Struggles

"Some days I'm just stressed out," I say to the doctor.
"You just don't have enough faith then," he replies.

Hmm, I think. I don't know.... Ever wondered about statements like the helpful doctor's? It didn't help my level of stress decrease. As a matter of fact I had to stifle the urge to 'give him a piece of my mind'.

Do Christians ever have stress? Ever have depression, or struggles? Well, since we don't live in never never land, we all have levels of these things, regardless of what the doctor...or the world may think.

"Mommy, mommy!" Lucy says to her mother. "I'm melting!"

The day is hot and little Lucy is sweating profusely, and she thinks she's...melting. How funny.

"You always look so cool," Helen says to me. "Don't you ever perspire?"

It's afternoon, and we have just arrived at the church building. I feel like Lucy must have felt...I'm melting. You shower and get cleaned up, but by the time you get to the (un-air conditioned) church building you feel like you have just taken an exercise in futility. Then sister Helen pats me on the hand and says.... -- Well, imagine how startled I am. I always look what? Don't I ever...what? Well, thank you, and maybe I look skinny as a rail too? How funny!

Acts 4:13 Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

The key to our Christian life isn't that we don't have these things, but where is our focus. I love the part, " and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." The 'watery grave of baptism' washes away our sins, and we then arise to walk in newness of life. Each day of our life in that walk is a new day, and each day we need to focus on growing closer to our God, and our Savior.

Matthew 9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it done unto you.

Stress usually, for me, occurs when something out of my 'comfort' zone happens, most generally quite suddenly. I believe Satan likes to 'throw us a curve ball' to throw us off balance. Catch us unaware, so to speak. How do we handle such things? Prepare. Prepare for the unexpected through prayer, prayer, and more prayer. Bible study is very necessary, but just having the 'knowledge' isn't enough. Just as James says in James 2:19 that faith without works isn't enough--"Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder."--knowing the scriptures is only half of the armor. We must arm ourselves with prayer--communing with our God. Only God knows the future and only He can see what we will need, and fortify our faith for that future.

The medical society tells us that 'depression' is a disease. However, more often it is something we can let ourselves 'fall' into. Some people have an odd condition. If they have a sore spot, a pimple, or some such thing, they will pick at that spot. In my own experience if I squeeze a pimple, get the pus out, wash it well, and maybe even put a little 'medicine' on it, then leave it alone and let it heal, it does just that. Depression is similar to that pimple. Face whatever the problem is, get the ugly pus out, wash and treat it. Then move on. Stop picking at it. But we often don't. We let it fester, we pick at it, brood over it, and wonder why it doesn't get better, or go away.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

How can we over come stress, depression, and struggles? By thinking on good things, reading your Bible, and praying, having good 'companions'. All of these things encourage 'good mental health'.

1Peter 1:5-8 Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge; 6) and in your knowledge self-control; and in your self-control patience; and in your patience godliness; 7) and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love. 8) For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Day Unto Day…

"You should have your first frost six weeks after you hear the first locusts," my Grandfather says.
Every year I listen for the first locusts--not because of the frost, but because of my Grandfather.
Grandpa has been gone now since 1992, and the seasons have continued faithfully these sixteen years just as the song says--one season following another laden with happiness and tears.

"Sometimes it is good to take a 'trip down memory lane'," the speaker says, then he adds with a laugh, "Until you come to one of those uncomfortable memories. You know, like when your mind is wandering as your mom is speaking, and you are jolted into the present by her very urgent words, "are you listening to me, son?!"

1Corinthians 10:11 Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.

There is a new 'term', not really new I guess, it stands for laughing out loud, or 'lol' in computer jargon. Some times the memories are like that. I think, 'how could I have been so dopey', but it brings a funny memory, and makes me laugh. Sometimes I think we have the same effect on God as the speaker and his mother. God tells us things and we just-- la ta da-- and don't really hear.

Mark 9:31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered up into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he shall rise again. 32) But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

How many times Jesus taught his disciples things! These very important things happened to be about his death, burial, and resurrection, but you see, they didn't understand. Even after he was crucified, when the women came back from the tomb and told them he wasn't there...they still didn't get it.

Apparently a number of folks today still don't get it. Funny, we all know that when Jesus died on the cross he became our sacrifice. He took our place, it was our sins that put him there, and without his death on the cross there would have been no forgiveness of our sins. Yet, how many denominations affirm that Jesus had come to establish a physical kingdom, but the Jews foiled God's plans when they wouldn't accept Christ as their Messiah. Therefore God had to go to a new plan, and that was when he came up with the idea of the church. But wait...

One thing--we humans don't 'foil' God's plans. Jesus fulfilled the prophesies that were made of his rejection. He himself even foretold of that rejection. But after it's all said and done...since it was his death on the cross that 'paid our debt'--what if he hadn't?

These people are missing the obvious. If Christ hadn't died...there would have been no forgiveness of sins. We would not have the hope of heaven...and no one else would have either.

Many things are written for our learning. The history of the Jewish nation was one long example of how God deals with people. It shows us that God has a plan, and we can fit into that plan one way or the other, depending on our choices. But no matter, His plan will be accomplished.

Galatians 4:4 but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

How long suffering He is, but his righteous judgment won't wait for ever, and there is a sure punishment as well as reward awaiting us.

"Are you listening to me?!" It's Bible class, and Grandma is teaching the 'little' people. Sometimes they forget, "When teacher is talking its teacher's time to talk, and your time to listen." And some days they aren't speaking--but they aren't listening either. No matter which it is--an "are you listening" question still calls them back.

Hebrews 11:32 "And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33) who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions..."

They like the Bible stories and the application points. So many things that so many have missed.

Their Uncle comes in after class, "Did you baptize somebody today?" he asks as he looks at the two 'clothes pin dolls' dressed in their wet 'robes'.

