SCARS AND ALL

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

As I have taught God's Word to others through the years, I usually express my gratitude for the fact that in the make up of Scripture, God chose to include the problems, faults and “warts” of those folks in Scripture we've come to love. It's as I look at their lives and see what could have been debilitating and defeating. It's an encouragement to me to read of such overcomers, Bible icons, but still flesh and blood human beings who could have fallen by the wayside instead of dealing with an issue and moving on.

All of us at times have gone through and endured some very depressing situations in our lives, wondering if our lives could ever count for anything again, let alone for God. There are situations Christians have encountered in their lives that could have shut them down where any expected future was concerned. I know of Christians who experienced abortion, abuse of every kind, financial defeat, health issues, tragedy involving family or friends, divorce, addictions, sexual sin and even death of loved ones.

Looking into Scripture, we see people, human beings like you and me, some high in stature and position, some just common ordinary who either committed sin they would have to live with or others thrown into difficult circumstances they didn't ask for. For instance:

Hannah: so desperately wanted to have a baby but was barren for a time David: King of Israel, guilty of adultery, ordering a murder
Moses; Struck a rock in the wilderness for water when God commanded him to speak to it
Peter: Denied Jesus
Mary Magdalene: accused of prostitution
Paul: Beatings and imprisonment
Jeremiah: Imprisoned for his prophetic teaching
Daniel: Captive in Babylon while a teenager
Esther: Also captive to an evil king but who was instrumental in saving her people

There are probably others I could list but as I look at the above list, I see people who dealt with their situations with God the director of their lives. There is no situation so bad in our lives that God cannot deal with as we cooperate with Him in repentance and dedication to His plan for our lives. Some of the above had to pay in the way of circumstances that resulted from their behaviors, but still gave their lives over to God for His use. Even as they dealt with their sin or concerns, they determined to push on.

We all have our scars. There's something interesting about bodily scars. They can be seen but after an injury heals, scars for the most part don't hurt. The main hurt they cause is in our memories of events that caused them. There are also mental scars that can often cause us more pain than physical ones. They can lead to a variety of problems if not given over to God for His keeping. Someone recently sent me something I think on Facebook and don't remember the source. I have typed it up for my Sunday school class. It says:

Scars only show us where we've been.
They don't dictate where we're going.

I love that. I've known many ladies who have found healing, scars and bad memories with God's power emanating from their lives. They are now jewels for the Kingdom and in those I know now who walk in victory, haven't looked back. They have their scars like we all have had, but now they are reminders of God's strengthening and forgiveness. Hopefully, all of us with our scars, but whole in Christ, can joyfully sing together:

I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
NO TURNING BACK,
NO TURNING BACK.

Satan would have us turn back, roll around in past issues, live in depression and anger, but that isn't God's design for you and me. Scars and all...we will press on.

Thank You Father, for the victory You give us. We can't make this life on our own and are grateful for Your power in our lives. It takes a definite decision to follow You. Help me to press forward with no looking back. We love you...In Jesus' precious name...Amen

THE WONDER OF A BOOK

...the grass withereth, and the flower
thereof falleth away:
But the word of the Lord endureth
for ever. And this is the word which
by the gospel is preached unto you.
I Peter 1:24b-25

Books have meant much to me most of my life. My first real introduction to reading was through friends by the name of Dick, Jane, Sally and their pets, Spot and Puff. Many of my era probably learned to read from those primers in first grade. A few years ago, Brian purchased for me a book that had a combination of those first grade books in it. Every now and then, I like to pull it out, love on those words and characters from another era.

From there, the words on pages became many and even the books a little thicker. From that point, I was on my way. I have been an avid reader since those childhood days.

  I read my first “chapter book” when about 9 years old. I was a really heavy book in size compared to any I had read to that point. My mother sent it to me while I was away visiting my aunt. It was a Bobsey Twin book. From there I went to biographies written in childhood form but by then, my reading had taken me to a higher level for more exciting reading adventures.

I love the feel of a book, the smell of a book and the mastery of a book. I realize there are new ways reading. I have a Kindle but although I really like it, I still find myself reaching for a real book with a cover and individual pages I can handle page by page. Some folks predict the demise of books as we have known them. I have to wonder if in the hearts of dedicated readers, they will ever yield to that notion. If it does happen, I will be happen I won't be on the earth to see it.

