all of the things most married, expectant couples enjoyed. They couldn't do anything to draw attention to themselves. But that special time of Jesus' birth came...in a smelly stable, the baby King of Kings made His human appearance. There were those shepherds who came after the prompting of angels who appeared in their fields that night. Shepherds, however, wouldn't have been welcome even near most households, let alone visiting a new baby in a stable. They weren't well thought of in those days. But it was appropriate for lowly shepherds to visit THE One who in adulthood would be known as the Good Shepherd. When those shepherds arrived to see the baby, they had no gifts to bring...only their awe and adoration.

Wise men came but not to the stable. They arrived later at the home of Mary and Joseph to see the young child. They had traveled a very long distance at the silent bidding of a star they saw in the East. They followed that star and it eventually led them to the humble home of Joseph and Mary. There, they bowed down to the child and presented Him with gifts. This is the first we see of gifts being given in honor of Jesus. They brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh, all very expensive. Because of three gifts, it is usually pictured there were only three wise men who made the trip. However, there could have been more than three. Despite the number who made this visit to see Jesus, I wonder if they knew what would come to be the significance of those gifts.

GOLD: All we have to do is look back in the Old Testament to the Ark of the Covenant, encrusted with gold, vessels used for worship and all the gold incorporated into the Temple and one can see the importance and significance of gold. It was representative of divinity and royalty. Could they have known?

FRANKINCENSE: A white, milky resin taken from a tree that was processed into a usable resin. It is extremely fragrant and was often used in offerings, especially on the prayer alter of incense. It represented then holiness and righteousness. I think now of Jesus being referred to as being a sweet aroma.

MYRRH: This too is resin, reddish in color. When taken from the bark of a tree it first drips down the tree almost in tear drop form. It is gleaned after two weeks when it has hardened. It is a bitter spice often referred to as “gall”. It can be used in mixing drinks such as what was offered to Jesus on the cross. This spice, however, in Jesus' day was used for embalming or for the preparation of a body that wasn't embalmed but just wrapped. The spices were tucked into the folds of the wrappings to hide the smell of death.

In all three gifts, we now see significance. They were all very expensive gifts, but even now, in each, we see Jesus...who He was and who He continues to be. We can so appreciate this time of year in celebrating Jesus' birth. I have to ask myself, though, what I plan to give Jesus this year for His birthday. There's no gift I can purchase and nothing I know to bring. All I have to give Him is ME. And by the way, that's all YOU have to give Him too.

Thank You Father for the gift of Your Son Jesus. Thank You Jesus for coming so that we can have the blessing of salvation and for Your indwelling Spirit that keeps us connected to Yourself. Our Christmas season is very merry because of You. We love You. In Jesus' name...Amen

"XMAS"...Who Cares?

Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and
bestowed on Him the name which is above
every name, so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven
and on earth and under the earth
and that EVERY tongue will confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God
the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11

About a year after our marriage, Brian and I took a trip to his hometown of Albuquerque. We had only had a day or so at wedding time for me to visit with his family and I wanted to get to know them better. Among the family members was Grandma Lanoue, Brian's grandmother. I immediately found her to be a very interesting lady. Being a history buff, I talked to her about changes in our country she had seen in her lifetime. She spoke of horses and buggies, remembering the first airplane. It amazed her that man had gone from those humble flight beginnings to walking on the moon. She spoke of medical miracles that had occurred. She had seen presidents come and go and spoke of four wars she had lived to see. She had also seen changes in the social and moral conditions in the country and the decline in those areas. Changes in women were appalling to her and she would give examples that I won't go into. I have thought since those conversations and her passing away that today, she would really be shocked just as I am at declines I have witnessed in our country just in my own lifetime.

It took all I could do to even type the above title just now. On Facebook, I've been seeing the best of Christians downplaying the Christmas issue that has been flying through the air waves these days. Leaving the word “Christ” out of Christmas doesn't seem to be worth consideration. I've seen cute things like: “We need not think about a word or symbol...we need to think about feeding the poor, clothing the naked, etc.” Some of that will happen especially among believers. After some people have put their five dollars in the Salvation Army Kettle, then what? I'm not putting down folks who do a lot of philanthropic work. God bless them...we've got to have them and Christians should be at the forefront of such activity.

The thing that really bothers me is in these many years I've lived, I've seen the erosion of spiritual values in our country that are unbelievable. In many cases, that erosion has happened from the top...many pastors have lost their zeal and yes, guts to preach the Word of God even with raised voice. My public grade school was as close to attending a Christian school as anything I have ever known of since. We pledged to the flag and Bible and then recited in Lord's Prayer in most classrooms. If someone didn't like it, too bad, but I never heard of anyone protesting and doubt if the principal cared if they did. We had government leaders who, if not Christians, conducted themselves as if they were. Why did they do that? Because of the pressure REAL Christians brought to bear on our society. You might not like the pretense of such people...today, I'll take the pretense. Now, we have more corruption in Washington, DC than can be imagined. We have a Muslim president. For the first time in a presidency, the presidents wife doesn't have Christmas trees in the White House...they are holiday trees, breaking all tradition for more years than we can remember. Should all those things bother me...YES. There's little I can do about it, but I am to pray and so live my life that I will shine Jesus' light before others.

I'm not mad at anyone in particular, but in a situation. I am pretty disappointed in whatever Christianity we have left in our country. I realize our country is full of Godly people who won't be heard by anyone. I'm not willing to give up on us or our country for Christ, but change is not going to happen if we don't remain involved in the things of God. We fold if an atheist protests or if a person of the Islamic faith complains. What is wrong with us?

