Going Home

And if I go and prepare a place

for you, I will come again, and

receive you unto myself; that

where I am, there ye may be also.

John 14:3

It was my first time to take a trip “far away” where I would stay for two weeks. I was all of nine years old at the time. I stayed at my Aunt Lee's place that was very near Chicago. She lived in a boarding house. Mr. & Mrs. Primass had a very large two story house in a lovely neighborhood. There were five good sized bedrooms on the second flood that they rented out. Mrs. Primass cooked for everyone...all three meals. She and her husband were really sweet people. Aunt Lee had the nicest room upstairs, a front corner room with lots of sunshine and cross ventilation created by the two windows on two different walls.

There were three neighbor girls my age and we four became good buds right away. I enjoyed playing by myself too, with my dolls and playthings in the backyard of the large house. One day though, things came crashing down. My parents were due to come for me in three days but upon waking up one morning, my aunt took one look at me and let out a shriek. I had the mumps...on both sides and guess I looked pretty bad. She wouldn't let me look in a mirror that day. Aunt Lee made a quick call to my mom and told her to forget coming for at least another two weeks.

I was getting to where I loved being with my aunt and Mr. & Mrs. Primass. My mother sent me a book to read. It was my first big book with chapters, a Bobbsey Twins book. With little to do including no TV, I dug into that book and had it read through in about three days. My aunt couldn't believe I could read that fast so I read the book again and again. Meals were brought to me in bed. I grew to really love that room with the pretty blue flowered wall paper and white organdy curtains gently being tossed about from the breeze coming through the windows.

My fourth week there, my Aunt Lee told me that I was well so she had called my parents to tell them that they could come whenever they wanted to. They came the following weekend with my sister Kay. A strange feeling came over me. I had been in that nice house with new friends next door. It suddenly dawned on me that I was going home...and I didn't want to go. How could that be? I cried and cried privately in that pretty bedroom, not wanting my mother especially to be hurt. Aunt Lee knew I was upset so we talked. She explained all the reasons why I had to go home. My town in Southern Illinois with the house on Clark Street was my home where my real family lived, so I should be sweet and not hurt my parents.

We left for home. It was hard saying good-bye to newly made childhood friends as well as my aunt and adult friends. I was teary on the way home...couldn't imagine it being better than what I'd had for a month. I just knew I would never again love my real home like the one I had experienced for that month...mumps and all.

Why do I relay this incident? As I've thought over this experience, I've compared it to this earth we live on in our individual towns and houses. God has put us where we are, but it's only a temporary trip. The day will come when Jesus will come for us to take us to THE real place...Heaven. The problem is that while here, we've come to love this ol' earth with all of it's flaws and problems. We've made friends that we like to “play with.” We've gotten used to the food and our surroundings. We've been close to family and friends as well. While here, I've read lots and lots of chapter books. I've asked Brian while driving through the mountains if he thought Heaven could be this pretty. To be honest, I'm concerned about that because I've never really cared for gold all that much. For me, Heaven would have lots of beautiful mountains with streams and all that goes with this kind of setting.

One day, while reading my Bible, it dawned on me that as the song goes, “This world is not my home...I'm just a passin' through.” I realized like being with my Aunt and loving it there, while here on this earth, I've gotten to where I love it here and can't imagine being anyplace else just like it was when a little girl. I'm afraid at times, I've pounded my tent pegs too deep into the soil of this world, having no desire to move or go anyplace else.

While thinking and praying about all of this, some facts were reinforced in my mind and heart on this subject:

For one thing, I don't think I'm the only person who has made herself at home on this old planet. I think there is a vast majority of Christians who find themselves thinking like I had come to think. One indication is all the doctors we see and medications we swallow. Why? We're hanging onto this place for dear life, not that there's anything wrong with taking medications. Survival is something that is a part of us and who we are.

Because Scripture doesn't give us much information about Heaven, I think it's a difficult reality for us. Oh it's there and it's very real but like my dreading returning to my family home, we would like to stay here and not go any other place. We've had friends and family go on ahead of us to this wonderful place but they aren't able to call us to tell us what it's like.

The major thing that is a winner for me though is just the thought of Jesus being there in Heaven anticipating my coming. He told His disciples in John 14 that He was going to prepare a place for them (us). The wonderful thing is His plan to come and get us at the appropriate time. He meanwhile is in Heaven interceding for us with the Father (Hebrews 7:25). He even prays to the Father for us when we just don't have the words to utter on our own.

I don't have to have a travel brochure about Heaven. I don't have to know what it looks like. I don't have to know who is already there. It doesn't make any difference if I don't care for gold. When John, in the book of Revelation, tells about that beautiful place, all of that is well and good. There are folks I want to see when I get there, but the simple fact is that we should want to get to our eternal home because Jesus is there. I want to see Him before anyone else. The surroundings won't be as important as getting to be in His presence, worshiping Him and loving Him in person. We will have no longing for that eternal home if we don't stay in close relationship with our Savior now, studying His word and being people of prayer. Staying in close contact with Him will create a hunger in our hearts, a feeling of homesickness for our real forever home. Heaven will be home because Jesus is there.

Lord Jesus, I have such a longing to see You in person. Thank You for making Heaven a reality for me through your dying for my sin and rising from the dead that I might live eternally with You. I love You and anticipate our face to face meeting some day. Amen.

One Is All I Need

One God and Father of all,

who is above all,

and through all,

and in you all.

Ephesians 4:6

A few years ago, I was talking with a lovely lady who had been born and raised in India. In her teens, she accepted Jesus as her Savior. She explained how difficult it was being ostracized from friends and family alike because of her decision. (Later, both parents and a sibling accepted Jesus probably because of her witness before them.)