Little Amos shakes his head yes, his eyes very sober, very serious. His older brother points to the Jesus doll, and with prompting remembers, "Jesus and John".

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven.

So many lessons, so little time.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Searching

They call it emotional eating...eating comfort food...or some such thing. Some days when I'm pondering on...well, it can be just about anything that is niggling in my mind...I find encouragement in nibbling on what ever is handy. It could be popcorn, carrots, zucchini sticks, even celery-- stuff that doesn't take a lot of thought. Nothing with lots of calories, just something to use as food for thought...that's emotional eating. Comfort food? That's chocolate!

Growing up I was always more of a loner, going my way, doing my own thing. As kids my age were listening to 'Blood, Sweat, and Tears', and other bands of that era, I liked Sergio Mendez and Brazil 66. I lived on top of a bluff overlooking the valley and I often identified with their song, "The Fool on the Hill". I thought it rather sad but amusing. As I have grown older there are a number of things that I find rather sad but amusing.

My Grandmother had a saying, "I'm just a little old woman trying to get along". I am at the point that I have put her saying and the song, "Just an old hippie...trying to get along," together. No, I'm not really, nor was I ever, a hippie...I was just different. A round peg in a square society...rather sad, but amusing in some ways.

The world has never liked round pegs, it wants everyone to conform to it, and tends to make things uncomfortable if they don't. If you're an old wealthy woman whose a bit on the odd side, you are 'eccentric'. If on the other hand you're an old poor woman whose a bit on the odd side, you are just plane weird. That's amusing...even if you are someone like me...weird. Smile :p)

One person in a world of billions. Often the cry is heard, 'what am I here for, what is my purpose?'. There are many people who are searching for the meaning not just in life, but in their own life. It may be a young person just looking for their direction in life, it may be a middle age... or older...person in life thinking 'have I used my direction in life, or just wandered aimlessly?

If you are young, middle age, or older use your talent to glorify God. As in the new fangled GPS on cars--you are not going in the right direction...at the nearest juncture make a u-turn and go back.... We can't always 'go back', but we can take stock of where we are and where we want to go...and how to get there.

Acts 17:27 that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us:

Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

"Just pray this prayer," the advertisement says, "and wonderful things will happen..."

Is that the way we seek? How do we ask, and knock, that it shall be given to us and the door will be opened? Is it merely 'praying their little prayer'? If we are truly seeking, be assured we will truly find. No, it's not just praying their prayer. It isn't just 'laying your hands on the radio, (or t.v. for that matter). The true answers are in the scriptures. That is where people need to search.

Matthew 18:2 And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them, 3) and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5) And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me:

And as for a direction in life, and the answer to the age-old cry, 'why am I here, what is my purpose'?

How many times do we want to do some wonderful, magnificent, perhaps even awe-inspiring thing? And like the knight left behind to watch the castle gates while everyone else 'rides out to glory and honor', we fret because we are just doing the little things, the unimportant things. But the knight at the castle gate kept out the evil giant by doing the things he was instructed.

John 14:15 If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.

2Timothy 1:12 For which cause I suffer also these things: yet I am not ashamed; for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Hallelujah!

Will Jehovah Wait?

Isaiah 30:18 And therefore will Jehovah wait, that he may be gracious unto you; and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for Jehovah is a God of justice; blessed are all they that wait for him.

"But God didn't answer my prayer!" Larry says. "I prayed for a new bicycle and He didn't give it to me!"

Do we sometimes find that we have the understanding of little children? I have told people, as I'm sure many have, that God always answers our prayers. As parents we know we always answer our children's requests, but not always in the ways they want. It seems in this day and age that to tell children something they don't want to hear, as in 'no', or 'wait awhile', or even worse 'you need to work for that', is not popular. Parents want to be their child's 'friend', or better yet the 'year around Santa Claus' not their guardian and mentor. Certainly not someone who guides them to do the right thing--to live God-fearing lives.

Isaiah 30:19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; thou shalt weep no more; he will surely be gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear, he will answer thee. 20) And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be hidden anymore, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers;

How many times are we willing to wait on Jehovah? And we certainly don't want the bread of adversity, nor the water of affliction. Yet both of these items can be 'teachers', for those who are willing to look, for those who are meek enough to accept the 'chastening of the Lord'.

Most of us have heard of the 'Great Depression' which began with the 'stock market' plunge, however there have been a number of 'Depressions' that have affected this country...the difference is in how they were handled. In previous financial depressions people turning back to God, were looking for His deliverance. In the '30's people turned to the government for their solution, and it has been a long slide downhill ever since.

Would the 'Founding Fathers' looking at our country today recognize any of it? I doubt it. They began a 'Republic' not a Democracy. They looked at a democratic society with disdain, realizing that it was more of a 'mob' rule, where as Thomas Jefferson says "A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine."

Why is it we have ceased to turn to God for our solutions?

Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Acts 16:25-26 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26) and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

2Corinthians 3:5 not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God

Revelation 3:11 I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Have We Forgotten?

"If you take of the Lord's Supper every week...doesn't it become...old?" my friend asks incredulous.

The Lord's Supper was instituted 'on the night he was betrayed' so it is 'old', but what she means of course is--doesn't it become redundant, habitual, have no meaning.

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

"I'm starved, mom!" my son says to me.
"Really, my son? I hate to tell you this, but quite honestly, honey--you don't appear starved." I say shaking my head.
"Well, it's been several hours since we ate," he answers indignantly.

How ironic that the very things we should do--the things which are so very important--we blow off as if they aren't important. We don't forget to eat--usually--we don't forget to watch our 'favorite' t.v. shows, listen to...well, we know what we count 'important'.

When does something become important?
"We should all be on our knees, praying fervently. Our country has become more and more wicked, and God will not tolerate such evil for very long. We are in trouble, my friends. But we have so many 'things' happening, and we are so busy, we just don't have the time! Listen, when 9-11 happened--everything stopped. People suddenly found time. We need to find time now BEFORE something else happens--something that could be far worse."

