MY FATHER'S HOUSE

And said unto them, It is written,

My house shall be called the

house of prayer; but ye have

made it a den of thieves.

Matthew 21:13

Our pastor in recent days has spoken of the hundreds of churches in our country that have either closed their doors or who will likely do so in the coming year. This is such a foreign thing in my thinking, unbelievable really.

Each one of those churches went through some kind of a building program, putting in a foundation, erecting walls and a roof. Parishioners couldn't stop with that. There was painting walls, cutting places for windows, purchasing furniture (never chairs except for Sunday school rooms) and maybe even a piano. So much love and sacrifice went into each of those buildings, that are now no longer a place of worship. There are families who purchase such church buildings to fix up for residences and some redone inside to be a restaurant or bar. Those former church members in the building days, filled with excitement, could never have have foreseen such a thing happening to their precious place of worship.

Growing up in a rather small Baptist church in southern Illinois, I thought my church had been in place for years. It's still a going church that hasn't closed its doors. Our small town had several churches. Some have rebuilt or moved to a bigger building. I will say though that I've not known of one of them that has done more damage than good to the community.

So, what's happened to other churches? We might say that closings could never happen to our place of worship, but I'm sure those folks with the locked-door churches never thought it would happen to them. The building's didn't lock themselves. The building's didn't turn off their own air conditioning, cancel utility services. No, someone with a key and some authority had to, with heavy heart, do those things even to the point of locking the front door for the last time.

Again, what happened? The fact is that we are human beings and through time we change. Many age and have health issues, some move to other locations because of new jobs, pastors come and go, while a few do all the work and they burn out.

The worst thing to happen is the loss of spiritual priority and making room for things of the world to come into a church setting. Our culture determines a lot of that. Churches feel forced to keep up with other churches in types of worship, classes offered that are of little benefit, and overall spiritual enthusiasm ebbs in the light of the busy-ness of life and outside activity that cries for our attention. There are many denominations struggling with theological issues that for the most part are heretical. In it all, pastors try to keep things going but they too are human and grow weary.

One of our huge sources of strength and energy often left to the wayside is that of prayer. The lack of it in church life is a huge cause for empty pews. Prayer is our lifeline not just on a personal basis for everyday living. It is also the lifeline for the church. We often forget during the week to pray for our church, it's staff and workers, it's strength and influence. When that happens our church becomes weak and often can fall prey to flimsy or false teaching often from outside seminar or conference speakers. Satan would love to infect God's church with anything possible to bring it to a halt, eating away at it's very foundation. We must remember that Jesus is the church's one foundation.

Every church is important in God's eyes. Prayer will open those locked doors, resume utilities and will breathe life anew, bringing together again that church family to re-build and worship as God intends.

Father, forgive me for being lax in my prayer life. There is great power when Your people pray. Call our people back to prayer, knowing You hear Your people when we cry unto You . In Jesus' precious name....Amen

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE

Blessed is the nation whose God

is the Lord....

Psalm 33:12a

The story is told of Golman Meyers who many years ago, lived in Cades Cove, my favorite place in our mountains. On Pearl Harbor Day, the day our country was attacked by the Japanese, he planted a small tree in his front yard and said to his family, “We will remember this day forever.”

Amazingly, that tree still stands strong and very tall. There is a metal tag attached to a chain that goes around the bottom of the tree with his name and date on. If one climbs the hill leading to the tree (after catching one's breath) it is a sobering experience depending on the age of the hiker. Directions to the tree can be found by looking up “Pearl Harbor Tree” on Google.

It was at that terrible time I really came to my awareness as a human being. It was December and I was to be three years old in January. However, suddenly, everyone around me was very disturbed and even in tears. Little people don't like seeing adults in their lives crying. At one point, Mother was in the yard with Mrs. Rennie from next. They were teary and were talking about “pearls.” I knew they both had pearl necklaces as most women in that day did. I was assured their necklaces weren't broken. It took a few more years before learning that “Pearl” Harbor was an actual place where some terrible things took place.

Life changed in our small town. Men rushed to the train station to ride to Chicago to the enlistment office. My Dad went with them, but he returned home a couple of days later. He didn't pass the physical because of a deformed finger. As he got off the train, both he and my mom cried. To that day, I had never seen both of my parents cry together.

