GOT'CHER  BACK

Fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am

your God;

I will strengthen you, yes, I

will help you with My

righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:9,10

Growing up around lots of country relatives, I came to learn all sorts of phrases, slang and otherwise.  The above title was one of those statements that when young I didn't understand it.  I wondered how on earth anyone could just get your back  and what would they do with it when they took it from someone.

I came to know the statement as one that speaks of looking out for another person, no matter what situation could arise in the life of another.  Such a statement, however, is one of genuine commitment and even though crude in sound, is one a friend might take very seriously.

Defending or looking out after anotherone's best interest can be a serious undertaking.  People may feel the statement is more often a promise of financial help.  There are so many other ways, however, we can look out for each other.  It will begin with a genuine interest and love for a particular person.  Our concern for another may not mean huge undertakings.  It may not mean going to bat for someone that indicates some kind of conflict.

I've been a people watcher, not starer.  When with other Christian friends, faces or posture can indicate not feeling well, discouragement and yes, even abuse.  When concerned about another, I might say, "Well, what can I do for you today."  That doesn't mean they have to tell me a thing and will often say, "Pray for me."  I promise to do so and don't pry any further.

We're in a weary world where Christian friends often find themselves in situations they never saw coming.  Often, the best way to "got'cher backs" is to be caring, loving and praying.  Afterall, the only Person who really has our backs is our Heavenly Father and He's more than able no matter what's going on.

Father, You are so faithful in keeping me close when at times I don't even recognize it.  I'm so grateful for your care and attention to my every need.  Your power in my life means more than I can say.  In Jesus' name...Amen

LISTEN UP

 My sheep hear my voice, and

I know them, and they

follow Me.

John 10:27

In today's world, we are bombarded with voices of various types.  One of the main ways we recognize folks is by their voices.  We talk on our phones to friends and families, knowing those folks by their voices.  Science is telling us that soon, anyone's voice will be able to be copied so that even close relatives won't recognize a phony voice.   Aside from voices in general, I have been disturbed how voices are used.  On television, news reports, medication ads, etc. are voiced with or without pictures that are meant to cause the general public to be frightened if they don't adhere to such productions.

Recently, I've been reading John 10 where most of the chapter is given to Jesus speaking of Himself as our shepherd.  He knows the nature of sheep, the animal.  They are for the most part pretty dumb.  They will gnaw on grass even if it takes them to the edge of a cliff.  They rarely know when to rest and picky about what water source they drink from.  However, they are very intelligent when it comes to knowing they have a shepherd enough to know that shepherd's voice.  It's almost to the point that if their shepherd even clears his voice, the sheep may at least raise their heads.  When he speaks, one sees immediate, attentive obedience on the part of the entire flock.

Jesus sees us as direly needing leadership in our lives.  He knows all about sheep...He was a sacrificial lamb following in obedience to His Father.  He clearly heard His Father's voice and followed without hesitation.  Jesus is now our Shepherd and speaks in this chapter referring to the human voice and need for His sheep to not only hear His voice, but to do His bidding. T

Voices are calling out to us from every place we can think of to turn our attention away from our Shepherd.  To follow Him, however, we first must know His voice or we'll follow others we shouldn't.  Without the relationship, there's no communication. When we know the bidding of Jesus on our lives, we make a choice...being loved and provided for, or worse, falling off a cliff the world calls us to.  

Thank You Jesus for being my Shepherd.  I need Your care and leadership in my life.  Help me to not stray from you and to faithfully hear and obey your voice.  In Jesus' name...Amen

WHAT A DAY

This is the day the LORD
hath made;  we will
rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

Well, I would dare say by this evening or maybe into the morning, most of the Easter trappings are well on their way to trash cans, garbage disposals or even some closet shelves.  A kitchen counter may still have some traces of ham and sweet potatoes but that can be handled tomorrow.    One still may feel the crunch under foot of some small remnants of larger egg shells.  If company came, they may have left by this evening.  The adults in the family may just plop in a chair because of utter exhaustion while kids, if any, may still have some energy left.  It's been a good day, a good week, good thoughts, and perhaps renewed spiritual energy.

