WHAT'S NEW

But without faith it is impossible
to please him: for he that
cometh to God must believe
that He is, and that He is a
rewarder of them that
diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6

For close to 83 years now, I have lived through many New Year holidays. Many of those in the beginning years, I have no recall of anything having to do with the change of a year's date overnight. When grade school age, I remember our church had a New Year's Eve fellowship time. The first part of the celebration was a regular church service. We would then break for a big eating time in the basement. For a long time, that eating time was the highlight for me. After that, we again assembled in the upstairs auditorium and various things were done from year to year as we awaited the strike of the clock at midnight. There was a prayer time at midnight and then we headed for home.

In those days, there were always talks of resolutions. For a long time I didn't know what that meant and really didn't care. I understand that concept more now than then but I still shy away from that word “resolutions.” When I see that word, I think self determination. Its when I determine how I am going to change, how I intend to steer my life, or how I determine I am going to overall do better. It is then I must admit to some definite “I” trouble.

For me, an approaching new year has meant reviewing the old year. I'm well aware of my weaknesses and God has seen me through them, but not of my own doing. As I look to a new year, I know things that need changing in my life, but I can't do that on my own. Without the Lord Jesus in my life, I can't change a thing. There is just so much we can do on our own usually with limited results. Without Jesus, I'm unable to make major changes on my own.

On my part, I do know the one thing that is most needed in my life this year. We've had some Sunday school lessons of late that have mentioned the word “seek.” Jesus stated in His teaching that if I seek, I will find. I know I need to be more of a seeker of the things of God. I need more time in God's Word, not just hearing it but applying it. I need to seek God in prayer and meditation more than ever.

As I've now stepped into 2022, I am promised that God is already going before me, preparing my way through the territory of a new year. I must watch for His footsteps and not veer from the path He is paving for my good and for His glory.

Thank You Father for a new year. We don't know what it will bring in our lives, but we know as we involve You in our every moment, all will be well. Guide and direct us in these days. May we walk in obedience to You and Your will. In Jesus name...Amen|

A HOPEVALE MEMORY

Precious in the sight of the Lord,
is the death of His saints.
Psalm 116:15

Much of my growing years were spent in an American Baptist denomination church. The denomination was very strong on missions and missionary support. Through the years, I noticed the frequent use of the word “Hopevale”. It seemed to be such a key word when it came to missions. I later learned of 12 missionaries living in a very jungle-isolated place during World War II, hoping to avoid being found by Japanese soldiers. They had built shelters and even an area for worship in that place and called it Hopevale. Those dear folks were later found and martyred.

After my sophomore year in college, I went to serve on the student staff at our denominations conference center in Green Lake, Wisconsin. Someone mentioned a trail of interest regarding Hopevale that was up from the center, but as I recall wasn't very accessible. You had to know where you were going even though at the time I wasn't quite sure what I was even looking for.

The trail wound through a dense forest area. Every now and then, there were stopping places along the trail. At each place was a poem posted, each written by Jennie Adams, a martyred nurse. I had recently purchased a hard back New Testament, but didn't have it with me upon that first visit. As I walked that trail and stopped to read each poem, I knew I had to return and copy them. They are written in the back of that very old, beat up book that I still have.

In retrieving that book and checking the back, there they are...poems written in such a simple, but profound fashion. That young woman had no idea when the Japanese soldiers would come. This is just one of those poems.

Living in a lonely forest
War clouds darkening the earth
Stripped of treasures I valued,
Things that once seemed of worth.
Though I'm barefoot in the kitchen
With it's dirt and gravel floor
I'm not poor while I have orchids
Blooming at my kitchen door.

I'm thinking of missionaries today who face danger every day in their ministries across the world. Many can't even say where they are located nor can they make public that they are missionaries and not just computer techs or teachers. They lived on an edge we will never understand and pray we will never have to know in our own lives.

More and more, we're finding that we Christians aren't the most popular in our own country and that sentiment is growing the more we take our stands for Christ. We may never walk barefoot in a dense forest. hiding from those whose aim it is to destroy us. We have a hope beyond any understanding as did the Hopevale twelve that Satan's crowd will never understand.

Dear Father, thank You for the memory of those who have gone before us, bearing Your message in the most difficult of circumstances. May we too be faithful in sharing Your message while there is time. Thank you for Jesus and all He means to us. Amen

I'm thinking of missionaries today who face danger every day in their ministries across the world. Many can't even say where they are located nor can they make public that they are missionaries and not just computer techs or teachers. They lived on an edge we will never understand and pray we will never have to know in our own lives.

