SWEET COMFORT

 

If ye love me, keep my commandments.
And I will pray the Father, and He shall give
you another Comforter, that He may abide
with you forever.
John 14:15,16

We, like many folks around the country have had our share of snow and cold weather. Even when the heat is turned up to what is normal for us in our house, there still seems to be a bit of a chill in the air. Upon visiting with my sister Kay about three months after our Mother died, I deposited my bags and belongings in the bedroom I would be staying in for those few days. As I entered the room, there was a lovely fleece afghan with the tied knots on all four sides laying on the bed. Kay had told me that this particular bedroom tended to be cooler than most during colder weather so I thought the afghan was for further insurance that I wouldn't be overly chilled. She let me know that she had made it for me and wanted me to take it with me when I left. I was thrilled. I don't know when I had received such a nice gift that I knew was not only made with love but for Kay and me, it indicated a new start of a fresh relationship. 

During these chilly days, I have spent hours with that afghan, mostly during times of reading my Bible and having something warm to drink. It's also as if I have a touch of comfort from Kay even though just a few years ago, she went to Heaven after a time of being so very ill. I can't begin to say how much I miss her. She and I did a lot of growing up together. Wrapping up in that fleece throw gives me a sense of comfort from her kindness, knowing she is with the Lord now.

In John 14, Jesus was trying to prepare His disciples for His leaving. He wasn't clear with them as to specifics, but He wanted those precious men to know that in His leaving, another would come who could be closer to them than He ever could. This Comforter would not only abide with them but would dwell within them. In verse 26, Jesus went further with information as to how this Comforter, the Holy Spirit, would work in and through them. He said,

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send in My name, He
shall teach you all things and bring all
things to your remembrance, whatsoever
I have said unto you.

I love how Jesus used the term “Comforter” for the Holy Spirit. We all need a touch of comfort in our lives every now and then, but no one can comfort like God's sweet Holy Spirit.

When just little girls, Kay and I shared a room and bed. We lived in a house with one big round coal stove that stood in our living room. Of course, at night, the stove was tended to the point that the house really got cold during the night. My Mother would come into our room to add extra covers on our bed, on top of what was already there. Some of those items were quilts that had lovingly been sewn by one or both of our Grandmothers. Some of those quilts weren't exactly quilts but were referred to as comforters. They were much thicker with extra “stuffing” in them to provide even more warmth. It's for sure we wouldn't freeze to death with all of that weight on top of us. We slept in very cozy surrounded by those comforters that also gave a sense of security.

The Holy Spirit isn't a literal quilt, afghan or comforter, but His comfort is so much more. Jesus made very clear what the Holy Spirit would be in the lives of His believers. The Holy Spirit doesn't indwell an unsaved person. He enters into a person immediately upon accepting Jesus as Savior. From that point, He is with us, in us, abiding every moment we live and breathe. You and I benefit from His comfort more often than we realize, but He does some other things as well.

Jesus said that this Comforter will teach us all things. He stands ready to teach us as we read the Word. He interprets it to our hearts. Many Christians don't realize that they can learn so much more from their Bible reading, if they first invite the Holy Spirit to teach them from what they are reading. I also love that Jesus says that our Comforter will bring all things He has taught to our memory. I don't how many times, a verse of Scripture will pop into my mind seemingly out of nowhere. That comes from the Holy Spirit...our Comforter.

So tonight, I'm sitting with my Kay Komforter around my legs, with Bible in hand while my Holy Spirit blesses me from His Word while wrapping me in the Comfort that no quilt, blanket, afghan or man-made comforter can. My Kay Komforter was made with love and love is of God. It reminds me not only of her, but of THE Comforter Who inspired its making.

Dear Father, how I praise You for sending the Comforter to indwell those of us who have come to love you and Your Son Jesus. We take so much for granted when it comes to Your goodness in our lives. I thank You tonight for Kay making me such a gift that still blesses me, but thank You more for the Comforter You have provided in my life that guides and teaches me...and that at the same time, comforts me. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

FAIR TRADE

For God so loved the world, that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

One of the most enjoyable things I recall from my grade school years was the fun of trading comic books. In those days gone by, comic books cost a nickle or sometimes a dime if the comic book was thicker in size. I loved western theme comic books, but also liked mystery ones....Dick Tracy, Green Hornet, etc. Superman was a favorite of most of us. There were classic comic books that were more expensive. Classic books such as Ivanhoe, Tom Sawyer, Heidi, and such were put into comic book form. There were romance comic books, but my Mother would never let me buy them or trade for them. They were really very tame compared to what they would be today.