She explained to me the confusion of her Hindu religion even though she grew up in the thick of it. They would have special times of “worship” where her entire family would gather. The men would sit in a huge circle in the courtyard with legs crossed and would spend hour after hour praying to their gods of which I understand there are thousands.

This woman couldn't believe the difference in paying homage to so many gods with so many expectations compared to worshiping God, His Son and Spirit...our God Who is three in one. She had never felt any kind of personal attachment to the old ways but with Jesus as her Savior, she felt safe, secure and loved beyond anything she could ever have imagined.

Idol worship has been a huge problem not just in our day but in our spiritual heritage that goes back through the Old Testament. It was such a problem early on, that when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, right in the beginning can be found “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” God will not tolerate idol worship nor anything people put in a position of more importance than Himself. There is a holy jealousy in God with regard to His children. He wants to be the one and only in our lives....NO ONE more important to us than Him.

The interesting thing is that we can easily be critical of people who are members of cults and false religions, but there's something that disturbs me as I observe members of such religions. If you want to compare the depth of dedication between believers in false religions and our Christianity, I'm afraid very often we would find those involved in cults and false religions have we Christians beat all to pieces.

I can't speak for everyone but Christianity in America has become so watered down with the things of the world that many Christians wouldn't stand for Christ if someone held a gun to their heads. With the climate in our country regarding the radical Muslim religion, I wonder when the last time was that I prayed five times a day...every day...without fail. I saw a young lady in the grocery story the other day in her Muslim attire. It takes a great deal of bravery to walk grocery store aisles in that attire with many people looking down their noses at her. That young woman stepped out in her special attire into our world who is skeptical and even scared of such a religious statement.

Because we don't bow before idols such as is with some religions, we might tend to be critical of folks from other countries who do. In fact even they are often more dedicated and worshipful toward their gods than we are to our Lord Jesus. Because we don't bow before an image, picture or statue of some kind, we tend to dismiss the thought of having any kind of idol worship in our lives. I believe we have them, but we just haven't given such things a title. An idol is going to be anything that we have in place that comes between God and ourselves. It can be something very simple, but something that takes up a great deal of our time or thinking. I have often asked myself, as I have spent time with a crochet hook in my hand, how much time I have spent that day in Bible reading and prayer compared to the time I spent crocheting. I'm not saying we can never have a hobby, times of creativity or just casual blocks of time that are refreshing where we may be doing nothing at all. It comes down to balance.

You might be able to add to the list but let me suggest some practical things whether good or bad that can get out of control, where God is asked to take a back seat. For some folks, there might be a problem with some of the following:

TV – Probably all of us have at least one in our house, perhaps in each bedroom as well as living room and/or den. If that has become something we just HAVE to watch incessantly, it could be a problem. There are some good things on TV but not much. Even some spiritual programming may be good but even with it, one has to be discrete.

Car – Remember getting a new car and wanting to wipe off every speck of dust everyday? For some folks, that is on going and a car can take up ones time by the hour. Is there anything wrong with a car and wanting to keep it looking nice? Not as long as it's kept in reasonable balance.

Clothes closet – I've known women and men alike whose attire is their all in all. I know one lady that I attended church with that I doubt if I saw her in the same outfit two times on Sunday mornings. Honestly, I'm not jealous. I hate shopping anytime for clothes and can't imagine being so involved in the shopping syndrome that I would have to have a new outfit every Sunday morning. Some folks might as well bow before their closets.

Money – This can take any form whether it be excessive time spent in the earning or spending of it.

Education – I knew someone several years ago who received his college degree. He went on to get a masters and than on to a doctorate then on to another masters and another masters. He was what we would call a “career student.” In reality, education wasn't just his life...education was his whole life...perhaps, his god.

Recreation – Come spring and summer, many folks dessert church for those months. They may enjoy boating, fishing or heading for the family cabin. There's nothing wrong with those activities but with the attitude that they'll be absent from church most of that time, what place does that give God in their lives.

Let's not even talk about electronics. We might complain about children with their computer games and cell phones. Within reason, there's nothing wrong with those activities as long as they are God honoring. Adults spend hours as well playing with their electronic toys. They have to have the very latest in whatever devices they crave.

I'm not saying any of the above are bad things. For all of us, there needs to be a balance. God should never have to play second fiddle in our lives. If He's taking a back seat, we can be sure there's something between Him and us and it will be of our own doing. I've said before that He's a gentleman and won't force a spiritual relationship on us. He wants first place in our lives at all times...He's the one and only God and will settle for nothing less.

Nothing between my soul and the Savior

So that His blessed face may be seen.

Nothing preventing the least of His favor.

Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.

--C.A. Tindley

Dear Lord Jesus...I love You but often I'm so weak. I don't want there to be anything between You and me. May it be so knowing I rely on Your empowering to be all You want me to be. Amen

Broken Things

The sacrifices of God are a broken

spirit: a broken and a contrite

heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Psalm 51:17

Hanging on the wall over my piano is “what-not” shelving. There are three shelves on this particular display. On those shelves. as I am presently looking at it are several items...my ceramic wedding cake topper, a small vase, shoe and dish my mother also gave me, but the rest are cups and saucers (antiques by now) that belonged to my Scotch grandmother. They are beautiful with varied designs. There is even one cup and saucer that friends of my grandmother brought back from England when they went there at the time of the coronation of the present Queen Elizabeth. All of these things are carefully wrapped and packed when we move.