More and more, we're finding that we Christians aren't the most popular in our own country and that sentiment is growing the more we take our stands for Christ. We may never walk barefoot in a dense forest. hiding from those whose aim it is to destroy us. We have a hope beyond any understanding as did the Hopevale twelve that Satan's crowd will never understand.

Dear Father, thank You for the memory of those who have gone before us, bearing Your message in the most difficult of circumstances. May we too be faithful in sharing Your message while there is time. Thank you for Jesus and all He means to us. Amen 

GIFT OF GOD

For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal
life through Jesus Christ
our Lord.
Romans 6:23

My sister Kay and I had been hearing from our grandmother for several weeks before Christmas, a tradition from the “old country”. She said that in that country, if children had been bad, they found only a small bunch of switches or twigs under the Christmas tree on that special day. Kay and I pretty much didn't pay attention to the story as it didn't seem to apply to us. I was about to be six at the time and Kay was around four.

On that particular Christmas day, we rose with great anticipation. Standing in the dining room where our “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree standing with lights blinking and where our parents and grandmother stood against a wall. It was obvious as we approached the tree that there were NO presents to be seen. Kay and I stood, holding hands, looking stunned. However, under the tree were two small bunches of twigs wrapped around the center of the bunches with red paper and a bow.

I recall without a word from us, we picked up our sticks and took them to our table and chairs set that sat near the tree. We sat down, opened our twigs and began sorting them out much as we had done with our Lincoln Logs. There were no tears or questions on our part...only silence and the sound of breaking twigs.

My dad suddenly, with a few choice words, not meant to be heard on Christmas day or any other day, announced that the whole thing had gone too far. He left the room and returned with as many presents as he could hold. His last trip produced two shiny tricycles. I can't recall anything being said about that day ever. No one apologized for the stunt nor did we sisters ever bring it up. I must say that we were a little leery when the next Christmas came around. Presents had been purchased, but not presented at the appropriate time. As I recall, the gifts were really good, much of what we had asked for. There was just some special that was no longer there.

God has given us the greatest gift ever. We have the gift of eternal life because of the gift of His Son, despite our sinful state. It's also a gift God doesn't play with. It's ours for the asking and our Father never takes it back. It's for eternity and aren't we glad about that. His Gift far excels anything man can come up with. How can we not praise God for His excellent gift that we won't become bored with, wear out or break. Because of Jesus...every day is Christmas and every day a gift.

Father God, we praise You for Your love and care of us. You never tease us or play with our feelings. You are real with us in every way and we can't thank You enough for Your unspeakable Gift. Thank You Jesus, for being our Savior and Friend....Amen 

WHAT'S IN A NAME

Therefore, the Lord himself shall
give you a sign; Behold a
virgin shall conceive, and bear
a son, and shall call is name
Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14

Everything and everyone we know has a name. In nature, trees, flowers, animals, rocks, rivers and the list goes on and on all that have names. Places have names familiar to us. Those names may be attached to countries, home towns, streets or vacation spots. We know many buildings by their familiar names as well as popular monuments.

Human beings have been named since the Garden of Eden. The names of Adam and Eve have been known by all down through the years. Down through time, people with famous names have been known by their deeds which may have registered with either negative or positive responses. There have never been perfect people so although a person may have a stellar reputation, he or she still has flaws in their lives.

In early Bible days, it was the father who named any babies that came into the family. Names almost always held some special meaning, meanings that held hope for what that baby would turn out to be as an adult. Beyond our own given names, when we were born again into God's family, we took the name of Christian. That name we bear should never bring shame to the Father who approved that given name

When outsiders of our faith know you and me to be Christians, they don't hesitate to watch us carefully, often with negative scrutiny. We are still sinners saved by God's grace and who still make our share of mistakes. Our responsibility is to maintain good names for God's glory and good. It behooves us to take seriously the importance of a good testimony.

All of these things about names fade as we, in this holiday season, think about that name above all names that everyday becomes more and more precious. Isaiah in 9:6 says:

For unto us a child is born, unto us
a son is given: and the government
shall be upon his shoulder: and
his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.

Those names only scratch the surface of who Jesus is in our lives. In our relationship with Him, we have come to know so much more about our loving Savior. He is more than a name. He is the Love of our lives.