Trading comics (as we called them) was usually a neighborhood thing. In those days, playmates, close family and friend associations were within one's neighborhood. We never traded comics at school. Trading was almost an art. Most kept their comics in good condition. Comics were then more valuable in trading. If you had a couple of comics without covers, you could probably only get one good comic for the two unsightly ones. Even comics with torn or messy covers lost out in the trading process. Classic comics were thicker. If one of those was in good shape, you could get two regular sized comics for it.

Americans have bargained for things back into our history. In the mountains where I live, folks back in the 1800's often had to bargain for basic needs. Storekeepers especially, took in farm commodities such as eggs, butter, chickens, animal hides for things like coffee, nails, sugar and such things that the average farm couldn't provide. Farmers selling animals would bargain between seller and buyer for the best deal.

Most people have gone into a car dealership with a used car hoping to purchase a new(er) car after bargaining with a salesperson for the best deal possible. Most know that the salesperson can be talked into a lower price on the car to be purchased, but anyone knows the company has allowed for all of that in their pricing process. Nonetheless, when an apparent good deal is in place, the buyer walks away feeling a financial victory has been won.

One thing I've learned in my years of walking with the Lord is that He is nothing like a car salesman, comic book trader or country store owner. Too often we view Him as Santa Claus Who we can go to with our list of wants and sometimes even demands. God cannot be bargained with. God is Who He is, can be no more or less. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.”

I love seeing in so many portions of Scripture those things the Lord IS. Those statements are easy to be found. I love reading those characteristics of the Lord that not only warm my own heart, but is a constant reminder that those things that are Him are not for sale, cannot be changed and cannot be bargained away. Those things are set in concrete...you and I can rest in Him with complete trust.

For instance....I've been studying Psalm 145. I love this Psalm as it is not only a song of praise to God but spells out many specifics of who He is. Let me give some of those things in this Psalm that speaks to who He is:

The Lord is gracious, merciful, slow to anger and great in lovingkindness (8)
The Lord is good to all (9)
The Lord sustains all who fall (14)
The Lord is righteous (17)
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him (18)
The Lord keeps all who love Him (20)

There are so many more of those things in Scripture we can relish, but I can just get chills reading those few things. He's not asking anything in return. He only extends invitations to all who will accept Him and walk in relationship with Him as well.

In this same Psalm, the writer puts in words what we can do for God out of gratitude. We are often people of “I wills” in our relationship with the Lord. We mean well as this writer does, but we forget and often fail. Not only does this Psalm speak of those things, but also points out “I will” statements that have to do with us personally. Here's where some things break down...purely on our part. We are quick with the “I will's” hoping to keep in God's favor as if we want to strike a deal with Him much like we would a car salesman.

When I see that God SO loved that He gave, I must say that my trading off with Him seems to fade. There is nothing I can do for Him or give Him that would be a tear drop in the ocean compared to all He's done for me. Anything I might want to trade off with him is as an old, dirty, torn up comic book that no one would want. Scripture tells us that even our righteousness is as filthy rags. No swaps with God. I will be happy pouring out my heart to Him and will just let Him have His way.

Dear Father, thank You for Your ultimate gift to us in Your son Jesus. Forgive when we become frustrated and try to make demands of You when we have no right to do so. I thank You for listening to us patiently and then doing for us what You know to be in our best interest. May we always stand in awe of You and not treat You in a casual way. In Jesus name...Amen

Spiritual Workaholics

And He said unto them,
Come ye yourselves apart into a
desert place, and rest a while: for there
were many coming and going, and
they had no leisure so much as to eat.
And they departed into a desert place by
ship privately.
Mark 6:31,32

There are some people, especially executives and corporate ladder-climbers who are known as “workaholics” because of the ridiculous hours and even days they put in where the workplace is concerned. It isn't unusual for such people to work 18 hour days, usually six days a week or more. Even when they when arriving home, they may still work late into the night doing paper work.

