Threads...

"I'll take a diet," my friend says to the waitress as we sit down for a visit.

"I've got one I'd give you...for free," I say in jest, and we all laugh.

Diet. A regimen of eating we usually equate with eating for good health. Everyone has a diet, but not all are really healthy.

"You need to watch your salt," the doctor warns my Grandfather.

"You know, just a few years ago they told us to keep a little piece of salt in our pockets, so that if we became over heated while working in the field..."

"Well," the doctor cautions my 85+ year old Grandfather, "been making any fence lately?"

Poor doctor-- little did he know, it hadn't been but a couple of years,and yes, indeed--my Grandpa had been making fence. That is quite another story. The point is that from one year to the next the 'experts' tell us one thing is good for us, or bad for us depending on the year, the expert, and circumstances.

"Everyone's strange but thee and me, and sometimes I even wonder about thee," my Grandmother would nod sagely. She always had a little 'saying' to fit the moment.

"Why?" the little child asks. And every answer you give they have the same question, "Why?"

Lamentations 3:39 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
40) Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to Jehovah. 41) Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.

Ever had a child--age is no respecter of this behavior, I've seen adults do the same thing--they do something they KNOW they shouldn't. They blatantly rebel against the 'rules', then when punished they cry, "What did you do that for?!" or worse "You got me in trouble!" When in reality it is their own choice or choices that caused their suffering. They act as if, "Well, there is just something wrong--with someone else--it's not MY fault I got in trouble."

Jeremiah, the prophet, has cried and prophesied to people who would not hear, would not see, would not turn from their evil ways, for many years. He has watched the Babylonian army march on his beloved country--his beloved city, Jerusalem. Finally, he watched the destruction of all that he held dear. The devastation and heart break of war was all around him, yet he asks:

"Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?"

And he gives them an answer--"Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to Jehovah. 41) Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens."

Lamentation 3:48 Mine eye runneth down with streams of water, for the destruction of the daughter of my people. 49) Mine eye poureth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,
50) Till Jehovah look down, and behold from heaven.

Jeremiah kept in mind that: "For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." Lamentation 3:33 God does not enjoy punishing people, but as the writer of Hebrews 12:6 tells us "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Hebrews 12:7 It is for chastening that ye endure; God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father chasteneth not?"

We must remember as Jeremiah encourages: Lamentations 3:24 Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25) Jehovah is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26) It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of Jehovah.

Sometimes we suffer, and we don't see a reason. Sometimes we suffer, and we know the reason. No matter which it is, we need to learn from our experiences whether happy, sad, good, or bad. The law of God is not whimsical. That means it isn't one thing one minute--for one person--and something else the next minute--for someone else. And His care is only for our benefit...whether we can understand it or not.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Today

Today is crisp. Yes, crisp as in somewhat above 32 degrees.

Well, back to this beautiful autumn morning. It is just warm enough for me to crunch through the very CRISP dead brown leaves to the clothes line. Me, being of the 'old school', that when it is even slightly possible, I still walk out to that line and hang the laundry 'out' to dry. Which also means that when it is 'dry' it may be still slightly damp when I bring it in. But oh, how fresh it will smell! With that in mind--who needs 'air-freshener'?

Do we ever realize how much we miss by leaving the 'old days' behind? The women used to meet and talk (surely not gossip, very shocked face--smile) over their backyard fences. And, of course it was a fact that you could 'read' what was happening inside the house by what hung on the line.

Hospitality? (Sigh) Caring for neighbors? Who has time any more? Even though I'm a 'home' maker, and I have all of the 'time saving devices', still it keeps me running to just keep up with my spouse and fifteen year old son. I had as much time when all seven of my dear children were home as I do now. There was extra work sure enough, but there were extra hands as well.

Folding my son's work shirt reminds me of 'ironing' tasks of days gone by. My mother, when finances allowed, hired out her ironing--how surprising in these days of 'perma-press' clothes, or our 'wear as they are...wrinkles and all' society of today. --When finances did not allow, and we did our own ironing, (something we girls were taught when we were VERY young) we would sprinkle them lightly with water, roll them up, put them in a plastic bag in the bottom of the fridge for the evening. They ironed up crisp and fresh the next day.

When living with my Grandparents, there were usually three baskets of ironing. My sister did one, my cousin did the other, and I did the third. In cleaning the collar and cuffs of my husband's white shirt I am reminded of my Grandfather. Grandfather deemed it his duty to always wear a white shirt, even though he was a 'farrier' and a farmer, two jobs which were not the cleanest. Never-the-less, he wore a clean white, long sleeved shirt every day.