About ten years ago, as I was playing the piano, a nail on one side of this shelving came out of the wall and things began to fall. I did my best to grab at items one by one. It could have been one big pile of gold embossed china and ceramics but managed to catch several pieces. One cup was totally destroyed but it's saucer was okay. Another china cup broke into about four neat pieces. A saucer also went into several pieces. I was so grateful for super glue. Brian and I carefully tried to put these “Humpty-dumpties” together again. The cup looks good from a distance but is unusable. The saucer also came together quite well but it's cup was the one that was smashed to smithereens. By faith and some sturdy nails, it all is hanging on the wall in front of me but every now and then I get nervous as to what could happen again. Broken things, especially broken things of sentiment are hard to deal with.

There's nothing unusual about broken things in our lives. Many are more of an inconvenience than anything, such as a broken windshield in a car, sitting on a pair of glasses and busting something on them, leg on a chair, fingernail, etc.......

However, there are things that are broken that aren't mere inconveniences. They are things of life, things no super glue can handle...things like Humpty-dumpty that can't be put together again, at least to their original condition. Many such things might be mended to some extent (like my china cup that's been glued together but can't be used for it's intended purpose) but we are often left with memories that are uncomfortable. These are things that aren't material...they are things of life, things of the heart. Some of these things might be:

Broken friendships, marriages

Erring children that can break parents' hearts

Broken promises

A daughter “breaks up” with a boyfriend

Church splits (a major break up)

Broken health (especially a broken bone)

The things listed above will break our hearts. Most of the time we won't know why God has allowed us to go through brokenness. Other human beings cannot heal our broken times...God, our Father is the One who does that if we want total healing. Scripture says:

He healeth the broken in heart,

and bindeth up their wounds

Psalm 147: 3

Let me add that in our broken times, our Heavenly Father never wastes those times. There is always something spiritual in nature that He wants us to learn. One of the first questions we should ask Him when something is about to break us in pieces is: “What do You want me to learn from this experience?” What a shame and waste for us to force ourselves to endure and then walk away unchanged.

We must remember that Jesus knew something about being broken...broken like you and I will never have to experience. Because of that in His life, He can relate when you and I find ourselves broken.... that we feel it will almost take the very life out of us. Jesus said the following in the presence of His disciples:

And when He had given thanks, He

brake it, and said,

Take, eat: this is my body, which is

broken for you: this do in

remembrance of me.

I Corinthians 11:24

Jesus gave above and beyond what anyone else could give and His broken body was for us. He surely experienced a broken heart any number of times prior to his crucifixion. He was betrayed by one of His very own disciples and denied by another. I've gone through both of those things and can't even measure the tears I cried over being betrayed and even denied. Jesus knows and understands. Fleeing to Him is the only answer. It would be wonderful if there was a “super glue” for the heart. However, I've often said that only God's love putty can fill in the cracks of a broken heart or broken spirit. What a comfort knowing that He stands ready to love and heal us. God puts we Humpty-dumpties together again so that we can serve Him better than before and walk in even closer relationship with Him.

Lord Jesus, I understand there are times I need to go through a time of brokenness that is a time of hurt but a time of cleansing as well. When I need to be broken, do what You deem best, but please stay ever near during those times. I love you and place my life totally in Your hands to do what you see is best to do so that I can be a clean and willing vessel for Your use. Amen and Amen.

Forever the Same

Jesus Christ, the same yesterday,

and today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

I learned this verse from Hebrews when I was in fourth grade while attending daily vacation Bible school. I liked it because it was easy to learn and fairly easy to understand. It only went that far with me at the time. I didn't realize that many, many years later, this verse would come to be of great comfort to me.

When just a girl, I hated hearing the adults in my life speaking of the “good old days.” Nothing could have been as good as they described it, especially with World War II and the Great Depression thrown in. But for those adults, even in the 40's and 50's, they looked at their present days and saw changes they didn't like, that caused them great concern. I thought and still do that those decades were really the best that our country had to offer. I guess that's probably why if asked, my children would have the same reaction to my longings as I did to the adults in my life back then.

It cannot be denied, however, that in our country over the last twenty years especially, we have seen some pretty radical changes. We are faced with a bad economic situation that includes high taxes. We have learned that our high taxes are going toward unnecessary and costly trips, parties, entertainment by our IRS. There seems to be no way to put all of it in check.

Churches have changed and not any particular denomination. Many churches are being pastored by women (by the way, not to be done according to Scripture). Many churches are giving way to rock concerts and then tagging on a 10 minute sermon from the pastor. The Word of God is all but lost in the confusion. As Christians, we have all but lost our “saltiness” in a country that has needed us to speak up and stand for what is right.

Who would ever have believe that the Boy Scouts of America would have yielded to the homosexual agenda. Did you ever believe in time past, that you would see two men or two women holding hands, kissing each other and demanding to have marriage rights like “normal” couples have. What is a Muslim Imam (pastor) doing being invited to the White House to speak or counsel with the presidents staff. Did we ever think it would be a no-no to say, “Merry Christmas” in a school classroom or that one little woman, an atheist could be responsible for taking God out of our school classrooms.

The list could go on and on....however....I return to our verse. We have known that things change and usually not for good. We know we are living in a decaying culture, we just didn't think we would live to see it, at least not to the extent we are seeing it now. I place my comfort in Hebrews 13:8. I have always been a person who hates change. With all of the things that seem to be changing so rapidly, I have a hope...a wonderful hope. My hope is based on the simple fact that Jesus Christ doesn't change...that He is never changing. He's never changed, still doesn't and never will. He is that blessed constant in my life and in yours as well. When He and His Father decided on those things that are sin, guess what...they are still sin and always will be. Not only that, but those who choose to shake their fists at those things God declares as being sin will one day find their trembling knees shaking and bending before a Holy God Who will accept no excuses. Jesus is our constant, our steady influence and our unchanging Savior. He is our rock, fortress, friend, Savior and every other precious name we could use for Him that in every circumstance will never change.