Let's leave corporations for a time and look at churches, their staff members and members who hold various offices in the church setting. Again, this is not an indictment involving every Christian, whether full or part time workers or laypeople fulfilling various responsibilities in their churches. I have heard pastors from pulpits brag on the long hours they put in at the church office, arriving home at night when his children are already in bed. I've heard some pastors who boast of heavy responsibilities, building programs, various meetings, counseling sessions, hospital visitation and somewhere in there, they study for Sunday's sermons. As I have listened to the list, it makes me weary in listening to it all. You see, there can be such a thing as church workaholics. I really hesitate to use the word “spiritual” at this point because I'm not sure being a church workaholic is spiritual.

Lest you judge me as being hyper-critical of others, let me tell you that on this subject, I have been there and back with this kind of thing more than I desire to admit. I'm not going to list the responsibilities I sometimes had all at the same time. In one position, I can think of eight major jobs I was responsible for. I couldn't say “no” and in some instances couldn't refuse to do certain things because of employment. Guess what? I got lots of attention and praise. I also learned with all of that going on, some people thought I was a super spiritual person. There were those who thought me wise beyond my years and could rarely be wrong. Little did those folks know that I had little time to read my Bible or pray. In those days, my family was often neglected. My dear husband often took up the slack. Guess what...it all had become compulsive...there were no brakes...I honestly believed if I didn't do it all, no one else would or could.

Since when are we to base our spiritual worth on being as busy as we can be doing church work. Church work is different from serving the Lord. If you and I can't “serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing” then something is wrong. Some church workers are too tired doing the work to come before the Lord with singing ... serving with gladness has perhaps gone by the wayside long ago.

The above opening verse was written under the title of this blog for a reason. I can't imagine the physical weariness of Jesus and the disciples at times as they ministered. They didn't have planes or vehicles to get them where they needed to go. They didn't have fast food places where they could eat and probably often slept under the stars. Ministry is wearying no matter the century or times. I've noticed through the Gospels, though, that Jesus always knew when to go to one side to rest and pray. He often pulled away from the crowds to pray. Notice in the opening verse the disciples had been so busy, they hadn't had time to eat. Jesus saw the necessity of His disciples having a time to rest, and yes, to eat as well. I've heard church workers brag on their lack of sleep and having no time to eat. I doubt Jesus would approve.

There are those who serve the Lord for the personal satisfaction and even glory for their efforts. That can be very tiring and wearing on the human system. I have found when the Lord calls me to a task, He not only equips me for it, but also gives me the strength to bring the task to a satisfactory completion. When I become worn to a frazzle in serving Him, I usually find that I'm functioning in my own strength and not His.

The glory part of doing God's work can be addictive. There will always be folks who will pour praise and compliments out on God's servant. Don't get me wrong, there are times to encourage God's servants. Too much of such can take our focus off of the Lord and onto our own efforts and even successes. Any success should be to God's glory alone. I find the way to please the Lord is through His words in Jeremiah 9:23,24:

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man
glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty
man glory in his might, let not the rich man
glory in his riches:
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that
he understandeth and knoweth me, that I
am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness,
judgment, and righteousness, in the earth:
for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

If we serve the Lord as we should, there is no need to completely wear ourselves out. Whatever we do to serve the Lord will reap rewards for the Kingdom in good time. It can be enjoyable, satisfying and yes, even fun serving Him. God doesn't mind if we have a good time serving Him. He's delighted that we love serving Him, especially when we do it for Him and not for self honor and glory.

Father, we love You and want to serve You with pure motives. We want You to be honored in all You've called us to do. Help us to recognize Your calling in our lives and how You want us to best use the gifts and talents You've given us. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

WHO CARES?

 

Casting all your care upon Him,
for He careth for you.
I Peter 5:7

In our society, we are always learning new words or see the resurrection of old ones that suddenly become relevant. One of those words that has become prominent in the last ten or more years is the word “caregiver.” This word has become relevant because of other words we've also become familiar with such as: cancer, dementia, wounded warriors, blindness, mental disturbance, paralysis, debilitating accidents...and the list goes on and on. All of these conditions may require a caretaker in some form be it through an individual person or more in depth professional care. To a fault (and I say this tenderly) all attention is given to an individual who is in need of care while very little attention is given to that person's caregiver. Caregivers are usually spouses, adult children, close friends, professional nurses or volunteers.

Carolyn and Richard for a time didn't know when or if they would be able to return to their mountain home here in our small town. In April of 2015, Richard had a terrible accident in the yard of his home where a tree or part of one fell on him crushing ribs and with an added complication of a stroke. For weeks, it wasn't known how or if Richard would come out of it all. It was going to be a long road and has been in these months. Richard mentioned toward the beginning of his recovery, that he hoped to one day return back home. We wondered if that could happen.

