Let It Snow!

Purge me with hyssop, and  I

shall be clean;

Wash me, and I shall be

whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:6

I'm not sure, but for the many who have grown up in areas accustomed to snow, I can't help but wonder if a good snow doesn't take us back to those bygone days of childhood. I think I was about six years old and received the biggest shock in my life up to that point. Overnight, we had a huge snowfall. We lived in a house with a nice front porch but at the time, there were about 10 steps leading up to the porch. My mother had bundled me up with the galoshes, heavy coat with matching leggings, gloves and warm hat. She said she was getting my sled out of the garage to take me on a ride. I waited fairly near the bottom step, anticipating my ride on my sled. Suddenly, my mother stepped out on the porch, bundled up as well with sled in hand. Suddenly, in a funny, but loud voice, she called, “Look out below.” Much to my amazement as I looked toward the porch, there was my mother laying on her stomach on MY sled and down she came on those ice-covered steps. After a safe landing, she rolled off the sled, sat up and just began to throw snow all around her like she was a young girl again. I was one shocked little girl and even at that age, I must admit that I looked around to make sure no neighbors witnessed this spectacle.

Snow can be such a hazard but it can also be a lot of fun. As I got older, we had a certain hill near our house that all of the kids in the neighborhood gathered at on those days when snow was packed several inches on that street. We rode down Kolesar hill like there was no tomorrow. Sometimes my Dad would pull my sister and me on our sleds behind his car. He would drive very slow around a couple of nearby blocks. If anyone saw a parent doing that today, he would be reported to Child Protective Services but it sure was fun.

Psalm 51 is such a classic Psalm written by David. Talk about someone who had everything going for him...God's chosen servant, king, wealth, anything he wanted at his finger tips. In a moment of weakness, all he had amassed just wasn't enough and he fell into sin with a neighbor woman. He should have been with his army that had already gone to battle but he chose to stay home. He was in the wrong place...wrong time...and it got him into trouble. We all know the story of David's fall into deep sin but God didn't give up on David.

This is a psalm of repentance. There is hardly a piece of literature like it anywhere. In, day, it is rare to see a person who in such a public way, repents of sin and as king, David's repentance was obvious not only to God but also to his people as well.

Have you ever thought how white snow is? For a long time, I didn't realize that there are so many shades of white. Walk into a bridal salon and walk through the racks where so many beautiful dresses are hanging. It's easy to notice all the shades of white that are available to a bride. I would like to suggest, however, that I don't believe there is a white color whiter than snow. Wake up in the morning to a fresh, fallen snow where no one has walked on it and there hasn't been time for anything to mar the surface. Then, let the sunshine peek through for a few minutes, sunbeams that dance on that perfect surface and it is totally blinding. With bright sun on that brilliant, white surface, the human eye can't tolerate to look at it.

I think to the transfiguration with Jesus on that mount where Moses and Elijah appeared with Him, the white light almost blinding. Remember Paul on the road to Damascus, blinded by the bright light of Jesus' presence. Sun on snow must be something like that.

Look at some of the phrases David wrote in Psalm 51 and I wonder if you and I have ever experienced a repentance as deep and sincere as Davids:

Have mercy upon me, O God v1

Wash me v2

Create in me a clean heart v10

Renew a right spirit within me v10

Cast me not away from Thy presence v11

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation v12

There are times we are so busy keeping track of the sins of others, that we don't do anything about our own sin. I had to ask myself when the last time was that I went before the Lord seeking forgiveness for my sin and renewal of my spirit. Sometimes when I seek God's forgiveness, I don't take total, personal responsibility for my offenses toward Him. After all, aren't there people who cause us to sin....or....the devil made me do it? David knew his sin was his own with no one to blame but self.

The verse I love in this chapter though is where David pleads for God's cleansing. Verse 7 says: “ ...wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”    Only God can wash us so that we are whiter than snow and David knew that.  I just can't remember anything whiter than a sun drenched yard covered with new fallen snow......that's WHITE. God wants me to be just that clean and free of sin.  This thing of confession and repentance I'm afraid isn't as much a part of my spiritual practice as it ought to be. My personal prayer for this day is:

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole,

I want Thee forever to ransom my soul;

Break down every idol, cast out every foe

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow;

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Forgive...Like It Or Not

In everything, therefore, treat people

the same way you want them to treat

you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12

Through the years, no matter my job, I have found myself in a position of talking with a lot of ladies who mostly needed someone to listen to them vent their problems. It's amazing how many of those ladies were undergoing stress due to a long or short term unforgiving spirit. I have often walked away smiling after listening for an hour to just such a one. As we parted, such a lady would often say, “Thank you Glendarae...you always seem to know just what to say that makes me feel better.” In reality, I probably said very few words except to maybe pray with her before parting. I can't tell you how often I've found that what most of we women need in the worst of ways is to quit talking about the issue of forgiveness and decide to forgive and be done with it.

Peter and Jesus got into a discussion one day when Peter asked Jesus how often he should forgive a brother who it would seem had hurt Peter. Peter asked Jesus if he should forgive the culprit up to seven times. Jesus then threw Peter a curve ball. Jesus told Peter to forget the seven times but to forgive seventy times seven. Do you know how many times that is? 70X7=490 I don't know about you but if there is someone in my lives who deliberately wounds me over and over, 490 times of forgiving one person for causing so much hurt sounds like a lot of forgiving to me.

Remember Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament. Jacob with the help of his mom rooked Esau out of his rightful inheritance and blessing. Esau threatened to kill his brother. I don't think in our day, they could have found an unbiased jury that would have condemned Esau if he had killed Jacob. Jacob fled with family and belongings and for many years there was no contact between the brothers. The day did come when they were reconciled but prior to that it was Jacob, the culprit who made the move in this process. He didn't know if he and his family would live through it, but they did. Esau welcomed his brother with open arms in a spirit of forgiveness.

I should remind us of a phrase in Jesus' prayer He used to teach His disciples how to pray. It was never meant to be a prayer to be sung or recited even though there's nothing wrong with doing that. We find this prayer in two places...Matthew and Luke. In Matthew 6:12, we read: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” This is a phrase that causes me a great deal of introspection. I see that:

      * I am to pray to God to forgive me of my debts, trespasses and sin...
      * AS I have forgiven those who have offended or hurt me.