Our nation was VERY patriotic in those days. There were flags flying all over the place, people pitched in to save in every way to help with the war effort....saved tin cans, saved newspapers and some grew huge “victory gardens.” Many food items were rationed so those things were purchased with money and a certain amount of stamps. Looking back, I've never seen our citizens that close during war time even up to this day. When soldiers returned home, they were all but idolized. Many of them didn't want to talk about their war experiences, but they still regarded as being our heroes. The flag continued to fly high and with respect.

Last week, I learned the location of the Pearl Harbor Tree in Cades Cove. Told Brian that we just had to go. Inside there was a part of me that returned to those 3-5 year old years. I had a small flag in our bedroom I got somewhere in Texas and had brought it with me when we moved. I couldn't wait to take my flag to that old, precious tree to put it with the others that are there.

We made the trip the next day. From the road, it isn't far to the tree, but it's a pretty steep climb. We made it and there it was with a large-link chain around the bottom and on it, the info tag and flags others had brought to pay respect to the day and that special time in our country. Brian broke the stick for me as it was too long on the flag and I put it in one of the links of the chain that is secured on the tree. There's no way to express the emotion I felt, the emotions of a very little girl who lived in a hard, but wonderful time, who is now encased in a much older body.

It has always bothered me seeing the disrespect rioters and others often show for our flag.. Our flag is burned in some of our streets and in the streets of foreign countries where America has been good to folks. Our flag is often our signal. At times, our flag can be found flying at half mast. It lets us know of some special, usually sorrowful event that has occurred in our country. For me, that's a signal to pray. Many, during that long ago war time,had small flags on their porches as America entered the war brought on by Pearl Harbor events. For most in our day, such a special day was 9/11. Both had the same effect for many depending on their ages. No matter the time or event, usually the flags come out and fly with great pride.

Thanks Mr. Meyers, for planting that special tree in your front yard. This 80 (3-5) year old will remember that day of finding it as long as I live.

Dear Father, thank You for the privilege of being an American citizen. I could have been born anywhere else in the world but, you chose this place and life for me. I thank You for the freedom and influence we know as citizens. May we get back to being the Christian place our forefathers intended. In Jesus precious name....Amen

THE OLD TIME RELIGION

T

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to

write unto you of the common salvation,

it was needful for me to write unto you,

and exhort you that ye should earnestly

contend for the faith which was once

delivered unto the saints.

Jude 3

I can recall when a young girl in our Baptist Church, sometimes singing “Give Me that Old Time Religion.” We would sing the verses “It was good for our mothers....It was good for our fathers...it was good for our grandmas”...and I guess you get the picture. I never even questioned what the old time religion was. It wasn't a “was” but then was “is.” There weren't any theological charlitains around then that I remember trying to tear up the things of Scripture. The most I ever heard discussed was the method of baptism that differed in some churches and why the Catholic church members couldn't eat meat on Friday.

Obedience to the Scriptures was something else. There were the same expectations of obeying the Word of God whether you heard it from the pulpit or in youth group that met Sunday evening prior to the church service.

Playing with God's Word as we are seeing it today for instance is cause for concern. Folks at the very risk of God's judgment have off and on through centuries revised, translated and changed Scripture to their own liking. Jude spoke in centuries past of such problems and it's just as real in our day as well.

Jude, Jesus' half brother, who wrote the 65^th book of the Bible, wrote completely from concern and urgency. He had heard of what was going on in a specific place learning of false teachers who were creeping into their fellowship. He said in verse 4:

For there are certain men crept in

unawares, who were before of old

ordained to this condemnation,

ungodly men, turning the grace of

God into lasciviousness, and

denying the only Lord God, and

our Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice, these false teachers, ordained men who had now gone rogue regarding the Scriptures were now sneaking into fellowships to teach their twisted philosophies of the Word. Jude in the introductory verse encouraged the people to fight for the faith.

One of the problems for us when we come across false teaching is that we may often not recognize what is perverted. The problem for the average Christian is that he or she may not know enough about the Scripture to know what is true and what is false. It is our responsibility to know the Scripture, not just from a pulpit or Bible study group. The Holy Spirit is more than anxious to interpret His Word to our hearts. He is the author of this wonderful Book and Who better to explain it to us than the author.