My Grandmother always seemed to get something of 'color' into the white clothes. Back then we girls wore 'white tennies' (that you could just throw into the wash) and white socks...except when we ended up with something red in the white clothes...then our shoes and other white things were lovely pink. Was that on purpose I wonder...Grandpa's shirts were never 'pink' to my remembrance...hmm.

Little Ezra's baby afghan is waving gently in the early afternoon sunshine. I am choosing to believe that, instead of washing out his 'good luck', as the old wives' tale says, I have washed in some sunshine and a lot of God's blessings for him. Smile

Well, family, and friends, there are many remembrances, some good...some just remembrances. As we are approaching the 'Thanksgiving' holiday may we all remember to whom we owe all things. We should all be thankful for God's bountiful care and blessings, and be mindful to throw ourselves upon His mercy and grace for a continuance of those blessings throughout the coming season, and the coming year.

3John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Learning to Lean

Have you ever had days when everything started out wrong...and the whole day continued down hill? Days when you spill the milk, coffee, juice--maybe just one item, or perhaps all three. You stub your toe, fall over the cat, and about now you are stomping mad. Stop, take a deep breath, have a quiet prayer, then begin again. Even if nothing around you changes, your attitude can.
As an artist I've learned that pictures are best viewed from a distance--if we are too close we get too much...and not enough...of the picture. Life and circumstances are like that--if viewed too close we get too much...and too little...of the picture. Stepping back a distance can help us see maybe a bigger picture.
What can we learn from sickness?  What can we learn from troubles?  When we are in the midst of trials, no matter what they may be, it is very hard to step back and look at the picture.  Different people will learn different lessons from the same situations, but...

*Sickness? We can learn to take one day at a time; or that life here on earth won't last forever. *perhaps it may help us find a courage/a strength of character that we didn't know we were capable       of. 
*How many people have gone through life not paying attention to either God or eternity until a change in their sense of security.
*Sorrow and adversity usually either draws people to God, or they turn away from Him.
*It can teach people that real treasure is not something you can buy, but it can be sold (or exchanged) for something of far less value.

2Corinthians 4:8-9 "we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed;", and 2Cor. 4:16 "Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day."

John 10:10 "The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. 11) I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep." 

Don't be discouraged by the setbacks in life.  Look through the struggles and find your treasure before the treasure is gone.  Above all, don't trade the treasures for the dross of life. 
What do you think?  
Hallelujah! Learn to lean on the Saviour!

Walking in His Steps

From May 22, 2008

"Be careful little eyes what you see, be careful little eyes what you see, For the Father up above is looking down in love, So be careful little eyes what you see."

Being a children's Bible class teacher has its advantages and disadvantages. We tend to see things from a different perspective. A number of years ago I believe there was a book written with the same title as this post. In the book there was a group of people that attempted to live 'as Jesus would have 'if faced with the same situations/ problems they were, and how it changed their lives, often dramatically, and not always pleasantly.

"People of the Book", may be an unfamiliar designation to some who read this. It is a descriptive title, humble--yet accurate. Or should be anyway. Our answers in life should come from God and His revealed Word. In a study of God's Word there are many jewels that will help COMFORT us when we find ourselves in trying situations, and if we follow scriptural teachings will SAVE us from many other trying situations. By following the answers in the 'Book' that is what we try to do simply and--hopefully--humbly.

How do we become "people of the book"? Well, naturally, spend time in Bible study.

Romans 10:17 'So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ'.

We can 'hear' the written word as we 'read' it or as someone 'speaks' it, but it is important to study and read in both ways. We can't follow if we don't know.

'I'm waiting for a revelation from God,' some folks say. How presumptuous!

Proverbs 21:4 'A high look, and a proud heart, Even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.'

God has already revealed His Word, why do they think He wants to reveal more...and to them?

Romans 10:10 'for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.'

How sad that most people are instructed that 'all they have to do is believe'. That's it. It's all done they are told. What about the 'demons'...will they be 'saved' also? James tells us:

James 2:19 'Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder.'

Matthew 3:13-15 'Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John would have hindered him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffereth him.'

We need to go beyond just hearing and believing, we are told to also 'repent of our sins', 'confess Jesus as the Son of God, and be baptized. Now, some tell us that baptism isn't necessary, but...whose side are those folks on anyway?

If it was important enough for Jesus--who was perfect and sinless--to set the example and fulfill all righteousness, how much more for us to follow in His steps.

Do you suppose it is because if we only do part of what the Lord wants us to do, Satan knows he has us? It is somewhat like the folks who get almost to the mountain top, then they sit down. Like getting to the dawn of victory and...sitting down, and sitting down they die...never achieving the victory which was with in their grasp. Let us continue to strive to follow in the steps of Jesus...here and into eternity.
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

In the Beginning...