Father, we thank You today and every day for Jesus and all He has done in for each of us. What a precious gift He is not just on one day, but everyday. Thank You Father and thank You Jesus for all You mean to us...Amen 

THAT CREATIVE TOUCH

In the beginning, God created
the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1

So often, in our Bible reading we may put to one side the more familiar passages of Scripture we feel we know well and put those passages on a back shelf of our minds. Genesis 1-3 have always been fascinating to me. They are verses full encouragement as well as seeing the amazing power of God. We read in those chapters that the trinity...God, Son and Spirit...were all involved in the work of creation. Creation or creativity don't mean how we usually use those words. In fact:

CREATION IS THE ACT OF MAKING SOMETHING FROM NOTHING!

So if someone happens to compliment us on our creativity, we may know what they are talking about, but in reality, the use of that word as we use it is very much off track. Through the years, ladies have complimented me being so creative with the “foldies” I have made through the years for Sunday school class members. In truth, I didn't create anything. I went to a craft store, purchased pre-designed paper, ribbon to match and a jar of rubber cement. Those things were already on the shelf, already made. All I had to do was put it all together. Yes, it takes some thought and often use of Scripture, but in it all, creativity wasn't involved.

There's an area of God's creativity for which I'm most thankful. I know I sin, and know any number of times I greatly disappoint God. There are times I just don't measure up to God's expectations of me. It's all my own doing and don't have any ability to mend myself without God's supernatural help. So often my need and what I so desperately need can be found in the following verse:

Create in me a clean heart, O God;
and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10

There are times I so need my Heavenly Father's redo of my heart and spirit. It's almost like He has to start all over with me...creating from the beginning. How ever He chooses to do it, He's the only one that can create a clean heart in me and a bonus with that is the renewal of a right spirit in me. If God can create anything and everything in the beginning, He's more than capable of doing His creative work in my dirty, sinful heart. The cleanliness He brings is such a wonder and He is to be praised.

Thank You Father for loving me despite who and what I am at times. I so love and appreciate You for the work You do in my life. Thank You for Your refreshing tough in my life that can only come from You. Thank You, Jesus, for making all this possible...In Your Name...Amen 

WHERE DID TRUTH GO

Jesus saith unto him,
I am the way, the
truth, and the life: no
man cometh unto the
Father, but by me.
John 14:6

There are just some memories that seem to stick in my mind. I was about four years old when my Mother said she heard me tell a lie. She went under the bathroom sink and retrieved a half bar of Ivory soap. They may still come as a double, but not sure. Because of my lie, my Mother said my mouth had to be washed out. I was required to take a good bite into that soft soap that claimed to be 99.44% pure. I couldn't have cared less how pure it was. I pulled all the soap our of my mouth I could but most still coated my teeth. I tried washing my mouth out with water, but that just created lots of suds...all because of a little lie I was sure was trivial compared to the punishment.

I found in looking for a definition of truth that it seemed to be a difficult word to define without using the word itself. I looked at several sources for a definition of truth and found it to be somewhat complicated for most. Some definitions made some sense such as: real facts, quality of being genuine, adherence to reality...even just factual.

I must say in our day, that I would love to pass out some bars of Ivory soap, especially to some politicians I've seen and heard who seem to know nothing about truth. When there is a breakdown in truth, trust is broken and that shakes our culture in the worst of ways. I wish it could be different but am learning in these days that I can't live life for others.

Truth must happen in the lives of we individuals. There are mandates for a little of everything in our country. The fact is that for the most part, mandates aren't worth the paper they are written on unless they are accompanied with a great deal of threat. Something like truth cannot be ordered or maintained consistently by anyone.

Truth has only one Source and that is in Jesus Christ. Without Him in ones life, truth has little meaning. For unbelievers especially, truth is what individuals decide it to be. Jesus was speaking to His disciples before going to the cross. He was doing His best to steady the ground of life under the feet of His disciples. He knew they would face some difficult days so wanted them to have a firm spiritual foundation.

What He taught then is just as appropriate for us today. Many people feel there are many paths to Heaven and declare their own truth. People speak of their own personal truth. There is no such thing. Our focus must be on THE ONE WHO IS TRUTH with the benefit of His direction no one else can offer.

Thank You, Jesus, for Your words of comfort and guidance. Help us to stay focused on You...Your way, life and also the truest of Truth. Thank You for making those things possible in our lives. Help us to be people of truth in these days when it seems to be lost to so many. In Your precious name...Amen 

COME YE THANKFUL

I will praise thee, O Lord, with my
whole heart, I will shew forth all
thy marvellous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in thee.
I will sing praise to thy name,
O thou most High.
Psalm 9:1,2

It was two days before Thanksgiving. I was in the fifth grade at the time and remember a holiday was far from my mind. My dad was in the hospital at the time, and hadn't been able to work for awhile. Food-wise, it had been “slim pickins.” We didn't talk to anyone about it and just lived day to day. It hadn't always been that way, but was that year. Looking toward Thanksgiving in a couple of days, there wouldn't be the usual meal, but we were grateful for Thanksgiving whatever we had.