The Holy Spirit has a way of giving us “red flags” when it comes to the perversion of Scripture and we need to become very alert when such flags present themselves. We live in a world of untruth. The weather is about all we can trust on TV news anymore and we already know it can't always be accurate. Even in that, it wouldn't appear anyone is being dishonest with us. The media just throws mud against walls hope it will stick with all of the false information that is aired for us to believe. So it seems we are running low on truth in today's world. According to Jude, even spiritual untruth can creep into our churches so we must stay on the alert.

At my age, I can't help but do some looking back. I miss the simplicity, but accuracy of preachers who weren't necessarily educated to the gills. The music was simple and special music was with the heart even though the voice may not have been up to par. Bibles in the services were all the same translation so everyone was in the same place for the preaching.

The old days are gone and won't return. Our responsibility for now is to be in the Word, even singing to ourselves the familiar songs that bless us, making prayer a way of life with the comforting thought that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Thank You Father for being a never-changing God. Thank You for the consistency you teach us. Give a wisdom we need in today's world to navigate through all the newness and even uncomfortable areas of today's world. Keep us faithful to You and Your Word. In Jesus Precious Name....Amen

MIND YOUR MIND

For those that are after

of the flesh, but those who are

according to the Spirit, the things

of the Spirit.

For the mind set on the flesh is death,

but the mind set on the Spirit is

life and peace.

Romans 8:5,6 (NASB)

Just out of curiosity, I looked up some information regarding the number of active wars that are going on in our world right now. That number is 40. That doesn't count the countries that are sniping at each other, teasing each other with pushing and shoving politically. In our day, it would seem there are wars and rumors of war as Scripture informs us.

Those wars we hear of are usually of some concern depending on where they are located and how much they affect our own country. A war is basically a battle between two entities be it countries, families or even individuals. Somewhere along the line, wars begin in the minds of one or more persons. We underestimate what the thinking of anyone can amount to, including our own. For this reason, Paul is very clear in his writing concerning the mind.

There are times when groups make up their minds to do good or do evil. More often, individuals make up their own minds about their own circumstances. Mrs. Lee was my fourth grade teacher. It was my first year in school where I struggled with a subject and that was math. Multiplication just didn't make any sense to me and to boot, it required a lot of memorization. I wasn't sure those tables were important enough to give all that thinking time to. On top of that, I had the pressure from home always being told that my dad had been really good at math. Mrs. Lee (I'm sure in her frustration) sat me down one day hoping to encourage me to get with the program. She said to me something I didn't understand at the time but, of course, I do now. She said, “Glendarae, this will not be hard for you because you make good grades in your other subjects. What you have to do is just make up your mind to memorize the multiplication tables. It won't happen any other way.” I've never forgotten that conversation because in my growing and adult years, I often thought back to that conversation with Mrs. Lee. I didn't know that those tables weren't just for tests in her classroom, but would be not just a subject but would be necessary many times in just everyday living.

Paul speaks of our making up our minds...having a spiritual mindset. Being a spiritual person doesn't just happen. There have been times in my spiritual walk when I couldn't figure out why God couldn't make this life a little easier, that He would give me a few breaks. We've all gone through lazy times spiritually speaking, hoping God would do more on our behalf. Fortunately I snapped out of those times when I concentrated what God had already done far more than I ever deserved...giving His Son to die on a cross for me was and always is the biggie.

In our busy days, it's often hard to maintain healthy spiritual practice. By that, I mean being faithful in our Bible reading, prayer, attendance at a good Bible preaching church, serving others as God leads. When listed, it seems to be a lot. When I looked at my multiplication tables, I thought it would take me through high school to learn them. Satan will always make anything to do with our relationship with God. If he can't stop our becoming born again believers, he'll work hard at making us miserable and ineffective afterward. I'm afraid there are too many times we yield to his nudging.

We have to determine and discipline ourselves as to what we will allow ourselves to think about, things that come to rest in our minds. We can be almost haunted by unhealthy thoughts we allow to take charge of our thinking. That's a pretty unhealthy place to be. I know about this because right now, I have something heavy on my heart and thus mind, that can keep me awake at night and aggravating during the day. I'm spending a lot of time in Scripture because of it. Scripture is a good “mind washer.