How does that level out? Who in that process is to forgive the most...me or God? Nope...as much as He forgives me, that's how much I am to forgive those who hurt me. I really don't like that, but I know that God knows what He's asking us to do. I have found in the middle of misunderstandings and hurt that the stronger Christian will make the first move to reconcile and that's very difficult. The part of this that is really of concern to me is how much of God's forgiveness has been mine that goes unclaimed when I haven't been willing to forgive.

I wish I could recall how many women have said to me something like this: “I won't forgive her until she apologizes to me. She's in the wrong and she owes me an apology.” That's a very human response but what was Jesus' response in the most difficult of circumstances? While hanging on the cross, one of His final statements was: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” When Jesus expressed that from the cross, we are not told of hundreds who could have gathered at the foot of the cross begging Jesus to forgive them for their wrong doings. He was forgiving people in general from generation to generation. Jesus' desire for all was that they might have God's unconditional forgiveness.

I don't know about you but I've never hung on a cross, let alone the rest of the torture Jesus endured beyond the cross. And yet, Jesus hanging on that cross prayed that God would forgive “them.” Theologians have argued for years who Jesus was talking about. Was it the soldiers who tortured him? Was it the soldiers who nailed Him to the cross? The Roman soldiers who were on crucifixion duty were specialists. It was their regular job...was it them? Was it His disciples who had “gotten outta Dodge?” Was it for everyone who had ever lived? Was it for all of those who were yet to come? I don't think it matters...He prayed for God's forgiveness of all that I believe included even you and me.

We are to pattern our lives after Jesus' life. It's a huge order but with Holy Spirit power (not in our own strength) we are to forgive, and forgive, and forgive on up to 490 times. By then, we'll be in the groove of forgiving, but forgiving when offended will never be easy.

What is our responsibility in all of this?

*Don't take on the attitude that we are never an offender because we are and we need to be sensitive to the feelings of others.

*When I know I've offended someone, I should apologize to that person whether that person will forgive me or not.

*Forgive when offended, no matter what case we've made against the offender.

*The offender won't always apologize. Realize there are times when the offender may not know she's offended you. Don't approach the offender with your hurt. Let the Lord do the convicting and we do the forgiving.

*Pray for the offender and be nice to her when you see her or talk to her.

*Rest in the freedom of spirit you can experience when you let go of it all, giving it to the Lord and walking away from it.

May I add a word of common sense here? If you come in and rob my house, you're caught and arrested. You go to trial and are convicted. I would hope I would forgive you but let me quickly add that the state and criminal justice system knows next to nothing about forgiveness. Their job is to see that criminals, like you would be at that point, sentenced and sent to prison. I've been talking about the everyday interactions with people in general and our spiritual responsibility in being women of forgiveness.

Last of all, let me suggest that we all learn to forgive ourselves. We've all messed up at one time or another. We've said the wrong thing, done the wrong things...sometimes deliberately and at other times purely unplanned and certainly not deliberate. If God forgives us which He certainly does, there's no way He wants us to continue carrying the load of unforgiveness. If we have repented before God and with anyone we may have hurt or offended, then we've done all we can do. We must learn from whatever the situation and move on in Jesus steps. Moving on will be a choice. As Jesus prayed His prayer from the cross, perhaps our prayer should be, when offended by another, “Father, forgive her for she doesn't really understand how much she has hurt me...In this moment, I forgive her.” Every time we forgive, no matter the circumstances, we become more and more like Jesus!

Thank You, dear Jesus for your example of forgiveness. I thank You for all the times You forgive me when I know I don't deserve a moment of Your consideration. I want to be like You but I need the strengthening of Your Spirit to help me live life like You would have me walk. I love You, Jesus, and thank You for all You have done for me. Amen

Cross Your Heart???

 

For by these He has granted to us

His precious and magnificent promises,

so that by them you may become partakers

of the divine nature...

II Peter 1:4

It was Junior High School and in a math class, when a girlfriend sitting right behind me tapped me on the shoulder and passed me a note that was from someone behind her. I opened it to find a brief note that any seventh grade girl would die for. It said: “Glendarae, if you like me then I like you. Write me back. Love (guys first name).” Oh man, I thought I had died and gone to Heaven. I was amazingly restrained for me and waited until the next day, same class, same friend behind me to return my answer to him. By the way, this was one of the nicest boys you could find anywhere...never in trouble, nice looking, quiet...everything a Mother would want for her daughter. I had carefully crafted my note the night before and in a very original way, it read: Dear ****, If you like me then I like you. Love, Glendarae” Toward the end of the class, I gave it to my girlfriend to give to the young man. I said to my girlfriend, “Promise me you'll give this to **** and that you won't tell anyone about this note.” She promised...I said, “Cross your heart and hope to die?” Yep, she promised all of that. I added,”Stick a needle in your eye?” Yep, she promised that too so I gave her the note. That's what we used to say to nail someone down on a promise.

The next day, I went to band class. I played the saxophone at the time. My girlfriend who passed my note played clarinet and her section was directly across from the saxophone section. Everyone was getting their instruments out, preparing for the band teacher's arrival. All of a sudden, the entire clarinet section stood (about 15 of them) and suddenly the clarinet section began to almost chant together: Dear***, If you like me then I like you. Love, Glendarae” I've been embarrassed many times in my life but nothing like that day. My girlfriend had promised...”Cross my heart and hope to die (I was ready to arrange that) and I'll stick a needle in my eye.” (She wouldn't have to...I would do it for her for free with more than one needle).

You probably can remember promises made to you by people down through the years. When someone says, “I promise” to us, we count on that promise being carried out. When I was in high school, we often said to each other things prefaced with “I promise.” I don't think that's the norm today. We need to realize though that when we give our word to someone, that's like a promise to the other person. However, we live in a day when people aren't true to promises or their word. People take on debt knowing they can't pay their bills. Today, couples recite vows to each other at the marriage altar and those vows may go by the wayside a few years later. We may agree to meet someone for lunch and we just don't show up. I've seen people pledge money to special fund raising at church knowing full well they can't meet that obligation., fulfilling that promise. Are we people of our word or aren't we?

