CARE-WEARY

Casting all your care upon Him,
for He cares for you.
I Peter 5:7

Care as we are thinking of it right now has nothing to do with the kindness and service we render to someone in need. As we are looking at “care” here, we are the ones who are in need. Cares in the sense of our opening verse have to do with those things that are of real concern to us. We live in a “care-weary” world. Some folks are looking at divorce, financial problems, straying children, and often serious physical conditions. Many people care very deeply about our country, it's culture and condition. We care about the world our grandchildren may have to live in. We see policemen being gunned down, college students with little moral values in place, many folks in government who have proven to be pure evil in their dealings, athletes who won't stand for our national anthem, and other cares too many to mention.

Peter, when speaking of cares, doesn't speak in particulars because cares are very personal. What may be a care to may not be one for you. However on both parts, it's serious.

When Peter speaks of casting, he is speaking of throwing something away with no expectation of it's return. As children, we used to play catch. I loved that and could have spent hours doing it. I knew when I tossed a ball at a waiting friend, they would catch it and toss it back to me. We only tossed the ball with the speed needed to reach the other person. The anticipation was that my friend would toss the ball back to me and on and on it would go.

“Casting” is a stronger word. It indicates throwing something as far as you can in order to be rid of it with no anticipation of it coming back. This is the form of the word Peter is using so let's make some practical uses of CAST but in a spiritual sense.

C – Commit your burden to the Lord.

Do I consider that God is really in charge of my life? There are cares that come into our lives we don't understand and there seems no logic to it all. Whether we understand or not, it's a part of our relationship with God to give the situation over to Him for His working His will in it all. I don't know how many times I've gone before the Lord and simply said, “I don't understand what's going on, there is no logic to it but I give this over (commit) to You to work in it as You see fit.” You see that's not just playing catch with God, having my own expectations of return. I'm casting it on Him for Him to keep and work with in His way. That's a huge part of the trust we have in Him.

A - Ask for God's help in prayer.

Most of us aren't very good about asking for help. Maybe it's a pride thing or that we really don't want to bother anyone with a concern of ours. The sad thing is that this attitude carries over into our spiritual lives as well. I wonder how many times we have gone through the hardest of times, never even mentioning our concern to Jesus. Bottom line is that He cares much more about those things that bother us more than we can know. If I have a health concern, I want the best doctor I can find. When we have a problem, we want the most qualified person we can find to take care of that problem. Why wouldn't we give over our burdens to THE One Who has the power to do in our situations what we cannot do?

S - Search the Scriptures

When loaded with care, the unfortunate thing is that we don't like sitting down and reading a book...any book, let alone Scripture. And yet, the Bible is full of promises and solutions when we are loaded down with care. Psalm 119 is full of promises regarding God's Word and what it can do in our lives no matter our circumstances:

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path. (v 105)

Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
that I might not sin against thee. (v 11)

In a time of care, the Psalms is a wonderful place to relax and soak up the promises of God.

T - Trust Him

Very often, a time of care is a time of testing as to what we really believe about God. Trust comes through relationship. This is why consistently growing in our relationship with God is so important. When we have done that, trusting His will comes easier because our trust runs deep in Him and His will in our lives. Proverbs 3 encourages us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart....”

So lets determine to be CASTERS when facing the cares of life. God s more about us in such times than we can ever fathom.

Father, we don't like the difficulties that fact us so often. May Your Spirit help us to grow in trust and love for You knowing You always have purpose in any events that come into our lives. Thank You for loving us and for caring so deeply for us. In Jesus' name....Amen

BEAUTY IN FLUTTERS

But he knoweth the way that I take:
when he hath tried me, I shall
come forth as gold.
Job 23:10

My Mother went with our family on a trip to our national park several years ago. We did the usual tours in the car, getting out at places, looking inside and outside of old preserved home places of many years ago. One particular cabin, the Ogle Place has a nice porch area as it was then. Mother walked to the end of the porch where there was an area that was just firm semi-wet mud. I heard Mother let out a little sound of surprise. I went to see what she was looking at. There on that dark, damp earth were newly “hatched” butterflies. They were huddled together as they tend to do in the beginning days of life. They tend to stay close together and practice fluttering their new wings. I lost count of those little beauties at 20 but there were more. All were a lovely shade of light blue with all of the usual black trim. It was quite the sight, especially for my Mother who had for many years such a love for butterflies.

