Are You Wasting Time?

As we reach the end of another year and we start thinking about making those resolutions, let's think about wasting time. When I consider that I have lived 27,209 days or 3887 weeks, I wonder how many of those days I have wasted.

Are you wasting time worrying about the nonsense around you? What if we just focused on the positive things in life and ignored the negative things? It's so easy to waste time on things that are really none of our business. "Not my pig; not my farm...", is something our family says. And, we just let those who are involved work out their own problems.

Surely none of us waste time on the web or texting on our IPhones. How many minutes have been wasted doing that rather than spending precious time talking face to face with our loved ones? Do we spend more time on our personal desires leaving no time for communicating with God either by prayer or reading His word?

Do you waste time thinking about everything you don't have rather than being thankful for the things you do have? Maybe we should appreciate what we do have rather than waste time wanting what someone else has.

A lot of us waste time worrying about mistakes we have made. Those mistakes of the past can't be changed but they can remind us not to make the same one.
I'm sure none of us waste time trying to impress others. When we learn that we don't have to be perfect; that not everyone is going to like us and that's okay, we don't have to waste time worrying about what other people think. As long as the way we live pleases God, we shouldn't worry about what others think.

Ben Franklin once said, " Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of."

Life is too short to be wasted. It has taken me many years to learn this but as I get older, I realize the time I have wasted could have been better spent on much better things. Don't let that happen to you..........

"How do you know what is going to happen tomorrow? For the length of your lives is as uncertain as the morning fog—now you see it; soon it is gone. " James 4:14 TLB

Let There Be Peace on Earth

" Dear brothers, don’t ever forget that it is best to listen much, speak little, and not become angry." James 1:19 TLB

Sy Miller and Jill Jackson were a husband and wife songwriting team. In 1955 they wrote a song about their dream of peace for the world and how they believed each one of us could help create it.

As I hear some people talking during this Christmas season, I wonder just how much peace there is in our homes on Christmas. Peace on earth must begin in our homes. ... Consider what it would be like during the Christmas holidays if the memories created were only of laughter and good times. Too many times, there is ill will among family members and it festers when everyone is together celebrating the holidays.

I have heard the old saying "Never discuss politics or religion with your family." And, in a lot of families, those two subjects seem to be the main topics of conversation during the holidays. Or, in some cases, there are hurt feelings from some perceived mistreatment that happened way back when.

"Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. " 2 Timothy 2:23 NIV

As we gather around the Christmas tree with family, perhaps we should make our New Years resolutions early this year and include the resolve to love our siblings, parents and grandparents with the love of the One who came on Christmas to bring peace to our world.

"Don’t quarrel with anyone. Be at peace with everyone, just as much as possible." Romans 12:18 TLB

Catchin' up at Thanksgiving

One of the nice things about Thanksgiving with family is catching up on the little things that have happened throughout the year. Oh, we talk on the phone or we see each other from time to time but there are always those little "feel good" stories that are shared during the holidays that make such an impression.

So, it was this past Thanksgiving when we had the pleasure of being with our young cousin. We don't get to see him very often. He is such an intelligent child; deep t...hinker and mature beyond his years. He has been through a lot for a 4th grader, having lost his mother in an accident when he was very young. His grandparents were raising him when his grandmother passed very suddenly. He has adjusted extremely well in spite of all the losses in his life. It seems the young man loves pets. He has dogs and cats in his home and yet , he takes time to go to the humane society and talk to and pet the animals there. A couple of years ago when his birthday rolled around, he made it known that he had plenty of toys and would much rather anyone who was going to buy him a gift would instead give something to the humane society to help the animals there. Again, this last birthday, a pick up load of things plus a van load were taken to the human society in honor of his birthday.

Isn't this what Thanksgiving and Christmas is all about? Being thankful for what we have and wanting to help others less fortunate?

Perhaps instead of giving gifts to family and friends who most generally have everything they want or need; at least anything we could afford to give them, we would help those who are less fortunate whether it be an animal at the humane society or an individual who is in need.

So proud of my cousin and his unselfishness even though he did make me feel just a bit guilty.

"For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give—large or small—will be used to measure what is given back to you.” Luke 6:38 (TLB)

What is Thanksgiving?

When the girls were home, there were always various boyfriends at our home for Thanksgiving. During college years, they would bring home friends who were to far from their own homes on Thanksgiving. After the girls married, Thanksgiving was celebrated in our home sometime during the Thanksgiving weekend depending on their attendance for the in-laws Thanksgiving. As the grandchildren came along, our Thanksgivings were switched from Thursday to Saturday and have continued to be that way after the grandchildren were grown and married.

For many, many years, there were 30-40 people gathered in our home for a Thanksgiving meal on a Saturday. This Thanksgiving was no exception.  We enjoyed family in Daughter # 2's home with all but two granddaughters and their spouses in attendance.  We are looking forward to Christmas when everyone in our immediate family from Texas to Kansas will gather together.

Thanksgiving is not about the day; it's not about the food or the games or the weather. Thanksgiving is about being thankful for all of the blessings we have been given throughout the year and for the people with whom we are blessed to share the holiday.

What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks,
    to sing an anthem to you, the High God!
To announce your love each daybreak,
    sing your faithful presence all through the night.

Psalm 92:1-2 (MSG)

How Thankful Are You?

Approximately 1517 people died in the Titanic; about 60 million casualties in WWII; approximately 620,000 Americans died in the Civil War. Those are staggering figures but imagine this: Each year over 10 million children die of hunger related issues, disease and complications .....that's EACH year, not just one event.

Before God created man, He created the angels. There was one angel in particular that was full of pride and thought himself better and more powerful even than... His maker. You remember what happened to him, along with 1/3 of the angels in Heaven. He was tossed out faster than a bolt of lightening.

"The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." Luke 10:17-18 NIV
When Satan was loosed on the earth, then came sin and death and pain and suffering and famine. We are a fallen nation because of the pride and arrogance of Satan, who at one time was one of the most favored angels God created.

As we set down with our families to a bountiful meal this Thanksgiving we need to be reminded that we are a blessed people even with all of the terrible events going on in our nation.
What can you and I do to alleviate some of the suffering caused by this "Fallen Angel"? Can you share your meal with someone in need? Can you take time during the Thanksgiving holiday to share God's love with someone? Can you give of the money God has blessed you with to help even one of those 10 million little children who will die of hunger, disease and complications this year?