"I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever."
Thomas Jefferson

"So, why do you wear your hair long?" an acquaintance asks.
Truthfully, some days I do things because that is the way I've always done something. It's convenient and comfortable. Some times I do things because that's the way I like it...then somethings I do things because that's the way I'm told to do things.

"Women who wear their hair long are lazy," the hair dresser tells me. "They don't have to 'do' anything with their hair."

Funny isn't it? Most folks say they don't like long hair because it takes too much time.

"When I was young my mother had such long beautiful hair. Then, when she took a job at the post office, she cut it. I cried and cried, but of course she couldn't take the time when she took the job..." Ernie tells of a happening back in the 1930's.

1Corinthians 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

Styles in hair and clothing change through the years...some for the better...some for the worse.

"I love your hair!" a sister-in-Christ exclaims over another woman as she comes into the assembly.

I look at the new comer, and I wonder-- hasn't that sister ever heard of Revelation 21:8? She can't possibly 'love' that hair style. Its short spikes stick up all over. The total affect is not quite like the Joker in a Batman movie, but it does have a hint of something macabre. Does THAT really belong in the assembly of Christians? Who are we glorifying? Maybe we are glorifying the society we live in (we have become like the nations around us?) or maybe we are trying to glorify ourselves (even if we miss the mark). However, we aren't glorifying our maker nor our Lord, Jesus Christ.

1Peter 3:15 but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:
Many folks never question why they do certain things, nor do they question what they do. They do what they do--because....

I reach for what looks to be our first ripe tomato of the season. It is red and looks just right, but as my hand closes around it...the part I cannot see is squishy and rotten. Yuck! I pitch it over the fence. How disgusting! I think-- Lord,-- I begin talking to the Lord--that is awful can't this garden do better than that?! Why....-- But a small voice in my conscience says, "Did you pray for this garden? Did you ask a blessing on it? Why do you expect a blessing on and from this garden when you--yourself--did not think enough about it to pray for it?

Yes, that was a sobering thought. We should know that God cares for His children, and takes thought for their welfare...even in the small things.

Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pence? and not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God.

"Take care of your pennies; and the dollars will take care of themselves!" my Grandmother used to admonish. How true, but we often lose sight of that idea. "Well," the woman shrugs, "I don't think God will judge me in this matter." A small thing, the length of her hair. Maybe he won't, but wait...

"An outward manifestation of an inner grace." Luke 16:10-11 He that is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much: and he that is unrighteous in a very little is unrighteous also in much.
11) If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

If we are not careful in the way we present ourselves to the world...if we don't look and act as Christ would have us look and act, but we present ourselves to look and act as the world around us...then Christ in us is useless. If instead of setting the standard for the world, we only follow the world's standard, something is wrong.

God didn't create a unisex world. He created...and wants...men to be men and women to be women. Deuteronomy 22:5 A woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment; for whosoever doeth these things is an abomination unto Jehovah thy God.

Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone.

Those who profess Christ, were buried with him in baptism, were raised to walk in...well what were we raised to walk in? In the ways of the world around us? In the same old way we were walking in? Raised to walk in our own way--the way we want to walk?

Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.

Hmm. In newness of life. I look at my life differently now than before I was a Christian. The clothes that I wear, the length of my hair, my speech; I try to bring all things into harmony with the Word of God and how he would have me live.

"Why do you wear your hair long?"

Because I like long hair...and because my husband prefers it. It is supposed to be a woman's 'crown of glory'. It sets me apart from most women of the world. And when did long hair... on women become such an oddity?

Have we forgotten? 1Corinthians 6:20 for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body. Why do we do the things we do? Partaking of the Lord's Supper every first day of the week doesn't cause it to lose its potency...doesn't make it 'old', attitude is a dangerous thing.

Matthew 26:39 And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

I am afraid for Christians--not just the women. We do things from habit, not questioning our self, not examining our self --if we are walking in the light. Yes, we should 'rise to walk in newness of life', and that should be according to the will of God. We often fall back into living the life we lived before we became new. Much of that life didn't seem really bad so we never question how much of it we need to change. We would be shocked if a thief still practiced thievery, or any such sins. Are there perhaps things we accept as 'alright' things...but they aren't?

Christians need to wake up. The man was right...we do need to be on our knees praying fervently. We need to make--take--time now...before we find ourselves on our knees for an entirely different reason.

Matthew 26:39 "...nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." Luke 22:19 "...This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me."

Lest we forget...Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Cry

Job 19:6-8 Know now that God hath subverted me in my cause, And hath compassed me with his net. 7) Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry for help, but there is no justice. 8) He hath walled up my way that I cannot pass, And hath set darkness in my paths.

Have you ever felt like the Proverbial 'voice crying in the wilderness'? Poor Job has been suffering hideously. He has lost all of his former 'wealth'. His flocks, his herds, and worst of all his family and friends--all gone. Now he's sitting in the junk heap, the place where trash was burned, scraping his oozing sores with a broken piece of pottery. Worst of all his three 'friends' have come to 'comfort, and advise' him. This is truly where the phrase 'with friends like these who needs enemies?" comes from. They add to his torment, accusing him of being a wicked sinner. Consider a sample of their accusations from chapter 18:

"Job 18:5-21 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, And the spark of his fire shall not shine.... Job 18:21 Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous, And this is the place of him that knoweth not God."

Many times through out the book of Job he cries out in anguish with his sufferings. He knows-- and we know--that he is not a ' wicked, unrighteous, sinner,' as his three friends accuse him of being. He doesn't understand why God is 'punishing' him. We aren't told exactly why Job was tried, but we do know God allowed Satan to test Job.

The challenge in Job was from Satan: Job 1:10 Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11) But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face. Satan continually accused Job, telling God does Job serve thee for naught? Job is only a 'fair weather friend', so Satan says.

