STORIN' UP

How great is Your goodness, which You
have stored up for those who fear You,
Which You have wrought for those who
take refuge in You, before the
sons of men.
Psalm 31:19

As a little girl, I loved the time in the summer when my Mother and younger sister would go to my Grandma Benbrook's house for canning time. My grandma and Mrs. Carlisle next door would get together for “putting up” their garden vegetables along with some fruit off of their fruit trees. Mrs. Carlisle had a deep basement with pretty big windows she could open up. There was a big sink and stove with tables to work at. I couldn't even count the mason jars lined up on some of those tables. One day, they ladies gathered the foods they were going to pre-cook and can the next day. There was just about every kind of vegetable you can think of.

Once it was all finished, both women took their jars full of goodies and placed them on shelves in their cellars. I remember asking my Grandma why she did all of that work and her reply was, “Just storin' up.” Later I learned that the storing process was for winter months or for having food on hand when money was scarce.

My grandparents also had at the side of their house in the yard a mound that looked like a mountain to me. I couldn't play on it because of Grandma's Black-eyed Susan flowers that covered the hill. To the back of it though, almost flat to the back of the hill was a door. Some folks referred to storm cellars and maybe that was one, but my Grandma referred to it as a root cellar. It kept a pretty steady temperature and there she kept 'taters, cabbage, and onions that would keep longer under those conditions than other vegetables. Again I would ask my Grandma why she did that and the answer was always the same, “Just storin' up.”

There's something wise about planning for future days. We never know what problems or concerns await us around any corner. If we haven't gone through difficulties in the past or even in the present day, be sure they await us in the future. There are many ways we prepare for future events. Most of us carry some kind of medical insurance in preparation for medical emergencies. We do the same preparing for auto accidents. We are people who strongly believe in being educated. I can recall when in fourth grade some teachers in my school went to night school at a nearby university to complete their bachelor degrees. At the time they were very capable teachers, but if they were to have a future, they prepared with a degree. Few people can food as did my Grandma, but many still in our day purchase fresh foods to put in their freezers, especially people who live in snow prone areas of our country.

One area of preparation that is often neglected is that of spiritual preparation. I'm careful as I approach this area, for the best preparations spiritually for future days begins now on a day by day basis. It's important for us to stay strong in the Lord on a daily basis. If we don't stay strong now, we will certainly feel the lack of it when hard times come. I haven't memorized nearly the Scripture I ought to, but am grateful for those I know that have been a strengthen and comfort in my life during some very hard times.

We can't store up spiritual strength for future days like my Grandma would can peaches and have them in store some months ahead. Everything we do on a daily basis to keep spiritually strong contributes to our being stronger in coming days. I can't do all of the spiritual dailies though in one day and expect them to last me for weeks to come. Spiritual catch-up is not a concept found in Scripture.

When we expect we can store up spiritually for tough days ahead, we leave out a most important fact. When we go for days ignoring spiritual practice, we are leaving out the fact that God misses us. You see, we don't practice a religion as Christians. Ours is a relationship... the most important relationship we can ever have in life. Our Father wants to be our strength and comfort on a daily basis and He will consistently meet us right where we are...no matter the hour, day or whatever. We must remember that God's joy is our strength for any day or time. Meanwhile, we must stay strong in Jesus by being in the Word, being people of prayer, and being a part of a church where we can be ministered to and minister as well as the lives of others.

 Meanwhile, I want to enjoy the spiritual feast awaiting me on a daily basis...that's the best “storin' up” I can do.

My Father, thank You for providing for my every need, every day under every circumstance. Thank You too for the joy you bring into my life everyday. I know wherever life takes me, You are already there. I love you. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

THE NEW NORMAL

And the Lord, he it is that doth go before
thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail
thee, neither forsake thee:
fear not, neither be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8

In the above verse, Moses was speaking to Joshua. Because disobedience, Moses was not going to be allowed to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Moses' right hand man was chosen by God to continue the journey with His people. What had been normal for Joshua up to this point in his life was never again going to be normal. For Joshua, big changes were coming. One important change was going to be the loss of one of the dearest friends on earth to him, Moses. He now wasn't going to be in a subordinate , but he was going to be the “boss.” He would have to lead the people militarily and in every other way. There would be adjustments in his life he never dreamed he would have to face. God spoke to him through Moses to assure him that with all the changes, God would always be the Presence in his life. Joshua would never have to wonder where God was. He had no reason for fear or discouragement as God would be Joshua's success.