"You insult your Maker when you exploit the powerless; when you’re kind to the poor, you honor God" Proverbs 14:31 MSG

And, being the loving God He is, He gives us this promise:

"He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor." Proverbs 22:9 NASB

How's Your Heart?

Max Lucado, one of my favorite authors, tells the story of a young family, whose 13 year old daughter, Taylor, was killed in a skiing accident. The family was devastated.......... Taylor's organs were donated and months later, a still grieving mother's only wish was to  know who received Taylor's heart. She was able to make contact with the recipient and arrange a visit.  Making the trip from Dallas to Arizona, Taylor's mother met the woman Taylor's heart had saved.  She asked if she might listen to Taylor's heart beating inside the woman.  The woman gladly said "Yes, you may."

As Taylor's mother listened to the strong heartbeat, tears fell.  She was not listening to the recipient's heart, but her beautiful daughter,  Taylor's heart. Yes, this heart now belonged to the woman but the heart beating inside her breast was that of a 13 year old girl, taken from this earth too soon.

As Believers, God has given us a new heart.......He has replaced our heart with His. We are new creatures.

^"And I will give you a new heart—I will give you new and right desires—and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stony hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love.^" Ezekiel 36:26 The Living Bible

What about the heart that is beating inside of us? Is it a new heart placed there by God through grace and faith in Him? Do the things we say sound as though they come from God's heart?

  “Don’t you see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and then out of the body altogether? But the things that come out of a man’s mouth come from his heart and mind, and it is they that really make a man unclean."  Matthew 15:17-18 J.B Phillips New Testament

Perhaps all of us need to check our hearts................

Being Still

Am I the only one who has trouble being still? You would think that in retirement, one would be able to just sit without thinking they needed to be doing something. During our careers , particularly, our last 23 years, we literally lived by the clock. We knew to be late to a wedding we were to photograph could be a disaster; especially at a venue where time was of the essence.

Sitting down is something I can do without thinking. I enjoy sitting more and more as these old... legs tire much easier than they did at one time. However, sitting and being still is another matter. My thoughts, even when trying to be still and pray, tend to wander and I catch myself looking around and wondering if there isn't something I should be doing. My toe is tapping.........my fingers, twiddling and my mind is wandering. In the next moment, I have picked up the latest book I'm reading or reached over to retrieve my computer. Or, I have gotten up just to look out the window to see what might be taking place outside our home.

At the end of most days, although my mind and body seem to have refrained from a quiet mode, I look around and wonder just what I have accomplished.

" Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10 NKJV

I'm no Hebrew scholar but I do know that the words "be still" in that language literally means to let go or release. Now, why can't I let go or release the idea of having to be constantly moving or doing something? How much better off I would be if I could only let go of that idea and just give up my thoughts and time to a loving, caring God, allowing Him time to tell me what He wants me to do.
In the busyness of a typical day, there are very few minutes for most to give a thought of God. But, God is never to busy to give thought to each of us.

When was the last time you just sat in quietness without thinking you needed to be doing something productive? Does quietness frighten you? When you are totally quiet in body and mind, what happens?

"Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act." Psalm 37:7a NLT

Activity is no sure sign of progress...............

Politics! Politics

Are you tired of the political ads yet?  We go to the mailbox and come back with a handful of flyers promoting this candidate and that candidate. I don't know about you but we stuff ours in the wastebasket with hardly a glance.  The flyers expound on how wonderful a certain person is and/or how awful their opposition is. You turn on the television and over and over the same ads run telling you who you should vote for and why. Now, the whole thing is this: Who do you believe? How do you really know which candidate is best?  Are all the Democrats right?  Or are the Republicans right?  Or, how about those few independents?  Is the candidate with the most money the right one?   I recently looked at the Arkansas General Election four page flyer with names of people running for office.  The majority of those people I haven't heard of.  How do I know for whom to vote?  We look at Washington and all the hearings of people who are accused of various things.  How many of those people are guilty?  How many are framed?  How many lie their way out of things only to continue to bring our country to it's knees.

As Christians, all we can do is pray that God will show us His desires.  We must pray for Him to show us which candidates are truthful; which are not.

Isn't it wonderful to know that there is One we can count on to be truthful in all things?  Our God cannot lie.

 

^" The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting." Psalm 119:160 NASB

This Moment...........

What is your purpose for this very moment? Not your purpose for life , but for this exact moment.
Life isn't given to us all at once but in small increments of seconds, minutes......moments. It's difficult for anyone to say what your purpose in life is other than for the believer, it's to honor God; to do His will. But, what is your purpose for this moment; the moment you are reading this.
Are you setting by your phone? Is there someone that needs a call? Is there a pen ...and some paper on the table beside you? Does someone need to hear from you with an encouraging word or perhaps a word of sympathy? Maybe you are homebound but God has placed a name of someone on your heart that you are to pray for. Are you at your work desk? When you look up, do you see another person? Do you need to invite that person to lunch with you ? Perhaps they need to unload their burdens on a listening ear. Or maybe they are unchurched and they need an invite from you to attend your church? Are you working in a day care where a little child needs that extra hug they didn't get before they were placed in your care for the day? Is there a student in your classroom that is dealing with a difficult home environment? Or maybe they are being bullied and afraid to let anyone know ? Do they need your smile and just a word to let them know that they are important to you and that you are proud of them? What about that person who walks into your store? Do you have time for them or do you just let them browse and maybe walk out when what they really needed was some conversation? What about your own family? When you are together in the evenings are you preoccupied with catching up on the latest news on TV or maybe answering your e-mail or checking your Facebook? Remember, those children God has given you won't be in your care always. This moment you have to give them your undivided attention will not come again.

Time is precious. Each moment that passes leaves us with that much less of it. We all have the same amount of time. God knew that 24 hours and 7 days a week was plenty of time to accomplish what He wants each of us to do. It's up to us to determine how we are going to spend those moments because we will never have them back.
A Time for Everything
For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 NLT

Are You Hot or Cold?

After being married to the love of her life for 57 years, my mother had now been alone for 16 years. Like most women of that era, she had depended on my daddy for whatever needed to be taken care of around the home she had now lived in for sixty years.   So, it was very difficult for her to have to depend on someone else even at 93.

"I really hate to bother John", my mother would say," but it's pretty cold in the house this morning."

I thought about that today; the first day of fall. Mother would call and in an apologetic way, ask if John could come and turn on her furnace. Of course, he would; he always did.  As is typical of these early fall days, by afternoon, the heat would return and once again John would make his way to Mother's home and turn on the air.

