What's On Your Plate?!

It will come as no surprise for those who are acquainted with my family if I were to say there are a few of my friends, relatives, and acquaintances that have a different point of view than most of the rest of the world.  As a friend of the family said some time back, 'When it comes to Westphals the only thing normal is a town in Illinois'.

Be that as it may, the story is told of a friend/relative that went to town and bought a set of all white dishes. He told his wife he wanted to know when he was done eating. "There's nothing worse than spending five minutes trying to clean up my plate only to realize it was some doodad painted on the plate and not food at all."

I'm going to confess right off, there's a whole lot of wisdom in that thought. I won't tell anyone there aren't doodads painted on my dishes--some dishes have more doodads than there are doodads on others. However, as we begin the new year we should consider the need to begin with an all white plate.

Begin with less doodads. I sometimes (often) think most of us would be better off if in some way all of our electronic gadgetry would suddenly stop working. Or if we could eliminate one by one some of the gadgets we have acquired.

Having been born in the early 1950's I know that television, radios, and such whatnots are not necessities, but I also know that-- having started typing on a manual typewriter, and not having a printer until just a few years ago--there are some devices that make life easier. It doesn't make life faster--just easier.

I can work on an article, a manuscript, or a design quickly and efficiently. I can rearrange words, paragraphs, phrases, check spelling or use a thesauruses in the same manner. Ditto with dictionary and research items. It wasn't just that the manual typewriter required more finger strength, but does anyone remember the reason 'whiteout' was invented? Sometimes one mistake made a whole page unusable. Gasp here. Printers are true wonders as well. What used to take me forever to reproduce for my Bible classes I can zip right off ten or twenty copies in a few minutes.

I can keep-in-touch with friends and family that I wouldn't have access to in a matter of moments via the computer. It is not quite as personal as a face-to-face conversation, but it beats not hearing from each other at all for years.

A Bible illustrator friend mentioned a time back that with the new electronics it would make his original mode of work--the pen, paper, and ink--archaic. That is sad indeed. I do still enjoy the pen, paper, and ink--even the letter writing aspect. I enjoy the canvass, paint, and oils, or the feel of the pottery clay, or even just the sweat of an honest day's work.   

At times what seems to be the worst disaster that could happen in our lives turns out to be the one that leads us to where we need to be. For instance, my son-in-law almost lost his arm in a power tool accident. That was three years ago. During these three years he and my daughter have learned to live on workman's comp. They went from the comfortable salary he made as a landscape supervisor (extraordinaire, I might add) to a very small stipend.

The back-story is that several times throughout their marriage I have encouraged her that in scriptures we are taught for the wife to be a keeper at home. This was reinforced by her experience that when she did at times work away from the home, their money situation never improved, she missed her children, her husband missed her at home, and it really didn't work out as it was (in theory) supposed to work.  When she stayed in the home they were blessed in unimaginable ways.

Now they are faced with three years of surgeries, pain, and problems we can not begin to enumerate. There have been those who are incredulous that she didn't rush out and get a job in order to help, but even though that may be what appeared to be what was needed here are some things that happened in spite of not doing things in the worldly wisdom's way, but following God's way.

•  One thing: we have a lot of must haves, that we really don't need. Hint--They have cut down on t.v. time, cable, phones and doodads. 

• They do things as a family. Before the accident her husband worked very long hours and missed out on the time with their children. Now he is home and has more time with them as a family, and those times are valuable. 

• They have learned to trim down on their grocery bill in some very inventive ways. The children have some of their own chickens--they all work at raising a garden, some fruit trees, and such like that help in small ways. 

• They have become more prayerful, and more quietly dependent upon God, who is our true source of blessings. 

• It has also been our blessing to be able to find small ways to help and bless them in their time of need.

What a shame so many people rush out trying to do things their way, leaving God out of their thoughts and ways. Now as they are nearing the end of this trial and about to begin a new chapter, yes, things again will change. God does want each of us to be busy with the 'job' he has given them to do. My son-in-law will soon be released--and God willing be able--to find gainful employment. He has gained much through his struggle these last three years, and God is willing that he will benefit from those life lessons.

I would leave you with this thought--How big is your God?

~Psalms 50:10  "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. 11)  I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. 12)  If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
  ~Psalms 46:10  "Be still, and know that I am God..."
Hallelujah! What a Savoir!

