COUGH IT UP

I waited patiently for the Lord; and
he inclined unto me, and heard
my cry.
He brought me up also out of an horrible
pit, out of the miry clay, and set my
feet upon a rock, and established
my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my
mouth, even praise unto our God;
many shall see it, and fear, and shall
trust the Lord.
Psalm 40:1-3

It's a common phrase, at least as I remember...”Cough it up.” I would say it to my children when they were young and seemed to be choking on something. It was also a term often used when getting someone to give something to another they felt they had coming. An example would be: “You owe me five bucks...cough it up.”

Of course there is the usual cough we all endure from time to time. I've been going through it because of all the pollen that floats in the air here in mountain country. I swallow allergy meds but still end up with a pretty good cough. I probably should get stock in some cough drop manufacturers with all the ones of several brands I keep in my mouth a good portion of the time.

I have done this before with my blog, but there is a particular brand of cough drops I probably use most that is often an encouragement to me even before putting a drop in my mouth. I won't mention the brand, but it will probably come to mind for anyone who has used them in the past. With this cough drop, there is a very different paper cover on each one. Most people don't either know it or pay attention to the small sayings printed on each wrapper. For the most part, the sayings are words of encouragement. I've gotten where I pay attention to the sayings before throwing the wrappers in a trash can. So allow me to share two of these sayings with an added word of Scripture or encouragement.

“Turn 'can do' into 'can did!'”

I remember the day my Mother introduced me to our Singer sewing machine. It was an old timer with the foot treadle that had to be pushed with the feet to make the thing run. At the age of ten I had pretty long legs, but I just couldn't figure out how to step on the treadle and manage to hold the cloth in place for the needle to do it's job. I know Mother meant well and just wanted me to enjoy a new adventure, but I was in tears and hating life in that moment. I kept saying, “Mother, I can't do it” and she always had the same answer, “Can't never did anything...”can't” can't.” I know she was right but the timing wasn't.

I'm reminded of Paul's encouragement in Philippians 4:13 that says: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” I've found in the situations where I'm nervous of the new, that God's timing is always right. He knows my strengths and weaknesses. I have slowly come to learn that when God calls, He equips. Not only does He equip but He hangs around me during the entire process of whatever it might be I'm called to do. His presence is always such an encouragement.

Let's look at one more cough drop saying.

“Keep your chin up.”

I don't hear this one much anymore. Perhaps it's a little out of date. When little, I would hear adults say that to another and various absurd pictures came to my mind. I wondered how in the world would a person do that. To be honest, I never saw anyone who needed to do something drastic to their chin. Their chin didn't seem to be lower than usual or out of shape somehow. Later after asking my Mother about it, she told me that it was something said to someone who is discouraged or who is going through a tough time. I've come to understand that saying better in my older years. I know the tendency for any of us is to drop our gaze, looking more downward when we are very weary or really “down in the dumps.”

When we are going through the toughest of times, there is no way we can have the company of an encourager twenty-four hours a day. In the direst of times, it's pretty difficult for any human being to help us keep our chin up. Life can really beat us up and we are confronted with fear, discouragement and even depression. I realize when encouraged to turn to the Lord, that may not sound like a reality because it isn't a human body to sit with and talk with face to face. BUT, God's presence is different. With the Holy Spirit in us, God's presence is constant and He can move mountainous problems in ways we can't begin to comprehend. Isaiah 41:10 has always been a great encourager to me helps me when I need to keep my chin up.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed;
for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I
will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with
the right hand of my righteousness.

I'm so grateful that He will uphold me in ways that are unbelievable. He's even capable of upholding my sagging chin.

Father, I'm always amazed at the big and small ways You sent my way little nudges of encouragement and even instruction. I'm grateful today for your strengthening and presence in my life. Thank You for the presence of Your Holy Spirit and for sending Jesus...in Whose name I pray. Amen

A HEALTHY THIRST

As the deer pants for the
water brooks,
so my soul pants for You,
O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God...
Psalm 42:1,2a

There are so many wonderful places in our national park we can go to for refreshment and renewal whether traveling by car or even by foot. Brian and I have been all over the place, but a favorite place we have hiked to is the Walker sister's cabin. Anyone who has been there knows it is a hike almost straight up. There are a few flat places along the way where one can catch a breath, but those places are few and far between.