Brian and I just returned from our drive through Cades Cove and noticed all the places we saw “fluttering beauties” of different colors. They remind me of little active stained-glass windows. We saw the blues, yellows, golds and on and on. What a sight. I love how wonderfully our Creator shows off His handiwork.

I learned something in my youth about butterflies though. Many teachers will have a cocoon on a shelf in their classrooms for young students to observe the process of a butterfly's birth. There have been times when a well-meaning student, when seeing the activity beginning with the cocoon, wants to pick it up and take it apart in order to help the butterfly. However, what we know is that a butterfly cannot be helped with that process or it will die.

With human birth, we are used to helping with that natural process as much as we can for the comfort of the mother and safety of the baby. Even with human birth, there are things that must happen for a baby to survive. That first cry is vital as it helps to open up its lungs to begin the breathing process. Measures can be taken if that doesn't happen to help the baby survive.

However with the “baby butterfly” God has instilled in it the strength to push itself from the cocoon. Better yet, as that process is taking place, there is a chemical that is released gradually into the small, delicate wings of the butterfly. That can't happen if someone tries to help the butterfly out of the cocoon. When it emerges from the cocoon on it's own, it's wings are strengthened and with some practice in fluttering, will be able to fly. If the natural process doesn't take place, the human helper may feel he has helped when in reality, he has contributed to the death of the fledgling butterfly. It won't be able to fly. It can only lay and thus become prey to birds who will find it a tasty morsel.

I'm thinking of some folks who are really struggling. Folks may give suggestions and even extend help for one facing a difficult time. These strugglers may receive a lot of advice, lots of helpful attention, but the struggle goes on. In our culture, there appears to be answers for every kind of problem. doctors of every type, therapists, medications, counselors...many of which can be Christian in nature. Holistic methods including special diets and exercising may be recommended, but the poor individual is still struggling, and is left at the end of the day, in a state of utter frustration.

Let's face it, there are times when we face a difficulty we don't understand, we do what we can to find a solution. That is the normal thing to do. Maybe there's a doctor, medication or counselor that can help. No matter the help, our first response as Christians should be to give it first to the Lord. In the end, He is the ultimate problem solver in any of our lives no matter the solution He provides.

Sometimes, God wants us to struggle for a time that will bring into our lives a strength and growth we wouldn't know otherwise. Suffering for we Christians will always bring about spiritual benefit. We will know a new strength come into the wings of our lives that enable us to soar spiritually, bringing glory to our Father.

As beautiful as a butterfly is in it's maturity, flitting about from flower to flower, so is the beauty seen in the life of one who suffers, but allows God to bring beauty in their lives that blesses all who see His end result.

Father I pray for so many friends right now who I know are really going through some difficult things. They see no solution, but You have the answers. You are big enough to handle any difficult time we face. If You choose a time of suffering for us, may we accept it with a spirit of grace knowing You will never leave us or forsake us. In the end, You will bring forth a special beauty in our lives. In Jesus' precious name I pray...Amen

PEACE vs PIECES

Peace I leave with you, my peace I
give unto you: not as the world giveth,
give I unto you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:26

Unrest, discord, family problems, serious health concerns, financial woes, wayward children, political unrest, culture plummeting and on and on it goes as we look at today's unrest. These all affect our personal peace from time to time in one way or the other. Fortunately, all of these don't strike at us individually all at the same time, but each of us if not now, perhaps later, find ourselves sitting in the middle of some of life's pieces. We wonder if our shattered lives can ever be put together again or if we can possibly get through it all one piece ourselves.

For one, let's be honest with the fact that we will one day or another find ourselves with some part of our lives laying in pieces. The positive thing about pieces is they can usually be put back together with only a few rough edges to deal with. Should we go through a time of real shattering in our lives, the pieces are usually too small to make any sense of, let alone put back together. Day's with pieces are going to come so we are wise to be aware that it will happen. It's the nature of life, of the way Satan operates, especially with wanting to bring down any Christian he can

Pieces are very individual. Although some of us may go through some similar circumstances, they will never be identical. Every divorce splits folks apart legally, but the faces are different as are the causes. It's more and more important that we Christians stand ready to be encouragers for one another.