Many things should never change

I feel they never should.

Invariably the things that change,

Are rarely for the good.

Filthy language is out of hand

Cursing beyond all hope.

When a child, I couldn't say “darn” or “gosh”

Or my mouth got washed out with soap.

Then there's the dress code of our day

Or a serious lack of one.

Girls baring skin and body parts

Boys britches dragging the ground.

Respect, courtesy, and thoughtfulness

Have all but faded away.

We used to care for the other guy

But that was another day.

But there are some things that haven't changed

Whether some folks like it or not.

The ways of God and of His Word

Are battles that must be fought.

You see, Jesus Christ doesn't changed

Be it today, future or past.

His principles, promises and commands

Are unchanging and will always last.

For I am the Lord, I change not....

Malachi 3:6a

A friend passed the following statement off to me not too long ago. It is one worth thinking about:

Do I embrace today what shocked me yesterday?

Lord Jesus, help me be consistent in my spiritual walk. Help me be consistent in my values, principles and standards despite the ways of the world. May I be aware that these are the last days and there are going to be disturbing changes that will be disturbing. I love You and praise you today for who You are in my life. Amen

Quit Yer Belly Achin'

Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

And why art thou disquieted within me?

Hope thou in God: for I shall yet

praise him, who is the health of my

countenance, and my God.

Psalm 42:11

It has to be about 25 years ago or maybe a little more that our family was on our way to our usual vacation place...the Great Smoky Mountains. On one of those trips, we decided to take a different route, taking us through the Atlanta, Georgia area. We found a wonderful church there that we ended up visiting a few times after that during our vacation jaunts. We were disappointed on one occasion to find that there would be a special preacher on the Sunday night that we would be there. We were disappointed as we really liked the preaching of the pastor.

We ended up hearing someone that night that I believe to this day, our family remembers quite well. Getting to the pulpit was a task for the guest speaker. He was a neatly dressed young man, but had an obvious physical disability. His name is David Ring. As far as I know, David is still an evangelist and motivational speaker. His lovely wife and children were introduced and then he began his story.

David was born dead, but doctors worked on him and at the 18 minute mark, David came to life. When something like this happens with a newborn, there are often serious physical problems that develop and for David, such was true. He developed Cerebral Palsy, a very debilitating condition that brings with it more problems than one can believe. His speech was greatly affected as was his mobility. As David got into the testimony of his life, listeners didn't notice so much his awkward movements and slurred speech. His message kept all of us riveted on him because of the content of his sermon.

In his testimony, David basically went through his difficult life and the goodness of God all along the way. There wasn't one word of complaint from David. One of his basic theories was that you can look around and always find someone worse off than you. I liked that he spoke of broken things and how we throw away broken things, but God never does. His words were inspiring and his spirit, contagious. He spoke of people's quickness to complain about the smallest of things and that even with the big obstacles of life, he kept telling us over and over to “Quit yer belly achin'.”

One of the first places in Scripture we find the problem of “belly achin'” is in the book of Exodus where God's people found themselves in the wilderness after being led out of the land of Egypt. Things hadn't been all that great in Egypt, but suddenly in the wilderness, the people found themselves away from any securities they had known there. Of all the sins that could be committed at the time, the one that upset God the most was the murmuring, grumbling and yes, belly achin' of the people. Their negative complaints revealed one huge thing...these people didn't trust their Father who had done so much for them and Who had proven Himself faithful to them. As a result, God allowed his people to wander in the wilderness much longer than they would have desired.

Jesus faced complainers as well. Jesus had just been teaching to a crowd of people. He had in part been explaining who He was and His Father's role in Jesus' ministry. John 6:41 says: “The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.” They murmured a little more and then in verse 43, He responded: “Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.” If Jesus made that statement to Jews back then, what makes us think He will be pleased with our murmuring and griping today?

Paul speaking of the Israelites says to the Corinthians in I Corinthians 10:10

Neither murmur ye, as some of them

also murmured, and were destroyed of

the destroyer.

Let's look at Jude 1:16 as he speaks of the ungodly:

These are murmurers, complainers, walking

over their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh

great swelling words, having men's persons in

admiration because of advantage.

So what do we do with this thing of griping and belly achin' that can so easily become a part of us?

1. Recognize complaining when we hear it coming out of our own mouths and stop it.
2. Confess murmuring as sin, for most of it comes from the sin of ingratitude.
3. Whatever our problems, give them to the Lord...He's in charge of everything anyway.
4. We must count our blessings...for many people in the world, we would be considered rich people.
5. Forsake complaining...no one really wants to hear it and it doesn't honor God in any way.
6. God's consequences for the Israelites was to wander aimlessly in the wilderness for many years. I don't want to be put in a wilderness for a time because of my spirit of discontent.
   
   What's the answer? Let me close with Philippians 2:13-15a and 4:6:
   

For it is God which worketh in you both to

will and to do of his good pleasure.

Do all things without murmurings and

disputings:

That ye may be blameless and harmless,

the sons of God, without rebuke...

Be careful for nothing; but in everything

by prayer and supplication with

thanksgiving let your requests be

made known unto God.

Dear Father...forgive my tendency to gripe and bellyache about things that really make very little difference in the whole scope of life. Keep me positive and looking upward with a positive and grateful spirit. I love You and thank You for Your goodness in my life. Amen.