Our last trip up to the cabin was pretty uneventful, but much more tiring on me than I thought it would be. I could have curled up in a cabin loft for a nice long nap. After having time for a sufficient rest, we began the trip back down to the parking lot. One would have thought this wouldn't be much of a problem as the return trip to the parking lot would be primarily a downward trek. About a third of the way down, I was feeling faint, found a rock to lean against, but knew immediately that I had to have some water. We had failed to take any with us. There was a tiny, pretty, clear- running stream just off the trail. It was too far down for just leaning into the water so what were we to do? I was desperate. Soooooo.....

It dawned on me that I had a fairly new pair of moccasins on my feet. I pulled one off, handed it to Brian and asked him to dip it into the water and bring me a moccasin full of water. Anymore, Brian knows no matter how crazy something is coming from me, I'm generally quite serious about my request. With his long arm, he managed to get me a moccasin full of water. I have never had a more delightful, refreshing glass (shoe) of water as that water was from my moccasin.

I have seen our mountain deer, drinking from one of many cool, refreshing streams. I don't see them hanging out around the streams. They seem to drink when thirsty and when the thirst is quenched, they go on their way chewing on grass or just doing whatever deer do. When their bodies are thirsty, they seem to respond quickly to drinking all they want in that moment. Any body, whether animal or human, has a physical need for water (or maybe a Diet Coke?) and the natural reaction to that thirst, is get something to drink right away. It's just born into any living being.

Psalm 42 is a very emotional one. We don't know it's author, but whoever he was, he knew something about animals. He had observed somewhere along the way, the cravings or needs of such animals as deer. He quickly switched his thinking to spiritual craving in the heart of believers. I don't know about you, but there are times when my spiritual thirst reaches a real high and I can't figure out why. It's not that I haven't read my Bible, prayed or been in God's house for worship. Then there are those times when I haven't been as faithful in my spiritual walk when those water brooks call louder to me than times past.

There's no great lesson here. We know when our soul is panting (longing, thirsting) for our living God. When one is a believer, the Holy Spirit has a way of pulling and tugging at us to draw nearer to God and be refreshed. Notice our Scripture tells us we are being drawn to THE living God. So how do we do it?

First let me say that there are no spiritual shortcuts. There's no spiritual pill to take or Bible vitamin we can swallow. When we are spiritually thirsty there is only one way to God and that's to get into His Word. I'm not talking about being in church or a class of some kind even though those things can help. A spiritual thirst problem is a personal thirst problem. It means one on One with Jesus in His Word...getting back to spiritual basics.

For me, I spend time in Psalms where I find joy, Proverbs where I find wisdom and a Gospel like John for Jesus. These things can vary, but I like to spend time in each of those areas. When my heart is panting of thirst for the water brooks of God, going to the source of that precious water (of the Word) is my only satisfaction. I don't have to drink from a moccasin. God makes it so much easier to just drink from the water He provides anytime I want a good drink of water whether I'm real thirsty or just seeking moments of refreshment.

Dear Father, thank You for providing Your living water through Your Son and Your Spirit. Thank You for always being available to me when my spirit cries for relief of my thirst and that I need never run dry. I love and appreciate You in so many ways. I pray through Jesus....Amen

GOD IS GOOD!

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;

the Lord gives grace and glory;

No good thing does He withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11 (NASB)

I can't tell you how much the above verse has meant to me through the last 50 years. The Christmas prior to our February wedding, Brian and I got each other new Bibles...mine red and his black. He wrote a sweet note on a front blank page, but closed it with the above verse. Every time I read the verse, which is often, as I spend a lot of time in the Psalms, I am reminded of God's goodness in our lives through the years. Brian and I have seen the goodness of God in our relationship and family, but have also seen it in our own personal lives.

Many books are written these days about the attributes of God. Often, the attribute of God that is often relegated to the end or not given as much attention as it deserves. God's goodness in our lives is mind-boggling if we choose to consider it. Goodness is often defined as a deep kindness shown to others whether they be deserving or not. We may think about it as being “nice.” My Mother used to tell me to be good, if I was going away from our house with others. I knew she meant I was to be well behaved in my treatment of others.

One might call it a tradition, but every Sunday morning after the service, our pastor closes our time with:

“God is good”
“All the time” (congregation)
“All the time”
“God is good.” (congregation)

I just love that in that we are remembering the goodness of God in our lives. I know that seems rather juvenile spiritually speaking, but as of late, I've been reading a lot about God's goodness. I'm afraid we often pay little homage to His goodness in our lives. If we chose to do so, we wouldn't have enough paper or pens to list all of God's goodness in our lives.