From May 23, 2008

What does healing have to do with walking with God, and walking in Jesus footsteps? When a person looks around their community, country, and beyond there are many suffering people in this world. Some are seeking relief, and others have been in abnormal situations for so long they have become accustomed to them as if the situation is normal. If we see someone who has a bodily affliction grossly affecting their health and well-being, don't we reach out and try to lift their burden?

"Hopping from the frying pan into the fire." Many times folks go from one situation into another hoping that the next one will be 'the cure', only to find that it's the same situation, only the names are different. That is because they haven't healed the disease. The disease is rebellion against God. Rebellion, or the old fashioned word is sin, against God who loves us and really wants only the best for us--to cure our disease.

Like a broken bone that needs to be brought back into line and set into place, we all need to align or realign our lives by God's standard. At first it may not be pleasant. We are comfortable in the 'old ways', and now to try to change...usually something will yowl at us. Our selves, our families, friends, all can become adversaries to a change.

1Peter 4:2-4 " that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3)For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries: 4) wherein they think strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:"

It then becomes necessary to honestly sit back and look at our lives and situations. The things that don't work are the ones that ignore God's standards, the ones that try to do things 'our own way'. When we realize that there has to be a better way, because 'mine' just isn't working.

There is no substitute for study of the Bible, and no substitute for prayer. We must approach Bible study with the attitude of 'help me to bring my life into accordance with Your will'.

If Jesus was willing to say: Luke 22:42 saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Jesus is our ultimate example... we also need to go and do likewise.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Savior or Judge

The story is told of a man out fishing on a lake. Not far from shore he was capsized, and clinging to the side of his small craft, he called piteously for help. A man walking by the shore heard his cries and threw him a life line. When the fisherman was hauled from the water the man who had pulled him to safety built a fire in order for the grateful man to dry off and warm himself. In the process the two spent several hours chatting and the time was spent pleasantly ending in a friendly manner.

So it is with many people today. They begin life on good terms with God, some even start on the path of salvation toward heaven. Like the drowning man they are thrown the lifeline and drawn toward the warmth of God's love and salvation. But somewhere along the line they and their Savior part company.

In the course of the story it is told that the fisherman goes his way, but his way is not good and at some point he commits a heinous crime. He is arrested and eventually is brought before the judge. To his amazement the judge just happens to be the same man who had pulled him from the water to safety those many years before.

With hope and joy he says to the man, "Sir, don't you remember me? I'm the man you saved so many years ago! Please, help me..."

The judge looks at him sadly. Shaking his head he says, "The night I pulled you from the water, I was your savior. This day I am your judge.'

The story is not mine. It is just one that has been used to illustrate the fact that right now Jesus wants to pull us out of the lake of sin and despair. He wants to cleanse us and set us on the path to salvation and heaven. If you have not started, there is no time like the present; if you have, it is important to continue.

If we have become a Christian, Jesus is our friend, our shepherd, our comforter, and most of all our Savior. One day He will also be our 'judge', whether we are a Christian or not. It is important to start on the road to heaven--today.

2Corinthians 6:2 (for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation):

"behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation):"

Lamentations

"Why?" the little child asks. And every answer you give-- they have the same question, "Why?"

Lamentations 3:39 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
40) Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to Jehovah. 41) Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.

Ever had a child--age is no respecter of this behavior, I've seen adults do the same thing--they do something they KNOW they shouldn't. They blatantly rebel against the 'rules', then when punished they cry, "What did you do that for?!" or worse "You got me in trouble!" When in reality it is their own choice or choices that caused their suffering. They act as if, "Well, there is just something wrong--with someone else--it's not MY fault I got in trouble."

Jeremiah, the prophet, has cried and prophesied to people who would not hear, would not see, would not turn from their evil ways, for many years. He has watched the Babylonian army march on his beloved country--his beloved city, Jerusalem. Finally, he watches the destruction of all that he holds dear. The devastation and heart break of war is all around him, yet he asks:

"Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?"

And he gives them an answer--"Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to Jehovah. 41) Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens."

Lamentation 3:48 Mine eye runneth down with streams of water, for the destruction of the daughter of my people. 49) Mine eye poureth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission, 50) Till Jehovah look down, and behold from heaven.

Jeremiah kept in mind that: "For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." (Lamentation 3:33) God does not enjoy punishing people, but as the writer of Hebrews 12:6 tells us, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7) It is for chastening that ye endure; God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father chasteneth not?"

Sometimes we suffer, and we don't see a reason. Sometimes we suffer, and we know the reason. No matter which it is, we need to learn from our experiences whether happy, sad, good, or bad.

