Bold Imagination or was it?

Bold Imagination

            All I remembered was glass broken everywhere and a respectable policeman saying, “It’s a good thing they weren’t successful breaking in because if they had, you wouldn’t be here and certainly wouldn’t be telling your story.”  He meant we’d be dead.  That was how wicked the mafia fleeing from the police had been. Those thoughts made me afraid for my family for the first time in our beloved Brazil.

            I considered myself bold staying at the youth camp outside of town with just our son. I had done it many times and was never fearful. I loved our home and I loved Brazil, but since the police chase that ended at our front door in the middle of the night I changed, not apparently realizing it. Guns, ammunition, robbery and a police chase that ended on our door step wasn’t part of their plans either.  

            A few months later my husband Bill, was traveling.  He was hundreds of miles away to the famous Iguacu Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil and would be there for a few weeks at the orphanage to help build and do some painting.  I was tired and weary for not sleeping well.  I sat in front of our son’s bedroom door a couple of nights while my husband was away.  All of a sudden our son’s safety was totally on me—or was it? 

            God was not included in my attempts to feel brave and bold.  It was a fleshly sort of bold—and I owned it---It was mine while I sat exhausted outside of 9 year old Robert’s door.  I was afraid to sleep for fear something would happen and I wouldn’t hear his cries for help.

            I tucked fear inside making it feel at home.  Our 13 year old daughter was away to boarding school so I knew in my heart she was fine.  She was happy there with her studies and friends.  But at this moment I could only think of someone breaking in, like that time after the mafia made attempts of entering while we were inside the house.  I didn’t realize how it traumatized me.  Months later here I am beginning to panic inside.

            I was so consumed with fear and worry that I became obsessed.  I sat with arms wrapped around my knees, tears running down my face.  My vivid imagination took place of trust in the Lord.  Bold?  Yes bold!  Not the type of bold to hang a blue ribbon of heroism on.  This boldness originally of trust, was now stripped away showing me in the “raw” the naked real me trying to face the greatest enemy alone. The Devil himself steps in at my time of weakness.

            But God was looking on; He knew I was there. I was so wrapped in fear I couldn’t see or feel God’s presence. He knew I would find my way back through the dark. His hand was always outstretched.  I finally reached out and took His hand.  He had been there all along.  Not too long after this I hit rock bottom; a place you don’t want to go.

            I saw for the first time what fear can do to the mind and the body.  Miles away from town, no phone, and the sound of people outside sent me to think the worse. The incident months before triggered all my feelings festered at this very moment. I had not dealt with what took place that night months ago.

            I had taken those thoughts and fears instead of asking God to take them, and I mulled over and over them wondering what could have happened if the men had entered successfully. Yes it is that culprit, “What if,” again!

            Bold is going to the Lord with all our hearts, with fear, anguish, and worry, anticipating comfort and protection as well as wisdom in matters like these. God is sufficient, but when we contemplate only on the negative or the worse, we will not know His sufficiency. 

            Why didn’t I claim Ephesians 3:12?  In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (KJV)  Why didn’t I boldly go to God? He would have understood.

Doest Thy Tongue Cleaveth?/Banana Split Decision

Doest Thy Tongue Cleaveth?

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.  If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

                                                                                                        …Psalm 137:6-7

            One of our missionaries, Margery Browning works in the back woods of Brazil.  Margery has a faithful companion that walks in side her home at times; that is her horse.  It’s a simple roomy place, with open windows where you might find her horse reaching in to grab food off the counter.  This woman has served the Lord most of her life in this area and feels at home in the rustic surroundings.  

            Margery knows our family’s love for Brazil, and our conversation is mingled with joy and precious memories.  After years of hard work, she has developed health problems. One being, her glands do not supply enough saliva in her mouth.  The tongue can stick to the top of her mouth causing it difficult to talk or swallow at times, so must carry a bottle of water with her always. 