The term “new normal” has come to my attention in the last few months. Wish I had learned of it many years ago. It would certainly have explained a lot of things to me as I faced various circumstances. Somehow, we think when our lives seem in an uproar, it would seem things will never be the same again. Well, they won't be the same, so we establish with God's direction, a new normal, a normal in our lives we will live...until the next major change.

I have some friends right now who are leaving their church that has been home for them for years. They know because of some corruptible influences that they must leave and go elsewhere. It seems so unfair and folks are left in a quandary in dealing with their church situation and the seeking of a new church home. Nothing right now feels normal for those for whom the church has been such a major part of their lives. Nothing feels normal right now. I use the term “limbo”...just hanging in mental space for a time. Church changes in our day are not unusual. Many churches are changing drastically and not necessarily for the better. Some situations have all but forced church members to seek churches that are more conservative and even more worshipful.

My family and some friends would attest to the fact that I don't like change in any way. Our family has made several moves. I don't like all the adjustments needed in new places, but they eventually come and a new normal sets in. There are major events in our lives that come to us sometimes through our own doing. There are other events that come almost like a semi truck, slamming into our emotions. These are things of life that occur often with great surprise. For instance, death of a friend or relative leaves a mark on us for some time. Like it or not, we face a new normal where that person will not be alive in our world...only in memory.

What do we know about “new normal?”:

*It will come because of a drastic often emotional changes in our lives.
*A new normal may be rejected or embraced. ''you choose
*Embracing the new norm can lead to a fruitful life.
*The new normal is a provision for healing.
*God stands ready to guide, comfort and be present in one's entire situation.

So how do we arrive at *our new norm when the necessity requires it? Some will try to find their new normal in money, things, drugs, entertainment and all other things that really don't satisfy or heal. Joshua's life at the time of hearing of Moses' not leading anymore and that he was the new leader, Moses, through God's direction gave him the answers for his new norm. Moses was very clear with Joshua some things that would usher him into his new norm:

*God had already gone before Joshua. Remember when we set out to follow the Lord to a certain place or situation, He is already there.
*God is present 24/7. Don't take that in a casual way. It is a rock-bottom truth.
*God won't fail us. He's not in the business of failure. Our God isn't a failure in any sense.
*God won't forsake us. He won't run off and leave us under any circumstances.
*Lastly and very important is a familiar command to not be fearful. Have you noticed how many of the things we fear or worry about, rarely come to pass?

Call it healing or adjustment, but the “new normal” will come to each of us at some time. May we embrace those times. Our Father is totally engaged in the new process that presents itself to us. In this area, much depends on how we view the “is-ness of God”, how we view His reality our lives.

Thank You Father for Your presence in every situation I face. Thank you that as I look ahead, You are already there. You have shown Yourself so present in my life and I thank You for that. Thank you for the “new normal” You have orchestrated in my life. May I be found faithful in every moment You send my way. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

TO THE WORK

So built we the wall; and all the
wall was joined together unto the
half thereof: for the people had
a mind to work.
Nehemiah 4:6

Nehemiah is one of my favorite books in the Old Testament. I don't even have a picture in my mind what he looked like. I do know he held a most important job. He worked in the palace in Shushan. His boss was a king by the name of Artaxerxes. Nehemiah had a job probably most men wouldn't want to have. He was the king's cupbearer. Before the king ever took a sip of wine from the cup a servant brought to him, it was Nehemiah's job to take the first sip to insure the king wasn't being poisoned.

On a particular day, there were men who traveled from Jerusalem to report to Nehemiah regarding condition of their city. It was destroyed for the most part, and was in ruins. The men were hoping for some help in restoring their beloved city and was hoping Nehemiah could return to Jerusalem to see to the rebuilding. Nehemiah was grieved in his spirit over the news, but he was also aware of the fact that he was captive and serving the king of his captivity. All he could do was to approach the king about a possible trip back “home.”

Approaching a king in that day was a very precarious thing. You never entered the throne room without an invitation from the king. Nehemiah didn't have that problem as he was usually near the throne most of the time. Another no-no was in one's approach to the king. One had to be in proper attire and with a proper spirit. No one was allowed to be around the king with a sad or mad look on one's face. Nehemiah knew of these protocols but on the day he sat near the throne after he had received the news from friends, his countenance was sad right in front of the king.

 It was quite noticeable to the king and remarkably, the king didn't seem to be offended. Nehemiah explained his concern about the conditions in Jerusalem and had a strong desire to go back even for a brief time to see to the rebuilding.

It would be miraculous for a king to agree to such a thing, but Artaxerxes agreed for him to go and did everything in helping with Nehemiah's trip, even to seeing to his receiving building goods for the project. Nehemiah went with the promise of his return back to serve the king when the building was complete.

