CULTURE AT A LOSS

Woe unto them, that call evil good, and
good evil; that put darkness for light, and
light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet,
and sweet for bitter!
Isaiah 5:20

Living where we do, a stone's throw from the national park, it isn't unusual for an alert to go out that someone has lost their way in the park during a hiking trip. There have been times when a child wandered away from parents and became lost. One thing that has been suggested to hikers, especially children or very inexperienced ones, has been that when one realizes he is lost, to stop where he is, sit down and wait for help to come. The tendency even when lost and in a panic is to continue wandering hoping to see some place or some thing familiar. It can get where all trees look alike so that the lost one can wander aimlessly becoming more and more lost.

When lost in the daylight, that lost hiker still feels encouraged until evening begins to set in. When darkness falls, in a setting like ours here, there is real panic...there are shadows, strange sounds...even various animal sounds of those that wander through the forest at night foraging for food. The darkness becomes a serious enemy for one who is completely lost, who cannot focus or see anything clearly. The lost hiker is thrilled beyond words seeing the glow of a flashlight or hearing a call from a nearing rescue person.

Scripture speaks in several area about darkness, mostly a spiritual darkness that we can become exposed to or even find ourselves in the very middle of. Should such happen in our own lives, the suggestions of the national park I think apply here. We need to stop wandering around trying to find answers that often aren't anywhere to be found. Most of us in those circumstances need to just sit down and quietly wait for the Lord to come and minister to our spirits. He will often do that as we refer to His guidebook.

The above verse speaks to where many in our country are with regard to morals and standards...good is no longer just good, and evil is coming to be seen in more of a good and positive light. What used to be wrong behavior and lifestyles are now being rationalized as being acceptable. Things anymore aren't just black and white, but morals and standards are viewed as being more gray where people can decide for themselves what is good or evil. When this mentality sets in, in reality, a person has come into the realm of darkness and has fled the light God intends for each of us.

Many of us can look back to days that were more civil, when authority was respected, where good character was evident in school rooms and in the halls of government. My question is, “What happened.” I can recall honorable politicians, at least for the most part. If you had a TV, you got the local evening news with informative information..no drama. Somewhere our culture let a lot of really good things go. Electronics have played a huge part with TV's, computers, all sorts of phones, etc. However, behind all of those things resides in the hearts of people to find their way, a way out of unhappiness and boredom.

I've decided that what our country needs a good old sweeping revival in the worst of ways. We can't go back and change the past, but we can be a part of changing the future, one by one. First, we can live lives pleasing to the Lord individually. The lives we live for Christ will say more to others than any sermons we preach. We need to take advantage of speaking for Jesus when we can. We must ourselves be in the Scriptures and bathe it all in prayer. If our country continues it's self destruction, I would hope you and I would be doing our part in it's “stay” of execution.

Father, help us to be a doer of Your Word and not hearers only. As pleasant as some of our memories may be, there are children growing up now who will never know any innocence in America. Keep us praying..keep us faithful. In Jesus precious name...Amen

BIG PLANS

For I know the plans that I have
for you, declares the Lord, plans for
welfare and not for calamity to give
you a future and a hope.
Then you will call upon Me and
come and pray to Me, and I will
listen to you
You will seek Me and find me
when you search for Me with all
your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NASB)

When most young couples find they are expecting their first baby, they begin planning. Even before the baby's birth, parents are still planning and not just for the nursery. Plans for that baby are wrapped up in dreams regarding the future of their child. Even into adulthood, parents have dreams for their children even when grown. It's when all of us reached the point of making our own plans and decisions we came up against some difficulties. Human speaking, there is NO perfect plan we can make on our own behalf or on behalf of another.

As I read in the Old Testament, it amazes me over and over as I see God's patience with His people. Their spiritual walk with Him always seemed to be for them at a peak or at the bottom of a sand dune. It's hard to be critical of them when we, too, push at the patience of God with our disappointing ways. God had to take drastic measures with His people even to the point of allowing them to go into exile, far away from their homeland just to get their attention.

God, however, didn't give up on His people and stuck to His promises regarded their future. By the way, His promises reach down to us this very day from that time and aren't we glad. In the timing of our above verses, God's people were returned to their land. They weren't to give up in times of hardship, but know that God had their best interest at heart for the duration.