In chapter 19 Job makes this beautiful statement:

Job 19:25 But as for me I know that my Redeemer liveth, And at last he will stand up upon the earth: 26) And after my skin, even this body, is destroyed, Then without my flesh shall I see God; 27) Whom I, even I, shall see, on my side, And mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger. My heart is consumed within me.

"I know that my Redeemer liveth..." what a affirmation of faith. "Mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger." Not as a stranger? Abraham is known as 'a friend of God', apparently, Job was at least a friend of God.

There are many lessons for you and I today. Like Job, we don't always understand why we are suffering. Sometimes we need to check our lives and be sure that it isn't because of something we need to change. Something we need to do--or undo in our lives to bring ourselves into line with God's law. If, after examination--using God's standards not our own, we find that we are walking in "His light" then realize that God uses trials for other reasons.

Ephesians 3:9 and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things;
10) to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,

God uses trials to 'make men see His wisdom, and he uses them to show principalities and powers--in heavenly places (could that be Satan as well as the 'heavenly host'?) His wisdom.

Job 19:25 But as for me I know that my Redeemer liveth, And at last he will stand up upon the earth: 26) And after my skin, even this body, is destroyed, Then without my flesh shall I see God; 27) Whom I, even I, shall see, on my side, And mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger. My heart is consumed within me.

Ephesians11&12) according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12) in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.

Ephesians 3:13 Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

He Who Hath Friends

Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

We know that there are various degrees of 'friendship'...or are there? In my youth and foolishness, the first years after my marriage, in talking to people I would use the phrase, 'a friend of mine...'. After a few years it became obvious that, in reality, these were 'acquaintances', not necessarily 'friends'. What was the difference? Investment (and sacrifice)...honesty...agape.

Friendship requires work, and investment. We have some friends that we see only once a year at most--and we send them the cards at the end of the year telling them what has happened in our year and wishing them 'a good new year'. They are good people and we enjoy seeing them when we can. When traveling through their area we always try to slip over and see them.

There are other folks we had thought of as 'friends' who--although we live in a closer proximity--don't take advantage to stop and visit us. After a while--we...rightly or wrongly...feel as if they don't really value our friendship. We went the first two miles--but they don't return the favor. We are all busy people and the need to choose where we are going to invest our time and friendship is valid. They aren't bad folks...we aren't bad folks...and we are still on 'friendly' terms, just not really 'friends'. There is no investment from their end.

Then there are real friends. Maybe you live close, or maybe there is a distance, but there is a closeness of heart no matter where your homes may be. When our barn burned down...they were there. When some of our kids left home unpleasantly...they were there. When people said unkind things about us...or them...(there has to be something wrong with you, else your children wouldn't leave in such a manner, etc.) we didn't believe evil of them, nor they us...we were there... together. When our children came back, got married, graduated from high school...good times or bad we were there.

"...there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

The commentator Gill says, "Friendship ought to be mutual and reciprocal, as between David and Jonathan; a man that receives friendship ought to return it, or otherwise he is guilty of great ingratitude."

That's the kind of friendship that 'sticketh closer than a brother'. These kind of friends invest part of their heart as well as time. They honestly care...that's the agape part. They don't just say the words--'stop in and see us some time'. They say, 'come on over Saturday' (Sunday, or whatever day) they make a space on their calendar, as well as a space in their heart.

"The Exodus of Young Adults", the title reads. Main line churches are losing their young people. Specifically the 18-23 year old group. Of course there are various reasons, but underlying most, they say-- is a lack of love. But when they say we need to 'start living Christ's call to love,' here are some questions to think about: just who are they talking about? And (as was asked on another blog: http//doomandgloomchristianityblogspot.com/) what does love look like? We might also throw in there the question, 'How do we value', also, because all of these questions run together.

Friendship. Friendship takes a sacrifice of love, of work, and of time.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 5:10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life;

What are we teaching our 'young adults'? Do they emulate us? Do they see a lack of sacrificial love in our lives...therefore they also lack that sacrificial love? Jesus died for them (as well as us), so the lack is not on His part. (Maybe there isn't a love from other 'church members', however, honestly-- the fault isn't usually only with the other members, but also with self). Then the question; what does love look like? Some people--young or old--if you 'correct them, even if it is a correct correction, take offense. In a sense the correction though painful, is a manifestation of love. So what does love look like? All fuzzy and warm feelings? Throw out the cross, if that's the case!

Perhaps, then, the real question is; how do we value? Hmm... John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. And...

Romans 5:10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life;

Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pence? and not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. 7) But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

We know how God/Jesus value. So, how do we value? If "Friendship ought to be mutual and reciprocal, as between David and Jonathan; a man that receives friendship ought to return it, or otherwise he is guilty of great ingratitude."

Luke 17:15-17 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, with a loud voice glorifying God; 16) and he fell upon his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17) And Jesus answering said, Were not the ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Fly on the Top

"The fly on the top, becomes the fly on the bottom" with just a turn of the wheel. It is a dilemma of our lives--how much is enough? Is there ever too much?

Proverbs 30:7-9 Two things have I asked of thee; Deny me them not before I die: 8) Remove far from me falsehood and lies; Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is needful for me: 9) Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is Jehovah? Or lest I be poor, and steal, And use profanely the name of my God.

Two simple things. Hmm--remove far from me falsehood and lies; and number two? give me neither poverty--nor riches. Why is that Solomon?

Lest I be full--and deny God (and say, 'Who is Jehovah?) or lest I be poor and steal (become dishonest and bring shame upon the name of God).

Sometimes I find myself thinking, "Lord, did I REALLY need that?" or "Lord, I really DO need that!"
There isn't much difference in those two sentences. Most of the difference is where you put the emphasis.

"Just look at all those new apartments!" I exclaim as we drive through the city. Soon we pass more new buildings, but these are brand spanking new--very expensive--houses. "Who is it that says our population is shrinking?" I ask in wonder.