Be At Peace

    He said, she said, we said, and they said, all went to town on a summer's day. Sitting in the back of the wagon, spirits began a dragin' until tongues they commenced to waggin', and the journey went downhill from aye.   
   Ever notice how things go?  It can be something that IS said, or something that IS NOT said.  It can be a look, or not looking at all.  Have you ever tried to make someone happy who is determined to be angry?
   The day is steamy.  Sweat drips down my face, and I'm just sitting still...in the house...I'm hot, and tired, and no matter what the kids do...
   "I'm hot and miserable, and I'm determined that everyone else will be too!"  I  tell the kids, and we laugh.  It lightens the moment and we make it through the day knowing 'it's the heat' and we just need to 'chill out'.  If we back off and give each other some space...things will be fine.  
   "Well, you couldn't make that person happy if you whacked 'em with a new stick!"  This is true with some folks.
  When we were growing up some of our adult   neighbors were friendly enough but their youngsters were a different critter.
      Those were the days when walking wasn't thought of as an affliction.  The neighbor kids would walk by our house on their way to visit their grandpa who lived about a mile away on the other side of us.  Our dog was a good mannered German Shepherd.  However, Like most living things he never liked being teased. 
   We tied our dog, Rocky, on a long lead when we went to town.  When we returned from town we could tell if the neighbor kids had walked by when we were gone.  We lived on a gravel road, and we would find rocks that had been pitched at the dog.  He never did like being teased...and he never did like those kids. 
   Matthew 7:12  All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets. 
      Funny how we perceive or judge things.  If you don't like the exact things someone else likes, that doesn't make you a bad person. 
Drama—too many people live in dramavilIe. Dramaville people are self-centered. Whether they think the world revolves around them or not, they at least WANT it to. They want to be the center of the universe. They connive to make it so.
That would create the opposite world of peaceful.  The ability to be thankful under easy or perverse situations is a good beginning on being at peace.  
   Romans 13:8  “Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.”
  Romans 12:16  “Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17)  Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. 18)  If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.”
Being at peace starts with self. A person must learn to give up self. When people stop trying to make life ‘all about them’, much of the drama fades away, and life becomes more simple, life becomes more peaceful—at least on the inside. Hallelujah, What a Savior.

Balm in Gilead

   "There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole",  What a beautiful song!  How often we miss the very thing that would 'make us whole'.  Very few people come from a 'perfect' home.  Every day the statistics warn us that homes and families are crumbling. 

   "Yes," she says to me, "one of his brothers is an alcoholic—for the most part the rest have done alright." 

   I have seen alcoholism up close and personal.  In my opinion the cause of my mother's alcoholism was a deep inner wound.  A wound that would not heal, and she drank to ease the pain.  Even so, it would not go away.  No matter how anyone tried-- the very help she needed--she wouldn't accept, and she fought against it.

   Why is it that some folks make it out of poor situations, and some don't?  One man told his children as they left home, "Your mother and I aren't perfect, we have our faults.  Some of those faults you have picked up, but now as you leave home you have to make a decision. If you take them with you, they are no longer ours, but yours.  You make the decision."

   "My mother did this, my father did that, that's the reason I do what I do."  No, we make our decisions.  Why do some children follow in their parents footsteps and become alcoholics, single mothers, smokers, druggies?  To some people it is the way they expect life to be, and that is self-fulfilling.  And then there is Amy.

   "I saw my mom, and I thought, I'm not gonna be no single mom."

   Is life perfect for Amy?  No.  It isn't any more perfect for her than for anyone else.  But she's smart enough to see how hopeless the other life is.  She has laid hold on something better.        

   Ecclesiastes 4:9&10 "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
10)  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.

     "She wasn't really a very good mother, was she?"  my cousin stated the fact. 

  "No, she wasn't, but maybe she did the best she could with what she had to work with," I reply.

   "Yeah, that's probably right."

   And maybe that's why some people make it and some don't.  Some wallow in self-pity, blaming others for their problems.  Others accept that we all fall, we all have problems, and that's just the way things are.  We would like for things to be different, but they aren’t.

Hebrews 11:13-16 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14)  For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own. 15)  And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16)  But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Rivers We Must Cross

Crossing the Rubicon is a phrase that means a particular spot--in life-- in which there is no turning back. It comes from the life of Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar was a general before he was an emperor.

Many rulers were popular war heroes in history, and Caesar had endeared himself to the common population through the many war campaigns he had won. The assembly had ordered him to stay where he was, however Caesar disobeyed and crossed the Rubicon River and headed back to Rome. In so doing he declared his intention of becoming the ruler of Rome. An action from which he would either be the victor, or the vanquished.

Hence the phrase Crossing the Rubicon came to mean an action from which there was no turning back. Once he crossed the Rubicon the ruling assembly fully understood what Caesar's intentions were.

In each of our lives we find many Rubicons. Oh, we may not recognize them as such, but none-the-less they are points from which we make no turning back decisions.