Anyone who has raised children understands the disappointment when a child chose a way that spelled disaster in so many ways. The parents see the disaster coming and may beg, plead and pray for a change in the mind of that child, but it seems to no avail. I have known very few parents who have gone through such experiences, but who welcomed that child back to the fold when pieces of a life needed put back together. It seems God was always doing this for his people. At times, they were grateful while at other times, showed an ingratitude by returning to their idols and immoral living.

God spoke to His people in Jeremiah, again with hopes and dreams for their future. In His planning, He hoped to provide for their welfare and to provide a future and hope. That was the promise from their Sovereign God who could do anything on their behalf He chose.

God asked so little of them in this process. He asked them to come and call on Him and pray. He promised to always listen to their prayers. In this seeking process though, He required that they approach Him with their whole beings...their whole heart. He wanted a people with sincerity to respect Him, their Heavenly Father, to never have a frivolous attitude in their attitude or approach to Him.

God desires the very same of each of us. There have been times I have been in a distant place from God. Many of us have had times in our lives when God had to put some pieces back together with his “love putty.” We can't accept this loving help wanting just a reprieve from the world. He seeks our sincerity not our self interest. He will settle for nothing less than our complete devotion.

Today, God hasn't changed, nor His promises. He is always looking out for our best interest because of a love for us we can never fathom. When God says He has plans, we've come to know He has plans for us that cannot be comprehended and that are rarely appreciated. Some people promise us outlandish things we know can't come to be, but not with God. When He promises our welfare, hope and future, all can be accepted as fact.

Mans plans and efforts at self direction will always be second best, or even lower than that. We might find a temporary satisfaction in seeking our own way. In the end, our plans will never fully satisfy. God already has our plans made in every area of our lives. He not only has made the plans for you and me but also sends His agents to aid us with the details. In the end, God's way will always be the best way. We are told He is available to talk things over with us at any time. With His guiding hand, listening ear and heart of love, how can we go wrong?

Thank You Father for knowing us so well and knowing what is best for us in every area of our lives. Keep us close to You and open to Your will and way for our lives. Thank You for loving us despite our erring ways. Thank You for Jesus. In whose name I pray...Amen

THE IMPORTANCE OF ROOTS

Therefore as you have received
walk in Him,
having been firmly rooted and
now being built up in Him and
established in your faith, just as
you were instructed, and
overflowing with gratitude.
Colossians 2:6,7

We may be seeing some beginnings of Spring here in the mountains. It seems a long time coming with all of the weeks of rain, swelled rivers and rock slides that we have been experiencing. Trees are flowering as are jonquils in all their golden glory. Some early wild flowers are making their appearances and RV's are rolling into town to hopefully soak in the feelings of Springtime.

Prior to grass greening up, are the weeds making appearances. Obviously, we didn't do a good job last Fall in ridding ourselves of these pests. They poke their leaves and even blossoms above ground almost in a taunting way. I'm amazed at how weeds can disguise themselves as pretty blossoms and flowers. My granddaughter last week brought me a small bouquet of such heather-looking blossoms. I put them in a cup of water and even then, they refused to die and lingered for days.

There is a lot to be said for weeds. They are tough with a determination to exist on their own terms. Much of their success is due to good roots. Roots represent beginnings.” We hear of roots that are related to people and the importance of the roots of their ancestries running deep...an indicator of health, security and belonging. Even with good roots, people have little bragging rights compared to the most important root mentioned in Scripture found in the book of Isaiah 11:1,2:

Then a root will spring from the stem
of Jesse, and a branch from
his roots will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and strength,
the spirit of knowledge and the
fear of the Lord.

I realize roots are important for so many reasons in the natural sense, but the promise of Jesus coming from the stem of Jesse, the root that would bear fruit and be all for the world it needed. That root could never be uprooted or destroyed. It (He) would bear fruit that we have benefited from that will see us into eternity
.

