IT'S A GREAT OFFER

Come unto Me, all ye who are weary

and heavy-laden, and I will give you
rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from
Me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and my burden is light
Matthew 11:28-39

Today, a friend of mine at my eye doctor's office was sharing with me regarding her recent vacation with her children to Hawaii. I told her the only thing there I would ever want to visit is Pearl Harbor. She began telling me how inspiring everything was from displays to visiting a submarine, ship and of course the Arizona monument. I told her that I was almost three years old when the attack on Pearl Harbor took place. I still remember at a very young age the gloom and doom as well as panic that set in all around me. In those days, we hadn't experienced school shootings, 9/11, terror attacks, political conflict, etc. Today, there really isn't much we aren't exposed to as far as negative events are concerned. I feel for very young children who pick up on the fright they see in the adults in their lives with no explanation or comfort. Because of today's cultural and political climate, there isn't much that surprises us so hearing about Peal Harbor back then was horrible not just for children but adults alike.

I've been looking today at our church prayer list. I've never seen such a variety of concerns and the list is quite lengthy. There are problems with cancer, dialysis, joint replacements, folks in nursing homes, broken bones, radiation treatments, eye surgeries, malaria, brain tumor, and then there is the missionary list with some of them facing real difficulties with illness or government pressures where they are located.

Even that list doesn't cover the everyday things friends and and fellow Christians are facing in everyday life. I'm thinking of couples either struggling with their marriages or with children who are breaking their hearts. Some folks are facing financial difficulties or threats of job loss. Many senior citizens who live alone face insecurities and loneliness on an everyday basis. School in our area has just begun. That can be nerve-wracking for students going into new classes with different teachers from last year. School also means athletic programs so there is a pressure to perform well on the field or gym.

With all we face, what a comfort the above verses are from the invitation Jesus gives for us to draw near, to accept His comfort and understanding and with His promise to give us the rest we so desperately need at times. I love His invitation to become yoked up with Him. Yokes in the Bible were used by farmers to hitch a team together to pull plows or whatever needed. The oxen had to work in tandem except when a younger, more inexperienced ox was hooked up with an experienced one. The experienced ox would pull a little extra when the other ox tired out. The yoke required a new ox to go in the same direction with the older one. Jesus invites you and me to walk in tandem with Him, following where He goes, learning from Him moment by moment. When we become resistant and want to go our own way, Jesus who is our leader and trainer keeps us in step with Him. We can make the Christian life a very difficult one as we choose to do our own thing and refuse to be teachable; OR we can walk together in step with Jesus. For we Christians, the choice should be obvious.

In our process with Jesus, He has special things to offer us. Recognizing we often carry heavy loads, He wants to give us rest. He offers His gentleness and easing of our burdens. We tend to just want to “plow” on alone, resisting all the benefits God offers to us in times of hardship and difficulty.  How foolish of us to keep thinking, “I can handle this.”

Jesus invites...”Come unto me, ALL...” He offers His rest, gentleness and peace no matter the difficulty we face. This is an invitation we can't afford to pass up.

Thank You Father for being the Sovereign God You are. You see into our circumstances beyond what we can know. Despite the severity of our difficulties, You always stand ready to be our comfort. May we take advantage of of that comfort. In Jesus' name....Amen

AFTER THE ASHES

When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will
not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be scorched,
no will the flame burn you.
Isaiah: 43:2

Brian and I just got home from a short trip through the mountains to Cherokee, NC. While leaving the outskirts of Gatlinburg heading through the Smoky Mountains east to North Carolina one is confronted with some memories of some really bad days. Those memories are still very vivid of a fire that started in what we refer to as the Chimney's, taller mountains near the town where hikers love to hike. The trail is a challenge from what I hear, but seems to be a favorite of visitors to the area. The top of the mountain area has looked like chimney's to many, thus the name.

Thanksgiving, 2016 will never be lost in the minds of many who live in this area because of a small fire that started near the top of the Chimneys. Rangers detected what looked to be a controllable area of smoke, but although it looked manageable, no one expected winds to stir up to even 80 miles per hour in a short period of time. The wind gusts were picking up glowing embers, spreading them hither and yon. The fire spread rapidly. Right away our news channels were filled with startling information about the fire that was spreading to Gatlinburg and even in areas of Pigeon Forge. One commentator said, “It looks like Hell has literally broken out over our area.” The pictures on TV of the fire were almost more than one could watch.

It took time to get the fire under control. All professionals were called to the task. Many roads had fire blazing on both sides, making it hard if not impossible for people to escape. All toll, 14 died in the fire. One man lost his wife and two daughters. Another couple visiting in the area for the holiday also lost their lives. More people than can be counted lost everything and many seen right after things were under control, stood in tears by their destroyed homes still smoking.