Because of having a few days before another surgery, it happened that they could return home from a few states away to spend some of that time. Although using a cane, not firm on is feet and obviously very much in need of continued care and treatment, Richard with Carolyn by his side, walked out of the airport and into our car that would take them to their mountain home. This could never have happened without Carolyn's dedicated care of Richard through these months and Richard would attest to that. It hasn't been easy for either of them. Richard has been a gutsy, strong, independent and capable man as he has always been. It can't be easy for such a one to be on the receiving end of care in every way. However, Carolyn is also a gutsy, strong, independent and very capable woman whose life was drastically changed on the day of that accident...a life that was changed, never to be the same again. Carolyn walked ahead of us to open the door and turn off the alarm. We walked with Richard. As we walked through the front door, it was as if Richard just drew a deep breath, taking in the smell of his lovely house.

Just about every church I've been a part of publishes a prayer list or does it verbally in a class setting. The list of illnesses and problems go on and on. My personal conviction through what I've seen my friends experience is that although I've been very burdened for the recovery of my friend who experienced a horrible accident, I should be just as conscious for that one who is his helper, confidante and caregiver, business manager, nurse, decision maker and on and on goes the list.

A caregiver is often called on in a time of emergency to make life and death decisions on the spot. Following that may be decisions regarding medical insurance, wills, property upkeep, and bills. This can hit one person all in a moment...no notice...with the added concern for the person needing extensive care. In our day when people are living longer, caregivers ha moved to the forefront as being some of the most needed persons in our society. There's usually no extra salary if any at all for the service provided.

It sounds very business-like minus sincere feelings, but I don't mean it that way. For too long we haven't taken a good look a dear people who are giving their lives to care for people they love...people who are incapacitated and have no way of caring for themselves. Scripture speaks throughout of folks who were either caregivers or in need of care. For instance:
Think of the blind people we find in the Bible.

Those who were blind begging for alms.They definitely needed care.

• Lazarus was obviously ill to the point of death. He had the care of two sisters
• Four friends brought a paralytic to Jesus. That man had to have other caregivers.
• Peter's mother-in-law lived in his home and was very ill until Jesus healed her.

Many caregivers are long range but some may be short term. I've always been amazed at Jesus' example of the Good Samaritan who found a man by the side of a road, beaten up and in bad physical condition. Jesus said when the Samaritan saw the man, he had compassion on him. Compassion is the key when rendering any kind of care to another person. I love what Jesus said about this temporary caregiver:
And went to him, and bound up his wounds,

pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his
own beast, and brought him to an inn, and
took care of him.
And on the morrow when he departed,
he took out two pence, and gave them to
the host, and said unto him, Take care of him;
and whatsoever thou spendest more, when
I come again, I will repay thee.
Luke 10:34,35

That Samaritan didn't even know the man who was hurt....a despised Samaritan did all of that for a stranger. We may be called on at times to be temporary caregivers in times of great need. It may mean finding ways to be of encouragement to a family where special care is needed...phone calls, offering to sit with an ill person to relieve a caregiver, taking a good meal into the home, but being a prayer partner most of all. We all know caregivers. Look at your church prayer list at folks with serious conditions and you will need to recognize the fact that for every name, there are caregivers. Caregivers get tired, discouraged, feel lonely, may suffer abuse of different types from the one being cared for and may wear down to the point of becoming ill themselves. These are folks who will rarely express negative thoughts about their situation except to a few very dear friends. They tend to keep their feelings to themselves and that isn't always healthy. My hope is to just raise an awareness that for every person suffering from a physical or mental condition that is debilitating, there are caregivers on vigilant duty providing care, not giving up on their loved one.

Whether a caregiver or “care-needer,” we all must remember whatever our care, Jesus is our burden bearer. He's the ultimate Caregiver and has hundreds of ways to see to our care.