About 9:30, those two nights prior to THE big day, there was a rustling on our front porch. Mother went to the door and found no one there. However, there on our porch were two good sized boxes that were full of food. The items weren't just for Thanksgiving dinner, but a lot of extras in the way of staples to get us through for awhile.

We sat down to Thanksgiving that year with such a new look at the holiday. Being only in the fifth grade, we had colored all the pictures of turkeys and pilgrims. I had accepted Christ as my Savior early in November so for the first time, I began to realize what being thankful to the Lord and to others really meant.

We all have our Thanksgiving stories...some are highlights and others not the best. Through the years, we all have experienced both. For we who are children of God, He is the main thread that winds around Thanksgiving Day and other days. Despite circumstances, He is our constant and our presence everyday We may not eat turkey and dressing every day, but each day we live and breathe should be times of thanksgiving for we are a blessed people.

As the verses above suggest, David teaches us down through the years what we can do to be grateful and thankful people, lessons that should be a part of us to matter the special days.

David used “I will” four times in those brief verses. This indicates we must determine to be people of praise. What does thanksgiving look like to David?

*praise in singing
*praise with our whole hearts
*praise that is obvious
*praise with gladness and rejoicing

Our Heavenly Father is more than deserving of our praise and thanks despite any circumstances we are facing. He is our presence, provider and true love.

Thank You Father for all You are in our lives every day of every year. Thank You for Jesus and for Your Holy Spirit guidance. Your love is all-consuming, the root of all goodness toward us. We love You this and every day. In Jesus' name...Amen

IN THE SHADOWS

 

He that dwelleth in the secret place
of the Most High shall abide
under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1

My red bicycle awaited me by our Christmas tree. I may have been about eight years old. I knew it was a used bike but my dad had a friend paint it, adding a new basket to make it all really special. There was enough snow on the ground that riding a bike at that time was out of the question. In fact, I didn't get to ride it until the warmth of Spring made it's appearance.On one of those days, I got to go outside and ride my bike to my heart's content. However, I had to go to the next block down from our house in order to have a smooth, concrete street to ride on. 

 Mother told me to stay just in that block and I did. Kids rode bikes in the street all the time with safety. I had a great time that late afternoon riding back and forth keeping to the right side of the street.

Soon two BIG boys made an appearance...Richard and Jerry. They both lived in corner houses of that block. They were really BIG boys...probably about 12 years old. They stopped me and told me they had called the police to come for me because it was illegal for me to be riding on their block. One guarded one end of the block and the other the same on the other end. I couldn't even go home, as they blocked me. This went on for what seemed forever.

Sooner than I expected my Daddy called my name. He had walked from our house into the block where I was “captive.” The boys scattered and Daddy said nothing to them. He just took my bike and told me to walk in front of him on the sidewalk to our house. He had gotten home for supper and I guess saw what was going on. We never did talk about the incident.

However, I was left with something I've carried through life. Behind my Daddy was the sun. It was lowering toward evening. For some reason, I immediately, looking ahead and at times down on the sidewalk, noticed I was walking in Daddy's shadow. That told me that he was right behind me and no one was going to “get me” while I was in that shadow. I almost made a game of staying right in that shadow.

Through the years I've learned some things about shadows. In themselves, they can't hurt anyone. Sometimes, one can hide in shadows if there is danger. Shadows come as a result of a light shining behind a person or thing. We have the assurance from Hebrews 13:5 that Jesus will never leave or forsake us. Even though we can't see Him physically, He casts His shadow all around us. He makes His presence known in so many ways in each of our lives. Would I like to see Jesus in person? Sure would, but for now, that is reserved for another time.

Meanwhile, we will rejoice in the privilege of hiding under the shadow of our loving Heavenly Father. He is quite capable of scattering any bullies that may come our way.

Dear Father, thank You for the security of knowing You are always with us in any circumstances. May we be willing to stay hidden in Your loving shadow where we know Your warmth and care. Thank You for Your presence in our lives. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

CLIMATE CHANGE

In the beginning God created the
heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:1

Perhaps you, like me, are tired of all the talk about changing our climate. The nerve and audacity of even such a suggestion is beyond stupidity. It is discussed across the world as if mere man can change our weather patterns. Of course, the thought is that all can change if only enough people put enough money politicians coffers for such massive changes to come about.