The story goes on, but as it would happen, during the building process, opposition surfaced. When doing God's work, it's amazing how quickly Satan catches on to what is transpiring and jumps on his band wagon of discouragement and threatening. In the beginning, the threats came from two men, but when the building continued despite opposition, those building came under sever threats of violence. Nehemiah challenged the people in 4:14:

“Be not ye afraid of them: remember the
Lord, which is great and terrible, and
fight for your brethren, your sons, and
your daughters, your wives and
your houses.”

The enemy was thwarted for a brief time and the people continued with their work. The men were so determined, some for a time, did the building while others stood guard with their weapons. The builders also did their work while having a sword strapped to them. These were determined men, but knew it could take a good fight to get the work finished, thus the need to keep their swords near. They had an alarm system regarding the oncoming enemy. Nehemiah arranged for there to be a trumpet sounding the warning. He added an interesting word of encouragement....:Our God shall fight for us.”

With completion of the wall around Jerusalem, there was such a time of victory and celebration. It included time spent in God's Word, prayer, singing, rejoicing, feasting...a really big time for the people. Nehemiah reminded the people that “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” By the way, that statement is true for us today.

There is so much to this story and I've tried to hit some of the highlights. I was thinking about in these days when Christians all over our country are trying to rebuild walls of ministry. There are Christians discouraged, feeling like they are spiritual failures who want to rebuild so much in their own personal lives. The building of the greater walls is made up with the spiritual building that takes place in individual lives.

God is fighting for us. He wants to empower us to defeat Satan's tactics in our lives. It wasn't just in Nehemiah's day that God fought for the people. He is fighting for us now, but it takes a team effort. God won't force spiritual victory on us. We must want it, to build back some walls we've allowed to be broken down. We do it with the “Sword”...the word of Truth. We will be weak an anemic without it. With the work complete, the people spend hours standing while the Word of God was read.

We also need encouragement of members of God's family to help with what building needs to be done personally or corporately. There are churches struggling with discouragement and defeat. We're not to do the building in our own strength, but in God's and it can be done.

When victory comes, it's okay for us to celebrate any victory God gives us. We don't do this enough as we tend to give ourselves credit for our accomplishments. Let's remember again that “the joy of the Lord is your strength”...may we feel a freedom in celebrating spiritual milestones, but know it was God Who was instrumental in it all.

Father, I need You to help me in ways I need to rebuild some spiritual muscles in my life. Thank You for You being my strength in it all. In Jesus's precious name....Amen

THE GOOD SOLDIER

Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, men were lining up all over the place to enlist in the armed services. It was considered a great honor enlisting as a soldier in those days. I remember my Daddy taking a train to Chicago to an enlistment center, hoping on top of hope he would be accepted. When he returned home, my mother and I met him at the train and both were in tears. Daddy had not been accepted because of a deformed index finger caused by an accident at work. Mother was happy, Daddy was sad, but they were happy for my uncle who would be going with the Army.

Countless men and women from those early 1940's served our country, served it well and many paid the ultimate price in giving their lives on foreign fields with the intent of preserving our freedoms. In our day, some youth would have a problem in the military. One issue for many could be that of dealing with authority. Armed services demand respect and instant obedience to orders. We live in a day of rebellion as we look at riots and demonstrations many times on the part of college age youth. Choosing a military career in most cases is good for those enlisting where they learn discipline, work ethic and perhaps may learn a job skill that can carry them through life.

I hasten to say though, that rebellion and lack of respect for authority doesn't just rest with the young. At every stage of life, there are those who don't hesitate to show their disdain for any kind of authority. We may not be enlisted in any of our armed services, but as Christians, Scripture gives us the title of “Soldier” whether we accept that title or not. Paul gives us some information regarding being a good soldier for Christ. He begins by speaking of a soldier enduring hardness. Anyone who enlists as a soldier in our country knows that down the road there will be hard times in various degrees. Paul says:

Thou therefore endure hardness,
as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No man that warreth entangleth himself
with the affairs of this life; that he may
please him who hath chosen him to be
a soldier.
II Timothy 2:3,4

Just in these two brief verses, are found some expectations of us as soldiers of Jesus. We see that God's good soldiers will endure hardships of life that come their way. Those hardship times can run the gamut from bad to worse.

Why are we to avoid becoming entangled in the things of the world? Such robs us of our proper focus on our Commander. It's easy to find ourselves pleasing self and not pleasing Him who has provided for our every spiritual welfare. There can be only one Commander-in-Chief and he takes authority over all officers. It's easy to follow a lower officer and lose sight of the real Commander. This often happens in church settings where pastors or teachers become almost god-like in their relationships with the flock. Such leaders seem to draw people to themselves and not to the real Commander-in-Chief of our faith.