Isaiah 28:10 "For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little.... 12)  to whom he said, This is the rest, give ye rest to him that is weary; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. 13)  Therefore shall the word of Jehovah be unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little; that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. "

Jehovah is not happy with Ephraim. He's trying to teach them, but will they listen? No, they will not listen. Therefore he leaves them to their own devices.  A lesson here is that God gives us the truth. He instructs all people as to how to get to heaven, but just as it says in Ecclesiastes 7:29  "Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions."

God made man (people) to be upright. He made us to fear him and seek him,  but all fall short of the glory of God. All have sinned and erred from the truth. Not just stumbling from the truth, but to seek out --as it says--inventions in order to go astray. They work to do evil. They work to misunderstand truth.

2Thessalonians 2:11 "And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: 12)  that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

When a person goes out of their way to look for a lie to believe they will surely find it.

Day by day we want to search out good, not evil. Day by day we want to make wise, godly decisions, but we can't make those decisions without honest, humble prayer. There are decisions day by day we are making that may not look big, but it's the small minute decisions we make to be honest in our dealing with friends, relatives, maybe even strangers. Making good choices line upon line, time after time, gives us good standing with God, and it should give us good standing with others as well. Seek the good paths; don't seek out workings of error. If you are going to cross a Rubicon, it needs to be into the grace of God. It needs to be the river into righteousness, and for righteousness.

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."


What Rubicon are you crossing today? Choose wisely.    Hallelujah! What a Savior.

Balm in Gilead II

   "There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul; Sometimes I feel discouraged and think my work's in vain".  Very few people can say they have never been discouraged. 

   2Timothy 1:15  "This thou knowest, that all that are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes." 

   2Timothy 4:16-17 "At my first defence no one took my part, but all forsook me: may it not be laid to their account. 17)  But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me;”

   The apostle Paul-- such a great inspiration-- yet even he felt sadness, and rejection at times.  We can hear his sorrow in these verses.  'All forsook me'.  Yet it is during just such times as these that we can learn more about--and draw closer to--the 'true balm of Gilead'.  

   Ephesians 3:16 "that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;"

  As a Christian, one who has been washed by the blood of the lamb, and risen to walk in newness of life, added to His body, the church, I have the right and confidence to lay my sorrows at His feet and ask for strength and power.  Some days getting back up and continuing on is a triumph.  Proverbs 24:16  “For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.”

   "If you can't sing like angels, if you can't preach like Paul...."  Well, as I get older, I'm afraid my 'joyful noise unto the Lord', doesn't always come out exactly as I plan it.  And I consider myself as Mary and many women in the Bible describe themselves, 'a handmaid'.  I wouldn't even think of giving myself 'airs' that I am anything other than a servant of the Lord.  But each person is responsible to do their part.

   James 5:13  “Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise.”

  Hey, I can do that!  "There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole; There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul...." 

   *note: Song from; Praise For The Lord; There Is a Balm In Gilead--Work's Folk Songs of the American Negro, 1907 (st. #2Daniel March, 1868, Ref. Revivalist 1868.

When Time Doesn't Matter

"When do I need that?" My husband laughs as he answers the parts person as he orders a part to repair the tractor. There's a dubious greasy item laying on his desk as he speaks into the phone. "I needed it yesterday, but when can you have it in?" He pauses listening to the answer. "If that's as early as you can get it..."

We like our service to be fast in this country. If things don't hum right along we get a bit testy. At least in this corner of Oz. If it doesn't suit us, ofen there is someone else who will compete to give us what we're looking for.

My mother told about several incidents her first husband had when they were living in Texas back in the 1940's. He went in to check on a car repair and was told it would be done tomorrow--manana.  So he came back the next day--manana, but it wasn't done yet. He was told come back manana. This happened several times, until he said, "Listen you told me manana on Monday. It is now Friday, and why isn't it done?"

The long and the short of it was that the word manana that he thought meant tomorrow actually meant--tomorrow or any day there after.

One of the frustrating things when working in some areas overseas is the attitude many of the local people have toward schedules. Bible study and worship service are scheduled to begin at 10:00 A.M. A few people are there on time, and others trickle in until just before services are over.

Not everyone has transportation, consequently they begin by walking. In Jamaica, for example, common citizens act as 'taxis' and stop to give pedestrians rides. These taxis are expecting to be reimbursed for the services of course. But travel is not always predictable in this manner.


At one time in this country we were more laid back with our schedules. Not that people were lackadaisical about keeping their schedules, but it took longer to get from one place to another, and that was the way things ran.

In this country the saying 'Time is Money', is quite accurate, but is it wise? In the two examples it is quite rude to know when something is scheduled and trickle in, or give someone a 'time' and not be interested enough to get it done. It is thoughtless, but as an old writer, Rebecca McCann put it in her book of clever quips, The Cheerful Cherub: I'll never work to long or hard--I think it would be funny, Since life is worth so much to me, To spend it all for money. (Thrift, Rebecca McCann)

There will come a time in this life when time doesn't matter. During the delivery of a baby--for that time at least to the woman delivering the child, the only thing that is important is taking care of the business at hand. When someone you love is sick--or in an emergency, or--why is it we don't seem to know how to slow down and live our lives unless there is extenuating circumstances?