"I know how that story will turn out," I laugh at my boys "Louis L'Amour" novel. "The hero rides into town..."

They laugh because I've told them the same thing...more than once...and yes, I've even enjoyed one or two of Mr. L'Amour's novels.

"I know how that story will turn out," I say in jest to my daughter, as we peruse her newest, "Grace Livingston Hill" book. "The poor young girl somehow ends up living with a rich relative, suffering through trials and tribulations, due to the worldly character of the family. She is finally vindicated/set free, marries a wonderful man, who has a wonderful Christian character..."

I wish I had read Grace Livingston Hill when I was younger. I can laugh at how often the stories do have a common theme, but wait...

Testimony of those professing Christ is important. Being young in the faith, and having no one to confide in or no one to offer good advice, when I was a teenager in my family of unbelievers, how much better my testimony would have been to them if I had possessed a greater strength and knowledge in my walk of faith. Too often the young are caught up in the 'that's not fair', common thought.

I knew that 'life is not fair'...but still it was easy to feel that it should be. I use my experience to council young people, 'if it isn't against God or what He tells you to do, you need to submit to parental authority".

That's not popular, but God will always be on your side, and in the end, the young person will be thankful. Learn to work within the parameters that you are given, with prayer, meekness, and faith.

Grace's characters were the kind of people you would like to know, and would like to emulate. The difference of course is that a novel only takes a short time to read, even though it may supposedly cover a number of months or even years. Living in life when we have to suffer through those times, suffer through those 'years'-- isn't pleasant to us.

We must remember as Jeremiah encourages: Lamentations 3:24 Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25) Jehovah is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26) It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of Jehovah.

Good answers are not usually the easy answers to fulfill, but "it is good to hope, and quietly wait..."

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

The Moses Experience

"Why doesn't God answer me!" the person demands angrily.

What they really mean is--"Why doesn't God give me what I want?"

"Mom," the little girl says sadly after their kitty died, "it's too bad kitties won't be in heaven."

"Yes, Anna, it is too bad." Mom just lets her talk her sorrow out.

"What would happen if when Jesus comes--I'm holding a cat? What would happen, Mom?" she continues in little girl fashion.

"I don't know. I guess we'll just have to think about it."

After a few minutes of silence Anna speaks up, "Mom, I think I know what would happen."

"You do? What do you think would happen."

"Well, Jesus would look down through the clouds, and see me holding the cat. Then he would say, (and here her little girl voice gets just as deep and commanding as a little girl voice can) "Put down the cat, Anna. Put down the cat!"

Exodus 20:18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19) And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

How astonished we would be if--after we have prayed for something--the heavens opened and God's Voice spoke to us, "I said NO! I meant No! Pray for something else now!"

We would probably respond just as the people did at Mount Sinai when they told Moses, "You speak to us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us..."

Almost twenty years ago now--our boys went out to do their morning chores. As I prepared breakfast, one of the younger boys burst in the kitchen door, "Mom," he said urgently, "come quick!"

I didn't ask questions, just shut the stove off, and stepped out the door, and expected some awful catastrophe to await me. The sight that met my eyes was truly horrible/wonderful all in the same moment.

The entire Northern sky was filled with tongues of reddish shimmering light. Not just a little piece of the sky, but the huge panorama of the sky from side to side and top to bottom.

I understand that those who live much further north see these "Northern Lights" in greater detail, and more often than we who live in the Midwest. I have never seen them so intense, not before--not after, but I remember thinking, I know that this isn't 'the time of Jesus coming', but what if it was? I can't imagine ANYTHING as horrible as this...if I weren't a Christian. How absolutely terrified I would be. I am a Christian and it still is horrible...and wonderful at the same time.

Revelation 22:20 He who testifieth these things saith, Yea: I come quickly. Amen: come, Lord Jesus. 21) The grace of the Lord Jesus be with the saints. Amen.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

But What Do You Have?

"But you have an ugly heart!" the young girl says in a burst of anger, "and that's worse than an ugly face!"

"Pretty is as pretty does," my grandmother often reminded us girls.

Have you ever known someone, that to look at them they weren't really pretty. Maybe they were--to be honest--rather plain, but for some reason they really stood out in your mind--and maybe especially in your heart, as border line beautiful.

Many women today are encouraged in the ideology that 'it's all about me'. Shirts, skirts, pants, all sorts of apparel flaunt the 'me' idea...especially the 'look at me' philosophy.

Funny how sometimes the meek and quiet people don't have to clamor for attention. They stand out because...

1Peter 3:4 but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

They stand out because they are different. They stand out because when you see them they are self-assured enough that they don't need the applause of the crowd.