One of the most important tools in the life of a child is the gift of reading. Reading is a necessary skill for doing well in life. To accomplish most anything, reading is required whether it is reading a newspaper, pouring over a recipe in the kitchen, communicating on a computer, writing notes, signing a marriage license, educating themselves at higher level, and on and on it goes. I think any elementary school teacher could attest to the fact that children who do not read well, tend to have discipline problems in school.
 

I have believed for a long time that Satan fights our learning of reading. The big reason for my saying that is that the last thing he wants any of us to be able to do is read the Word of God. When I have taught or encouraged reading, I've always secretly told myself that reading is something a person will take to Heaven with them. The most important reading we will ever do is the hours we spend in the Word of God.

The Word of God comes in many forms. Yes, it's on the computer in some form but also in various types of cover. They come with different size type and may be very simple or vast in reference material. There are many “translations” on the market...some good but many that ought to be trashed. In this area, Christians must be careful. Some want to purchase any and everything put out by most assumed translators. However, we are blessed living in a country where Bibles are available and we have choices.

In this book of Peter's (and Holy Spirit's), and in this Chapter 2 in particular, Peter speaks of our being a family, born into the Kingdom the same way in a loving family and even as a spiritual family, eating the same food...the very Word of God. In our family, when I cooked supper, we all sat down and ate from the same menu and such is true of our spiritual family. 

I shouldn't be surprised that a popular magazine in our country has announced how little the Bible is of influence and help in the lives of people. They are in fact almost advocating it's passing completely off the scene. Countries all over the world to this day have banned Bibles or make them very difficult to come by. Satan know the Word is our sustenance, our spiritual strength and encouragement. I believe it's a growing trend in our country to minimize the importance of the Bible and we have to remain vigilant.

My first grade friends in my reading primers still have a way of warming my heart. However, THE book in my life...God's Word...also warms my life and beyond as is corrects, strengthens and blesses me. It is a book of love that will never pass away, no matter how hard Satan's crew works at it. Satan hates and fears the Bible. For that reason alone, we must love and defend it.

Thank You, Holy Spirit, for Your inspiring every word in the Bible. Thank You too, that as we read it, You teach us from it. Thank You Father for this wonderful Love Letter that teaches us so wonderfully about Jesus. Thank You for instilling in us the desire to read and better ourselves through Your precious Word. In Jesus precious name....Amen

THIS IS THE DAY

This is the day which the Lord hath made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

This verse is one of the verses in Scripture, I think we, at times, almost make light of. I've heard some of he best of Christians say something like: “Remember, this is the day the Lord has made....” when another person comments about the weather, their health or the flat tire they had on the way to work. It's a verse, to me, of great assurance and even security.

Someone shared on Facebook one day, a saying she had come across that was a very convicting one for me. The statement was a simple one...LIVE EACH DAY AS IF IT IS THE ONLY ONE. I wonder how many days of the many in my life have I viewed any day as if it is the only one. This isn't indicating it could be our last day, but it could be that as well. The truth is, we should live each day as if it is our last, our only one.

I'm not suggesting in this quest for fruitful spiritual living that our days should be filled to the full with lots of activity. There are Christians who believe such is required to measure up....to what, I don't know. It blessed me to read in the Gospels the times Jesus went aside to be alone, no activity to speak of except for rest, food and perhaps times of prayer.

I've had women in my life I have loved and appreciated, but many of them VERY structured in every day living. Some have strongly suggested so much time given to Bible reading and prayer, often in the wee hours of the morning. I always got the feeling in those days of spiritual immaturity that God only listened to His people from 3:00 to 6:00 AM. Others prescribed a rigid schedule of housekeeping that included ways to cook and feed a family. If I did everything these well-meaning ladies suggested, I would probably be able to fit in about 5 hours of sleep at night if fortunate.

We are all so different and that means our days. I can be so scattered in thinking and activity, that rejoicing could hardly be considered. Depending on where we ladies are right now in stages of life, no two of us will be alike in our approach to anything, let alone how we plan and live our days.

I'm quick to admit there are days when I waste time that shouldn't be wasted. When my head hits my pillow at night, I would pray I had so lived my day that God would be honored in the way I lived out my day.