It's an hour's drive home, and as we drive up to our modest--built over forty years ago-- house, I wonder with a sigh, how those folks can afford those almost palaces. If you took all the money we have made in the last thirty years--perhaps it would pay for one of those places. It reminds me of the 'fly on the top'. It also reminds me of Margery.

"You know," Margery says to me (this was when we were both much younger) "I used to look at certain other people, and I thought they had everything so wonderful. They had nice homes, nice kids, nice...well, you know what I mean. Then I got to know them...better. I decided then and there, I wouldn't want to trade places with them and have their problems--for no amount of money. Everyone has their own problems, and I guess I would just as soon stick with the problems that I have--and I'll let them keep theirs."

Are there things about my life I'd like to change? Sure are. Is my life perfect? Sure isn't. Can I think of anyone I'd like to change lives with? Sure can't.

Our house could stand to be larger, and be arranged somewhat differently. It would be nice if the water worked a lot better, but...I'm so thankful.

I get up of a morning to the sound of a rooster blowing his horn and look across fields of corn, beans, hay, or maybe just pasture. My husband knows the neighbors...and has known the neighbors since before some of them were born. There is a spirit of independence here where the wind blows free. It probably is some twerk in my genes that I can't help. I wouldn't want to live in the city where all that can be seen is houses and buildings, people and cars.

Ecclesiastes 5:11 "When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, save the beholding of them with his eyes?"

Ecclesisastes 5:12 " The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much; but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep."

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Our Daily Bread

Luke 11:3 "Give us day by day our daily bread. 4) And forgive us our sins;..."

If God were to punish us as we deserve not one of us would survive. God created Adam and Eve for life, but they chose death. (Genesis 2:16 And Jehovah God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17) but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE.)

How bizarre. Almost all creatures try to maintain their life. Just try swatting an insect...they do everything in their power to avoid the swatter. In hunting, animals flee from the hunter, and humans spend millions of dollars trying to be well, or avoid death, but Adam and Eve chose...death.

Lamentations 3:39 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?

1Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently?

--Americans need to wake up. They are living like sin...and one day soon God will bring them into judgment for it.--

Ever heard statements like that? I have, and then I began to wonder...what would it take to wake my fellow citizens up? When 9-11 happened there were some in the news that dared to voice the opinion that it was a 'judgment' for our 'wickedness'. Oh, the hue and cry that went up! How dare those people say such a thing?!

I can still remember the horrible devastating pictures of the shocked survivors roaming the streets of New York, searching from hospital to hospital, shelter to shelter clutching photos of lost family members, lost loved ones. The words, "Have you seen...?" on their lips. Heart-wrenching, yes--at least for those of us on this end.

We can list disasters, both natural and man made, that have occurred through out history. Does God send 'judgments' on people? Well, God says he does, and in the scriptures He does. When a child does wrong is that child not subject to discipline? When adults commit crimes are they not subject to the law? God has given us laws to obey also--as people and as a society--when we don't obey him... why do we think we are above God's law?

Lamentations 3:40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to Jehovah.
Lamentations 3:41 Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.

God is not capricious, he doesn't punish without reason. We have been blessed many times over what we deserve, and punished far less than we deserve:
James 5:13 Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise.

Isaiah 12:1 And in that day thou shalt say, I will give thanks unto thee, O Jehovah; for though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away and thou comfortest me.
2) Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Jehovah, even Jehovah, is my strength and song; and he is become my salvation.
3) Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
4) And in that day shall ye say, Give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name, declare his doings among the peoples, make mention that his name is exalted.
5) Sing unto Jehovah; for he hath done excellent things: let this be known in all the earth.
6) Cry aloud and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great in the midst of thee is the Holy One of Israel.

Let us be thankful for the blessings that we have. Let us throw ourselves on the mercy of God, and turn to him. Let us choose life--instead of death--and let us do it...today.

If I Had One Day

There are many cliche sayings. We've heard tons of them, such as: 'Today is the first day of the rest of your life', 'Make each day count', 'Live each day as if it were your last'. These are all good sayings, and there is much truth to them, but we hear them so often they just lose the punch that they once had.

"The doctor told me I was very sick. He said I was...he said I was going to die," the speaker relates. "Well, he only gave me a few months to live, and I decided...well, why not...I'm going to do some things--not bad things you know--just things I always thought I would do 'some day', and had never found time to do."

You are surprised at this because the speaker looks healthy and vibrant. "So, how long do you have now?"

"That's the funny thing. That was ten years ago. You see, when I thought I was dying that's when I began to live."

"Just what do you mean?"

"Well, my wife and I took a cruise. That was one thing I wanted to do, you see. I left my stress and problems behind...and on the cruise I took up photography. It was an old interest, but it had been pushed into the background. And, well, one thing led to another. I really enjoyed what I was doing, and it started to become profitable. I had left my old job...which I hated...to prepare to die. I found a new job, and a new life. The doctor--he was amazed, said it was a miracle."

This person was told he only had a short time. How many live their lives thinking they have 'forever'-- putting off things they would like to do for the day they retire, only to retire and die shortly there after?

James 4:14 whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life? For ye are a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15) For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that.

We know that doing evil things is not good, but with the thought of if I had one day what would I do? Evaluate your life. What would you change...for good...in your life? What talent/talents has God given you that you aren't using in the way God would want you to use them?

Often people search for happiness EVERYWHERE except where it can be found.

1Thessalonians 4:11 and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands, even as we charged you; 12) that ye may walk becomingly toward them that are without, and may have need of nothing.

Do you know people...or maybe you have the problem yourself...that seem to be frantically searching for peace EVERYPLACE but where it can be found?

In this situation these folks need to sit down with themselves and have a long prayer. Ask: What do I want? Why am I not only still searching, but still not happy? Happiness and peace will not be found 'in the world', or as Solomon says 'under the sun', or quite plainly 'apart from God'. Striving for peace and happiness will only be as it is described in Ecclesiastes 1:14 "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind."