"I get to play Scarlett," my cousin says. When we were little kids 'pretending' she always had to be the hero/heroine in what ever we were playing. If we were playing Zorro, she was Zorro (I got to be 'Sergeant Garcia'). If we were playing Scarlett and Gone With the Wind--I got to be 'Mealie Mouth Mellanie'. No matter what--she was it and I was not. But wait...

Even though Sergeant Garcia was the foil for Zorro...there was a vast difference between Scarlett and 'Mellie'. While Scarlett was beautiful, vivacious, sought by many suitors, Mellanie was quiet, gentle, and steady. She had qualities that Scarlett didn't appreciate nor understand-- until the end of the story. She also had several things that Scarlett could only wish for.

1Peter 3:5 For after this manner aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: 6) as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children ye now are, if ye do well, and are not put in fear by any terror.

Have you ever thought of meekness, godliness, and gentleness as ornaments?

"You know the woman I mean," my daughter and I are discussing people that shop at the store she works at. "She wears a 'bonnet', but she really doesn't look the part. I don't know...her husband looks like he was one of that faith, but he's left it, maybe."

"Yes, I know the one you mean. She buys 'those kind of novels'," she says raising her eyebrows.

"Oh," I say thinking sadly to myself, "I guess, I can see that in the way she dresses. She just looks wrong somehow."

Do we ever wonder why the 'world' isn't beating a path to salvation's doorstep? There is more than one reason of course, but...

"The women from this compound dress--and look--like they came from a century before," the t.v. commentator is railing on a happening.

As I watch these quiet women standing for their homes and families, I wonder what is wrong with their appearance. They are neatly and modestly dressed, and yes, they would stand out in our present day society of loose morals and lax morality. I would not defend nor support their religious beliefs, but at least they don't look...or act for that matter like a bunch of floozies.

By their divorce/remarriage; live together, hop from one partner to the next--people of the world practice life styles much worse than what these people are accused of, so why do worldly people think these folks are so shocking? Of course we know, but---

1Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded: 9) not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10) For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile: 11) And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it. 12) For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears unto their supplication: But the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil.

"Well, pretty may be as pretty does, but ugly goes all the way to the bone!"

To make a difference in our current world Christians--men as well as women--must look..and act different--in a good way, from the world.

1Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

"Oh, I'm Okay,"

--reprint from--May 25, 2008

How many times do we hear that phrase? Maybe we've even said it a time or two. Some people feel offended if you don't respond with, "I'm just great! I'm fantastic!" They insinuate that if you aren't enthusiastic and bubbling over with zeal, there is something wrong with you and probably something wrong with your faith in God.

Maybe they know something I don't, however, my momma tried to teach me to be truthful, and truthfully there are sometimes when, "I'm okay." Not fantastic, and not even great, just okay. Maybe my day started out with one catastrophe and just continued to slide. Hopefully my attitude survived, and the Lord and I are hobbling along together. You know He is holding me up, but I'm still a wee bit wobbly.

"So, how are you doing today?" he asks me.

"I'm a little stressed," I answer. Then I find out, according to the questioner, that there IS something wrong with my faith. I guess he's never had twenty people show up for lunch unexpectedly, and not have anything prepared. Please--let me admit that I'm just a little stressed--in these situations,for just a little while at least.

Through times of sickness, strife, stress, we do need to learn to face the future with faith. It does not mean we will always feel wonderful, or that we will always be stress free. There are things we learn through these times that cannot be learned in any other way.

After a spell of sickness it is a relief to 'get back on my feet' and return to some of the routine daily chores. After feeding the twenty people and sending them home, THAT is a relief. Having survived the trial gives me a victorious feeling.

When I hear the phrase, "I'm okay," I stop and think to myself, "What is this person saying?" We too often miss the innuendos of what is being said. Some folks are overly honest. They will tell you exactly what is wrong, and a number of times. I would gladly help people to feel better, if I knew how. Most of the time the best that I can do is to pat them on the back and say "Well, that's too bad. Hope things get better for you. We'll put you in our prayers."

James 5:13 Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Come to think of it, that is the BEST I can do. The absolute best.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Why?

Jesus loves the children. Jesus was the friend of 'sinners'. Jesus came to save the unlovable. Jesus brought salvation.

Ecclesiastes 7:27 Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
28) Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
29) Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

I look at the pan as I remove it from the dishwasher. Why does the dishwasher clean the crud off the bottom of the pan--on the outside, as it were--but it won't clean the inside?

And why do these three items run together in my mind? Jesus loves me, this I know. Even though I don't deserve that love. The 'Preacher' in Ecclesiastes points out (not that women are more fickle than men, although he may be right) that men and women are untrustworthy. The best among us are still...human, and as such we are prone to mistakes, to at times falter. And that is the best of us.