The one thing I'm so thankful for is that we have a God who keeps His Word. He even backed up his promises by sending His Son, true to His Old Testament Word to die for you and me. One can read the Old Testament and see where God was faithful to His Word and prophecies given to His people. Throughout the Old Testament as we see all of the characteristics of God, one we find among many and that you and I can emulate is that of keeping promises.

There are times when in the course of everyday life, I need a list of promises from the Bible I can hang onto. Several years ago, some kind of survey was taken among Christians. This survey boiled things down to 21 top promises from the Bible. You and I know there are hundreds of them, however, a dear friend gave me this list and I'm happy to share them with you. Some you will recognize by their references but let me encourage you to open your Bible and go through these promises. It may be on a day when you really need to hear from God through His Word. On days like that, it's amazing how He speaks to me so clearly through the power of His Word.

 

Deuteronomy 7:9      Psalm 23:4               Psalm 55:22

Psalm 91:14             Psalm 103:12,13       Proverbs 3:6

Isaiah 43:2               Jeremiah 30:17         Luke 6:38

John 3:16                 John 6:35-40            John 11:25,26

Romans 8:28-39       I Corinthians 2:9      Ephesians 2:8

Philippians 4:7          Hebrews 13:6          James 4:7,8

2 Peter 3:9                I John 1:9                Revelation 21:4

We don't even have to ask God to “Cross His heart.” God is so vested in us with a love we can't begin to comprehend that He is always true to His Word. Unlike the best of friends who may mean well, God is incapable of failing us. I would hope that I can be just as faithful in my promises to Him as He is with me.

Dear Father, thank You for Your every promise to me and Your fulfilling every one of them. You have proven Your love for me with every promise You have made to me. You have proven to me that although the best of people in my life may let me down, You never will.

I'm so appreciative for Your kept promises as well as Your love that I will never understand. Amen!

Staying on the Trail

He has told you, O man, what is good;

And what does the LORD require of you

but to do justice, to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:14

I don't know of anyone who likes boundaries or enjoys observing them. Boundaries started for us we were old enough to begin creeping and then crawling from one room to another. Most parents invested in something that restrained our movement. My Mother had a play pen for us girls and I had one I used with our three children. Today, they are called play scapes because it supposedly sounds better than “play pen.” If play scapes aren't used, parents often purchase gates that will keep little ones out of certain rooms. They may move a small piece of furniture such as a kitchen chair turned on it's side to keep a child safe. Even at very young ages, little ones hate having their activity curbed.

 

Teens don't like having their activities curbed either. They say they don't understand the reason for so many rules and regulations, but if truth be known, even though they don't like them, they feel a love and safety because of them. They don't realize that they are being equipped for adulthood whereby they will be able to discern, make good judgments, and know about appropriate choices. Boundaries above all provide safety during the growth process.

 

 

Boundaries are very important here in the mountains. We have no ambulance service right here in our small town. When there is an emergency in our town or on this side of the national park, it is disturbing to we locals if an ambulance has to go into the park area. That ambulance has had to come from the next town over. When we hear a ambulance siren, we know that something very serious has happened, especially if it goes on into the park. Since we have moved here, we've known of two drownings, two persons missing and some lesser events not so much tragic in nature.

It can be a very scarey thing getting lost in a mountainous national park. Tourists are provided with every kind of information to keep them safe along with informative signs found all over the place. There are maps of every kind for those interested in hiking, swimming, tubing and general observing. Invariably, there are those who start out on a hiking trail but feel they know enough that they can veer from the trail and do a little of their own exploring. Unsupervised children may run ahead of parents on a trail and end up falling or may leave the parents camp site to do some exploring. In time past, massive searches have had to be activated for lost children and even lost adults when a person, young or old has been reported missing. Most often they have walked away from boundaries and warnings to do their own thing.

There is usually a high price to pay when boundaries aren't observed by children and young people. The prices to pay can be very high when rules are ignored, parents wishes put to one side, or school rules thrown to the wind. Eventually, such young people often find themselves lost because they got off of the trail of right and there are no rangers to come to their rescue. 

 

It's easy to point a finger at the young but as an adult, whether we realize it or not, we are faced with God-given boundaries every day. God's concern for us is the very same as any concern for the very young. When we ignore God's limits, then we have left the area of His very personal care. When we go beyond God's boundaries, Satan waits, “licking his chops” ready to pounce on us. We can be led astray just as easily as young people and children. The sad thing is that we really do know better but choose to do our own thing anyway.

 

Where do we learn boundaries, because we have them from our youngest years whether we are aware of it or not. First boundaries are introduced from birth through our time with parents in our homes. During that time, we also learn boundaries in every school we attend. Society presents it's version of boundaries even though society is often confused regarding what boundaries really are. Government has laws that govern our activity, behavior and lives in general. In any of those areas, the ignoring of boundaries can be critical. The most important boundaries, though, are given to us from God Himself. His boundaries generally coincide with boundaries in life as we've come to know them.

 

So what can we do? Micah 6:8 gives us three things that give us a starting point. Note that at the very beginning of our opening verse that God has already taught us what is good and right to do. God isn't unfair to expect us to know the rules and expectations without His making them known to us. The three things given that are listed in this verse are excellent places to begin. We just have to decide to stay within the boundaries of them.

 

First, Micah says for us to do justice (right.) It doesn't take a brilliant person to understand that one phrase. I have spoken with women who have foolishly gone ahead with their own plans despite knowing that what they are about to do is wrong. That person, most often is lying to herself. If an adult has been a Christian any length of time, has been under the teaching and preaching of God's Word, she doesn't really need someone to draw pictures for her at the time of making decisions. Every born again Christian has the Holy Spirit residing within them and the Holy Spirit wonderfully prompts us with warnings or go-ahead nudges. Each of us must determine sometime, somewhere in life that we are bottom line going to do what is right. That's tough but won't happen without our determination.