Many orders in the military are handed down through a staff of officers. When those orders reach soldiers, there can be no arguing or giving of opinion. As solders in God's army, we too have orders. We have received them through His Word to us. What we learn as we read isn't to be corrected, marginalized or ignored. We are to instantly obey in absolute loyalty to our Heavenly Father.

The important thing is realize we are in a battle. Satan is the enemy and does everything to defeat us or keep us in states of depression or anxiety. He would have us make choices not pleasing to our Father and that would be of harm to us. We know, though, that with Jesus we have the capability of victory in our lives. Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit in us is greater than Satan who walks through the world looking for people to trip up...especially God's people.

Oh yes, our uniform. Just as we know folks by certain uniforms...policemen, nurses, firemen, and others...we too have a uniform, unlike those folks mentioned. Scripture tells us that we will be known by our love. We are known by the love Jesus pours into us and then through us into the lives of others.

Soldiers seem to stay fit. We too should stay fit spiritually for the battles we are often called on to fight. Our Commander encourages us and cheers us on at every turn. We are strengthened by God's Word taught to us by His Holy Spirit. That same Holy Spirit prompts us any number of times to keep us going in the right direction. We are strengthened through a consistent prayer life and of being regularly in the Scriptures.

Every asset is available to us from God to be strong and at the same time loving for this life we are called on to live. He has purpose for each of us and is available to us at any time. He wants each of us to Christians who are victorious and who bring glory to Him. Our stint in this life will be over only when our Father calls us to Himself in heaven where there will be no more battles, illness or mental anxieties. We will be Home...not just on leave...but HOME.

Father, thank You for bringing me to Yourself and for all the blessings You pour into my life even though I'm so undeserving. May I serve You well and love others as You would want. Thank You for your Holy Spirit who resides in me and for Jesus, Who made it all possible for me to be in relationship with You. In Whose name I pray...Amen

QUIT YER FRETTIN'

Fret not thyself because of evildoers,
neither be thou envious against the
workers of iniquity.
Psalm 37:1

It's a word I used to hear many years ago. I can picture in my mind some “older” ladies who have said to me at one time or another, “Quit yer frettin'.” To be honest, I didn't know what fretting, but I knew from their voices that I was doing something at the moment I shouldn't do and connected it with my immediate attitude.

Just recently, I taught an evening Bible study on Psalm 37. For as long as I can remember teaching ladies in Sunday school or Bible studies, I've had more ladies than I can count say to me, “I just don't understand the Bible so I don't read it as much as I should.” One thing I have said to them is that they will never understand the Scriptures without the Holy Spirit interpreting it for them, which He is happy to do when invited. However, there are some chapters in Scripture it doesn't take a PhD to figure out and Psalm 37 is one of those chapters.

For instance, just in Psalm 37, that is by the way on the lengthy side, I see several short phrases that speak in very clear tones, such as:

*Trust in the Lord and do good (3)
*Delight thyself also in the Lord (4)
*Commit thy way unto the Lord (5)
*Rest in the Lord (7)
*Cease from anger (8)
*Depart from evil (27)
*Wait on the Lord (34)
*Mark the perfect man (37)

I'm no brain child, but upon even first glance, I see clearly the expectation Scripture requires of me. I say all of that to focus on the theme verse I have put at the top of the page. That verse got my attention because I see “fret not” again in verses 7 and 8. Perhaps there are other phrases repeated but this one caught my attention.

David even as king didn't have an easy life. Prior to being the official king, he was chased down by a jealous Saul who wanted only to kill David. Again, he was chased down by his own son, had battles to fight and major problems to see through. David like you and me was frustrated when he saw evil seeming to be victorious and nothing happening to the offenders.

I have some friends and I include myself who in recent days have been going through some frustration because of some events over which we have absolutely no control. We looked at this Psalm together and I spent a little more time on the subject of fretting. So what is fretting? Fretting is a constant state of worry or anxiety. These two things, however, have never been known to solve one single problem, but the fretting process can take its toll on the fretter.

Men do their share of fretting, but more often, we women are real culprits in this area. We are very chemical and we wear our feelings very close to the surface of our beings. We are also the ones who want to solve every problem or crisis. When we see things that are wrong and can't solve them, we fret. I think we often feel if we aren't fretting about an issue, it might look like we don't care, as if fretting shows our depth of care. Perhaps that's how Satan wants us to deal with things so we are almost paralyzed to the point of uselessness. It wouldn't be the first time we fell for his schemes.