We benefit in so many ways through that precious root, Jesus. What exactly do roots do for any plant life?
* they provide nutrition for whatever the plant is
* they provide stability for a plant as it grows holding it in place, and
* their work is unseen in bringing forth fruit or beauty

Roots don't just happen. They come in the very beginning from a seed. Seeds don't just become plants. It takes good soil, water, and eventually sun as the root forms, matures and sends sprouts upward through the topsoil. The root even then continues to feed the plant ensuring it's survival. To fully survive, the plant must stay grounded in the earth via the root.

If we are to grow in Christ, it will mean being rooted and grounded in His love. It will mean our spirit is watered with the Word of God on a regular basis and being people of prayer. 

Our goal should be that of growing in the Lord and being fruitful for His glory. Speaking of the blessed person in Psalm 1:3, we have a good description of what we should aim for in our relationship with the Lord:

He (the blessed person) will be like a tree firmly planted
by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season.
And it's leaf does not wither; and in whatever
he does, he prospers.

Spring is here and as much as we can enjoy the beauty of God's nature, we should be just as concerned for our own spiritual growth that can come only when we are grounded and rooted deeply in Jesus Christ. May our desire be to grow our spiritual deeper and deeper in Christ so we will be more fruitful, and yes, beautiful for His glory.

Dear Father, keep me growing and flourishing in You. I want to be fruitful for Your kingdom and glory. May I be alert to any weeds of sin that can seem to sneak into my life. Forgive me for all the times I sin and disappoint you. Thank You for Jesus who makes life worth living everyday. In His precious name....Amen

LOADED WITH BENEFITS

Blessed be the Lord, who daily
loadeth us with benefits, even
the God of our salvation.
Psalm 68:19

When being interviewed for a position with any business, of great interest is the salary being offered by the prospective employer. There are things of interest in this process especially the salary. One wants information on specific responsibilities, schedule of work and who one reports to on the job. Still in the back of one's mind is something we've come to know as “benefits.” Benefits, where a job is concerned, are those payments or gifts given by an employer that is above one's regular salary. Benefits may include vacation days, sick pay, stock payouts, retirement accounts, and other things offered by a company.

Benefits are often awarded by financial institutions as incentive for one's contribution to the company. Professional athletes receive benefits and bonus's for game performance, championships and team spirit. Their benefits often go into the thousands or millions of dollars in the sports profession.

Our verse from Psalms says the Lord loads us with benefits. I love that word “loads.” You and I are blessed in abundance, over and over again on a daily basis with benefits we don't stop to consider, let alone deserve. Our prayers before bed may be no more than “Now I lay me down to sleep...”, etc. We list our prayer requests and then put our heads on the pillow. Rarely do we just lay quietly thinking about God's goodness regarding that particular day.

David stressed the importance of our salvation. but from his standpoint, speaks of those “loads of benefits” that were his from the Lord. One can read of his life and the way God led and directed not only a boy before a giant, but also of a king who fought other giants in his adult life. His life was preserved over and over as others wanted him dead. Despite his failings, there was genuine repentance and God's hand of blessing and anointing rested on His life.

What of our benefits? Can we look back and see the benefits of God He's loaded on us over and over, faithfully giving to us things we don't even consider benefits anymore? I wonder if we aren't scant in our gratitude for the loads of blessing He gives over and over. They are “loaded” on us every day of a year. Many of those things we've just come to expect and don't even regard as special anymore such as: clothes in our closet, gas in our car's tank, food in our refrigerator, good health and living in the greatest country in the world. Those are just a few we rarely consider.

Our benefits may be alike in many ways. However, our benefits are very individualized just as our relationship with our Lord is. We are a blessed people with a loving Father who sees to our every need...person by person. All of us have the benefit of a personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus. We also have the privilege of owning a copy of God's Word. Without it, we can't know specific information about Him and His story. This is the completeness of His story as He has chosen to give it to us. He is also available to us 24/7 for private conferences. He is the only One I know of who can meet my every need at a moments notice. All of this is available without listing all of the other benefits that are ours through Jesus.

My personal hope is that I will be a grateful person regarding God's goodness in my life. I tend to be ungrateful, giving little thought to all the blessings God “loads” into my life.. Just to begin listing the benefits of God in my life would be exhausting. I do know that all that is mine through Him is wrapped up with an abiding love I'll never understand. The same is true for you as well.