 

Next, Micah says we are to love mercy (kindness). This has more to do with our treatment of others than God's treatment of us. When you and I show mercy and kindness to others, we are loving, forgiving, patient and caring. It is here we could list the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5. God knows we know all of these things but the decision is ours as far as our obedience regarding each one.

 

Lastly, Micah tells us to walk humbly with your God. I tend to think that when we do this one thing, all the rest of the verse will fall into place. For children to do what parents ask of them takes humility, a yielding to authority. It takes the same humility for a married couple to yield to each other, an employee to an employer and a common ordinary woman to her Heavenly Father. Notice that this process is like taking a walk with someone else. When we walk with someone, it's because we enjoy being with the person. When we walk in harmony with our Heavenly Father in close communion, we will be encouraged with every step to do what is right, to be merciful in every way possible and to be a person of humility.

 

Let's determine to stay on the path or trail that has been put before us, not veering to the left or right. May we determine to walk in obedience, doing right, showering others with mercy and walking in humility with our Heavenly Father. Life won't ever be perfect on this earth but we can walk the spiritual trails set before us in the peace that only doing what is right brings.

Jesus is the best ranger we could ever want on this trail of life.

Dear Father, thank You for Your guidance in my life. Help me to be receptive to Your quiet voice and live a life of obedience. Keep me sensitive to the needs of others. I love You. Amen.

Beautiful Life of Prayer

                                           That ye might walk worthy of the Lord

unto all pleasing, being fruitful in

every good work, and increasing in

the knowledge of God.

Colossians 1:10

She walked right by my open office door that particular winter day. It wasn't unusual in a large downtown church to see something similar on a regular basis. She was a lady in her latter 60's and that's a guess on my part. She wore her gray hair pulled tightly to the back of her head combed into a very neat bun. She had on a full length winter coat that wasn't the most stylish. In her left hand was a well-worn purse and in her right hand was a relatively small suitcase. In a very sweet voice, I heard her ask our receptionist if she could see the pastor. “Lotsa luck,” I thought to myself. People waited long weeks for an appointment with him. Sometimes we staff members couldn't even see him with if we had work questions. However, there was something different about this situation, so the receptionist called the pastor's office. He agreed to see this lady (who by the way had the most radiant of smiles that broke out across her face, a face with hardly a wrinkle).

After several minutes, the pastor asked a secretary to take this lady to the church's guest apartment where she could stay until an apartment could be found for her. She had no money...only a small pension and no means of transportation. She had arrived on a Greyhound bus and walked from the terminal that was a few blocks away from the church. For some of us who had gathered outside his door after she had gone to the guest apartment, we asked what was going on. He had a wondering look on his face and said...”She is moving here. She has no family left and she's come to our town to pray for the ministry and people of this church.”

Many of us came to know how very special Ruth Bartell was. In her younger years, she had done some modeling. She had an almost constant smile that was radiant. Her husband, a pastor had died and was buried I think in Michigan where she had a grave plot for when it would be necessary for her own internment. She had no children or family members left. For several days, Mrs. Bartell lived in the church apartment while some of us looked at apartments close to the church. They were either too expensive or too cruddy. The decision was made to let Mrs. Bartell live in the church apartment for the time being. As years went by, I wasn't there but I understand she lived there until about the time the Lord called her home.

We came to know how serious Mrs. Bartell was regarding her commitment to prayer. Keep in mind that this church ran in the thousands. She kept a series of cheap spiral notebooks. In those notebooks were names and prayer requests. She listed every staff member along with family member's names. She did the same with deacons (over 100) listing every family member along with any special requests. She had the choir listed as well and on and on it went. She went to bed every night (except a church night) at 8:00 because she wanted to be up by 4 or 5:00 am to begin her practice.

 

Every year, we had a huge pastor's conference. It fell my lot to do a major decorating job the Sunday night prior to Monday's registration of hundred's of pastors. I had no time to go home to even wash my face. Prior to the last time I performed this duty, Mrs. Bartell came to me on Sunday morning prior to the conference. She said: “When you are finished in the morning, I want you to come to the apartment, take a bath, eat some breakfast I'll fix for you ...no matter what time it is, I want you to come.” I knocked on her door at 5:30 on Monday morning. I don't know how she knew but she had run a bath for me with wonderful bath salts in it. She hoped I didn't mind if she had put the bath salts in the water. She had received a sample and wanted me to enjoy it. She told me to soak and take my time and when I came out, we would have breakfast.

She hoped I wouldn't mind if she went back to her devotional time while I bathed and I certainly didn't mind. While in that bathtub, I experienced something I never had before or since. Mrs. Bartell began to pray out loud. I felt like I was being ushered into God's throne room. She then began to read Scripture aloud. After that she sang a hymn (all 5 verses) and then she went to her notebooks, those precious and ragged spiral notebooks. I knew that praying for others was sacred and I would never tell a soul of what I heard. I soaked in that bathtub until my skin was beginning to look like prunes. I didn't want to get out of the tub and dry off. I wanted to linger but knew I couldn't.

She heard me empty the tub so when I left the bathroom, I smelled the aroma of hot toast. I sat down to hot tea, toast with orange marmalade. She prayed again, especially for me and my family, and the classes I would teach that week. I almost felt I had God's hand on me like I hadn't sensed in a long time. She told me she hoped she hadn't disturbed my bath time but that she liked to stay on schedule. By 10:00 am she usually stopped her routine to do any daily chores or errand running. Early afternoon, she would write letters for sometimes two hours and would then repeat her morning routine the rest of the afternoon.

Oh yes, letters....when you received one from Mrs. Bartell, it was a treasure. She wrote her greetings at the beginning of her letters much like Paul would in his epistles. She would then copy Scriptures she had been reading early that morning. On the back was always a hymn, copied word for word, all verses and chorus...a hymn she had sung that morning. You felt like you had received a letter straight from God. Every letter was written by hand.

I don't believe I have ever known anyone like Ruth Bartell in my lifetime. She probably had only a couple of dresses for church. People would try to take her to buy her a dress but she would smile and say, “I have plenty of clothes; thank you for thinking about me.” If people gave her money, most of the time she would put it in the offering plate. She hadn't come for money, dresses or anything other than she had come to our church to pray.