The thing is that every good thing that has happened in our lives is from Him. He may have used some pretty odd people or situations to bring goodness into our lives, but He is God and can work on our behalf anyway He likes. The odder thing yet as I think about it, is those times I've seen goodness in my life from God that I certainly didn't deserve at the moment. In those times, I knowHis goodness was meant to draw me closer to Himself.

The greatest goodness God ever showed in our lives was in sending His only Son Jesus into the world. Jesus didn't come as a celebrity to prance around as many celebrities do. He came as a human being to related to everyday people. I've said before and always suggest that if you have a red lettered version of Scripture, sometime just sit down and read the red letters only in the four Gospels. I just finished doing that with the book of John. In all the Gospels, the thoughtfulness and goodness of Jesus is evident on every page whether He was healing, teaching, or raising the dead. He sets the example for us as to how to treat friend and foe alike.

As I've thought of God's goodness in my life, it's easy to think of the big things...education, careers, marriage, three great kids all along with the opportunities He has opened up for me in serving Him. However, lately, I've been trying to take note of so many little things that God in His goodness provides for me day after day to enjoy. I wish you could see my three rose bushes in front of the house. They are full of the most beautiful flowers. As I go onto the porch, prior to bending over the rail to observe them, I am facing some of the most beautiful mountains straight ahead. I realize others enjoy nature God has provided in His goodness for all to enjoy, but these days, I'm taking it very personally.

My prayer for each of us is to concentrate more on God's goodness that comes to us in abundance. Each time as I see something special, it just blesses my “blesser.” I think our Father would appreciate a thank you every now and then, even for the smallest things. Our gratitude must bring warmth to the heart of our Father. With our gratitude, He is glorified. May we not allow a single day pass without making a mental and prayerful note of at least one (and more) item revealing God's goodness. Each goodness we should take as a very personal blessing from the Father.

Father, we thank You for your goodness You surround us with every day of life. Your every provision in our lives, speaks of Your goodness and love. Thank You for Your ultimate goodness in sending Jesus, and for His love in dying for each of us. I pray in His precious name....Amen

HONOR DUE...MOTHERHOOD

Children, obey your parents in the Lord,
for this is right.
Honor your father and mother (which
is the first commandment with a promise),
so that it may be well with you, and
that you may live long on the earth.
Ephesians 6:1-3

Motherhood began with Eve, although it actually began in the heart of God way back in eternity. We don't know about her motherhood, but do know because of sin, the family situation was changed forever. We don't know what it would have been precisely had perfection God intended been in place. Childbirth for one thing would be a painful experience for Eve and every mother to follow.

I've thought of some Bible mom's who have impressed me in some ways. Sarah wanted so much to be a mom, but the years caught up with her and any possibility of being a mother. I'm thinking of some friends who wanted so much to be moms, but it seemed it just wasn't happening. Some in their 40's found God blessed them with a baby. Just as for Sarah, motherhood became a reality and with great appreciation.

There was Hannah...a remarkable woman. She too wanted a baby so badly, but it just wasn't happening. Her hubby's other wife made fun of her for not being able to bear a child. Even her hubby said something that always makes me smile. He said to the effect that wasn't he better than having several children. How like a man saying something like that even though he might have been sincere in his intentions. Hannah made it all a matter of prayer and God answered her, giving her a son, Samuel, who grew to be a great man of spiritual influence.

Jochabed is a woman I have long admired for endangering her own life in order to spare her baby son Moses from certain death. Boy babies were being massacred, but she had a plan for saving her son by hiding him in a waterproof basket hidden in the reeds of a river. God's plans always amaze me, plans you and I would never begin to think of. Moses was spared by the Egyptian princess who even ended up using Jochabed as Moses' nurse until he came of age beyond the nursing process. We all know how God used Moses years later. He had a faithful mom who maybe didn't have much input into his growing up years, but still gave him the best start she could.

There are other moms in Scripture we can admire. I think of Mary, Jesus' mother and His aunt Elizabeth who gave birth to His cousin a little before his own. We read of Timothy's mother and grandmother who raised and nurtured him in the Scriptures. There are so many wonderful women we can look at in Scripture who too were moms of note.