Right away on signs through our local towns could be seen a new motto: “Mountain Strong.” It was on signs, bumper stickers and tee shirts. People came together to support and strengthen each other. Many from across the country who loved the Smoky's because of their visits to the area either came to help or sent funds to help.

So in our car rides to and from over the last couple of days, I couldn't help but pay attention to those burned areas that looked so devastated for such a long time. I still feel a sadness as I know many of the areas will never again be the same. The mountains have their own way of restoring themselves. Some trees will grow again. Others so severely damaged will remain giving the effect of toothpicks standing together at attention. Fire just damages terribly or out and out destroys. However, foliage has returned to many of the damaged areas and nature's green carpeting has been put down on the bare hillsides. Houses are being rebuilt, businesses destroyed are either rebuilt or stand empty. Churches destroyed didn't destroy the faith of their parishioners . They rebuilt usually in their same locations.

Most of us have gone through devastating times in our lives. They may have involved a literal fire but for the most of us, some times have seemed almost that destructive. We may have wondered if our lives could ever be the same again. In such times, dreams are crushed, insecurity may set in and same may even loose faith. Even with some time, the trees may again grow leaves and grass of the lawns of our lives will again turn a beautiful green. There may still be a nearby tree in our thoughts with a bit of charring on the side of it, or even a once beautiful rock with smudges on it. Devastation leaves it's mark on our lives. The mountains have a wonderful way of healing themselves and they seem to be doing that, but they will never be quite the same again. We never return to the original after times of devastation, but beauty will still come even if different.

Our area has learned that through burning times in our lives, we can come through them stronger than we ever thought we could. I'm so grateful for those who rallied around our area to bring hope and help during all the cleanup time. I'm even more grateful how the motto of the day was “Mountain Strong.” You see, in any times of disturbance in my life, I'm so grateful that I have a Mountain in my God who strengthens and sustains me. He is “God Strong” in my life and pray I will never forget it no matter what comes into my life.

Dear Father, I'm so grateful for Your presence in my life no matter what is going on. I'm thankful You have promised to never leave or forsake me. In Your strength, I can go through anything you allow in my life. In the hard times, may I remember I am “God Strong” not because of me but because of You. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

UP FRONT WITH GOD

Humble yourselves therefore under

the might hand of God, that He may

exalt you in due time:

casting all your care upon Him;

for He careth for you.

I Peter 5:7

You may have heard a friend say of a teenage daughter, “My child tells me everything.” Hopefully you haven't been guilty of saying something like that. It's a statement for those who hear it, to choke on. That may be the way it is in the early growth years of a daughter/son where there is a good relationship with a child, but when the “mean teens” set in, even the best of teens become more and more private. It doesn't necessarily mean they have anything to hide. It's just a part of the growing up process. I will hasten to add that most moms I've known going through those teen years with a child are not stupid and probably know more about the goings on of their children than children know.

If someone had asked me if my two daughters told me everything going on in their lives, I would have been quick to say, “I certainly hope not.” If someone were to ask me, “Do you tell your husband everything?” Again, I would have to reply, “Mercy no.” Think how time consuming that would be when there are more important things to talk about other than a hangnail or spilled soup.

There is something from my stand point that I would also have to say... “I don't tell God everything.” That statement may seem an odd one for a Christian to make. If I ever had the nerve to say it to someone even on impulse, I would have to recoil in shame. I don't even like the ring of that statement, but I'm afraid that so often it is true. There were things in the growing up years of our children when I enjoyed watching them at play or listening to their interactions and conversations, even in times of disagreement. There were so many things they didn't have to tell me. I was around them, and I had heard or seen them in action. Some things they didn't have to tell me because in a parental way, I already knew. Guess what? Despite those things I already knew, I still loved it when they chose to tell me about them. I didn't tell them I was already privy to their information, but just enjoyed listening to them share with me.

Can we be serious for a moment about this thing of being up front with God. I'm afraid at times, we don't share fully with God because we feel He already knows everything about us anyway. Other times, we may not share with Him those things we don't want Him to know. Sounds a little silly on our part. We have to know by now because of God's promise to be with us at all times, never leaving or forsaking us, even to the point of His holding us in the palm of His hand that He knows absolutely EVERTHING about us before we can tell Him ANYTHING. God knows the count of the hairs on our heads. That's pretty precise.

When God created Adam and Eve, He was seeking fellowship. He created everything, preparing it with those two people in mind. He loved those days when he met with them in the garden where the shared and had times of fellowship. God didn't create robots. He wanted people with a mind and the ability to make choices. He wanted them to always choose to be with Him...walking and talking in that beautiful garden. That couple had it all. Viewing the scene, we can't believe anything could happen to that fellowship.