Thank You, Father, for every blessing You give us moment by moment. You pour Your love into our lives despite our undeserving state. Thank You for Jesus and His gift of eternal life to us. May we live lives of gratitude and in ways that please You. In Jesus' precious name...Amen.

NOTHING'S NEW

Is there anything of which one
might say, “See this, it is new?”
Already it has existed for ages
which were before us.
Ecclesiastes 1:10

Lately I've been reading through the book of Ecclesiastes...yes, it's really a book in the Bible. It's one of those that is nestled between Proverbs and Song of Solomon. I remember where it is because both Proverbs and Ecclesiastes were penned by Solomon with Holy Spirit leading. So often we feel that much of the Bible is out of date. Even Christians who love God's Word can take on that attitude if they aren't careful. I look at this particular book and wonder if Solomon hasn't been looking in our living groom windows, halls of Congress, Wall street investment desks and maybe even into our church buildings
.

Solomon was a blessed man. He gave the right answer when God told him he could have anything he wanted. He could have had military power, riches and whatever else many people would have asked for. Solomon simply asked for wisdom. As a result, God added other of Solomon's wishes to the list because Solomon had given God the answer He wanted.

Unfortunately, wisdom and the riches God gave him didn't seem to be enough. His pride and riches became compulsions in his life and in this book that is also considered a wisdom book gives his frustration with all of his achievements.

First in chapter 1:13,17 he says, “I set my mind.” In verse 13 he sets his mind on wisdom, but also on the burden that can be man's with all of God's provision. In 17, Solomon's goal is different in that he wants to set his mind to know wisdom, but now is wanting to know more about the madness of folly. We must be careful what we set our minds on because we will usually do all we can to achieve whatever it is. He's even decided in verse 18:

Because in much wisdom there is much grief,
and increasing knowledge results in
increasing pain.

In chapters 2 & 3, Solomon speaks of all the things he added to his coffers he speaks of where we might be in our day in 2:10.

All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them.
I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure,
for my heart was pleased because of all my
labor and this was my reward for all my labor.

I can hear us now. I may have said something similar at times. “I've worked hard and there's nothing wrong with buying myself some things I want and deserve. I can buy anything I set my mind on and can have as much fun as I want.” Does any of that sound familiar. It's pretty much the mind set of our society today.

Solomon wasn't finished though and there's so much more:

Furthermore, I have seen under the
sun that in the place of justice there is
wickedness and in the place of
righteousness there is wickedness.
(4:16)

Take a look at the judicial system in our country and how messed up it is. The worst of criminals either go free or with a mere slap on the hands. Judges have a bias depending on what political party put them in office. Policemen can try to arrest a speeding driver and the policeman can face any number of false accusations. The same problems in this area have trickled down from Solomon into our own society.

One more of of many:

There is a grievous evil which I have seen
under the sun: riches being hoarded by their
owner to his hurt.
(5:13)

Does this have a familiar ring to it? From hoarders we see on TV to those who scam people any number of ways in order to gain all the wealth they can at another's expense. Even we may fall into the same trap of saving things we may never use.

My prayer for us is we will live lives that will honor God in every way whether it be in our work, spending, possessions, amusements. If the richest man who lived came to know the folly of riches and things of this world that were for nothing when they become a compulsion, can't we learn his lesson no matter how mere our riches and possessions may be?

Father, I'm so grateful that You never change. You decided how things should be long before time began and you have adhered to those things to the letter. Thank You for the security in knowing You stay the same and that sameness will always remain. I praise You today for who You are in my life. Thank You for Jesus and it' in His name I pray....Amen

LIFE VERSES

The Lord is my light and my
salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my
life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1,2

When a junior in high school, some relatives of my grandmother came to visit from the distant state of Minnesota. Among those relatives was a girl, Judy, who was at the time a senior in high school while I was a junior. She was absolutely gorgeous physically, but also had a radiance about her that I knew at that young age could only be of the Lord. We talked a lot in those few days. She shared the Scriptures with me like I had never experienced with someone more my age. She gave me her senior picture for my billfold. On the back she wrote a sweet note and then under her name wrote: Philippians 1:21. I asked her about that and she told me the verse was her life verse. I had never heard of a life verse...what it was or what it meant. Judy had signed her picture with that reference and told me she usually did that when she signed her name
.