BUT, this is now. Many mothers today of every age look back with varied feelings, some with joy and others with regret. No matter how good a mother has been through the years, there has never been a perfect mother. Sin came through Adam and Eve and from that point, motherhood has always been a struggle even under the best of circumstances. Satan works on every mother who is or ever has been just as he did with Eve, tempting and taunting. The best of godly mothers often struggle with all they didn't do or should have done when in reality, they did a pretty good job mothering their children into loving, productive adults.

I have a list of moms I admire tremendously. There are the single moms who have been left alone to raise and see to the needs of her children. Some moms could not physically give birth, but chose to adopt babies or children of various ages. I know moms who are raising their special needs children and along with that are moms who sit at the side of their child's bedside, a child with terminal brain tumor. Some have found their children addicted on drugs or alcohol which is a whole different heartache. I know of ladies of age right now who never gave birth, but who mothered girls in their Sunday school classes through years of service.

Motherhood has come in a variety of packages....as many packages as there are mothers. We who are moms have been granted the privilege of being just that...moms. What a privilege and honor. For some, there may have been heartache. We all as moms have made our share of mistakes. I have never in my life met a perfect mom, but with God's help, we have hopefully done our very best, and yes, hopefully we've done a lot of smiling in the whole process.

I read a quote and find it so true: “Life doesn't come with a manual, it comes with a mother.”
Mothers don't know everything but we have a Heavenly Father who does. Blessed are the children who have had a godly mom who loves them as only a mom can. For those of us who are moms...what a privileged calling from God to be used of Him in serving Him in this area of motherhood.

Thank You Father for my mother, my husband's mom and my three children who call me mom. Forgive the mistakes, wrong attitudes at time, shortness in patience that I probably share with other moms. Thank You for this call on my life. In Jesus' name...Amen

CULTURE AT A LOSS

Woe unto them, that call evil good, and
good evil; that put darkness for light, and
light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet,
and sweet for bitter!
Isaiah 5:20

Living where we do, a stone's throw from the national park, it isn't unusual for an alert to go out that someone has lost their way in the park during a hiking trip. There have been times when a child has wandered away and become lost. One thing that has been suggested to hikers, especially children or very inexperienced hikers, has been when one realizes he is lost, to stop where he is, sit down and wait for help to come. The tendency even when lost is, in a panic, to continue wandering hoping to see some place or some thing familiar. It can get where all trees look alike so that the lost one can wander almost aimlessly becoming more and more lost.

When lost in the daylight, that lost hiker still feels encouraged until evening begins to set in. When darkness falls, in a setting like ours here, there is real panic...there are shadows, strange sounds...even various animal sounds of those that wander through the forest at night foraging for food. The darkness becomes a serious enemy for one who is completely lost, who cannot focus or see anything clearly. The lost hiker is thrilled beyond words seeing the glow of a flashlight or hearing a call from a nearby rescue person.

Scripture speaks in several areas about darkness, mostly a spiritual darkness that we can become exposed to or even find ourselves in the very middle of. We live in a country of moral and spiritual darkness. It's a darkness that God hates, but that a good majority of Americans are choosing. There are even Christians finding themselves more exposed to a cultural darkness than ever before, some even succumbing to it.

The above verse speaks to where many in our country are with regard to morals and standards. Culture now tells us that good is no longer just good and evil is coming to be seen in more of a good and positive light. What used to be wrong behavior and lifestyles are now being rationalized as being acceptable. Things anymore aren't just black and white, but morals and standards are viewed as being more gray where people can decide for themselves what is good or evil. When this mentality sets in, in reality, a person has come into the realm in darkness and has fled the light God intends for each of us. Such folks find themselves lost in a darkness hard to get out of. Continuing to wander in it just takes them further into it
.

It's amazing to me how quickly a culture can change. I loved the era of the 1950's that spanned much of my education. Any comparisons between then and now are unbelievable. Back then there were standards that now are foreign to everyday folks. Many of us can recall:

School starting with the pledge to the American flag.
You didn't want to go to the principals office...he was usually a man of action.
There was a strong respect for police officers.
When committing a crime, one usually confessed and was in prison within a couple of weeks.
Boys didn't “like” boys and girls didn't “like” girls...if you know what I mean.
Babies were born boy or girl (still are) with nothing in between.
You went to church on Sunday with no discussion about it.
Parents were respected and “talking back” was dealt with.
The dress in high school then was better than what teens wear to church today.
A young person didn't have a car until able to purchase one.
You didn't know about the “birds and bees” in first grade.
Some teachers read Bible stories to their grade school classes.
History was taught in high school and each senior had to pass a test on the U. S. Constitution to graduate.
When a judge handed down a verdict, that was it. Can't recall appeals very much.
Two parent homes were the norm.
Kids played outside til dark or when the street lights came on.