If It Be Possible

Usually I begin a blog with a verse of Scripture but will work that Scripture in shortly. Many readers of this blog have experienced a goodly amount of life. I'm not saying everyone is old who reads this, but even if someone is thirty years old, she's had thirty years to observe the idiosyncrasies of people around her. Some things are pleasant, a blessing and helpful in our observations of others. However, there are often people in our lives, who to be honest, are nothing but a pain in the neck, a real spiritual challenge that tests our patience and our emotional state.

Several years ago, Joyce Landorf wrote a book entitled “Irregular People.” I thought that was a good title for the book that she wrote concerning those folks who come into our lives who seem bent on making our lives as miserable as possible...who for their own reasons choose to not be in a healthy relationship with us. She spoke of those folks as people who have no intention of getting along with us, who often seem to go out of their way to keep us in a state of turmoil. They can't be made happy no matter what we do. They stay offended at us and probably a lot of other people as well.

Off and on during my life, I have come across some women (not all at once thankfully) who I was never able to please. In each case, they were ladies who were easily offended. In some cases, I could apologize to them, often not even knowing what I was apologizing for. After an apology, they would move on to the next thing they wanted to be upset about. It was usually a guessing game and to be honest, it wore me down and kept me agitated all the time.

A very good friend posted a verse of Scripture on my Face Book recently that I'm sure I've read more times than I can count. It is such a freeing verse that has freed me of a good deal of guilt when it comes to getting along with impossible people. I realize we are all sinners. Even though we don't mean to, we mess up. Hopefully as Christians, we can learn to forgive the mistakes of others as well as forgiving ourselves for all of our own human frailties. Some of these things, however, can hold us captive for years and there is no person on the face of the earth that should have that kind of power over us. These three ladies I'm thinking of held me captive and they didn't even know it (or maybe they did).

So what is this freeing word of Scripture? I wish I had space to copy the nine verses prior to this one verse, but the one I will copy has been more helpful to me than I can put into words. I do encourage you to read those nine verses though. Read verse 18 slowly and think about what its meaning might have for you. Someone might come to your mind, someone you can never please, but that leaves you feeling guilty.

If it be possible,

as much as lieth in you,

live peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:18

We want to live peaceably with folks be they friends or family members. That's our end of the deal no matter how we are treated by others. Check out the three phrases in this verse:

“IF it be possible...”.

Why haven't we learned yet that there are those who set out to be resistant, uncaring and unloving people. They fall into the category of being impossible challenges. They feel powerful when they hold negative sway in the lives of others. Folks like this, without major change, will be impossible to deal with unless they allow the Lord to change them. So we can ask ourselves, “Have I done everything possible to do what is right in this situation?” If we have, then we should loosen our grip on the situation and at least mentally, walk away if only for a brief time.

“As much as LIETH IN you...”

Here comes our part. We don't have to keep struggling with such folks, but we are expected to give them every opportunity to do what's right. We aren't to show revenge even though it's a temptation. We can be friendly and available but not captive. As much effort as we can give the relationship, we are to do, but not to the point of a nervous breakdown. Otherwise, we are to give this situation our best effort to arrive at an agreeable relationship. It might work...and it might not.

Live PEACEABLY with all men.

As much as we can, we are to be peaceable women who strive to get along with others as Christ would have us do. This phrase doesn't mean that we are to be best friends with everyone. We can't be too disappointed though when our efforts are rebuffed by a person who seemingly wants to rule our world. If such a person in our lives chooses to not speak or to cause turmoil in our lives in order to punish us, we can still be kind, speaking and being congenial when the opportunity presents itself. We can only be responsible for our own behavior.

If we make every effort to mend relationships, that's all we can do. I can't change the heart of another person. Only the Holy Spirit can change a person. Showing goodwill toward such an impossible person must not be done with ulterior motives, but out of showing the love of Christ for the person. We are to do what we can and then perhaps back off for a time and allow the Lord to work. One of the most important things we can do is to earnestly pray for this person. Prayer is a powerful thing, the most wonderful thing we can do for another. Not only can it work some wonderful things in another individual, but it can also give us a peace that passes all understanding.

Lord Jesus, grant me wisdom as I deal with people in my life who at times seem impossible to get along with. Help me to always take inventory of my own attitudes and shortcomings. May You, Holy Spirit, convict me of my shortcomings and help me to take responsibility for my own negative attitudes. I love You and want to please You in every way.. Amen

Yes, That's The Book For Me

All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,

for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly

furnished unto all good works.

II Timothy 3:16,17

It was the sunniest day, a happy day made happier by the fact that I received a box from my Aunt Lee. I couldn't tell from the shape what could be in the box but I was more than excited when I opened it a there was a new Bible. I had been saved for one year and still didn't have a Bible which really wasn't unusual in those days. Most children, age 10 didn't have one. I loved the Bible though without having owned one. I like many of you when very young sang the little chorus below that spoke fondly of the Bible. I'm not sure the words of that little song meant as much to me in my younger years as it does now. Remember??

The B-I-B-L-E

Yes, that's the Book for me.

I stand alone on the Word of God,

The B-I-B-L-E.

Now I'll probably be humming that tune for the next week because it is a catchy little song.

My question though is: “How can we stand on the Bible when we know so little of it?” A lady friend once said to me that she wished she knew as much of the Bible as I do. I had news for her. I told her I would like to know the Bible as well as Billy Graham, Charles Spurgeon or Dwight L. Moody. I would like to know the Bible like most seminary professors know it. However, wishing doesn't make it so.