"I turned on the fan," she would say, "but it still seems awfully stifling in here."

And, so it would go, day after day, for the next six weeks or so when finally the weather would settle down and her furnace could be turned on until spring.

I'm sure many of you, like me, go to bed at night , pulling the covers up around your neck. Then, in the middle of the night, you find yourself throwing those covers off because you are too warm.  It's difficult to get just the right temperature at just the right time and make it last.

So, it is with our houses of worship. Being inspired by God, John the Apostle wrote this to the Church in Laodicea:

"I know what you have done, and that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish that you were either cold or hot! but since you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I intend to spit you out of my mouth!" Revelations 3:16 Phillips Translation

Our churches are made up of people who are either hot or cold.  They are either on fire for the Lord or they are cold as a wedge. God is not pleased with a body of believers like that.  And, just as He is not pleased with the body of believers who are hot for a time and then cold, He is not pleased with us as individuals when we exhibit this same kind of behavior.

It's really easy to allow ourselves to gradually become cold. We "throw off the cover" so to speak and then, before we know what has happened, we are cold.  We immerse ourselves in church attendance; diligently read our bibles daily; pray through our days and feel the closeness of God. Then, for whatever reason, we find other things to do on Sundays and we skip church.  With each Sunday it becomes easier to neglect coming together with other believers in God's house.  The busyness of each day occupies us so we put other things above our quite times with God in prayer and bible study.  And, like the church at Laodicea, God is not pleased with us.

How is your walk with the Lord?  Are you one of the Laodiceans or are you in tune with what God has called you to do for Him?

Think about it............

Words Are Like Arrows

As I thought about my posting yesterday, I remembered how easy it is to say things in anger.  As children, we have all yelled at our playmates in anger because something didn't go our way.  As adults, it's very easy to become angered when we have to stand in line for a period of time.  Or if we are cut off in traffic or hearing something that someone has said about us or our children.  How do we react?

Parents, be aware that your words shape a child's future.  Spouses, be aware that the things you say to your marriage partner can cause strife within the marriage that otherwise would never had been there. Always remember words are like arrows......you can't take them back.

I heard Dr. Ben Carson say something the other day that stuck with me. He was asked if he was always as calm as he appeared to people and if so, how did he manage to be that way. 

"Well," said Dr. Carson, "I do get upset with people sometimes. When I do, I just look at that person and say to myself  'At one time, you were such a cute, little baby'."  Wouldn't that be a good thing for all of us to do?

 ^"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." James 1:19-20 NIV

Conflicts

"I'm never speaking to you again!  And, I'm not ever playing with you again AND you better not come into my yard or I'll throw these rocks at you!"

The arguments of little children can be so hateful. Yet, by the next day, the conflict is usually forgotten and the children are happily playing together once more.

"You are NOT to come into my room ever again. I hate you!  I wish you weren't my brother (or sister) !" And, the door slams in the face of the sibling.

Sometimes arguments and differences are not as easily solved within families. Sometimes, they are never solved.  My husband tells of a married couple who had an argument and  although they continued to live together, they never spoke to each other again. Oh, she fixed his meals and washed his clothes and he brought home the pay check but, according to their children, they never spoke. As the man lay on his death bed, one of the daughters went to her mother and begged her to apologize to her husband. The mother refused telling the daughter "We have lived this long without speakin' and I ain't changin' that now!" And, the old man passed into eternity never hearing "I'm sorry" or being allowed to tell his wife he was sorry.  And, sometimes, because of an argument between family members, the conflict continues until one of them passes away and the family is never able to unite completely again.

Sometimes disagreements happen at work.  A co-worker gossips about another and the hateful exchange begins.  Soon, the whole workplace is taking sides and work is forgotten in exchange for a bitter conflict between two people. Business suffers because of the time spent arguing and eventually some may loose their jobs because of this.

Sometimes churches have conflicts within their walls. In the house of God where there should be peace and love  there is backbiting and hate and arguing. Members quit speaking to each other. Instead, they conspire as to how they can get their way or how they can hurt others.  There was a church conflict years ago about the color of the new roof that was to be installed.  I understand that to this day, one side of the roof is one color; the other side, another.  Satan loves conflict.  He loves conflict within the home or the workplace but especially within a church. If Satan can cause enough conflict with a church that it splits, he has won another battle. Many lost souls who might have been won to the Lord will not be just because of a conflict caused by a few people who didn't see eye to eye over something usually very small.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the arguments and conflicts adults have could be forgotten so easily as that of small children?

 

" How wonderful, how beautiful,
    when brothers and sisters get along!
It’s like costly anointing oil
    flowing down head and beard,
Flowing down Aaron’s beard,
    flowing down the collar of his priestly robes.
It’s like the dew on Mount Hermon
    flowing down the slopes of Zion.
Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing,
    ordains eternal life." Psalm 133 The Message

Silly Little Cricket

Do you ever get upset because of little things? Oh, it's easy and understandable when we get frustrated with the mistakes we make and those other people make. We are frustrated when we burn the biscuits , we're late for work or someone backs into our vehicle leaving a big ding. But, what about little things?

Last night after we went to bed and lights were out, I heard a distinct noise...... an i...rritating noise. Oh, it wasn't a big thing; matter of fact, it was a very small thing. It was a cricket chirping his song from the next room. It was a noise that wouldn't have bothered me had I not been trying to sleep. However, in the stillness of the night, the chirping of that cricket might as well have been a bullhorn. A search with the flashlight only caused a silencing for a time so back to bed I went, now wide awake from my fruitless search. And, as soon as my head hit the pillow, the little fellow in the next room began singing his lullaby again to me. I finally dozed off... still irritated.

I have said when I get to Heaven I want to question God about His thinking when He created the snakes, mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers. Last night, I wanted to ask Him about his choice in creating crickets. But, according to His word, all creatures are important. They were important enough that they were created even before mankind. So, perhaps rather than get upset when one of God's creatures sings out a happy tune, we need to thank God that He gave us the ability to hear that tune even if it is in the dark of night.

God spoke: “Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind:
cattle and reptiles and wild animals—all kinds.”
And there it was:
wild animals of every kind,
Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug.
God saw that it was good.
God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them
reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself,
and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
God created human beings;
he created them godlike,
Reflecting God’s nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
“Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”
Genesis 1:24-28 The Message

You know, if God said it was good.......it was good. I need to remember that.

"Smoldering Disobedience"

"Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take."