There have been special days in my life when someone said to me, “Well, this is THE big day.” I heard that the day I graduated from high school and college. Someone said it to me on my wedding day. The day we received our baby girl, a friend came into my office and said that same phrase. In every instance, those big days were life changing more than most of the rest. I can honestly say that I was glad and rejoiced in those days, but most of my days have been fairly uneventful. Each day God provides me whether filled with big evens or hours of boredom are His.

My life can bring glory to God no matter what my day calls for if my moments (busy or relaxing) are given over to Him. Folks who stack their days with unnecessary activities to the point of exhaustion don't bring glory to the Lord. It's hard being thankful for the days God has given if we've done everything to mess them up.

On the worst days of our lives, we can rejoice and be glad, not for the negative circumstances but because we have a Father who loves us and is involved in our spiritual health and well-being. I don't understand the things this earth chooses to put us through because of it's lingering sin, but on any given day, no matter the circumstances, we can rejoice and be glad in it because we are blessed in the privilege of walking through “whatever” hand in hand with our God who is all sufficient. There is nothing negative about our opening verse and in the sufficiency of God, we can be rejoicing no matter what comes our way. The things of this earth that mess up our days are all fleeting. We have a Hope in Christ that will sustain us in the meantime. God wants to use our days in beneficial ways. Let's do all we can to walk in cooperation with His plan.

Dear Father, I thank you for this day. Outside it's rainy and on the dull side, but it's the day You've made and I will rejoice. Thank You for Your goodness in my every day, and that Your grace is always sufficient in my life. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

A LICENSE TO COMFORT

Who (God) comforteth us in all our
tribulation, that we may be able to
comfort them which are in any trouble,
by the comfort wherewith we
ourselves are comforted of God.
II Corinthians 1:4

Perhaps my age, (and I know it has something to do with it) I'm seeing very Godly friends being called into arenas where they would never choose to go. I'm amazed as I view friends and some family members who are either very ill or have debilitating physical conditions, conditions they may very well live them for their lifetimes. There are some going through other very difficult things having nothing to do with health issues.

Several years ago, I went to a visitation at a funeral home. The husband of a lady in my Sunday school class had passed away. There were other ladies from our class there. I hugged my friend and while there did that every now and then. Periodically I would go to her with fresh tissues. Sometimes I would bring her a cup of water, and insisted she take a few sips of it. I prayed for her during that time from a bit of a distance while other ladies in our class paid close attention to her as well. There was one thing I couldn't do that some of those other ladies could. I couldn't say what a lot of folks tend to say in such a circumstance without thinking. I couldn't say, “I know how your feel.” I could have said it, but in reality, I didn't know the depths of her feeling because my husband was/is still very much alive. I couldn't really feel with her. I didn't have a license to comfort that I think Paul is speaking of to the Corinthians.

Paul said that as God comforts us in our times of difficulty and we feel that comfort, we are learning how to share that comfort we received in our particular times of difficulty. It doesn't mean we can't comfort folks in all sorts of circumstances, but when someone is going through something we've been through and we've known God's working with us, we can step in with encouragement that we knew in our own time of difficulty.

As God's children, He often leads us into mission fields where we would never dare venture to go. I have friends who have suddenly found themselves in hospital emergency rooms and on into the hospital. There, God has waiting personnel and others one doesn't know and never would had they not found themselves in those circumstances. I know from working in a hospital some patients I met who were such blessings every time I saw them for appointments. Many were in severe pain from liver disease, but many had smiles with sweetness in their pain that we so amazing. Sometimes as they left they would say, “God bless you, Glendarae.” Those were days when I usually needed blessed.

I know folks right now who sit in chemo rooms who a year ago never foresaw sitting where they do on an almost daily basis now. They greet fellow patients and personnel as well with positive, uncomplaining attitudes. In such a times of such human distress, I've seen them with good spirits, trusting Jesus in it all.

Close to six years ago, when I fell into our church basement, I was amazed all the folks from EMT's to emergency room personnel, I saw during during that time that also included folks from our church who hurried to the hospital. Above all, my Heavenly Father was my comfort and strength during that time. That was not a mission field I felt called to that evening but that was God's plan for me to be there in those moments. I don't know a lot of folks who have fallen into church basements, but I sure can feel with folks who go through terrible accidents
.