            I felt so bad for her but she said, “No I am fine! God has been good to me.”  What a blessing she is to us.  When I read the verse for today, I thought of her, even though it is not quite the same situation as the Israelites were in.  Margery is a faithful servant, and certainly not in captivity unless her horse won’t let her out the door.  But this Psalmist asked that his tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I forgot the songs of the God of Abraham.  If I forget thee Lord, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; in other words let me never sing again, or never let me sing a song if it not be of you and your greatness.  The Babylonians mocked them saying:

            “Where is your God now? You know the one who allowed you to be captured.  Sing!  Come on sing of your great God,” as the Babylonians drenched every word with sarcasm.  It was hard to sing because it brought memories back to them of Jerusalem and the freedom that they knew and their present state of doom. Whispers in their hearts and homes, kept it alive even when they questioned how they would sing the Lord’s song in a strange land.

            Their mouths began to hum and then sing, as they brought back music and the joy of their homeland once again.  In their hearts the music was alive, but the outward silence of 70 years, broke when the Lord brought them out of bondage.

            May our tongue cleave to the roof of our mouths if we dare sing of any other than of God the Father and His Son Jesus.

An Empty Market Bag/from her book Banana Split Decisions

An Empty

Market Bag

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

                                                                                                            …James 4:14

                        Parking in front of the Central Bakery I began to cross the narrow street, with a woman slightly to my right crossing at the same time.  But as this lady and I stood making our way into the wide entry, the woman went the other direction down the sidewalk.  Judging by the direction she was heading and her squeezing by a dump truck I am sure she thought she would save some time, maybe go in the other entrance. I loved being around the busy market place with all the buzzing of activity and I always looked forward my weekly trip to the open market.      

            Waiting for congestion to clear, I concentrate on squeezing through the lesser crowd.  At nearly the top of the steps already, I hear screams then the sound of brakes.  Glancing to my right, I see a familiar print of material showing under the huge tire of the dump truck.  I ran to help her as the driver tried to move the truck just realizing he backed over someone.  In just “seconds” the woman that had been next to me was gone. 

            A small Volkswagon Combi pulled up as I held the door for a couple of bystanders to put her in the front seat.  She didn’t make it to the hospital.  No yellow ribbons laid out to mark the tragedy, no CSI, just an empty market bag lay unaccompanied soon thereafter. The blood stained concrete sent me to my car, where I shook a while, cried and found myself driving back home. No pleasant market day.

            What had just happened?  Is this what this verse means?  That we know not when our time is, but it is appointed to man, once to die.  Our life is like a vapor, here a moment, gone the next.  The incident just told, is not to sadden us, but to awake us to the urgency of the work that lies before us. 

            I knew this verse by heart, but until I saw an example so vivid, I could not fully understand.  None of us are promised a tomorrow so live each moment in the Lord.  Some have experienced tragedy close to home.  May God give you peace that He, only He can give.  And know that sin brought into this world through Adam brought on death, but Christ in His true love for us, brought us life-eternal.  We will be with our loved ones again if they know the Lord. 

            If someone you know has not yet come to the Lord, may you reach out to them and offer them what you already have!

Father,

There are people all around me everyday that need you.  May the world around me see a little less of me and a lot more of you.  Thank you Father that we have the comforting of the Holy Spirit to sooth us during times we find so hard to understand. Comfort those who have lost someone dear to their hearts. In Jesus name I pray.

Sushi Bar/Sliced, Diced and Mashed

Sushi Bar

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

                                                                                                …John 3:16

            A 1950’s television set, with a fish tank behind the picture tube makes for a great conversation piece.  I have always liked items that are different and unique, a lot like me I guess. The television has the original knobs, gold trim, etc; I found it at a garage sale and love it. Today though I felt such a loss as I found one of our fish lying over the “Sushi Bar” sign.  Our little fishy gave up the ghost.    He had been with us for around seven years.  Poor thing! But I couldn’t help but be humored over this, especially where he was draped.

