BROKEN

The LORD is near to those

who have a broken heart, and

 saves such as have a

contrite  spirit.

Psalm 34:18

For several years, we have had a three tiered, wooden shelf upon which we have put glass keepsakes.  It all started with five tea cup/saucer sets my Grandmother had brought with her from Scotland to America. They had immigrated soon after getting married.  She had said from the beginning that she wanted me to have those.  Brian bought the shelf and mounted it just above our piano where it still hangs in place.

There are some other glass articles on the shelves including the bride/groom figurine from our wedding cake.  While playing the piano one afternoon, one nail, top right began giving way and a disaster was in the making.  I jumped up, grabbed the shelf from the bottom and held it flat so things couldn't fall off.  However, two cups and saucers dropped to the piano.  They broke but not in tiny pieces.  All of these sets were of fine china with lots of gold work in the designs.  My Grandmother recalled having enjoyed tea time in Scotland with some of those cups and saucers.

One cup was totaled but it's saucer could be mended.  The other cup and saucer were in bad shape but could probably be mended.  Brian took care of that when he got home from work.  He used some special glue to carefully perform the surgery needed.  He did such a good job and the three pieces were put back on their shelves.  To this day, as I sit in my chair looking at that shelving and those items, I know the damaged pieces but from where I sit, I can't tell there was any damage done.

It's much like that with people.  You and I know what it is to be broken and sometimes what seems to be damage beyond repair.  However, God has His own love putty that puts us back together.  There may be some outer damage the circumstances experienced can't hide but that are there.  Even being around fellow believers, we may not be able to detect personal damage done in their lives, but God has come to their rescue with His own methods of binding up all the breakage in life we've all experienced.  To our Father, we are much more priceless and precious than any fancy cup and saucer from Scotland.

Thank You Father for mending and repairing those broken places in our lives and continuing to use us no matter our hurtful and damaging experiences.  Thank You in Jesus precious name....Amen

 GOD KNOWS

And the LORD, He is the one who

goes before you.  He will be with

you, He will not leave you nor

forsake you; do not fear nor

be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:8

My parents told me a little later in life that even when four and five years old, I had a good sense of direction.  They noticed we could go somewhere for the first time and if we made that same trip again, I could tell my Dad who was driving the exact way to get where we were going just in my observance.  After having come to the Smoky Mountains the second time with my Mother, she fumbled with a map while I knew how to get there accurately without any kind of map.

When six years old, I asked my Mother if I could walk to my Grandma's house.  Her house was seven blocks from our house.  She thought about it and agreed to let me walk there...alone.  The walk was interesting because as I arrived in each block, there was one very kind friend or lady who would suddenly appear on her porch, greeting me.  This went on block after block.  I finally got to the last block where I had to cross a street.  As I approached that corner, there was Catherine, leaning on her crutches.  She had polio when younger but now in her 20's just happened to be standing on that corner.  My Grandma's house was across the street but about three houses down.

Grandma greeted me and praised me for being such a big girl.  She added that she needed to call my Mother about something.  I may have been smart in some ways but a little on the naive side as well.  In later years,  I learned my Mother had set the whole thing up with lady friends who lived on those blocks that led to Grandma's house.  They were all looking out for my safety without my knowing it at the time.

Even as adults there is so much God does on our behalf we don't even know anything about.  He has guided and protected us when we never had to give it a thought.  He's put people in our path from whom we've learned and perhaps been protected and encouraged.  They have popped up on certain blocks of our lives with a greeting and perhaps help we didn't know we needed, but God knew.  He's always on duty...will never leave or forsake us.  Praise Him!

My Father...protector, teacher, true daddy, our all in all...thank You for all of Your work behind the scenes of our lives.  Praising You in Jesus name....Amen

PREPARE  THE  WAY

"For I know the plans I have for you, 

declares the Lord,  "plans to prosper

you and not to harm you, plans to

give you hope and a future."  

Jeremiah 29:11

For some time, I have known I should do something about a tooth that has been driving me crazier than I already am.  I haven't had anything done physically since Brian went to Heaven.  He was always the thinker and planner under these circumstances.  I found a good place to go for dental attention but still had great concerns.

When faced with a difficulty, I've prayed for the Lord to go ahead of me, preparing the way.  I'm well aware that 24/7 God is ahead, behind, up and down and all around me but sometimes, I need a little more attention from Him.  I tend to think negatively about new or scary things.