Our call may not be for anything physical. The list may include things like struggling with depression, marital problems, empty nest adjustments, teen rebellion, sudden loss of job, abuse issues... and the list could go on and on. When any of those things sound familiar, God has a way of sending a person in need across our path for us to share with them our experience and God's working in it.

We all have licenses to comfort. We've all needed God's comfort in various levels of difficulty. We don't have to preach any sermons or be great orators in sharing the mercy and grace of God we've known in our own lives. Folks need to know they aren't alone, that God never deserts His children. If a person is unsaved, it's a wonderful opportunity to share with that person how precious God's presence can be in one's life.

When we are struck with a difficulty or emergency out of the blue, we should feel an assurance that God will never leave or desert us...He is sovereign...nothing can just drop into our lives without His knowledge. “Oops” isn't in God's vocabulary. We must keep mindful though that as He walks us through those negatives life has to offer, He is near to comfort and instruct. He also probably has folks waiting in our particular arena...folks who need to feel blessed and encouraged that God is very real. We should be alert to those times God brings someone across our paths who needs our words of wisdom and encouragement that we know only came from a very loving Father. He's given us a gift...a license to comfort.

Father, I don't understand when illness or accidents come my way, but I know You have purpose in all You do in my life. I know You don't want me to waste any of what You have taught me. I can brag on nothing of myself, but only brag on You. Thank You for Your wonderful power in my life. I love you....In Jesus precious name...Amen

HE IS RISEN...ME TOO!!

If ye then be risen with Christ,
seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the
right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1

Yep, as I write, Easter was yesterday but I'm determined to keep in mind that every day is Easter...resurrection day. So today, I recognize my benefits in Christ to be the same as yesterday.

Something has been working on me over the last several days regarding this wonderful time of year. I love new beginnings such as what springtime and the Easter season presents. I was brought to a quick reality a week ago when our pastor so eloquently presented what crucifixion was like under the Romans of the yesteryear. He presented information that came from many in the medical community who with the help of history, painted a pretty gruesome picture of what Jesus must have endured not only on the cross but in those hours of torture previous to His being nailed to a cross.

Jesus was presented as a criminal deserving of death as stirred up by the religious community. Jews couldn't...according to the Law...put folks to death under such circumstances. Roman soldiers were trained and very adept in the art of crucifixion among other methods of execution. This would be no big thing for them should it fall their lot to carry out. After the stirring of the crowds, the Romans caved and agreed to grant the wishes of the Jewish leaders.

As our pastor spoke of just the lashing meted out on the bare back of Jesus, ripping His skin to shreds, I thought at the moment that with the kind of skin I have, it would take just one lash like that on my bare back to probably nearly cut me in half. After it all, Jesus went to the cross, hardly recognizable as a human being, according to the Scriptures.

Here's what struck me to my heart as I heard that sermon....that was me on that cross...not literally but in spiritual reality. Jesus died for me...you...and everyone else. I didn't have to be nailed to a cross for my sin but spiritually speaking, I was there. It's just that Jesus had me and everyone else step aside while He took it all onto Himself for us.

If that was you and me with Jesus taking our places on that cross, the following few days saw Jesus rising from the death. This is the exciting part. Paul reminds us, “If ye then be risen with Christ....” Jesus went to that cross for my redemption but He then rose from the dead that I might share in that victory. I've never risen from physical death, but I can walk in the victory of His risen life that also gives me the hope of Eternity.

That's not the end of it though. Paul goes one to say...”seek those things which are above.” With all the wonderful information we have about Jesus' every provision for our lives, we now have a responsibility. With all the benefits we have because of Jesus, it is our responsibility and joy to consistently be seeking godly things above where Jesus is sitting on the right hand of His Father. With all Jesus has done for us, He doesn't deserve the leftovers of our lives, time for Him when there isn't anything else to do,or serving Him out of obligation.

I can appreciate all the festivities...Easter egg hunts, new clothes, ham for dinner with the trimmings, maybe attending church for one of two Sundays of the year (the other being Christmas). I know I attend church faithfully on Sundays but I can, like anyone else, lose sight of Jesus' generosity and love in my life. I'm deserving of none of it, but have felt convicted of the fact that every day should be a celebration of Jesus' generosity in my life. Thus, His gift can be celebrated every day, even in song:

He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today.
He walks with me, and
Talks with me,
Along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives,
Salvation to impart.
You asked me how I
know He lives...
He lives within my heart!