We have to remember that our thoughts are not secret to God. He sees...He hears. He's really the only one Who can help us get control of our thinking. He's given many things in His Word for us to think about.

Dear Father, You know when I'm troubled, especially over things I have no control of. Calm my mind and Spirit. Help me through Your Word to think Your thoughts. Help me to keep my focus on Jesus. In His precious name....Amen

THIRST SATISFIED

In the last day, that great day of

the feast, Jesus stood and cried

saying, “If any man thirst, let

him come unto me, and drink.

John 7:37

Most parents have heard their children say, “I'm so thirsty I could faint.” Most of the time, that's probably not true. Children often exaggerate in terms like that. We can remember times, though, when we were very thirsty to the point of great discomfort.

Anyone who has had any kind of surgery knows they had to adhere to strict intake rules prior to surgery. For several hours prior to surgery, there is usually a requirement of no food or fluid intake. I recall when I had gall bladder surgery. A surgeon couldn't come for several hours so I went longer than usual not eating or drinking anything. I made a comment to a young nurse about three hours before surgery that my mouth was so dry, I could hardly stand it. She reached in her pocket, unwrapped a piece of candy (with red and white stripes) and gave it to me. She said it wouldn't hurt. Never in my life did anything taste so good and it even brought moisture to my mouth. When finally taken to the operating room, a nurse smelled peppermint when the anesthetic mask was about to be put on my face. She took it off and told the surgeon she thought I had been eating or drinking something recently. He questioned me and I told him what had happened. He was furious but decided to go ahead with the surgery. I hope that sweet young nurse didn't get in any trouble.

In our national park, folks are warned all the time to never go on extended hikes without taking a good supply of water with them. Physical thirst is something that can come on us in a very gradual way, especially if we aren't being active at home or in the office. The thing is that no matter our activity or lack thereof, thirst is something that can ever so slowly creep up on us. Then when an even minor thirst presents itself, we can be surprised. If out in a deserted place with no hope of help, be it on a mountain or desert area, thirst can be perilous for anyone. When not alert to the seriousness of the body's need for fluids, there can be a serious health event that can occur.

A side note is in remembering that Jesus in His humanity, from the cross uttered: “ I thirst.” As dire as His thirst must have been after all of the sweat and blood loss, all He was offered was a vinegar-type drink which He refused. Only water would have sufficed to satisfy His thirst at that moment. Satan may offer us substitutes to satisfy our spiritual thirst but only “Living Water” can satisfy.

Spiritual thirst is another kind of thirst that can approach our spiritual bodies ever so slowly and subtly. We can be doing all the spiritual activity we think we need to stay spiritually sound. However, spiritual activity minus proper motive can tend to zap us spiritually instead of building us. Church activity is good, but for many, they could volunteer at a local hospital and glean the same personal satisfaction.

John 4 is one of my favorite chapters in the Gospel writings. There is a variety of lessons to be learned from this chapter where we read of a one on one meeting between Jesus and a Samaritan lady. It was an awkward meeting for the lady in many ways. She probably couldn't believe that Jesus, a Jew, would want to talk with a Samaritan. That would have been considered a no-no in that day. She was also at the well at an odd time of day, when other women would not usually go mid-day for water. She was a woman of questionable character that was probably known by others in the area.

Jesus took the opportunity to use the well and the water in it to minister to her. He knew of her thirst, a spiritual thirst she knew nothing of. She wasn't acquainted with the source of spiritual water Jesus was offering her. She had looked for satisfaction to life in all the wrong places. The life waters she drank from were polluted, sickening and addictive. The life waters, spiritual water, Jesus presented would change her life, quench her thirst for the right things of life.

Jesus assured her that the water she would draw from the well would never permanently satisfy her thirst. She would have to come back and forth on a daily basis. Jesus was offering her another kind of water...living water. It was all hard for her to grasp, but He went on with His illustration:

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I

shall give him shall never thirst; but the

water that I shall give him shall be in him

a well of water springing up into ever-

lasting life. (John 4:14)

A side note is in remembering that Jesus in His humanity, from the cross uttered: “ I thirst.” As dire as His thirst must have been after all of the sweat and blood loss, all He was offered was a vinegar-type drink which He refused. Satan may offer us substitutes to satisfy our spiritual thirst but only “Living Water” can satisfy.