It's so odd to me that what I'm saying will be criticized, especially by CHRISTians or should I say Xians. Would that symbol (Xians) come as a great shock for us to see. That's the goal of atheists, satanists, Muslims and secularists in our country. We are slowly but surely being labeled and some trying times are coming.

As I looked at the beginning verses of this blog, I am reminded that the day will come when EVERY knee will bow at the name of Jesus. We usually think of Hitler, Lenin, murderers, etc. and think of the timing of such kneeling as being far into the future. Perhaps for some, it will be so. However, I remind us that we are a part of “EVERY knee” even if we are Christians. Not just at Christmas or Easter or any other special holiday, but it's just as appropriate for you and me to “bow the knee” now to Jesus' Lordship. I can't even imagine the influence that we could have for God in our day if such were to be done in mass.

It's not about a red cup coffee cup...it's not about the sale of “Xmas trees” or upcoming “Xmas sales.” This season isn't about “holiday shopping” or public schools' “winter breaks.” I hope we will get back to Christmas trees and Christmas sales if you know what I mean in word usage. We've moved way too far from precious traditions because of political correctness. This season has got to be about who we are in Christ and Who He is. His name is too precious to be discarded. This precious season isn't about an “X”...it's about Jesus.

Dear Father, forgive my lack of courage in standing for You when I should have and didn't. In our day, may we Christians have an awareness of Satan's ploys and our need to stand firm for Your principles. Help us all to be willing to stand for something or we will find ourselves falling for anything no matter the season of the year. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

BUT GOD

 

BUT GOD is the Judge;
He puts down one and
exalts another.
Psalm 75:7

Should anyone take a look inside my main study/teaching Bible, they would find two words I have usually tried to underline or circle...ALL and BUT. Both words, although only with three letters each have large meaning for me as I read. You see, when I come across that word ALL, I have come to realize when the Holy Spirit spoke of ALL, that's exactly what He meant. He wasn't even hinting at a piece or part of something...He meant just what the word indicates and that is something in it's entirety.

The word, BUT, is another word altogether. It is a word of exception, correction or addition of some sort, perhaps a combination of those three words. I love every time I come to the words “But God...” side by side. In many verses the two individual words can be found separately, but my personal blessing is seeing those two words side by side revealing God stepping into a situation to make Himself known and active in the lives of His people. (By the way, most of the time in this blog, I will capitalize those two words just for emphasis)

There were BUT GOD instances in many of the lives of Old Testament people, such as Noah (Gen. 3:3), Joseph (Gen. 50:20), Ruth (1:6) and David (I Sam. 23:14). There were others, of course, but too many to mention. Even in the book of Psalms, we find those two wonderful words proclaimed by an author:

My flesh and my heart may fail,
BUT GOD is the strength of my
heart and my portion forever.
(73:26)

What precious promises we have just in that verse of God's concern, love and power. He cares for us in our weakest moments. At the same time, He is the righteous Judge and there is never anything out of His control where you and I are concerned.

For me, personally, those two words (BUT GOD) came to land in my mind and on my heart when I got into an in-depth study of the book of Ephesians. When I came to chapter 2 of that dear book, I was stopped in my tracks for a time...couldn't move on to the next verses. The first three verses of chapter two speaks of who we were in our sin prior to our acceptance of Jesus in our lives. We are reminded in those verses of how we were dead in our sins and how we walked according to the course of this world, controlled by the prince of the power of the air. Paul speaks of how we all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and mind. Paul puts us all in the same basket of sinful behavior and indulgences. To be honest, after reading those three verses, I was ready to just put my Bible down for a rest. I knew that had been my pedigree and it didn't look very pretty.

Then I came to verses 4-7 of that chapter 2:

BUT GOD, being rich in mercy, because of His
great love with which He loved us.
Even when we were dead in our transgressions,
made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have
been saved),
and raised us up with Him, and seated us
with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
so that in the ages to come He might show the
surpassing riches of His grace in kindness
toward us in Christ Jesus.

I can't tell you how often I come to these verses when I go through a tough time of discouragement or when I don't feel well. We may wonder at times if God is really “there” in our various situations. The answer for us is to be in the Word of God and this is a wonderful place to be.

We are facing a holiday time when many folks tend to go into times of depression for any number of reasons. No matter the time of year, no matter our circumstances, God will always be rich in mercy along with His other loving attributes. No matter how low our circumstances or moods, BUT GOD is still a fact of our spiritual lives. He waits in the wings of our lives to step into those circumstances we face and in His time. I hasten to say though, that it is always His time for the lost to be found, for the sinner to repent, for the back-slidden Christian

to return to God's loving arms.

Along this same thought is Romans 5:8:

BUT GOD demonstrates His own love
toward us, in that while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.

I Corinthians chapter 1 speaks of the foolish things of this world, and verse 27 speaks to that.

BUT GOD has chosen the foolish things of the
world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the
weak things of the world to shame the things
which are strong.

In Acts 13, Paul preached a lengthy sermon in Pisidian Antioch where he preached a very historical sermon. He began with Israel and Old Testament information on to the ministry and death of Jesus. He then made one of the most important statements that has to do with our faith. In verse 30, he said:

BUT GOD raised Him from the dead.

All Paul preached was for nothing without the fact of that statement regarding Jesus' victory over death. The fact of that statement is as real today as it was then. As Jesus was victorious over death, we who belong to Him share in that victory.

Can you recall some of those BUT GOD times in your life? Perhaps everything was in shambles around you, and then God miraculously stepped in. Those times are usually clear and memorable in our minds and should be kept for pondering in our hearts. Those times become a part of God's track record in our lives and contribute to the building our faith.