Jesus is a promise maker and keeper. He spoke the opening verse shortly before His time of departure from the earth...at least for a time. His disciples were troubled at the very thought of His leaving. He could have promised them anything He wanted to. He chose to leave them with peace. That peace has extended to this very day. It's available to us in abundance for the taking. That peace that is an inward quality in our lives may not necessarily pick up our pieces. Some may come together in time, but no matter the timing, the peace of Jesus is always ours getting us through a troubling time.

It was a good day when reading in my Bible, the verses I found in Philippians 4:4-7 that says with great admonition and encouragement:

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again
I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all
men. The Lord is at hand.
Be careful for nothing; but in every
thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be
made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall

keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.

These verses give us steps to take when sitting in the middle of some of life's pieces:

*Always be a person of rejoicing. The word “always” means just that.
*The Lord has not forsaken you...He is at hand in all you are facing.
*Refuse to be captive to worry. Worry never solved anything. Worry paralyzes our spirit.
*Take every concern to God...be honest with Him in your requests. Leave them with Him.
*If we refuse to rely on our own resources, but on God's, we will be amazed.
*We are promised the peace of God that no one will be able to understand.
*In addition, He will safely keep in hand our emotions and thinking through Jesus.

Another verse of importance is that found in Psalm 119:165:

Great peace have they which love thy
law, and nothing shall offend them.

What a wonderful verse that teaches the benefits of our being in God's Word. We need to be memorizing it, personally studying it, learning about it from outside sources, and swimming around in it if necessary. If we love God's law, we'll make it a vital part of our lives.

Don't ask me how all this happens apart from what we read in God's Word. He doesn't want His children to wander around crying, fussing, plotting and all that goes with solving our own problems. When we do, as the unsaved watch us, it doesn't look good on our God who we tell folks can handle anything. We must let go and let God do His work in our circumstances and within us that as we grow, God will be honored and glorified.

Help me Father, to accept Your peace but to do my part in being a person of rejoicing and prayer. I praise You for Your generosity in my life, filling it with Your love and peace. May I walk worthy of being Your child. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

A good name is rather to be chosen
than great riches, and loving favour
rather than silver and gold.
Proverbs 22:1

From the first breath we breathe and let out our first cry, a name for us has generally been already determined by our parents. I think today, parents think more about names and their meanings than what was done in my day. In my day, babies may have been named after a good friend or family member...sometimes just using a name picked out of the air. The name we are given, is the only thing we are given  that is free and permanent.

Through the years, even though a name is given to a baby out of love and with careful consideration, it's a fact that there are events in a child's life that can determine what that name comes to mean to others. I think we would call it “reputation.” There was a day before my day when parents stressed with children the importance of their name and guarding their last name. If a child did something that would draw negative attention to him or her, it reflected on the rest of the family. A name is important and it needs to be guarded and in a sense cherished.

I learned early in life how complicated my first name was. When asked my name, there were times I had to pronounce it for them maybe two times and at times even spell it. I hated the first day of school when a teacher would stand before the class and read off everyone's name. Teachers, even those who knew me and my parents, always said it wrong or distorted it. I never looked forward to that first day, but guess what...it was my given name by my parents and that's the way it would be for life.

I'm not sure even today if we realize the importance of our names. When I attended my 50 year high school reunion, there were people who couldn't attend, but their names were mentioned. At the mention of classmates names, pictures instantly came to mind of who they were in my life in high school. Even as adults now, names are important and register impressions with us. I can think of people in history I heard of in growing up years that registered in a negative way with me such as: Adolph Hitler, Lee Harvey Oswald, Lizzie Borden, Geronimo, etc. These folks were known for violent actions. Then, I can think of my former high school principal Goebel Patton and along with him a myriad of school teachers even into college, people I have worked with through the years, pastors I have grown under because of their consistent preaching/teaching of truth, and the list could go on of their positive influences in my life. When I hear their names be they family or otherwise, there are things that come to mind immediately of them.

In our day, as we view our culture, it would seem there are those who have no care of their names and their names being almost desecrated. I look at our media today with folks who went to schools of journalism, determined to make positive impacts on their community or nation. It would appear now they have sold their souls to the devil himself all for making money or a reputation for themselves. The good quality of their names that once was, sits now in a mass of disrepute and shame. These are folks who are known with big names and what the general public thinks of them doesn't seem to matter.