As much as we can enjoy a cool drink of water on a hot day, I would pray for us that we know of that water Jesus speaks of that is living water that only comes from the well of God's Holy Spirit. We must stay alert to our tendency to spiritual thirst. Satan would have us be a dried up Christian in whom is no fruitfulness or life to use in influencing others for Christ.

FINISHING WELL

So teach us to number our
days, that we may apply our
hearts unto wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

This blog will soon reveal it isn't for a large, mixed crowd. It has to do with a subject I've been forced like many to know in intimate detail. I'm referring to the subject of aging. Billy Graham said, “Growing old has been the greatest surprise of my life.” For those of us in the process, I think we could resound with a loud, “AMEN!” to that statement.

When children, we were provided with books dealing with growing up. Our parents may have had some along the same line, but more with child rearing. There were books for teenagers and on and on the books went dealing with various stages of life. Somewhere along the line, I missed any encouraging, informative, useful books FOR people approaching or already dealing with approaching the “elderly” years.

When a child, my parents seemed old to me. Both grandmothers were much older, especially one who had to walk with one crutch. I heard my mother chatting with someone from church and they mentioned my Sunday school teacher, Nellie Barker. Nellie was from England and we kids loved to hear her talk. The shock was, however, that my mother said she thought Nellie was around 62 years old. I couldn't believe anyone could ever live to be that old. I knew there were really old people in the Bible, but that was the Bible...but 62 just wasn't clicking in my young mind that Nellie was still alive.

Like Billy Graham and others, being a person of age really crept up on me. I knew it was going to happen, but I like others found myself always in the middle of life events...college, marriage, mom to three, lots of church work, back to school in my 50's, new careers, kids weddings and then grandchildren, lots of Bible study groups and Sunday school classes with probably thousands of “foldies” made to pass out to classes. In it all, I maintained fairly good health.

We made our retirement move here to Tennessee and Brian and I both remained active. Shortly after our move, I was diagnosed with malignant bladder cancer and went through two surgeries and some chemo. It was the first it dawned on me that I was really a person of age...72 at the time. I was definitely a slow learner.

Material on aging once one has arrived at this stage was scarce. If there was anything to read, it was written by a 40-50 year old. Even doctors to the aging tend to be younger, at least beyond feeling with where I am at this stage of my life. Let me say quickly that folks my age live longer than many and I know what the alternative is to aging...dying...and I still have some things I'd like to do if the Lord sees fit.

One of the reasons I'm writing this blog is that I have come upon a treasure. It's the most loving, inspiring, sensible, spiritual outlook on aging written by one who wrote a book on the subject while in the aging stages. It's a book I have hoped to find and when getting a copy of it, read almost half of it in a couple of days. I found myself devouring the information as it was so practical and encouraging. It isn't a new book but one that somehow I missed as I have tried to read just about everything Billy Graham ever wrote. He was in his 90's when he wrote the book. I ordered it from Amazon and got it in just a couple of days. It's one to read and to pass along to friends who need encouragement regarding where they may be in this process. The name of the book is “Nearing Home.”

There were some things that were reinforced in my own mind as I read this book, things that are already a part of my own practice and thinking, such as:

*Live everyday to the fullest.
Have goals to be stretching for.
*Maintain good spiritual practices...Bible reading, church attendance, prayer, etc.
*Have a responsibility at church or ministry of some sort.
*Surround yourself with fun, encouraging and godly people.
*If still married, enjoy your partner like never before.
*Stay as healthy as you can.
*Read on a regular basis if you are able.

Perhaps there are things you could add to that list that have become a part of your lives. I just know that God has kept us here for His own reasons. He will keep us here until we have finished God's intent for us. Meanwhile we have experience and wisdom we can share with the younger folks we come in contact even though we are “Nearer Home” than they are for now.

Dear Father, I'm so grateful for Your guidance and provision in my life. I pray I will stay available to You to serve You in any way I can. Help me to appreciate these days in my life and in them, come to love You like never before. In Jesus name....Amen

IT'S A GREAT OFFER

Come unto Me, all ye who are weary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AFTER THE ASHES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UP FRONT WITH GOD

Humble yourselves therefore under

the might hand of God, that He may

exalt you in due time:

casting all your care upon Him;

for He careth for you.

I Peter 5:7

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WADING THROUGH WEEDS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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