Can't help but wonder how many lives were changed, people saved, families strengthened because of a lovely widow who walked into our church office that cold, winter day. She didn't want anything but the privilege of spending out her days in hours of prayer and worship on behalf of our church. Mrs. Bartells tools for the task were simple...well worn Bible, hymn book, pen and paper and of course, those precious spiral notebooks. Most church members really didn't have any idea the God-given gift of Mrs. Bartell to us, a dear lady of God who turned a small church apartment into a cathedral.

Dear Father...Thank you for godly examples that have blessed my life. Forgive my waste of time when there are so many who could benefit from my prayers. Forgive me for thinking I have to have so many things when two or three spiral notebooks would do. Stir in me an urgency to be in my Bible more than I am and to be a woman of prayer like never before. I love You. Amen

Too Busy

Come unto me, all ye that labour

and are heavy laden, and I will

give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

I told myself two years ago when we moved to Tennessee that I wouldn't fall into the trap...the trap of being too busy. I was reminded of this as I folded the church bulletins for a recent Sunday service. I prepared four different insert sheets that had to be folded and stuffed into the poor weakling bulletins that already looked too weary to bear the load. Believe it or not, I'm not bemoaning the task as it's for the Lord and no one else.

I thought when we arrived in Tennessee, our new home, that I would spend my hours soaking up the mountains through meditation, prayer and relaxed reading. I determined to breathe deeply and even break out in a song like Maria in The Sound of Music if I wanted to. So what happened? I began substituting on the piano for the services and that's not much really. I subbed for the pastor in typing some Wednesday evening prayer sheets which was nothing at all to do. My love of course is teaching...the door opened for me to teach a ladies class. The pastor agreed to a ladies Bible study...we talked...now I do a ladies Bible Study twice a year. It just seems that a ball started rolling down a mountain and I couldn't do anything to stop it. There went my opportunity to traipse on a hillside singing, “The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music....”

We had come from the busy life of a city, and the busy activities in a pretty large church. In some form or another, I was doing here many of the same things I was doing there. I meant well even though the things I'm doing come almost as second nature to me...kind of a comfort zone thing.

Perhaps I'm preaching to the choir in all of this because many of us run on overload most of the time. I don't have the added responsibility of having children in the home. Busy moms have car pools, soccer practices, youth activities, and on and on it goes. Even then, I fear parents have their children running on overload just like they are. Children like adults all need unwind time.

As I face a new year, I want things to be different and only I can do that. My husband might kindly suggest that I need to unload some things, but for the first time, we are together 24/7 and for the first time in our 43 years of marriage, he's seeing how all of this evolves with me.

I don't believe in New Year resolutions. I think they are a waste of thinking time and I only end up kidding myself. What I have chosen to do is set some goals that are reasonable. When we come up with some worthy resolutions and per chance mess up on one or two, we feel defeated and feel we can't pick up the resolution and continue on. The defeat is usually too great. When a goal is set, if I miss one somewhere along the line, I feel like I can pick up where I failed and go on. It's amazing the different two words make...resolution or goal...but there's a big difference for me. Someone once said to me, “Aim at nothin' and you'll hit it.” No matter our age, I believe we should always be stretching, learning and coming to know God better than ever before. There are always areas where we can improve just in the everyday things of life.

I'll share some things I'm praying about and contemplating.

• I want more time in God's Word and not just for studying to teach a Sunday school lesson or ladies Bible study. I need more meditation time...more soaking up the Word with Holy Spirit guidance.
• My prayer life needs lots of improving. I want to be more faithful in keeping a prayer list. All of us at one time or another assure people we will pray for them and it's so easy to forget. I just want more time of praise and worship. I want the Lord to know how much I love and appreciate Him.
• I believe I should continue writing my blog even though it takes a great deal of work. I so appreciate friends who read it, but I have been shocked at folks from other countries who are regular readers. I've come to feel a real responsibility to encourage friends from Saudi Arabia, China, Russia, Columbia, England, Canada, Pakistan and others. In some of those countries, a reader could probably be in trouble if caught reading any Christian literature. In this process, I pray for their protection.
• Without a doubt, I will continue teaching. It's God's gift to me and in His power, I want to be faithful in doing it.
• I want to put into my regular schedule more alone time. I've been used to having it until Brian retired. We have no problem being with each other day in and day out, but I personally feel the need to have more alone time.
• I need to work more exercise into my life. We live in a perfect place for walking, whether in our neighborhood or taking off for the mountains. I need the exercise not just for my body but it's so good for the mind...airing out the cobwebs.

I could list more things that have to do with family and friends and those things I don't necessarily want to plan because then they become “have to's” instead of “want to's.”

None of the things I've listed are difficult. They will require discipline on my part that I really don't have built into me, but the Lord will enable me to do what I need to do.

What is your new year looking like? Are we stuck in neutral, expecting each new year to be a carbon copy of the last? Are we praying about something we need to drop from our schedules that have just become a comfortable place to park. Perhaps God has something new for us this year either in our own personal growth, improvement or service for Him? There have been times I've been afraid to pray about what I should add or subtract from my life because God might answer that prayer with something I don't care to do for Him. If I first give my days to Him (they are His anyway), He knows how to direct my activities and abilities to the fullest.

May God grant each of us a wonderful new year of life and love. May we clear our slates of any ill will, hurt feelings or negative events we've allowed to take over our thinking. Let's begin 2013 with a fresh breath of spiritual air, anticipating all the wonderful things God wants to do with us. What a wonderful opportunity for adventure in the life God has in store for each of us.

Dear Father, we don't know what the new year will bring our way. As is with life, there will be positives and negatives we will experience but in it all, You will shepherd us, leading us into a deeper walk with You. Thank you Father, for keeping Your hand on my life. I love You. Amen.

What's In A Name

                                                  And His name shall be called...

Isaiah 9:6a

Isn't it amazing how we can hear a name...it could be the name of someone we knew in high school, at a former place of employment, a historical person from our own generation, a relative we haven't seen in years...and the moment we hear a particular name, there is an instant thought about that person that crosses our mind. We might not even have a name attached to someone. It could be someone we really didn't know but had some experience with.