Thank You Father for those times You step into the muddled messes of our lives and bring beauty from ashes. Only you can interrupt our circumstances with such love and blessing. Thank you for not just those special moments but for every moment of Your consistent love for us. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

MANY THANKS

 

I will give thanks to the Lord, with
all my heart; I will tell of all Your
wonders.
I will be glad and exult in You;
I will sing praise to Your name,
O Most High.
Psalm 9:1,2

Little children and often older ones at well, can remember over and over from their earliest years hearing their mother say, “Say 'Thank you.'” Mothers us many phrases in that same vein such as “What do you say?” or “Did you forget to say something?” Parents have always had a sincere desire to raise grateful children, grateful for any gift or kindness extended to their children. There's nothing wrong with that as teaching courtesies is a valuable part of child rearing.

Thank you is said in many languages. For instance:
Chinese – do jeh
French – merci
German – danke
Hebrew – toda
Italian – grazie
Japanese – arigato
Russian – spasibo
Swahili – asante

There are limitations to our understanding many of those languages but people understand within their own cultures those words of gratitude. Words of gratitude in America are often said in different ways....”Thanks”...”You shouldn't have”...”It was so kind of you”...”TYSM”... ”You always know what I like”...”WOW”...”Love it”.....BUT, nothing is better than “Thank you.” Those two English words are probably familiar to most people around the world.

As faithful as we parents may have been in teaching our children to not only make “Thank you” an almost natural part of their being, I'm afraid we've not always instilled in them a gratitude for God and His goodness. Such goodness has come in so many forms. I'm afraid many children would define gratitude to God as just saying grace before each meal. Many adult Christians could fall into that area as well. Thanksgiving cannot be true Thanksgiving if we leave God out of the process. We would have nothing good in our lives were it not for His goodness in our lives.

The sad thing is that we often confined our thanksgiving to just one day or week of the year. God is so faithful in His provision and care for us every day of the year with few “Thank you's”. I have noticed with some passing years that I tend to be remiss in my praise and worship of THE One who keeps me moving, supported, protected and loved beyond what anyone else in my life can provide.

I looked up some things, more spiritual in nature than cranberry sauce that we can thank God personally for. Give these things some thought:

Truth – as in God's Word
Holy Spirit leading in my life
Answers to prayer
Needs met
Kingdom of God that is unshakable
Strength from the Lord
Goodness and grace of the Lord
Identity in God
Victory over sin through Jesus
Inheritance yet to come
Name of the Lord
God Himself

That's quite a list to wrap ourselves around, but God is so worthy of our praise. For so long He has wrapped His loving arms around you and me so He deserves our worship not just at this time of year but every day of the year. So...

“Come, ye thankful people come.”

Thank You Father not just for all of Your goodness in my life but for being who You are beyond all You abundantly pour into my life with every breath. I love You, praise You and don't even want to think of where I would be without You. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

Coming OR Here?

 

Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not anxiously look about you,
for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will
help you, surely I will uphold
you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

It's not been that long ago that three of our finest American young men stopped a terrorist attack on a French passenger train. I couldn't help but feel at the time that the incident could be the start of something much bigger. I didn't know if it would happen anywhere in France, but in recent hours, Paris, France has had to endured horrible attacks on their city. Our own country has just seen the beginning of 10,000 Syrians coming into our country. So far, we have only seen men arrive which to me isn't a good indicator.

Jesus spoke of end time days and things we can expect to see. Just in Matthew 24, Jesus gave a list with the caution in verse 4 to see to it that we allow no one to mislead us.

What are these things He spoke of and to watch for in this chapter?

Pretend Christs will mislead
Hearing of wars and rumors of wars
Nation will rise against nation
Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places
Christians will be delivered to tribulation and persecution
False prophets will arise (just turn on your TV)
Lawlessness will increase
People's love will grow cold

I don't know about you, but I'm seeing all of these things going on and have for awhile. But now we are seeing these things full-blown in our world and country.

As one of Jesus' disciples and a part of Jesus' inner circle, Peter heard most if not all of Jesus' teachings and this portion of Scripture would have been no exception. In Peter's two epistles later in the New Testament, he did all he could to minister to Christians who were having to flee to various countries to hopefully avoid persecution that was being stirred up against them. It has a familiar ring today, doesn't it? Peter's two small books were devoted primarily to one thing...preparation for suffering. Considering the subject, Peter made every effort to be an encouragement for those dear saints. He began in his first letter in 1:3:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, who according to His great
mercy has caused us to be born again
to a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

In a brief period of time, Peter made one thing perfectly clear...there will be suffering for Christians no matter where they are or in what time they live. Let me remind you that Peter is now in Heaven as are those Christians he wrote to. Through his words given to him by the Holy Spirit, He who dwells in the heart of every Christian, now speaks to you and me and gives us counsel regarding suffering we will be called upon to endure. We're called to that because Jesus was called to that and if we are following in His steps, suffering will come knocking on our doors. Peter wants us to be prepared. Hiding our heads in the sand just isn't going to work. In chapter 2:13-15, he gives us suggestions for that preparation.

Prepare your minds for action (Know what's going on, be informed, be ready)
Keep sober in spirit (Sober means we are to be alert)
Keep your hope completely in the grace of Jesus Christ (Place hope in the right place and in the right Person)
Be obedient to the Lord (Obedience in that we don't just hear Him but we act)
Be holy in your behavior (Amid all of the mess, maintain purity of heart & action)

During difficult times, we may not feel like doing any of those things. However, the overriding fact in all of it is that we are to keep our focus on the Lord and not on everything that is going on around us. We must stay on top of things, but not to the point that we forget God's care and provision for each of us. Life will not always feel good, but with Jesus, it can.