            I have days like that, where I feel I have been left on the “Sushi Bar” delectable’s buffet for Satan to pick on me some more.  Lying there helpless and tongue wagging, our enemy could care less what condition we are in, as long as we don’t turn to God for help.  He will leave us lifeless if he could.  God though in His matchless love and constant care, sees our condition and loves us in spite of it.

            In this my most recent devotional book, Sliced, Diced and Mashed I have referred to the many times I have felt the reigns of my enemy choking the life out of me.  Running to my Savior, He became my protection, wrapping His arms around me, reminding me He has the final word, and it is not “Sushi Bar.”

            Satan wants to leave you for lifeless friend, but Christ won’t let him near. 

Choose the Deliverer, Comforter, peace and joy when life hands you dead fish.

Father,

  Thank you for life eternal and the final word over our enemy, when he is bound for a dark eternity. Thank you in the name of your Son Jesus for the life we have in Him.

Inevitable Changes/Sliced, Diced and Mashed

Inevitable Changes

All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

                                                                                                …Ecclesiastes 1:8

                                                                       

            Basketball was once known as Duck on a Rock.  This was played without a backboard, but eventually a backboard was placed to detour fans from interfering with the ball.  Times change; sometimes too fast.  We think we are the generation that invented basketball, or close to it, then we find out the game was called something completely different from what we know of it today.

 Even the golf tees have changed.  Now players can perch a tee on their lips and taste their favorite flavor.  Yes folks flavored tees, any flavor you like.  Now I have heard of flavored teas, but this was a new one for me. Golf clubs have been made of all sorts of material each redefining the game and what strategy was necessary. 

            We may come up with new ways of presenting an old idea, but it is just that, new and improved. We are never satisfied, and in some cases that’s alright.  But, most always we are dissatisfied with material or beautiful items that begin to show the slightest wear, ready to trade it in for another.  My husband might as well trade me in, ‘cause I am showing wear!!! Mileage has surpassed the limits allotted a human being. Come back to reality I tell myself.  Life is that way.  Some things we have no control over; no matter how much money one may have.

            One thing does not change, and that being that death will come to all of us.  Not a pleasant thought, but bearable knowing Jesus is in control of our life and death, and death, brings eternity with Him.  You see, I believe Christ died on the Cross, was buried and rose again the third day, to save us from a lost eternity.  I live in Him, and He in me. His death on the Cross is proof of His love for us.  I trust Him fully to take me to a better place, than what I know of here.

            Heaven waits for those who have asked Jesus to wash their sins away.  Not with the best soap on the market, even that will change tomorrow.  But with the precious shed blood of our Savior.  His blood has never been polluted, watered down, or mislabeled. The price has always been the same; free.   Tell Him thank you and accept His free gift of Eternal Salvation today.  You can still reach God through prayer, asking forgiveness; that hasn’t changed.  And you can be changed today. Trust Him, and see what happens. 

Harder Than a Rock/Sliced, Diced, and Mashed

Harder Than a Rock

O Lord, are not thine eyes upon the truth? Thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.

                                                                                                                                                 …Jeremiah 5:3

                Noticing something of mine hanging out of the young ladies purse, I dared confront her about it before she went rushing out the door.  Camp items were being kept in the back room awaiting the time to open the doors of the newly built camp.  Hiring a woman to give me a hand in cleaning was great, but when I realized she was stealing from us, her job was terminated on the spot.

            When I confronted her asking why she stole from us after we had been so good to her, she replied, “You have two of these; I have none so I took one.  It sounded good to her.  She played awfully dumb and even played the violin sad song to us, but to no avail.  She saw, she wanted, and she took.  Sound too familiar in today’s society.  

            Excuses she had and to her all of them made sense in her mind. It is easy to justify what we do.  You may even believe what you did was not wrong.  What does the Bible say about it?  God calls sin, sin, and doesn’t chocolate coat it.  My helper knew she was doing wrong, or she wouldn’t have hidden the items; she would have paraded them in front of me free of concern about consequences.