Maybe some of these things are memories for most. My question is, “What happened?” I can recall honorable politicians, at least for the most part. If you had a TV, you got the local evening news with informative information..no drama. Somewhere our culture let a lot of really good things go. Electronics have played a huge part with TV's, computers, all sorts of phones, etc. in taking us places we never anticipated going.

Our country needs a good old sweeping revival in the worst of ways. We can't go back and change the past, but we can be a part of changing the future, one by one. First, we can live lives pleasing to the Lord. We need to take advantage of speaking for Jesus when we can. We must ourselves be in the Scriptures and bathe it all in prayer. If our country continues it's self destruction, I would hope you and I would be doing our part in it's “stay” of self execution.

Father, help us to be a doer of Your Word and not hearers only. As pleasant and some of our memories may be, there are children growing up now who will never know an innocence like America past. Keep us praying..keep us faithful. In Jesus precious name...Amen

MY HIDING PLACE

You are my hiding place;
You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with songs
of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7

Since I was a little girl, I loved hiding places. I didn't like playing “Hide and Go Seek” because then a person had to be found and returned to home base. My sister Kay and I shared a room since we were old enough to do so. Coming from Southern Illinois, a very active coal mining area, Kay and I came up with a hiding place, we referred to it as hiding in our coal mine. When lights went out at night, we would crawl to the foot of our bed with covers over us and huddle up into two different clumps, hiding in that place. My Mother always caught on and found us for some reason and we were admonished to get up in bed and go to sleep.

As I got older, I still loved hiding places. I didn't really have anything to hide from, but loving mysteries, the thought of hiding places always fascination for me. Any hiding place I ever made for myself seemed to be easily identified by a parent. It was still fun to try.

I thought for the longest time in my adulthood, I was the only one seeking a hiding place from the cares of this world until I came to know of Corrie ten Boom. She resided with her sister and father over her father's clock shop. He felt strong affinity with the Jewish people and detested the Nazi treatment of them. Their home was soon turned over to being a shelter for Jewish folks in danger of losing their lives. That wasn't good enough for the Nazi's for they could go into any home at that time, raiding it to find Jewish fugitives.

Because of relentless of the Nazi troops, a plan was devised for a hiding place even in their house of refuge. If a raid should occur, there was a secret hiding place where Jews could hide and not be found. It was behind a wall in Corrie's bedroom.

There are times in all our lives when we would love to have a hiding place...a place away from cultural influence, family problems, crashing finances, chronic health issues...a place of peace and quiet away from it all. Such a place isn't possible on this earth, even if one were to go to reside in a convent or monastery. One could flee to the mountains where there is no indication of society in any way, but even with that would be unrest and even guilt for forsaking everyone.

Psalm 32 is such a sweet Psalm of blessing and forgiveness. As David puts pen to scroll, he's aware that God IS his hiding place. It may not be a hiding place that can be found in a building, forest clearing, worship center or other physical places. David knew his hiding place in God wasn't so much a physical place (even though it could be should God provide such), but his hiding place was in a presence...the very presence of God Himself.

We don't have to run to a place to hide. That would involve time and distance. Our hiding place as it was for David is not a physical place. The thing for us to think about is that a hiding place isn't worth a thing if we don't choose to take advantage of it's warmth and safety. God's provision is different as we see in Psalm 91:1:

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

We can look to the next few verses in Psalm 91 where the Psalmist refers to God as his refuge, fortress, deliverer and will cover with his feathers where we may rest comfortably under the shelter of His wings. No, these aren't physical places, but with God, He has ways of providing even physical places for us in times of need.

I see the key to my hiding place in God is to be found in the first five words of Ps. 91:1. .”HE WHO DWELLS IN THE SHELTER. We must choose God's protection and we do that through relationship with Him. The Psalmist is speaking of one who has made a choice to dwell. You and I can flop and flounder in our problems that may strike from any direction...finances, health, family difficulties, job loss and all the rest. We like to work on our own problems and when all else fails, we turn to God.

How much peace could we have if we would be so nestled under the wings of God, our hiding place, that He would be our first and main resource at any time. For evil to try to seek me out, it would have to look for me under the wings of my Father, my shelter....my Hiding Place.