Many of us as children have prayed that prayer. We prayed it because our parents had recited it with us at bedtime so it became somewhat of a ritual. We did it because it pleased our parents; because we were told to or because a Sunday School teacher had taught us how to... pray the prayer. Even though we were too young to know about salvation, we did believe there was a God who would answer our prayers. Did God hear our prayer? I believe He did. We were innocent enough at that time that our prayers weren't hindered.

Do you wonder why there are times your prayers are unanswered? Have you ever thought that perhaps God doesn't answer our prayers for a reason? Oh, He hears them alright but too many times when we pray our hearts aren't right and that hinders our prayers.

"For I cried to him for help with praises ready on my tongue. He would not have listened if I had not confessed my sins. But, he listened! He heard my prayer! He paid attention to it!" Psalm 66:17-19

Everyday I see prayer requests on Facebook. Many of those requests are from friends and I promise to pray for them. And, I do pray.........often, I pray many times. Then, I wonder if God heard my prayer for this person. I would hate to think that God heard my prayer, but because of unforgiveness in my heart toward other people, He didn't answer my prayer.

"and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us." Matthew 6:12 TLB

I like the story that John Lavender tells in his book "Why Prayers are Unanswered". The story is about Dr. Norman Vincent Peale.

When Peale was a boy, he found a big, black cigar, slipped into an alley, and lit up. It didn't taste good, but it made him feel very grown up....until he saw his father coming. Quickly, he put the cigar behind his back and tried to be casual. Desperate to divert his father's attention, Norman pointed to a billboard advertising the circus. " Can I go, Dad? Please, can I go when it comes to town?" His father's reply taught Norman a lesson he never forgot. "Son", he answered quietly, but firmly, "never make a petition while at the same time trying to hide smoldering disobedience."

Is there a smoldering disobedience in your heart that would hinder the answer from God? There are too many people in need of our prayers today to allow sin and unforgiveness to hinder our much needed prayers.

Peace At Last

The past days for our family, have been filled with anxiousness for Cheryl's father-in-law, who had surgery for a ruptured aorta and lay in a hospital in Tulsa. He fought with all he had to regain his strength and overcome the odds he faced. However, it was not to be and he went to his Heavenly Home leaving a tearful family behind. In time, the grieving family will move on with their lives just as he would want them to. And they will forever be blessed with the memory of a very loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend.

What kind of legacy will you leave when your time on this earth is up?  What kind of memories will your loved ones have? 

I wrote a poem that I'd like to share with you. I know others of you are facing or have faced the same thing our family did. I hope this will be a comfort...........

Peace at Last

Last night I stood in the shadow of Death,

For the mercy of God I did plead.

I ask for release from the bondage of pain,

And the Lord, praise His name, saw my need.

A quietness, a stillness suddenly came unto me.

A peace came over my soul.

As the voices of loved ones faded away,

I watched all of Heaven unfold.

My wonderful Savior with arms open wide,

His smile like none I had seen,

Came gently toward me and held out His hand.

Yes, now there was nothing between.

The brightness there was like thousands of suns,

The voices of angels did ring.

They stood all around the great, white throne,

Singing Hosannas to my Lord; to the King.

I searched Heaven for faces I'd known.

I looked passed millions it seemed.

And, suddenly those who had gone on before,

Were all there....this must be a dream.

Tears of joy filled my being; at last I was free!

No more tears; no more pain to endure.

Peace was mine at last for eternity,

With my loved ones, my Lord, safe and sure...........

 

Jo Ann

Are You Authentic?

It was a hot summer day. My friend and I were sitting on the steps of my old back porch carrying on a big conversation like eight year old do. Suddenly, I looked up and saw a man dressed in an old shabby overcoat and an old hat. He was coming around the corner of the house, head down, stumbling along as he came. My friend was continuing to talk and hadn’t spotted the man. I got up very quickly; ran across the porch to our back door; opened the screen; jumped inside and locked the screen. My friend suddenly saw the old man, jumped up and ran to the door.  Try as she might to get in, I wouldn’t unlock the screen and we both just stood there screaming. The old man stopped, took off the hat  and began laughing.  It was my daddy, who was forever playing jokes on us.  Still shaking, I unlocked the door and ran to him throwing my arms around him.

I think there is a lesson in this. Things and people sometimes are not as they seem. We hear on the news everyday about instances where a mother has abandoned her baby; a quiet, unassuming person has murdered several people; a minister has committed the unthinkable rape of a child.

What about you?  Are you authentic?  Are you really the person people see, admire, and even love?

“ Dearly loved friends, don’t always believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God: test it first to see if it really is. For there are many false teachers around.” John 4:1 TLB

Although this is speaking of false teachers, I think it can also apply to all of us.  We need to be authentic.  We must not hide behind the old shabby coat and hat of our career or our family name.  We need to portray to the world who we actually are and what we truly believe. When we are tested , how do we measure up in the eyes of those around us? But, more importantly, how do we measure up in the eyes of God?

 

We All Leave Our Mark.

Very few of us have not been touched by the life of Kenny Clark. What a shock it was to awaken to the news that he was no longer on this earth but had gone to meet his Heavenly Father. And, suddenly, it seems the whole town has come to a halt. Oh, people are going about their business; many as usual, but there is a certain quietness in the town. You can see it in the faces of people you come in ...contact with. You can hear the whispers as people tell one another about this devastating loss. Even the computer postings have backed off other than to comment on what a great man he was; what a loss to the community; what a shock to his family, etc.

All of this has made me wonder what kind of a mark I would leave on our community. Would people be shocked at my passing? Would they talk among themselves about what a great person I was and how my community will miss me? Will they remember the times I helped other people in need? Would they talk about what a fun person I was to be around? Would they remember good things and talk about them for a time or would my passing be noted for a day and then written off as just another person gone from this earth?

Every person who walks this earth touches someone in some way at some time. Those of us who knew Kenny were changed in some way. Perhaps we were changed just because he spoke to us and ask about our family. Perhaps we were changed because he offered us a job. Perhaps we were changed because we heard him play his drums in church. Some of us will be changed because of the times he helped us when there was a need.

Will you be remembered in a good way just as Kenny was? What are you doing to make your mark on the people you come in contact with each day? You are influencing someone every day. You may never know it; you may never hear it while you are on this earth but you are leaving your mark.

What will people say about you when you are gone?