            In rebellion, this woman puckered her lips tight almost like a draw string bag.  She was mad, because she lost her job, but mostly because she was caught in the act. She did not want to receive correction and her face turned hard as rock.

            Jeremiah says, Lord, thou has stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou has consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock;

            Look at someone who is really mad, and notice how hard their faces become.  Harden not your face or your heart dear friend.  God has known what rebellion is since the days of Adam and Eve.  Receive correction if needed, and return to Him!

An unusual Remedy

An Unusual Remedy

The coffee lid flew and the hot contents of the cup drenched dad’s pants, burning his legs.  He did a bit of a jig after the hot coffee hit the skin, taking off into the house.  I dare not enter now I thought, as he hurriedly placed “my” apple butter all over the area where the coffee landed.  Getting out of the car, he caught the door on the breakfast from a fast food restaurant. 

                        My mother and dad were delighted with the cinnamon mixture and promised they would try it at breakfast.  While I was out gardening in their front yard, dad pulled up in the driveway.  I didn’t know just what he did until I entered the house later.  At first, sensitive “me” wanted to say, “What did you do with ‘my’ apple butter?” But I kept quiet realizing he was really hurting.  My father likes his coffee hot, but did not like wearing it. 

            Dad used the apple butter as first aid just like his mother.  He went on to tell me his sister pulled a hot kettle of water from off the stove accidentally spilling the contents all over her.   The cool apple butter was used as the solution for the bad burn. Whether that is recommended today I do not know, but then, it was thought to be a helpful suave. 

            Once I gave the apple butter to dad, it was no longer mine.  He could choose to use it anyway he so desired.  I used to feel hurt when I saw my Christmas present to someone returned, taking it personal.  Now once something leaves my hands and is given, and is no longer mine to make decisions over on how and if used. 

            The apple butter had a higher much greater use, and after thinking about it, I was glad it was there to provide relief for my dad.  Just as there is more than one use for homemade apple butter, so is there more than one reason for Hell.  Some feel God is a cruel God allowing there to be a Hell.  But as the scriptures read, Hell was not made for us; it was made for Satan and has angels.  God gave his Son, not that any should perish, but have everlasting life.  God gave his Son to die on the Cross; the remedy for a sin sick world.  The remedy has been there all along, but many try their own way, resulting in less than heavenly results.  No guessing at whether it will work.

            You have been given a solution, an answer for your eternal destiny.  What you do with it is up to you.  Why choose a place made for Satan and his angels, a place not even made for you?  Why not accept the gift of eternal life to experience what God wanted and desired for you from the beginning? The gift is yours.  What will you do with it?

               

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have ever lasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

                                                                                                              …John 3:16-17

Flying High/And it's not Cocaine

Flying High

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
                                                                              ...Isaiah 53:5


It was almost magic, as if the children’s dreams were towering the sky, right along with their theatrical presentation of floating designs.  The winds rush the kites up and onward, while embracing the colorful creative shapes.

Flying Kites has always been a favorite pass time of children all over the world.  Brazilian children especially come up with innovative ways to make a kite from paper bags to newspapers, to anything lightweight in nature.  The richest child to the poorest could own the sky for a few hours of pleasure while flying kites. The heavens note not the status of those who fly kites.

In the small town of Pouso Alegre, M.G. Brazil, we had taken our six-year-old to fly her kite as promised.  We found property where we could do just that, right outside of town.  Bill did everything to keep April's kite in the sky, but it desperately needed a tail.  Nothing was found to serve that purpose so we began to walk back to the car.  Disappointment was felt by all----Bill, April, one year old Bobby and me.
Then I remembered," Hey, I have nylons on!  That might work!" 

Just having a couple of pairs brought from the states, it was very hard to let go; to sacrifice for the soul purpose of flying a kite.  It was definitely a hard decision to make for a moment, but only a moment, after seeing April's face light up.  Taking my USA nylons off in the middle of the field and knotting them up took courage.  Bill helped April toss the kite to the wind and take off running.  Up it went, but this time it stayed.  We all watched with delight as it towered overhead.  Bobby was ecstatic with the sight of this colorful activity in the sky.  It was worth the letting go of the hosiery for the joy it brought our 7 year old.