I will ever be grateful for the last name God has privileged me to now own. Marrying a man of character, integrity and godliness is a blessing I can't describe. Brian is on the quiet side at least in public, but can be an absolute nut at home. He's always appropriate at home and outside the home. He loves the Lord and spends time in the Word. It's a blessing beyond words bearing his last name.

A speaker I once heard said that you can make terrible errors in your early life and from that point with God's forgiveness and blessing, live out your life for Him. When that person dies, it is the good of the last part of that person's life that lives in people's minds. It's just the opposite with one who has lived a strong, good life most of the time. When that person errs terribly in his latter years, that too is what will be left in the minds of others.

I understand there will be people who will always think poorly of others, never like them and would even do their name damage. We have to leave that in God's hands. We must, however, do what we can to maintain a good name...we Christians would use the word we don't use much anymore and that is the word “testimony.” I am responsible for the life I live and for the relationship I keep with my Savior. What others think of when they hear my name should be as protected from damage as I can. I owe that to my past and present,  but mostly to my Heavenly Father.

Father, I am at peace that my name is written in Your book of life and I'm so grateful for that fact. Thank You for the times You have forgiven me and led me down Your path and away from Satan's way. I treasure Your name(s) and praise You for all You do for me day by day.

In Jesus' precious name....Amen

THE SECURITY OF ORDERS

Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this

people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the

land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that

thou mayest observe to do according to all the

law, which Moses my servant commanded thee:

turn not from it to the right hand or to the left,

that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth;

but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that

thou mayest observe to do according to all that is

written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way

prosperous and then thou shalt have good success

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a

good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou

dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee

whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:6-9

We've all heard statements through the years regarding authority:

“You're not the boss of me.”

“I don't have to do what you say.”

“Rules are made to be broken.”

“My life is my business.”

“Not all rules apply to me.”

If we look at the news reports today, it's obvious that the climate in our country right now is about as bad as it's been when it comes to respect for authority. I so admire the leadership in our country that is trying to do what's right, but are met with some of the most disturbing behavior that could ever come from supposedly educated, grown up adults. From God's Word though, we see where there has been a need from day one of man's creation for there to be rules, for without them, man is on a path to destruction and thus goes the nation.

I think I have the above verses underlined in about every Bible I own. Forgive my sharing this group of verses, but they are interlocked in such a precious way. I didn't feel I could separate the four of them. Prior to the death of Moses, he had laid hands on Joshua to be the new leader of the children of Israel. Scripture tells us that Joshua was a man of wisdom, a man Moses trusted to carry on with the leadership of the people. It wasn't going to be an easy job for Joshua. Moses and Joshua were two different types of individuals. Joshua was the one who was more military experienced. However, this was going to be a different “army” he was called to lead. God could read him and gave Joshua the above verses to encourage him.

Although Joshua could have considered God giving him an impossible task, he was still encouraged by the words God gave him. In every promise was the promise of God's presence. I like in verse 9 that God said, “Have not I commanded thee?” and then gave Joshua a listed of things to be. God didn't suggest that Joshua be strong, courageous, or fearless, but assured Joshua of His presence with him wherever he went. God never gives us commands without the strength and power of His presence with us to follow His instructions.

What might you be facing today that looks like an impossibility? As God spoke to Joshua, He speaks the same strength into our lives. He never gives us commands without pouring His strength into us to accomplish His will. We need God's strength for every task.

Am I a seeker...a seeker after God for His strength and wisdom in the “every-days” of life? I need God desperately in my life. He's not trying to boss me around. He always wants what is best for me in the purpose He he has laid out for my life. He is my security and strength and I praise Him for all He is doing in my life. He has the same desires for you as well.

Father, You are my strength, shelter, power, support, wisdom and so much more and I praise You for all of these things and more. Thank You for working in my life. Forgive when I don't heed Your direction and for not recognizing You in my life as often as I should. I love You. In Jesus precious name...Amen.

TAKE MY HAND

My sheep hear my voice, and I
know them, and they follow me;
And I give unto them eternal life;
and they shall never perish,
neither shall any man pluck them
out of my hand.
John 10:27,28

I've been thinking about the importance of hands. We take for granted our two hands and attached fingers that seem to do a little of everything for us. We could list all the things our hands do but among those important things, is how we extend our hands into the lives of others where we can serve them in so many ways.