“It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.” Ephesians 2:10 TLB

” How do you know what is going to happen tomorrow? For the length of your lives is as uncertain as the morning fog—now you see it; soon it is gone.” James 4:14 TLB

Happy Fathers Day !

My daddy was a pretty quiet man but he had a very dry sense of humor. Even though he was soft spoken, there was never any doubt about what he expected of me. There were times in my teen years that I thought he was too strict. However, after I became a parent, I understood.

At 34, he was an older dad when I was born. And, there was no doubt that I was a Daddy’s Girl. Although he worked long hours..., he was never too tired to spend time with me. He was a good man; a Christian man and although he has been gone since 1984, I can still hear his voice in my head on occasion and most often, it is in an affirmative way.

I married a man much like my daddy although my husband’s humor was a bit more than dry. It was always a laugh a minute at in our home when he was around. Our two daughters were very fortunate to have such a wonderful man in their lives growing up. And, I know they honor and respect him today.

Our daughters married wonderful Christian men and we love them as though they are our own sons. They love our daughters and have brought up our grandchildren to love the Lord.

We are fortunate to have two grandsons-in-law who are not fathers yet but someday they will be. They were both brought up in Christian homes and I know they will continue to love our granddaughters and will lead their children in the right paths.

Our two grandsons have been brought up in the fear and admonition of the Lord and I have no fear whatsoever that they also will be wonderful fathers someday.

God has blessed me with wonderful men in my life and I give Him thanks for that.

"Fathers, don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master." Ephesians 6:4 MSG

The Ice Cream Social

Here I am inside today bemoaning the fact that the Ice Cream Social is taking place on the public square and I’m home nursing a terrible cold. And, unless I want to go around carrying a box of Kleenex with me, my trip to this event will probably not take place.

The Ice Cream Social is a great event not only for merchandising the wears of the merchants and local people, but it’s the best place to see people you only see once a year or maybe once every five or ten years. People enjoy standing around visiting or setting in lawn chairs they have brought for the occasion.  And, if the weather cooperates, that makes it so much better.

I recall when I was growing up, Saturday night was the time for visiting on the square. The merchants always kept their stores open and usually enjoyed a pretty hefty business.  Of course, when I was growing up, there wasn’t a highway running right through the middle of town so the kids could run all over the shaded, circular, park like area.  We would climb over the benches and chase each other until our faces were beet red and we would fall over on the grass to cool off. Parents would set around visiting in the park or stroll around the square, stopping occasionally to window shop or go inside to see what new merchandise was on display. In the early years, there was a bandstand, as I recall, and there was always band music being played by members of the school band or occasionally, an older person who was still young at heart and enjoyed playing their instrument of choice.

I have often wondered if the generations that have come on after mine could be entertained as easily. Have we grown so accustomed to being entertained by the “bloob tube” or the internet that we have forgotten how to visit with our neighbors?  Are our activities so organized for us that we run ourselves crazy with one parent carting one kid to soccer while the other takes the other child to dance?  Is there no time spent together as a family just enjoying each other without having our cellphones set on ready and certainly within arm’s reach? Do we even know our neighbors or the merchants in town? Do we even care to know them?

 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”Mark 12:30-31 NIV

Happy birthday, Cheryl !

It was early on a Sunday morning when my mother answered the telephone.

“So what do John and Jo Ann have?” asked the voice on the other end.

“What do you mean ‘what do they have’?“ inquired my mother.

“Well, they’ve been at the hospital all night. Surely they have something by now,” came the voice on the other end.

So, when my petite mother walked into the waiting room, she was loaded for bear!

“Why didn’t you let me know you all were up here?” she said, looking John straight in the eye.

Before he could answer, there was a cry from down the hall.  That beautiful little girl had arrived and our world would never be the same.

Cheryl, your dad and I couldn’t ask for a more wonderful daughter. You have made life for us so interesting and fulfilling from the minute we brought you home until now. Thank you for all of the wonderful memories.  And, thank you for finding the perfect soul mate and giving us two of the best grandsons in the world!

We love you, dear daughter, and your dad and I hope your birthday is the very best yet!

 

Are You A People Pleaser?

Are you a people pleaser?  Do you go out of your way to please everyone and then complain when they don’t appreciate it?  Do you worry about what people think about you?  Are you afraid they will no longer like you if you don’t go above and beyond to help them?

A lot of people have a fear of rejection.  Some will do anything to get the approval of others even if it means wearing themselves out and neglecting their own families or their own needs in the process.
When will we learn that we can’t please everyone?  Even Jesus couldn’t please the people who knew him best. He wasn’t accepted in his own hometown
.
"Jesus told them, 'A prophet has little honor in his hometown, among his relatives, on the streets he played in as a child.' Jesus wasn’t able to do much of anything there—he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them, that’s all. He couldn’t get over their stubbornness. He left and made a circuit of the other villages, teaching."  Mark 6:4-6 The Message

I’m sure Jesus wasn’t trying to please people for He only wanted to please His Heavenly Father. It seemed no matter what He did; how many people He healed, the people could not be pleased. Maybe we should quit trying to please everyone else and just do the will of our Heavenly Father. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to help those in need. But, sometimes when we think we are helping others, we are only allowing them to be more dependent.

It’s pretty easy to please our Heavenly Father. It’s much easier than it is to please other people. And, after all, being pleasing to Him is all that really matters when this life is over.

“And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with him.   Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done.” Colossians 2:6-7 TLB

"For Better or Worse" Even a Broken Foot

“I think if you will get on that side and I’ll get over here, I can get this car started.  I’ll jump in when it starts rolling and you just jump back out of the way.” The young man said, nodding to the young lady with him.

So, she did as he said; she grabbed hold of the door handle and pushed with all her might.  After all, they had to get to the chapel because they were getting married today.

We got there just as their wedding was over.  We were to photograph the next wedding at Thorncrown. This couple’s photographer was coming down the pathway, camera focused on the couple; her in a wheel chair and him pushing her along. As they reached the parking lot, their photographer walked over to us.

“What a calamity”, said the photographer.

“How’s that?” John inquired.

“Well, they were coming here from Oklahoma and had a problem with their vehicle. They were pushing the vehicle and the back wheel ran over her foot and I think it’s probably broken.  They’re headed to the hospital as soon as we finish these pictures. Sure am glad Thorncrown had a wheelchair.”

Sure enough, when we checked later, her foot was broken, requiring surgery, so the couple spent their wedding night in the hospital.