Apart from God, all is vanity and striving after wind. Ask: What does God want? That is the important question.

What changes can you make in your life that will--in accordance with God's will--benefit you and your family. What changes in your life will move your life toward peace and harmony with God?

The fellow at the first of the tale never became 'rich'. The job he gave up that he 'hated' was a well paying job. The one he enjoyed... although profitable...never brought in the 'big bucks'. But the one he enjoyed gave him more than the one he left. The one he enjoyed gave him not just a living--it gave him satisfaction, and it gave him his life back. Priceless.

Psalms 62:5 My soul, wait thou in silence for God only; For my expectation is from him. 6) He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my high tower; I shall not be moved. 7) With God is my salvation and my glory: The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 8) Trust in him at all times, ye people; Pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

When You and I Were Young

I remember standing on top of the bluff looking down into the valley below. Later in life when I was in school they would tell us that the glacier had skidded to a halt just in the area, and that was why to the north the land was much flatter. The glacier had pushed the area up into the land form that rose above the river-- the land that we lived on.

I didn't know that when I was a small child. I only knew how vast the view was as I stood watching as clouds floated over the countryside leaving their shadow to run quickly along trying to catch up . The small town lights would twinkle in the evening--coming on one by one they looked like diamonds to me against a deep black and azure blue background. It seems quaint now to remember 'going to town'. The stores back then had board floors, at least some of them. In one variety store (5 and 10 cent store) the woman would watch us children like a hawk. We weren't aware of the problem of 'shoplifting' at our age, and when we had a nickel to spend we wanted to make sure we bought the right stuff. Consequently we would agonize over our purchase for some time before we bought anything. I'm sure the poor woman must have agonized with us... but not for the same reason.

To a small child it was a peaceful existence. Some of the pictures from that era, and just before, don't give the same appearance. My Grandfather told stories of how some of the fellows would come to town with their pistols strapped on their hips, their boots would clump with spurs jangling away. Just down the road from us was where the infamous Bonnie and Clyde were holed up in passing, as they neared the end of their days...

Time has raced on, the clouds still float effortlessly, and I suppose the shadows still run along trying to catch up. Much of the countryside still looks almost the same, but life in the houses has changed, and although people in general are still the same...we are different.

We are older and not wiser. Even our children are older. Not in years, but...the things they have seen on the television, and in movies, has taken away their youth. They are old people in young people's bodies. Television and movies have--under the guise of 'art reflecting life', robbed all of us of innocence, and in reality that which they portrayed as 'real life' was a lie that has become self-fulfilling.

And as we look around what can we say in our present situation? We are like those spoken of in Matthew 20:30 "And behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, thou son of David."

Lord, have mercy on us, thou son of David

Perfection

I look through my bucket of apples. No, that's not the one I want, neither is that one...I'm looking for just the right one. The perfect one. Well, I decide--this one isn't quite perfect, but it's purty close.

How do you decide what is 'perfect'? With apples...and many other things...there are some things that you automatically know you don't want. You don't want rotten spots, you don't want worms. These are not good--with apples.

"This is so cute!" my daughter says. We are on one of our few shopping endeavors.
"Yeah, it's not bad," I scrutinize her selection.
"It's just Lucy's size-- and it's on sale, too," she says.

(That's why I like shopping with her, sales just fall into her lap. When sales people see me coming they think my mother named me "Patsy". --Here comes a Patsy--let's mark everything up! Sales folks see her coming and prices just fall.)

"Oh, mom! Isn't this just perfect! Don't you think it would look good on you?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Why not?" she says holding the offensive looking blouse up for me to see better.
"Well," I don't want to hurt her feelings, but... "I don't like short sleeves, the neckline is...actually the neckline isn't--and..."
"Oh," she says sticking it back on the rack.

How do you decide what's perfect? I don't like shopping, and I'm glad that I am not forced to go shopping often, but this has been a perfect day at that. We started early in the morning. I don't drive in large cities, so we take my car, but she drives. (Something, at one point in our relationship, I said I would never do again...never, never, never! Thankfully she survived, and she drives proficiently-now.) We laughed a lot, and kicked around a number of shops where she found several bargains, and I even picked up a few. We laughed over lunch at the food court, and visited a couple more shops in the afternoon, leaving town before rush hour traffic.

Ecclesiastes 1:15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.

This day should be perfect for accomplishing all of those simple little tasks, the ones that get put off because--they need done, but--I just never have time. That's what I think in the morning as I send 'the boys' off to their day's work.

At the end of the day as I'm late in preparing 'the boys' their supper, and I have accomplished zilch, nada, zippo of the things I had planned I wonder, "What happened to my perfect day?"!
The day started out straight and full of promise. But the straight ended up going crooked, and we ended up 'wanting'...and days like this seem to be without number.

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:15 "Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded:"

So, what does the Apostle mean here--first he isn't perfect--then he is? Well, in the first case, he hadn't 'laid hold on the finished prize'. He was still running his race. In the other case, he had done what he was called to do; was doing what he was laid hold on to do. He was being obedient to his Lord.

"So, how ya doin'?" my son asks his Uncle.
"The best I can...with what I've got to work with," he replies.

People warned my husband and I when we were engaged, "Can you imagine their children?" They wondered aloud. I didn't quite understand...then...but I do now. Always an answer to any question, and generally always an interesting answer, no less.

"There was only one perfect person," my mother used to say, "and look what they did to him."

It seems the closer to perfection a person gets the more the world hates them.

John 3:19 And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. 20) For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, lest his works should be reproved.

2Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

We have the complete Word of God, we are 'thoroughly furnished' thoroughly provided the means to walk in and do 'all good works'. We have no real excuse. The biggest problem that stands in our way? Ourselves.

As in the famous quotation: We have met the enemy--and it is us.