AMEN and AMEN!!

Thank You, Jesus for what You did for me on Calvary, your victory over death and for Your goodness in my life everyday. May I serve You faithfully not out of obligation but out of love and appreciation. I love You and I pray in Your precious name....Amen

IN THEIR STEPS

For even hereunto were ye called:
because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that ye should
follow his steps.
I Peter 2:21

All believers would have to say that Jesus is the priority in our lives as far as being an influence on us. I have an upcoming Sunday school lesson on the subject of “influence” with Jesus being on the top of the list. I realize we've never met Jesus in a physical sense, eye to eye, but we still have met Him through the Word of God. We get a very thorough picture of Him in our Bibles and as we read, we come to know Him more and more. As we go through that process, we should be allowing Him to be the major influence in our lives.

When speaking of spiritual influence in our lives, we tend to reach far back into our lives. I like most can think of Sunday school teachers, pastors, neighbors, etc. who blessed my life. I'm not discounting those dear saints of the past who were faithful to their God-assigned tasks in our early days. However, I'm going through a review of people of influence in my life through the last half of my life.

When reviewing people of influence in my life, my mind quickly went to a lady by the name of Ruth Bartel. When on a church staff, this dear lady walked into our church office area on a rather cold day. She carried a decent size purse and a relatively small suitcase. She was in her 60's as I recall and had a beautiful face with the most beautiful skin. Her hair was neatly combed back and put into a bun at the back of her hairline. She had a radiant smile. Her request was simple: “I would like to talk to the pastor.”

A couple of us smiled at that request for no one just walked into the office and received an immediate session with the pastor because of his busy schedule. He was called in his office, and to our amazement, he asked that she come to his office. He didn't recognize her name and didn't know her. She was from another state. At the end of their session, the pastor came out and asked that she be taken to our church's guest apartment. Someone was assigned to go to the grocery store and get whatever she wanted for the small kitchen in the apartment. We did all we could to make her comfortable.

We learned in short order that the only thing this dear lady wanted was to come to our church, eventually find a small apartment in the area and give her days to prayer for our church. Sounded a little odd. but the pastor was the one who had spoken with her. She was very friendly in a quiet, sweet way, and it wasn't hard to love Mrs. Bartel.

As I came to know her, and made it a point to do so, I came to learn her schedule. She was up in the morning around 4-5:00. She dressed and fixed a very meager breakfast...two pieces of toast, piece of fruit and cup of tea. She then dug into her day. She did the same thing over and over during the day...pray, read Scripture, sing from a hymnbook and pray. Some days, she took a brief nap early afternoon. On one occasion she showed me her prayer list. It was contained at the time in five spiral notebooks full of names (on front and back of sheets). She had names listed of our staff, their spouses and children individually. It was the same of our deacon board, adult choir, ushers, Sunday school personnel, school personnel from K-college, and no telling who else. Mrs. Bartel veered from her schedule only for church services and ladies soul winning on Friday mornings. She was usually in bed by 8:00 in the evening.
 

It was a blessing being her friend. She was often my soul winning partner which gave me even more time to “sit at her feet.” Many folks have been a wonderful influence in my life but that dear lady who just walked into our office that one cold winter day never knew what she meant to me and so many others.

The fact is when we are a godly influence, it's rare we realize it. We feel we're just living life as we usually do. Our influence is shown mostly through our everyday living. We don't see how people observe us. We'll make our share of mistakes, but if our focus is on Jesus, and we follow in His steps, our influence will be taken care of by Him. Any good influence we can be for Jesus is certainly not for our glory but for His. Good influence for for God is not something we can pretend. It will be who we are.

Thank You Father, for saving me and giving me the opportunity to live for and serve You. May I walk and live in the power of Your Spirit. I want Jesus to be seen in me. Thank You for Your goodness in my life. In Jesus precious name...Amen

AT WHAT PRICE

For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God in your body,

and in your spirit, which are God's.

I Corinthians 6:20

Finally got Brian out yesterday to get some clothes he's needed for a long time. While he was trying some things one, I found myself sitting in a place where folks were coming and going...men and boys trying things on in private rooms while the women in their lives were bringing things back and forth to them. I sat with one family who was in the process of purchasing their 11-year-old boys first suit. The suit was settled on but the debate was what shade of blue dress shirt he would prefer. I sat with a knowing smile, having been through those days. One outside lady asked the 13 year old sister if she had her Easter dress yet and she said she did and described it to her. The Dad came out of a room with his new suit on, looking dashing. Mom of the bunch had long ago decided she would go out this next week ALONE to get what she would wear. She had already decided that all of this was going to cost a fortune.