Our pastor was recently speaking of an influential man in his life who had been his Sunday school teacher mostly in the elementary grades. At the same time, as I recall, he had a godly pastor who also had great influence in his life. He made an interesting comment about one or both of these men. As I recall, he said, “His hand prints are all over my life.” My mind immediately went to those godly folks in my own small church while growing up, who I look back to and can say with my pastor that there were many in my small church whose hand prints are on my life even to this day.

As I write, it's Father's Day weekend. I didn't have as strong a father as some folks have but Daddy always got a card and some kind of small gift. Father's Day is often relegated to a lesser position after Mother's Day, but what would we do without either our own fathers or those fathers we have watched in our home influencing our own children.

As we were driving through the national park today, we came to a place where as a family we walked a paved trail year after year when on vacation. I remember with fondness with each of our three children t the older toddler stage that Brian would reach out for a little hand. Perhaps a little one needed steadied on the trail or needed the learning to stay near a parent. I remember those days often lingering behind and seeing a tall dad lovingly holding a little hand.

I also recall with the birth of our three children, one of the first things I noticed when Brian saw his baby whether number 1, 2 or 3, he would often hold the baby's head from behind in the palm of his hand, often touching the little face with a finger of his other hand.

With a car problem that had to be taken care of yesterday, Brian was right on the problem of fixing it. When he came in, he reminded me of my mechanic dad because his hands were black with grease. To be honest, he looked a mess mostly because he is always so clean and well groomed. Those hands had another purpose though with the need of fixing a problem that would affect us both if not remedied.

There are other hands, though, far more precious as the hands of a dad, grandpa or father image in one's life. I'm thinking of the nail-scarred hands of Jesus and His promise to always hold us close enough that we are right in His hand. That is above and beyond what any earthly father can provide for his children, no matter how strong to do as much. That hand is always near to guide and direct:

For the Lord of hosts hath purposed,
and who shall disannul it? And his
hand is stretched out, and who shall
turn it back?
Isaiah 14:27

No one can hold back the Lord's hand that is stretched out to us to guide, comfort and yes, at times lovingly correct us.

We don't have to be anyone special to make good use of our hands. Solomon tells us, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might....” (Eccl. 9:10a) Our hands are meant to be used in service whether to family, friends or the world around us. This service is to be done in a whole hearted manner not for our own glory but for the Lord's. Above all, as we serve with hands or hearts, all should be done to God's glory.

Meanwhile, we can curl up in the might and safety of our Lord's hands where nothing can get to us or rob us of relationship with Him. That's such a spiritually cozy place to be, isn't it?

Father, thank You for Jesus and for the hands that so lovingly care for and guide me every step of my way. I praise You today for that love that never changes and that keeps me secure in You. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

TIME OF DEPARTURE

For I am now ready to be offered,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight,
I have finished my course,
I have kept the faith.
II Timothy 4:6,7

It is calculated as nearly as can be, that Timothy was probably the last person Paul wrote to. It may be a toss up between Timothy and Titus, but young Timothy was very much on Paul's mind because of the dauntless task that was before such a young man in carrying on God's work. Paul knew he was shortly to die, probably by execution, but nothing was absolute at that point. Paul just knew in his own way, what was coming down the road.

I've known others, who could have quoted some of those verses in their own lives. I have a dear friend, Sandra who, suffering with all that goes with the end times of cancer is holding on to life by a thread. She has fought the fight those with terminal cancer do while all along hoping for a miracle of healing. She's never complained but has gone through this time in a very graceful way. She's stays focused on her Lord and her faith is strong.

Another dear friend was the president of my Sunday school class in Texas. Elaine just walked into my class one Sunday morning, sat down on the front row right in front of me. I didn't know her at all so introduced myself. I could tell from her appearance, manner and speech that she appeared to be an educated lady. After introducing myself, to her, she quickly said, “I am Elaine, have recently gone through a divorce, have advanced cancer and I need a hug.” Sometimes unusual things happen with a Sunday school teacher and that was one of them. I went to her and gave her the tightest hug I could. Elaine stayed faithful to the class, saw growth in her spiritual walk and enjoyed her friendship. Her cancer went into remission for a time but then returned. Elaine had two teenage girls and her mother planned to move in with them until they came of age.