2Corinthians 12:9 And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

1Timothy 4:10 For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe.

Let us continue to strive for the prize, of the high calling of God: Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Where Are the Nine?

Reprint from May 26, 2008

In our lives there are many 'memorial days'. Today is a solemn memorial for those who have 'given their all' as it is termed, or at least they have been willing to give their all. It can be a vague holiday to those whose loved ones returned, or it can be a very real memorial to those who experienced the sacrifice close at hand.
Sacrifice. A strange concept. A simple definition: 'the act of giving up one thing for the sake of another'. We hear about freedom, we read about liberty, there isn't much said about sacrifice. John F. Kennedy in his famous speech said, "Ask not what your country can do for you; but what you can do for your country."
Much is said about our 'rights', as in, it is 'our right', to do what we want, or it is 'our right' to say what we want. A new slogan is 'it is our right to breathe smoke free air'. I'm not weighing in on that 'right' specifically, but just what is our 'right'? Can we claim any 'right' we want to claim then demand that we have it?
I have often told my children, "You never have the 'right' to do a wrong thing". You never have the 'right' to lie, cheat, steal, defraud someone else. You don't have the 'right' to use foul language, view garbage paraded under the guise of 'entertainment'. You don't have the 'right' to do evil of any kind, either privately or publicly.
This country has stood for the principles taught in scripture. That has been a deciding difference between us and many other nations. The foundation was built primarily upon the fact that we don't go to a priest to be absolved of our sins--we are the priests, and have the duty, the obligation that as far as within us lies, we MUST do our best not to sin in the first place.
1Peter 2:9 But ye are a elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
The Puritans/Pilgrims didn't say they were perfect, or that they ever would be perfect in this life. However, they did understand that they needed to strive for that perfection; that holiness. They couldn't live a life of debauchery, then have some one absolve them of that sin. Willful sin is never without consequences. King David fell to the terrible sin of lust, which led to other sins. Yet when the prophet Nathan came to him and convicted him of his sin, he repented.
Yet in 2Samuel 12:7 "And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; 10) Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thy house, because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
King David's sin was 'put away' from him, because he sincerely repented, but he still had consequences to face. Just because he was a 'king' God didn't grant him executive privilege: he was still held accountable to the same standard.
Memorial--we need to remember. We need to remember that freedom is not free. Some humans have paid a price for us to be here and for the blessings we enjoy. We are blessed, and have only to look around us to see our blessings. -- Someone else paid a dear price for our freedom.

Galatians 5:1 "For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage."
Luke 17:11-17 'And it came to pass, as they were on their way to Jerusalem, that he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off: and they lifted up their voices, saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go and show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, with a loud voice glorifying God; and he fell upon his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were not the ten cleansed? but where are the nine?'
Let us not despise the blessings of the Lord, but give thanks: and remember--Our freedom isn't free.
What a Saviour!

My Saviour...

I've always liked singing, although some days my best efforts seem to me more of the 'joyful noise', variety than the pleasant sound I'm striving for.

But do we ever stop to consider what we are saying when we sing?

"My Savior, as Thou wilt," (Lord, what ever you think is best...) "Oh may Thy will be mine; into Thy hand of love I would my all resign;". A beautiful thought, beautiful sentiment; one that is easier said than done. We need to see Christ as a loving Savior--one that has our best interest at heart. Then His decisions will be easy.

"Thro' sorrow and thro' joy, Conduct me as Thine own,--And help me still to say, "My Lord Thy will be done." Many people find it easy to praise God during the good times -- when things go wrong it is more convenient to blame God.


Job 2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
Job realizes that he and his wife had received many blessings in their life, now their fortunes had turned for the worse. To paraphrase what he is saying here, "We have been thankful for our blessings, are we just fair weather friends, that would cast God off during the bad times? Don't be as the foolish heathens!"

"My Savior, as Thou wilt! If needy here and poor, Give me Thy people's bread--Their portion, rich and sure." How absolutely thrilling! What is 'Thy People's bread'? The next phrase answers with: "The manna of Thy word, Let my soul feed upon". I wonder as I read this verse, does that mean only the written word--scripture--or...

John 6:50 This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51) I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world.

"And if all else should fail, My Lord--Thy will be done."

"My Savior, as Thou wilt! Tho' seen thro' many a tear, --Let not my star of hope grow dim or disappear ; Since Thou on earth hast wept And sorrowed oft alone,"

The creator looking down upon the creation would see things differently than the creation looking around at the creation. How Jesus must have learned to love flowers, birds, earth, seasons--all things of his wonderful creation--just as you and I learn to love...yet beyond. Learned to love father and mother, family, friends just as all of us love...and beyond. Yet how often he bore sorrow--and beyond what we could ever know...and he bore it alone.

"If I must weep with Thee,"

What a privilege! Jesus wept alone (Matthew 26:40... and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? But we can say, like the Apostle Paul-- 2Timothy 4:17 But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; "If I must weep with Thee,"

"My Lord, Thy will be done."

"My Savior, as Thou wilt! All shall be well with me; Each changing future scene I gladly trust with Thee; Straight to my home above I travel calmly on, And sing in--Life or death, My Lord, Thy will be done."

As we travel through life-- with many a tear-- toward our heavenly home, we must keep in mind who travels with us lest our star of hope grow dim, or disappear. In sorrow or joy remember who and what our hope is set on.

Philippians 1:20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death. 21) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Things I Have Learned

"Your boys are sure good with their children," a friend of mine comments as we watch two of the 'boys' shepherding their little people at the wienie roast. "That's a rare thing in this day and age."

"Yes, they sure are, and yes, it sure is. We must have done something right... in spite of our selves," my friend and I smile and shake our heads knowingly.

We have been friends for quite some time now--close to twenty-five years, and we've been through the 'hard years'. The years when some of our kids said--very unkind and very hurtful things--and stomped off...and I'm never coming back--which hurt just about as much as the other things they said.