I wish I could make us all realize a simple fact and I include myself in this realization. The simple fact is this: WE CAN KNOW THE BIBLE AS WELL AS THE MOST KNOWLEDGABLE BIBLE SCHOLAR IN THE WORLD IF WE WANT TO. No one can know any more about the Bible than what is contained in our own Bibles cover to cover. Let's explore how this can come about. Believe me that I don't mean to discount all the wonderful knowledge the most intelligent has accumulated. I do believe there are some things we can do to get us on the road knowing the Bible better.

There are some basic things we need in order for us to know the Bible better than we've ever known it before. First of all, to really know and understand anything in the Bible, we must have had a salvation experience with Jesus, thus having the presence of the Holy Spirit IN us. Jesus told His disciples before He was taken captive by Roman soldiers that He would be leaving but would send a Comforter. This Comforter would be the teacher and interpreter of all Jesus had taught which by the way, includes the Old Testament as well as the new. Jesus is God...God is the author of the entire book.

But the Comforter, which is

the Holy Spirit, whom the father

will send in my name, he shall

teach you all things, and bring

all things to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 14:26

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is

come, he will guide you into all truth:

John 16:13a

Every time we sit down to read our Bibles, we should invite our teacher, the Holy Spirit, to interpret and teach us what He wants us to know from what we are reading. Our reading can be dull and boring without His guiding us through our reading/study process.

Secondly, we must be literate people in some way. Otherwise, we must be able to read. If we can't read, we can hear the Bible read through CD's or other recordings. If someone is blind, she can listen to CD's or even learn to read the Bible in braille. So we must have the means to take in through eyes, ears or both the written Word of God.

Thirdly, we need a good, personal copy of the Bible. This can be the most confusing thing of all. Let me encourage you to purchase a Bible that will wear well, has appropriate type and is the translation you are comfortable with. In our day, there are new translations and study Bibles coming out almost every week. Please don't fall into the trap of having to change Bibles every time another Bible comes out. When your Bible gets too marked up, get another one. Your Bible isn't meant to be your best friend...it's a tool...and when a tool wears out, another new one is needed but keep to the same translation.

Take notes in a journal if you can do that without losing your train of thought. What you retain mentally is far more important than what you write down on paper.

The Bible is meant to be many things to us, meeting many needs from different angles. In closing, from Psalm 19:7-10.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:

the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:

the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever:

the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much

fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

All we need to know to live this wonderful life in Christ is available to us on every page of His Word. Whether Old or New Testament, the character and desires of God for us are right there to learn, to know and to put into everyday practical living.

Thank You Lord Jesus for Your precious Word to us. It isn't going to help us if we leave it lay for days on end without reading it. Convict us of our need to be in Your Word that will strengthen in every way. Help me to not only read it but to put it into practice in every day life. Thank You for Your being You and for loving me beyond my comprehension. Amen

The Sheeny Man

Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

He was probably a very nice man...loving husband, doting father and doing all he could do to support his family. I never knew him personally, but at the age of about six, I was petrified of him. I'm not sure anyone else but our family knew this man by the name my mother coined for him. He was the Sheeny Man. In the darkness of night, we could hear him coming. He had a good sized farm wagon with sides on it. From it hung lanterns...three on each side. An old, tired looking horse pulled the wagon through our alley. My sister Kay and I could never see the man clearly. We would sometimes get up out of bed to look out the window to see this interesting but scarey phenomena. He seemed to be rather hunched over. He wore varying articles of clothing depending on the weather but always wore a rather tattered and wide brimmed felt hat that he pulled down over his head as far as it would go.

People in our neighborhood had two types of metal drums at the back of their yards and next to the alley. One was for burning garbage and anything burnable. The other one however, was strictly for tin cans. Somehow, this man would heave a barrel on it's side on the top edge of his wagon spilling the cans out on top of all the other tin cans in the wagon. It made a loud and unsettling sound. We knew the Sheeny Man was coming, nearing our house, as that sound could be heard a block away and could not be mistaken.

I was often told if I misbehaved that I was going to be given to the Sheeny Man to go live at his house. Those were days when children really were not fearful of being abused or kidnapped so the concept of being given to someone else was new but frightening. Discipline-wise, I think this system worked because I had no desire to go home with the Sheeny Man. It all seems rather silly now but I was a believer. I wasn't a bad kid nor was my little sister but just mentioning this man was enough to curb any mischief we might be contemplating.

Why do I tell you about the sheeny man? Well, he was very real to me. I could look out the back window and could see what his form looked like, what he wore, and how strong he was to lift a barrel full of tin cans. He was as real as real could be. In a sense, he was a childhood enemy that I stayed completely away from. He never came during the day which leads me to think that he also had a day job. I would never have ventured out in the yard at night to greet him. I was scared to death of this man even though I didn't really know him personally. 

You and I have an enemy that is very real who I'm afraid we don't take as seriously as we should. Even we Christians don't treat him with the fearful respect we should. He is the arch-enemy... first of God, and then of each of us. His name is Satan. We know him by other names as well...devil, evil one, prince of this world, etc. but it's all the same person. Satan for too long has been characterized as being a person in a red body suit. This suit covers his body except for face and hands. There is a long tail protruding from the back of the suit. He has an eerie looking mustache, evil smile and carries a pitch fork. That's about as far as it goes when we think about this spiritual foe of ours. Name everything bad or evil a person can be, multiply it by the biggest number you can think of and you still haven't scratched the surface of all the things Satan wants to do to mess up our lives. Because we rarely think of him, he goes about the business of making our lives miserable with great gusto.

We first hear about Satan in the book of Ezekiel where we find him as one of God's three arch-angels. His name was Lucifer and was held in high esteem. However, he became rebellious thinking he could take over Heaven and be God. Lucifer was kicked out of Heaven with the angels that had decided to side with this evil one. God, thus prepared a place for Lucifer and his angels that is named Hell that is reserved just for them. In this process, Lucifer's name was changed to Satan.