Let's remember who our real enemy is. He may come disguised in black clothes, masks and perhaps carrying knives or guns. However, he can come in a three piece suit, as well, with smiles and words that are soon revealed to be lies. Peter went on to say that our real Adversary is the Devil. Peter cautions us to resist him with a firmness in our faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering we go through are being experienced by our brethren who are in the world. (5:9)

I can talk to people, cry on someone's shoulder but Peter tells us to:

Cast all your care on Him,
because He cares for you.
5:7

When horrible events occur whether in Paris, France or in any city of our own country, we must remember that in those times, God has not gone to sleep, He didn't turn His head nor is too busy to handle any situation. Nothing passes by Him...there is never an “oops” with God. Anything that touches our lives has to first filter through the fingers of God. His love for you and me reaches far deeper than we can ever imagine.

Whether negative world events are coming or are here, God is totally in control even if we can't see or comprehend it.

Father, we get nervous when we hear of bombs, victims, and persecution. Help us to be alert and cautious regarding things around us, but still put our trust in your care and protection. Empower us with your strength and courage for these days. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

The Years of One's Life

So teach us to number our days,
that we may present to You
a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

My friend, Joyce Parker, from Austin, TX had a cute saying on Face book today that says:

“I thought growing old would take longer.”

With being of the years I am at the present time, I got a chuckle out of that quote because without the humor, that quote is something I wish I had thought up first. As brief as it is, it is quite deep in profundity for those of us who have reached our senior years.

Not only are Brian and I retired, but we live in a small community that I would guess to be full of other retirees. There are also many folks in our area who have lived in these mountains for many years. I won't even mention all of the retirees who come here to spend months or who come for vacations often bringing grandchildren. We seem to be surrounded by age. Even the mountains seem to resound with great pride that they are much older than any of us and that is putting it mildly.

I'm just finishing teaching a ladies Bible study on Sunday evenings prior to the evening service. We've had a wonderful and convicting time looking at Peter's life and then on into the two epistles he wrote. Not being as young as I used to be, teaching is more wearying for me than in past years. As much as I love teaching, I must admit to looking forward to the end of this series even though I will miss our delightful group of ladies. The subject came up as to when WE are going to do this again. Upon checking with our assistant pastor that such a subject had come up, I made the comment, “Don't people know that I'm an old lady?” With his dry wit and rather sober look, he replied, “Hmmm, I wonder if God is aware of that.”

In our Bible study, I have encouraged the ladies in the group regarding our maturing process and how easy it is during “golden years” to forsake spiritual maturing. By now, me and many

of my ladies have been in more Bible study groups than we can count. We probably have notebooks from seminars and conferences on closet shelves and on bookcase shelves we have long ago forgotten about. Our heads are full of Bible facts that may have yet to dribble down to heart level. Spiritual maturity doesn't have a certain age attached to it. Knowing the Bible from cover to cover, book by book, fact by fact, doesn't necessarily change lives. The older we become, we can become spiritually lazy, forsaking the continuing growth in Christ that pleases Him.

I have known younger women in their 30's and 40's whose spiritual maturity has often put me to shame. I have seen their enthusiasm for the things of the Lord that results from their avid learning as much about His Word as possible. They then prayerfully apply those things in their every day lives. At the same time, I've also seen Christian women in their 60's and older who go through all of the spiritual routines they should, but have given up serving the Lord or putting the things of God into every day practice. They say, “Let the younger women do it now...I put in my time.” I have found nothing approving in Scripture of that attitude.

Through the years, I have had friends go on to Heaven at young ages. In many cases, I have to say that many of them seemed to cram more into their briefer years than many seem to live out in their golden years. I recently saw a quote from Abraham Lincoln:

“In the end, it's not the years in your life that count,
it's the life in your years.”

Despite our ages, are we living our years to the fullest? Some, while a young mom may not be able to be out and about doing what others do who don't have the ties of home. However, for now, God has a ministry for that young mom. Even women in the middle of a mid-life crisis doesn't have a pass from growing and serving. There are still things to be done for others and for the Lord. I know women who feel put on a shelf right now because of various health situations. Even on that shelf, God is there and still can bring others our way who need to see Jesus in their lives. God never wastes a thing...not a moment or crumb of our lives. No matter the age or situation, our years are to be full of life in Christ.

By the way, my friend Joyce I mentioned in the beginning is one of those ladies who retired after working as a nurse in an Austin hospital for years. If anyone deserved retiring to a rocking chair, she would be one of those people. For her, it was the beginning of serving the Lord as intently as anyone I know. She's been in the church choir for years, works with the International ladies program at her church, been involved in the ladies ministry and is one of those folks that can be called on when needs arise. Even though she's been in the hospital now for some time with a bone infection, Joyce still ministers with her sweet, Godly spirit as she reaches out from a hospital bed through her computer and people contacts where she is. As can be for any of us, God can use us no matter where we are or the conditions we face.

The key for any of us no matter the age is to find our strength in God and His Word. We can rely on the Holy Spirit to teach us and direct us as well to live and learn as we should. Keep in mind that I'm not just talking about busy-ness. Lots of women are busy, but who aren't really living life that benefits themselves or others. The things that count are the things that we do as unto the Lord. For some, those activities may be in the home while for others, serving others in a multitude of other areas are their callings. The key is living to our fullest in relationship with the Lord, growing in Him while serving Him right where He puts us. He will make His plans clear. Meanwhile, we are to serve Him well and thus, live life year by year to its fullest.

One of my prayers from Psalm 71:18 is:

And even when I am old and gray,
O God, do not forsake me, until
I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to all who are to come.