All was well, BUT THEN...remember that thing of “choice.” We know what happened and nothing would ever again be the same. Adam and Eve hid and to this day, oddly speaking, we seem to feel we can do the same thing. We're smart enough to know that God sees and hears everything, but we still shy away from sharing our thoughts with Him, especially when we ought to confess sin He's quite aware of.

We hear a lot about transparency in our day. It indicates one being open and honest with no front presented. Why do we avoid being transparent with God on a voluntary basis? One reason could be that we just aren't people of prayer, unless an emergency comes up. Maybe something in our lives is too bad to even tell God, if that's possible. It must sadden our Father though, our lack of sharing with Him the joys that come into our lives. I loved when my children shared positive things with me as well as negative ones. God our Father wants to be a personal and vital part of our lives no matter what is going on. After all, He knows everything about anything. He wants our fellowship and communication no matter where we are in our every day experiences.

Father, forgive my lack of prayer, just talking with You about ordinary things in my life. Too often I get busy and just ignore You. Forgive my being thoughtless and ungrateful. Help me through Your Spirit's prompting to speak to You freely because of loving You and not just because I feel I have to. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

WADING THROUGH WEEDS

But grow in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. To Him
be the glory, both now and to
the day of eternity. Amen
II Peter 3:18

When we first built our house here in Tennessee, it was discouraging looking out a window and seeing nothing but dirt for a yard. I was grateful with some weeds that grew because they were actually green. I just couldn't foresee any green grass even covering our surrounding dirt. We had neighbors on both sides of us with nice grass and flowers. I so longed for good old green anything showing up on our dirt. I now marvel at all of the green that surrounds our house. Seeds were planted and fertilizer spread, all done as frequently as called for. All of the work paid off.

With all of the beauty, weeds remained. It was as if they had staked their claim early and had no intention of leaving. I must hasten to say that although weeds come with names, their own characteristics and sizes, I have put them all in two categories. Some weeds are beautiful. Many of them can be found on mountain sides. Coming into our town one sees huge drapes of wild vines loaded with wide leaves. I guess they aren't worth much of anything except they grow fast and full, up trees if any are near and even on utility poles and wires. Some may consider them a pest, but they really are pretty serving their own kind of landscape service. No one has to pay any attention to them as they just grow fast and full on their own. They are faithful to return every spring after drying up for the winter months.

The other category of weeds in my opinion are those weeds that are nothing but pests. They take over yards, flower beds, vegetable gardens and rob the soil of nutrients necessary for growing healthy plants. I have pulled some from around my rose bushes that come up with roots a foot long. They don't give up easily, but ruin the areas with their cocky selves. They almost dare you to yank on them. A few years ago, I couldn't picture myself pulling up those precious green things that decorated my dirt, but it's different now.

When you get down to it, weeds are not the desired thing, anywhere whether they are pretty or not. We don't have a “lawn” surrounding our house...we have a “yard.” A yard from a distance when all greened up, mowed and trimmed looks like something we might have spent lots of money on. However, a closer look if you were to walk across our yard, would reveal weeds...weeds of many types and sizes. They do not make for a real, lovely lawn, but they seem to fit in, looking like the grass around them. Weeds may give the impression of being lovely, but they are phony where grass is concerned. They take up space where grass should be growing. Most landscapers avoid weeds like the plague.

Along this line, I got to thinking about weeds that can crop up in my own spiritual life. Those weeds take up valuable time and space that detracts from my walk with the Lord. Many of those weeds cropping up in my own life are of my own doing. Satan can't always be blamed for my deliberate actions. If weeds of sin aren't removed immediately, they will grown large, spreading with deep roots. These are weeds you and I need to get rid of. These weeds of sin vary from person to person. What may be a problem for me may not be one for you. Ripping them up may be painful, but any damage can be repaired and we are the better for the purging process.

Guess what? Those very same weeds keep popping back up. I may have a space of time where I am not aggravated by them, but Satan knows my weaknesses and this is where he plays a huge part. What am I to do? I do the same as I do with weeds that keep popping up around my rose bushes. I keep pulling them up and using proper weed killer to keep them at bay as much as possible. Weeds will always make frequent appearances as does sin in our lives. We have to keep fighting being in the Word and in prayer. We also must stay alert, never complacent or prideful.

I'm grateful I can look at our yard and see healthy green, but I can see from the porch where some weeds are smugly nestled in with the good stuff. I don't want to be that kind of Christian. I want to be healthy-grass-Christian and not a grass pretender like weeds are. May we live, grow and thrive for Jesus in every aspect of our lives.

Dear Jesus, I love following You and am so sorry for those times I allow weeds of sin crop up into my life. Thank You for Your consistent love and forgiveness in my life. In Your precious name I pray...Amen