Lest we ignore the facts, the Bible mentions just about every weather and season phenomenon most people wouldn't be able to name. It doesn't take much research to find climate terminology that includes: rain, fire, hail, snow, storms, floods, whirlwinds (tornadoes), droughts and probably more. God, their Creator, has those tools to use as He sees fit for what may be for good or for judgmental purposes.

Brian and I watched a documentary several days ago that featured two major forest fires in our country. One started with just a touch of lightening on the top of one tree. From that, the wind took over spreading live embers for miles causing devastation that was incredible. Lives were lost and homes totally destroyed in less than several minutes. Okay, you clever “changers”, what is your plan for such an incident? When a tornado develops and moves toward a town, do you call the police or fire department? What about the National Guard? What do you do about that tornado? I'll tell you what you do, you run for cover and hope to be alive after it passes.

With all that is involved with climate, we must consider the creative process God planned for there to be seasons.....a time for planting and reaping. Even His created sun and moon have their influence on our seasons. All of God's creation is beyond wonder, even beyond those brilliant folks who seem to have everything about weather, climate and “green” figured out.

There is another climate change that is much more needed. Climate doesn't just refer to weather conditions. Climate can indicate one's mood or spirit. As critical as we might be regarding natural weather misinformation, our own personal climate of spirit or mood is also more than important. We may not be able to do anything about tornadoes and storms, but we do have something to say about our own spiritual condition and relationship with our Lord. In all of the culture wars going on around us, the fact is that it is in Jesus we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28a.) It is our own spiritual climate we can do something about as we maintain our focus on THE One who is most important and Creator of all.

What a glorious place Heaven will be where the climate will never need changing, where Jesus is the light and all will be perfect. There will be no need for debating about anything, all because of God and God alone.

Help us in these days, Father, to stay focused on You knowing You are sovereign and are in control of everything at all times. You never have to scratch Your head in wonder about anything. Thank You for Your provision of love and security for we,Your children. In Jesus' precious name...Amen 

ROCKS GALORE

...for they (Israelites in the wilderness)
drank of that spiritual Rock that
followed them: and that Rock
was Christ.
I Corinthians 10:4

Where I live, there are rocks. In size they can be as small as a pebble, but can also be as large as a mountain. They can be found in various sizes along trails, sitting in rivers, streams and waterfalls. Many people use them in their yards for landscaping. Rocks can cause stumbling or can be a kind of defense. Our river would look pretty plain without the rocks that grace those waters.

For close to a year, I kept a small rock on my chair-side table. It was given to me by one of my grandsons. He and his siblings when they visit, love going to my “place” that is near a small cascading water area. He and I used to go near a place there where we would throw pebbles into the stream. That small, lonely rock sat on my table with the promise that after I got over my knee replacement surgery, he and I would go back to that place and again throw our rocks into that rapid stream. It was a reminder to me to get well and to keep a promise. We recently got to throw our rocks in that river...on the count of three. When their family left, guess what? I found another rock on my table. I don't know who left it there, but nevertheless, it encourages me.

Scripture is full of “rocks” mentioned for one reason or another. When Moses met God on Mt. Sinai, God carved out a cleft in the rock for him to take shelter in as God passed by. Moses was also told on one occasion to smite a rock for receiving water. Further into Scripture God Himself is proclaimed to be the Rock. It was even declared that there is no Rock like our God. Scripture also tells us that God is our rock as in fortress and security.

There are other “rocks” I can recall from time past. Those rocks are people I have known who in the direst of circumstances have been strong and firm in it all. I'm thinking of friends and some family who have gone through the dregs of cancer. There are folks in our day I know who have suffered greatly from Covid but their faith remains in place and growing. The answer to that strength is Jesus the true Rock. That Rock stays with us and gives us a firm foundation on which to stand. We sing: “On Christ the solid rock we stand...all other ground is sinking sand.” That goes a long way when life seems to cave in on us

I'm so grateful that the greatest power even beyond the knowledge of man is with me no matter my circumstances. All other sources of security the world presents is temporary at best. In our river here, one thing rocks do is provide a beauty camera lovers strive to capture. There is a beauty in one in Christ who stands firm on Jesus THE Rock.

Thank You Father for the loving security You provide us in every circumstance. May we knowingly accept Jesus as that Rock of security we need in every circumstance of our lives.. Thank You for Your loving provision that meets our every need. In Jesus' name....Amen