AMEN and AMEN

STEADFAST LOVE

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1 (ESV)

O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good,
for his mercy endureth forever.
Psalm 136:1 (KJV)

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 136:1 (NASB)

Praise ye the Lord, because He is good:
for his mercy endureth forever.
Psalm 136:1 (1599 Geneva Bible)

It was a big day in my life. I was a proud first grader. On that day though, I felt ten feet tall because my mother told me I could go to a wedding with her the next Saturday. For some reason, up to that point, I wasn't allowed to go to weddings. I went to friends in the neighborhood proudly proclaiming I was going to a wedding. They all had been to weddings. One very grown up third grade girl said I hadn't been allowed to go probably because the bride and groom kiss each other at the end of the wedding. She thought maybe my mother didn't want me to see that. I was shocked that two people would kiss each other in public but was warned by those girls that it would happen at the wedding. After that encounter, I wasn't even sure I wanted to go but did. Yep, they did it. I covered my eyes but peeked through my fingers to observe the event. To my knowledge, I hadn't seen grownups do that, not even my mom and dad. I thought that would be done in private and not in front of others.

Since that time, I've been to hundreds of weddings, even conducting some wedding rehearsals. I came to learn after a bit of time that the most important part of a wedding wasn't a man and woman kissing each other. That was must meant to seal the important vows a couple would make to each others. The vows may change somewhat through the years and depend on the person officiating the service. For the most part, unless a couple writes their own vows, they say the same thing:

“I take you to be my husband/wife,
To have and to hold from this day forward,
For better or worse
For richer or poorer
In sickness and in health
To love and to cherish
(and obey, for the bride)
Until death do we part.”

Rings are then exchanged with the promise: “With this ring I thee wed in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

I don't think there is another day like it in the life of a young man and woman. It's a feeling we wish could be captured for eternity but that wouldn't be very realistic. The strength of promises are meant to last along with a loyalty and firmness of a family foundation.

In preparing for a ladies Bible study, I came across Psalm 136 in my ESV translation and was struck by that term “steadfast love.” Further research told me that “steadfast love” is found in this translation 127 times so that got my attention. I know the term steadfast means “unwavering, constant and firm.” In our society today, steadfast love doesn't seem realistic. Over half of the couples in our country who took those vows before God, family and friends have divorces. Many are on their second, third and even more marriages. Even engaged couples who have come to a parting of ways are often disillusioned by broken hearts. Love had seemed sure but no longer was.

In this fallen world of ours, love isn't going to be what God has intended it to be. Even with two people deeply in love after 50 years of marriage, have had to weather discouraging times with each other. The love between best friends can at times seem faulty and even fail.

Isn't it wonderful to know there is a place and person where pure and perfect love is found. It is unconditional, unfailing and ever constant. In fact, the love God has for us is everlasting and even eternal. Look at those wedding vows again and hear God speak through them to us. How can any human being resist that kind of love and watch care God provides for us. He is our constant in the ups and downs of life, times of illness, when debts come knocking at our door and even in death, we never part from Him. Scripture tells us that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”

When we accept that love by accepting Jesus as Savior, our first step of obedience is baptism. In a sense that becomes my wedding ring, saying to the world that I am His and He is mine.

Love in this world may fail us. We will fail at times in our love for others and others for us. Try as we may, the love in this world will be faulty, but God's love will ever be steadfast, a love where we can find rest and security forever.

Thank You Jesus, for loving like no other ever could or would. You gave Your life for me and in that sacrifice You have given me so many blessed promises. You've kept every one while I have so often failed you. Please forgive the inconsistencies in my spiritual walk. In Your precious name...Amen.

Safe Hands

 

...and I give eternal life to them
and they will never perish; and no
one will snatch them out of My hand.
My Father, who has given them
to Me, is greater than all, and no
one is able to snatch them out
of the Father's hand.
John 10:28-29
(NASV)

It is interesting and even fun to observe families who come to our area for vacation and how they interact with each other within their own family circles. In many cases, parents have ventured away from home with their teenage children. At first glance, I feel sorry for them, especially if they are observed in certain areas of our national park where cell phones just don't work. There's nothing like a riled up teenager who, for any reason, can't use a cell phone. There are some children, even age 8 and up who want to let the world know that they would rather be home on the couch with their electronics. They aren't used to being in the out of doors any longer than for the time they spend outside waiting on a school bus.

I love watching the young couples with very young children. Boys and girls, especially 4-8 seem fascinated by the wonder of all the park has to offer. They want to wade in every stream, hike every trail and spot any animal that walks. Young children can be seen in strollers and babies in the newest of baby back packs. All parents I've seen seem to be very safety conscious in such a big place where their children are concerned.

When our oldest child, Jennie, was only about three years of age, we came to this place on vacation. We walked on an easy paved trail with Brian holding tight to Jennie's hand. It got to be no matter where we went, Jennie's little hand was in her Daddy's big, safe hand. After a couple of days, Jennie began resisting Brian's taking hold of her hand and this was happening throughout a particular day. It dawned on me to look at Jennie's hand to see if there was a bug bite or some other irritant. The back of her little hand had places of light blue
bruising. Brian had held tightly to her hand for a couple of days and it had become sore. Brian only meant to keep Jennie safe and I'm not sure anyone could have pried her hand from his. I must say that at times in God's hand, I feel a little bruised from circumstances. I know it's probably because I struggle against the firmness of the safety and protection He provides.

Jesus was speaking in Chapter 10 of John regarding His shepherding of us and of His Father's reinforcement of that special care. I am so blessed and encouraged regarding my Heavenly Father's care of me. He doesn't just hold my hand, He holds me IN His hand and not only am I safe from the outside forces of Satan that would do me harm, but nothing or no one can remove me from God's powerful hand. If anything touches my life, it will be because for my good and God's glory, He allows it.