We call these acts sacrifices, when in reality they are what should be expected everyday, the giving of ourselves.  I was caught in a moment that day, a rare form, of me thinking of someone else.  What we think are sacrifices, are really self-less acts of memory making, to show someone we care.  Most of us do not know what true sacrifice really is.

Self-less acts can make a big difference and maybe even help turn someone's life around.  Make a memory, not for the whole world to see, but for your heart to feel alive.  What self-less act will you do for someone today?  Talk about flying high!

Real sacrifice is what Christ did.  If you don't know Jesus, call on His name and your heart will be so light after burdens have been lifted, that you will feel like soaring right along with the kites.  He alone can lift away your burden of sin.

Exquisite Flaws by Carol Levergood

Exquisite Flaws

It is of the Lords mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is thy faithfulness.

…Lamentation 3:22-23 KJV

Picking up a stunning piece of pottery I wondered why everyone passed the beauty up to go on to another item at the yard sale. I knew the piece was an antique and was almost stumbling over everyone to be able to examine closer. Picking the pottery up I realized at the bottom of the exquisite piece there was a chip but not seen unless observantly looking for flaws.  Snatching it up was without delay not taking my hands off the newly unearthed treasure.

 It wasn’t the value of the pottery, but the work involved that intrigued me, it was striking in appearance.  The item would have remained on the table proving that most found it not worth much with a chip on the base.  This piece of clay could have been thrown in the kiln, broken to pieces for art projects, or thrown away.  Didn’t look like much of a future for this art piece before I came along.

Buying the vase was my first thought to add to my collection of my tiny flawed Rembrandts that a professional collector would not even consider purchasing.  But I regarded them as Rembrandts because art is to reveal something about the author or owner.  The artist has something to reveal to the onlooker.

In this pottery I saw myself and the many imperfections or defects whatever you choose to call them.  But these flaws of my life tell a story and sometimes not such a pretty story.  I could only be bought by the only one who is without error.  Only Jesus could save me from destruction.

My hopes are to allow God to change that part of me not so attractive as I give my life completely to Him.  Those flaws have been forgiven, not overlooked.  The Master of my life sees past the blemishes and sees what I was meant to be.  He sees me without the flaws. Wow! He knows what I am made of; He was there at my making.  He knows what I can hold, because He will not give me too much of anything I am not meant bear.  He still finds me useful for His service.

Here I am Father!  Use me; fill me with your Son Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit until my vase runneth over.  Then no one will even notice the imperfections; they will only see the work done in me through you, Father.  Yes I am flawed, but I don’t always remember, because my Master treats me like a beautiful piece of art and ready to dawn His table at the Marriage Feast.    Our value is great, but only because of the price paid for it to be rescued.

Shattered Pieces

Shattered Pieces

Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.  Isaiah 30:13

Shattered windows. That’s what we witnessed many times as we drove between the cities of  Pouso Alegre  and Campinas, Brazil.  We could surmise what had happened.  Cars headed down a sharp hill, hit a valley, then climbed back up again and the tremendous changes in air pressure caused their windshields to burst.  Halfway through our two-hour trip and our front windshield shattered.

”There’s no reason to buy lunch now,” my husband said, “We’ve already had our fill of fresh meat today through the busted window.”  We did pick some strange things from our teeth.

Had we pressed our hands against the windshield, or rolled down a window to ease the pressure inside the car we may have saved the glass from breaking, but we didn’t know we were entering a high-pressure area.  We were so distracted by the beautiful scenery or by talking with one another that we sometimes forgot to watch for upcoming pressure areas.

The pressures of life can also be great, like periods of highs and lows, especially like these trying times around us.  The pressure is on. Bills need to be paid and money is sparse but that doesn’t mean ignoring the preparation.  Finances can be tricky—never knowing when our planned pathway will drop or curve.  The pressure will change but God encourages us to be prepared for whatever lies ahead.