The words  wedding vows, “for better or for worse; for richer or poorer; in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live,” came early for this couple.  I’m sure this is not how they envisioned their wedding ceremony or their wedding night. But, when couples marry, there is no guarantee that life from the moment their vows are made, is going to be perfect.

I like the analogy Dr. Charles Swindoll uses.  He likens a marriage to remodeling a house.  He says, “It takes longer than you planned. It costs more than you figured. It is messier than you anticipated. It requires greater determination than you expected. Sometimes the only thing that keeps us going is hope!”

When our marriage commitments are made with agape love; the perfect love; the love God has for us, then they can survive anything. Perhaps when we recall that we are to do unto others; especially our spouses as though we were doing the same for our Heavenly Father, we will be a bit more patient and caring.

“And I, the King, will tell them, ‘When you did it to these my brothers, you were doing it to me!’ “ Matthew 25:40 TLB

Marriage is Forever

They had just graduated from college when our oldest grandson married his lovely bride in a very touching ceremony before family and friends. Three years later, upon completing her college degree, our oldest granddaughter and her husband were married in a beautiful ceremony in their college town in Texas. Fast forward three more years to last Sunday evening when our second oldest granddaughter, after graduating from the U of A the week before, married her best friend and the love of her life, in beautiful Thorncrown Chapel, with his dad officiating at the ceremony. There where their lives first intertwined almost 22 years ago.

When John and I married, he was a mature twenty-three and I was only eighteen. I am SO thankful for his maturity and patience in dealing with me those first few months. God tells us in His word that we should develop patience.

“May God who gives patience, steadiness, and encouragement help you to live in complete harmony with each other—each with the attitude of Christ toward the other.” Romans 15:5 TLB

 As one who has been married for almost 56 years, I can tell you that patience,steadiness and encouragement are three things that will help develop a good marriage. Patience with my burned biscuits and encouragement that my cooking would only get better with time was important to me.

 I remember one time in particular, I was in a hurry to make a cream pie. I had made a lot of apple pies and raisin pies before I married. For some reason, I don’t recall making a cream pie. John loved cocoanut pies so I was determined to make one. I rolled out the crust I had made from scratch; got it in the pie plate in one piece. I stirred the cream filling determined not to burn it on the bottom. I poured it into the pie shell and proceeded to make the meringue. I carefully spread that on top of the pie and placed it in the oven to brown. Upon taking the pie out of the oven, I discovered the crust wasn’t done. What had I done wrong? I called my mother crying,

“Mother, I just made this cream pie and baked it (sniff, sniff) and when I took it out of the oven, the crust wasn’t done.” By now, I was bawling. She told me that crust had to be baked before pouring in the filling. My poor husband ate that pie without complaining and I’m sure praying all along that my baking would improve.

 I’m thankful that my mother was close by and I could call her when I was in the depths of despair about my poor pie. However, God tells couples that upon marriage, they should depend on their mate and not on their parents. It’s that “leave and cleave” situation but more on that perhaps at another time. The main thing I think newlyweds must learn and “olderweds” need to ask themselves is : "Am I going to focus on what I get or what I give?" If we can exhibit agape love, the selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love, our marriages will certainly have a much better chance of succeeding.

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 ESV

 

 

Changes in Life

Have you ever considered why God put you where you are today?  Why were you not born during the Civil War or the Great Depression?  Why were you put in this town, in your family at this time?

I was thinking about this today as I contemplated the changes in life that come to all of us.  The things we are going through in life today would not have happened exactly as they have had we been born at a different time or to different parents.

My mother and daddy had been married fourteen years when I was born.  Mother was the oldest of six. Her mother worked and Mother looked after her siblings.  She use to tell me she remembered well when she was eight standing on a little stool at the old wood stove stirring gravy while holding a crying sibling on her hip with another one pulling on her dress and crying. She felt she had already raised a family when she married my daddy. They had been married two years when Black Tuesday happened and the stock market collapsed and the Great Depression came.  Those years were certainly not years to bring children in the world, to their thinking. So, it was that I was not a child of the Great Depression but a child of the Forties.

Because I was born when I was and where I was, I married my husband when I did.  Our children were born when they were and they married their mates and had their children.  When you stop to consider the ramifications of your birth, the location in which you live, the people you come in contact with, there are all kinds of changes that could have happened in your life.
Your life and mine were all planned out by our Heavenly Father before we
were even born.

“Before I shaped you in the womb,
    I knew all about you.
Before you saw the light of day,
    I had holy plans for you” Jeremiah 1:5A The Message

I think about those who are graduating from high school and college.  Most of them have already made plans for the next step in their lives.  They have chosen which college they will attend or which job they will apply for if they have just finished high school. If college is behind them, they are looking for employment in their field; they have plans to travel and see the world or they have found their soul mate and will be marrying soon.  All of these things would not be occurring now had God not planned for the lives of each one at the beginning of time.  That’s a pretty sobering thought, isn’t it?

“World events are under his control. He removes kings and sets others on their thrones. He gives wise men their wisdom and scholars their intelligence.” Daniel 2:21 TLB

“There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
    a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
    a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Wild flowers Saved the Day

“Wonder when the florist will be here?” said the anxious Mother of the Bride, ‘They said they would deliver the flowers at least twenty minutes before time for the wedding.“

“I’m sure they will be here if that’s what they told you,“ I said, trying not to show any anxiety. “You did tell them the Worship Center and not the Chapel, didn’t you?” I ask.

“Yes, I did.”

“Did you talk with them yesterday to confirm delivery time?” I inquired.

“No, should I have?” The Mother of the Bride was beginning to be more and more anxious.

It was an evening wedding and, as I looked at my watch, I realized the shop had already closed for the day. I hoped that they had closed the doors and headed this way.

A few more minutes past………..no florist. By now, the bride was in a bigger tizzy than she had been. She was in the dressing area; frantic because no flowers had arrived.

Well, what is a bridal consultant to do? Although we were just the photographers for this wedding and I wasn’t the consultant, I knew I had to do something to save the day…………..but what?

I went back outside hoping to see the florist drive up with bouquet, corsages and boutonniere in hand but there was no one other than the remaining guests who were arriving. It was then I spotted them; there on the hillside beside the drive to the Worship Center were wild flowers waving in the breeze just beaconing me to help myself.

“John, give me your pocket knife………quickly.” He proceeded to pull out his knife, open it and hand it to me. Onto the hillside I climbed amid the flowers. I began to cut them as fast as I could until I thought I had a sufficient amount. I clambered back down; rushed in and found a rubber band in the trusty case I always carried with me for those last minute needs of a bride. I hurriedly twisted the band around the flowers; fluffed them a bit and carried them into the bride.