I find it interesting the physical and emotional reactions to various holidays.  On July fourth, with the last firecracker, things seem to get back to normal pretty quickly.  It's the same with some other holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day and even Valentines Day.  I can't recall ever having any emotional hangovers when those holidays were over.

HOWEVER, I have found it to be a different story when it comes to our spiritual ones such as what we have observed today.  Christmas would fall in that category as probably would Thanksgiving.  It's not hard noticing the differences.  The one like today is a spiritual day where it is about Jesus, not a firecracker, staying up to greet a new year or decorating graves the end of May.  We Christians usually go all out for our three precious holidays that have definite spiritual emphasis.

Guess what?  Today is over and as our pastor mentioned this morning, "Now what?"  With Christmas and Easter, we may put day upon day in preparations.  We may spend a good bit of time in our churches in celebration and we love every minute.  However, has this celebration today changed us in any way.  Was it a nice day and time but the coming week may not show much in us spiritually.

Jesus is alive and well.  He, through His Holy Spirit is still on duty for the believer.  Do I feel closer to my Heavenly Father now especially when it comes to gratitude than where I was a week or two ago?  These special times are important for what can come about in our personal lives...loving and appreciating Jesus more and feeling a closeness that is dear to us.  Afterall, it won't be long until we won't have to celebrate these days as we will be with our Lord.....and what a day that will be.  No Christmas decor or colored eggs will be seen as well as plates of turket and dressing where He is.  We will be with Him and will need no trimmings or decor.  Can't wait.

Thank You Father for these special days when we remember your love and goodness in our lives.  May we carry on in the days to follow in Your love and power knowing we can celebrate You and Your Son any moment or day of the year.  Praying in Jesus' precious name....Amen

 

SOMEONE  CARES

Therefore, humble yourselves under

the mighty hand of God, that He may

exalt you in due time,

casting all your care upon Him,

for He cares for you.

I Peter 5:6,7

Looking at our culture today, we can see alot of people living in misery.  We see in the news on an almost daily basis dire situations  with weather, illness, financial difficulties, family problems and on and on it goes that people are living with.  Many take the attitude that they are taking care of their own problems with no time for considering the plight of others.

I wrote a blog recently regarding people who in some ways feel very broken.  Such people often do all they can to look like they don't have a problem in the world.  Who cares about such folks who don't even look like they have a problem in the world.  Besides, who cares anyway?

One used to rely on family members to be caring of each other.  Even in our day such can't necessarily be counted on.  There are times when distance, family misunderstandings and even one's faith can come into play in how even family members view each other.  Many have work families where so much time is spent working together in a business.  There can be some concern for one another but with limits.  Even in church settings, one can feel very alone, especially when coming into a new church experience.

I have had times in my life when I could be in a crowded room with people I knew and still felt as lonely as could be.  I realize a good part of that was my fault but not in that moment.  When feeling such a loneliness, along with that is the feeling that in that moment, no one really cares about me.  

We may struggle with those feelings off and on, but the fact is that we are never alone.  As believers, we have the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.  I'm afraid all too often, He gets ignored but is a ready presence just the same.  I realize in speaking of God's closeness, that we still desire some human form to come to our aid. 

When I make such things a matter of prayer, not only do I sense God's comfort and car but so many times, out of the blue, He's led someone to give me a call, a face book contact or even a visit.  No one is going to EVER care about you and me like our Heavenly Papa and He has in His power every resource to fulfill His promise of His love and care.

Father God, how I thank You for coming along side me so often through Your love and Spirit when I've felt alone and uncared for.  I'm much too human so many times forgetting that Your loving care for me can always be counted on.  In Jesus' precious name....Amen

  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