When we accept Jesus as personal Savior, we as much as take up residence in the hand of our Heavenly Father and nothing can change that. When I think of the word “snatch,” I think of someone who is “up to no good.” I think of thieves or criminals of some sort who often take in violent ways what doesn't belong to them. Sounds like the kind of underhanded methods Satan would use to get to us. For criminals, we have police, FBI and the National Guard if necessary to contain or control them. I must admit at times to not feel very secure about today's protection against criminal activity. However, even with all of that, my security doesn't rest with civil authorities. There is no one or nothing that can grab and snatch me from the hand of my Heavenly Father. Jesus is a part of that blessed team and thus I can rest.

We often look to world conditions and entertain feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. That is about all the world has to offer you and me. We can rest in the fact that God is boss, is in charge and is our all in all. All of our times are in His hands. He is loving and determines the path we take in our lives. If He allows pain or suffering in our lives, although we don't understand the process, He still has good and purpose as His intent all the time.

May we renew a deep appreciation within ourselves of God's loving care and security He has for us. May we not resist His care, but allow Him to REALLY be God in our lives. In His hand is the safest place we can be.

Thank You Father, for loving us so much that You want to keep us near to Yourself. Thank You for being in control of our lives and of the paths yu want us to take. In Jesus' precious name...Amen.

Engraved Hands

Behold, I have inscribed you on
the palms of My hands; your walls
are continually before me.
Isaiah 49:16 (NASV)

In the above verse, God was speaking to a concerned people who were about to be taken into captivity. Although this event was inevitable, God wanted His people to have His assurance that they would not be forgotten by Him no matter where they went or in whatever dire circumstances they found themselves. His promise to the people of Jerusalem was so in depth, He promised to engrave them on the palms of His hands. Just seeing the walls of that city so precious to Him would be a reminder of His love for that city and it's people. How this engraving was accomplished, we don't know and don't have to know. God said he had done it and it was done.

All of us have seen things that are engraved. Engraving means to deeply impress into something or to carve into something. If we want to be a little sober, we have all seen grave stones, most of which have engravings of some sort. Such markers used to all be gray in color, but now can be black and light burgundy. They've become more decorative than ever before. However they are done, the engravings are deep enough into the stone to never wear off.

Some couples choose to have certain things engraved into their wedding rings...dates, Bible verses or brief words of endearment. Other types of jewelry may have engravings on them...watches, lockets, baby gifts and wedding items. It's all done to add extra sentiment to the article in honor of an event in people's lives.

There are people in our day, who for their own reasons, choose to have tattoos applied to their skin in various of areas of their bodies. The Bible speaks against it in the Old Testament, but it's almost become a fad. We are told that a tattoo is next to impossible to have removed. It can be done, but usually with great scarring resulting. So in a sense, even the scarring will be a reminder to a person of what was once present.

No matter the items, engravings are meant to inform (send a message), meant to last and meant to remind. As I type, I look at the back of my right hand and see an almost y-shaped scar. I remember the day my hand was injured by the front paw of a very loveable dog. I was making a home visit as casemanager to a foster home. Their big dog greeted me with a stand-up greeting with paws on my shoulders. When reprimanded by the lady of the house, the dog slid down to the floor but in the process, his left front paw tore deep scratches into the back of my right hand. My hand began to protest in red, if you know what I mean. I went to a sink, washed it and then dried it with some pressure with paper towels. The foster mom retrieved the medical gear she was required to keep in the home and doctored my hand. For weeks, the back of my hand was an ugly and sore reminder of what happened that day. As time passed though, when healing had taken place, I still had and have to this day a reminder of that day and of that loveable dog who greeted me with great doggie exuberance.

When I look at the scar on my hand, I think of God's engraving the people and city of Jerusalem on the palms of His hands. He didn't need a reminder of them as He would never forget them as He never forgets us. For God, it was a loving gesture. When the people of Jerusalem were taken into captivity, it could echo in their ears when God said, “Look, I have engraved you on the palm of my hand.” Their captivity was inevitable, but so was the love and presence of God.

Two things cross my mind at this point. Any kind of engraving is permanent. To try to remove such only creates a mess. God has chosen to permanently engrave His people on the palms of His hands. Thus, He considers our relationship with Him to be as permanent as possible. I'm also reminded that such a thing should indicate for me personally that I'm a part of a great relationship with God beyond explaining or understanding.

The main thing we must not forget is that Jesus also bears marks on his hands...scars. His scars are a result of what He did for us on the cross. Jesus doesn't have to be reminded of what He did for us that day. However, those scars should remind us of His love and provision for a wonderful relationship with Him while on this earth as well as the surety of a home in Heaven when at the end of life, when we step out into Eternity. We are a blessed people.

Thank You Father, for loving me so much. You wear me on your hands as a new parent bearing baby pictures for the world to see. You love me so much more than any new parent, close friend or favorite pet. Thank You for being You. I love You so much...In Jesus name...Amen

Celebrate Life!!

Many sacrifices were offered on that
joyous day, for God had given the people
cause for great joy. The women and
children also participated in the celebration,
and the joy of the people of Jerusalem
could be heard far away.
Nehemiah 12:43

God's people certainly had their faults and did their share in disappointing their God of love and of great patience. Despite all of the tribulation and ups/downs of life, the people of Israel certainly knew how to have a party to celebrate God. Why? God had given the people cause for great joy. He has done the very same for you and me as well.