I grow weary of people, especially the unsaved who often question how a loving God could send people to Hell when they die. I don't know how many times I have said to such people that God doesn't send people to Hell. Hell was created for Satan and his angels. Going to Hell for an individual person is his/her personal choice because of refusing to accept Jesus as Savior.

Since his demotion from Heaven, Satan has been very busy. In Scripture we first see him on the earth in serpent form talking with Eve and Adam and we read helplessly as we see them fall to the wiles of Satan. We then see Satan some pages over in our Bibles talking with God about a godly man by the name of Job. I note that he had to get God's permission to touch the life of Job but that permission was with limits. As Jesus was about to begin His early ministry, again Satan shows up in the wilderness tempting the Lord Jesus in every way possible. He walked away from Jesus defeated.

We need to be aware that Satan lingers around every corner of our lives to trip us up, to encourage us to sin, and to bring us to defeat. Let me hasten to say that Satan doesn't personally make us sin. There are things in our lives that cause us to sin perfectly well on our own. Satan may be the author and director of sin but we have some choices when it comes to yielding to sin.

What do we do about this hated and destructive person? I don't have all the answers but Scripture does and it wonderfully gives us the best advice that speaks for itself.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary

the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking

whom he may devour.

Revelation 2:10

Neither give place to the devil.

Ephesians 4:27

Put on the whole armor of God, that

ye may be able to stand against the

wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:11

Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil, and he will flee

from you.

James 4:7

There are specific instructions given to us from the above verses that will keep us as safe as possible from the cunning temptation of Satan.

1.  Take Satan seriously. He is not a cartoon character to be taken lightly. Stay alert...when tempted, remember the source of the temptation.

2.  Don't give room in your life for Satan to step in and work. I never cease being amazed at Christians who go to all the wrong places and when something unfortunate happens, they wonder why. We can't give Satan opportunities free of charge to bring us down.

3.  Arm yourself. God has provided us with spiritual armor that will defeat Satan at every turn. A list of that armor can be found in Ephesians 6.

4.  Live in submission to the Lord. Resist Satan...learn to say “NO” to his every suggestion.

I have to ask myself if I'm as fearful of Satan and all the damage he can do in my life as I was of that man years ago who was probably a very kind, hardworking man that I came to fear in my childhood. I will tell you this for certain....Satan ain't no Sheeny Man or whatever light hearted name you want to give him. If Satan is the enemy of God, then he should be regarded by me as my enemy as well, an enemy I want nothing to do with.

Lord Jesus, through Your Spirit keep me alert to the temptation and workings of Satan. Keep me strong through Your Word. Give me discernment regarding the ways Satan tries to work his will and way in my life. Thank You for who You are. I love you. Amen.

Rejoice!!

I will sing of the mercies of

the Lord for ever: with my

mouth will I make known thy

faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 89:1

Praise ye the Lord: for it is good

to sing praises unto our God:

for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

Psalm 147:1

Praise ye the Lord, Sing unto the Lord

a new song, and his praise in the

congregation of saints.

Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them

sing aloud upon their beds.

Psalm 149:1,5

We started out with our children in children's choir at our local church. Whether we should have or not, we waved as our children mounted the altar steps to begin their songs...songs well practiced with them by a diligent but harried director. We beamed as they sang because surely it was our child that was singing so much better than the rest. Whether in a beginner choir or in a high school ensemble, as parents we loved hearing our children sing. My mother-in-love really loved when her children visited and sang for her. It blessed and encouraged her heart.

If the singing of our own children brings delight to us, think how our singing praises to our Heavenly Father must delight Him as well. I think of the times I have stood in church and in an almost half-hearted way I have sung whatever the hymn was that was at the moment. I'm afraid that we don't sing with great heart to the Lord anymore. There has never been a rule that says we are to sing to Him only in church. In fact, one of the above verses says to sing ALOUD upon our beds. So we can sing our praises to Him wherever we may be.

A week after graduating from college, I went to spend a week with a dear college friend. She lived in Dodge City, KS. We went walking outside of town on a small hill. Barbara began singing with her beautiful soprano voice and I joined in with my honker alto voice. The song we sang was:

Day by day, and with each passing moment,

Strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,

I've no cause for worry or for fear.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives unto each day what He deems best.

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

So let's agree that our Heavenly Father would love to hear us sing for and to Him with a loving enthusiasm reserved only for Him. I think it was Charles Wesley, instrumental in the forming of the Methodist church who, himself, wrote so many wonderful hymns, once suggested that every Christian should own personal copies of two books...the Bible AND a hymn book. I'm afraid most Christians wouldn't even think of owning a hymn book, let alone singing out of it at home if they had one.

I was looking at the word “rejoice” this week and of course, I love acrostics. I listed the letters of that word on the left side and with each letter wrote a familiar sentence from a loved hymn beside each letter, hymns that down through our lives have reminded us of the goodness of God in our lives, giving us lots of reasons to rejoice in Him.

Redeemed how I love to proclaim it!

Eternal Father, strong to save. (Navy hymn)

Jesus paid it all!

Oh, how I love Jesus!

In loving kindness, Jesus came. (He Lifted Me)

Christ arose!

Ever Thy glorious face to behold. (Jesus I Come)

May we be a rejoicing, singing people. No matter how bad some of our times seem to be, we have a loving Heavenly Father Who is still our all in all and is sufficient for every situation we face. The reminder of the above hymns prompts me to hum or sing them along my way. Right now I'm stuck on “Jesus Paid it All”...did He EVER!