For a time I adopted Philippians 1:21 as my life verse. It's a wonderful verse for anytime in one's life:

For me to live is Christ,
and to die is gain.

That is a great verse to cover just about every area and experience in one's life. I often think of it and quote it to myself when I have the need for it's encouragement. However, as life as progressed for me and I have lived through the various ups and downs life presents, I often come across verses that seem to really apply for present circumstances.

 For living a Christ-filled life daily is such a wonderful thing despite my shortcomings and failures. I know no matter how good life is right now, the best is yet to come. Many verses have come to be life verses for me at various times. It was a good day when it dawned on me that I can have several verses in the pocket of my heart to pull out and claim for any number of events in my life.

This morning as I awoke, Psalm 27:1,2 came to my mind like a flash. It was comforting. Lately I've been pretty tired, a little on the “fritz”. These verses have come to be such a blessing for this particular time. Sometimes we of the “more mature” generation can become a little fearful at times as our issues are different from the average thirty year old. These verses have come to be sources of encouragement and peace. I can't say I'm fearful at the moment, but my life concerns are different than they were 20 years ago.  Maybe you like me need to be assured that the Lord is our LIGHT, SALVATION and the STRENGTH of our lives. Because of that, we have to walk in fear. Those are verses for any time of life.

By the way, every verse in God's Word has purpose for our lives. All sorts of verses may come to have special meaning, but they in isolated form cannot take away from the entire counsel of God. We can “go hunting” for verses. The Holy Spirit knows our every need and will give us what we need from His Word if we ask Him to. We are very lax in memorizing Scripture verses and yet such verses become spiritual life preservers and thus, they all become LIFE VERSES.

Dear Father...I'm so grateful for Your Word inspired by Your Spirit. It means more to me than I can say. You have loved me through it. You've given me strength, encouragement and yes, correction I badly needed at times. When the day comes that dying is gain for me, then I'll see it all unfold in person. Through it, I came to know Jesus and am so grateful, so I pray these things in His name....Amen

CELEBRATE LIFE!!

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

God's people certainly had their faults and did their share in disappointing their God of love and of great patience. Despite all of the tribulation and ups/downs of life, the people of Israel certainly knew how to have a party to celebrate God. Why? God had given the people cause for great joy. He has done the very same for you and me as well but not just on one occasion.

My least desire in writing is to be morbid in any way, but have actually been thinking in a positive, celebratory fashion so hang in with me. When I was in high school, I learned from a conversation my Mother and grandmother were having that folks age 50 and older usually make a habit of reading obituaries in the local newspapers. They often read the obituaries of people they had never known. I found that very strange, but both ladies assured me that when I reached their ages, I would do the same thing.

 I can't say I have adopted that habit and yet, every now and then, I can't resist taking a peek at our local newspaper's obituary column. We are still fairly new in the area so I very rarely know anyone listed who has died.

On rare occasions, when reading obituaries, I come across one or two that are unbelievably positive and encouraging. Usually with such articles, I see a simple phrase that tells me a lot about the deceased. It might say, “On Tuesday morning, 10:00 at such and such a church, we will CELEBRATE THE LIFE of.......” That is wonderful and such a tribute to a life well lived. How wonderful it would be to celebrate each others life while we are still alive.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Can we not celebrate all of those wonderful, positive things God has done in our lives and leave all of the old garbage out of our thinking? Few people agree to attend pity parties. We don't have to throw some kind of party, but we could because of God's goodness.. I'm not going to send out any invitations to a party right now, but think for now, I'll go into the kitchen, pour me a fresh diet Coke and just smile awhile.

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

TIGHT PLACES

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth should change.
And though the mountains slip
into the heart of the sea;

Though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains quake at
its swelling pride.
Psalm 47:1-3

Brian and I recently visited Chattanooga, Tennessee where fifty years ago, we spent our honeymoon. We went to the places we had visited back then. I must admit that most of it had changed drastically (duh!). A favorite of ours was walking again through Rock City which is still a most fascinating place. Along this walk, one comes to places referred to as “tight squeezes.” It would be very hard for some folks to work their way through those places be it be a problem with weight or even in some cases hampered mobility.