We learned to do the 'hard things' because they were the right things--not because they were easy, or convenient--but because they were the right thing.

"If you're so short of money," an acquaintance says accusingly, "why don't YOU go to work?"

"I do...every morning. I get up and I'm at work," that's what I should have said. I'm not sure now what I did say, but I can still feel the frustration with her kind of mind set. If you run short of money--just get a job outside the home. Who cares about the kids? They'll grow up whether you're home or not. They don't need...hmm...what do children need?

"All you and dad ever taught us was how to work!" my son says.

"And, your point is?" I guess the point was they felt abused because they didn't have time to wander through the mall with safety pins stuck in their ears--or something stuck in their nose--or wherever they wanted to stick something. If we had stuck pins in our children it WOULD have been considered child abuse but they can do that...to themselves?

And it is strange the difference of-- say--about fifteen years makes, and yes, they did come back. And we love them... and they us...in spite of our imperfections. Or maybe it's because of our imperfections, that and we're family.

It appears to me that many children are wandering through life looking for the love and attention they should have, but parents are too busy to give.

"I had to make a decision," my sister said a number of years ago, "I had to decide whether to have children, or to have a career. I chose a career."

Most women think they can have it all, have both children and a career. So why didn't she go for the children AND the career route? Simply put--our mother was a career woman--and we knew what it was to be wanted...from a distance. Wanted...somewhere else.

I have pondered the question, "why do people want/have children"? In the past it was just what happened. Every one had children. Now, more people are hesitant. Maybe they will, but again maybe they won't. Children are fine when they are cute and cuddly, and they are fine when they are grown productive adults--it's just the twenty years in between that can be painful.

Our society is a sad tribute to humanity thinking it has a 'better idea' than God. We can raise these children 'en masse' and every one can 'go' to work. Get them lazy women out of the house and get them busy! No longer does the "hand that rocks the cradle rule the world" --well, I guess it does. The government has become our children's mother--from day-care to public school and beyond, into old age and the nursing home.

What ever happened to the family unit being a family unit. Each family unit being unique?

"Oh, look!" my young son exclaims as he holds up his fork. "I've got a piece of meat!"

It's summer and the nine of us are living mostly off of our very large garden. I have a ten to twenty quart pan which I stir fry a whole host of vegetables (zucchini, summer squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, peas, beans, whatever happens to be growing at the time) in--as well as the two pork steaks that I've cubed and added. We don't have a lot of meat, but we have lots of vegetables, and home made bread, milk from our cow, home churned butter, and...cake.

Psalms 78:20 Behold, he smote the rock, so that waters gushed out, And streams overflowed; Can he give bread also? Will he provide flesh for his people?

1Corinthians 10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer. 11) Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.

Psalms 22:26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied; They shall praise Jehovah that seek after him: Let your heart live for ever.

Psalms 104:33 I will sing unto Jehovah as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have any being. 34) Let thy meditation be sweet unto him: I will rejoice in Jehovah.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Heritage

I always cringe when some one that the world labels 'christian' is accused of some wrong doing. The scriptures tell us that not all who call themselves by the name (Christian) are what they profess to be, but the world doesn't always make a distinction. And even worse, the world takes special delight in holding people who profess Christ--who say one thing and do another...or who make a very public mistake--it takes great happiness in using them as an example of 'see this is what these christians are really like'.

2Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

What are Christians really like? They are like everyone else in that we feel emotions-- happiness, sorrow, passion, apathy, anger, love. It has been said that the sins of the flesh are perversions of things that God ordained. In Hebrews 13:4 it says "Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge." Marriage is the God ordained place for the husband/wife relationship--anywhere else and it's a perversion of what God had intended.

Anger? Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27) neither give place to the devil. Sin should make us angry. Unrighteousness should make us angry, and the such like. How we handle this anger is important. Do we lose our temper and commit sin? No, as Cain was told in Genesis 4:7, "If thou doest well, shall it not be lifted up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door: and unto thee shall be its desire, but do thou rule over it." We need to handle anger-- no matter at what--carefully, and 'rule over it'.

The definition for the word 'lust' is- 'a very strong desire'. 1Peter 2:1 "Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
1Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;" Did you catch the 'long for...'?

Christians need to walk in this world, but not be of this world, and therein lies the 'rub'. Too many times we look at the Israelites of days gone by, as they fall into sin, then they are sent a 'saviour', a judge, who brings them back. We read about their cycle of sin and the 'Judges', and we think how dumb of them, can't they see? And why didn't they get their act together?

Temple prostitutes? The commenter on another post is adding his two-cents worth. I don't know if they wore anything different...or if they wore anything at all...but they wore lots of makeup. And it depended on the proximity to the temple....

And I'm wondering, where is the local 'temple' and what idol do the women around here support? Because there are a lot of females running around here with hardly any clothes on, most of them have more makeup on than they do clothes. The men aren't any better at times, either. You see some fellows walking around shirtless, in shorts-- some of them their physic isn't terribly offensive, and some of them it is, but no matter which--you wonder did I really need that? Or why do they think we want to see that?

Sadly, these things have rubbed off on those who profess to wear the name of Christian. Christians don't see it as 'worldliness' they see it as fitting in, being one of the crowd, but wait...

2Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17) Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you,

It is a question...why do we who desire a heavenly home, have difficulty in leaving the earthly desires behind? What do we desire more than our home with the Father? The children of the world can tell the difference--why-- so they say...these people are no different than I, so what is the benefit to be one of them? If there is no difference in our lives here, there won't be any difference in our eternal reward either--they know this--and we should also.

Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that each one of you may show the same diligence unto the fulness of hope even to the end: 12) that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.... 19) which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and stedfast and entering into that which is within the veil;

As Jesus himself said in Luke 17:33 "Whosoever shall seek to gain his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it."

Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife. --Don't look back--

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, 14) I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!