Thank You my Father for being so much more in my life that I can even think of. I so take for granted all the wonderful ways You work in my life. Thank You for being my Hiding Place, and for the comfort of the warmth of Your presence under Your wings. In Jesus' name....Amen

MIND SET OF THE DAY

For the mind set on the flesh is death,
but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace
Romans 8:6 (NASB)

When in grade school, I remember struggling with the multiplication tables. They just looked like a hodge-podge of numbers that made no sense. To this day, I'm not sure but what I was right but have come to grips with the need for knowing them. I recall a teacher using a phrase I often heard my Grandma Benbrook use. My teacher's word of advice was: “Glendarae, you have to set your mind to it.” I knew what she meant because I had heard her use that saying if I was struggling with anything else at the time. Country folks often used that phrase so it came naturally in my grandma's vocabulary.

For several years now, I have loved Romans 8. It is filled with love, security and encouragement, all in abundance. Any Christians need those things from their Heavenly Father. Just as children need those things from their earthly parents, the need is even greater from their Heavenly parent.

However, there is much more to the chapter than warm words of affection. I've read this chapter over and over for several years, but it's only been in recent days, the Holy Spirit has stopped my reading at about verse 8. In the translation I am using, I came across a word that caught my attention. I saw from verses 5 through 7 the word “mindset” four different times.

Although I know in my mind what “mindset” means, I looked up a few sources for the definition of the word. I came to the conclusion that a mind set is just that...having set ones mind in an established way of thinking or reasoning. My mindset is my established thinking about anything. In that process, I've set my mind on any number of things that can be beneficial or can do damage to me in some way. Most of our struggles will be based in our minds.

There are those in Scripture who set their mind on some things, some good and some not so good. Solomon comes to mind in his beginning days of his reign when God wanted to grant him what he most wanted. Amazingly, Solomon chose wisdom. He speaks of it later in Ecclesiastes 1:13 where he say he set his mind to seek and explore wisdom.

The King in Daniel 6:14 set his mind on delivering David from the lions den. Jesus had to speak words of correction to Peter when Peter stepped a little out of bounds. In Matthew 6:23 Jesus told Peter he wasn't setting his mind on God's interests but mans.

For myself, much like those multiplication tables, I have decided if I am to be all for Jesus He wants of me that it's not going to happen unless I set my mind to do just that. The lazy, hazy days of spring and summer are upon us. Such days can be detrimental to maintaining a close walk with the Lord. During such days, there are many distractions that can pull our minds from one thing to another. If our minds aren't set with a spiritual determination to maintain consistency in our walk with the Lord, straying is very likely.

There are some things we should set our minds on in upcoming days of relaxation and different activities apart from the usual. We should maintain: regular Bible reading, times of prayer, church attendance (even on vacation), usual responsibilities whether at work or church, and other things we can do to enrich the lives of others as well as our own.

Among other Biblical persons mentioned above, next to Jesus, Paul probably had as strong of a spiritual mind set as anyone we can read about. He gave good advice to the people in Colossae when he said to them in chapter three, verse two:

Set your mind on the things above,

not on the things that are on earth.

May it be so for each of us as we determine to have our mind set on the things of God no matter the time of year, holiday's or in every day living...come rain or come shine.

Dear Father, I pray I will have the right loving mind set on spiritual things that would honor You in every way. Help me to keep focus on Your Word and on Your will. May I stay focused on the things that are important and that would please You. In Jesus precious name...Amen

CULTURE AT A LOSS

Woe unto them, that call evil good, and
good evil; that put darkness for light, and
light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet,
and sweet for bitter!
Isaiah 5:20

Living where we do, a stone's throw from the national park, it isn't unusual for an alert to go out that someone has lost their way in the park during a hiking trip. There have been times when a child wandered away from parents and became lost. One thing that has been suggested to hikers, especially children or very inexperienced ones, has been that when one realizes he is lost, to stop where he is, sit down and wait for help to come. The tendency even when lost and in a panic is to continue wandering hoping to see some place or some thing familiar. It can get where all trees look alike so that the lost one can wander aimlessly becoming more and more lost.

When lost in the daylight, that lost hiker still feels encouraged until evening begins to set in. When darkness falls, in a setting like ours here, there is real panic...there are shadows, strange sounds...even various animal sounds of those that wander through the forest at night foraging for food. The darkness becomes a serious enemy for one who is completely lost, who cannot focus or see anything clearly. The lost hiker is thrilled beyond words seeing the glow of a flashlight or hearing a call from a nearing rescue person.