Several things I find interesting: One thing is folks who look down on others. They feel in some way superior--perhaps they are born into a 'better' family, have more money, are more popular, are...well, for what ever reason people feel superior, they just do.

When we are obedient to the Lord's commands we receive salvation, but not because of what we have done, only because of what HE has done. We will never be able to merit that salvation. Never be worthy of it.

Job 9:2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?

Job 9:28 "I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.
29) If I be wicked, why then labor I in vain? 30) If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;..."

Can we be justified with God? We can wash ourselves on the outside to become outwardly clean...that is like the dishwasher that washes the crud off the outside, and leaves gunk on the inside. Our inward person still has the crud on it. And it doesn't matter who it is. Some folks --apparently--haven't acquired as much crud as others...but they still have crud.

Luke 18:9 And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought: 10) Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11) The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12) I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get. 13) But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner.

Micah 6:8 He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with thy God?

"But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner."

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Jehovah...God

Jeremiah 42:1 Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near, 2) and said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we pray thee, our supplication be presented before thee, and pray for us unto Jehovah thy God, even for all this remnant; for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us: 3) that Jehovah thy God may show us the way wherein we should walk, and the thing that we should do. 4) Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto Jehovah your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass that whatsoever thing Jehovah shall answer you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you.

Perspective...it changes things. How we look at...well, whatever we're looking at. I love Jeremiah. I empathize with this poor prophet, who sees the things that are coming to pass with the people, the city, yes the very land that he loves, yet with all of his effort...he can change nothing.

The captains and the people come to him asking for 'advice'. Advice from, 'Jehovah--your God'. (It reminds me of Peter and Jesus, "Yea, Lord, you know I love thee".) They say whatever Jehovah--thy God-- shall say that we shall do.

And Jeremiah says, "I have heard you, I will pray unto Jehovah YOUR God". Ten days later Jehovah God tells them to stay in the land they were in. Do not go to Egypt or I will curse you, and you will die unhappy, miserable, and you will see the war that you want to escape. Stay where you are and I will bless you; go there and I will curse you.

Several things from this passage that applies to all of humankind. They had their mind made up...don't confuse them with the truth. God was someone else's God in the first place, not theirs, but they wanted His blessing to do what they had already decided to do. Even so, Jeremiah reminds them that 'Jehovah is their God' also.

Jeremiah 42:19 Jehovah hath spoken concerning you, O remnant of Judah, Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have testified unto you this day. 20) For ye have dealt deceitfully against your own souls; for ye sent me unto Jehovah your God, saying, Pray for us unto Jehovah our God; and according unto all that Jehovah our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it: 21) and I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of Jehovah your God in anything for which he hath sent me unto you. 22) Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go to sojourn there.

They had their mind made up, they knew what they wanted to do. They sought the Lord's blessing, but...

Way back several hundred years earlier another person, a king instructs his wife to:
"And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, who..."(1Kings 14:2)

Jeroboam's wife does disguise herself, and goes to the old blind prophet, Ahijah, but...

Is God a God of the outside of a person only? What are these people thinking? That Jehovah God-- the creator and sustainor--of all life doesn't know the thoughts and intents of their hearts? That they can disguise the outside, and the prophet--old and blind in the case of Ahijah-- won't know their intent or who they are?

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:13 And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Jeroboam's wife didn't decieve Ahijah:
1Kings 14:6 "And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another?..."

The captains, and the people chose to disobey, but they did not trick God either. God told them through Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 20) "For ye have dealt deceitfully against your own souls; for ye sent me unto Jehovah your God,..."

We are instructed through the wise old saying: "You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time". And we should add, you might be able to fool a good many people, even yourself, but you can't ever fool Jehovah God.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

To Be Continued

If yesterday the weather was 'in transition' today it was transitioned. It looked like snow yesterday...today it did snow. Almost all day, but not much accumulation. Yesterday hinted at the cold to come, then in the afternoon it steadily got colder.

"Well," my friend says, "I love sunrises, I just wish they would wait till later in the day!"

"Well," I say, "I love snow, but can we do snow with out the bitter cold that seems to come with it?"

"But, Mom," the little boy says, "the sun is always shining...just some days we can't find it for the clouds!"

And isn't it great? We have an early Christmas present...little Ezra Steven was born today. Seven pounds seven ounces, born on the seventh of November. A perfect little fellow, to join his two little (not quite so perfect, hmm) brothers.

I am always reminded of the religious card for a new born baby that read:

1Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed,

All the humor aside remember:
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. 5) Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6) In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Sun Rise...