I got a call to get to the hospital for Elaine was asking for me. I went into her room where her sister and mother were sitting. She kindly asked them to leave so we could talk. She asked me to be her mother's friend. Her mom was going to move from south Texas to Austin. I told her I would do what I could. In a few days, Elaine went on to Heaven. I took her mom to make funeral arrangements and then we went shopping for a nice outfit for Elaine. Thelma was in my Sunday school class for a time and we had lunch every Wednesday until she finally moved north to be with her other children.

I mention these things because, not just with me, but it would appear most of us are walking friends of family members through very critical conditions. Cancer seems to be the huge prevalent problem, but there are also the mental issues that seem to have no cures. I'm amazed at how rampant cancer is all around us either with family or friends. It seems to me at times that cancer is sitting in just about every church pew. There are caregivers who struggle every day to give care and at the same time to stay personally strong through all of the emotional difficulties. When we read in our church bulletins regarding cancer in a persons life, a person with a name, oh how we need to pray and be of help when we can.

So many of such folks have been such an example for me. Knowing full well their time is short, I have seen a strength through great pain. I think of friends like Bobbie, Carolyn, Darlene and so many others who fought the good fight. They finished their course of life. One such friend recently asked me, “Why doesn't the Lord just take me?” I said to her as lovingly as I could, “In all our lives God has purpose. We are here on this earth until His purpose is complete.” I told her that it could be I would be in Heaven before her if God sees my life's purpose as being complete.”

The day will come when I will finish my course. My prayer is, that as I saw in my friends, I will have kept the faith until that moment I meet Jesus. I'm no apostle Paul and don't really know anyone like him, but I believe those of us who love and follow Jesus would hope for the same end to our life here on earth.

I have written this blog in a hesitant way. I have seen in the last couple of years so many folks who are fighting physical battles. Sometimes, we want to stay clear of the suffering but they need our encouragement and to still minister to them and pray for them regularly. Those who are caregivers have very difficult jobs. They too need a smile, hug or word of encouragement. Keep track of those in dire need of our prayers if your church provides a prayer sheet. Don't just stuff it in your Bible and forget about it until the next one is published.

Thank You Father for those dear ladies You have allowed to cross my path who have blessed me more than they can know. I know our parting is but for a moment and You are in charge of my days. Keep me strong...keep me faithful. In Jesus' name...Amen

PEACE WITH GOD

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.
Trust ye in the Lord for ever:
for the Lord JEHOVAH is
everlasting strength.
Isaiah 26:3,4

In all my years of teaching God's Word to ladies, there is something about Paul's writings I had never noticed until several months ago. In all of his writing, his introductory remarks that begins each book uses similar greetings. No matter the word usage, one will find a consistency in the use of two words in particular. Consistently, Paul uses “grace and peace” from God never “peace and grace.” It looks like it wouldn't make any difference how each word is placed but I've come to a conclusion about it. Without the grace of God in a life that includes the salvation experience, there will never be peace, the peace only God can give.

The world has a kind of peace offered to people but usually there is something added to insure those good, calm feelings. The world offers it's peace with medications, lots of money, new things, healthy relationships, the next movie that comes out, a job with status including a healthy pay check, keeping slim trim and beautiful, lots of friends, numerous social activities, trips to a gym or spa, shopping sprees....I'm sure I've left something out of that list. Yes, I did...God is no where to be found in all of that. The sad thing is that even Christians fall for all the gimmicks they feel insures peace and happiness rarely turning to the God of their salvation for true peace He offers in abundance to the saved.

We hear all the time about world peace, bringing enemies today for peace talks. In some cases, such talks may last for only brief periods of time. As long as God isn't brought into the process first of all through the salvation of men, peace won't be worth the paper or ink treaties are written on. True peace will never come unless it is through the God of peace.

All of that is well and good, but what about you and me on a daily basis who face our own times of turmoil. We love God and want peace just in our lives but sometimes it seems to be slow coming. God remains faithful in his outpouring of love and peace in our lives, but there are times when we are our own worst enemy. I love Paul's writing in Philippians 4 :6. There, he gives a wonderful path to peace but first with some steps we need to take.

Be careful for nothing:
but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving
let your requests be
made known unto God.

I typed that verse in a practical order, using every word of the verse so we can look at some spiritual expectations. First, we are to stop the worrying. Christians seem to feel it's okay to worry because we are human. As Christians, we have no permission or right to worry about ANYTHING. Paul writes in such as way as to indicate we have control over it.