“Honey, I guess these will have to do since it’s about five minutes before time for the wedding to begin.”

The bride was crying by then and I think if I had handed her a handful of weeds, she would have been thankful.

“Oh, thank you, thank you,” she said, amid her tears. “They are beautiful!”

The Mothers had no corsages; no boutonniere for the groom or fathers. But, the bride had a bouquet to carry that day.

I am glad I wasn’t within hearing distance at the flower shop the next day when the bride’s mother walked in. But, I was glad that God had placed those wildflowers there just when they were needed. I could have done without the chiggers that nested among them though. I itched for a week!

Isn’t it amazing how God provides for our needs? These weren’t the flowers the bride had planned for but for some reason, God provided what was necessary at the time. God doesn’t always fulfill our desires; He doesn’t always provide us with flowers and sunny days. Sometimes, there are the showers and the wildflowers, but there is always a reason for those. Perhaps, it’s so we will enjoy the things in life that we had overlooked.

 

“For he knows we are but dust and that our days are few and brief, like grass, like flowers, blown by the wind and gone forever.” Psalm 103: 14-16 TLB

What to wear........What to Wear

As I was contemplating the upcoming wedding of Granddaughter # 2, I went to my closet to see what this Grandmother might wear.  Not being the Mother of the Bride or Mother of the Groom, it really wasn’t all that important. After all, I might be seen briefly setting in the family section or maybe in a family picture but I certainly wasn’t going to be the center of attention. However, not wanting to embarrass our Granddaughter, I did want to at least look presentable. I am blessed with a number of  “Sunday Go To Meetin’ Clothes” so I did have choices.  The bright red two- piece might be a little flashy for this Grandmother; the pale green skirt with matching vest would be the right color but, my goodness, it had been in my closet for at least twenty years. Then, there was the lavender sheath dress with matching jacket enhanced with pale colored sequins……….that would be fine. I shuffled through the choices becoming more and more confused.  Again, I thought, “Why am I so concerned with my attire? I should just be glad I can be there to witness this wonderful uniting of two hearts and lives no matter what I’m wearing.”

Why are all of us so obsessed with our physical appearance?  Why do we stew and worry over what to wear to a special event or even what to wear to church on Mother’s Day or Easter? Do our earrings match the outfit?  What shoes can I wear with this?  Shouldn’t we be more concerned about how we look to God on the inside than how we look to others on the outside?

If we are Believers, we know that God is going to provide for our needs.  He may not give us all that we want, but we are assured by His Word that He cares for us.  We are important to Him; we are His children.  And, just as any parent provides for the needs of their child, He will provide for us. Shouldn’t we thank Him for our provisions by living the kind of life that would make Him proud to be our Father?

“Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”  Matt. 6:28-33 The Message

Together Forever.............

His sister was five……her sister was three…….he just turned three…..she was only a few weeks old.  A family no longer together just before she was born dictated that her, her sister and her mommy move to a new town. Mommy needed a job and found one immediately at a beautiful little glass chapel. His daddy worked there and his mommy became the baby sitter for her sister and her. At three years old, he was intrigued by her and would peak into her crib and then dance around, hoping to draw her attention. She would laugh at his silly antics. For almost a year, his mommy looked after her and her sister, and his daddy often carried her around on his shoulders while she laughed and held on.

Church on Sundays found them on the beautiful glass chapel grounds. In children’s church, the older kids loved to play with the pots and pans in the little kitchen. All of them loved to listen to the bible stories her babysitter and some other workers read. Even she, as small as she was, loved to sit on the babysitter’s lap while the stories were being read. She loved the pretty pictures in the book. And, she laughed while the bigger kids played all around her.

 It was a big day! She would be a year old in a week and her Mommy was getting married! His Mommy was her Mommy’s bridesmaid and his daddy sang at the wedding there on the grounds of the beautiful little glass chapel. Her Mommy, new Daddy, and her sister moved to a town close by but they kept in touch with the little family that she had grown to love.

 When she was two and he was five, his family moved away and the families kept in touch for a time. Fast forward sixteen years. She had just graduated from high school……social media was the going thing and there he was……that little boy all grown up. She instantly knew him when she saw his picture. Keeping in touch was easy once again with texting, phoning, and face timing. And, then they met…….face to face………for the first time in all those years.

 Fast forward four more years, she is graduating from college this week; he is finishing college in one year. This little boy, who was one of her very first friends, will become her husband next week when his dad officiates at their ceremony at that same beautiful little glass chapel from long ago. And now, after all these years, these two families will be reunited and united.

 There was that day many years ago that was painful….painful for all involved. It was as though God had closed the door to happiness......permanently. Yet, through the closing of that door, another door was opened; a door that lead to relationships and happiness that would never have happened otherwise.

 Are there times in your life when you feel all the doors to your happiness have been closed? You feel God has turned His back on you and you have nowhere to turn? Remember this; God has a plan. That plan may not reveal itself for weeks or months or even years but His plan is always perfect; His timing is always perfect. Be very careful not to step ahead of the One who created you; the One who knows you so much better than you know yourself. But, look for that open door He wants you to walk though.........thank Him.........walk through it and watch the blessings He has for you.

 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

 I love you, dear Granddaughter. I pray God’s blessings on you and the one He brought back into your life as you are united as one for a lifetime before your family, your friends and most of all, the God Who loves you both and has a plan for your lives together.

 "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 NIV

 

Tragedies in our lives

There is so much tragedy this week due to the weather. I suspect over the years all of us have been touched by some sort of tragedy. And, when it happens to us, we can’t help but wonder why.

I had just turned two when the tornado of 1942 struck and destroyed most of my hometown. Because of work, my parents and I were living in Salina, Ks. at the time so we were spared. But, my paternal  family wasn’t.  My grandparent’s home was destroyed; my grandfather was severely injured and my grandmother died a short time later from injuries suffered in that tragedy. My paternal family was bombarded by tragedies during the years my daddy was growing up and even after he was married. This tornado that took the life of my grandmother even before I got to know her was only one of them.