My least desire in writing is to be morbid in any way, but have actually been thinking in a positive, celebratory fashion so hang in with me. When I was in high school, I learned from a conversation my Mother and grandmother were having that folks age 50 and older usually make a habit of reading obituaries in the local newspapers. They often read the obituaries of people they had never known. I found that very strange, but both ladies assured me that when I reached their ages, I would do the same thing. I can't say I have adopted that habit and yet, every now and then, I can't resist taking a peek at our local newspaper's obituary column. We are still new in the area so I very rarely know anyone listed who has died.

On rare occasions, when reading obituaries, I come across one or two that are unbelievably positive and encouraging. Usually with such articles, I see a simple phrase that tells me a lot about the deceased. It might say, “On Tuesday morning, 10:00 at such and such a church, we will CELEBRATE THE LIFE of.......”

“Celebrate the life of...”- - -a phrase used in some obituaries and a good place for it if a person has lived a life that can be celebrated. The article almost always mentions the person, now in Heaven and all he/she did in serving the Lord in church or other places. Perhaps it's my age or life experiences that gives me pause when I see that phrase. What I have wondered about myself or about you who read these words of mine is why must we wait until our funeral for others to celebrate our lives if they would choose to do that.

No matter our stage of life, we all, at times, tend to look back...to remember, reminisce, ponder the past or revisit...whatever we choose to call it. Unfortunately, our nature is to look back at the negatives, mistakes, disappointments and failures. Perhaps we have been through times of great sin or straying from the Lord that brings only thoughts of conviction and letting the Lord down. We can all look back, spending hours chastising ourselves for letting down family, friends and yes, God Himself.

We've almost programmed our minds when recalling past events, to only think in negative terms. I'm wondering if that doesn't reveal a certain amount of ingratitude to God who has been so very good to us through the years, good to us beyond anything we could have ever deserved. There are times I can work myself up into a good crying spell as I think of the times I wasn't the best wife and mom. I've wasted time I could have spent in God's Word. Too often, I spoke ill of other people when I should have simply kept my mouth shut. My list could go on and on...

BUT...

God has been far too good in my life to allow Satan to feed my mind with the negatives I can no longer do anything about....negatives I long ago took to God's throne of grace where they have been placed under the blood of Christ.

SO...

I am choosing to celebrate some things from my life I can rejoice over, not because of any good in me, but because of God's goodness toward me. I will include all of us in these things because of many of these events we share in common.

*Our day of salvation...remember that new-born feeling?
*Receiving my first Bible
*Vacation Bible Schools and past Sunday school teachers/pastors
*Best friends through the years.
*Graduations
*Engagement and wedding
*Children coming into the home
*Job promotion
*Church homes
*Winning folks to Christ
*Special times in the Word of God

*Opportunities of serving the Lord

I could go on and on just as you could as well. I realize that thrown in with the good, there are the ugly things squeezed in between. It is then we make a choice as to what we choose to dwell on. In Philippians 4:8, Paul charged us as to what we should think about and he puts no time restraints on this positive thinking. He says to think things that are honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good report and anything worthy of praise. This refers to our thinking not just in the present but also from our past.

So....what does it mean to celebrate?
Celebrating is openly acknowledging a significant or happy day or event with a party or festive activity.

Can we not celebrate all of those wonderful, positive things God has done in our lives and leave all of the old garbage out of our thinking? Few people agree to attend pity parties. When all we can pull up are negative things in our lives, I believe we are being very ungrateful toward a generous and loving Father. We don't have to throw some kind of party, but we have so much to celebrate because of Him. I'm not ready to send out any invitations to a party, but think for now, I'll go into the kitchen, pour me a fresh diet Coke and just smile awhile.

Father, right now I celebrate You and all you have meant to me through the years. You have forgiven me, blessed and loved me when I least deserved it. I thank You for Jesus and Your Holy Spirit. You are my wonder and my life. I love You. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

Always the Shepherd

My sheep hear my voice, and
I know them, and they follow me.
And I give eternal life to them,
and they will never perish;
and no one will snatch them
out of My hand.
My Father, who has given them
to Me, is greater than all and
no one is able to snatch them
out of the Father's hand.
John 10:27-29

The human voice is a powerful thing. Parents hang on with great hope, listening for their baby's first word. Will she say “Da-da” first or will he utter “Ma-ma” as his first word. In all probability, most babies will come up with “Da-da” first for two reasons. “Da-da” is easier for a baby to say in beginning stages. The second reason is that most mothers coach a baby to say “Da-da.” The spoken word is how God created human beings to communicate. Voices are heard in hundreds of languages. We often enjoy concerts where beautiful singing is enjoyed. We have been orally taught all the way through our education process. Pastors preach to us and Bible teachers instruct us in the things of God's Word. The voice is indeed a miraculous function of the human body.

When problems arise with one's voice, there is a concern. Most of us have had sore throats resulting in laryngitis. I had a dear friend with a beautiful singing voice who had to take a rest from singing because of nodes on her vocal chords. Voices can be lost to throat cancer. We can be grateful that the voice of our Shepherd is never silenced under any circumstances as He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit.

We become familiar with voices. Any one of my children can call me on the phone. From their first hello, I don't have to wonder which of my children is on the phone. He or she doesn't have to give me their name. I know from years with my children the sound and inflection of each voice. I was often told that, on the phone, my sister Kay and I sounded very much alike. When I visited her home and she asked me at times to answer the phone, her friend on the other end would usually go ahead and begin a conversation until I could notify the friend that I wasn't Kay. Under the usual circumstances, voices we recognize have become familiar through close and ongoing relationships of some kind.