By the way, welcome home, Richard and Carolyn! It's been a long road

Dear Father...You are our ultimate Caregiver. You cared enough to send Jesus to die for our sin that we might be free in You. The ills of this world still chase us while we are here. Thank You for those folks who have taken up the challenge of caregiving. You know who and where they are. Bless and strengthen each one right in the middle of their situation. Help us to stand ready to help where and when we can when a caregiving friend needs encouragement. In Jesus precious name...Amen

Defining Who We Are

Be ye therefore followers (imitators)
of God, as dear children...
Ephesians 5:1

I had to chuckle at myself two days ago as I was making spaghetti for supper. I browned the hamburger. I had already added strips of green pepper and sliced mushrooms into the meat to caramelize them. I then opened the jar of store-bought spaghetti sauce and poured it into the meat mixture. Without thinking, I then went to the sink, turned on the faucet and added a small amount of water into the empty spaghetti sauce jar. I swirled it around to get as much of the leftover sauce mixed into the water as possible and then poured it into the pan containing the other ingredients before throwing the jar into the trash. I caught myself at the end of the process recalling that I go through that procedure all the time whether it's a spaghetti jar or a soup can. We aren't poverty stricken, thank You Jesus, but I do that in cooking as if I must capture every drop of an ingredient for cooking.

Since then, I have thought of other things I do along that line that I wouldn't have to do. I've folded towels and washcloths the very same way as long as I can remember. I wash clothes as faithfully on Monday's as possible. Friends know me well enough to know that wash day on Monday is almost a ritual for me. I even put a new roll of bathroom tissue on it's little reel in a certain direction that is different than how some folks do it.

All of us could think of things we have done by habit for years and never give it a thought. In everything I've mentioned, especially the spaghetti sauce jar, is not done by accident. In all of these ways and probably in a hundred other ways, I learned by imitating without realizing it. The things mentioned are things I watched my Mother do for years. She didn't tell me to do these things when I grew up and got married. They just became a part of my routine, a part of who I am.

All of us have probably picked up habits along the way of living, especially as we observed our parents and how they did things. We may not have made mental notes to take on their way of doing things, but just in our being with them in close proximity, there were things that “rubbed off” on us, so to speak.

It isn't unusual today to hear of someone who has an “identity crisis.” Such a person seemingly has lost a sense of who they are, not in name, but in who they are at the core of their very being. We may even tend at times to take our identity from others with whom we associate. There can be a real insecurity for some in just being who they are without apology. Some like to be known by a certain name, ability, or even office held. Some like to be known for family name, talent or high position. What happens if one marries a “no name” or develops a disease of the vocal chords or loses her position in some notable organization?

Several years ago, I had a real identity crisis. For a few years I was a secretary on the church staff of the largest Sunday school in America. Thousands knew me on a first name basis. I had a lot of responsibilities that I dearly loved being a part of. The day came, though, when my husband accepted a job in a distant state. We joined a fine church there, where maybe only a dozen people knew me. The rest couldn't have cared what my name was or the things I was capable of doing. I found myself on a shelf for a time. It was among the loneliest days of my life. I had been known for certain things and abilities in the other church...now it was gone. It had felt good for a time being known on a first name basis by so many. I was asking myself who I was with issues of self worth...self identity.

Along the way, I have learned that it makes no difference what people think of me...what counts is what Jesus thinks of me. I may seek to imitate people in order to fit in or to feel secure. However, my only real security and identity is to be found in Christ alone. It does matter how I treat people, my testimony of Jesus working in my life. If I am imitating Jesus Christ, my testimony will take care of itself.

Philippians 2:5 tells us: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus....” and thus begins the list of who all He was as He took on flesh and walked this earth. As you and I too walk this earth, we are to imitate Jesus in all He did and was. I can remember people through the years, I wanted to copy, especially when in high school. In that process I was a failure and did myself personally no favors. I had to learn that with all my flaws and shortcomings, God still saw in me potential, talent that was unique to me.

My Heavenly Father still views me in a very individual way. By the way, He does the same with everyone. We don't need to find our worth or identity in anyone or anything other than in THE One that really matters. That thought is so freeing. As I live in close relationship with Him, He will leave His influence and imprint on me. Those rituals and habits I've learned through life are just an example to me of the effect God can have on my life if I observe His Word and the influence He wants to be in me as we walk together through life. It goes far beyond a particular wash day or rinsing out a spaghetti jar. God has called you and me to uniqueness in our world, but at the same time to be imitators as well, but of the only One that matters...Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus, I want to be like You in every area of my life. I'm so sorry for the sin of neglecting You. I thank You for Your patience with me and for so many other considerations I don't deserve. Help me to function in Your strength, and yes, Your identity. In Your precious name...Amen!