The mall had their Easter bunny picture setting with crying children scared of the furry creature holding them just to have a picture taken to keep parents happy. Easter goodies were sold in various places in the form of eggs, rabbits, etc. Folks were carrying bags indicating special clothing and shoes had been purchased. There was an air of exuberance with the coming Easter Sunday approaching. It's such a special day...no, it celebrates THE day.

Brian and I have one son...Johnny....and we love him very much. I don't know of a single person facing execution for a crime where we would give Johnny over to authorities to take the place of that criminal, taking his place for a crime not of Johnny's doing. That would only be a one on one one thing. It's been so hard for me to imagine how God, in His loving mercy, could one day say to His Son, “It's time to go.” Jesus came from Heaven, becoming a human being, God knowing what Jesus' end on this earth would be. I can't imagine a mother standing at the foot of her son's cross, watching His agonizing death.

So God gave and what a price it was for God to give, Jesus to pay and a mother to watch. Most mothers I know at one time or another have wished they could take the place of their suffering children. As I see St. Jude ads on TV and the sick children with cancer, I pay attention to parents of those children. Probably most would take the suffering on themselves and off of their child if they could.

It bothers me how so many only seem to think deeply about Easter on just one day. Easter should be an ongoing mental practice for us every day of the year. Jesus didn't just die for one day. Our salvation is an ongoing privilege every day we live.

We have been purchased at great price and Scripture is very clear as to God's expectation of us. We are to glorify God in our bodies and in our spirits. God says that both belong to Him and we are to so live in our physical being and spirits that He receives glory in all we do or say. This is an ongoing expectation no matter the holiday. It's just as important to remember on Christmas day as on Easter, that we strive with all we are to please our Father and bring glory to Him.

Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son Jesus. Thank You, Jesus, for Your willingness to die in such a horrible way for us not as a group but as individual people. We are needy of the blood You shed but so undeserving. People will purchase their Easter finery...You wore a crown of thorns and a robe mocking Your kingship. Thank You for it all...in Your precious name...Amen

THOSE EVERLASTIN' WEEDS

But when the blade was sprung up,

and brought forth fruit, then appeared

the tares also.

Matthew 13:25

Jesus taught so often using wonderful parables. A parable is an illustrative story with a spiritual meaning. He often spoke such parables using things of nature...birds, lilies of the field, wheat and tares, sowing seed, mustard seed and some other things. It has come to my mind this week of His teaching of the wheat and tares. He spoke of how the good plants grow and flourish but unfortunately, so do the tares (weeds) that appear around them.

Any of us who try to even have the fewest of plants or flowering bushes know that no matter how hard we try with chemicals or weed deterrents, they still show up. Such weeds that gather around the flowers or small shrubs almost seem to look at us teasingly and jeering, daring us to do something about them.

I often hear in our area of back aches, sore shoulders and painful knees and can pretty much guess they have been weeding in gardens and plant life in various areas of their yards. Most have told me and I agree that once the weeds appear, there's no riddance of them like them being pulled out of the ground, roots and all. That takes time and plenty of energy with a whole lot of patience.

Farmers may have vast fields of waving grain, but tall weeds may still appear and make themselves known. Farmers don't pull weeds. They harvest the wheat and find it easy to pull the weeds from the good stalks of grain. They don't seem to panic when they see a weed.

Weeds are plants, but they are unwanted ones. We here in East Tennessee are beginning to see some little indicators that spring is upon us. People flock here in April and May just to view wild flowers. May I tell you that many of those lovely “wild flowers” are for the most part weeds...more sophisticated ones with names...but weeds. So the fact is, there are weeds that may be pretty that one might want to hang onto.

People think of spring also as being housecleaning time. Housecleaning in certain areas that have been put on a shelf for “later” may be taken care of in the Spring. Pulling weeds isn't necessarily a year round thing. I have weeds that seem to disappear during the cold months but bless me in abundance when spring comes.