Our worry can affect the rest of the verse...we are to pray, earnestly even with thanksgiving in the direst of moments but with a freedom telling our Father all about our concerns. Even though He may already know about them, He still wants to hear our voices, poured out to Him in love and desperation. In that verse, we have a call to personal action.

In verse 7, we see the result of our obeying verse 6...it gives a hope beyond any hope we can imagine:

And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.

Notice the promise of a peace from God that we or no one else can understand. His added promise that He will secure that peace in our minds and hearts only through Jesus. There will be no short cuts or all the world offers. God is in charge and expects us to do our spiritual part to show our earnestness regarding our circumstances.

“Everybody worries...it's human”....I can hear it and we've bought into that huge lie Satan has handed us. We are human but as God's people we have an unusual power available that can build a trust in Him that enables us to rest in Him and live a life of peace.

In our day, these verses are valuable for each of us. We can't just read them and agree with them. We must accept them as true...accept them as coming straight from the heart of God into our own hearts. May we be at peace despite Satan's ploy to keep us upset all the time. We must remember that greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world.

Father, forgive me from worrying too much, even sometimes over things that don't even concern me. Give me a thankful spirit knowing You do all things well in my life and that You have purpose in every event that comes my way. Continue to strengthen me. I love You and praise You for all You are in my life. In Jesus precious name...Amen

"I DO's"

It was the summer prior to my going into first grade as I recall. My Mother announced to me that I was going to get to go to a wedding at our church. I was too excited for words. You see, I had never been to a wedding. I had seen pictures of brides in the newspaper and knew it was a special even but that's about all I knew about it. I couldn't wait to tell a playmate about this upcoming adventure.

Her reaction was one of pure shock. She couldn't believe my Mother would take me to a wedding. I asked her what would be wrong with it. She informed me something I never knew before. She said, “At the end of the wedding, the brides man will kiss her....right on the lips...in front of everybody.” I was floored. There was no TV in those days and the only movies I went to were cowboy ones on Saturday afternoons. I knew what kissing was, but to see such a thing in public, I wasn't sure how I felt about that.

The bride was beautiful. Mary was the daughter of our town's postmaster so she was popular I guess. It looked to me like the girls with her wore prom dresses and the guys wore Sunday suits. Boy, have weddings changed today. Mary was beautiful though and her new husband did kiss right on the mouth. I put my hands over my face but peeked between a couple of fingers. Their wedding picture was in our town's newspaper and I still have the picture and article from that wedding somewhere in a scrapbook.

We recently saw all the royal to-do from England and it was lovely and lavish. I loved the little kids as much as anything and also the choir singing, “Stand By Me.” With all the buildup and expectations, the whole thing was over with in a short amount of time and everyone went their merry ways. Special guests left in all their finery and observers by the thousands all went home and resumed their normal lives.

Next to our relationship with Jesus, the next most important thing in our lives is that of marriage. God created man and woman in that garden, meant for each other to love, be partners and raise kids. That expectation hasn't really changed, from God's perspective. We go about this wedding thing from different angles. Some have chosen huge wedding extravaganzas to tie the knot. I know of some couples who have chosen to elope, while others because of finance have chosen to go to city hall or even to the pastor's office to tie that very precious knot. Whether at Windsor, Hyatt Regency, a church auditorium, parent's back yard or in privacy with a pastor...no matter the setting or attire, the process is the same and the result is an official marriage signed, sealed and delivered in license form as proof.

Weddings are fun if you're attending, but can be pretty hectic if you have to be in on the planning of one. New members are added to families and life moves on for the happy couple.

There is another wedding down the road I really look forward to. God proposed to me through His Son Jesus who signed our relationship in His blood. I'm not the only one asked to attend this special wedding feast. I'm not THE bride alone but make up THE Bride of Christ. No cathedrals, churches or other venues needed. Besides, none of them in all their beauty can compare to that Heavenly wedding feast locale. We'll all appear in our new Heavenly clothes. It will be a feast and celebration that we in our finite minds can't begin to grasp, not even in our wildest dreams or imaginations.''

The book of Revelation gives a little information about it in chapter 19:6-9:

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice

of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to

him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his

wife hath made herself ready.

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed

in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen

is the righteousness of saints.