The billowing blue-gray clouds hang heavy threatening...or promising snow. The wind howls and tears at the few leaves audacious enough to still be clutching at their trees. It has been snowing leaves for a month now, showering the green grass with reds, yellows, and in some cases browns, in abundance. This morning it rained--the weather is in transition.

"These are really pretty pictures." We are looking through some 'ancient' history--pictures I took during the first years we were married.

"Yes, they are pretty. Here's a picture of a sunrise...and this one's a sunset."

"Oh! The colors are really pretty! But..." there is a slight pause as we look at the pictures, "how do you know which one is which?"

"This one is looking out over the cornfield this way, and that one is out over our west fence."

Jeremiah 25:4 And Jehovah hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, (but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear,) 5) saying, Return ye now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that Jehovah hath given unto you and to your fathers, from of old and even for evermore;

The paths of time are like the paths in the ocean. If you are God you can see them both, but we are like the drowning person who only sees water, water everywhere. Where did the people of this land (our friends, neighbors, acquaintances) where did they take the turn that left God behind?

How, you might ask, do I know they have left God behind? Well, if you have ever asked them to a 'gospel' meeting, how many answers did you get? Probably a good many 'answers, but they all go something like-- I'm not interested; I believe in God, but...; We'll keep it in mind; Hey, yeah, we'll be there...maybe; --all sorts of answers that all mean "I'm not interested".

Ancient history...there was a time that people of the land would flock to the 'camp meetings'. Listening not just for hours but for days to the speakers. We, my spouse and I, have been married for a mere 36 (going on 37) years. During that time congregations have gone from having week long 'Gospel meetings', to three day meetings, and now folks have gone to 'week end' encouragement meetings.

Like the man said, "We used to have magazines like, 'National News'. Then we went to 'People Magazine', next we had 'Us', now we have 'Me' magazine."

Is there a trend here? The only thing folks are really into is --self.
"Not me, not me, get the fellow behind the tree." A few years ago in discussing 'cut backs', Mr. Paul Harvey made a statement to the affect that, "Everyone is in favor of 'cutting back' as long as we take away 'the other fellow's entitlement...but when they start cutting back on OUR goodies, we begin to cry."

When did Rome begin to crumble? Can we look back in history and point and say, "Right here, this is the day things started down hill."

Isaiah 28:9 Whom will he teach knowledge? and whom will he make to understand the message? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts? 10) For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little.

We don't begin teaching five year olds Algebra, and higher principals of grammar, we begin with the alphabet, and simple mathematics. Teaching the beginning foundational things, and each year they learn more (line upon line, precept upon precept).

Galatians 3:24 So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25) But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor.

The old law taught us many things and brought us (the Jews first, then the gentiles) to where we needed to be in order to be ready for Christ. In order to understand, and follow the 'law of Christ'.

Isaiah 28:16 therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner -stone of sure foundation: he that believeth shall not be in haste.

1Peter 2:6 "Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame. 7) For you therefore that believe is the preciousness:..."

Jesus is our 'precious corner-stone', given so that those who believe should not be put to shame.

Isaiah 28:17 And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place.

I will make justice the what? and righteousness...the what? But wait...

1Peter 4:17 For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18) And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? 19) Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.

Is it important to be part of the 'house of God'? Is it important in the words of the trite saying from a few years ago, to 'keep on keeping on'?

2Corinthians 13:5 Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate.

We must do more than just 'keep on keeping on', we must 'try' ourselves, and keep pressing on (striving daily) toward the goal (of our heavenly calling).

"So, which one is this?" here is another picture of another sun rise...or sun set, but it's from a different land scape.
"Oh, well, that's really hard to tell. There aren't any bearings on here.... You know the landscape is pretty, the sky is pretty, but I guess it's any one's call. It's a pretty picture, but is it a beginning of a day...or an end...I don't know."

I don't know what the future holds, but I do know who holds the future...

Hebrews 2:12 saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, In the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise. 13) And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold, I and the children whom God hath given me.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

As This

I finish hanging the first load of laundry on the clothes line. What a peach of a day! Wishful wishing will not get the last of the apples picked off of the tree...I think with regret as I wander over--can you purposefully wander?--to look at the remains of our garden. With a bit of work I could revive some of the cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and onions. Extend their season a month or more...probably. Teaching--Bible, and Bible classes. Important and priorities. Work that needs done...who will do my garden if I don't? Who will care if we have vegetables for the winter if I don't?

Judges 6:15 And he said unto him, Oh, Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.