Walking on Water

Walking On Water

And he said, Come.  And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked

on the water, to go to Jesus.  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  

                                                         

                                                                                 --Matthew 14:29-30

Cheboygan, Michigan’s’ Lake Mullet sparkled with an appearance of glitter over the skirt of the body of water.  Crisp early June mornings are my favorite times on the lake.  The quiet spring hours seem almost noisy with crickets, Katie-dids, and frogs harmonizing in natures’ Hallelujah chorus.  It took my breath away at times, watching the baby mallard ducks swim in a row frantically trying to keep up with Momma Mallard.

The light waves brush against the shore where footprints of yesterdays’ activities were slowly being washed away.  Evidence of play still remained with little rock piles around, treasures of an innocent child.  Our children and I skipped rocks with their Dad trying to out do the other in the amount of skips over the top of the water.

 Skipping stones is the biggest challenge of the day on this wonderful vacation.  But in the attempt to skip the stones, the children throw pretty wild; the ducks run for cover and fish find refuge far away from the shore.  Robert is sure his sister is trying to wipe him off the face of the earth, and vice versa.  When one of us is successful in skipping the stones at least five times, accomplishment is felt.

Peter felt accomplishment only after feeling what it was to fail, denying Jesus, three times.  Peter at this time now feels the accomplishment of walking on the water, which is impossible without Jesus.  Peter starts to plummet to the bottom of the lake, when he began to take his eyes off his Savior.  He then fixed his eyes on Jesus accepting the intimidating storm around him, and rose up to face the Savior, the one who controls the storms.

Peter forgot the storms even belong to Jesus.  While the disciples were frightened, they still didn’t realize God kept them from the full fury of the storm.  Gods’ full fury will be felt one day on this old world, so fix your eyes on Jesus.  “Peter began to sink,” this is not “Peter sank.”

There is hope for you who feel you are going under.  Keep your eyes on the Master and like the stones, you will skip more gracefully across the rough waters.  The rough waters will seem more like the passing of a speedboat, then a tidal wave.       

Have Cake, Will Crumble

Have Cake, Will Crumble

He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

                                                                                                …Psalm 101:7

            I killed a piece of chocolate cake today; thought it was a fly.  The unusually large spot appeared to me that it wasn’t a normal speck in the design of the counter-top. When I walked into the kitchen I was sure this blemished area was a fly or cricket. 

            When I fiercely smacked the intruder for it not to get away, the substance crumbled, I thought in fear of me.  Cake usually crumbles, but I didn’t see until I put my glasses on what I had captured.  The ferocious morsel was permanently detained in triumph, keeping all from danger of being devoured. 

            The only true devouring would have taken place was when I’d noticed it was a morsel of cake; I don’t usually let cake crumbs get away that easy.

            OK I told the story with a bit of drama but without my glasses things look so strange at a foot or two away.  Feeling foolish I cleaned up the crumbs and half giggled at my attempt, thinking I need to wear my glasses all the time now. 

            I was humorously deceived by a tidbit of dessert, but in the belief there was a trespasser I took it very serious. David takes wicked intruders serious.  God also wants us to be serious about liars and deceivers that come into our lives.   In this Psalm, David declares there will not dwell workers of deceit in his house, and he that telleth lies shall not tarry in his sight.

            I wish not for flies and bugs in my house, but also do not want liars and deceitful people in either.  Once in a while I may misjudge what I thought was a creepy-crawly thing, but spiritually I will work like David to keep ungodly intruders out.  I will however need God’s help and guidance to filter through those who deceivers that tend to fool me.  God is a better judge than I am at knowing true followers of Christ, or false prophets and teachers, though Satan can’t fool God Almighty.