Scripture speaks in several area about darkness, mostly a spiritual darkness that we can become exposed to or even find ourselves in the very middle of. Should such happen in our own lives, the suggestions of the national park I think apply here. We need to stop wandering around trying to find answers that often aren't anywhere to be found. Most of us in those circumstances need to just sit down and quietly wait for the Lord to come and minister to our spirits. He will often do that as we refer to His guidebook.

The above verse speaks to where many in our country are with regard to morals and standards...good is no longer just good, and evil is coming to be seen in more of a good and positive light. What used to be wrong behavior and lifestyles are now being rationalized as being acceptable. Things anymore aren't just black and white, but morals and standards are viewed as being more gray where people can decide for themselves what is good or evil. When this mentality sets in, in reality, a person has come into the realm of darkness and has fled the light God intends for each of us.

Many of us can look back to days that were more civil, when authority was respected, where good character was evident in school rooms and in the halls of government. My question is, “What happened.” I can recall honorable politicians, at least for the most part. If you had a TV, you got the local evening news with informative information..no drama. Somewhere our culture let a lot of really good things go. Electronics have played a huge part with TV's, computers, all sorts of phones, etc. However, behind all of those things resides in the hearts of people to find their way, a way out of unhappiness and boredom.

I've decided that what our country needs a good old sweeping revival in the worst of ways. We can't go back and change the past, but we can be a part of changing the future, one by one. First, we can live lives pleasing to the Lord individually. The lives we live for Christ will say more to others than any sermons we preach. We need to take advantage of speaking for Jesus when we can. We must ourselves be in the Scriptures and bathe it all in prayer. If our country continues it's self destruction, I would hope you and I would be doing our part in it's “stay” of execution.

Father, help us to be a doer of Your Word and not hearers only. As pleasant as some of our memories may be, there are children growing up now who will never know any innocence in America. Keep us praying..keep us faithful. In Jesus precious name...Amen

BIG PLANS

For I know the plans that I have
for you, declares the Lord, plans for
welfare and not for calamity to give
you a future and a hope.
Then you will call upon Me and
come and pray to Me, and I will
listen to you
You will seek Me and find me
when you search for Me with all
your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NASB)

When most young couples find they are expecting their first baby, they begin planning. Even before the baby's birth, parents are still planning and not just for the nursery. Plans for that baby are wrapped up in dreams regarding the future of their child. Even into adulthood, parents have dreams for their children even when grown. It's when all of us reached the point of making our own plans and decisions we came up against some difficulties. Human speaking, there is NO perfect plan we can make on our own behalf or on behalf of another.

As I read in the Old Testament, it amazes me over and over as I see God's patience with His people. Their spiritual walk with Him always seemed to be for them at a peak or at the bottom of a sand dune. It's hard to be critical of them when we, too, push at the patience of God with our disappointing ways. God had to take drastic measures with His people even to the point of allowing them to go into exile, far away from their homeland just to get their attention.

God, however, didn't give up on His people and stuck to His promises regarded their future. By the way, His promises reach down to us this very day from that time and aren't we glad. In the timing of our above verses, God's people were returned to their land. They weren't to give up in times of hardship, but know that God had their best interest at heart for the duration.

Anyone who has raised children understands the disappointment when a child chose a way that spelled disaster in so many ways. The parents see the disaster coming and may beg, plead and pray for a change in the mind of that child, but it seems to no avail. I have known very few parents who have gone through such experiences, but who welcomed that child back to the fold when pieces of a life needed put back together. It seems God was always doing this for his people. At times, they were grateful while at other times, showed an ingratitude by returning to their idols and immoral living.

God spoke to His people in Jeremiah, again with hopes and dreams for their future. In His planning, He hoped to provide for their welfare and to provide a future and hope. That was the promise from their Sovereign God who could do anything on their behalf He chose.

God asked so little of them in this process. He asked them to come and call on Him and pray. He promised to always listen to their prayers. In this seeking process though, He required that they approach Him with their whole beings...their whole heart. He wanted a people with sincerity to respect Him, their Heavenly Father, to never have a frivolous attitude in their attitude or approach to Him.