When I was four years old, my mother and grandmother wanted to go to the Wisconsin Dells. Of course my baby sister and I went along. During that trip my grandmother and I were both bitten by a dog. When we got home, the doctor said that both of us would have to have injections for about ten days in a row. A friend of my mother's was a nurse and probably a very nice lady. Back then I knew her first name but not now. The nurse agreed to come by our house on her way to work to give me my shot. After a couple of days, I caught on to the program. As clever as they tried to be with the nurse's approach, I knew what was happening cause I wasn't just another pretty face. This friend of my Mother's told her something my Mother just did not believe. The nurse told her, “No matter how long Glendarae lives, when she thinks of me or hears my name, she will hate my guts.” I must tell you that in the here and now, I don't hate the woman but I don't like her. When my mother and I talked about this shortly before she died, she felt my attitude wasn't what Jesus would approve of. Jokingly I told my mother that when Jesus was four years old, he didn't have some woman sneak up on him and stick a needle in his backside. Sorry for that, but that's what I said.

Names have great meaning. They are so important that almost the minute a baby is born, the hospital office wants to know the baby's name, friends and relatives ask the baby's name just about from the time a couple announces they are expecting. It is something that a little human being will bear for life and will appear on a grave marker at the time of death. When different folks who know or have known us, hear our name, there will be something about us whether positive or negative that registers with them. The only person I can think of whose name(s) should always ring a positive note with us is any name(s) we know Jesus by. His name should cause us to always think positively.

I have been in the habit the last several years of purchasing Christmas cards I give out that stress the names of Jesus. This year I found a beautiful card. The front is lime green, the printed names in various sizes and styles are printed in red, white or gold. The names printed on this card are: “I AM, Bread of Life, Anointed One, Jesus, Alpha and Omega, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Saviour, and Everlasting Light.” I have one of these cards on the table by my comfy chair. Jesus is every one of those things in my life but, He is so much more. So I have been looking up other names for Him that are found in Scripture, names that I can look at, remember and perhaps hide more Scripture in my heart, that helps me concentrate on Jesus more. 

Let me list a few more names for our blessed Jesus with a Scripture that can be looked up:

The way, the truth,and the life: John 14:6

Bread of Life: John 6:35

Alpha and Omega: Rev. 1:8

True Vine: John 15:1

Son of God: Heb.4:14

Hope of Glory: Col. 1:27

Good Shepherd: John 10: 11,14

I am reminded of the following song:

“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

There's just something about that name.

Master, Savior, Jesus

Like the fragrance, after the rain.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

Let all heaven and earth proclaim

Kings and kingdoms will all pass away

but there's something about that name.”

Thank You Father for the magnificent gift of Your Son. What a privilege it is celebrating His birth and His name. May there remain in me the joy of Christmas everyday. I want to celebrate You, Jesus and all You have done for me. I love you. Amen

Christmas Past

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do, forgetting those things

which are behind, and reaching forth unto those

things which are before,

I press toward the mark for the prize of the

high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3: 13,14

We've probably all watched “A Christmas Carol” on TV almost every year we have lived. Remakes have been done on the movie but I still prefer the original. To be honest, I never liked the idea of going to sleep on Christmas Eve and having three beings enter my bedroom during the night just to teach me a lesson. I think of the three though that I preferred was the ghost of Christmas past. Part of Scrooge’s past was okay but, I have news for him. I could take him back to some of my Christmas past experiences that would make his look like a Sunday school picnic.

I guess we've all done it at one time or another. When Sunday school people thought you and I were little and cute, they wanted us to say a Christmas “piece” for the children's program. Those teachers were smart. They not only approached us but they also worked on our moms because it was the moms who were going to faithfully drill us on those poems that we didn't understand.

My first performance without going into a very long saga was when I was five. It could be I was four...I forgot. No matter the age, it was the nearest thing to emotional abuse I ever went through. Everyone, friends and family were much more excited about my “piece” than I was. My grandmother knit me a long-sleeve, red, WOOL sweater. That was the physical torture part of the whole ordeal. That stuff was scratchy and close to unbearable. At our last rehearsal, I froze. A very nice lady by the name of Alma Lockman who was sitting on the first pew directing things, walked up to the platform where I was standing. She stayed on the main floor and looked really short from my perspective. She gently took hold of my two ankles and said everything she could to calm my nerves. Finally, she said, “Glendarae, you don't have to be afraid because Jesus is here.” I looked all around that place and didn't see Jesus anywhere but let me tell you, that definitely didn't calm my nerves. The thought of Jesus showing up to hear me say my “piece” was no comfort for me. I got through the program though, collected my little brown bag that contained an orange and some stuck together Christmas candy, and was happy to head for home.

Since that time, I said other “pieces” but eventually graduated to bigger and better things. I have been in Christmas plays and cantatas. I have sung from a choir loft, balcony, from behind Christmas trees and even up in a Christmas tree. I've gone Christmas caroling with youth groups, and believe me, we weren't anywhere near to being the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

In all of it, I must admit that with all of that in my Christmas past, there was very little of it that meant anything to me at all. When little, I was too scared to even know what I was reciting or the meaning of it. Many times since, I have just dutifully done what a choir director asked of me. When in high school, most of the time I played either the piano or organ to accompany what needed accompanying. You see, people who direct these things are usually up tight about sound systems, soloists running late, a flu bug circulating among choir members, lighting, etc. Very few times have we been encouraged to recite, sing or play with the real reason for Christmas and keeping our focus on Him. My last choir director was the only one who did things differently from the rest.

I guess all the frills and activities of the holiday are somewhat necessary. However, how much of Christmas do we really take time to think about? I personally feel that Christmas like Easter should be and everyday celebration. One time in the middle of July, some very sneaky friend left a gift on the hood of my car that was parked in the church parking lot. The gift was wrapped in Christmas paper with a beautiful red bow on it. Attached to the bottom of the box was...yep, you guessed it....a Christmas card. It was a card with Scripture celebrating the birth of Jesus. I don't know to this day who she was but whether she knew it or not, she taught me a great lesson that day.