Got to the place and met the surgeon.  I was reading a book Bev had given me when he walked in and asked about what I was reading.  I told him some about it and that the author was guided by one verse throughout the book.  He asked what verse and I gave him the reference at the beginning of this blog.  He reached for his cell phone in his pocket, pushed one button and turned the phone toward me.  Written out was the same verse from Jeremiah.  He said he never leaves home without it.

He said he had prayed for something special in the new work day and there I sat.  He asked if he could take a picture of the front of book.  I gave him a foldy our class is giving out that says JESUS LOVES YOU. He said that it was going on his trucks dashboard.

He did get the tooth thing done believe it or not but I hardly gave it a thought because of how very special the time had been.  We both bragged on God and how he can do the greatest things we can hardly believe.  God had gone ahead of me, with no Brian, but made the way and He even hung around during the whole event.  Praise the Lord!!!

Father God, I'm so grateful for your presence and how You make Yourself known in my  life.  I believe You may have smiled with us as we talked of You...two people who didn't know each other but both knew You.  Amen

GAME OF ALL GAMES

I press toward the goal for the

prize of the upward call of God

in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14

It's been a big basketball time this weekend, not just for most schools but especially as our local UT team that has moved to the SEC championship game.  There is alot of cheering, traveling, wearing of certain colors, pom-poms and of course, lots of food.

Unfortunately, folks who are real fans, can never know what all goes into any team, of any sport, whether teams win or lose.  Alot of time goes into training, skills in movement, aiming at a goal of some kind, studying game plans and going through the rigors of following strict orders and information from not just one coach but maybe two or three.  

Many athletes started in their favorite sport when in grade school and work up through every school year.  Hours have been spent and even families involved as well.  Lots of transportation needed back and forth to a school that could have both morning and evening special sessions.

Coaches put in hours of work both away from and in practice times. The coach can't be out on a basketball court doing for the players what they have been trained to do.  It has to be hard for the coach when he's done his best to see a player who isn't giving his best.  They have planned, been father figures, disciplined and equipt their young players the best they can and then are put on the sideline.

I wonder how God, the perfect coach feels when we don't respond to directions, discipline, training, life plans and general guidance.  Athletic teams have equipment to be used in their various sports.  Our Coach equips us in every way to participate in this  game of life.  We may not have a ball or hockey stick but we have a book...the Bible, the very Word of God  

God is our coach and He has His assistant coaches here on earth to assist Him.  They may be pastors, teachers, godly friends and family, but it is God who calls the plays.  How can we lose in life with all of that love, instruction and His Presence.  Let's give it our best...we are already on the winning team.

Father, I don't know how I could face life without You and all You provide for me.  Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who guides, keeps me mindful of You and empowers me to do well for Your honor and glory.  Thank You, too, for Jesus.  In Him...Amen

 

SEE SPOT RUN

Study to show thyself, approved 

unto God, a workman that needeth 

not to be ashamed, rightly dividing

the Word of truth.

II Timothy 2:15

I’ve been thinking lately about some folks that had a strong influence in my early years of life.  I’m sure there were many but there is one lady that I look back on with such gratitude.  Her name was Miss Irene, my first grade teacher.  She had been called by that name since she had taught some of our parents.  She was a little on the heavy side, with dark hair in an updo as was in that day.  I feel such a gratitude for this sweet teacher who taught our class a special skill that I have taken very personally…she taught me how to read.

You and I could hardly exist if we didn’t know how to read.  In early years, our reading was confined pretty much to books…school, comic and children’s classics.  But now, think how we could hardly make it in this life if we didn’t know how to read.  We couldn’t rely on everyone to read to us.  Without reading, we couldn’t write either. 

Here's my point of gratitude.  Miss Irene taught me a skill not just to get me through school and life in general, but through it, I was able to read a Bible.  There are times I turn in my Bible and think about her.  She taught us to read by sight, sound, and lots of repetition.  However it was taught it is a skill I will take with me to Heaven because of Miss Irene.  A simple word of gratitude could never ne enough.

Father, it sounds so simple being grateful for a skill everyone has been taught.  Just in reading Your Word, I’ve come to know You and Your salvation.  I love reading Your Word and thank You for its availability.  In Jesus’ precious name…Amen

 GIFTS ARE  GREAT

Thanks be to God for His

indescribable gift.