            Watch out deceitful one!  Don’t try to linger in my sight or you might just get smacked, but this time I’m wearing my eyeglasses of wisdom from God, and you can’t escape.  No more chocolate cake smashed on the counter.  As David (vs.3), I will walk within my house with a perfect heart, or tuned in with God where His eyesight is perfect.

            Ps. Is that chocolate on your face?

Father,

Give me wisdom to see afar off those that try to deceive and make one thing look like another.  Help me not to fall for Satan’s tactics to pull me in by appearing to be something he is not.  Thank you for being my filter, because I don’t always trust my own judgment; my sight is not always so good, but I will trust yours.  In Jesus name I pray

Banana Split Decisions/Pancake Love

Pancake Love

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.

                                                                                                …Jeremiah 31:3

            Two of our grandsons are with me during the day while on summer break.  A tall order of pancakes is requested from Micah and Jordan for breakfast.  One day 13 year old Micah makes them with me close by, learning to flip those cakes pretty good.  The next day the “almost eight” year old Jordan helps me with the batter depending on my help.  Just as we are ready to pour the batter on the sizzling skillet he says, “I think Grandpa really likes you a lot because of your pancakes.” 

            As a writer I wait for moments like this of pure innocence and sweet thoughts. This child feeling very grown up while hands are in the batter, expresses what is on his mind.  I sure love how the two boys feel about grandma’s pancakes; they think they are the best around.  Of course I too thought everything tasted better at my Granny’s house.

            I wonder if they would feel the same if I burned them one day or two?  They’d be forgiving once maybe.  What if I mistakenly forgot one of the ingredients and they come out more like hard plastic Frisbees? Would they still feel the same about them? No, and it might even change their thoughts about me. 

            “Grandma sure can’t make pancakes,” might be said in low grumbling. 

            “Mom can we stop for breakfast before going to Grandmas?” might be the next idea in their heads. 

            Our love for each other can change depending on circumstances.  Right now all these little things I do for Jordan makes his love stronger for me, but I might disappoint him and he might feel different one day, pancakes or not.  We are a fickle, capricious bunch in this human race and change from hot to cold as easily as night turns to day.

            God’s love is everlasting as Jeremiah points out when talking about the restoration of Israel.  As Gentiles, Christ loves us the same with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.  Nations all around knew Jehovah was the True God and feared Him.  Many followed but when the Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah, God opened the door for all who believed, come to Him.  He loves with an unconditional, an absolute and total love unlike our artificial, pancake type love.

            Why then do we love God like Jordan does when the pancakes are made the way he likes them?  Then Grandma is the greatest.  God, we will love you as long as you keep those cakes coming, they’re not burned, and as long as the flavor is what we expect.  If your goodness changes, we don’t know if we can feel the same way about you anymore.

            Sound typical?  We treat our Heavenly Father this way all the time.  God’s love is everlasting, even when things aren’t the way we would have ordered them.  He still loves us with an everlasting love, not a “pancake kind of love.”

Father,

Please show me how to love you with a pure heart that you so deserve from me and let it not be a “pancake kind of love.”

Are you confused?/Undeniable Stripes

Undeniable Stripes

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

                                                                                              --Isaiah 53:5

Watching a program on African wildlife, I became more and more aware of the God given protection of the zebra.  The stripes seem to confuse the predators when they are together in a herd.  Separately though they are almost defenseless from the wild animals roaming the savage land.  The document showed torn flesh and injured legs caused by the brutal attacks.  When together in a herd, the stripes blended together causing confusion.  Hard to define was where one zebra began and the other ended.

            The herd of zebras brought to mind the church body being attacked by our greatest predator, Satan.  The church body staying together will confuse even him.  Satan does not like it when we band together in one accord.  Branching off and splitting up causes us to be weak and easy for attack.

            Stripes confused the enemies of the zebra.  Imagine how the stripes Jesus bore on His body must have confused those who witnessed the miracles and healing power of Jesus.  Most of all it boosted Satan’s false sense of pride.  He proudly began to claim the victory his and thought he was the great conqueror over God’s eternal plan!  Then came the resurrection of our Savior. 