Many years ago, I visited a sheep ranch with some friends. That first morning, looking out a window, the hillside looked solid white as there were hundreds of sheep. We went out and observed the splitting up of the sheep as they were taken out to pasture. There were several individual groups of sheep in the main flock, each with their own shepherd. The shepherd of his flock generally rode in a glorified golf cart with a couple of sheep dogs following. Each shepherd would call to his own flock. Suddenly there would be movement in the huge flock, with sheep separating themselves to follow the departing shepherd. One shepherd began to whistle and after that another began to softly sing a song. Each flock moved right to its shepherd...why? The sheep knew the voice of their shepherd.

Jesus says in the above verse that in our relationship with Him, we hear His voice. That's not going to happen if we aren't in relationship with Him to begin with. There is then instant recognition and with that recognition, we in turn follow Him...no questions asked...followership to the highest degree. If we are anything like real sheep, it means we won't follow any person or theory Satan has to offer. We will respond to and follow only our own personal Shepherd.

The next verse lists the benefits of this relationship with our Shepherd. He promises His sheep eternal life, they will never perish and no one can pluck those sheep out of His hand. Shepherds are very protective. If need be, they will die for the sake of the sheep in His care.
We are sheep that belongs to Jesus' flock. He not only died to provide for us to utmost of protection and care but will do so right into Eternity.

Our Shepherd knows our voice any time we call to Him. It is pitiful though if we fail to recognize His voice when He speaks to our spirits through His Word or just in quiet moments of meditation an prayer. His voice is the only spiritual leadership we hear. There is a world calling out to you and me with it's culture, theories and powerful suggestions. Those voices shouldn't even be recognizable to us. His voice and guidance should be all we heed. Like those sheep on that Colorado hillside who heard a familiar voice bidding them to go to their shepherd, who responded immediately and without hesitation, can we do any less.

We can be grateful that we have the Shepherd we do and that His love is unconditional and ongoing. We also must know that Satan can never remove us from the hand of God...where no one can “snatch us” from His hand and where we find rest.

Thank You Father, for holding me close to Yourself. You have given me eternal life and I'm so grateful for that fact. Help me to stay so close to You that Your voice is immediately recognized in my own spirit. I praise You today for who You are in my life. In Jesus name...Amen

Engraved Hands

Behold, I have inscribed you on
the palms of My hands; your walls
are continually before me.
Isaiah 49:16 (NASV)

In the above verse, God was speaking to to a concerned people who were about to be taken into captivity. Although this event was inevitable, God wanted His people to have His assurance that they would not be forgotten by Him no matter where they went or in whatever dire circumstances they found themselves. His promise to the people of Jerusalem was so in depth, He promised to engrave them on the palms of His hands. Just seeing the walls of that city so precious to Him would be a reminder of His love for that city and it's people.

All of us have seen things that are engraved. Engraving means to deeply impress into something or to carve into something. If we want to be a little sober, we have all seen grave stones, all of which have engravings of some sort. Such markers used to all be gray in color but now can be black and light burgundy. They've become more decorative than before. However they are done, the engravings are deep enough into the stone to never wear off.

Some couples choose to have certain things engraved into their wedding rings...dates, Bible verses or brief words of endearment. Other types of jewelry may have engravings on them...watches, lockets, baby gifts and wedding items.

There are people in our day, who for their own reasons, choose to have tattoos applied to their skin in various of areas of their bodies. The Bible speaks against it in the Old Testament, but it's almost become a fad. We are told that a tattoo is next to impossible to have removed. It can be done, but usually with great scarring resulting. So in a sense, even the scarring will be a reminder to a person of what was once present.

No matter the items, engravings are meant to inform (send a message), meant to last and meant to remind. As I type, I look at the back of my right hand and see an almost y-shaped scar. I remember the day my hand was injured by the front paw of a very loveable dog. I was making a home visit as casemanager to a foster home. Their big dog greeted me with a stand-up greeting with paws on my shoulders. When reprimanded by the lady of the house, the dog slid down to the floor but in the process, his left front paw tore deep scratches into the back of my right hand. My hand began to protest in red, if you know what I mean. I went to a sink, washed it and then dried it with some pressure with paper towels. The foster mom retrieved the medical gear she was required to keep in the home and doctored my hand. For weeks, the back of my hand was an ugly and sore reminder of what happened that day. As time passed though, when healing had taken place, I still had and have to this day a reminder of that day and of that loveable dog who greeted me that day with great doggie exuberance.

When I look at the scar on my hand, I think of God's engraving the people and city of Jerusalem on the palms of His hands. He didn't need a reminder of them as He would never forget them as He never forgets us. For God, it was a loving gesture. Many folks who tattoo their bodies, do so out of wanting a lasting and loving tribute to someone...a parent, spouse or child. When the people of Jerusalem were taken into captivity, it could echo in their ears when God said, “Look, I have engraved you on the palm of my hand.” Their captivity was inevitable, but so was the love and presence of God.

Two things cross my mind at this point. Any kind of engraving or “skin art” are both permanent. To try to remove them only creates a mess. God has chosen to permanently engrave His people on the palms of His hands. Thus, He considers our relationship with Him to be as permanent as possible. I'm also reminded that such a thing should indicate for me personally that I'm a part of a great relationship with God beyond explaining or even at times understanding.

The main thing we must not forget is that Jesus also bears marks on his hands...scars. His scars are a result of what He did for us on the cross. Jesus doesn't have to be reminded of what He did for us that day. However, those scars should remind us of His love and provision for a wonderful relationship with Him while on this earth as well as the surety of a home in Heaven when at the end of life, when we step out into Eternity. We are a blessed people.

Thank You Father, for loving me so much. You wear me on your hands as a new parent bearing baby pictures for the world to see. You love me so much more than any new parent, close friend or favorite pet. Thank You for being You. I love You so much...In Jesus name...Amen