Despite what our Christmas past experiences have been, we can have a wonderful Christmas present and I'm not referring to gifts when I use that word. I love Christmas cards that celebrate the various names for Jesus. Those can be given any time of year. If you're on a committee to help plan a banquet, (maybe a mother-daughter thing) why not a Christmas theme? The same could be done with an Easter theme. Jesus is Someone we can celebrate any day of the year even pulling out our Easter or Christmas decorations for a special event. He is worthy to be celebrated more than just a couple of times a year.

So, forget Christmas past...plan some Christmas “nows”, all the while anticipating our Christmas future with Him for Eternity.

Dear Jesus, I so rarely welcome You to my world. I love celebrating who the world would say You were at one time but You are just as real now. May I recognize You in a celebratory way most every day. I love You and am so grateful You came, coming to save me. I'm so grateful for the fellowship we can have on a daily basis. Because we're where we are this time of year, just let me say, “Happy Birthday, Jesus” Amen

Spiritual Forgetfulness

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all

that is within me, bless His holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and

forget not all His benefits.

Psalm 103:1,2

No matter your age, do you sometimes have a problem remembering where you put something? My age has nothing to do with it so I can't blame the years I've racked up. I have learned if I can't find my car keys, to always check the refrigerator. Once, several years ago, I found an important file folder the the freezer of the refrigerator. What about forgetting where you parked your car? I left a hospital one night after being there on official business for the agency I worked for and thought I knew where I parked Brian's small, blue-green Ford Escort. There were some lights in the parking lot but even with them, I unfortunately came across 6 of the same car parked in different places on the lot. I couldn't believe it. All I could do was try my key in each of the car doors. Forgetfulness that night wasn't the problem.

I have a problem remembering names, especially last names but that's always been a problem for me. We have moved so many times that my acquaintances would go into the hundreds. I envy some of my high school friends who have lived in our hometown all their lives where they know everyone by name and have established a memory base that is enviable.

It was a blessing during the month of November reading on Face book all of the things folks listed that they were thankful for. The lists went from family members to friends, circumstances to materials things. I may not know many of the folks mentioned but I love the spirit with which this process was done.

I, like those folks, find that there are things I want to remember and never forget when it comes to life experiences and the wonderful people who have been such an influence on me. However, there are things that have to do with my faith that I don't ever want to forget, blessed things of God I always want to remember.

To help me with this process, several years ago, I began journaling. It wasn't an unusual thing for me to do. My mother used to purchase small purse size date books. Everyday in each square, she made note of the weather for a given day. If she had cleaned someone's house, she would put the persons name and what she was paid. She, on rare occasions wrote poetry, much of which she gave to me when I was in college. Most people wouldn't know anything about the writer in my Mother, but I believe she would have loved to do more with it than she did. I believe even now, she has a part in everything I write as she inspired me to write. I don't want to forget that.

All of us have people...neighbors, folks at church, school teachers...who had strong influences on us. Those people won't know until Heaven how they helped launch us into the interests, careers or spiritual endeavors we enjoy today. Many of their names I have listed in a journal as they have come to my mind...Mrs. Crowell, my piano teacher, Ruth Young who first recruited me into teaching in Bible School. I said I couldn't do it but she told me I could and I did. I guess I've been teaching ever since. I think of the many pastors who faithfully preached the Word of God week after week to me and others. I can't remember a single sermon title right off hand but I know that through their preaching and teaching, my life was consistently being changed and renewed...I learned and I grew.

I could list more and so could you. It doesn't hurt us to walk down yesterday's road with grateful hearts for those who have meant so much, who in some cases labored at great personal expense to help us get where we are. However, none of it would have been possible unless it had been made possible by the deep and abiding love of God for each of us.

We may forget the goodness of others in our lives, careers, even family events but I never want to forget all that God, my Heavenly Father has poured into my life. I wonder how often any of us take moments to remember not just the big things He's done, but so many of the small, seemingly miniscule things He orchestrated in our lives. If we were to be robbed of any access to God's Word, how much of Scripture could you and I recite to ourselves. We've all had wonderful answers to prayer through life. How many of those have we jotted down or can bring to recall.

The Scripture verses I have noted above are not friendly suggestions. Both verses are commands. With everything in us, we are to bless God's holy name, but it's the second verse that really convicts me. I'm commanded to NOT forget all the benefits God has brought into my life. I would have to spend a lifetime in listing all of the ways God has provided for and protected me. The times He has led me where He wanted me to go are countless. Answers to prayer?...too many to count. What about the times I've spent in His Word and the Holy Spirit spoke to me and taught me things I could never have understood on my own? There have been those times when God was especially near during those times of real duress and concern....what would I have done without Him.

We dare not forget His benefits, not because of any threat, but because in remembering God's goodness in our lives, we are blessed and encouraged. When offended...remember His benefits. When depressed...remember His benefits. I would dare say that anyone working for an employer in this day could tell you in a matter of a few short minutes, the benefits that are his/hers that came with the job. There would be insurance coverage, retirement, sick days, etc. Think of God's benefits in our lives that we don't bother to even think of, those general ones for all of us to enjoy and yes, benefit from:

• We own a personal copy of God's Word
• We have the opportunity of worshiping in the church of our choice
• We can pray and be heard by the very God of the universe
• If a born again Christian, we have the Holy Spirit residing in us
• At this point, we have freedom of religion in our country
• Through our Father, we have Christian friends with whom we share kindred spirits
• God provides for our every need
• An eternal home in Heaven awaits us

I dare not list more or I'll end up having a happy spell. It is mind boggling how God has loaded us down with benefits. May we never lapse into spiritual forgetfulness. Our Heavenly Father doesn't forget us for one single second.

Since a young girl, I have seen so often, sitting in front of our local VFW a sculpture of a fallen soldier in sitting position. Just under the soldier on the base, I believe it says “Lest we forget.” May you and I never forget all God has done for us from sacrificing His Son Jesus to sending His Holy Spirit to abide in us for a lifetime....”forget not all His benefits.”

Thank You Father, for Your love, care and every other benefit in my life. I love being loved by You, a love that is unconditional and consistent. I praise Your name today and never want to forget Your goodness in my life that I just don't deserve. I know I'm just a sinner saved by Your wonderful grace. I love You. Amen.