II Corinthians 9:15

People who don't like receiving gifts or presents must have something wrong in their being.  People of all ages love receiving presents...the more the better.  Some gifts come wrapped up with pretty paper and bows.  Others may come in a card by way of a gift card for cash to a favorite store.  Some gifts may come through a phone call or written greetings on one's computer.  However, from our very young years, we have really liked wrapped gifts the most.

We think of children when we think of gifts.  A child's birthday  is a really big event as is Christmas.  There is just something about a box of any size, wrapped up, looking very mysterious.  The first Christmas gift I remember is a baby doll.  Oh, how I loved that doll and I think I got one every Christmas after that.  The bike came along and of course it couldn't be wrapped.  Back then there were no training wheels or helmets.  I just got on my bike and took off.

Adults still love receiving gifts but have also loved giving them.  Their gifts are usually more sophisticated but still enjoyed.  One special gift usually available to every age person is the gift of life to be enjoyed and used for God's glory.  God gives us the gift of life each day and it doesn't come gift wrapped but is a gift just the same.

I've known people through the years who are so very generous and thoughtful in gift giving but no one can ever top God's supreme gift.  He gave us the gift we still can't understand, that being the gift of His Son.

Most gifts given or received have usually be purchased with money.  Our gift purchase price from God was far different.  God's gift of His Son was paid for through the shed blood of Jesus...no bows or wrapping paper necessary.

Thank You, Father, for the gift of Your Son.  It wasn't just a one-time gift, but is THE GIFT that just keeps on giving and will on into eternity.  Thinking of Jesus...Amen

 

GOOD LISTENING

Call unto Me, and I will answer

you, and show you great and mighty

things, which you do not know.

Jeremiah 33:3 

For years, we have heard what good listeners we ought to be.  I don’t tend to be a very good one even after my years of social work and church contacts.  Everyone wants to be heard so in that process, we are usually good at interrupting another persons sharing.  We are living in a time when everyone wants to be heard without having to listen to the other side.

When speaking of listening, we usually think of taking in physically through our ears what is being said, but most people can easily do that with perhaps the exception of those who might have a hearing problem.  However, there is a great gap between physically hearing a voice and actually taking in the message being relayed to us by the speaker.

So very often, I think, at least in my own experience, that when it comes to God’s Word, I’ve been good a seeing words on the pages of my Bible even with a certain amount of understanding.  However, the goal of the Holy Spirit is that we do more than just seeing words with minimal understanding.  He has some very rich things to impart that are going to require us to be good listeners, not just with eyes and even ears, but with heart.  When we really listen with the heart, the spiritual benefits are tremendous.

We have such a good example of one who listens in what we read about Jesus.  We see Him doing a lot of teaching and sharing, but was courteous in listening even to His soundest critics.  It is interesting to note that when he replied after their critiques of Him that they just couldn’t come back with a reply.  He gave them their opportunity to speak uninterrupted but they weren’t able to respond to His words of wisdom.  Jesus listened carefully before He spoke.  In our day, folks just want to be given an opportunity to be heard.  It might be hard at times, but if we want to be heard, we need to practice that listening part.

Father, You have listened to me through the years in all situations.  Thank You for that and that You continue doing so.  I don’t know what I would do without Your listening ear.  In Jesus’ name….Amen

 

HOUSE CLEANIN' TIME

Have mercy upon me, O God, according

to Your loving kindness; according

to the multitude of Your tender mercies,

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 51:1,2

When I begin to look at the coming days of Spring, my mind goes back as a young girl to what I would consider to be my absolute “nightmare city.” Great plans were always made in anticipation of the spring housecleaning that was to be done. We did things then that rarely if ever are done in our present day.

Our housecleaning meant taking things out of the house, into the yard to give certain items the beating of their lives. Throw rugs were thrown over clotheslines and with some kind of wire racket, were beaten until there was no dust left to fly into the air. Organdy curtains were taken off the windows, gently washed and stretched on special racks, putting them in the sunshine to dry. Windows were cleaned inside and out, the outhouse in the backyard got a good cleaning and the kitchen was dismantled so as to clean every nook and cranny of just about every available space.