Every bride I've known really gets fixed up for her wedding. She may get a special hair style done, make up perfect, teeth sparkling and on and on the preparations go. She wants to look her best in every way for her groom. I wonder if right now, I'm doing all I can to prepare myself for Jesus' coming, either for us all or for me individually, whichever He chooses for me. Will He be pleased with the life I'm living, and repentance of sin a regular with me. Will He see my smile of anticipation of seeing Him, wanting so much for Him to be pleased with my love and service. We believers, Christians, are going to make up the Bride of Christ.

I can almost hear the bells ringing now!!

Thank You Father for sending Your son Jesus to die for me and for preparing great things for my life now and in Heaven. Forgive when I fail You..I'm so sorry. I love You and count it such a privilege being Your child. In Jesus name...Amen

"ME DO"

I will instruct thee and teach thee in

way which thou shalt go:  I will guide

thee with mine eye.
Psalm 32:8

Our son Johnny has always been very articulate. While a little one, 18 months and growing, I never had to figure out any gibberish from Johnny. He spoke clearly and didn't hesitate to ask for anything he wanted. We had two other children, but in their growing in those younger years, there were two words they didn't use that Johnny did...”Me do.” Perhaps it was an indicator of future manhood.

Around the age of two, Johnny had his first jeans with elastic waist and for a younger guy, they could be hard to pull up. I think I helped Johnny with those jeans perhaps two times and after that, my offers of helping him were answered with “Me do.” I'm not being critical of him at all. He wasn't being sassy. He honestly felt he could handle the situation.

At our childrens ages, we didn't know what Velcro on shoes was. Children had to learn to tie their shoes. In most cases, children couldn't go to kindergarten unless they knew ahead of time how to tie their shoes. Our oldest daughter basically taught her two younger siblings how to tie their shoes and both learned quickly. Even with the shoes with times of the tying process not going well, Johnny could be heard saying, “Me do” and he generally did.

It's cute watching and listening to young tots as they learn, struggle with some basics and want so much to feel independent in their skills already. My children were not exceptions. Young children really do want to feel they have arrived so to speak in dealing with difficult skills or challenges.

As children get older and especially as they approach the teen years, they may not not speak as a young child saying, “Me do.” It's more likely they will say, “This is what I'm going to do” and want the adults in their lives to approve. With those growing up years under all our belts, we may not use those two words, at least not in that way in interacting with spouses, bosses, teachers or other authority.

I have been thinking about our folly in how we regard our loving Heavenly Father who makes himself available to us, His children to be of help, guidance and direction. Most often, we feel we can handle the things of life with little or no help from anyone else, let alone from God. I'm thinking of the times, in my own life, when I failed to go to my Father first for His help and provision, but came to my own rescue so to speak. 

In our adulthood, we wish our concerns were as simple as tying our shoes or pulling up jeans, but in a child's world, those are big things. Parents stand ready to help just as my Heavenly Father stands ready to do the same in my life. I wonder how many times, not in specific words, have I responded to my Heavenly Father's outstretched hand with, “Me do.”

It sounds childish that we would speak to our Father in such a way, but I must evaluate in my own life my level of spiritual maturity. We're supposed to grow up spiritually just as we do physically. Johnny doesn't need my help with tying shoes nor my girls with their life skills. 

All three children are now adults and know well how to take care of themselves.

It can be sad in looking with reality where we are in spiritual age. “Me do” Christians are sadly very immature. They feel they don't need anyone's counsel, help or even strengthening from God. Folks like this usually look good, and may appear spiritually to be mature. They are often folks who struggle to live the Christian life with little if any help or strength from the source of their salvation. It's frustrating for them just like a small boy struggling to tie his shoes, but too proud to ask for help.

I know I've gone through times in my spiritual life when I've been a “me do” Christian. Those were not good days for me...”me do” days of any kind are unfulfiling and frustrating. I was so thankful for God's loving hand that stayed available to me. I still at my age, require His nurturing, encouraging and love. I've had to learn that most things I attempt spiritually cannot be with a “me do” attitude. I'm learning the most beneficial spiritual attitude I can have that is the best for me is “We do” because there's just not much I can accomplish without my Heavenly Father.

And Father, I'm so grateful for Your watchful eye over my life. There are times I move away with my own attitude and it never works. I'm so grateful for You in my life, for Jesus' dying for me and for Your Holy Spirit who guides and teaches me in an ongoing way. You are so precious in my life. In Jesus name....Amen