I enjoy reading the judges. There was a little saying--that I sadly never had enough of to memorize--that teachers were to use to help students learn the 'Judges', and all I know of it is: Shammgar had an ox goad. But most of the Judges didn't have much...here is Gideon in Judges 6:15--he's young (age seems to be relative in the scriptures) and very unsure of himself, and as he says, 'my family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.'

I look at the common work, the daily work that is mine to do. I think on the many very good writers I have read, and I think--just what...and why, do you think you have anything to say that they haven't said probably better than you? You are the least of the least in 'your Father's house'.

Isaiah 6:8 And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I; send me.

A few months--almost a year ago now, I had the very same thoughts. I had decided, I have sufficient daily work, the world doesn't really need my writing--considering the other good qualified women writers--I had decided to chalk it up to a lost cause. A writers' publication started to arrive 'out of the blue' and as I read an article from it--it said 'in writing, who knows what chord your writing may strike? Who knows but that your writing may say the same thing others have said, but in such a way that some one reading it will understand it better? No one has the same experiences you have, no one has exactly the same style...who knows....'

Esther 4:14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father's house will perish: and who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Encouragement comes in many forms, and God often sends His... "seasons of refreshing"...(Acts 3:19) when we least expect it.

Psalms 38:10 My heart throbbeth, my strength faileth me: As for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.

Psalms 38:21 Forsake me not, O Jehovah: O my God, be not far from me. 22) Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

How Do You Do, and How Do You...

"Doctor Foster went to Gloucester in a shower of rain. Fell into a puddle up to his middle and never went there again. And how do you do, and how do you do, and how do you do again!"

When I was a small person, my Grandmother used to set me on the table in front of her and recite nursery rhymes. I heard about Old Mother Hubbard, See Saw Margery Daw, Mary and her lamb. The cow that jumped over the moon, little Jack Horner, 'A' was an Apple pie...the list was extraordinary, all from memory, all from the heart. She did that often, taking time for a 'little person'--just one on one.

Titus 2:4 that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

"I'm not ready to be put out to pasture yet," a dear friend, who is also an elder's wife, says to us.

"Well, you shouldn't be, the older women are supposed to teach the younger you know," she is encouraged by another sister in Christ.

"The younger women don't like it. They don't want to hear it," the first speaker replies.

"Well, then they have a problem in their pasture!" the other woman responds.

All three of us laugh. They have a problem in their pasture--how absolutely true! It has been my observation for many years now... In our society (of men bashers) you can tell a man to stand up, sit down, turn around, shut up... in short you can tell a man where to get off and where to go, but (quite honestly) you can't tell a woman anything.

It really isn't funny, it really is true--in the world, and--in the church.

Romans 1:24-26 Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves: 25) for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26) For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature:

Yes, I know, this is talking about the sin of homosexuality, but the phrase, "God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto..." We know what it means. We've all seen those kind of persons...the kind that don't care what they are told, don't care what the consequences. They will do what they want regardless!

The scriptures tell us how to do things, what God expects and wants, and at what point does He finally say, 'Alright--you are going to do what you want, even after I've told you what I want--do what you want, but you will pay the price."

Titus 2:4 ...to love their husbands, to love their children,
Isn't it natural to love your husband? to love your children? Apparently not, and from what I see and hear in society today we need to learn to love our husbands and children desperately. But...what is...love?

Could we say love is putting the needs of someone else before our wants? But isn't it easy to confuse needs and wants? Too many things become 'necessities' that aren't. For example a dishwasher, a new refrigerator, any new appliance, a new vehicle, all can become necessities in our eyes and really are only 'wants'.

Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless do ye also severally love each one his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she fear her husband.

Fear? It is meaning 'reverence', or honor. Why is it so hard to give others--honor? "Well," some may say, you don't know my husband..." Well, perhaps not, but I know the Bible and what it says. I also know that people can sometimes be influenced by what others think about them. Respect--something we want from others--especially people close to us in our lives. Something we need to learn to give.

My daughter-in-law sits on the floor by the toy box with little Jr. "Mirar" she says as she winds the toy 'music box'. Jr. reaches over and tries to wind the music box, but he wants to wind it backwards. "No, no, watch," and she shows him again. She is very patient and loving with him. Yes, discipline and love go hand in hand, but for now it is so precious to watch as she gives of her time to love and care for him.

How few children are ever treated to such personal attention any more! What folly, and madness as our world rushes on! It's too busy, much too busy, and the important things, our real treasures get cast out to the dogs or thrown out and trampled under the feet of the swine.

Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest haply they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you.

It always saddens me to see Christians--or supposed to be Christians--who are still sacrificing their children...to idols.

Ephesians 5:14-17 Wherefore he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee. 15) Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; 16) redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17) Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!