Last night in our ladies Bible study, we took a look at Psalm 47, really spending more time on the above verses. The entire Psalm written to be sung is a Psalm of Gods love and the security He provides for those who are His children. Just in those three verses we read of God's strength in our lives, especially in times of trouble. God being our refuge is such a comforting thought. A refuge is a place we can go to for safety and help. I think in our day of shelters of various types...homeless, battered women, rescue missions sponsored by churches and even pregnancy centers. All are the extended arms of God to minister in lives of need whether we recognize that fact or not...remember “Jesus with skin on.”

At the end of verse one is the word “trouble.” The interesting thing about that word according to my reference Bible is that it is translated “tight places.” When I saw that translation, and seeing that during those times, God is a very present help, I thought of tight places through life I have gone through. As I recall, some of them were really tight especially during my single days. There were work and financial stressors where there just wasn't any wiggle room.

We've all known those tight places during family life. Tight places could include job issues, financial woes, challenges in child rearing, and even health problems that in any area could bring troubles (tight places) that seemed impossible to deal with or get out of. It seemed the more we wiggled to solve or get out of such problems, it seemed to be of no avail. At times, the more we wiggled to escape, the tighter the place became. In it all, God was a help during those times even if we didn't recognize Him in it all.

The other two verses in this section refers to something we are all experiencing in our country even today. There are times were glide through Scripture as if what we are reading is just historical and not for today. The other two verses refers to weather issues. We see that the earth will change. Yep, God is SO smart. Mountains are spoken of crumbling, tumbling into the sea. Volcanoes tremble and some even spew lave into nearby oceans. When that happens because of the heat, the water roar and foam because of the hot lava falling into the water.

We hear in our day regarding “climate change.” I'd like to shout from the mountain tops that climate, no matter what it is, belongs to God. He can use it as He sees fit...IT'S HIS. Politicians can come up with all the solutions for climate changes they choose but it will be to no avail. They blame us in some ways for the changes in our air...misuse of fuels, industrial smog and even cattle “passing gas” while roaming their fields. No doubt our weather in our day is different from past years. The Psalmist tells us that we are not to fear no matter what happens weather-wise on our earth.

For many people in our day, weather has created some tight places in their lives. We have seen on our TV's horrible fires ravaging through forests and homes. Flooding has destroyed entire cities with their being reports of people who have drowned. It would seem we've had an unusual number of tornadoes and hurricanes. Unusual cold weather has spread across our country with unrelenting snow storms striking in some unusual places. All of these events disable and destroy...tight places.

In it all, whether our tight places are personal or national, we have a Heavenly Father who is totally in charge of everything. I don't expect unsaved politicians to think spiritually about anything. While they are full of panic, we can be full of trust in God, knowing He's in charge. We also know that in it all, God is trying to get our attention.

We have decisions to make...”Therefore we WILL NOT fear...” We can choose to trust during those tight places and not be fearful. God is our “very present help.” May we rest in that fact no matter what comes our way.

Dear Father, thank You for being my refuge in times of trouble and problems...my tight places. I may not understand circumstances that come my way but I know I can trust you in every disturbing event in my life. You are my strength and joy and have been in the tight places of my life. Help me to keep my eyes focused on You in the bad or good weather of my days. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

WISE GUYS

For the wisdom of this world is
foolishness before God...
I Corinthians 3:19a

My Grandma Benbrook would sometimes say of folks she considered to be know-it-alls that they were “too big for their britches.” I was never quite sure as a very little girl what she meant when often speaking of adults like that, but when she would tell me the same thing about myself, I had a pretty good idea what she was talking about. Now I realize my view of myself including a young ego were each inflated far beyond my size or age. As we read or watch anything of today's events, hear commentators or even people interviewed, all seem to appear to be the wisest of the wise when in reality, the opposite probably is true.

This morning while clicking through various TV channels, I came across one of THOSE news channels I so rarely watch, but caught Franklin Graham's name mentioned as an upcoming person to be interviewed. I watched that interview that began with a referral to Franklin's father. Just as his father, Billy Graham, would have done, he presented the complete plan of salvation. Right in that moment, THAT news broadcast was caught in the net of the salvation story whether they wanted to hear it or not.