My paternal grandfather was known in the town as a good man and a very good businessman. But, there were things that he did that brought about tragedy and discourse within his family.  My grandmother was a wonderful woman by all accounts; a Christian woman I’m told, who loved the Lord and her family.  My grandfather, on the other hand, was raised in the home of a circuit riding preacher.  His dad was gone much of the time holding revivals here and there and my grandfather resented that he was away so much. So, going to church was not a priority for my grandfather when he left home. I’m sure my grandmother spent much of her life praying for the salvation of my grandfather and her children. But, his salvation and that of one of his sons was not to come until after her death.

It was a small country church and my parents and I had gone to one of the services.  We sat on the same pew with my grandfather, his brother and my uncle.  I remember so well, even though I couldn’t have been more than five or six, when the alter call came and those three men began bawling like babies. I don’t remember much of the details other than seeing them all raise their hands; tears flowing down their cheeks and asking the Lord to come into their lives. And, I remember later going to the river where they were all baptized.  I don’t know what brought about my grandfather’s salvation but I am almost positive it was the prayers of his wife, now deceased. And, perhaps, the knowledge of the tragedy that took her life, and the tragedies that took the lives of all of his children but two, over the years.

I see and read the news stories now of families torn apart by the ravishing storms that have taken place. And, yet, as I hear some of their stories, I’m reminded that even in death, God has gained a victory. Their testimonies of His love and faithfulness abound even through their tears.

Isn’t it amazing how we tend to believe that everything revolves around us?  That God should give us special priority because we are such good people? That He should never let tragedy or unhappiness come to  us because we are His people?  We never think about the fact that God uses tragedy to bring people to Him that otherwise might never know His saving grace.

Has God used a tragedy in someone else’s life to bless you?  Or a tragedy in your life to bless someone else? God put us on this earth to be a shining example of Him to those around us.  We are not here for our own selfish reasons.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20 NIV

Opps! There goes the cake!

It was a perfect day for the big late afternoon wedding.  The bride was radiant and the groom was all smiles as they repeated their vows.  Friends and family of the couple had gathered to wish the couple well.
After the wedding, we hurried to the reception at a large hotel.  The dining room had been decorated and the food was set out for the guests to enjoy.

“Would you like to go ahead and make a few family pictures outside while the light is good or do you want to go ahead and cut the cake so that people can eat it after they finish the Hors D’oeuvres?

“Oh, I think we better gather the family together before the children get cranky or some of them have to leave. And, we certainly want pictures outside while there is good light.”  The bride said.
It took a while to get about 40 people together and get them outside. But, we managed to get all of them lined up on the big steps at the back of the hotel and make several pictures of the big group and some of individual families with the couple. Just as the photography session was coming to a close, one of the waiters came out the door and motioned to me.

“You might want to get inside pretty soon and take the cake pictures because the cake is about to fall.”

So, we hurried inside only to find two waitresses behind the cake with spatulas under each side of the third layer of the four layer cake.  Not wanting the waitresses in the photograph of the couple cutting the cake, we posed them between the two waitresses.

“I’ll get them focused here and when I say ‘Ready’, you two ladies step back very carefully leaving the spatulas in place and I’ll snap the picture at that moment.”

“Ready”, John said, and the two ladies very carefully stepped back.  As they did, the cake began to tumble before the couple could slice it.  What was once a beautiful wedding cake lay all over the end of the table and onto the floor in one big mess!  The groom’s mother had worked for hours baking and decorating that elaborate cake only to have her masterpiece end up in the floor before the couple even had a taste. She was so horrified  she left the reception sobbing.  It seems she had failed to insert the wooden dowels that must be put in each layer before the layers are stacked and before it is iced in order to stabilize it.

Have you ever felt that things were crumbling all around you and you wanted to run away sobbing?  It might be that you were handed the pink slip at work; it might be a catastrophic health diagnosis; perhaps a divorce in the family.  It could be a number of things that all of us have encountered or will encounter during our life time. 

God has the answer for all of our trials and tribulations.  Oh, the answer may not come today or tomorrow or even next week. It may not even the answer we were expecting, but, if we put our trust in Him instead of our own strength, He will handle the situation. Two verses come to mind as I think about this:

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 TLB

“Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God—soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.” Psalm 43:5 The Message

The Red Dress

Occasionally, I watch the TV show “Say ‘Yes, to the Dress’ “. For those who are not familiar with this show, a bride goes into a dress shop usually bringing 4-5 people; mothers, bridesmaids or occasionally a father. She tries on different dresses; parading in front of those people while they comment on how she looks. Finally, after trying on endless dresses, she finds “the dress” and says “Yes, to the Dress”. While watching the show, I recalled a small wedding we were to photograph at the Worship Center on the grounds of Thorncrown Chapel. When time is of the essence, we always liked to take some photographs beforehand.

Having spoken with the bride by phone, yet never seeing her, we were not familiar with how she looked. As we waited patiently for someone to show up, a young lady dressed in a tea length white gown, complete with white gloves, a pillbox hat and white shoes came from the direction of the dressing room.

“Hello”, my husband said, “I’m John, your photographer and this is my wife, Jo Ann. If you’re ready, we’d love to take a few pictures of you before the wedding.”

The young lady smiled , “Okay, the bride will be here in just a few minutes. She is just finishing up dressing. She probably would like to have some pictures made with me.”

John and I glanced at each other. Here was a young lady who looked much like a bride, yet she wasn’t. In a few minutes, another young lady came around the corner, smiling.

“Hi! I’m (and she gave us her name). You must be the photographers. I’m ready for pictures when you are.”

Indeed, we were perplexed! Here was the bride dressed in a bright red tea length dress, red hose, red shoes, red gloves, a pill box hat and carrying a bouquet of beautiful red roses! Looks can be deceiving for sure.

“Then Moses led the people of Israel on from the Red Sea, and they moved out into the wilderness of Shur and were there three days without water. Arriving at Marah, they couldn’t drink the water because it was bitter (that is why the place was called Marah, meaning “bitter”).” Exodus 15:22-23 TLB

Here were the Children of Israel having marched for days through the desert land finally coming upon what looked like perfectly good water. But, as they tasted it, they discovered they were deceived; the water was bitter.

Have you ever been deceived? Satan is The Great Deceiver. Nothing pleases him more than to deceive people; particularly God’s people. One of the big deceptions being some teachers and preachers who distort God’s word. They want to make His word pleasing to our ears so they preach and teach a “feel good” gospel rather than the true gospel of Christ. In order not to be deceived by such teaching, we need to be in God’s word; searching the scripture for ourselves and praying to Him for discernment of each verse.

“Beware of false teachers who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are wolves and will tear you apart.” Matthew 7:15 TLB