God desires the very same of each of us. There have been times I have been in a distant place from God. Many of us have had times in our lives when God had to put some pieces back together with his “love putty.” We can't accept this loving help wanting just a reprieve from the world. He seeks our sincerity not our self interest. He will settle for nothing less than our complete devotion.

Today, God hasn't changed, nor His promises. He is always looking out for our best interest because of a love for us we can never fathom. When God says He has plans, we've come to know He has plans for us that cannot be comprehended and that are rarely appreciated. Some people promise us outlandish things we know can't come to be, but not with God. When He promises our welfare, hope and future, all can be accepted as fact.

Mans plans and efforts at self direction will always be second best, or even lower than that. We might find a temporary satisfaction in seeking our own way. In the end, our plans will never fully satisfy. God already has our plans made in every area of our lives. He not only has made the plans for you and me but also sends His agents to aid us with the details. In the end, God's way will always be the best way. We are told He is available to talk things over with us at any time. With His guiding hand, listening ear and heart of love, how can we go wrong?

Thank You Father for knowing us so well and knowing what is best for us in every area of our lives. Keep us close to You and open to Your will and way for our lives. Thank You for loving us despite our erring ways. Thank You for Jesus. In whose name I pray...Amen

THE IMPORTANCE OF ROOTS

Therefore as you have received
walk in Him,
having been firmly rooted and
now being built up in Him and
established in your faith, just as
you were instructed, and
overflowing with gratitude.
Colossians 2:6,7

We may be seeing some beginnings of Spring here in the mountains. It seems a long time coming with all of the weeks of rain, swelled rivers and rock slides that we have been experiencing. Trees are flowering as are jonquils in all their golden glory. Some early wild flowers are making their appearances and RV's are rolling into town to hopefully soak in the feelings of Springtime.

Prior to grass greening up, are the weeds making appearances. Obviously, we didn't do a good job last Fall in ridding ourselves of these pests. They poke their leaves and even blossoms above ground almost in a taunting way. I'm amazed at how weeds can disguise themselves as pretty blossoms and flowers. My granddaughter last week brought me a small bouquet of such heather-looking blossoms. I put them in a cup of water and even then, they refused to die and lingered for days.

There is a lot to be said for weeds. They are tough with a determination to exist on their own terms. Much of their success is due to good roots. Roots represent beginnings.” We hear of roots that are related to people and the importance of the roots of their ancestries running deep...an indicator of health, security and belonging. Even with good roots, people have little bragging rights compared to the most important root mentioned in Scripture found in the book of Isaiah 11:1,2:

Then a root will spring from the stem
of Jesse, and a branch from
his roots will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and strength,
the spirit of knowledge and the
fear of the Lord.

I realize roots are important for so many reasons in the natural sense, but the promise of Jesus coming from the stem of Jesse, the root that would bear fruit and be all for the world it needed. That root could never be uprooted or destroyed. It (He) would bear fruit that we have benefited from that will see us into eternity
.

We benefit in so many ways through that precious root, Jesus. What exactly do roots do for any plant life?
* they provide nutrition for whatever the plant is
* they provide stability for a plant as it grows holding it in place, and
* their work is unseen in bringing forth fruit or beauty

Roots don't just happen. They come in the very beginning from a seed. Seeds don't just become plants. It takes good soil, water, and eventually sun as the root forms, matures and sends sprouts upward through the topsoil. The root even then continues to feed the plant ensuring it's survival. To fully survive, the plant must stay grounded in the earth via the root.

If we are to grow in Christ, it will mean being rooted and grounded in His love. It will mean our spirit is watered with the Word of God on a regular basis and being people of prayer. 

Our goal should be that of growing in the Lord and being fruitful for His glory. Speaking of the blessed person in Psalm 1:3, we have a good description of what we should aim for in our relationship with the Lord:

He (the blessed person) will be like a tree firmly planted
by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season.
And it's leaf does not wither; and in whatever
he does, he prospers.

Spring is here and as much as we can enjoy the beauty of God's nature, we should be just as concerned for our own spiritual growth that can come only when we are grounded and rooted deeply in Jesus Christ. May our desire be to grow our spiritual deeper and deeper in Christ so we will be more fruitful, and yes, beautiful for His glory.

Dear Father, keep me growing and flourishing in You. I want to be fruitful for Your kingdom and glory. May I be alert to any weeds of sin that can seem to sneak into my life. Forgive me for all the times I sin and disappoint you. Thank You for Jesus who makes life worth living everyday. In His precious name....Amen