Controlling Holiday Depression

This is the day which the Lord hath made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

A few years ago, I spoke with a friend who has been involved in the funeral industry for several years. In the course of conversation, I asked this person if there is one particular time of the year that seems to be consistently the busiest week or month in their funeral business.  My friend told me that January was the month that for their business ranked #1 by far according to office records. When I asked the reasons, as if I didn't have some idea already, I was told that in our day, a strong emphasis on holiday's begins the first of October and lasts through New Years Day. It's on New Years day that some people wake up in the pit of depression...no more parties, no more elaborate food, no gifts to unwrap, Santa isn't present in stores for children to sit on his lap, decorations look old, stale and tacky, Christmas cards lose meaning, school programs are done and over with and the mall no longer seems the place to be. There are folks who struggle with the loss of loved ones through death or alienation of some sort. Some who already have serious emotional problems, find everything compounded and they seek an easy way out...suicide. There are also house fires, car accidents, crime victims in goodly number in January along with natural death events.

All of us have felt some of those things at one time or another and would never consider suicide, but for some people, it's been a reality. We look back to November 1 and wonder where time went. We soon find we are waking up and it's a new year. We glance back at recent, happy days of smiles, singing, giving and now, it's like we are left with an empty bag, the victim of a pretty lousy joke. The why's of all of this I think are two fold but in both cases, we are very much in control whether we believe it or not.

I have a favorite craft store I love that would be very familiar in name to most. When Halloween décor was out in full bloom, Thanksgiving things were almost mixed in with all of the orange, black and pumpkins. Pumpkins do overlap into both holidays. Then bumping up against those shelves and into a corner, there began the Christmas tree décor, not yet in full display but the beginnings. Have you noticed the big emphasis on Halloween these days? Even adult costumes are a huge business. So lets say that from October 1 through January 1, we are taken on a wild ride of holiday madness because of what various industries put us through. We are bombarded with TV ads, fliers in our mailboxes, adds on our computers, etc. So through the industry, we are exposed to all of the latest of everything from costumes to hand held electronic devices. It's all paraded before us doing all that can be done to make us feel guilty that we are depriving loved ones of joy and happiness if we don't indulge in the purchase of each advertisers wares. There's nothing we can do about the industry. It's their job to sell things, to make every item look its best and its most inviting

There are parties and programs to attend and for about three months, people are in a holiday frenzy that won't quit. It's almost a kind of narcotic high...a high that can take us where we don't want to go or causes us to be who we don't want to be. Soon, we are sitting almost in a daze the first week in January. There's nothing left in the way of activity, parties, spending and there are people who go into the deepest of depression at that time. Nothing will tell us who we are like sitting alone, after the activity is gone and all the lights have been turned out.

So what are some practical things to do:

Keep Jesus in the season. He should be a part of Thanksgiving as well as Christmas. This takes some planning. When planning holiday activities, don't shove church events to the bottom of the list. The things that go on at church should take priority.

We should turn a lot of things off in our thinking and have a determination to maintain a sanity with our family in mind. In it all, children are watching and learning from we parents what is really important about the holidays. Few families even discuss in days leading up to and during Thanksgiving Day those things we should be grateful for. Few families concentrate on those less fortunate at Christmas. Some feel they've done their fair share if they drop a dollar into a Salvation Army bucket.

There are many opportunities over the holidays for children to do things for others. Nothing will kill depression like jumping in with both feet to do for others. On Thanksgiving Day a little over a week ago, I wanted to take a dinner to a lady in our church I knew would be alone. I asked my two oldest grandboys (ages 5 & 3) who were here if they wanted to go with me to deliver dinner to a lady. They busied themselves making a nice card for her. When we got to her very small, humble residence, each boy carried some of the food into the house. They gave this lady hugs and before we left, we held hands with her and I prayed for her. The boys were somewhat quiet on the way home but asked several questions about the lady. I think the trip left an impression on them. I believe it was their mom who said that she didn't think the boys had done anything like that before. Come up with something children in the family can do for others during the Christmas holiday time. It will leave more of an impression on them than one can believe.

Maintain as much of a normal schedule as possible during holiday times, especially with children in the home. Children don't do well when everything is in an up-heaval for extended periods of time. They still need regular meals and consistent bedtimes as much as possible.

Don't fall for all the holiday and commercial hype. It's our fault for being holiday dupes. We can say “no” to many of the requests that come our way. We need a plan if we are going to maintain some kind of sanity in all of these days of glitz and glitter. This is only the first of December. This is the time to sit down and decide how much we will be involved in holiday festivities...what parties will we attend, what our Christmas budget will be, what useful and practical gifts will we purchase, etc. Without a plan, we can fall into a holiday and financial abyss that we can't crawl out of.

After a huge holiday, have something else planned a day or two afterward for the family to enjoy. Having something to look forward to after a big Christmas day can take the edge off of the holiday let down.

Let's remember that “Jesus is the reason for the season.” Never thought I would type that sentence as I really don't care for it because it's become glib, trite and really doesn't mean much to people. The statement is true but our actions that back the statement are often weak at best. If you have a pin with that saying, wear it. It is a witness and testimony.

In Psalm 118, we are shown the importance of one day and that is the present day we are living in. It doesn't speak of yesterday or tomorrow but stresses THIS day. God doesn't play favorites with days. Every day is important to Him. He wants the best from us on THIS day. With Jesus at the center of our lives EVERYDAY, we can handle the big and small events of life whether they be joyous or troubled. God is the creator and controller of our days. He wants everyday to be of major importance to us because THIS is the day He's ordained for you and me. I can give a gift to someone TODAY...I can send someone a card TODAY...I can even eat turkey and dressing TODAY if I want to...I can sing “Joy to the World” TODAY and can offer my praise, thanksgiving and appreciation to God and others TODAY. Holidays will come and go but our Father is interested in what we do with every TODAY, no matter the date.

Father, thank You for sending Jesus, Your Son in human form. I'm not thankful for that just at this time of year. I'm grateful everyday for the salvation He made possible for me. Help me to make the very best of every day here on earth. Help me also to be generous with my time and effort in serving You and others. I love You....Amen.