I raise my hand. I'm as guilty as anyone. Push, push, push! Have to get this done, or that, or...but there will be a time when all that we thought was important won't be. There is a song by William J. Gaither entitled,          I Believe In Mount Calvary.

There are things as we travel this earth's shifting sands
That transcend all the reason of man;
But the things that matter the most in this world,
They can never be held in your hand.

I believe that the Christ that was slain on that cross
Has the power to change lives today;
For He changed me completely, a new life is mine,
That is why by the Cross I will stay.

I believe that this life with it's great mysteries
Surely, someday will come to and end;
But faith will conquer and darkness and death,
And will lead me at last to my friend.
I believe in a hill called Mount Calv'ry, I'll believe whatever the cost; And when time is surrendered and earth is no more, I'll still cling to the old rugged cross.

1Corinthians 15:52 " in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. . . 55) O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? . . . 57)  but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
                                                   Hallelujah, What a Saviour!

Average and...God

   Something evil is chasing me.  In my dream I am running, running, putting forth all of the effort that I can possibly muster.  What ever the evil is that is chasing me is gaining.  It is moving swiftly, and is reaching out to 'lay hold on me'.  I, however, am running with all my might, but--in slow motion.  I just can't move fast.  I must have lead blocks on my feet...I can't move them. Wait a moment!  --I don't even know how I wandered into this dream. I don't like it...it's time to wake up.  Whatever was chasing me...I left it behind...but...

   I have days that all I seem to do is run, not in slow motion, but with all of my might.  At the end of the day when I am ready for sleep...it looks like I've been running in slow motion.  I  can't remember a lot of accomplishment. 

   "So, what have you been doing this morning?" my son asks.

   "Well," I hesitate, trying to recall what I've been doing, "I brought the checkbook up to date, put bills in order, and got the ones that need sent ready..." what a relief, I not only have done something tangible, but I can remember what it is!

       The more I study and read the scriptures the more fascinated and amazed I am at their wisdom, beauty, and instruction.  How the creator took average human beings and changed them into heroes--warriors--magnificent leaders.  What made them different?  They were willing to allow the creator to finish the work that he began in them.

   Birth is only the beginning of our sojourn here; death is only the beginning of the rest of our existence...there.  What do we see our paltry few years here as?  A time to...live it up?...or to refine our soul and fit it for eternity? 

   Turning our lives over to God.  For Moses it was the burning bush.  For Joseph it was when he was sold into slavery.  For Daniel?--perhaps, when he and his people were taken into captivity.  God, in one way or another, gets their attention.  But at what point will it be when we realize it isn't about us...it's about God and His will. 

   "Well, you know, we have to witness to other people.  We have to tell them what God and Jesus has done for us," my religious friend and I are talking.

   What is a witness?  Well, A witness is a person who was present or saw something them self that they can tell about.  A person who can give evidence. 

   If you believe something strongly, even if your belief is based on something false, it can impact your life.  A good Buddhist, a good Hindu, and those of other 'religions', can be 'good', most religions have an 'element' of good.  And those people can 'witness' about what their religion has done for them, and what it has the ability to do for you.  Christianity has the power to change lives today, but...is that what our 'witness' is?  If these other religions can change lives today, why then...it doesn't really matter...we can all find our way, just taking different paths.

    But wait!  There is a problem...1Corinthians 15:19  If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. 

   John 20:28  Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 

   You see, Thomas had a problem with the report of the rest of the disciples.  He had seen a crucified Lord, one that was...dead.  Now they are telling him, no, indeed Jesus is alive. 
"No," Thomas says, "I won't believe unless I see and..."  When Jesus appears to them all, Thomas' response is awe and worship: "My Lord and My God!" 

   And Jesus responds: John 20:29  “Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

   Yes, I do believe, but not because of what Jesus has done for my life, not because of what he can do for-- not just my life-- but others as well.  It is not because I've SEEN any of these things written in the scriptures.  I have not witnessed these things first hand, but I believe the testimony of the ones who WERE eye witnesses. 

   John 20:31  but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;....  I do believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. 

   This is what sets Christianity and following Christ apart from any other religion--good or bad.  Because-- John 20:31 "...and that believing ye may have life in his name." --one word: salvation!  Jesus has set us free, given us hope, and the chance for ETERNAL LIFE...WITH HIM IN HEAVEN. That’s something no other religion can do.     1Corinthians 15:57 "but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."