Spiritually, I'm wondering about our personal weeds. Colossians 3 is an excellent chapter for spiritual checkups any time of year. In that chapter we are told some things we need to “put off”...mortify them which means to kill them out. For instance, verses 8 and 9 are examples of what the weeding out process might be for us:

But now, ye also put off all these:

anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,

filthy communication out of your mouth.

Lie not one to another, seeing that ye

have put off the old man with his deeds.

There are other listed in that chapter that need “weeding out.” As faithful as we are to confess our sin, it's amazing how it can raise its ugly head again and again. Just like in our yards, the weeding process is ongoing and will be until we get to Heaven.  

Our problem is, if we don't do any weeding of our sin, those sins just multiply and soon we are so inundated with (weeds) sin that we lose all effectiveness for God. God is the answer to our (weed) sin problem. We read:

If we confess our sins (weeds), he is

faithful and just to forgive us our

sins (weeds), and to cleans us from

all unrighteousness (weeds).

I John 1:9

He is so precious to forgive us, clean us up and use us to the utmost in His grant plan as we live, love and move in this gigantic plot (earth) of His. Where I may have to do spring housecleaning by myself if it is to get done, with the spiritual weeding I know needs done, He is the one who actually comes to my aid...I confess and repent and He does the rest.  Beware though, as I said before, there are some weeds that are pretty.  We may have some sin in our lives we favor whether we want to admit it or not.  Those have to go too.

Father, thank You for the seasons You have put in place for us and for the blessing of each one. Thank You that even the weeds around my bushes, remind me that my life can more beautiful for You without the weeds in my life. Thank You for Your cleansing and forgiveness. Thank You for Jesus who made it all possible...in His precious name....Amen

COURAGE NO MATTER

Be strong and of a good courage,
fear not, nor be afraid of them: for
the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go
with thee; He will not fail thee, nor
forsake thee.
Deuteronomy 31:6

When I think of courage I tend to think of our military personnel, missionaries serving oversees, police and firemen, and all such persons. I looked up some definitions of of courage and was a little surprised that its definition extended beyond my expectations. Courage defined by scholars say that courage is strength in the face of pain, grief or hardship. A courageous person is also one who stands on principle despite opposition. As I see it, there is no limitations on race, sex, age, culture, etc. when it comes to showing courage.

Growing up in Sunday school, I learned of David and Daniel. David went up against a giant and Daniel spent the night, lion sitting in a den. I still don't think I've grasped the courage it took for both of those men, one perhaps just a kid, but both who stood up for right and for what they believed. It's hard for us to gauge courage even after an event, mostly because we didn't have to be involved.

Any of our military wars have had their share of military persons taken prisoner and tortured for important information. I remember during some of those earlier days reading about John & Betty Stamm, missionaries in China who were beheaded for their faith leaving their baby girl hidden under blankets for their nurse to find and protect.

I'm thinking of recent pictures we have seen of Christians in the middle east who face death with courage in standing for their faith. They attend church not knowing if it will be bombed with them in it. I remember young Christian men lined up on their knees about to be beheaded by Islamic terrorists because they wouldn't deny their faith in Jesus.

Courage isn't limited to overseas or even back into our history. We hear of courage on every side in our own country. In a recent school shooting, three male school personnel rushed into the fray and gave their lives to save students from being shot by a young maniac. At Columbine in Colorado, we saw young Christians admit to their faith and were killed. But courage doesn't always have to do with dying.

All of us know of folks who live courageously with horrible disease in their lives. Some of those folks require caregivers which also takes a great deal of courage. Some folks live in great pain most of their lives but never miss a church service...they just keep going, doing what is right to do.

Courage came to my mind close to home when I received a picture on face book of my granddaughter who lives in Florida. Even while in Texas before a family move, she was by all means a very advanced competitive swimmer for being in early elementary school.

A few months ago, she had an ankle injury which took her out of racing as she knew it in order to go through a therapy process. She doesn't have parents who insist she swim. They want her to swim for all the right reasons and enjoy it at the same time. Madelyn has recently returned to the pool as far as meets are concerned. It can be intimidating for a 9 year old to return to a place where she has felt physical pain, but has now returned to the water with coaches praise for her accomplishment.