However, the commentator seemed to tolerate those moments so he could dig deeper with Franklin about the President. Bottom line, the commentator wanted to know what Franklin thought about all the lies the President supposedly had told since coming into office. I guess a New York paper had published a number that had been calculated by some watch service. I quickly prayed for Franklin as the interview was live, that he would be very careful, and yes, wise in his answer. He didn't disappoint me. He let the commentator know that despite such calculations, he wasn't aware of lies told by the President. He added that “we all have lied at one time or another and have regretted it.” He included himself and the commentator in that comment. Franklin was having to respond on the spot. Knowing the commentator, he probably didn't give Franklin is questions ahead of time.

We all have witnessed people who would claim to be wise. Many consider if they have some kind of advanced degree from a university or seminary, that they are automatically wise. I would choose to differ with that. I don't know how many times I have told women that there is a huge gap between wisdom and horse-sense. Horse-sense comes with living life, gaining in practical knowledge we apply to every day living. Wisdom is a different thing.

God's Word tells us something about wisdom all through the book of proverbs. However, in the Word, we see the starting place in Proverbs 9:10:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning
of wisdom: and the knowledge of
the holy is understanding.

This verse and 1:7 are the themes of this wonderful book. Wisdom begins with God and our relationship with him. Otherwise, our words are nothing but a lot of “hot air” that may sound good for the moment, but that aren't beneficial or meaningful in the whole scheme of life. This is why degrees don't qualify us to be people of wisdom. Wisdom from God enables us to put to practical use the knowledge we have attained. Wisdom also gives us the ability to speak and think in ways that honor God and not necessarily impress the world.

Along with our having to have a personal relationship with God to be truly wise, that wisdom is then enlarged, expanded and strengthened as we become people of God's Word. Those folks who accept Jesus as Savior, and then don't stay strengthened by God's Word usually live lives in spiritual doubt. God has never intended for it to be that way.

Most people I have known to be people of wisdom rarely know just how wise they are. I've complimented some on something where they have shown wisdom. They are surprised being thought of as wise. The wise rarely recognize for themselves their wisdom. If they do, they are wise enough to give God all the glory.

The goal is not to be the wisest person walking the earth. The goal is to love and enjoy life in a relationship with God that is growing, loving and beyond all expectations. Our world right now needs people of wisdom. We see some crazy things going on in our country philosophically, politically and spiritually. We are hearing things from leaders in our states and country we never thought we would hear. In it all, God is lost to such “wise” folks, but He isn't. He's still in charge and still speaking through His people through the wisdom He sheds abroad in their hearts.

Father, help me to act and speak with Your wisdom. Help me to listen carefully as people speak and to have Your wisdom in my responses. Keep me close to You. I don't function well without Your direction in my life. Keep me alert to Your voice and I thank You with all I am for Your unending love in my life. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

ENGRAVED HANDS

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

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

All of us have seen things that are engraved. Engraving means to deeply impress into something using an acid or some such substance, or to carve into something words or symbols. If we want to be a little sober, we have all seen grave stones, all of which have engravings of some sort. Such markers have become more decorative through the years. However when the engraving job is finished, the engravings are deep enough into the stone to never wear off

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

No matter the items, engravings are meant to inform (send a message), meant to last and meant to remind. As I type, I look at the back of my right hand and see an almost y-shaped scar. Scars are very deep engravings that many of us bear. Mine came as a result of a loving dog owned by a friend. He accidentally scratched my hand with his paw along with a great deal of exuberance.

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

God has chosen to permanently hold His people in the palms of His hands. Thus, He considers our relationship with Him to be permanent. I'm also reminded that such a thing should indicate for me personally that I'm a part of a great relationship with God beyond explaining or even at times understanding. Jesus said of Himself as the good shepherd and of His sheep in John 10:28:

And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall
never perish, neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

The main thing we must not forget is that Jesus also bears marks on his hands...scars. Scars, for anyone who has them, are some of the deepest engravings there can be on the human body. His scars are a result of what He did for us on the cross. Jesus doesn't have to be reminded of what He did for us that day. He knows our name and lovingly holds us closer than we can imagine. In those scars is represented the name of everyone He died for on that horrible day. I'm represented there and so are you.

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