Lord Jesus, I do praise You today for all You are in my life. Thank You for always being along side even when I don't realize it or think about it. You are so precious in my life and I love You with all my being. Amen

Saved As I Can Be

But God commendeth His love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Jane (Doe) is what I will call this lady who was a dear friend of mine several years ago. Jane was at the time as active in our church as anyone could be. She was active in the women's ministry, a director of one of our children's Sunday school departments, sang in the church choir, wife of a respected deacon, mother of sweet children, and professionally successful.

I realize I've painted a picture of what sounds like the perfect Christian lady and she was from all outward appearances.

One Sunday morning during the invitation time and on the last verse of the invitation hymn, almost like a flash, Jane came running down the aisle and just fell on the altar steps. One of the pastors went and knelt by Jane and they talked for a good bit of time. Soon, she and the pastor went up some side steps that led to the baptistry and even sooner, there stood Jane in the baptismal water. People were shocked almost all 1,000 of them.

When the service was completely over, I asked Brian and our children to go on to the car because I wanted to linger and talk to Jane. When Jane came back into the auditorium I went to her and gave her a hug and in so many words congratulated her on her decision. She asked if I was upset with her and I assured her that there wouldn't be any Christian right with God who could be critical of of her.

Jane told me of her spiritual struggles for more years than she could remember, knowing she wasn't a born again Christian. She had walked a church aisle as a teenager along with friends but knew her profession of faith wasn't genuine. She married a fine Christian man which caused more conviction in her. When her children accepted Jesus as their Savior, again she felt condemned, knowing she wasn't saved. But on this Sunday morning, standing with her family with her fingers dug into the back of the pew in front of her, she had the feeling that at that moment, it was her last opportunity to get this thing settled. She laughed as she said how she almost knocked people over as she shoved her way out to the aisle. She said that she couldn't get to the altar fast enough. Now as we spoke, she confessed to feeling a freedom and love for Jesus she had never known in her 53 years of life.

When I teach ladies whether in Sunday school, Bible study class, retreats, or conferences, I never take for granted that everyone sitting before me is a born again Christian even though all would say they are a saved person. I'm always conscious that there could be one or more “Jane's” sitting in the room, ladies who know they are leading a phony Christian life. Ladies who walked a church aisle when the age of 10 rarely have any follow up. They sign a card, parents weep with joy, church staff are happy for the new soul added to the rolls but such a child can be left with the title of Christian without the real relationship. It happens all the time, but anyone who dies without Jesus no matter the circumstances will still face a Christless hell.

Therefore, I ask patience on the part of readers and your prayers as well with this next part of this blog because I feel so led to present a simple plan of salvation. Readers of this blog aren't just from Texas, Tennessee or a couple other states. Readers are from just about every state but I lost count of foreign countries after I counted 47 of them. Some are readers from countries who would be in a great deal of trouble if authorities knew they were reading anything Christian in nature. I pray for their protection every day.

It doesn't hurt for any of us to take spiritual inventory. I'm not out to encourage doubt in the life of a Christian regarding her salvation. We women are very chemical with our up and down emotions. There may be days when none of us feel very saved but inside we know better.

So where do we begin? Let's be very basic. I am going to give some verses from the book of Romans...the Roman Road, we call it.

The problem of sin for the unsaved person must be faced and dealt with. We read:

“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

This is perhaps the most difficult of any plan of salvation. We don't like to think of ourselves as being sinners. We may even compare ourselves to some really good people but guess what, they too are sinners. Looking at ourselves in the mirror and saying, “I am a sinner” is very difficult. The willingness to repent, turn away from our sin may be unthinkable but this is the place to begin. Are you a sinner?...yes? Good, we can move to the next step.

2. Wages come to us when we are an employee and we get paid on a regular basis.

Romans 6:23 says:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.”


Yes, there are those earning their way to Hell. However, God provided us with a gift. Gifts are free. I like gifts. I don't have to shop for one, don't have to pay for it, don't have to wrap it...someone else does all of that. How great is that? God has given us a gift...eternal life...provided through His Son Jesus Christ who died on a cross for our sin that we might have a wonderful relationship with God. The huge bonus is receiving the gift of eternal life.

3. So what steps do we take. We sure can't save ourselves. However Romans 10:9 tells us that if we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe by faith in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved. In confessing our sin we need to ask forgiveness of God and be willing to repent and turn away from our sin. To confess Jesus as Lord involves agreeing with God about our sin and our need for salvation. When we believe in our heart, we are placing our faith in Jesus, trusting that He died on the cross to pay for our sins.

This may all sound just too simple. God never wants to make salvation difficult for anyone. He loves you so much that He sacrificed His Son that you might be saved. All you need to do at this point is just to pray to God by faith asking Him to save you. You could pray a prayer as simple as this:

Dear God, I know I'm a sinner and am in need of your forgiveness

and salvation. I am trusting you in this moment as I turn away from

my sin and place my faith in Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Thank

You for saving me and for giving me the gift of eternal life. Amen.

If you have prayed either this prayer or one like it and have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior at this time, please let me know and I will get some material to you to help you on this new road. It will take real courage for some who like Jane had struggled for years knowing you are not truly saved. You may be very weary of putting on the front like Jane did for so many years. Jane would say that it's not worth the struggle and it really isn't. I am praying for our readers and ask readers to pray as well for those who need Jesus to be their Savior.

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your open arms, arms open to the unsaved, but arms that are open to those of us who are Your children already. May we regularly confess our sin, not wanting to take You for granted. May our relationship with You grow as we study Your Word and spend time talking to You on a regular basis. We love you. Amen.