The problem with fretting is that it continues until who-knows-when and during that time, fretting turns into anger. That anger intensifies over time and eventually, left on its own, can lead us into the depths of depression and leave us with some serious health issues. David, without any explanation, chose to stress this simple command..”.Fret not”...three times for a good reason. I believe he knew from good experience the damage fretting could cause.

Whether it's fretting or any negative mental exercise we choose, we know we have to stop doing it. However, we need not feel out of control and defeated. Scripture will never give us a command we cannot obey. What we have to do is rely on God's power to enable this victory. Whether our concern regards health issues, employment, financial problems or any of the big and little cares of this world, God will enable us to lay them at His feet. Consistent and often many sessions of prayer is the major cure for the problem....so...”quit yer frettin'.”

I'm sorry, Father, for taking so much on myself instead of trusting and leaning on You. You have all the answers as to anything that troubles me. Thank You for Your every provision for my safety and sanity. You are such a Great Father and I thank You. In Jesus' name...Amen

THE OLD CLOTHESLINE

Whither shall I go from thy spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from thy
presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there:
if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and
dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me,
and thy right hand shall hold me.
Psalm 139:7-10

Someone put a picture on my Face book last week of a backyard with clotheslines. The caption on the picture said, “Do you remember this?” I remember replying to myself, “Boy do I ever.” As soon as I could begin to reach a clothesline, my Mother had me hanging wet clothes on those lines every Monday. We always had good sturdy clotheslines, but they also served another purpose in my own life from when I was about four years old and maybe even a little younger.

My husband will tell you and perhaps my children as well, that I am a wanderer. We can go into a grocery store or Wal-mart and Brian knows to keep an eye on me all the time or he'll lose me. I don't notice that I wander. I forget I'm even with anyone so if I spot something down an aisle or think of something I need to get, I just take off to find it. I think it's been this way as long as I can remember.

However, this tendency of mine began when young. MANY years ago, when I was just a little thing, life was friendly, simple and safe. As a little girl, I loved going from neighbor to neighbor just to say hello. Folks on our side of the street on our block just expected to see me on a regular basis. The problem with that friendly spirit was that when my Mother would look for me in our yard, I wasn't there. She knew I was okay, but just not just where exactly.

Mother devised a plan. To help break me from my wandering, she would tie a rope around my waist, rope the thickness of a jump rope. The rope wasn't the length of a jump rope though. The other end of that rope was thrown over a clothes line and tied in a knot that easily moved back and forth on the line. It was long enough for me to reach the back steps of the house and the out house. It wasn't long enough, however, for me to leave the back yard. I hated that rope. I knew it's purpose. but no matter how many times I was tied to the clothesline, I was still prone to wander.

Aside from my tendencies to wander physically, I must confess to you that, as much as I hate admitting it, I'm also prone to wander spiritually. By the way, I'm not the only one with this particular problem. Satan is a pro in placing inviting things in our way that may not seem to be of any particular danger. There is an older hymn we have sung with the following phrase:

“Prone to wander, Lord I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love.”

After having had three children, I know the panic a mom feels when looking for a child where he or she is supposed to be and aren't where they are supposed to be. However, I didn't understand my Mother's concern at the time, but after becoming a parent, I knew her concern all too well. Parents can't be everywhere all the time and I'm not sure they would even want to be, but with a wandering little girl, I think my Mother would have appreciated some kind of help.

For years, I have dearly loved Psalm 139. It is full to the brim regarding God's knowledge and care of each of us. The blessing in it all is no matter where we are or where we go, His presence is always with us. Whether we stand, sit, lay in bed, go for a walk, wander through a department store, He is with us. He also is with us when spiritually wandering. We live in a world so different from the little four year old girl I was. The worse thing in the world to happen to me was to be tied to that dreaded clothesline like a puppy dog. (Yep, some folks did that with their little dogs). Now we see a plummeting culture leaving long-established morals and ethics far behind with no restraints.

As an adult, it's my responsibility to keep my spiritual wandering in check. The Holy Spirit will empower me to do what is right and godly, it becomes my responsibility to yield to that leadership and not to the mentality of the world Satan seems to have such a hold on.

I'm glad that clothesline of yore is only a memory now. I find that God has His ways of putting me in check when called for. I never want to get away from His discipline and correction. Whatever form His clothesline takes in my life, I recognize it, as I do now with my Mother, that it's an instrument of love in my life.

Dear Father, I'm grateful for Your guidance and correction in my life. I don't mean to wander from Your ways. I'm sorry for those times I disappoint You. I'm so grateful for Your love and discipline in my life. I love You....in Jesus' name....Amen

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