            Has Satan confused your mind about the stripes that Christ bore?  Has he tried to blend lies with the truth to where you cannot seem to define what is what?   John 14:6 the Word reads, Jesus is the Truth.  Remember sin sick soul, we are healed by His stripes. 

            As believers we know Him by His stripes.  There should be no confusion!

Written this morning/Are You Hungry Yet?

Are You Hungry Yet?

Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done; and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

                                                                        …Psalm 40:5

He walked forward, stopped and turned back to see if I was following him.  Our Beagle knows me too well at times.  I will say “Come on Buddy let’s get some supper.”  But on the way I pick up the clothes basket, hang a towel or close a curtain.  He knows he will stop, start, stop and start again before he arrives at his destination-food.  With each stop he waits patiently while I’m sure that under his dog breath he is saying, “I’m hungry! Can’t you hear my belly growl?”

One thing for sure about our Beagle he does know I will feed Him, not maybe at the moment he wants, but he will be fed.  Twice a day we go through our routine of “Are you hungry?” and then his tail wags wildly at the hopes of being fed.  Buddy always seems to be hungry; has such an appetite. 

The thought occurred to me how the Lord waits patiently for me to act upon His direction but I am so easily distracted not acting on His plea to follow.  Christ always has great things in mind for me and He does want to see me follow Him.  His ways are not always my ways…sad to say I seem to think I know what is best for me.  I must do this, or finish that giving Him excuses why I haven’t arrived at the destiny He has for me yet. 

When I do arrive, I find all I need to be equipped for the task at hand, with all the tools needed.  How great are thy mercies and living kindness O Lord unto me.  Why then do I hesitate, linger long or even hold back from a bowl full of blessings.  Just as Buddy we will also come away satisfied.  Are you listening?  Can you hear Him say “Are you coming?”

Father,

In the name of your Son Jesus, Help me to learn to be quiet, listen and followwithout hesitancy.

Sliced, Diced and Mashed/ Cocaine or Grandma?

Choice: Cocaine or Grandma?

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;                                                                

                                                                                         2 Corinthians 3:5

Awake unto righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.                                                                

                                                                                          I Corinthians 15:34

           

Our five year old grandson expressed to us he was upset.  When questioning why he explained, "Granma! I wanted to take you to “Show and Tell,” but you won't fit in my backpack."  I found this so funny. The rule being that the object taken to "Show and Tell" could not exceed the size of the children's backpack.  This helped them understand at their age, the size allowed.  Even the children in pre-school had specific instructions to follow.

How do we expect children to follow instructions when parents don’t?  Listening to our news channel this week it was reported of a six year old child who took crack cocaine to school for “Show and Tell.”  I gasped in unbelief at what I heard.  The boy didn’t know it was wrong, because it was an everyday occurrence to him.  He even knew how to use it; having seen it used so often. 

Poor child!  The mother got off with possible child endangerment and paid a fine of around $345.  Parents!  Grow up! Raise your children, not the children raise you!  Children should not be cleaning up vomit from a drunken parent, or fixing meals for themselves because their mother or father is strung out on drugs. 

Set for them an example that you might be worthy to be called a parent.  Isn’t it   a “Parent,” our Nation needs God?  I am upset too Jordan, because as a nation we left the precepts or instructions God gave us, and this is what we have.  Jordan was upset not able to take me, but one day he will laugh at that.  He won’t laugh, when he sees the world left for him to raise his children in.  God forgive us!  Having the Lord will be his hope through it all.

No! Christian homes aren’t perfect; they too are struggling.  Christian, be what God wants you to be and the world will change.  If you are hiding behavior that does not please God, give it up and let Him clean up your “act.”

Believers, or unbeliever, don’t look at me, look at my Savior; the True example with instructions for you how to be the parent, husband, wife, sister or daughter God meant for you to be.    We all need God!  Read His instruction book.  Then maybe your child will want to take you for “Show and Tell.”