I've seen courage in children who don't even know the meaning of the word and have seen it in older folks like a 99 year old Billy Graham who probably never considered himself as being courageous, but he certainly was. I've seen it in the eyes of a friend going through chemo and a neighbor man who cared for his wife the last few years and now is planning her funeral. I've heard pastor's preach the Word at the risk of their jobs before people who only wanted to be entertained. I've seen courage in a president of our country who is undergoing the persecution he and his family are enduring right now. Courage is all around us and we rarely recognize it.

The most courageous I can think of in these days is Jesus who came to earth, took on the form of a man. Although sinless, He came to earth to live and to die an impossibly cruel death that you and I might live. He gives us life right now as we live, but also provides eternal life for us. When we read of all He went through on the part of Roman soldiers, it's incredible He even looked human when they were finished. Scripture tells us He was hardly recognizable as a human being after all the abuse inflicted on Him.

  Then He had the cross to face. He did that for you and for me. He exemplified courage at it's greatest in the worst of circumstances. He could have called angels to His rescue, but chose to die in the face of circumstances you and I will never know. How can we ever dare disappoint or deny Him. In His strength and love, we find our own courage.

Dear Father, thank You for all You've done in my life. Help me to have courage to take whatever stands You call me to take. Thank You for being my Father and for all Your goodness in my life. In Jesus precious name....Amen

ARE YOU FAT ?

I beseech you therefore, brethren,
by he mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy acceptable unto God, which is
your reasonable service;
And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing
of your mind, that ye may prove
what is that good, and acceptable,
and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:1,2

Recently, thousands watched a funeral on television while a couple of thousand people actually attended the service in honor of Billy Graham. It was a sweet, refreshing and encouraging time. Billy Graham was very much a part of the planning of it all, but I never got the feeling that he himself was the guest of honor. Everything was about Jesus from start to finish. He would have had it no other way.

Each of the Graham adult children had something to say during the service, each from different angles, but each, warm and informative as only those close to their father could do. The last to speak was Ned, the youngest of the five children. He got up with a coy smile on his face and announced quietly that his Dad was a FAT man. I thought quickly that I had never pegged Mr. Graham as having a problem with obesity. However, Ned was quick to explain in a very few words what he meant. He gave three words he saw defining who and what his dad was:

F-faithful....A-available....T-teachable.

What a blessing to hear an adult son be able to say those things about his father who had just gone to Heaven, three wonderful characteristics for any of us to attain to. A son could honestly say of his father, now gone to Heaven that his father was spiritually FAT.

When I think of faithfulness, I think of being true to those things one knows to be right and then consistently do them. Those guidelines come to us from the Bible, God's word. It means adhering to those things no matter what our culture dictates. It means being true to relationships and responsibilities. It also means being people of our word in transparency, living openly with nothing to hide.

Availability is a problem for most living in this very busy world. Time seems so limited to give to others whether family and friends or in serving the Lord in those ways God has gifted us. We've become so used to hearing “Call me anytime you need me” that we hardly pay any attention to those words anymore even though we might mean them if we say them. Our culture has isolated us to some extent with our running to and fro. Growing up, we knew the names of people on our street two blocks up and two blocks down. We may not have been close to everyone in a personal way, but I think I could guarantee folks would be available to those on that street. Worse yet is our lack of availability to our Lord when He calls on us to the smallest of tasks for Him. Availability is based on taking eyes off of self. Jesus was always available to people no matter where he traveled.

Then there is that quality of being a teachable person. I have taught ladies for years. When I come into a new group of ladies to teach in a class session, I can just about tell if there is someone who looks at me almost daring me to teach them something. There isn't a one of us who knows everything about everything, especially in the spiritual realm. Being teachable is a very personal thing...something we determine to be. I think of times from high school through college when I just put in time in the classroom, biding time until the 50 minutes was over. I don't think I even tried to look teachable let alone be teachable. I'm sure I've still at times refused to sit up and learn, even if by observation only. Even at the age of twelve, do we honestly think the boy Jesus in the temple really needed to ask the elders any questions? He set an example for us even then to be teachable.

Spiritually speaking, how FAT are we...how faithful, available and teachable in the things of Christ? How wonderful it would be for people to view us in these ways, not for self glory but for God's glory alone.

Father, I fall so short in my dedication and devotion to You and am so sorry. In Your power and in Your power alone, I want to be more for You than I've ever been up to the present. I am grateful for Your every kindness and blessing in my life. Above all, I thank You for Jesus and it's in His precious name I pray....Amen