I was recently reminded of a phrase in Scripture that referred to God's cleansing of our sins. Our mandate is to repent and God will do the cleaning. We often think of repentance being reserved for the unsaved but not so. Believers need to be alert to having a repentant spirit before the Lord. Perhaps at times, there might need to be an in-depth cleaning of saved- up dirty sin. I must say that back then, when finished, our house sure smelled good and fresh. Perhaps with a spiritual housecleaning, we would know more of that sweet aroma of Christ that we can share with the world around us.

Father, clean me up. I'm so sorry for my sin and the times I disappoint you. I want to live a clean life for Your honor and glory. Thank You for Your love and power that are sustaining and ever available. In Jesus' name...Amen

 

AN EARLY CALLING

And whatever you do in word or

deed, do all in the name of the

Lord Jesus, giving thanks to

God the Father through Him.

Colossians 3:17

Her name was Ruth Young. She's been in Heaven for awhile now. She was one of those ladies in the church who did a little bit of everything...church bulletin, bank deposits, teacher and whatever else she did. One of her big responsibilities was VBS every summer, often leading the junior department.

Bible school went through sixth grade and I had attended all I could...being in seventh grade, I was finished. Ruth stopped me at church one day and asked me to help her with her VBS kids. She wanted me to teach them Bible memory verses. I immediately told her that I had never taught anything before. She assured me she would help me along the way.

I faced about 30 boys and girls the first day of VBS and I was scared to death. I have to tell you, though, that I had a ball. I had some ideas I used and the kids had such a good time learning. My only mistake was while teaching, I sat on the Lord's supper table as we met in the auditorium. It was the only place to sit, but I haven't done that since.

Time went quickly. I can't tell you what awakened in me but didn't say anything to anyone about it. Ruth came to me on the last day and thanked me. She added a comment to her gratitude saying, “I believe you are going to be a great teacher. In fact, some day I think you will teach hundreds.” Twenty five years later, something like that happened at a conference. As I finished, God allowed my mind to go back to Ruth and how she seemed to see this part of my future.

I mention this because there are younger folks around us who need encouragement in considering how God can use them perhaps just in their local church. Our suggestions of some possibilities may seem unrealistic at first but we know it is God that will do the work. You may even have the privilege of helping young people peek into their future spiritual callings.

God used a faithful church lady who saw something in a scrawny young girl that the girl didn't see in herself. It may not have changed Ruth's life to speak of, but with some years, it sure changed mine. Thank you, Ruth.

Father God, too many reasons to thank You for calling me to be a teacher for You. I also thank You for Ruth Young who got me started with 30 girls and boys in VBS. Thank You for using her encouragement and for You choosing to use me. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

 

CALLED TO WAIT

But those who wait on the LORD

shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings

like eagles, they shall run and

not be weary, they shall walk and

not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Rest in the LORD, and wait

patiently for Him.

Psalm 37:7a

We all have done our share of waiting. I don't like it even though I have often seen the purpose of it. Just the word “wait” does not bring warmth to my bones. I, perhaps like you, have waited and no matter where or what it was...not my cup of tea. I have waited for a ten month pregnancy to end giving me the precious gift of my middle child. I have waited in doctor's waiting rooms, waited to hear regarding test results, waied at airports, waited for holidays to arrive and yes even for grass to grow. I waited for that last one a few times when we moved into a new houses..

We may pace, chew nails, over eat and even talk to ourselves. I guess if we didn't have waiting to help put brakes to our lives, we would be crazy beyond understanding or control. I want to know RIGHT NOW what I need to know without a waiting time. I've come to know but not always appreciate that God doesn't work according to my wrist watch or calendar. We know He does all things well and a part of that is His working His way and in His timing.

I've come to learn when I am called upon to wait to find a way to be busy. That generally means reaching for my Bible and doing some reading. I can use some of that time to pray for friends and family who are facing their own challenges. The end result can be of those things seen in the above verses. In our waiting times, whether we feel or realize it, we gain in patience, in strength and may even find ourselves feeling rested. It takes a determination on our parts to realize the problem and prayerfully wait. The Great Enabler is faithful...waiting + patience = spiritual strength.

Father God, thank You for the rest You give when we patiently wait on You. Give us Your power to wait when You want us to. You are a wonderful Father, always looking at what's in our best interest. In Jesus' precious name....Amen